56: As you practice, it becomes easier.

As Host: Jiang Donghua watched the group leave in a hurry, the smile on his lips had not yet faded when a sighing chuckle came from behind him.

"Good methods."

Elder Mo Xuan, at some unknown point, was already standing in the alchemy room, his grey robes hanging down, his gaze as deep as an abyss.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his tone carrying a hint of emotion.

"When he doesn't move, he's silent, but when he does, he's astonishing."

"You, Stinky Kid, not only gained a wave of fame, but also got a peak third-grade Medicine Cauldron."

Host: Jiang Donghua turned around and bowed respectfully, a calm smile still on his face.

"Teacher, you flatter me."

Elder Mo Xuan stared at him for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

"Now, I admit I misjudged you a bit."

"With your temperament and strength, even if you weren't an Alchemist, you would probably become a renowned powerhouse."

Upon hearing this, Host: Jiang Donghua's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of depth flashed in his eyes.

"Teacher, a powerhouse who hasn't grown up yet can only be considered talented."

Elder Mo Xuan raised his eyebrows slightly, a half-smile on his face.

"Oh? Then, do you think you have grown up?"

Host: Jiang Donghua did not answer immediately but walked to the window, his gaze directed into the distance.

"At least, no one dares to treat me as a 'waste who climbed to the top by relying on his connections' anymore, right?"

Elder Mo Xuan was silent for a moment, then chuckled softly.

"What a 'when he doesn't move, he's silent, but when he does, he's astonishing'."

Elder Mo Xuan gave him a deep look, and finally nodded.

"Alright, since you have this temperament, I, your teacher, will not say more."

"However, what do you plan to do next?"

Host: Jiang Donghua smiled slightly, his fingertips gently caressing his storage ring, the warm touch of the green flame cauldron seemingly still in his palm.

"Naturally, I will enter secluded cultivation."

"Since I have already proven my alchemy talent, next, I should let certain people know."

"My, Host: Jiang Donghua's, alchemy talent is even more exaggerated than they imagine!"

A sharp glint flashed in Elder Mo Xuan's eyes, then he burst out laughing.

"Good! Good! Good!"

"It seems I, your teacher, have truly found a treasure this time."

Host: Jiang Donghua also laughed along, but deep within that smile, there was a hint of undetectable coldness.

"After all, true powerhouses never rely on just one method to establish themselves."

The alchemy duel between Host: Jiang Donghua and Liu Qingya swept through the entire Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy like a storm at an astonishing speed.

The news spread incredibly fast, countless times faster than the previous rumors.

Especially after it was confirmed that Host: Jiang Donghua had indeed refined a first-grade elixir, and it was even a double-patterned bone mending pill.

This fact, once confirmed, shook the entire Outer Academy.

"Did you hear? That Host: Jiang Donghua from the Alchemy Department actually won against Liu Qingya!"

"More than just winning? I heard Liu Qingya spat blood and fainted on the spot, and even his green flame cauldron was taken away!"

"A double-patterned bone mending pill! That's a level even Elder Mo Xuan might not be able to achieve at Host: Jiang Donghua's age!"

"Tsk tsk, this time they really kicked a steel plate."

For a time, Host: Jiang Donghua's name was deeply imprinted in the hearts of countless people.

Some were in awe, some were wary, and some began to scheme in secret.

As for those who had helped Liu Qingya spread rumors, they were now like sitting on pins and needles.

They knew better than anyone that Host: Jiang Donghua was not someone to be trifled with.

Even Liu Qingya was made to vomit blood and faint, so wouldn't their minor roles suffer an even worse fate?

Thus, within a few days, these people, using "going out on a mission" as an excuse, hurriedly fled Jia Nan Academy, fearing that if they were a step late, they would be held accountable.

Unfortunately, they still underestimated the methods of the Alchemy Department, or rather, they underestimated those who wanted to curry favor with Host: Jiang Donghua.

"Did you hear those guys want to run?"

"Heh, can they run away?"

"Senior Brother Jiang didn't explicitly say anything, but we still have to 'show our appreciation'..."

