Chapter 305: The End of the Competition

After First Elder Qiu Ling handed over the item to Xiao Ming and made a brief statement, he announced that the competition was over. The alchemists began to leave one after another, but some stayed behind to establish a relationship with Xiao Ming.

Without looking first at his potential, based on his current strength alone, Xiao Ming, who had successfully refined an eighth-tier pill, was qualified to be attracted by various major forces.

Xiao Ming understood the intentions of these people, but when others treated him with a smiling face, he could not simply ignore them.

Fortunately, he had encountered such situations before and could deal with them easily, making those people feel as if they had been touched by a spring breeze.

After a while, those people realized that delaying Xiao Ming's time was not a good idea, so they said their goodbyes and left one after another.

Only then Xiao Ming could relax.

"Haha, congratulations to Master Xiao Ming for surpassing everyone and winning first place. I'm afraid that from now on, I will have to call you Master Xiao Ming. The title of 'Central Plains number one genius' is truly well-deserved!" At this time, Ye Zhong walked up to Xiao Ming with a smile, followed by Cao Ying.

"Senior Ye Zhong is too kind. It was just luck. Oh, what is this Central Plains number one genius you speak of?" Xiao Ming smiled and asked in return.

"Don't you know, Master Xiao Ming? It has been rumored for a long time that your talent is unmatched in Central Plains, and you have been praised as the number one genius. I think this praise is well-deserved and only you are worthy of this title." Ye Zhong replied with a smile.

"I… really didn't know about this. But let's not talk about the 'Central Plains number one genius' title in the future." Xiao Ming shook his head. Although the title sounded impressive, it could also cause trouble.

"Hehe, does Master Xiao Ming dislike the title? You know, being number one is the dream of countless young people." Cao Ying chuckled beside them. Her soft laughter made people feel weak in their knees.

"The Central Plains is home to hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Being the first is not an easy task. Perhaps one day, a genius like Miss Cao Ying will come knocking on the door," Xiao Ming replied calmly to Cao Ying's sudden interjection, causing her to giggle coquettishly.

"I dare not compare myself to Mr. Xiao Ming," she said, changing the subject.

As they walked down the path, Cao Ying walked gracefully beside Xiao Ming, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at him. She leaned in close, then whispered about random things that seemed irrelevant. Every now and then, she covered her mouth with her hand, letting out a soft giggle that made the nearby young alchemists turn their heads to look at Xiao Ming with envy, wishing they could have Cao Ying's attention instead.

Cao Ying was well aware of the attention they were receiving, but she didn't seem to mind it at all.

Xiao Ming also didn't feel anything special about these envious looks; he was already used to them. He was just curious about Cao Ying's intentions to appear at his side, if she wanted to form a relationship, then her enthusiasm seemed excessive. Geniuses tended to be arrogant, and he hadn't done anything special to make her like him.

Despite his reservations, Xiao Ming treated her politely and even cracked a few jokes from time to time.

The route was not very long, and with Ye Zhong present, Cao Ying blinked her lovely eyes and bade farewell to both of them before parting.

Looking at Cao Ying, who was leaving in a good mood, Ye Zhong said with a knowing smile. "It seems the little girl from the Cao Clan has taken quite a liking to you, Master."

"Maybe..." Xiao Ming glanced at Ye Zhong and then asked, "I would like to thank Elder Ye for helping me this time. When is the specific time for the Five Great Clans assessment?"

As for Xiao Ming's initiative to ask about this matter, Ye Zhong felt satisfied and thought that he had not helped the wrong person.

He rubbed his beard before replying, "There is no need to be in a hurry about this. The next assessment will be in two years. As long as Master Xiao Ming is still in the Pill Tower at that time, it will be fine."

With the specific time given by Ye Zhong, Xiao Ming, and Ye Zhong parted ways, and Xiao Ming returned to the inn alone.

After returning to the inn, Xiao Ming did not immediately prepare the Core Soul Marrow. Like many other contestants, he went straight to bed and fell into a deep sleep.

The eighth-tier pill was not as easy to refine as one might imagine, and he had been intensively refining pills for almost three months. Even though there were some breaks in between, now it was necessary to rest.

It was best to alternate between cultivation and rest.

After Xiao Ming and the others left, the results of the competition inevitably leaked out.

Under the night, amidst the noise, a quietness enveloped this unusually bustling and large city. The city was brightly lit, and the flow of people on the streets was still continuous. The talk in everyone's mouths was about the recent competition, and more naturally, it was about the champion of it, the young man named Xiao Ming.

The previously unfamiliar name was now wholly engraved in everyone's mind, and they also knew that perhaps it wouldn't take too long before this name reverberate throughout the entire Central Plains.

By then, he would be the most dazzling young star in the Central Plains.

...

The next day, Xiao Ming woke up from his sleep, washed up, had breakfast, and quickly returned to his room. He sat cross-legged on the bed and closed his eyes, adjusting his mental state and physical condition.

The success or failure of the preparation of the Core Soul Marrow would determine whether he could thoroughly advance to the so-called eighth tier! Therefore, he could not afford to be distracted.

After a moment, Xiao Ming finally opened his eyes slowly. His black pupils were as calm as a still pool, deep and unfathomable.

He exhaled a breath of air slowly through his throat, and with a wave of his palm, three jade containers floated in front of him. With a flick of his finger, the jade lids opened, and a strange fragrance immediately spread out, making Xiao Ming feel invigorated.

Looking closely, the three things were the Core Soul Marrow, the Pill Soul Serum extracted by the simulator, and the Heavenly Numb Jade Essence obtained from the Snake-People Tribe.

Among these three things, the Core Soul Marrow and Pill Soul Serum could be directly prepared, as long as the amount was correctly controlled. As for the Heavenly Numb Jade Essence, it needed to be refined before it could be added to the mixture.

Refining it was not difficult, especially for the current Xiao Ming. He simply waved his hand, and the Heavenly Numb Jade Essence floated out, suspended in front of him.

Xiao Ming glanced at the Heavenly Numb Jade Essence before him, then waved his hand, and a bright white flame surged out and enveloped it.

As soon as the flame appeared, under Xiao Ming's control, the temperature rose rapidly to an extremely high level. Therefore, in less than half a minute, cracks appeared on the surface of the Heavenly Numb Jade Essence, and a very faint smell emanated from it.