A plume of white smoke, carrying a peculiar fragrance, rose into the air. Before long, Gu Ze withdrew his soul fire and took six perfectly round, translucent Spirit Gathering Pills from the furnace.
“…You just gave him five sets of materials, right, Qiaogu?” The Elder stood there, dumbfounded. The moment the Spirit Gathering Pills appeared, the eyes of everyone nearby bulged out of their heads.
It was one thing for there to be no loss of materials during the refining process, but why was there an extra pill out of thin air?
Even the Golden Core level alchemists in the vicinity had their eyes opened. Their lips twitched, and they looked as though they were about to burst with questions right then and there.
However, since the leading Elder had not yet spoken, they did not dare to act rashly.
Qiaogu’s expression changed slightly, his narrow eyes filled with astonishment.
Even though he considered his own innate talent to be quite good, his success rate for refining a supreme spirit-gathering pill would not exceed 20%.
Furthermore, he was already at the Foundation Establishment level! Gu Ze was still only at the Qi Refinement stage.
To produce six completed pills from five sets of materials was something he had never seen before in his life.
Even in the Dao of Alchemy lectures previously given by Wang Xiao Immortal Lord, such a technique had never been demonstrated.
“What? Are you not satisfied?” Gu Ze asked, holding out his hand.
“Miraculous, truly miraculous.”
The Grand Elder stepped forward half a step and swept his hand. Gu Ze found that the six pills in his hand had vanished instantly, taken by the Elder.
“Gu Ze… no, young friend! Can you tell this old man how you managed to refine an extra Spirit Gathering Pill?”
He didn’t even suspect Gu Ze of cheating. If he couldn’t even distinguish the authenticity of these pills or tell if they were fresh from the furnace, he shouldn’t be an alchemist anymore.
“Ordinary spirit fire is driven by consuming spiritual energy. During the refining process, it continuously drains the alchemist’s spiritual energy. This is common knowledge, right?”
“But in reality, the spiritual energy burned by spirit fire isn’t entirely taken from the alchemist.”
“The alchemist only provides 80% of the consumption, while the spirit fire takes 10% from the world and 10% from the herbs themselves.”
“If one is in a place where spiritual energy is thin, it becomes more difficult for an alchemist to refine pills, and the quality of the result worsens.”
“This is because the spirit fire cannot absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth, so it consumes extra spiritual energy from the alchemist and the medicinal materials.”
“If the spiritual energy contained within the materials is drained, how could the pill’s quality be anything but poor?”
“The spiritual energy consumed by my fire is provided entirely by me. It does not take from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, nor does it consume the spiritual energy of the herbs.”
“Naturally, the yield is higher than pills refined with ordinary spirit fire, and the quality will not drop.”
This was actually a conclusion Gu Ze had deduced after coming to this world, combining his experience with alchemy and some settings he had read in books.
His soul fire was far too unique; essentially, no one could replicate his refining method.
However, these words benefited everyone around him immensely. Even the Golden Core Elders of Dan Yin Peak had never reached such a realization in the Dao of Alchemy.
The reason they failed to realize this was simple: they lacked a point of comparison. No one had ever been able to refine an extra pill from a fixed ratio of materials.
That 10% of medicinal power consumed by the spirit fire had naturally been treated as an inherent loss during the refining process since ancient times.
The surroundings fell into a dead silence. Everyone’s minds were racing as they processed what Gu Ze had said. There was no longer any hint of contempt in the gazes they directed toward him.
Suddenly, a crisp and slow sound of clapping came from behind Gu Ze.
A black-robed old man walked over with a smile and stopped in front of Gu Ze. “Well said. To be able to silence the crowd like this… it seems your innate talent is far above theirs.”
“I didn’t expect to encounter such a suitable person here. This must be destiny.”
The black-robed old man was nearly 2 meters tall, and regardless of his cultivation base, he exuded an immense sense of pressure. Listening to the old man’s tone, Gu Ze knew he was certainly no ordinary figure.
He ran through his memory and couldn’t match him to any of the peak lords. Instead, the man fit the description of Elder Hu Meng from the Sutra Library of the main peak.
“Greetings, Elder Hu,” Gu Ze said, bowing with his hands clasped.
