Watching the focused look on the young man’s face, seeing him grow day by day, becoming more and more outstanding, Tai Lingxuan’s heart filled with satisfaction and pride.
Not only as a master, seeing her disciple’s progress.
But even more so as a woman, seeing her man excel.
At his current age, Yuyang had already stepped into the rank of Third Grade Alchemist.
With such skill, he would surely stand out at the Pill Conference.
Of course, Tai Lingxuan didn’t expect Chen Yuyang to compete in depth with those in their thirties or forties, or those alchemists from great sects.
But as long as people could see Chen Yuyang’s age, and his current achievements, she believed there would be plenty of people or forces willing to invest in such a genius alchemist.
“Yuyang, the detailed rules for the younger generation’s competition at this Pill Conference have already been released.”
She continued, “There will be three rounds in total.”
“The first round, you must bring your own ingredients for Gathering Qi Pills. Within three days, refine Gathering Qi Pills, and based on the quantity, grade, and potency of the pills, the top five hundred will be chosen.”
“The second round, the Pill Sect will provide five hundred random rare ingredients. The top five hundred must process and purify these materials with their own techniques, and from this, the top one hundred will be determined.”
“The third round, the top one hundred may choose the materials they need from the Pill Sect’s treasury, and are free to demonstrate their skills, but within a fifty-day time limit, must refine pills of no less than Second Grade.”
“Finally, based on the amount of material used, number of pills produced, difficulty, grade, and other factors, the exact ranking of the top one hundred will be determined.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Yuyang nodded slightly.
The rules weren’t complicated.
First, using the most basic Gathering Qi Pills for a preliminary selection, to weed out those who were just muddling through and select the best five hundred.
Then, they’d test basic alchemy techniques to ensure that, come the third round, materials wouldn’t be wasted.
The third round would be the true alchemy contest.
Since alchemy is a discipline that requires consideration of many elements, ranking the top hundred in this way was fairly straightforward.
“Yuyang, as your master, I know that the Northern Cultivation Realm is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and you are still so young.”
Tai Lingxuan said slowly, continuing, “So, Yuyang, as long as you pass the first round, your master will already be very satisfied.”
“But, don’t underestimate the first round just because it’s about refining basic Gathering Qi Pills. To stand out is not easy—throughout the entire Northern Cultivation Realm, there are more than a hundred thousand alchemists under fifty years old.”
Tai Lingxuan sighed gently as she spoke, then comforted him: “Even if you don’t pass, it’s nothing. You’re still young, and you can participate in the Pill Conference many more times in the future. With your talent, it’s only a matter of time before you shine.”
Chen Yuyang nodded, “Please rest assured, Master. I will give it my all.”
Tai Lingxuan nodded as well and didn’t say more.
Tai Lingxuan only said this so that Chen Yuyang wouldn’t feel too much pressure.
But upon hearing this, Chen Yuyang seriously considered whether he should throw the match and pretend to fail the first round.
After all, in a pool of a hundred thousand young alchemists, being in the top five hundred was already eye-catching enough.
But… if he really didn’t pass, it might seem a little too fake… After all…
Controlling the pill furnace with his spiritual power, Chen Yuyang tilted it and poured out grain after grain of golden pills onto a jade plate.
“Nineteen Supreme-grade Condensing Gold Pills.”
Tai Lingxuan’s eyes lit up instantly.
Such quantity and quality far exceeded her expectations.
This boy Yuyang’s Hao Yang Physique truly made him a born alchemist or craftsman.
“If I’d known earlier, I should have kept a lower profile within the sect.”
Staring at the plateful of Condensing Gold Pills, Chen Yuyang smiled bitterly in his heart.
With such a performance in the sect, there’s no reason to do much worse outside.
Given the level he’d shown in the sect, at least the first round of the Pill Conference would be a breeze.
Forget it, he’d just pass, to make his master happy.
As for the next two rounds, he’d just go through the motions.
If he really got famous, that would be a headache.
Besides, for an old fellow whose real age no one could guess, taking part in a youth alchemy competition and winning a top place would just be embarrassing.
It wasn’t as if he lacked for resources; there was no need to compete with the younger generation for opportunities.
“One Condensing Gold Pill is worth about a hundred and fifty supreme-grade spirit stones. For the supreme ones, the price could be even higher… Nineteen pills, after deducting costs…”
Tai Lingxuan immediately started calculating on her fingers, and as she continued, her lips unconsciously parted in shock.
She couldn’t help but recalculate the number in her heart.
“If they all sell, that’s over three thousand supreme-grade spirit stones…”
Tai Lingxuan felt like her breath had stopped.
This was just too valuable!
The cost was about six hundred, but compared to the final profit… this was just too much money.
No wonder alchemists always had such fat purses.
Seeing the excitement on his master’s face, and hearing her muttering “three thousand supreme-grade spirit stones,” Chen Yuyang knew she must be amazed by the money-making ability of alchemists.
But was that really the case?
Indeed, alchemists could earn a lot.
But alchemy could fail, and the higher the grade of the pill, the higher the cost and the greater the chance of failure.
