Almost simultaneously, Su Zetao, Su Qiuling, Su Qingxue, and Du Xiu also turned their gaze towards Wang Ruoxie, and like Liu He, their expressions froze in shock.

Because they discovered that Wang Ruoxie had also successfully refined the pill.

This already indicates that Wang Ruoxie is not only a genuine Pill Master but also a Fifth Grade Alchemy Master. Moreover, his alchemy skill surpasses that of ordinary Fifth Grade Alchemy Masters.

After all, the Meridian Opening Pill is one of the more precious types among Fifth Grade pills, and its difficulty in refinement far exceeds that of ordinary Fifth Grade pills.

What's more, Wang Ruoxie succeeded on his first try, demonstrating an exceptionally high pill success rate.

Most importantly, his speed in alchemy was not at all slower than Master Du Xiu, and perhaps even faster.

This in itself was enough to leave them astonished.

"No... impossible, it's actually nine pill halos, how can this be?"

At this moment, disbelief filled Du Xiu's face, his mouth continuously uttering words of shock.

Hearing Du Xiu's words, Liu He, Su Zetao, Su Qiuling, and Su Qingxue couldn't help but tremble slightly in their eyes, and immediately focused their eyes on the pill in Wang Ruoxie's hand.

This pill was almost indistinguishable from the Meridian Opening Pill refined by Du Xiu in terms of size and color.

But this pill was surrounded by a complete nine pill halos.

Nine pill halos, indicating that this was a Divine Grade Pill, and even among Divine Grade Pills, it was the highest tier.

The most shocked by Wang Ruoxie's refinement of a Divine Grade Pill with nine pill halos were naturally Du Xiu and Liu He, as they were both Pill Masters, and not of low rank.

So they understood even more so the difficulty of refining a Divine Grade Pill with nine pill halos.

Not only does it require the Pill Master to possess extraordinary alchemy skill, but there must also be the right timing, and even the alchemy location must perfectly align with the pill being refined.

It can be said that the time, place, and people must all align, with nothing lacking.

Though Du Xiu is a top-tier Fifth Grade Alchemy Master, having studied alchemy for at least several decades, he has almost never refined a Divine Grade Pill with nine pill halos.

As for Liu He, who has only been dabbling in the Alchemy Dao for three years, he had never even seen one.

What they didn't know was that with Wang Ruoxie's alchemy skill, aided by the Primordial Fire, refining a mere Meridian Opening Pill was so easy he could do it with his eyes closed, producing a Divine Grade Pill with nine pill halos without the slightest difficulty.

"Wang Ruoxie, I never thought you were a Pill Master, and such a formidable Fifth Grade Alchemy Master at that, even Master Du Xiu lost to you in a pill duel."

Su Qingxue looked at Wang Ruoxie with an excited expression and spoke.

"Qingxue, stop talking nonsense."

Su Qiuling quickly glared at Su Qingxue and lightly scolded.

Though the result of the pill duel between Wang Ruoxie and Du Xiu was clear, with Du Xiu losing to Wang Ruoxie, no matter what, Du Xiu was still a top-tier Fifth Grade Alchemy Master, not someone they could easily offend.

"Master Du Xiu, Qingxue meant no harm, please forgive her."

Su Zetao also hurriedly apologized to Du Xiu.

"No matter, the girl Qingxue wasn't wrong; I indeed lost this pill duel."

Du Xiu, with a bitter expression, shook his head and said.

He never thought that he, a dignified top-tier Fifth Grade Alchemy Master, would lose a pill duel to someone so young.

"Young man, you've won."

After a moment of silence, Du Xiu fixed his gaze on Wang Ruoxie and slowly spoke.

Though he was unwilling at heart, he had to admit that the other's alchemy skill was indeed superior, as even he found it difficult to refine a Divine Grade Meridian Opening Pill, let alone one with nine pill halos.

"Master..."

As Du Xiu's words fell, Liu He's face changed abruptly, hurriedly trying to say something.

However, before he could finish, Du Xiu frowned and interrupted, "No need for more words; a loss is a loss. I, Du Xiu, accept my defeat willingly."

Having lost the pill duel meant his skills were inferior, but this was not shameful. However, if he couldn't even admit defeat, he would be ridiculed as someone who couldn't take a loss.

Though Liu He was extremely unwilling, he dared not say more, instead casting a cold gaze at Wang Ruoxie.

Wang Ruoxie naturally felt Liu He's gaze but didn't pay him any mind; to him, this person was nothing more than a clown.

If the other did not provoke him, all would be fine; but if dared to make a move against him again, he wouldn't hold back as he did earlier.

"Since that is the case, from now on, your disciple must not propose marriage to Miss Qiuling, and you must stay at the Su Family for a year."

Wang Ruoxie gently smiled at Du Xiu and said.

"Rest assured, I, Du Xiu, am not one to go back on my word."

Du Xiu said coldly.

Though he accepted his loss and acknowledged that his alchemy skill was inferior, it didn't mean he wished to befriend the other, hence the coldness in his words.

Wang Ruoxie smiled calmly. The main reason he dueled Du Xiu in alchemy was to have him stay at the Su Family for a year.

With Du Xiu, a top-tier Fifth Grade Alchemy Master, overseeing things, the Su Family's strength could rapidly grow within a year. Though they may not surpass the Gu Family, they would at least have the power to contend with them.

If the Su Family could produce an Essence Pill Realm expert, even the Gu Family would not dare to easily act against them.

In this way, he could repay the favor of Su Qiuling and Su Qingxue for saving him.

"Great, this is excellent. Having Master Du Xiu overseeing our Su Family is indeed a great honor for our Su Family."

Su Zetao said excitedly.

The Su Family did have Pill Masters, even several Fourth Grade Alchemy Masters, but not a single Fifth Grade Alchemy Master, let alone someone of Du Xiu's level.

"Qiuling, you should know the kind of crisis your Su Family is facing now. Without Liu Family's assistance, your Su Family cannot possibly contend with the Gu Family."

Liu He's eyes flickered slightly, then he turned to Su Qiuling, "Moreover, though my master agreed to stay at your Su Family for a year, he absolutely will not become enemies with the Gu Family for your sake."

"Indeed, though I do not fear Gu Wenshan, I am not willing to easily become enemies with him."

Du Xiu nodded and said.

Upon hearing Du Xiu's words, the faces of Su Zetao, Su Qiuling, and Su Qingxue all slightly changed. Without Du Xiu's deterrence, the Su Family might still struggle to resist the invasion of the Gu Family.

"No worries, I will later set up a protective array for the Su Family. Although it cannot directly obliterate Gu Wenshan, it will make it impossible for him to easily step into the Su Mansion."

At this moment, Wang Ruoxie spoke again.

"What... you're also an Array Master?"

Upon hearing this, Su Zetao and the others' eyes quivered slightly as they looked at Wang Ruoxie with disbelief.

"You could say so."

Wang Ruoxie nodded in reply.

Although he did not walk the Array Dao path in his previous life, his achievements in Array Dao were not at all inferior to those of true Array Masters.

"Ah..."

At this moment, screams suddenly erupted from outside the hall.

"Patriarch, it's not good, the Gu Family is attacking..."

A blood-soaked youth from the Su Family rushed in.

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