111: Third-Rank Alchemist

Who knew how long it had been, it felt like an entire century.

When the last blinding light exploded and then vanished, the violent energy within the cauldron finally subsided.

A fist-sized, viscous medicinal liquid, shimmering with three-colored light and swirling internally like a nebula, quietly floated in the center of the two-colored flames.

The clarity of the Clear Heart Dew, the solemnity of the Bodhi Golden Liquid, and the agility of the Spirit Absorbing Marrow were perfectly intertwined, emitting a peculiar aura that calmed the mind and cleared thoughts.

Mo Yuhan was drenched as if he had been pulled from water, but his eyes were astonishingly bright.

The final step! He unhesitatingly threw the third-tier magic core into the flames.

The magic core was earthy yellow, with distinct edges, containing the profound and violent energy of the earth.

As soon as it entered the cauldron, it was enveloped and calcined by the two-colored flames. Impurities rapidly peeled away, and the pure earthy yellow energy at its core was refined, transforming into a heavy sphere of light.

Mo Yuhan’s Soul Power extended once more, this time appearing extremely fatigued, yet carrying an undeniable precision.

He slowly pushed the earthy yellow magic core energy towards the floating three-colored medicinal liquid.

There was no earth-shattering collision. The moment the magic core energy touched the medicinal liquid, it was as if the earth had received sweet rain; the thick, steady energy quickly permeated and enveloped the agile medicinal liquid.

The three-colored light was tinged with a warm earthy yellow, and the entire medicinal liquid mass suddenly contracted inwards, its texture becoming more solid and restrained, its surface beginning to gleam like jade.

A profound aura of stabilizing foundations and connecting with the earth permeated the air, perfectly blending with the previously spirit-awakening and enlightening agile aura.

The medicinal liquid mass slowly rotated in the flames; with each rotation, it became more perfectly rounded, more translucent, emitting an increasingly rich and peculiar pill fragrance.

Initially, the pill fragrance was faint, like a bamboo forest after rain, carrying the freshness of vegetation and the fragrance of earth, entering the nostrils and invigorating the spirit.

Gradually, the fragrance became mellow, like the ancient temple sandalwood that had accumulated through the years, carrying a comforting power within its solemnity.

Finally, the pill fragrance gained a faint, almost imperceptible suction, as if it could draw the surrounding invisible heaven and earth energy to slowly circulate with it.

Within the pill chamber, the air seemed to become viscous and full of spirituality.

Mo Yuhan held his breath, knowing success or failure hinged on this one attempt! His ten fingers bloomed like lotus flowers, forming the last complex and profound hand seal.

His Soul Power transformed into an invisible heavy hammer, striking fiercely upon the medicinal liquid, which had been refined to its extreme and was emitting four-colored precious light.

“Pill Condensation!”

“Hold steady! Mind and spirit as one! Control the fire like silk! Spirit as the guide!”

Fire Elder’s low, thunderous voice echoed in the corner of the quiet room; he did not intervene but stood there like a bedrock, his crimson eyes fixed on the cauldron, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.

He was more aware than Mo Yuhan of the danger at this moment; even a slight mistake would result in the pill being destroyed and the person injured.

Mo Yuhan gritted his teeth, and the circulation of hisFighting Spirit also began to falter.

But he had only one thought in his mind: success! For the Revival Purple Pill! For his aunt!

Just at the brink of collapse, Xiao Xuner’s finger tracing that profound trajectory in the star glow grass field suddenly flashed in his mind.

That trajectory seemed to contain some ultimate truth about the flow of energy between heaven and earth! Inspiration struck.

He almost unconsciously, following the rhythm of that trajectory from memory, plunged his last remaining Soul Power into the chaotic core node where the medicinal liquids clashed.

Buzz—!

The Azure Flame Cauldron emitted an unprecedented, long cry that pierced through metal and stone.

