An Earth Rank Middle Level Meridian Refining Master has special channels to join Refining Cloud Mountain, a rule Yun Xiao is unaware of; otherwise, he wouldn't have worked so hard, almost unable to pass the first round due to bad luck.

As for Yao Tiansha participating in the Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection competition, it's naturally for a real reason—because of Yun Xiao. Since Xu Changgui and Lu Zhang believe they might not be able to handle the boy in coarse clothes, they brought him forward.

So in the eyes of those sub-chairmen who understand the inside story, an Earth Rank Middle Level Meridian Refining Master participating in a disciple selection is simply bullying. Such a Meridian Refining Master is likely far superior to the Spirit Fighting Commerce's Li Gongnian in the field of Meridian Refining.

"The guys from Sky Thunder Valley are shameless!"

Since each city has its selection talent participating in the second round, many people cursed under their breath upon seeing Yao Tiansha join the disciple selection, holding a grudge against Sky Thunder Valley.

After all, with this Earth Rank Middle Level Meridian Refining Master participating, one of the final ten spots is undoubtedly predetermined. This means that the refining talents of these cities have one less chance to enter the top ten, which naturally angers people.

"Hey, these guys seem to be lucking out!"

In the center of the square, watching as another group of people walked into the square, Yun Xiao couldn't help but sigh. Indeed, the Earth Vein Mad Bear of Mysterious Cloud Peak gathered a lot of good things. He had already taken two batches, and yet so many people still passed.

What Yun Xiao didn't know was that people like Li Gongnian and Xu Changgui were initially just a few herbs short of meeting the requirement. With the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures left by the Earth Vein Mad Bear, it was naturally easy to achieve their goals.

However, whether it was Li Gongnian, Xu Changgui, or Sky Thunder Valley's protector Yao Tiansha, they all focused their gaze on the boy in coarse clothes as they entered the square, as if ready to spit fire.

Especially Xu Changgui, his eyes filled with deep hatred. He had a good relationship with Lu Zhang, and although the latter died at the hands of Yao Tiansha, the real culprit was undoubtedly the boy in coarse clothes. Xu Changgui saw this point clearly.

But even if Yao Tiansha had the guts, he wouldn't dare to act on the square at the entrance of Refining Cloud Mountain. Unlike Mysterious Cloud Peak, this place is watched by many heavyweight elders of Refining Cloud Mountain. His Half-step Earth Realm cultivation wouldn't stir up much trouble here.

Thus, everything had to wait until the Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection was over. They all prayed, hoping Yun Xiao would be eliminated in the second round and not make it to the final top ten, so they'd have a chance for revenge.

Clang!

The sunset in the western sky ultimately disappeared behind the mountain. Just as its last edge vanished from everyone's view, a melodious bell finally rang, bringing silence to all.

"The month has come to an end. All competitors who have not returned to the Refining Mountain Headquarters or entered the square are eliminated automatically!"

Qian Sanyuan stood up and loudly declared, causing the meridian masters standing on the square's perimeter to look despondent. They understood that their journey in the triennial Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection had reached its endpoint, and they'd only have to watch as others took the spotlight.

However, the faces of the dozens on the square were filled with excitement. Successfully passing the first round of the Refining Cloud Mountain disciple selection for some was already a major achievement.

After all, this was a gathering of the Meridian Refining talents from all major cities of the Tenglong Continent. Breaking into the second round amid nearly ten thousand Meridian Refining competitors, with less than a one percent chance, who could confidently say they could pass easily in advance?

"Now, present the ten types of herbs you obtained, to be verified by the Second Elder of the association. Those who pass will automatically enter the next round!"

Paying no attention to the myriad of emotions, Qian Sanyuan again spoke aloud. Subsequently, the Dean of the Heavenly Hospital, the Second Elder Guan Rufeng, stood up and slowly walked to a corner of the square to await those meridian refining masters who had collected the herbs.

"It's Elder Guan himself doing the verification?!"

Upon seeing the amiable-looking Second Elder of the headquarters, many people's faces changed, some even trembling slightly. Clearly, there was something fishy going on.

"The ten herbs, verified without error, passed!"

Under Guan Rufeng's watchful eyes, someone eventually stepped forward and handed the ten herbs to him. The subsequent loud announcement left the meridian refining master with a sigh of relief.

Truthfully, many of the ten herbs listed on the scroll were extremely rare. Even Yun Xiao almost didn't manage to gather all of them, let alone these ordinary meridian refiners.

Thus, no one dared guarantee they hadn't picked the wrong herbs until the final verification was complete. A single oversight could result in all efforts going to waste.

"Passed!"

"Passed!"

"Passed!"

"Hmm?"

