142: Two Fire Spirit Pills a day

Red Silk initially stood by with interest, her arms crossed, her gaze following Jiang Donghua's movements.

A Fourth-Grade Alchemist personally refining pills—such a sight was rare.

She watched him precisely place each herb into the Medicine Cauldron, and as the flames churned, the medicinal liquid gradually condensed, emitting a rich herbal fragrance.

But after watching for a while, Red Silk started to feel a bit bored.

Alchemy was indeed too monotonous.

She pouted, then stretched lazily, her red dress swaying slightly with the movement, outlining her graceful curves.

"Ninth Brother, how long will it take for you to finish refining this fire spirit pill?"

She yawned, her tone tinged with impatience.

Jiang Donghua didn't even lift his head, flicking his fingertip, causing the flames to surge, enveloping a crimson Fire Spirit Grass.

"What's the rush? Alchemy is all about the heat; if it's too fast, the medicinal effect will dissipate."

Red Silk rolled her eyes, too lazy to look at his focused expression anymore, and turned to walk towards the corner of the secret chamber.

"Fine, you take your time refining; I'll cultivate for a bit first."

She casually found a spot, sat down cross-legged, formed hand seals, and gradually, a silvery-white Lightning Light emerged around her, with faint currents crackling in the air.

Lightning Attribute Dou Qi, domineering and fierce!

The refining of pills usually had almost no sound apart from the herbs, making it extremely monotonous. Unconsciously, a day and a night quietly passed.

Jiang Donghua slowly pushed open the heavy stone door of the secret chamber. A scorching medicinal fragrance instantly swept out, mixed with a faint scent of sulfur. His face looked slightly tired, but his eyes gleamed with undisguised excitement.

Seven fire spirit pills!

If this news got out, it would be enough to drive all the Alchemists in the Black-Corner Region mad!

One must know that for an ordinary Fourth-Grade Alchemist refining fire spirit pills, a 20% pill formation rate was already considered a master's level, yet Jiang Donghua had managed to refine seven pills from ten sets of ingredients!

"What a pity, I can only give those two to Bai Xiaofeng."

Jiang Donghua's lips curled slightly as he gently caressed his storage ring, where five high-quality fire spirit pills lay quietly.

The remaining two were deliberately selected by him as inferior goods; although their medicinal effects were present, they contained slightly more impurities, and taking them might result in some minor side effects.

"Anyway, that guy doesn't understand alchemy; just fool him."

He stretched, his bones emitting faint cracking sounds, then stepped out of the secret chamber.

In the main hall, Bai Xiaofeng was lying shirtless and languidly on a soft couch. Red Silk and Bi Yao, their clothes half-undone, nestled in his arms. The three had clearly just undergone an intense cultivation session.

"Ninth Young Master ~ why did you suddenly stop?"

Red Silk pouted playfully, her fingertips lightly tracing his chest.

Bai Xiaofeng, however, suddenly sat up, his gaze fixed on the direction of the secret chamber.

"The secret chamber is open!"

He pushed the two women away, grabbed an outer robe, and threw it on. A hint of lingering blush remained on his face, but his eyes had become sharp.

"So fast? It's only been a day and a night!"

According to his estimation, refining ten batches of fire spirit pills would take at least three to five days, or even longer.

But Jiang Donghua came out after only a day and a night?

"Did he fail?"

Bai Xiaofeng's expression changed slightly, and a surge of anger immediately welled up in his heart.

"Damn it, if he wasted my medicinal ingredients!"

He was about to rush out to question him, but then saw Jiang Donghua slowly walk into the hall, looking calm, as if he had just gone for a stroll.

"Master Jiang, what is this?"

Bai Xiaofeng suppressed his anger and forced a smile.

Jiang Donghua glanced at him, then swept his gaze over the disheveled Red Silk and Bi Yao, a subtle hint of mockery appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Ninth Young Master certainly has a good mood."

Bai Xiaofeng chuckled twice, quickly waved for the two women to withdraw, then asked impatiently.

