41: Azure Flame Furnace

After a busy day of chores at the medical hall, Qin Feng returned to his room and sat cross-legged. Outside the window, the moonlight was like water. Counting the days, he had been in this world for exactly two months. From a dying handyman at the start to a Personal Disciple of Huichun Medical Hall, a hidden Mid-stage Martial Master, and an apprentice who had just glimpsed the path of Alchemy, these changes in fortune were truly emotional.

"Tonight, it's time to refresh the blue intelligence again." Qin Feng was full of anticipation. The last blue intelligence had given him the Earth Rank Low Grade Primordial Unity Qi Art, a massive harvest that he was still benefiting from today. He wondered what kind of surprise would come this time?

He temporarily suppressed his thoughts and first took out the Basic Pill Arts and his Master's handwritten notes. Under the lamplight, he studied them carefully, cross-referencing the difficulties he encountered during the day's Alchemy with the records in the book to deepen his understanding.

As soon as the zi hour arrived, the System's light screen lit up on time.

[(Yellow) The marching route and supply details of the Qianyuan Kingdom's Emperor Li Hong's expeditionary army have been leaked to the Barbarians by a traitor planted in the army by the National Uncle. The main barbarian forces have quietly assembled, preparing to set an ambush in the 'Phoenix Fall Slope' area, using the terrain to cut off the grain route and surround and annihilate the central army.]

Looking at this intelligence, Qin Feng could only shake his head and sigh. Imperial infighting, power struggles, even going so far as to use foreign enemies to eliminate rivals—such dirty methods were truly chilling. Unfortunately, he was of low status; he had neither the power nor the desire to interfere in conspiracies of this level.

[(White) Yesterday, Shadow Scorpion contacted the outer members of the Fierce Tiger Gang in the guise of a merchant, subtly inquiring about unusual figures in the city and rumors of 'Ghost'. He obtained some fragmented information. Afterward, he scouted 'Yihong Courtyard' and 'Hundred Flowers Tower', but found no effective clues related to the target.]

"Hmph, it seems this Shadow Scorpion really enjoys this sort of thing." Qin Feng's eyes turned cold. "Scouting is just a pretense; I'm afraid seeking pleasure is his true goal. However... could this point be utilized in the future?"

When his gaze fell on the third piece of intelligence, which emitted a brilliant blue light, his spirit was immediately lifted!

[(Blue) In the Earth God Temple of Songjia Village in the south of the city, there is a grime-covered bronze incense burner in the corner behind the statue, treated as junk. After thoroughly cleaning the grime, its true form will be revealed as a Profound Rank High Grade Alchemy furnace, the 'azure flame furnace', missing only its lid. The Host can find a craftsman to make a Profound Rank Low Grade lid. Although the mismatch in quality will lead to a slight loss of medicinal power, it can still significantly increase the success rate and quality of the pills.]

"A Profound Rank High Grade Alchemy furnace!" Qin Feng was wild with joy! It was exactly what he needed! He was just worrying that his Master's small Alchemy furnace had limited functions and restricted his Alchemy progress, and now a better one had been delivered! Although it lacked a lid and needed a slightly inferior one to make do, even so, it was far beyond the ordinary items he was currently using!

"Star South City really has quite a few good things buried away!" He once again marveled at the power of the System's intelligence.

The next day, Qin Feng made an excuse to go out and went to the south of the city again. He avoided the Earth God Temple he had visited before and found the abandoned temple in Songjia Village described in the intelligence. The temple was even more dilapidated than the previous one, with the statue collapsed and cobwebs everywhere. In the corner behind the statue, he indeed found the incense burner, covered in dust and bird droppings, looking like scrap metal.

He carefully wrapped it up and brought it back to the city. Instead of going directly back to the medical hall, he first visited the antique market and spent ten gold coins to commission a Profound Rank Low Grade bronze lid that could fit perfectly. Although the material didn't match the body and spiritual energy conduction would be slightly obstructed, it was enough for now.

Back in his room at the medical hall, he closed the doors and windows tightly and began to carefully clean the incense burner. As the grime faded, the furnace's original appearance was revealed—bronze material, dark green in color, with complex cloud patterns and flame designs carved on the walls. There was a faint spiritual glow flowing, and it felt warm to the touch. It was indeed no ordinary object! He put on the newly made lid; although there was a slight flaw, it was now a complete Alchemy furnace.

"azure flame furnace..." Qin Feng stroked the furnace, unable to put it down. With it, his Alchemy success rate and pill quality would surely rise to a new level!

At that moment, he no longer hesitated. He took out the prepared Materials for the blood qi pill, lit the special charcoal fire, and began refining with this newly acquired "azure flame furnace."

Perhaps it was a psychological effect, or perhaps it was the extraordinary nature of the furnace itself, but Qin Feng felt that his control over the heat was more proficient, and the Fusion of medicinal power within the furnace was smoother and more stable. Assisted by his Sword Heart talent, his mind was clear and empty as he precisely grasped every step.

Several hours later, the furnace fire gradually died down. Qin Feng carefully lifted the lid, and a rich, pure fragrance of blood qi medicine wafted out! At the bottom of the furnace lay five round, full, and brightly colored blood qi pills, their quality far exceeding all the pills he had refined before!

"Success! And five pills, all of High Grade!" Qin Feng could hardly hide his excitement. This azure flame furnace truly lived up to its reputation!

He composed himself, knowing well that now was definitely not the time to relax.

Outside, the Barbarians and the Qianyuan army were about to engage in a bloody battle at Phoenix Fall Slope; the clouds were churning.

Inside, Shadow Scorpion was like a poisonous snake hidden in the shadows, still constantly searching for traces of "Ghost."

Strength! What he needed most right now was even greater strength!

Whether for self-protection, to protect those around him, or to seize a chance for survival in this treacherous world, he had to improve himself as much as possible before the crisis fully erupted.

He glanced at the quietly burning azure flame furnace, his eyes determined. Next, he would try to refine the more difficult Bone Strengthening Bath, and even... attempt the yellow rank high grade qi condensing pill!

Relying on his Sword Heart talent and this Profound Rank Alchemy furnace, Qin Feng silently lit the alchemical fire leading to a higher Realm within his own small room. The turmoil and killing intent of the outside world were temporarily shut out, transformed into the driving force for his progress.