Chapter 2671: Survival of the Fittest

"Heh, as a member of the Song family, Song Minzhe, you're nothing but trash!"

"With such petty tricks, you dare to show off in front of Brother Wenhao?"

"What a joke! The Song family actually sent you to make up the numbers!"

...

As soon as Song Wenhao spoke, many chimed in to join him in berating Song Minzhe.

Song Wenhao was in high favor and was bound to become a great figure in the future.

Building a good relationship with him now was like clinging to a big tree!

Song Minzhe was Song Wenhao's cousin, mediocre in talent among this generation, barely sent here.

But in the eyes of the Song family, he was merely a foil, unlikely to be chosen.

Ordinarily, Song Wenhao looked down on this cousin and often belittled him at home.

"Brother, I didn't mean to show off. I just thought waiting was boring, so I practiced fire control to pass the time," said Song Minzhe.

Slap!

Song Wenhao backhanded him and snapped, "Learning to talk back! Everyone here is better than you. With your lousy skills, if you want to embarrass yourself, do it at home. Coming here brings shame to the Song family!"

Song Minzhe covered his face, but his gaze was stubborn.

He didn't think he had done anything wrong!

Was practicing fire control to pass the time a mistake?

Seeing Song Minzhe's defiance, Song Wenhao grew even angrier.

Bang!

He kicked Song Minzhe in the chest, sending him flying.

"Insolent brat! How dare you look at me like that? I'll beat you to death, you disobedient wretch!" Song Wenhao growled.

Creak!

Just then, the door to the alchemy hall suddenly opened.

Ye Yuan entered leisurely with Cui Tong and the others.

"The Third Hall Master arrives!"

The assembled geniuses were startled and quickly stood at attention.

Even Song Wenhao put away his arrogance and stood respectfully.

Song Minzhe struggled to his feet, said nothing, and stood quietly aside.

Ye Yuan's gaze swept over the crowd, and the geniuses breathed rapidly, extremely nervous.

For some reason, although this man before them seemed to be of similar cultivation level,

they all felt as if they were being seen through when facing Ye Yuan.

"Your presence here means you are elite disciples in your own families! However, being chosen by your family does not mean you are chosen by me. I have my own standards for selecting disciples. Now, each of you will demonstrate your skills so I can see your strength!" Ye Yuan said calmly.

Many were eager to try upon hearing this.

As Ye Yuan said, those who came were all elites.

They naturally wanted to show off their abilities before Ye Yuan in hopes of becoming his disciple.

After all, it was a true inheritance!

"Who goes first?" Ye Yuan said.

"I will!" Song Wenhao volunteered, stepping forward first.

Many had wanted to go first, but seeing Song Wenhao step up, they backed off.

Going first naturally had its advantages.

First impressions!

The earlier one performed, the more attention one caught.

Especially someone like Song Wenhao; once he performed, the rest would seem dull, greatly reducing their chances of being selected.

Of course, this was based on having real strength.

If one lacked strength but went first, they would only be outshone.

Ye Yuan nodded slightly and said, "Alright, refine a first-grade Foundation Establishment Heavenly Pill."

Song Wenhao smiled arrogantly and said, "Third Hall Master, the Foundation Establishment Heavenly Pill is too simple; it can't showcase my strength!"

Ye Yuan frowned slightly and said displeasedly, "Are you testing me, or am I testing you?"

Song Wenhao was startled by Ye Yuan's outburst and quickly said awkwardly, "Of... of course, the Third Hall Master is testing me! Alright, Foundation Establishment Heavenly Pill it is!"

Song Wenhao performed, and indeed his skill was strong, immediately drawing exclamations of admiration.

For him, a first-grade Foundation Establishment Heavenly Pill was child's play, far too easy.

Soon, the pill was finished!

Unsurprisingly, it was ninth-grade mid-quality!

For a second-grade heavenly pharmacist to refine a first-grade Foundation Establishment Heavenly Pill to ninth-grade mid-quality was already an impressive feat.

After finishing, Song Wenhao wore a proud expression.

He believed this pill would surely impress Ye Yuan!

Unless he was blind!

Of course, Ye Yuan remained very calm.

Song Wenhao wasn't surprised; if anyone was a true genius, it was Ye Yuan, the most monstrous of all!

To be able to refine true-grade heavenly pills at such an age—that was truly extraordinary!

But Song Wenhao didn't sell himself short; in his view, Ye Yuan was just better born.

Next, the genius disciples from various families displayed their skills one by one.

Ye Yuan had them all refine the same first-grade Foundation Establishment Heavenly Pill.

It took a full three days for Ye Yuan to finish observing everyone.

However, when Song Minzhe was refining, Ye Yuan paid special attention and nodded inwardly.

In fact, Ye Yuan had already seen everything that had happened here.

Indeed, making them wait here was part of the assessment.

Ye Yuan had an impression of everyone present.

After everyone finished refining, the geniuses looked at Ye Yuan expectantly.

Song Wenhao, on the other hand, was confident.

"Now, I will point to those I choose, and you will stand over there."

Ye Yuan slowly raised his hand and pointed first at Song Wenhao.

Song Wenhao smiled as if expecting this, stepped out, and stood aside.

The others cast envious glances at him.

"You!"

"You!"

"And you!"

...

Ye Yuan pointed one by one, and many of those selected were top geniuses from various families.

Some, though not as good as Song Wenhao, were not far behind.

Ye Yuan pointed out over 150 people before stopping.

Those selected were overjoyed.

Those not selected looked dejected, having lost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"You may leave now!" Ye Yuan said calmly to the 150-plus.

Song Wenhao was stunned and said, "You... what did you say?"

Ye Yuan raised his voice slightly and said calmly, "I said, you may leave now! Those who remain will become my disciples."

With that, Ye Yuan pointed toward Song Minzhe's direction.

He had been kept.

Song Wenhao's eyes widened in disbelief. "Third Hall Master, you... haven't you made a mistake? That bunch of trash is going to be your disciples?"

Ye Yuan frowned and said coldly, "What did you say?"

Song Wenhao suddenly raised his voice, furious. "Third Hall Master, you hold a high position, but we children of noble families are not to be bullied! Did the families select us just for you to toy with us? I don't know what criteria you used, eliminating all of us geniuses and keeping only these trash! Hah, I, Song Wenhao, refuse to accept this!"

"I refuse too!"

"I refuse!"