"Master Jiang, how are the fire spirit pills?"

Jiang Donghua didn't answer directly. Instead, he unhurriedly took out a jade box from his storage ring and gently opened it.

"I have not failed my mission."

Two crimson pills lay quietly in the jade box, their surfaces glowing with a faint fiery light, and emitting a rich medicinal fragrance. However, upon closer inspection, one could vaguely discern some impurities settled within the pills.

Bai Xiaofeng's eyes lit up, instantly filled with ecstasy!

"It's done?! Two pills?!"

He had originally thought one pill would be good enough, but he didn't expect Master Jiang to actually refine two!

"Hahaha! Master Jiang is indeed amazing!"

Bai Xiaofeng held the two fire spirit pills, his smile almost reaching his ears, his eyes fixed on the fiery glow circulating on the pills, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement.

"Two pills! He actually refined two!"

He had initially thought one would be good enough, after all, the fire spirit pill was extremely difficult to refine, and an ordinary Fourth-Grade Alchemist achieving a 20% success rate was already the limit.

But Master Jiang not only succeeded but also gave him two at once!

"Hahaha! Heaven helps me!"

He suddenly looked up at Jiang Donghua, noticing his slightly pale face and even a trace of sweat on his forehead, clearly indicating considerable exertion.

Bai Xiaofeng's heart stirred. He quickly put away his ecstatic expression and said with feigned concern.

"Master Jiang, you've worked hard! Please rest quickly. I'll have someone prepare excellent spiritual tea and pills to help you recover your vitality!"

Jiang Donghua waved his hand indifferently, his expression still calm, but his tone carried an unquestionable firmness.

"No need."

He slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sharp, looking directly at Bai Xiaofeng.

"Ninth Young Master, while I'm on a hot streak, quickly get more fire spirit pill ingredients."

Bai Xiaofeng froze, then his eyes lit up!

"Master Jiang means he can refine more?!"

Jiang Donghua's lips curved slightly, revealing a hint of arrogance.

"What? Ninth Young Master doesn't trust me?"

How could Bai Xiaofeng hesitate? He immediately slapped his thigh, so excited he almost jumped up!

"Trust! Of course I trust you!"

He suddenly turned and urgently shouted at Bi Yao, who was standing nearby.

"Bi Yao! Go to the storeroom quickly and retrieve all the fire spirit pill ingredients! Hurry!"

Bi Yao quickly responded, just about to turn, when Bai Xiaofeng suddenly raised his hand again.

"Wait!"

He frowned slightly, as if he had thought of something, then grabbed the outer robe scattered nearby, haphazardly threw it on, and strode out.

"No, I have to go myself!"

As he walked quickly out, he turned back and shouted at Jiang Donghua.

"Master Jiang! Please wait for me! I'll be right back!"

Jiang Donghua stood with his hands behind his back and nodded faintly.

"Go, don't waste time."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiaofeng quickened his pace, not even bothering to tidy his disheveled clothes, and rushed out of the main hall directly to the storeroom.

Bai Xiaofeng's face was full of impatience. He slammed the table, making the teacups on it clatter.

"Nonsense! What else could it be but fire spirit pills? I personally oversaw their refinement!"

He glared, slamming the jade box onto the table.

"Quickly inspect them! After you're done, give me the medicinal ingredients. I don't have time to waste with you!"

The several appraisers exchanged glances. One white-haired elder cautiously stepped forward, his withered fingers gently picking up one of the fire spirit pills, bringing it close to his eyes for careful examination.

The pill was entirely crimson, with a faint fiery glow circulating on its surface, and a rich medicinal fragrance. However, if one carefully sensed it, they could detect a faint trace of sluggishness mixed within.

"It is indeed a fire spirit pill! It's just the quality..."

The elder murmured softly, his brow furrowing slightly.

"What's wrong with the quality?!"

Bai Xiaofeng's eyes sharpened, his tone suddenly turning grim.

