84: Alchemy Hall

Five Spirits Grotto-Heaven.

Inside this blessed land that he had personally created.

Inside the Quiet Chamber, the air distorted slightly due to the high temperature of the Pill Furnace.

Lu Yang sat cross-legged before the Pill Furnace, focused on controlling the furnace fire.

He had just been promoted to the inner Sect, and his cultivation was stable at the Foundation Establishment Early-stage. Among the Hehuan Sect Inner Sect Disciples, he could only be considered lower-middle Rank.

He knew well that if he wanted to gain a firm foothold in the inner Sect, relying solely on a Foundation Establishment Early-stage cultivation was far from enough.

Alchemy, the path he had long ago chosen, appeared particularly important now.

A high-quality third-rank elixir could not only serve as hard currency to exchange for rare Spiritual Plants in the Sect market but might even attract the attention of certain high-level female Cultivators or even Peak Masters.

This time, Lu Yang's goal was clear: he wanted to attempt refining a third-Rank low-grade flawless quality Medicinal Pill!

This was his pass to higher-level resources and connections.

Only by proving his value in the upper levels of the Alchemy Hall would he be qualified to access truly core matters.

Beneath the furnace, a pale blue spiritual fire burned steadily, emitting a low, continuous hum; he precisely controlled the heart of the flame at a height of three inches.

Lu Yang's eyes were slightly closed, his mind completely immersed in the Pill Furnace. His Divine Sense was like the most nimble fingers, guiding the changes of the medicinal liquid within the furnace.

With a flick of his left hand, the cleaned Spiritual Plants were thrown in sequence: the Solidify Essence Cultivate Origin Green Veined Grass leaves, the Spiritual Qi-gathering Cloud Heart Flower buds, and finally, the medicinal property-harmonizing Dew Soul Leaf tips.

As the Spiritual Plants were added, the furnace temperature rose in steps under his precise control.

Inside the furnace, the medicinal liquid first turned into a dense pale green mist, then condensed into a viscous liquid under the powerful compression of his Divine Sense, and finally contracted slowly, forming the prototype of a round pill embryo.

Sweat constantly seeped from his forehead, gathering into drops that slid down his slightly pale cheeks and soaked his collar.

Three hours of continuous high-intensity spiritual power output was a massive drain.

But finally, the pill embryo stabilized completely, its fragrance restrained.

Lu Yang changed his hand seal, and the spiritual fire extinguished accordingly.

Once the furnace temperature dropped to a suitable level, his Divine Sense lightly opened the furnace lid.

At the bottom of the furnace lay a round, flawless blue Medicinal Pill the size of a longan. Two clear silver pill veins on its surface seemed natural, emitting a faint but extremely pure glow and a refreshing medicinal fragrance.

A third-Rank low-grade flawless quality Medicinal Pill—it was done!

A sharp light flashed in Lu Yang's eyes after his exhaustion, and he carefully placed the Medicinal Pill into a warm Jade Bottle.

After putting away the pill and tidying his robes to recover some spiritual power, Lu Yang left the Quiet Chamber and walked toward the Alchemy Hall in the core area of the Sect.

The Alchemy Hall was the Holy Land in the hearts of thousands of Alchemists in the Sect.

It not only housed collections of Pill Formula scriptures ranging from basic to rare high-grade ones but also had exclusive channels to obtain Spiritual Plants hard to find elsewhere, and even offered high-grade Pill Furnaces with special attributes for rent.

But its core attraction lay in its strict ranking system.

Although the first-floor hall was bustling, most of what circulated were basic Materials and low-grade Medicinal Pills, which could not satisfy Lu Yang's needs.

Lu Yang's goal was the third floor—the exclusive Domain of Third-Rank Alchemists.

Only there could he access the catalog of rare Spiritual Plants reserved for Third-Rank Alchemists, have the authority to transcribe some of the Sect's secret third-Rank Pill Formulas, and more importantly, exchange insights and build connections with Alchemists of the same Rank or higher.

This was the necessary path to improving his Alchemy skills and acquiring resources.

The Alchemy Hall was a magnificent five-story pavilion built from dark Spirit-Veined Ironwood, which had deepened in color over the years.

The window frames were carved with lifelike illustrations of a hundred herbs.

Above the main entrance, a huge black plaque with gold lacquer hung high. The three large characters for "Alchemy Hall" were written with vigorous strokes, exuding an unquestionable majesty.

As soon as he stepped into the first-floor hall, a wave of noise accompanied by an extremely complex medicinal fragrance rushed at him, as if he had stepped into another world.

His ears were filled with all sorts of sounds.

