There wasn’t really any other reason besides the fact that the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration was tomorrow. If Gu Ruoyun were the same good-for-nothing that she used to be in the past, it would not have mattered whether she attended the party or not. But now, the situation was different.

　　This time, the Crown Prince’s Master, a member of the Weapon Refining Sect would be in attendance. He would be testing the abilities of the younger generation, and those who passed would be chosen to enter the Weapon Refining Sect as an outer disciple.

　　One should know that the Weapon Refining Sect held a seat of great power in the mainland, and the only ones who did not fear them was the Dongfang Family. It was because of this that should anyone be accepted into the Weapon Refining Sect, he would be envied, even if he were only an outer disciple.

　　Hence, His Imperial Majesty issued a decree that everyone, no matter who they were, must attend the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration.

　　For this reason, General Gu was forced to send his men to find Gu Ruoyun.

　　Of course, under normal circumstances, a powerful organization like the Weapon Refining Sect would not even consider a recruitment, unless someone were as talented as the Crown Prince. So, this time, even General Gu did not know the true motives of the Weapon Refining Sect.

　　But regardless of how much fuss the Gu Family was making, Gu Ruoyun, who was still inside the Ancient Divine Pagoda, was blissfully unaware of the situation in the world outside. At that moment, her attention was fixed upon the pill cauldron in front of her. The crackling flames reflected in her clear, cold eyes.

　　Faint streams of steam escaped from the top of the pill cauldron, bringing a fresh, cooling sensation into the surroundings. In that moment, Gu Ruoyun clearly felt the spiritual energy around her thicken.

　　“The final step in pill refinement…is forming the pill, girl! During this process, most medicine cauldrons will release a strong pressure. You must control it. If you fail, you’ll have to start all over again.”

　　The man’s low voice rang aloud in Gu Ruoyun’s ear. She took a deep breath, her eyes filled with total concentration.

　　Forming the pills…This was the final step in refining pills and was also the most important step. Should this fail, all her efforts would have been for naught…

　　Bang!

　　Bang bang bang!

　　Suddenly, a strong force rammed against the medicine cauldron, causing the ground to shake.

　　Gu Ruoyun stumbled a few steps back. Just then, the medicine cauldron tipped, falling over from where it was hovering from above the ground. Her heart trembled, and she rushed to take control of the medicine cauldron.

　　Cold sweat slowly rolled down the young girl’s pretty face. However, she did not dare lose focus. Her entire being tightened with concentration. But because she was far too nervous, her frail, little face grew as white as a sheet.

　　Finally, just as Gu Ruoyun was about to lose control, the medicine cauldron stopped shaking, and settled quietly on its base…

　　“I did it! I’ve finally done it!”

　　Gu Ruoyun suppressed the excitement she felt, and stepped forward to uncover the cauldron with impatience. She reached into the bottom of the cauldron and drew out a string of five pills.

　　“You’ve managed to learn the art of refining pills in just three days, little girl. That alone makes you worthy enough to be considered a genius. But, you are the Master of the Ancient Divine Pagoda. So, this one bit of talent will not be enough for you. However, you need not rush into pill refinement. You can take your time.”

　　Zixie observed the frail little girl before him as his purple eyes lit up with a smile and an unshakeable resolve filled his face.

　　“You must remember, in this world, it’s survival of the fittest. If you want to live and protect the ones you love, then you must stand at the pinnacle of prestige, where you will be untouchable!”

　　To stand on the pinnacle of the mainland, and be worshipped and served by the world. That was the prestige that the Master of the Ancient Divine Pagoda deserved.