Who Takes First Place

Each of them presented the alchemy pill they had refined.

Grace refined her master's secret recipe: the Genesis Core Pill.

After taking this pill, one could speed up cultivation in areas with extremely weak spiritual energy. The effect was remarkable.

Felix Xi refined the Explosive Core Pill.

This pill could make one's core energy surge for a whole hour.

If used in a duel or on the battlefield, its effects would be especially obvious.

Both pills had their own uses.

And both were widely applicable.

It was truly a tie.

The judges all approved of both pills. When it came time to vote, the results were evenly split—both contestants received the same number of votes.

Grace shot Felix Xi a sidelong glance.

Unbelievable!

Last time, losing to him was bad enough.

This time, after living one more life than Felix Xi, how did I only manage a tie with him?

Just how terrifying is this guy's talent?

......

"President," the Vice President in charge of the assessment called out, "Felix Xi and Chloe Zhu's scores are about the same. How should we decide who takes first place?"

Byron White thought for a moment and said, "Today, the Grand Elder is here. Why not let him make the final call?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Grace felt a chill run down her spine.

Byron White did that on purpose, didn't he?

Let Jillian Ye's father be the judge—he'll definitely give first place to Felix Xi!

Grace shot Byron White a disgruntled look, thinking, I've been playing his game for two months, and it's all for nothing...

......

A tall, slender man stepped out from the crowd.

He was strikingly handsome, with delicate features and an almost feminine beauty. He looked only about thirty.

It was hard to believe he had a daughter as old as Jillian Ye.

Despite his youthful looks, his every movement oozed depth and gravitas, as if he'd lived for countless years...

Maybe he really was a Spirit Lord, half-immortal as the legends say?

Otherwise, how could he be the Grand Elder of the Spirit Alliance?

......

The Grand Elder examined both pills and said, "In terms of medicinal properties, application, and difficulty of refinement, these two are about the same."

"Exactly! It's really hard to say which is better," Byron White replied respectfully.

"However, I cast my vote for Chloe Zhu," the Grand Elder announced.

Grace's eyes widened in shock.

He voted for her?

Did he really say he was voting for her?

Did she hear that right?

Byron White nodded and asked, "Is there a reason for your choice, Grand Elder?"

The Grand Elder replied, "Felix Xi's pill is best suited for duels or warfare."

Everyone agreed with that.

"But I do not advocate taking pills during duels," the Grand Elder said. "It's unfair. And I especially don't want to see war break out and ordinary people lose their homes."

After speaking, he looked at everyone and said solemnly, "That's my reason."

Everyone present was deeply moved by his words.

Who doesn't want fairness?

And what normal person would ever wish for war?

......

And just like that, Grace took first place.

What a surprise!

Still, the sudden joy didn't make Grace forget to check on Felix Xi.

She glanced at Felix Xi and saw him glaring at the Grand Elder as if looking at his mortal enemy.

"Hey!" Grace nudged him. "Even if you lost, don't look at people like that, okay? I already promised to help you out!"

Felix Xi's face was unnaturally pale. He ignored her and stormed off!

"Such a sore loser..." Grace shook her head.