30 minutes later, this time much longer than the first round, the door once again opened.
This time, it was Elder Lu who came to make the result announcement.
"Alright, this time I shall only call the names of those qualified for the final round," he said.
"Heyya, I wonder how many people would get through this round this time around," a trialist among the crowd asked quietly.
"Not many, I guess."
"What do you expect? The second round of the assessment is a watershed with strict standards."
"Yes, but I wonder if that Lin Feng can get past this round."
"You mean that Lin Feng that broke the empire's record in the previous round?"
"Surely a genius would pass this round at least," another man said, and others nodded, clearly agreeing with the man's words.
Ouyang Jun, on the other side, hearing everyone praising Lin Feng to the heavens, looked gloomy, clenching his fist, jealousy roaring deep in his heart. He was the true genius—how was Lin Feng worthy to carry his shoes? Today was supposed to be his big day. How dare he steal his spotlight?
He looked towards the elder, who had since begun announcing those who passed, without a last bit of hope.
"Li Si."
"Po Wu."
"Zheng Chen."
"...."
"And finally, Wu Ming."
"SILENCE!"
A deafening silence immediately descended onto the entire second floor, a look of disbelief plastered on the faces of everyone present.
"How is that possible?"
"That Lin Feng couldn't pass the second?" somebody spoke. Then another, then a fifth—gradually, the entire place fell into an uproar.
"Alright, those who I have just called, follow me." The elder turned around, walking away.
"WAIT!"
Seeing the elder walking away, Lin Feng immediately woke up from his reverie and called out.
"Elder Lu, please wait."
"What is it?" Hearing his name being called out, he turned around, looking at the source.
"Reporting to the elder, is there some kind of misunderstanding?" Lin Feng cupped his hands and bowed slightly as he spoke.
"What misunderstanding?"
"My name isn't on the list."
Hearing his question, the elder gradually understood what it was about.
"Alright, what's your name?"
"My name is Lin Feng, Elder Lu."
"Ah, so you're that Lin Feng. Pity." Hearing his name, the elder shook his head with pity and a hint of disappointment.
"You aren't on the list. Naturally, it means you failed to make it through," he said indifferently, then turned around without another word.
"Wait, Elder. According to the rules, I would like to call for a re-evaluation."
His words brought another round of silence. Everyone looked at him as though he was a fool. Calling for a re-evaluation was a slap to all the elders' faces.
Sure enough, in the next moment, Elder Lu's face turned gloomy.
"Re-evaluate?" he repeated slowly, his tone no longer carrying the earlier neutrality but a trace of displeasure. "Do you understand what you are implying, young man?"
The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
Everyone present knew what this meant.
Questioning the results of the Alchemist Association was no different from questioning the authority of the elders themselves.
Lin Feng cupped his fists again, his posture respectful but his gaze firm.
"This junior does not dare question the elders' authority," he said calmly. "However, I believe there may have been an error in grading. I only wish for fairness."
The moment those words fell—
"Hahahaha!"
A loud, mocking laugh rang out.
Ouyang Jun stepped forward, his face filled with ridicule as he looked at Lin Feng like one would look at a clown.
"Fairness?" he sneered. "You, a nobody from some backwater place, dare to speak of fairness here?"
He circled Lin Feng slowly, hands behind his back, his chin raised high.
"Do you even know where you are? This is the Alchemist Association, not some roadside stall where you can bargain and argue!"
The surrounding crowd immediately caught on.
Wanting to curry favor with Ouyang Jun, many began to chime in.
"Tch, I knew something was off about him."
"He got lucky in the first round and now thinks he's a genius."
"How shameless, questioning the elders like this."
"Does he really think he's qualified to challenge the Association?"
Mockery and laughter spread like wildfire.
Lin Feng stood still amidst it all, his expression unchanged, as if the noise around him had nothing to do with him.
Seeing this, Ouyang Jun's eyes flashed with irritation.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice but making sure everyone could still hear.
"Let me guess," he said mockingly, "you couldn't answer the questions, scribbled nonsense, and now you want to blame the elders for your incompetence?"