The elder quickly shook his head, smiling apologetically.

"Ninth Young Master misunderstands, this old man is merely surprised. The fire spirit pill is extremely difficult to refine; it's rare for an ordinary Fourth-Grade Alchemist to refine even one."

"Hmph!"

Bai Xiaofeng sneered, raising his chin proudly.

"That's because your knowledge is limited! How can Master Jiang's methods be compared to those of ordinary Alchemists?"

The steward stood by, cold sweat seeping from his forehead, but a storm raged in his heart.

A Fourth-Grade Alchemist could refine two fire spirit pills in just a day and a night?!

This pill formation rate was simply unheard of!

He secretly glanced at Bai Xiaofeng, thinking to himself.

"This Ninth Young Master has probably stumbled upon a treasure."

However, the several appraisers exchanged a meaningful look.

One of them cleared his throat and slowly said.

"Ninth Young Master, according to the rules, these two fire spirit pills can indeed offset your previous debts, but if you wish to take more medicinal ingredients..."

"What? I don't have the right to take them now?"

Bai Xiaofeng's eyes turned cold, and his Dou Qi faintly surged around him.

The elder quickly waved his hand.

"I wouldn't dare! It's just that there aren't many fire spirit pill ingredients left in the storeroom."

"Less nonsense! Give me whatever you have! Master Jiang is waiting right now!"

Bai Xiaofeng interrupted impatiently.

Seeing this, the steward could only nod reluctantly.

"Yes, Ninth Young Master, please wait a moment. I'll go prepare them right away."

Just who was this Jiang Donghua?

If he could truly consistently refine fire spirit pills, wouldn't Bai Xiaofeng be able to turn his fortunes around?

And just after he left, one of the appraisers lowered his voice and said to his companion.

"These two fire spirit pills have quite a few impurities; taking them might lead to a backlash."

Another squinted his eyes and sneered.

"It seems that Master Jiang isn't as honest as he appears."

Bai Xiaofeng swaggered out of the storeroom, a smug smile on his face, as if he could already see himself ascending to the position of family patriarch.

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became, and his steps grew lighter.

Jiang Donghua was truly his lucky star!

At the same time, inside the appraisal room.

Several elders sat around the table, staring at the two fire spirit pills, each with a different expression.

"These pills truly have some issues," the white-haired elder said in a low voice.

"A fire spirit pill should inherently be pure and flawless, but these two contain fire energy that is slightly impure. If consumed, it might damage the meridians."

Another Gray-Robed Elder sneered. "So what? Ninth Young Master himself said he refined two pills in a day and a night. It's normal for the quality to be slightly inferior. Besides, Bai Xiaofeng himself doesn't care, so why should we worry?"

He narrowed his eyes.

The group fell silent for a moment. Finally, the white-haired elder sighed and placed the pills into a jade box.

"Forget it. Since he himself doesn't mind, why should we interfere?"

On the other side, Bai Xiaofeng had already excitedly returned to Jiang Donghua's alchemy room.

"Master Jiang! I've brought all the medicinal ingredients!" He pushed the door open, his face beaming with smiles. "Please take a look, is this enough?"

Jiang Donghua was sitting cross-legged, regulating his breathing. Hearing this, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the medicinal ingredients, and a nearly imperceptible smile curved his lips.

"Hmm, barely enough," he said indifferently.

Bai Xiaofeng rubbed his hands, his eyes full of anticipation.

"Then, Master Jiang, how many pills can you refine this time?"

Jiang Donghua glanced at him, a half-smile playing on his face. "What, is Ninth Young Master still not satisfied?"

"No, no, no!" Bai Xiaofeng quickly waved his hand. "I was just asking, just asking!"

With Jiang Donghua, his path to seizing the position was secure!

Inside the residence of Third Young Master Bai Wuchen in Heavenly Serpent City.

"Bang!" A fine jade teacup was violently smashed onto the ground, splashing tea everywhere.