Usually, a batch wouldn’t yield so many pills of such high quality.
For an alchemist, earning a fifty percent profit or doubling their money in one batch was normal.
Sometimes, when gaining experience, furnace explosions and ruined pills were routine; the wasted resources could not be ignored.
Only because his skill was high and these were basic pills could he guarantee such a profit margin.
But before this, the amount of supreme-grade spirit stones he’d burned to become a top alchemist was beyond counting.
That was why only major families and great sects could train high-grade alchemists or craftsmen.
Of course, these were things Chen Yuyang would not say.
Even though Tai Lingxuan had reached the Nascent Soul stage, she was still under fifty, and most of her years had been spent in cultivation rather than gaining experience, so she didn’t truly understand all the ins and outs.
But for Chen Yuyang, this was a good thing.
He could perform outstandingly, and since his master didn’t understand the details, she wouldn’t get suspicious or demand too many explanations.
“Master, please keep these pills. They can be sold at the Pill Conference.”
“The spirit stones earned should be used for the needs of our senior and junior sisters.”
Chen Yuyang spoke calmly.
“Yuyang, to be able to refine these pills is a great contribution. At least half of the profit should be yours. Is there anything you want?”
Me?
What could I possibly want?
Things that were not even worth the scraps in the corners of his Sumeru Sea of Consciousness?
“Disciple has no particular needs. These spirit stones should be spent on our senior and junior sisters. Besides, my own strength is weak, and carrying great wealth or treasures might only invite trouble.”
Hearing his humble words, Tai Lingxuan understood his meaning.
Fears of being targeted for wealth were just an excuse.
Yuyang truly cared only for the sect.
Ah, Yuyang, you really are the one holding up this family.
With a sigh, Tai Lingxuan suddenly had another idea in her heart.
Yuyang might not want anything, but as his master, she couldn’t just do nothing—she should at least find a way to reward him.
Speaking of which, among the various Mei Techniques of my Hehuan Sect, there is one that uses massage techniques.
Although I’ve never specifically learned it, it shouldn’t be too hard to master.
It wasn’t that she meant to seduce Yuyang, only that she knew this Mei Technique could truly help someone relax both body and mind.
If she couldn’t do more, at least she could help Yuyang rest for a while…
The burden of the Hehuan Sect shouldn’t fall on this child alone.
Thinking this, Tai Lingxuan left the pill chamber and dove straight into the library, searching for that Mei Technique manual.
Chen Yuyang had no idea what his master was thinking.
After finishing his alchemy, he planned to go rest.
The furnace work had drained much of his energy.
“Junior Brother Yuyang.”
Just as he was about to leave, a soft voice called out to him.
Looking back, Yuyang saw Liu Yiyi standing there, holding a food box.
“Sister Yiyi, this is…?”
“These are some pastries I made recently. I’m not sure how they taste, but since you’re here, I thought you could try them.”
Liu Yiyi spoke casually, but her eyes couldn’t hide their expectation.
“Oh? Then I’ll have to give them a proper taste.”
Chen Yuyang smiled gently, opened the box, and took a delicately shaped pastry, placing it in his mouth.
The sweet flavor spread immediately, truly brightening the boy’s eyes.
“Quite good, Sister Yiyi. You might have real talent for this.”
“Really?!”
Liu Yiyi was instantly overjoyed, her whole person glowing even more with vitality.
“Of course! These pastries—even Bamboo Rhythm Studio’s can’t compare.”
Chen Yuyang nodded in praise and picked up another pastry to eat.
“That’s wonderful! Since you like them, the whole box is yours!”
Liu Yiyi said happily, quickly pushing the food box into his hands.
Chen Yuyang didn’t stand on ceremony, laughing, “If you insist, I’ll gladly accept,” and took the box, turning to leave the pill chamber.
Watching the young man’s departing figure, Liu Yiyi found her heart finally settling down.
She hadn’t expected Junior Brother would really like her pastries, or praise her so directly.
Compare with Bamboo Rhythm Studio?
How could she possibly compare?
Liu Yiyi still had that bit of self-awareness.
But regardless of whether his praise was sincere or just exaggerated, it was enough to set the girl’s heart aflutter.
Yet, thinking of how he looked while refining pills, and recalling their master’s words about him…
Liu Yiyi knew very well that she and Junior Brother Yuyang were not people from the same world.
She never expected a mere box of pastries could win her Junior Brother’s affection.
But… just being able to show her feelings, for her, was already enough.
On his way back, Chen Yuyang also felt a small surge of emotion as he looked at the box of pastries in his hand.
Towards others—even an outer sect disciple like Liu Yiyi—Chen Yuyang had always been gentle and tolerant.
Chen Yuyang knew, their lifespans of a hundred years were but a fleeting instant to him.
Being a little kinder to them, without getting too deeply attached, meant he wouldn’t owe anyone, nor have regrets.
Picking up another pastry, the young man popped it into his mouth and savored its flavor.
Truthfully, just tasting and commenting would have sufficed.
He shouldn’t have accepted the whole box.
But…
He couldn’t say why, but it seemed that in this life, he was starting to become a little…
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