94: Ning Hong becomes a steward of alchemy.

One hour later.

Inside the Immortal Cave, the dense fragrance of medicine had not yet completely dissipated, mixed with a hint of an indescribable, profound aura.

The hour of delicate guidance and spiritual power fusion finally ended. Lu Yang slowly withdrew his finger from the vital acupoint on Ning Hong's back, the faint spiritual light lingering on his fingertip quietly fading away.

Ning Hong's body trembled slightly, and her tightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open, a sharp light flashing through her pupils before vanishing.

Immediately after, an aura far more powerful and condensed than before surged from within her body like a flood breaking through a dam, instantly filling the entire Quiet Chamber!

The rock-solid Foundation Establishment Mid-stage barrier that had troubled her for years had actually shattered with a bang within this short hour, accompanied by the complete dissolving of the Medicinal Pill in her body and the guidance of that strange secret power!

She felt with absolute clarity that she had already stepped firmly into the Late Foundation Establishment Stage realm!

This incredible progress was definitely not something that could be achieved by that precious Medicinal Pill alone!

Waves of shock surged in Ning Hong's heart, her mind filled with an indescribable awe and reverence for Lu Yang's mysterious Dual Cultivation secret technique.

Suppressing her churning blood and agitated emotions, she stood up abruptly and bowed deeply toward Lu Yang, who was sitting before her, her voice carrying uncontrollable excitement and heartfelt admiration:

"Chief! This Disciple's Foundation Establishment Mid-stage Bottleneck has obstructed my cultivation path like a stubborn rock for several years. I thought it would still require much painstaking effort to overcome.

"I never expected... I never expected that with the help of the Chief's secret technique and the enlightenment of the Spirit Pill, it would be like spring ice meeting the sun, breaking through the realm in an instant. The speed of my cultivation progress is truly something I have never seen in my life!

"This ability to turn the mundane into the miraculous is not something the power of a mere Medicinal Pill could achieve even a fraction of.

"The Chief's Divine Ability is peerless, and his secret technique is profound and divine. This Disciple... this Disciple is truly convinced and moved to tears!" Her words were sincere and passionate, every word brimming with the ecstasy of her Breakthrough and her admiration for Lu Yang's unfathomable methods.

Lu Yang sat upon the Cloud Bed, his expression indifferent, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

He casually brushed his unwrinkled sleeves, a natural curve hooking at the corner of his lips, his tone carrying the arrogance of one looking down upon all living things:

"This is only natural. This seat's secret technique seizes the creation of heaven and earth; what is there to speak of?" He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Ning Hong with a hint of disdain. "Not to mention the Bottleneck of one person, even if there were ten or a hundred more stuck at the same barrier, pushing through it with this secret technique would be like dusting a table—a mere daily occurrence."

Having said that, he flipped his wrist, and a jade medallion, emerald green and warm in appearance, appeared out of thin air in his palm. It was the one given by Peak Master Fang Hao.

Lu Yang flicked his finger, and the token turned into a streak of light, landing steadily in Ning Hong's still-bowed palms.

"Considering your Aptitude is acceptable and your Heart-Nature is relatively steady," Lu Yang's voice carried an unquestionable decisiveness. "From this day forward, you shall be this seat's Alchemy Deacon on Bibo Peak, acting on my behalf with partial authority.

"Holding this token, all Disciples within Bibo Peak, regarding all matters related to Alchemy—requesting pills, offering materials, scheduling Pill Furnaces, overseeing heat control, and even seeking guidance on difficulties—shall be fully handled, coordinated, and disposed of by you at your discretion.

"All matters that need to be reported to this seat shall also be submitted through your hands. You are this seat's spokesperson outside the Alchemy Room."

Holding the warm-to-the-touch Emerald Jade Token that contained great authority, Ning Hong felt a trace of Lu Yang's powerful aura circulating within it. Her heart grew even more excited, yet she also felt a heavy responsibility.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her churning emotions, and bowed deeply once more, her voice solemn and firm:

"Disciple Ning Hong obeys the Chief's decree! Having received such trust and being entrusted with such a heavy responsibility, this Disciple will surely exhaust all my efforts to ensure everything is handled properly and all Alchemy matters are organized in an orderly fashion. I would never dare to be the slightest bit negligent!

"I will certainly not fail the Chief's trust, sharing your burdens and giving my all until the end!" Her promise was resonant, filled with accountability and determination.

"Very good." Lu Yang nodded slightly.

After Lu Yang and Ning Hong had settled all matters, the heavy stone door of the Immortal Cave slowly opened with a low grinding sound, and the Restriction's flowing light vanished along with it.

Lu Yang took the first step out, his expression indifferent and his pace composed.

Ning Hong followed closely behind. Although she tried her best to restrain her aura, the spiritual power fluctuations unique to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, which were several times more condensed and powerful than before, still faintly leaked out, complementing the lingering excitement and blush on her brow.

As soon as she stepped out of the stone door, she unobtrusively slowed down by half a step, not walking side-by-side with Lu Yang. Instead, she very tactfully and quickly retreated to the four Junior Sisters waiting outside the cave, standing with her hands down in a respectful manner, as if the miraculous encounter and promotion inside the Immortal Cave had never happened.

Lu Yang's gaze was like lightning as it swept over the five female Disciples before him, each with a different appearance but all holding their breath.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his voice not loud but carrying an unquestionable authority as it spread clearly throughout the small courtyard:

"This seat's Alchemy cultivation is occupied with many complex matters, and I have no time for trivial distractions. From today onward," he paused slightly, his gaze falling on Ning Hong, "Ning Hong shall be this seat's Alchemy Deacon on Bibo Peak, acting with my authority.

"All of you remember: from now on, all Disciples in the peak, regarding any requests related to Alchemy—requesting pills, offering recipes, preparing materials, scheduling, and resolving doubts—shall be fully handled, assigned, and decided by Ning Hong. Her words are my intentions."

"We obey the Chief's decree!" The five female Disciples bowed in unison, their voices crisp and uniform.

Lu Yang said no more, only giving everyone a faint glance as if he had merely handled a trivial matter. He turned and flicked his sleeve, and the heavy stone door closed silently once again, isolating him and the dense Spiritual Qi of the Immortal Cave within.

Outside the Immortal Cave,

Lu Yang's figure disappeared behind the closing stone door, and the Restriction light screen lit up again. The tense atmosphere outside the cave suddenly relaxed, and the gazes of the five female Disciples were instantly drawn like magnets, all focusing on Ning Hong.

Curiosity, inquiry, and a hint of indescribable urgency intertwined in their eyes, but the first question to emerge was about her sudden change in status.

"Senior Sister Ning!" The most impatient Junior Sister was the first to lose her composure, rushing a few steps to stand before Ning Hong, her gaze scanning her with unabashed envy and intense curiosity,

"Chief... how did the Chief suddenly make you the Alchemy Deacon? Could it be... could it be that Senior Sister had some extraordinary performance inside the Immortal Cave and won the Chief's high regard?" Her question pointed directly to the common confusion in everyone's hearts.

The other four immediately crowded around, staring intently at Ning Hong with complex expressions, waiting for her explanation.