Guan Rufeng casually examined the herbs handed to him, uttering a series of "passed." However, just as the person passing the examination was rejoicing, the face of this Second Elder of the main association changed slightly.

"Wait a moment!"

The one undergoing the examination was a young man not yet thirty years old. At this moment, it was already the last herb to be examined. As he stepped forward, Guan Rufeng's cold voice suddenly sounded, causing his steps to falter and his expression to become somewhat unnatural.

"This Meridian Refining Master, if you don't have a second piece of 'Black Fire Ginseng' in your Waist Storage, then I can only say sorry!"

Guan Rufeng tossed the piece of dark, ink-like herb exuding a blazing aura in his hand, and his words caused a stir in the hearts of many Meridian Refining Masters queuing behind.

"What? Is there a problem with this Black Fire Ginseng?"

The young man resisted the unease in his heart and forced himself to ask. Upon hearing this, Guan Rufeng's eyes flashed with a strange light.

"Although this thing looks quite similar to Black Fire Ginseng, it's actually not Black Fire Ginseng, but... Black Sun Ginseng!"

Guan Rufeng caught the Black Fire Ginseng falling from above, and his words brought a revelation to the many Meridian Refining Masters nearby, who cast disdainful glances at the young Meridian Refining Master.

"Black Sun Ginseng and Black Fire Ginseng look very similar, and their effects are not much different; both are of the fire attribute. But as a Meridian Refining Master, the work must be meticulous. Often, it's because of a minor mistake that the life of a person can be endangered. Imagine what the consequences would be if the wrong herb is used in treating and saving lives!"

Guan Rufeng ignored the gazes of the onlookers and instead focused on the young man in front of him, speaking at length, causing the young Meridian Refining Master's face to turn pale.

As Guan Rufeng said, the path of Meridian Refining is exceedingly meticulous. Using the wrong medicine might not only fail to save a life but could also worsen the patient's condition, possibly leading to their demise.

Should one use Black Sun Ginseng as Black Fire Ginseng in alchemy, this slight difference could ruin several days' worth of alchemy work.

"I don't care if you did it intentionally or not, but you must be careful in the future. Don't let your mistakes or... little cleverness endanger others' lives!"

As Guan Rufeng spoke, he put the Black Sun Ginseng back into the young man's hand, and his final words made the young Meridian Refining Master wish he could find a hole to hide in.

In fact, given the Meridian Refining Master's level, he could have identified that it was actually Black Sun Ginseng not Black Fire Ginseng, but pressed for time, he truly had no time to find the real Black Fire Ginseng.

Thus, the Meridian Refining Master took his chances, believing that Black Sun Ginseng and Black Fire Ginseng looked the same and were both of the fire attribute, so if not looked at carefully, it might not be discovered.

Who knew this attempt to muddle through would be immediately exposed by Guan Rufeng, even in such a public setting, making the young Meridian Refining Master utterly humiliated.

Guan Rufeng was quite displeased with such an imprudent Meridian Refining Master. If this person were his disciple, just this incident would be grounds for expulsion from his school.

Guan Rufeng could certainly see that this Meridian Refining Master did it deliberately. Hence, he did not spare the young man's face; in his disdain, he also hoped to correct the young man's mindset with this method, as he was still so young and had a long road ahead.

With these words, it was impossible for the young Meridian Refining Master to stay any longer. Amidst mocking and disdainful laughter, he quickly left the entrance of the Refining Cloud Mountain Headquarters with his head down.

"Huh? What's with these people?"

Surprisingly, after this young Meridian Refining Master left the headquarters of Refining Cloud Mountain with nowhere to hide, several figures hurried out from the arena and disappeared without looking back at the entrance of the Refining Cloud Mountain Headquarters.

"Tsk tsk, it seems these guys also wanted to use fake goods to slip through!"

With a mind like Yun Xiao's, he immediately guessed the reason. It seemed these individuals, like the young Meridian Refining Master earlier, wanted to fish in troubled waters and pass off inferior items as authentic.

They hadn't expected the Dean of the Heavenly Hospital to personally handle the examination this time. Seeing the previous young Meridian Refining Master's end, they quickly thought things over and decided not to take that risk.

After all, being exposed as a fraud in such a public setting is a massive blow to one's reputation. Although leaving now didn't exactly leave a good impression, it would at least be better than the earlier young Meridian Refining Master's fate.

This episode of departures didn't affect the remaining people, such as Li Gongnian from the Spirit Fighting Commerce and Heavenly Thunder Child Xu Changgui from Sky Thunder Valley, who had great confidence in their discernment.

Indeed, it was so. Before long, the only ones left in the field were Yun Xiao and Yu Shu.