77: The relationship with Senior Sister Xue Mei has returned to normal... maybe?

The air in the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild seemed to be perpetually imbued with a subtle scent of char and the bitter freshness of herbs.

This was a sacred place for Alchemists, and a coveted crucible for Dou Qi cultivators.

At the heart of the city, this mountain-like, towering structure—the Alchemist Guild—was the very core of that crucible.

At this moment, in a quiet room on the top floor of the Guild, a room filled with the marks of time and a nearly tangible aroma of medicine, an old man and a young boy sat facing each other.

The massive obsidian alchemy platform was smooth as a mirror, reflecting Frank’s deeply-lined yet still vigorous face.

His grizzled hair was meticulously tied back, and the cuffs of his dark brown Alchemist robe were embroidered with four delicate silver ripples, silently proclaiming his esteemed status as a Fourth-Rank Alchemist.

His gaze, at this moment, was like the most precise probe, locked tightly onto the small figure opposite him.

Mo Yuhan.

Only nine years old, he had grown considerably in the past few months, now standing around one and a half meters tall.

He was currently sitting in a wide chair, covered with soft snow-fluff beast hide, his feet not even touching the ground, merely dangling in the air, swaying slightly.

Yet, within this child's body, a composure and focus utterly unsuited to his age were currently rising.

Before him, an ancient bronze medicine cauldron floated three inches above the tabletop.

Below it, a deep Purple Flame burned quietly, emitting astonishing heat, yet precisely confined within the cauldron, with not a single wisp escaping.

At the core of the flame, a faint, unruly lion-shaped silhouette could vaguely be seen roaring silently.

Mo Yuhan's hands, his ten fingers like dancing butterflies, moved so fast they left faint afterimages in the air.

Each change in his hand seals caused the surging medicinal liquid within the cauldron to undergo profound fluctuations.

He was in the process of refining a Second-Rank pill, the Fire Condensing Pill, and had now reached the final and most critical step—pill condensation!

The essence of the medicinal power, under the terrifying high temperature of the Purple Flame and the precise guidance of his Soul Power, was being forcibly compressed and fused.

Frank's eyes did not blink, and his breathing was extremely light.

He clearly knew the danger of medicinal power backlash during pill condensation; even he, when refining Second-Rank pills, dared not be distracted in the slightest.

But this child before him... that effortless composure, that mastery over fire and Soul Power as if they were extensions of his own limbs, caused an indescribable, complex feeling to well up in the heart of this Great Master who had been immersed in alchemy for decades.

There was pride, and even more, a shock at facing an unknown prodigy.

“Hiss…”

A very faint sound, like steam evaporating, came from within the medicine cauldron.

Immediately following, a hot and concentrated medicinal aroma suddenly diffused, instantly overpowering the stale medicinal scent in the room.

Three pills, the size of longans, entirely crimson, with faint purple fire patterns flowing on their surface, spun out of the cauldron's mouth and were steadily caught by the jade bottle Mo Yuhan had prepared.

The pills' surfaces had a subdued luster and were warm to the touch; their quality was, as expected, superior.

Mo Yuhan let out a long breath, his dangling calves stopped swaying, and a childlike fatigue finally appeared on his taut face, but in his obsidian-like eyes, the pure joy of success sparkled.

“Teacher.”

He jumped off the chair, holding the jade bottle, and walked to Frank, his voice clear, with the ease of having completed a task, “It’s done.”

Frank carefully took the jade bottle, poured out a Fire Condensing Pill into his palm, and meticulously examined its perfect color and texture.

The energy fluctuations from his fingertips were pure and stable.

He was silent for a long while before looking up, his gaze complex as he looked at his youngest, and most incredible, disciple.

His eyes were like he was looking at a rare treasure, and also like he was looking at an incomprehensible miracle.

“Good… Good… Good!”

Frank said “Good” three times, his voice filled with uncontrollable excitement and hoarseness, “Xiao Han, your skill in controlling fire and condensing pills, I’m afraid some of the old fellows in the Guild with Second-Rank badges can’t compare.

A nine-year-old Second-Rank Alchemist… A nine-year-old Dou Shi…”

He shook his head, as if trying to shake this overly alarming fact out of his mind, “You brat, you were born to be a pain in the neck, weren’t you?”

Mo Yuhan scratched his head sheepishly, revealing a shy smile; the masterly demeanor from earlier during alchemy instantly vanished, and he reverted to the boy next door: “It’s because Teacher taught me well.”

“Stop flattering me!”

Frank chuckled, but his eyes were full of gratification.

He solemnly handed the jade bottle back to Mo Yuhan, “Keep it safe.

This Fire Condensing Pill will be very beneficial for stabilizing your Dou Shi realm.

Remember, the art of alchemy is like sailing against the current; you must never slacken due to talent.”

“Disciple understands.”

Mo Yuhan nodded seriously, carefully placing the jade bottle into his storage ring.

“Yu Han, your alchemy skills are truly becoming more and more refined; even I feel ashamed.

Your talent, it truly makes even me envious.”

His large, fan-like hand patted Mo Yuhan's soft shoulder, his eyes filled with affection and pride.

Mo Yuhan smiled a little shyly.

Just then, the door to the alchemy room was gently pushed open, bringing in a cool breeze.

Xue Mei walked in.

She was tall, and today she wore a well-fitted moon-white dress, outlining her slender yet powerful waist and developing, alluring curves.

Her ice-blue hair, like the finest silk, fell smoothly to her waist, making her exquisitely beautiful face appear even colder, as if sculpted from fresh snow.

Her beauty carried a detached coolness, like a snow lotus blooming proudly on a mountaintop; her gaze swept across the laboratory, and only when it rested on Mo Yuhan did a subtle, almost imperceptible warmth flicker in her ice-sealed blue eyes.

“Teacher, Junior Brother Yu Han.”

Her voice, like her person, was clear as an icy spring, “This is the ‘Cold Marrow Branch’ you requested.”

She elegantly placed a jade box, exuding cold air, on a nearby stone table.

Frank nodded: “Mm, thank you for your trouble, Xue Mei.”

“Xue Mei Senior Apprentice.”

Mo Yuhan’s eyes lit up when he saw Xue Mei; the fatigue from earlier alchemy seemed to dissipate significantly, and his smile was exceptionally bright.

Ever since Xue Mei Senior Apprentice and Senior Sister Lin Fei’s Dou Qi-fueled words before, Xue Mei hadn't really spoken to him for some time.

However, since he returned after bidding farewell to Ah Yin, perhaps Xue Mei had thought things through, or perhaps enough time had passed for her to forget the awkwardness of that moment, as their relationship had now returned to how it used to be.

Xue Mei’s lips curved upwards ever so slightly, a subtle acknowledgment.

“Hmph! Ice block, you’re quite fast!”

A charming voice, tinged with a hint of assertiveness, followed closely.

The door to the alchemy room was practically burst open as Lin Fei rushed in like a leaping flame.

Today, her attire was in complete contrast to Xue Mei's style; she wore a vibrant goose-yellow dress, with a slightly low neckline that revealed her delicate and beautiful collarbone and a small patch of fair, smooth skin, her full bosom gently rising and falling with her movements, full of youthful vitality.

Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, bouncing lively with her steps, and on her bright face, her almond eyes were wide open, currently glaring at Xue Mei with undisguised competitiveness.

Her gaze then fell upon Mo Yuhan, immediately becoming incredibly fervent and sweet.