A few people laughed even louder.
"Pathetic."
"You should be grateful you weren't thrown out earlier."
"Hmph, people like this should be banned from ever taking the exam again."
At the front, several elders had already gathered, their expressions increasingly grim.
Elder Lu's patience was clearly wearing thin.
"Enough," he said sharply.
The hall fell silent.
He turned his gaze toward Lin Feng, his eyes no longer containing even a trace of warmth.
"You claim there has been an error. Very well."
A slight stir ran through the crowd.
"Since you insist, we will review your answers here and now."
He then returned to the test room, only to appear a few moments later with the other elders, each face gloomier than the last, as if they were owed money.
Ouyang Jun's lips curled upward upon seeing this.
"Good. Since we are all here," he said softly, "let everyone see what kind of 'genius' you are."
An elder beside Elder Lu unrolled a scroll.
"This is candidate Lin Feng's answer sheet," he announced.
He glanced at it briefly, then frowned.
"What is this…?"
Another elder leaned over to take a look.
His expression quickly turned strange.
"Read it out," Elder Lu ordered.
The elder hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Question 1: When refining a Blood Coagulation Pill, what happens if Whispering Grass is replaced with Silent Sage Grass…"
He paused, then read:
"—'The medicinal harmony collapses. Silent Sage Grass carries suppressive properties incompatible with blood-activating compounds, resulting in coagulation failure and potential toxin formation.'"
Silence.
Then—
"Hah!"
One elder scoffed.
"Nonsense."
"Pure nonsense."
Another elder shook his head.
"Silent Sage Grass has calming properties, yes, but to claim complete collapse of medicinal harmony? Exaggeration."
"Overstated and impractical," a third added coldly.
Ouyang Jun folded his arms, his smile widening.
"See?" he said loudly. "Even the elders say it's nonsense."
The crowd immediately followed.
"Of course it's wrong."
"He probably made it up on the spot."
"Trying to sound smart but just exposing his ignorance."
The elder continued reading.
"Question 7: Identify the cause of instability in dual-element pill fusion…"
He read:
"—'Imbalance in elemental guidance materials. Failure to align elemental flow results in internal conflict, leading to pill fragmentation.'"
Another scoff.
"Too general."
"Lacks precision."
"Unacceptable for this level."
One by one, the elders began dismissing the answers.
Each word was like a hammer.
Each judgment pushed the atmosphere further against Lin Feng.
Ouyang Jun took a step forward, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction.
"Did you hear that?" he said mockingly. "Every single answer—worthless."
He leaned closer, his voice dripping with contempt.
"And you dared to ask for a re-evaluation?"
"You're not brave," he sneered. "You're just stupid."
Laughter erupted again.
Lin Feng finally raised his head.
His gaze swept across the elders, then the crowd, and finally rested on Ouyang Jun.
Still calm.
Still composed.
That calmness only made Ouyang Jun more furious.
"Elder Lu," he said suddenly, turning respectfully, "such a person openly questions the Association and wastes everyone's time."
His tone sharpened.
"If this is tolerated, what dignity will the Association have left?"
The elders exchanged glances.
Their expressions hardened.
Elder Lu nodded slightly.
"You are right."
He looked at Lin Feng, his voice now completely cold.
"Young man, your answers are flawed, your attitude inappropriate, and your actions disrespectful."
He raised his hand slightly.
"Guards."
The two armored guards at the entrance immediately stepped forward.
"Remove him from the premises."
"And from today onward—"
Elder Lu paused briefly.
"—he is banned from participating in any future Alchemist Association assessments."
The words fell like a final verdict.
The crowd erupted once more.
"Serves him right!"
"Who does he think he is?"
"Trash should know its place!"
The guards approached Lin Feng, their auras pressing down heavily.
Ouyang Jun watched with a satisfied smile, his eyes filled with cruel anticipation.
"Go on," he said softly. "Get thrown out like the trash you are."
The guards reached out—
Just as they were about to seize Lin Feng—
"ALL STOP."