99: Gift from the Fire Elder

Fire Elder paused, his gaze burning, filled with an unquestionable expectation and severity.

"You want the Revival Purple Pill? You can have it! I can even prepare all the medicinal ingredients for you. But the premise is—two years! Within two years, you must, by your own ability, refine a true Grade 3 pill and become a legitimate Grade 3 Alchemist!"

"By then, I will not only impart the Revival Purple Pill's formula to you without reservation, but I will also personally guard you and assist you in opening the furnace to refine the pill! How about it?"

Two years! Grade 3 Alchemist!

This goal, for an ordinary Alchemist apprentice, was nothing short of a fool's dream.

Many people spent decades of hard work and still might not even touch the threshold of Grade 3.

But there was no hint of retreat in Mo Yuhan's eyes; instead, a fierce fighting spirit ignited.

For his aunt Bibi Dong's shattered meridians, for Little Fairy Doctor sister's worried gaze, for the path of a peerless expert to seek revenge on Qian Xunji in the future, let alone two years for Grade 3, even if it meant a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, he would overcome it!

"Disciple understands!"

Mo Yuhan straightened his small back, his eyes sharp as a drawn short sword, speaking with resolute determination, "Within two years, this disciple will certainly achieve Grade 3 Alchemist! I will not let down master's expectations!"

"Good! Spirited!"

Fire Elder was greatly pleased, a smile reappearing on his face, this time one of pure relief and admiration.

He waved his large hand, "Go! Don't just stand there! Follow me to the storeroom; I'll pick out a suitable cauldron for you first! How can you refine medicine without a proper cauldron!"

He was swift and decisive, just like Fire Elder's personality.

Having just taken in a direct disciple, it was natural to give a welcoming gift.

Deep within Hundred Refinements Hall was Fire Elder's exclusive alchemy quiet room.

The temperature here was much higher than outside, the air dry and scorching, permeated with a rich herbal fragrance and a deep fiery aura.

The walls were covered with profound runes, used to stabilize energy and isolate disturbances.

"Here, try this!"

Fire Elder's voice carried a hint of pride, like an old mischievous child showing off a beloved toy.

His rough, large hand carefully brushed away the dust from the surface of a cauldron on a stone platform.

The cauldron was about three feet tall, its entire body a deep cyan, as if it had accumulated tens of thousands of years of ancient jade.

The cauldron's lines were smooth and ancient, without any complex patterns, only at the ears and feet positions, were there extremely simple, yet powerful and wild cloud-thunder beast patterns in relief.

The cauldron's belly was round and full, subtly exuding a profound sense of being able to contain mountains, rivers, and lakes.

Most striking was that inside the cauldron, near the bottom, three pigeon-egg-sized, deep red, almost black, peculiar crystals were naturally embedded in a triangular arrangement. Even without activation, they emitted faint but pure fire-attribute energy fluctuations.

"This cauldron is named 'qingyan'."

Fire Elder's voice carried a hint of reminiscence, "It was something I stumbled upon in the depths of a magma chamber within an ancient ruin while traveling the continent years ago. Its material is neither metal nor stone, exceptionally sturdy, and has excellent conductivity and amplification effects on flames."

"The three 'earth core fire crystal' inside the cauldron are even more natural treasures for gathering and nurturing fire, greatly enhancing the temperature and stability of flames. They are especially suitable for refining pills that require intense fire quenching, and for Grade 3 pills that demand extremely high fire control, they make the process twice as effective."

"Although it is only a Tier 3 cauldron, in terms of practicality and potential, it is by no means inferior to an ordinary Tier 4! It is perfectly suited for you to hone your foundation at your current realm."

Mo Yuhan's gaze, upon touching "qingyan," could no longer be moved.

Its ancient and vigorous shape, the deep fire intent it contained, and the three earth core fire crystal that seemed to pulsate slowly as if alive… all deeply attracted him.

He could clearly feel the Dou Qi within his body, especially the fire-attribute Dou Qi, becoming exceptionally active as he approached this cauldron, as if it had met a long-lost companion.

He extended his small hand, with a hint of reverence, gently stroking the cool body of the cauldron.

The sensation from his fingertips was not the cold hardness of metal, but a strange feeling of warmth like jade, yet with the profound stability of the earth.

When his Soul Power instinctively probed into the cauldron's body,

Buzz! The qingyan cauldron emitted an extremely faint but prolonged hum, the cloud-thunder beast patterns inside the cauldron seemed to faintly light up, and the three earth core fire crystal instantly glowed with red light, as if awakened from slumber.

"What a good cauldron!"

Mo Yuhan blurted out, his eyes shining with delight and affection.

He could feel a wondrous resonance between this cauldron and his soul and Dou Qi.

"Hahaha! You have good taste!"

Fire Elder stroked his fiery red short beard proudly, clearly very satisfied with Mo Yuhan's reaction, "This 'qingyan' has been silent for many years; meeting you today means a pearl has not been left in the dust! Take it! Treat it well!"

"Thank you, master, for the cauldron!"

Mo Yuhan solemnly bowed again, his heart filled with gratitude. He knew the preciousness of this cauldron, far beyond what an ordinary Tier 3 could compare to. With it, his confidence in challenging for Grade 3 Alchemist increased by several points.

Besides the cauldron, Fire Elder deeply understood the principle that sharpening the knife does not delay chopping wood.

He knew that Mo Yuhan's Dou Qi cultivation was the foundation of his alchemy, especially the purity and control of fire-attribute Dou Qi, which directly related to the success or failure of alchemy.

Before Mo Yuhan left, he handed him two smooth jade bottles.

"This bottle of 'Fire Essence Pill', peak Grade 2, its main ingredients are Crimson Flame Fruit and Earth Fire Lotus Seeds. It can purify fire-attribute Dou Qi and increase cultivation speed, which will greatly benefit you in stabilizing your Dou Master realm and breaking through to higher star levels. Use it sparingly; its medicinal power is potent."

"This bottle of 'Spirit Condensing Dew', early Grade 3, extracted from Spirit Calming Flowers and Hundred-Year Jade Marrow, can nourish the soul and eliminate mental fatigue after alchemy, allowing you to recover faster and engage in your next practice. This is a good item, don't waste it!"

Mo Yuhan held the two heavy jade bottles, feeling the pure medicinal power contained within them, a warm current flowing through his heart. His master's care was so meticulous and practical.

"Furthermore."

Fire Elder's gaze fell upon the ordinary refined steel longsword at Mo Yuhan's waist, which was more decorative than practical, and he frowned, "Dou Qi cultivation is fundamental, but when you're out and about, you can't do without a handy Dou Skills for self-defense. I see your movement is agile, and your aura is sharp; you're suited for a light and swift path."

"In the academy's treasure vault, there are several Xuan-tier high-grade sword Dou Skills, such as 'Flowing Wind Sword' and 'Dividing Light and Shadow'. They are balanced in offense and defense, and excel in speed. Take my token and go pick a suitable one yourself; the contribution points will be deducted from my account!"

A crimson token, engraved with an ancient character for "fire," was thrown over.

Mo Yuhan quickly caught the token, his heart even more moved.

His master had considered every aspect for him.

"Alright, everything's ready! Go back and cultivate well first. You can come here daily to observe my alchemy. Don't embarrass me then! Remember, two years! Grade 3!"

Fire Elder waved his hand, feigning impatience to dismiss him, but the expectation and importance deep in his eyes could not be hidden.