She sought to regain her focus on the pill refinery. Remarkably, everything fell into place as intended.

"I owe a debt of gratitude to my grandmother. She has provided me with these invaluable medicinal herbs, which will save me a great deal of time and effort when refining the Styx Pill," Barbara gratefully acknowledged, emphasizing the immense help she received.

After a while, Barbara exclaimed emotionally, “I've finished it! I have successfully refined a grade-five Styx Pill."

Upon hearing those words, Canaan's face contorted, and he became visibly agitated.

“Barbara, before we can ascertain its effectiveness, we need to have your pill tested by a judge," Canaan cautioned, speaking in hushed urgency. "Yes, sir," Barbara replied nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders in response.

Despite developing discontent with the way Canaan treated her, Barbara maintained a smile.

Certainly, her smile appeared forced, lacking authenticity, and subtly conveyed the message of “better not.”

“Sir, if you would be so kind," Barbara addressed the judge politely disregarding Canaan‘s presence entirely.

“Relax, Barbara. The testing process is straightforward and should yield results promptly," reassured the judge, aiming to ease Barbara's anxiety.

The judge eagerly awaited Barbara's presentation of the pill, his anticipation palpable.

After ensuring the fire had been extinguished, Barbara gingerly opened the Alchemy Furnace and retrieved a pill from within. The expressions of everyone present immediately contorted into frowns, unable to conceal their disappointment.

The pill she held was black, approximately the size of a fingernail, emanating a repugnant odor.

Barbara's frustration was evident on her face.

As an experienced pill alchemist, she knew a fine pill would emit a delightful fragrance upon completion and removal from the furnace.

However, the current scent was unbearable, causing discomfort and nausea to everyone in the vicinity, including herself.

Thankfully, the smell dissipated quickly, revealing the Styx Pill placed solely on a tray. Superficially, it appeared like an ordinary pill, but the truth was quite the opposite.

“Well, let us commence the testing," the judge coughed and remarked with a faint smile.

Assisted by advanced testing instruments, the analysis of this pill was swiftly revealed.

Ding!

The judge examined the analysis results and exclaimed, “Barbara has successfully refined a Styx Pill, with purities not less than 60%."

With a purity level of 60%, the pill had passed the rigorous examination and was undoubtedly an authentic grade-five pill.

However, despite its success, the pill harbored a poisonous nature.

“I did it! I made a grade-five pill!" Barbara declared jubilantly.

Intoxicated by her achievement, she exchanged a significant glance with Isla. After all, the Concentration Pill produced by Isla surpassed the one Barbara had refined in the semi-finals.