In both the first and second rounds of assessment, Ian Song was always the first to finish, so the black-robed elder, Uncle Yule, was especially hopeful about him.
Meeting Uncle Yule's expectant gaze, Ian Song replied in an unhurried tone, "Senior, seventy-two!"
"What?"
"Impossible!"
When the crowd heard that Ian Song had actually comprehended seventy-two Pill Formulas, they couldn't help but cry out in shock. The white-robed Profound Immortal especially shouted, "Impossible!"—his heart twisted with jealousy to the point of madness.
"Is that true?"
Uncle Yule's eyes lit up with uncontrollable delight as he asked Ian Song again, seeking confirmation.
"I wouldn't dare deceive you, Senior," Ian Song replied calmly.
Uncle Yule couldn't help but praise him, "Good! Excellent! Now, show me all seventy-two Pill Formulas!"
Ian Song nodded, then began to move his hands, performing the first Pill Formula as he said, "This is the Lesser Yang Fire-Splitting Formula."
Then, changing the motion of his hands, he performed another Pill Formula: "This is the Yin-Yang Fire-Transforming Formula!"
After that, Ian Song's hands continued to shift through different techniques, performing one Pill Formula after another.
Half a quarter-hour later, Ian Song executed the final motion and performed the last Pill Formula: "This is the Divine Sun Absolute Fire Formula!"
"Good! Wonderful! Absolutely fantastic!"
Seeing Ian Song finish demonstrating all seventy-two Pill Formulas, Uncle Yule couldn't help but clap and cheer, leaving the others burning with envy.
"Congratulations, Brother Ian!"
Yukon Gee smiled as he spoke.
"Thank you!" Ian Song replied with a smile.
"Ian Song, right? I'm the master's old servant. From now on, just call me Uncle Yule!" The black-robed elder smiled kindly at Ian Song, his face full of warmth.
When the others heard this, their expressions shifted slightly. It was clear that of the two coveted alchemy apprentice spots, one was already reserved for Ian Song.
"Damn it!"
The white-robed Profound Immortal cursed inwardly. If he'd known things would turn out this way, he would have paid a much higher price to force this lowly ascended Immortal out. Now it looked like his chance to become Ancestor Martin's alchemy apprentice was gone for good.
"Greetings, Uncle Yule!" Ian Song quickly bowed in respect.
"Good child, get up! No need to be so formal!"
Uncle Yule personally reached out to help Ian Song up. "Come with me, Ian, I'll take you to see the master!"
"Yes, sir!"
Then Uncle Yule turned to the others and said, "Please wait here. I'll go report to the master!"
Watching Uncle Yule lead Ian Song away alone, everyone except Yukon Gee looked unhappy—especially the white-robed Profound Immortal, who was practically beside himself with jealousy.
On the way to see Ancestor Martin, Uncle Yule spoke with layered meaning: "Ian Song, the master hasn't taken a direct disciple yet. I noticed you from the very first round. Tell me, have you mastered void alchemy?"
Ian Song stiffened slightly at the question and quickly bowed to Uncle Yule. "Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Yule. Actually, I use a Divine Ability of my own creation called the Pill Condensation Technique. My pill refining speed is extremely fast, and every pill I make is top-grade!"
"Oh! How extraordinary!"
Uncle Yule was genuinely astonished and praised him again. "It seems your talent in alchemy far exceeds my expectations. With you here, the master's legacy is secure!"
Originally, Ian Song had only planned to become an alchemy apprentice. Now, it looked like he had a real chance to become Ancestor Martin's disciple, and he couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement.
Soon after.
Uncle Yule led Ian Song to a building shrouded in mist.
The mist wasn't ordinary fog, but condensed pill aura. Ian Song recognized it—his own Divine Temple's alchemy area was filled with similar pill vapor that never dissipated.
Uncle Yule bowed deeply toward the pill-aura-filled building and called out, "Master, the assessments are complete! Fifteen candidates passed all three rounds. Please decide!"
"All finished! Hm? Why did you bring a youngster with you?"
A hoarse voice called out from inside the building, "Bring the boy in with you!"
"Yes, Master!"
Uncle Yule gave Ian Song a meaningful glance, then led him into the building. Inside a glazed pavilion, Ian Song finally met the legendary Ancestor Martin.
Ancestor Martin had white hair and beard, dressed in long black robes. He looked every bit the immortal sage, but there was no aura emanating from him—he seemed just like an ordinary old man.
"Well? Why did you bring this young fellow here?"
Ancestor Martin asked.
Uncle Yule bowed and answered, "Master, Ian Song learned all seventy-two Pill Formulas inscribed on the stone pillars within one hour!"
"What?"
Ancestor Martin's eyes suddenly flashed with twin beams of light, and he spoke excitedly, "Is that true?"
"Ian Song, quickly demonstrate those seventy-two Pill Formulas for the master!"
"Yes, Master!"
Ian Song nodded and began performing all seventy-two Pill Formulas. As he flawlessly executed each fire-control technique, Ancestor Martin's expression grew more and more excited.
Then, with a casual wave, Ancestor Martin summoned 108 stone pillars to appear before Ian Song.
These stone pillars resembled the ones in the earlier hall, but the runes carved on them were far more complex.
"Try it. See if you can learn all 108 advanced fire-control Pill Formulas!" Ancestor Martin said, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Don't let the master down!"
Uncle Yule added with a knowing smile.
Ian Song nodded emphatically, then released his spiritual sense to envelop one stone pillar, copying each rune into his mind for arrangement.
Compared to the runes on the pillars in the previous hall, copying these was much more challenging.
But Ian Song was undaunted. It just meant spending a little more time.
Soon, Ian Song figured out the first advanced fire-control Pill Formula, then immediately used his spiritual sense to envelop ten pillars at once.
This time, it took him a quarter-hour to deduce the ten Pill Formulas.
Next, his spiritual sense enveloped twenty-four pillars, and after two quarter-hours, he had deduced twenty-four more Pill Formulas. Ancestor Martin, watching closely, grew more serious and thought to himself, "This kid's soul must be of incredible quality!"
After that, Ian Song didn't envelop more pillars at once. He kept it at twenty-four—not because he'd reached his limit, but because he instinctively felt he should hold something back.
In less than an hour, Ian Song had deduced all 108 Pill Formulas from the stone pillars.
"Quick, perform the Pill Formulas for Ancestor Martin to see!"
Ancestor Martin urged him on.
Ian Song didn't dare delay. He performed all 108 Pill Formulas one by one, making Ancestor Martin beam with joy. In his heart, the old master shouted, "Finally, a worthy successor!"
Then Ancestor Martin fixed Ian Song with a burning gaze. "Boy, are you willing to take me as your master?"
"Disciple greets Master!"
Ian Song immediately knelt down in respect.
"Ha ha! Good! My obedient disciple, get up!"
Ancestor Martin personally helped Ian Song to his feet. Beside them, Uncle Yule beamed and announced loudly, "Congratulations, Master, on gaining an excellent disciple!"
Then Uncle Yule turned and bowed to Ian Song. "This old servant greets the young master!"
"No, no! Uncle Yule, please get up!"
Ian Song hurriedly reached out to help Uncle Yule up.