Everyone eagerly awaited the assessment of the Profound Cloud Sect's pills. For centuries, the Sect had reigned supreme in alchemy, their dominance uncontested. People had grown accustomed to seeing them lead in this segment every decade.0

However, the sudden emergence of a blue-tier pill from the Liu Clan had cast a shadow of uncertainty over this year's commerce fair. For the first time in generations, the outcome was no longer a foregone conclusion.0

"This is odd. The pill runes from the Profound Cloud Sect's pill don't appear as pure as those from the Liu Clan," murmured a grandmaster alchemist seated among the crowd.0

At a glance, the difference was negligible, but under closer scrutiny, it was impossible to ignore.0

The Liu Clan's pill runes were tightly condensed, forming what appeared to be a single, unified entity.0

In contrast, the Profound Cloud Sect's pill, though adorned with many pill runes, showed signs of looseness and fragmentation. The pill runes lacked cohesion.0

After about a minute, the crystal sphere finally stopped, and a faint blue hue shimmered across its surface. Though it reached the blue grade, it was pale and diluted.0

On the other hand, the Liu Clan's pill had produced a deep, radiant blue....0