Thus, in the following days, those who had spread rumors one by one "accidentally" encountered various "misfortunes."

Some were "accidentally injured" by magical beasts during a mission, with several bones broken throughout their bodies.

Some "suffered qi deviation" during cultivation, their meridians damaged, and their cultivation regressed.

Some even "accidentally" fell into a poisonous swamp, their bodies festering and suffering unbearable pain.

Although no one directly admitted who was responsible, everyone knew in their hearts.

These injuries would definitely keep them bedridden for at least three to five months.

Meanwhile, Host: Jiang Donghua remained deaf to the outside world's commotions, simply cultivating in seclusion, as if none of it concerned him.

[Host: Jiang Donghua]

[Realm: Four-Star Dou Shi (600/4000)]

[Main Cultivation Art: Heaven Burning Art (profound rank mid-level)]

[Idle Income]

Clone 1: 2 points/hour

Clone 2: 2 points/hour

Clone 3: 2 points/hour

[Current Total Income: 6 points/hour]

[Dou Technique: yellow rank high grade movement Dou Technique Roaming Cloud Steps (perfected) no further improvement possible, yellow rank high grade palm Dou Technique Blazing Flame Palm (perfected) no further improvement possible]

[Pill Formula: bone-mending pill, perfected, no further improvement possible, qi burst pill, perfected (120/500) clone idle cultivation in progress]

Host: Jiang Donghua sat cross-legged in the quiet room, his eyes slightly closed, Dou Qi circulating around his body, and wisps of pale green pill energy swirling around his fingertips.

However, his true self had long since entrusted the task of alchemy to the three clones in his mind.

Although these clones only possessed simple intelligence, they were stable and could meticulously complete the refining of basic medicinal pills according to his will.

As for himself, he was like a greedy sponge, frantically absorbing the endless knowledge from the Alchemy Department's library!

"Whoosh — —"

The sound of turning pages continuously echoed in the quiet room, and Host: Jiang Donghua's fingers almost became afterimages, as he rapidly flipped through thick ancient texts.

"Compendium of Myriad Herbs," "Record of Exotic Flames," "Fragments of Ancient Pill Formulas," "Treatise on the Intergrowth of Dou Qi and Medicinal Properties"... These precious ancient texts, which would cause a bloodbath in the outside world, were now being digested by him at an astonishing speed, as if they were the most ordinary miscellaneous books.

His photographic memory meant he didn't need to re-read them.

With just one glance, he could imprint the contents of the book deep into his mind!

"Swish — —!"

Another ancient text was closed, and Host: Jiang Donghua casually tossed it, accurately returning it to the bookshelf, while simultaneously reaching out, and another book he had prepared earlier automatically flew into his palm.

"Senior Brother Jiang, this is the last volume of the 'Compendium of Heavenly Treasures'..."

An Alchemy Department disciple cautiously walked in, holding a stack of books, fine beads of sweat still on his forehead.

This was already the seventh time he had come to deliver books today!

Host: Jiang Donghua didn't even lift his head, merely gave a faint "Mm," and with a gentle hook of his finger, the book flew up into the air and landed steadily in his hand.

"Whoosh — —"

The sound of pages turning started again, and the disciple watched dumbfounded.

This wasn't reading at all; this was practically "eating" books!

"Se-Senior Brother Jiang..."

He couldn't help but swallow.

"Are you... looking for something?"

Host: Jiang Donghua's action of flipping pages paused slightly, and he looked up to glance at him.

His gaze was calm, yet it instantly sent a chill down the disciple's spine, as if he had been targeted by some ferocious beast!

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."

A faint sentence, yet it made the disciple tremble all over, and he quickly lowered his head and retreated.

It wasn't until he was far away from the quiet room that he let out a long sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Too terrifying... How is Senior Brother Jiang reading? It's more like he's plundering knowledge!"

Inside the quiet room, Host: Jiang Donghua's lips curved slightly, and a deep light flashed in his eyes.

"Looking for something?"

"No... I'm 'hunting'."

These books contained countless secrets ignored by the world!