The cloud-thunder beastlines that had been constantly moving on the cauldron wall suddenly detached from the cauldron body, transforming into three translucent, primal beast phantoms composed of pure energy.

They were ferocious in appearance, covered in lightning, letting out silent but soul-shaking roars towards the sky! A majestic pressure originating from ancient times suddenly spread out.

At the same time, the four-colored precious light within the cauldron suddenly contracted to the size of a dragon’s eye, its radiance contained, transforming into a perfectly round and flawless pill!

The pill itself presented a peculiar glazed texture; emerald green, jade green, golden brilliance, and earthy yellow four-colored light slowly flowed and intertwined within the pill body, forming natural and profound spiral patterns.

Finally, three clear, agile, cloud-like pill patterns, seemingly containing the rhythmic breathing of heaven and earth, condensed on the surface of the pill.

Through the hazy spiritual mist, Mo Yuhan saw the three cloud-thunder beast phantoms, formed from the cauldron patterns, roaring towards the sky.

When he felt the immense spirituality and gentle medicinal power emanating from the pill in the jade bottle in his hand, a surge of excitement, almost bursting through his chest, overwhelmed him.

He succeeded!

Mo Yuhan’s nerves, stretched to their limit, suddenly relaxed, and extreme fatigue instantly engulfed him like a tide.

A pair of broad, powerful hands, carrying a scorching warmth, steadily supported him.

Fire Elder had come up behind him at some point and slipped a warm pill into his mouth.

The pill melted upon entering his mouth, transforming into a gentle yet vast torrent of energy that rapidly nourished his depleted meridians and sea of consciousness.

“Good! Good! Good!”

Fire Elder looked at the shimmering purple pill in the cauldron, then at his young disciple, Little Yuhan, whose face was pale but wore a satisfied smile in his arms, uttering three “goods” consecutively, his crimson eyes filled with indescribable excitement and relief.

He patted Mo Yuhan’s shoulder forcefully, “One year’s time, to become a third-grade Alchemist! You brat, you’ve brought great honor to your master! Hahahahaha!”

Wild laughter echoed within the scorching quiet room, filled with pride and self-satisfaction.

When Mo Yuhan opened his eyes again, he was already in the soft bedding of his own pavilion room.

The golden glow of the setting sun streamed through the window onto the bed.

Xiao Mei and Lin Fei were asleep, leaning on his bedside.

Xue Mei sat quietly to the side; seeing him wake up, her ice-blue eyes instantly lit up, and she quickly brought over a bowl of warm medicinal porridge.

Xiao Mei, holding her sword, leaned against the doorframe; seeing him awake, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, “You scared me to death; next time, don’t push yourself so hard.”

A warm current surged in Mo Yuhan’s heart, and he smiled weakly: “I made everyone worry.”

A few days later, in Fire Elder’s exclusive alchemy quiet room.

“Teacher, I did not fail your expectations.”

Mo Yuhan let out a long breath, his tense body relaxing, a hint of fatigue on his face, but more so a sense of relief and determination.

He walked in front of Fire Elder, his eyes clear and with a hint of anticipation: “The Awakening Pill is complete. A third-grade Alchemist, in one year. This student has achieved it. The Revival Purple Pill… please bestow it, Teacher!”

Fire Elder looked at Mo Yuhan’s tender but resolute young face. He had already been shocked a few days prior when he personally witnessed Mo Yuhan achieving the rank of a third-grade Alchemist.

Now, what replaced it was another extremely complex emotion—a deep sense of embarrassment and… annoyance.

He took the jade bottle filled with Awakening Pills that Mo Yuhan had refined, his fingertips caressing the warm coolness of the bottle, and heavily sighed. His fiery temper was uncharacteristically subdued, even showing a hint of awkwardness as he avoided Mo Yuhan’s eyes.

“Little Yuhan…”

Fire Elder’s voice deepened, filled with deep apology and helplessness, “You… you did too well, so well that… it exceeded this master’s expectations.”