“You are very skilled at alchemy?” Hu Meng didn’t seem to care how the other boy knew his identity. In the Cloudsea Immortal Pavilion, not knowing him would be a sign of true ignorance.
“I am quite proficient,” Gu Ze replied, neither arrogant nor humble.
He had come this time specifically for the legacy of Wang Xiao left behind on Dan Yin Peak, so he naturally wanted to showcase his talent in the Dao of Alchemy as much as possible.
Even if he was envied or suspected, it didn’t matter. If trouble arose, he could just hide back at Biluo Peak.
He had a path for both advancement and retreat. No matter how bold an alchemist was, they wouldn’t dare lay a hand on someone under Qingquan’s nose.
“Interesting. Actually, I was planning to use an alchemy assessment to judge the talents of these alchemists and select a disciple capable of carrying the Dao of Alchemy to become the Acting Peak Lord of Dan Yin Peak.”
“This was Wang Xiao’s dying wish, and it is also the intention of both the Sect Master and myself.”
Hu Meng couldn’t reach a conclusion on what Wang Xiao’s exact intentions were, but the Sect Master and he certainly wanted to replace the master of Dan Yin Peak with someone easier to control.
By selecting an Acting Peak Lord from the disciples to nurture and then granting him favors personally bestowed by the Sect Master, they could pull him to their side. Once he grew up, he surely wouldn’t become a second Wang Xiao.
Gu Ze was overjoyed. This was a massive opportunity being delivered to his doorstep. If he could truly gain recognition and take charge of Dan Yin Peak from then on, his future would be bright, and his pockets would certainly be stuffed to the brim.
Dan Yin Peak was dripping with wealth.
“This disciple is willing to share the Sect Master’s burdens!” he said immediately, clasping his fists. At the same time, he made his stance clear: he was not on the side of Dan Yin Peak, but on the side of the Sect Master.
The expressions of the nearby Elders and direct disciples turned quite ugly. Was their Dan Yin Peak actually going to have an outsider step in?
Yet, this outsider happened to have a formidable background, with more than one Immortal Emperor backing him.
He was also incredibly talented, overwhelming everyone with his gifts and insights in the Dao of Alchemy. Aside from not being born of Dan Yin Peak, there wasn’t a single flaw to be found.
But it was exactly this point that made the cultivators of Dan Yin Peak feel most uneasy.
At this moment, everyone on Dan Yin Peak hoped for a reckless fool to step out and voice their opposition. But no one here was willing to be the one to stick their neck out.
Wang Xiao was dead, and the momentum of Dan Yin Peak was gone. If Gong Lixing truly wanted to reshuffle the deck, he could uproot any one of them. Everyone was afraid, and no one wanted to gamble.
Hu Meng’s gaze swept across the crowd. Seeing most of them with ashen faces or tightly pressed lips, he spoke deliberately.
“Wang Xiao’s long-held wish was to find someone to carry on the Dao of Alchemy. He never said it had to be a disciple of Dan Yin Peak.”
“Gu Ze, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has arrived, and you have appeared in the perfect position. If you can win the crowd’s conviction, you shall be the Acting Peak Lord.”
The first half of his sentence was a deliberate reminder, and he even invoked Wang Xiao’s dying wish. Even if many people opposed it in their hearts, it was impossible to raise an objection now.
But as fate would have it, Dan Yin Peak did have such a reckless individual.
Gu Ze was just about to nod in agreement, but before he could speak, a sharp, cold voice rang out from nearby.
“I do not agree!” Chen Xin walked out from behind a tree with a cold face.
In fact, she had arrived at the scene long ago but had not shown herself.
She knew she couldn’t hide from the senses of a Nascent Soul Elder. If she didn’t appear now, she might lose her chance to stop Gu Ze from taking the position.
As a direct disciple of Wang Xiao, even though Wang Xiao had secretly brewed many tragic and horrific events — and despite her repulsion toward his methods after learning the truth — he was still her Master.
How could she watch her Master’s life’s work be handed over to the disciple of an enemy?
All eyes gathered on Chen Xin. Hu Meng narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her, a hint of surprise flashing in his gaze.
This girl was at the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement, and her body already showed signs of an imminent breakthrough. She hadn’t used any heavenly materials and earthly treasures, nor had she taken any pills.