Ancient medicinal herbs, lost alchemy techniques, undiscovered heavenly treasures... How could he miss them?

"Whoosh — —"

The pages turned again, and Host: Jiang Donghua's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, not missing a single detail.

After all, true powerhouses never miss any opportunity to become stronger!

News of Host: Jiang Donghua's secluded study spread like wildfire throughout the entire Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy.

A genius who could jump from an alchemy novice to a refiner of double-patterned bone mending pills within half a year—who wouldn't want to befriend him?

Thus, in the following days, the threshold of the Alchemy Department was practically trampled down.

There were scions of aristocratic families who came with heavy gifts, wanting to forge connections, and even some female New Students, blushing as they offered scented sachets, their eyes full of admiration.

However, without exception, all these people were blocked outside the gates of the Alchemy Department.

"Apologies, Senior Brother Jiang is in secluded cultivation and does not see outside guests."

The Alchemy Department disciples stood ramrod straight, their tone respectful but unyielding.

This was an order personally given by Host: Jiang Donghua before he entered seclusion.

And they, naturally, strictly enforced it.

"I am a direct descendant of the Wang family! How dare you stop me?"

A young man in luxurious clothes had a gloomy expression and an arrogant tone.

"Senior Brother Wang, please forgive us, but rules are rules."

The Alchemy Department disciple was neither servile nor overbearing.

"Hmph! Just a mere New Student, yet he puts on such airs!"

The young man snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and left.

Similar scenes played out almost every day, but the Alchemy Department disciples remained unmoved.

Because they knew better than anyone just how terrifyingly talented their Senior Brother Jiang was!

"It's only been half a year!"

An Alchemy Department disciple sighed softly.

"Senior Brother Jiang has already started researching second-grade medicinal pill formulas."

"Yes, we've been in the Outer Academy for five years, and being able to become a Second-Grade Alchemist is already our limit."

Another person said with a bitter smile.

The gap was simply too vast.

So great that they couldn't even muster the thought of jealousy!

Meanwhile, Jiang Donghua paid no heed to the outside commotion.

He sat cross-legged in the quiet room, an ancient parchment scroll spread out before him. The Pill Formula for the qi burst pill recorded on it had finally been mastered to the peak of proficiency via the system.

"The control of the heat is more demanding, and the combination of medicinal ingredients is also more complex."

Jiang Donghua gently rubbed the scroll with his fingertip, his eyes flashing with the light of contemplation, yet he showed no fear; instead, he was faintly excited.

Only challenges could lead to improvement!

"Whoosh—"

He raised his hand and waved; stalks of medicinal ingredients flew out of his storage ring, suspended in mid-air.

"Let's begin."

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath, Dou Qi surging in his palm, and a cluster of pale green flames slowly rose up.

That was a wisp of Azure Spirit Flame he had extracted from the green flame cauldron. Although faint, it was sufficient for practice.

Inside the quiet room, the scent of medicine gradually permeated the air... Outside the Alchemy Department, the rejected visitors could only look unwillingly at the tightly shut door before leaving dejectedly.

They knew that when Jiang Donghua emerged from seclusion again.

Perhaps the entire Jia Nan Academy would be shaken!

Jiang Donghua sat cross-legged in the center of the quiet room, the earth spirit cauldron floating before him. The cauldron body trembled slightly, emitting a rich earth-attribute spiritual power.

"I'll start by practicing with the bone-mending pill."

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. With a flick of his finger, stalks of medicinal ingredients flew out of the storage ring, neatly arranged beside him.

Eight sets of ingredients for the bone-mending pill, perfectly arranged, not one too many or too few.

"Hoo—"

He lightly exhaled, his gaze suddenly sharpening. Dou Qi surged in his palm, and raging flames instantly ignited inside the earth spirit cauldron!

Pill refining had begun!

However, at this moment, Jiang Donghua seemed to have entered a mysterious state.

His movements were fluid and seamless, without the slightest hesitation. It was as if this bone-mending pill Pill Formula hadn't been created by someone else.

But was written by his own hand!

"Swish!"