"Damn it! That idiot Ninth Brother actually managed to recruit a Fourth-Grade Alchemist?!"

Bai Wuchen's expression was gloomy, his eyes flickering with the flames of jealousy and rage.

His confidant, Bai Li, whispered from the side. "Third Young Master, the information is confirmed. Jiang Donghua refined two fire spirit pills in just a day and a night. Ninth Young Master has already taken them to the auction house to pay off his debts. Now, the entire Heavenly Serpent City is spreading the word that Ninth Young Master has struck gold this time!"

"Nonsense! Based on Bai Xiaofeng? A useless trash who only knows how to chase women all day, does he deserve to acquire a Fourth-Grade Alchemist?"

Bai Wuchen laughed in extreme anger.

He abruptly stood up and paced back and forth in the hall, his fists cracking audibly.

"No! I absolutely cannot let him grow stronger!"

At the same time, inside the courtyard of the Bai family's Fifth Young Miss, Bai Qingshuang.

She leaned against a soft couch, her fingertips gently caressing a communication jade slip. Her red lips curved slightly, but her eyes held a cold indifference.

"Heh, my Ninth Brother certainly has good luck."

The maid beside her whispered, "Fifth Young Miss, should we also send people to approach Master Jiang?"

Bai Qingshuang chuckled softly and shook her head. "It's too late. Right now, that idiot must be treating Jiang Donghua like a treasure, making it difficult for anyone to even meet him."

Her eyes flickered slightly, and then she revealed a meaningful smile. "However, since he values this Alchemist so much, we will start elsewhere."

The maid was startled. "What does Fifth Young Miss mean?"

But the woman shook her head and did not answer.

At this moment, Bai Xiaofeng was completely unaware that he had become the target of public criticism.

He sat in the main hall of his residence, legs crossed, listening smugly to his subordinates report the external reactions.

"Hahaha! My Third Brother and Fifth Sister must be green with regret now, right?"

He laughed loudly, his eyes filled with delight. "Let them look down on me before! Now I have Master Jiang assisting me. Let's see who dares to underestimate me now!"

Bi Yao giggled, flattering him from the side. "Ninth Young Master is blessed with boundless fortune; even a Fourth-Grade Alchemist is willing to serve you. In the future, won't the City Lord position be easily obtained?"

Bai Xiaofeng pinched her cheek proudly. "Well said! When I become the City Lord, you won't lack benefits!"

More than half a month passed, and Bai Xiaofeng's initial ecstasy had long been replaced by a faint sense of unease.

This alchemy speed was too terrifying!

Refining two fire spirit pills a day, Jiang Donghua worked almost non-stop. Every time he emerged from the alchemy room, his face was paler than the last, yet his gaze remained sharp as a knife.

Bai Xiaofeng stood outside the alchemy room, rubbing his hands, his face plastered with a flattering smile, but his heart grew increasingly panicked.

"Master Jiang, do you think you should rest for a few days?" he asked cautiously.

"There are many nice places in Heavenly Serpent City. How about I take you to relax?"

Jiang Donghua didn't even lift his eyelids, merely replying coldly, "No time."

Bai Xiaofeng swallowed hard, forcing himself to continue. "But if you keep this up, your body might not be able to handle it! If you collapse from exhaustion, wouldn't that mean I..."

"What? Is Ninth Young Master afraid I can no longer refine pills?" Jiang Donghua finally looked up, his gaze icy.

"No, no, no! I am just worried about your health!" Bai Xiaofeng quickly waved his hand, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

"Then stop wasting time. Do you still want me to refine pills for you?" Jiang Donghua turned and walked toward the alchemy room again.

Bai Xiaofeng opened his mouth, finally only managing two dry laughs. "Yes, of course I do!"

But in his heart, he had already begun to regret it.

How was this refining pills? This was practically draining lives!

A few more days passed, and Bai Xiaofeng finally couldn't take it anymore.

When Jiang Donghua pushed open the door of the alchemy room once again, holding two newly refined fire spirit pills, Bai Xiaofeng's face was even uglier than his.