If she could break through to Foundation Establishment, she would surely do so by sensing heaven and earth, condensing her foundation from a part of the world or an innate object.
An alchemist of the Heavenly Path Foundation, and also Wang Xiao’s last disciple.
Perhaps the Dao of Alchemy could also be verified through her. Hu Meng couldn’t help but think more highly of Chen Xin.
“Elder Hu, I wish to compete with Gu Ze! Although my talent in the Dao of Alchemy is not as brilliant, I will never compromise on this matter.”
“I cannot accept handing the position of Dan Yin Peak’s Peak Lord over to an outsider so easily. I ask the Elder to grant me this: let Gu Ze and me decide the winner through an alchemy duel.”
Her voice was piercing, and determination was written all over her face.
To dare compete in alchemy against Gu Ze, who had shown such heaven-defying talent, meant that in terms of character at least, Chen Xin was already far ahead of the ordinary disciples who had given up at a single glance.
Hu Meng nodded and agreed. Now that there were two alchemy geniuses competing, the probability of finding someone who could break Wang Xiao’s restriction was much higher.
Hu Meng looked up at Qiaogu, whose expression seemed frozen, and asked with a smile, “Qiaogu, do you not plan to try? You are also in a suitable position, and you are older and more familiar with Dan Yin Peak than these two.”
Qiaogu’s shoulders shook, and he hurriedly waved his hands. His features scrunched together in nervousness. “I… I admit my courage is lacking. I cannot sit in that position.”
He had absolutely no intention of competing.
As for the rest of the crowd, Hu Meng didn’t bother looking at them. They were merely the masses, incapable of carrying the path of the Dao.
Chen Xin walked up to Gu Ze and took a deep breath.
She was well aware of her own mediocrity. Her family background was ordinary, barely allowing her to join the Immortal Pavilion.
Her talent was ordinary; among the new disciples, she had only been chosen by Wang Xiao by chance.
Her alchemy skills were ordinary; although she refined other pills smoothly, her pursuit of a perfect Foundation Building Pill had resulted in repeated failures.
However, for once, she really wanted to win. If there truly was a will of heaven, then let it bless her.
“Gu Ze, I admit you are very talented. Your alchemy techniques don’t look like they were learned in just 1 month.”
“But the Dao of Alchemy has been passed down for 10,000 years, and many cultivators spend their entire lives without even grasping the basics.”
“If you are already satisfied with yourself just because you’ve learned a few types of pills and have one or two insights, then I will absolutely not lose to you.”
Gu Ze clearly didn’t lack competitive spirit either. “Senior Sister, please grant me your guidance.”
The two of them agreed to meet in 1 month. Each would produce a brand-new pill they had developed themselves for comparison.
Whichever pill received more recognition from other cultivators would prove whose understanding of the Dao of Alchemy was deeper.
Pill formulas had been passed down to the present day through the hands of countless geniuses.
To improve a formula to perfection required a massive amount of theoretical knowledge and countless practical refining experiences. Most alchemists simply lacked that ability.
Gu Ze knew exactly what kind of pill Chen Xin would use to compete with him. It would undoubtedly be the perfect Foundation Building Pill she had been researching all this time.
But Chen Xin hadn’t succeeded in all these years. Could a miracle really happen in this 1 month?
Gu Ze didn’t dare to gamble on her failure and risk losing this opportunity. However, he also couldn’t produce a new pill more valuable than a perfect Foundation Building Pill.
In the end, Gu Ze could only choose to refine the same type of pill as Chen Xin. If both of them succeeded in developing it, they would be at a draw, and he would still have a chance of winning in a subsequent tie-breaker.
Looking around at the gradually dispersing crowd, Gu Ze couldn’t find anyone who could possibly be Fu Xu Immortal Lord.
Fu Xu had said earlier that he was coming to Dan Yin Peak to watch the show, so everything Gu Ze had done must have already been seen by him. In his heart, Gu Ze didn’t dare ignore Fu Xu’s existence.
He had no acquaintances on Dan Yin Peak. If he needed to find a way to build a network there, perhaps asking Fu Xu — who could disguise himself and hide among the disciples — would be a good method.
He wondered if, this time, Fu Xu would still be willing to provide some help for him to obtain this opportunity.
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