The medicinal ingredients entered the cauldron, the flames churned, and the medicinal power rapidly fused inside the vessel.

There was not a trace of hesitation, nor a fraction of error.

Every single step was terrifyingly precise!

"This feeling of having mastered something to the peak of proficiency via the system is truly incredibly powerful and uncanny."

Jiang Donghua sighed inwardly, but the movements of his hands did not stop for a moment.

He didn't even need to concentrate fully; he only needed to relax his mind, and his body would instinctively complete all the operations. Pill refining was as natural as breathing to him!

"Buzz—"

The earth spirit cauldron trembled slightly, and a wisp of pale green pill vapor overflowed from the mouth of the cauldron, lingering without dispersing.

"pill pattern? That's merely something easily obtained."

Jiang Donghua chuckled softly and lightly hooked his finger.

"Open!"

The cauldron lid opened, and a perfectly round medicinal pill flew out, its surface clearly wrapped with two delicate pill patterns!

The double-patterned bone mending pill was successfully refined!

Without the slightest pause, he immediately placed the medicinal pill into a mutton-fat jade bottle, then added ingredients again, starting the second refinement.

"Swish—!"

"Buzz—!"

"Open!"

Medicinal pills, one after another, continuously flew out of the earth spirit cauldron like products on an assembly line. Every single one was round and full, with clear pill patterns!

Eight openings of the cauldron, eight successes!

Eight double-patterned bone mending pills lay neatly within the jade bottle!

If any other First-Grade Alchemist saw this scene, they would probably be scared out of their wits on the spot!

How could this be called pill refining? This was practically mass production!

Moreover, every pill was of double-patterned quality!

"Hoo—"

Jiang Donghua put away the last medicinal pill and weighed the jade bottle with satisfaction.

"Not bad, the feeling is getting smoother and smoother."

He stretched lazily, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

"Next... it's time to try the second-grade medicinal pill."

If people knew that he had just refined eight double-patterned bone mending pills merely for "practice"... the entire Alchemy Department student body would probably go crazy!

Jiang Donghua casually tossed the qi burst pill Pill Formula aside, his gaze sweeping over the medicinal ingredients laid out before him.

crimson flame fruit, Violent Bear Gallbladder, wind spirit grass, Blood Ganoderma... "A second-grade medicinal pill should be somewhat interesting."

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. With a light flick of his finger, the ingredients flew into the earth spirit cauldron in sequence.

"Boom—"

Flames surged inside the cauldron, and the medicinal power rapidly fused under the high temperature.

Twenty minutes later... "Buzz—"

The earth spirit cauldron trembled slightly, and a wisp of scarlet pill vapor overflowed from the mouth of the cauldron, lingering without dispersing.

"Open!"

Jiang Donghua raised his palm, the cauldron lid opened, and a completely scarlet medicinal pill flew out, its surface wrapped with a clear pill pattern!

The qi burst pill was successfully refined!

He held the medicinal pill, frowning slightly, and shook his head with a hint of disdain.

"Am I still rusty on the first try?"

"Only one pill pattern."

If the other students in the Alchemy Department heard this, they would probably spit out a mouthful of old blood on the spot!

Refining a pill pattern on a second-grade medicinal pill?

What kind of monster is this?!

One must know that those capable of refining a pill pattern on a second-grade medicinal pill were basically Third-Grade Alchemist existences at the peak!

Some had even stepped halfway into the Fourth Grade!

And Jiang Donghua?

He had only been exposed to pill refining for half a year!

On his first attempt at a second-grade medicinal pill, he directly refined a pill pattern!

Yet this fellow actually complained about being "rusty"?

And complained about "only one pill pattern"?

"The advancement of Soul Power is indeed more difficult than imagined!"

Jiang Donghua rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

Ordinary Alchemists who want to increase their Soul Power must undergo long years of accumulation or consume rare heavenly treasures and earthly materials.

"Again!"

He didn't hesitate, throwing in the ingredients again and starting the second refinement.

This time, his movements were even smoother. Soul Power surged into the cauldron like a tide, precisely controlling every subtle change in medicinal power!