There were the voices of Cultivators haggling until they were red in the face over the price of a Spiritual Plant, the heated discussions of several Alchemists gathered to argue over the details of a certain Pill Formula, the heavy metallic clanging of Pill Furnaces opening and closing, and the crackling of countless spiritual fires burning at the bottom of the furnaces, all interwoven into a boiling ocean of sound.

The scents permeating the air were even more complex: the fresh fragrance of Spiritual Plants, the slight bitterness of boiled medicinal liquids, and the unique exotic aroma of certain Medicinal Pills as they formed.

As well as the occasional burnt smell of failed refinements wafting from corners; they mixed together into a scent so thick it was a bit pungent, yet it carried the unique vitality of the Alchemy Hall.

As far as the eye could see, people were milling about, with Daoist robes from various peaks mixed together.

Qi Refinement Stage Disciples hurried about, Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators were calm and composed, and one could even occasionally see the figures of one or two Core Formation Stage Seniors with deep Auras.

Some were quietly queuing in front of rows of Alchemy Rooms on both sides, waiting to rent a Pill Furnace.

Others were at the massive circular counter in the center, handing over Spiritual Plants and Medicinal Pills with the deacon Disciples; or they were in the rest areas in the corners, gathered in small groups and conversing in low voices.

The floor was made of polished bluestone slabs, and huge medicine cabinets reaching the ceiling stood against the walls on both sides. Countless small compartments held innumerable Jade Bottles, medicine boxes, and cloth bags, all labeled. Although the space was spacious, it still felt cramped due to the sheer number of people.

One's skin could clearly feel the temperature in the hall was significantly higher than outside. This was the heat emitted by dozens of Pill Furnaces operating simultaneously, combined with the dense crowd of bodies; staying for long would cause sweat to bead on one's forehead.

Lu Yang did not linger on the first floor; his gaze directly locked onto the wide solid wood staircase in the center of the hall.

The stairs led to the upper floors. At the entrance of each floor stood a Deacon Elder in a grey Alchemist robe with a condensed Aura, a jade token representing their identity and authority hanging at their waist, and eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

Beside the stairs stood a conspicuous blue-black stone stele, with the inviolable hall rules carved in bright red cinnabar:

The first floor is the activity area for Alchemy Apprentices and First-Rank Alchemists.

The second floor is restricted to Second-Rank Alchemists and their Alchemy Attendants; attendants must register.

The third floor is restricted to Third-Rank Alchemists.

The fourth floor is for the use of Fourth-Rank Alchemists and those with special permission from the Elders.

The fifth floor is the exclusive area for Fifth-Rank and above Alchemists and Alchemy Hall Elders; trespassers will be severely punished.

Lu Yang passed through the noisy crowd and walked straight to the first-floor staircase entrance.

On duty here was a lean, shrewd-looking middle-aged Deacon Elder.

“Elder, I am Lu Yang, a newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple and a Third-Rank Alchemist. I would like to go up to the third floor to take a look,” Lu Yang said with a respectful bow.

The Elder looked up, his gaze sweeping over Lu Yang like lightning. He paused slightly at the Aura of his Foundation Establishment Early-stage cultivation, and his brow furrowed imperceptibly.

So young, just entered the inner Sect, and at the Foundation Establishment Early-stage, yet claiming to have reached the level of a Third-Rank Alchemist?

This was extremely rare even in the long history of the Alchemy Hall. Doubts immediately arose in the Elder's heart.

Lu Yang's expression remained calm. Without a word, he took the warm Jade Bottle out of his Storage Pouch and handed it over with both hands.

The Elder took the Jade Bottle and solemnly pulled out the stopper.

A pure, restrained, and vibrant medicinal fragrance instantly wafted out, causing several nearby low-Rank Alchemists to subconsciously sniff the air.

The Elder's fingertips carefully pinched out the blue Medicinal Pill, placed it in his palm, and brought it close to his eyes to examine it carefully.

The body of the pill was round and flawless, its color as uniform as the finest emerald. The two silver pill veins were clear and deep, like natural imprints, emitting stable and refreshing spiritual power fluctuations.

He closed his eyes, and a strand of pure Divine Sense probed into the interior of the pill, sensing the perfect degree of Fusion and purity of its medicinal power.

After a few breaths, the Elder opened his eyes. The scrutiny in his gaze had vanished, replaced by deep surprise and a hint of imperceptible appreciation.

He nodded slowly, stepped aside to clear the path, and said in a deep voice:

“The pill's quality is superb, the pill veins are clear, and the medicinal power is pure and flawless. It is indeed a third-Rank flawless pill.

Please, go up to the third floor.”

Under the gaze of countless pairs of eyes on the ground floor—some curious and probing, some full of envy, others filled with disbelief—Lu Yang remained composed as he stepped onto the wooden staircase leading to the higher floors. His footsteps sounded exceptionally clear against the backdrop of the noisy hall.