Chapter 301: Why not let me try?

After a brief rest, Jiang Cheng continued to refine pills.

Indeed, after his level improved, this time three high-grade Spirit Nourishing Pills appeared at once, and another seven were all intermediate Spirit Nourishing Pills, total value 23,000.

Loss of 27,000.

Compared to the previous loss of 29,000, it's a little less loss.

But the experience bar rose slowly.

If it were when he wasn't proficient, this batch of pills could increase the experience bar by 38%.

But now, because his proficiency reached the proficient level, the experience bar only increased by one-third, about 13%.

Jiang Cheng glanced at the herbs on hand; there were only ten portions left.

Even if he still had 200,000 on him, at most he could gather four more portions of herbs, raising the experience bar to about 50%.

What about the remaining 50%?

The valuable things he had on him were just those two swords.

One of them is an A-rank battle blade; he definitely wouldn't sell it, because it provides considerable combat power, and second, he needs it to practice the Shadowless Blade.

The other C-rank battle blade, however, could be sold, since keeping it on him is useless; the key is that selling it wouldn't fetch much money……

Go hunt exotic beasts?

That's actually a not bad option.

Not to mention hundreds of thousands, even several million can be obtained in a few days.

But the Dawn Society people are surely looking for him outside; going out now, if he isn't discovered it's fine, but once discovered, even though he is a Level 7 Original Force Warrior, he still has mortal danger.

Moreover, his sniper rifle is still left at the Dawn Society, not brought out; now if he wants to go hunt exotic beasts, he also needs to spend money to buy another sniper rifle.

After thinking it over, Jiang Cheng still decided to have the Black Market people fund this sum for him.

Exactly, he no longer intends to hide it; he wants to display his talent, let the Black Market see his value—anyway Yang Chun already saw his talent in cultivation, adding another alchemy skill makes no difference.

Another day passed.

Jiang Cheng refined pills while practicing the Cloud-Penetrating Technique.

Because his daily spiritual power is all used in pill refining, the amount of Force Light Points he can refine each day is greatly reduced, and his improvement speed is also much slower.

However, once his spiritual power increases, his training speed will actually become much faster then.

The next morning.

Just like the previous few days, Jiang Cheng entered the alchemy room and found that, besides the usual familiar faces, there were two additional people.

One of them he knew—it was Yang Chun, one of the Black Market's heads.

The other was an elderly man with slightly white sideburns, wearing a white coat like Shen Ming; he appeared to be an alchemist, possibly not low in rank.

Everyone glanced at Jiang Cheng; Yang Chun specially nodded at him, then turned to the old man beside him and said respectfully, "Old Sun, what do you think?"

"If you're ready, we can begin."

Old Sun nodded.

As the words fell, everyone's gaze turned to Han Tao.

Jiang Cheng instantly understood.

No wonder Yang Chun came over—it turns out Han Tao wants to attempt completing the assessment task.

Han Tao was also somewhat nervous at this time.

Yang Chun, on the other hand, looked amiable and approachable.

But the old man beside them had sharp eyes; he was likely a fourth- or fifth-rank alchemist, and ordinary people find it hard to stay calm in front of someone like him.

Seeing this, Shen Ming reached out and patted his shoulder.

"Believe in yourself; you have this level. As long as you perform normally, that's enough to pass the assessment."

Not just these two days, including the previous few days, he often went to the latter's place to give him pointers on pill refining.

Now, all that's left is to prove himself in front of Old Sun and Yang Chun, the person in charge.

"Hmm."

Han Tao nodded heavily, stepped forward, and stood before the alchemy furnace.

"Section Chief Yang, Old Sun, I'm starting now."

"Okay, begin." Yang Chun smiled.

That Old Sun still had a blank expression.

On the other hand, a male and female from Jiang Cheng's batch nearby looked on with deep envy, hoping they too would have such a day one day.

Especially the former.

The pill refining quickly began.

Time trickled by.

Han Tao also gradually entered the state.

Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

Several strands of spiritual power were directed toward the alchemy cauldron.

Jiang Cheng did not use his spiritual power to observe.

Because his spiritual power is limited, it's better to refine more Original Force during this idle time rather than watch, and he doesn't care whether this person can pass the assessment.

However, he could infer some things from the facial expressions of the people present.

As an hour was about to end, the complexions of those present all underwent different changes.

The most obvious was Han Tao himself, the party involved.

Only to see him looking anxious, sweat continually beading on his forehead—obviously, things were not going smoothly.

Beside him, Shen Ming's brows furrowed tighter and tighter.

The man and woman beside them also seemed somewhat surprised, and also relieved?

Yang Chun and that elder's expressions showed no change compared to before. Perhaps the two are deep‑minded, or perhaps they have seen it countless times and are accustomed to it.

Finally, the one‑hour countdown ended.

Han Tao's face turned ashen, as if his strength had been drained.

"It's fine."

At that moment, Yang Chun smiled reassuringly: "With five days left before the one‑month deadline, you have already managed to refine four finished pills. Producing one more shouldn't be difficult."

"Yang Zhuguan, I usually can refine five, but this time I'm a bit nervous. Please, Yang Zhuguan, and also Sun Lao, give me another chance so I can refine again."

Han Tao pleaded.

"Yes, yes."

Shen Ming also pleaded beside them, "Sun Lao, Yang Zhuguan, Han Tao can indeed normally refine five Primary Spirit Nourishing Pills, and sometimes even six. I have seen it with my own eyes, I am not exaggerating. He was probably a bit nervous just now, so his performance faltered. Please, both of you, give him another chance."

"I have no objection."

Yang Chun smiled faintly and looked toward the elder beside him.

"Sun Lao…"

"Hmph."

Sun Lao let out a cold snort, his eyes like two sharp swords.

"Attitude is also part of strength. If you were on a battlefield, do you think others would give you a second chance?"

Hearing that, Han Tao dared not meet his gaze and lowered his head.

Shen Ming opened his mouth to speak but stopped.

"Alright, we'll talk when you've gotten your condition back in shape."

After speaking, Sun Lao turned and walked toward the doorway.

Yang Chun let out a light sigh.

At that moment, a voice rang out.

"Yang Zhuguan, Sun Lao, I wonder if you have time right now? If so, I'd like to give it a try and complete the Assessment Task."

As the words fell, the people around turned to look at the speaker.

Seeing that it was Jiang Cheng, everyone except Sun Lao, including Yang Chun, showed surprise on their faces.

Especially Han Tao, whose eyes seemed about to pop out of their sockets.

(End of chapter)