"Nineteenth place: Ke Jing'an, First-tier High-Grade Condensing Breath Pill, low-quality, refining process rated Grade A!"
"Twentieth place: Chen Jinshu, First-tier Mid-Grade Linsheng Pill, high-quality, refining process rated Grade A!"
At that moment, Chen Jinshu found the Peak Lord's voice especially pleasant to hear.
A tremor ran through her heart, and joy lit up her face—she never imagined she would end up as the 21st, only to be bumped up to the 20th spot because Peng Qi had dropped out.
"Talk about luck! Twentieth place! The ranking may not be high, but securing a spot in the Cave Heaven is the real victory!"
At last, Chen Jinshu could release the mental tension that had gripped her over the past several days. In her heart, she was now almost certain: Peng Qi must have suffered backlash from her own luck.
Her own luck, bolstered by the Shadowpeak Finch, had always been far greater than most cultivators. Even though she too encountered a faulty pill furnace, she pulled through. It might have been Peng Qi's luck backfiring—or perhaps a cumulative luck backlash from all the participants combined.
Rumor had it that when someone's actions infringe upon those blessed with great luck, a backlash may follow. There's a hint of karmic theory in that.
"Congratulations to the top twenty disciples! As for those who didn't make it, don't lose heart. There's always next year—spend this year improving your alchemy skills," the Peak Lord declared.
As soon as he finished speaking, the scene within the great hall shifted rapidly. Everyone lost their footing slightly as the golden surroundings and pill furnaces disappeared. Chen Jinshu's vision swayed for a moment, and then the Hall of the Medicine King reverted to its original state—just as it had been during the elders' lectures.
"This ability is truly miraculous—transforming the entire environment like that," she thought in mild amazement, glancing around like the other disciples.
Moments later, she felt a gaze fall upon her. Looking up, she saw Shui Huanmeng Zhēnrén smiling at her warmly. Her gaze was gentle, kind.
A ripple stirred in Chen Jinshu's heart. "Could it be that Huanmeng Zhēnrén wanted to take me as a disciple?"
As the only female elder of the Medicine King Peak, Shui Huanmeng was second in strength only to the Peak Lord. She had also mentored several extraordinarily gifted disciples. Many female cultivators dreamed of becoming her student. But Chen Jinshu also sensed another gaze falling on her. As expected, it was Gu Zhēnrén.
Gu Zhēnrén had long expressed an interest in accepting a disciple, though he was known to be quite selective.
Chen Jinshu could tell that Gu Zhēnrén preferred disciples with aptitude in spiritual botany—like the male disciple who had repeatedly earned high praise. So for Gu Zhēnrén to now turn his gaze to her... she was intrigued.
"Could Gu Zhēnrén be planning to take on two disciples?"
Still, in her heart, she leaned toward Shui Huanmeng Zhēnrén.
After all, Shui Huanmeng was also a musical cultivator—though her instrument was the pipa, a more niche choice compared to the typical spiritual zither. It was said that before stepping onto the cultivation path, Shui Huanmeng had spent nearly a decade as a musician in a tavern. To reach her current power, she had endured no small hardship.
"Top twenty disciples, remain here. The rest of you may go outside to receive your consolation prizes," announced the Peak Lord.
Then he summoned the top twenty to the front to claim their rewards.
Chen Jinshu's face showed a hint of anticipation—previous top-twenty rewards had been quite generous, offering several options tailored to each disciple's needs. She followed a dozen senior brothers and sisters up to the elders and the Peak Lord.
"You've all performed admirably today. I trust it won't be long before you reach Foundation Establishment. Remember, Foundation Establishment is just the beginning of your journey. Do not let today's achievements fill you with pride," the Peak Lord advised solemnly.
"In past competitions, all disciples who made the top twenty eventually succeeded in reaching Foundation Establishment. I hope you all continue to strive forward," he sighed lightly.
The earlier blind-box alchemy contests had been even more fiercely competitive—the top twenty were all at the eighth or ninth level of Qi Refining, and the pills produced were all top-tier First-Level. Still, this year's batch wasn't bad. If not for Peng Qi's mishap, they'd mostly be late-stage Qi Refining as well.
"Yes, Peak Master!" Chen Jinshu echoed with the others.
She hadn't expected this outcome. She'd simply aimed to give it her best. Peng Qi's accident was outside her expectations.
"Let's begin with the first-place disciple. Choose your reward."
"What would you like? There are thirty spiritual treasures here—choose one."
The Peak Lord waved his hand, and a variety of items floated from his storage bag: spiritual tools, cultivation techniques, spells, pills… almost every category was covered.
"I'd like this protective artifact!" said Du Yi, the first-place winner, pointing to a green-glowing spiritual item at the center.
"Excellent choice! That's a second-tier low-grade spiritual item, with strong defensive properties. Made from the shell of a 500-year-old thick-skinned turtle!"
"Thank you, Peak Lord!"
"No need to thank me—it's the fruit of your own effort!"
"And you?" the Peak Lord turned to Jiang Daoyu.
"I'll take this technique."
"'Thunder Step'—a movement technique. Once mastered, it's three times faster than peers of the same tier. A good pick. Are you sure?"
"I'm sure! I've been needing a proper movement technique."
...
Two incense-sticks' time later, the top nineteen disciples had all made their selections.
The Peak Lord's gaze fell on Chen Jinshu.
"Quite the lucky one—but your strength is solid too. To have mastered high-quality mid-grade first-tier pills at the fifth level of Qi Refining... that's no small feat."
"Pick one."
The Peak Lord offered her a mild smile.
"You flatter me, Peak Lord. I was merely fortunate."
"I'll choose this spiritual sword."
Her gaze settled on a long sword glowing with soft green light among the ten or so remaining items. The sword resonated with wood-element spiritual power, which suited her. Since her main spiritual tool was a Zither, she often lacked close-range defense in battle—this sword would balance that out.
Of the remaining items, this one suited her best.
"Take it," said the Peak Master, unsurprised, handing her the sword.
"This sword is called Azure Frost. Light, but not lacking in strength. An excellent match for a female cultivator."
"Thank you, Peak Lord!"
"With the rewards handed out, let's hear from the elders. Any of you wish to take a disciple?"
"I am Pu Nanzi. Du Yi, would you like to be my disciple?"
"Hold on, Brother Pu. I also wish to take this one as my student," said another elder.
The Peak Leader asked gently, "Du Yi, what is your decision?"
"I wish to become Elder Pu's disciple."
Du Yi didn't hesitate—he immediately bowed and acknowledged the elder known as the most skilled alchemist on Medicine King Peak.
After that, five or six of the top twenty were also called by various elders.
Among them was Chen Jinshu.
Both Gu Zhēnrén and Shui Huanmeng Zhēnrén wanted her as a disciple.
"I am a music cultivator. Huanmeng Zhēnrén suits me best."
She gave Gu Zhēnrén an apologetic glance and performed the formal bowing rite to Shui Huanmeng.
"Very good! From today on, you are my third female disciple," Shui Huanmeng said with a warm smile, her demeanor even softer than before.