"Buzz—"

The sound of the cauldron ringing was clearer than before!

"Open!"

Another qi burst pill flew out.

And this time, the surface of the medicinal pill was clearly wrapped with two pill patterns!

"Now that's more like it."

Jiang Donghua nodded with satisfaction and casually put the pill into the jade bottle.

If those veteran Alchemists who had painstakingly cultivated for decades saw this scene, their Dao hearts would probably shatter on the spot!

Comparing people only infuriates them!

Jiang Donghua stayed in the pill refining room for over half a month.

When he finally pushed the door open and walked out, the corridor of the Alchemy Department instantly fell silent for a moment, followed immediately by ~

"Hello, Senior Brother Jiang!"

"Senior Brother Jiang has finished his seclusion?"

"What pill did Senior Brother refine this time?"

A group of Alchemy Department disciples stopped in their tracks, bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with awe and admiration.

The corner of Jiang Donghua's mouth twitched slightly, but he maintained a polite smile and nodded in response.

But there were simply too many people!

The distance from the pill refining room to the stairwell was only a few dozen steps, yet it took him a full quarter of an hour to walk it!

His face was almost frozen from smiling!

"No way, I need to slip away!"

His eyes flashed, the Dou Qi inside his body quietly circulated, and his footsteps suddenly quickened!

"Swish—!"

A yellow rank high grade movement Dou Technique — Roaming Cloud Steps!

His figure was like a light breeze, instantly passing through the crowd and disappearing around the stairwell corner in the blink of an eye.

"Huh? Where is Senior Brother Jiang?"

"He was just here..."

Everyone exchanged glances, while Jiang Donghua had already taken big strides and rushed up to the Elder Pavilion on the top floor of the Alchemy Department.

"Thump, thump, thump!"

The rapid sound of footsteps approached from afar. Elder Mo Xuan was currently holding a thick ancient book, engrossed in reading. Hearing the movement, he raised an eyebrow and slowly picked up his spirit tea for a sip.

"That Stinky Kid is finally out."

He chuckled inwardly.

After over half a month in seclusion, he must have gotten stuck on the second-grade qi burst pill, right?

After all, the difficulty difference between a second-grade medicinal pill and a first-grade elixir was enormous; no matter how high his talent, it was impossible to succeed overnight.

Now, that kid must have hit a bottleneck and come to ask him for guidance!

Elder Mo Xuan stroked his beard, adopting a profound and inscrutable posture, preparing to receive Jiang Donghua's "humble request for instruction."

"Bang!"

The door was pushed open, and Jiang Donghua strode inside. The very first sentence he spoke almost made Elder Mo Xuan spit out the spirit tea in his mouth!

"Teacher, do you have any other Pill Formulas?"

Elder Mo Xuan.

"...?"

He widened his eyes, his beard bristling.

"You... you didn't come here to ask about the qi burst pill?"

Jiang Donghua looked baffled.

"The qi burst pill? What is there to ask about that thing? I've already refined it."

Elder Mo Xuan.

"???"

He suddenly stood up, his voice rising eight octaves.

"You refined it?!"

Jiang Donghua nodded, casually pulled a mutton-fat jade bottle from his storage ring, and poured out two scarlet medicinal pills.

Every single one was wrapped with two clear pill patterns!

Elder Mo Xuan stared at the two double-patterned qi burst pills, his eyelids twitching wildly, his fingers unconsciously trembling.

"You, you spent over half a month in seclusion just to refine this?"

Jiang Donghua nodded as a matter of course.

"Yeah, it just got smooth as I kept refining. But I don't have enough Pill Formulas now. Teacher, do you have any higher-grade ones?"

Elder Mo Xuan.

"..."

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart, and spoke through gritted teeth.

"Stinky Kid! Do you think Pill Formulas are cabbages?! A second-grade Pill Formula should be enough for you to digest for a while!"

Jiang Donghua rubbed his nose and muttered.

"But I think it's quite simple..."

Elder Mo Xuan.

"..."

There was no way to continue this conversation!