"Master Jiang, this is truly enough this time!" He said, almost pleading. "Please rest first. If you keep going like this—"

Jiang Donghua glanced at him indifferently. "What, Ninth Young Master doesn't want pills anymore?"

Bai Xiaofeng gritted his teeth and finally shook his head. "I don't want them! I truly don't want them anymore!"

He was scared.

He was afraid Jiang Donghua would actually die of exhaustion in his residence!

This Master Jiang was simply a lunatic, a pure alchemy maniac!

No wonder he could step into the realm of a Fourth-Grade Alchemist at such a young age.

This Jiang Donghua was more fanatical about alchemy than all the young Fourth-Grade Alchemists Bai Xiaofeng had ever met!

Jiang Donghua stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. "Alright, since Ninth Young Master has spoken, then I will rest for a few days."

Bai Xiaofeng felt as if he had been granted amnesty, nodding quickly. "Good, good, good! Please rest as much as you need, and feel free to ask for anything!"

Jiang Donghua said nothing more, only turning and leaving, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips.

Drained dry?

Heh, this was just the beginning.

Bai Xiaofeng's recent days could be described as painful yet joyful.

The joy was that the number of fire spirit pills in his hands grew, and his wealth skyrocketed accordingly!

The pain was that he found he couldn't stop at all!

He needed gold coins to buy medicinal ingredients, needed medicinal ingredients for Jiang Donghua to refine pills, needed pills to sell for money, and then needed to buy even more medicinal ingredients.

This was simply a bottomless pit!

Yet, he simply could not refuse such temptation!

At the Heavenly Serpent City Auction House, the fire spirit pill had recently become the most sought-after commodity!

"Ninth Young Master, we are willing to purchase this batch of fire spirit pills at a price ten percent higher than the market rate!"

The auction house steward was beaming, his eyes flickering with greedy light.

Bai Xiaofeng crossed his legs, proudly shaking the jade box in his hand. "Ten percent? Heh, someone outside is offering twenty percent right now!"

The steward's expression changed, and he quickly said, "Ninth Young Master, we have a long-standing relationship! How about this: thirty percent! I can't go any higher!"

Bai Xiaofeng sneered, casually tossing the jade box to him. "Fine, considering your sincerity, deal!"

The steward accepted the pills as if they were priceless treasures.

The news spread rapidly. Within just a few days, powers from several nearby major cities heard that a crazy Fourth-Grade Alchemist had appeared in Heavenly Serpent City!

"Two fire spirit pills a day? That speed, even a Fifth-Grade Alchemist probably couldn't achieve it, right?"

"I heard that Master Jiang has been recruited by Bai Xiaofeng, and now the pill market in Heavenly Serpent City is almost monopolized by him!"

"Damn it! If only we could poach him!"

Countless factions were envious, but when they thought of the Four-star Dou Zong, Bai Wutian, who stood behind Heavenly Serpent City, they could only reluctantly suppress their intentions.

Who would dare steal someone on a Dou Zong's territory?

Third Young Master Bai Wuchen's mood had been extremely poor lately.

"Damn it! That trash Ninth Brother is actually making a comeback relying on pills?!"

He slammed his fist heavily onto the table, his eyes filled with jealousy and fury.

His confidant whispered from the side. "Third Young Master, everyone outside is now saying that Master Jiang's alchemy speed is comparable to a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. If this continues, Ninth Young Master's influence will likely grow larger and larger!"

Bai Wuchen's face was grim. "No! I absolutely cannot allow him to continue growing stronger!"

Bai Xiaofeng, meanwhile, was still immersed in the joy of his skyrocketing wealth, completely unaware that he had become the target of public criticism.

He laughed heartily, pulling the maid beside him into an embrace, and casually tossed out a green-gold card. "This is your reward! Follow this Young Master, and there will be plenty of benefits in the future!"

The maid accepted it with a charming smile, but a strange glint flashed in the depths of her eyes.