“Ding! Within one month, elevate Ye Chen's alchemy mastery to Xuan-tier! Rewards will be distributed based on mission completion!”
Lu Xuan blinked, momentarily taken aback. Xuan-tier alchemist in a single month! This meant Ye Chen would embark on the dual paths of alchemy and martial arts cultivation simultaneously! Dual cultivation of martial arts and alchemy!
Lu Xuan simply smiled, a casual “Not bad, not bad!” escaping his lips.
Yao Yan turned to Lu Xuan. “Peak Master Lu, what do you think about Chen’er becoming a Jade-tier alchemist in one month?”
Lu Xuan offered a faint smile. “Jade-tier alchemist? That standard is far too low! With Ye Chen’s talent for alchemy, and your profound mastery, he should at least be an Earth-tier alchemist within a month, shouldn't he?”
Earth-tier alchemist!
Yao Yan’s face visibly twitched. How was that even remotely possible? Even if it cost him his ancient life, he couldn’t achieve that!
Seeing Yao Yan’s expression, Lu Xuan continued, “Alright, let’s lower the standard then: a Xuan-tier alchemist in one month!”
Yao Yan was speechless. Does Peak Master Lu even know what a Xuan-tier alchemist entails? he wondered internally. Reaching Xuan-tier in a month is incredibly difficult!
Lu Xuan, still smiling, prodded, “Elder Yao, with your personal guidance, surely this shouldn’t be too challenging, right?”
Just as Yao Yan was about to respond, Ye Chen eagerly cut in, “Master, don’t you worry! I will definitely become a Xuan-tier alchemist within one month!”
Yao Yan was momentarily stunned, then could only grit his teeth and concede, “Very well.”
Ye Chen, brimming with ambition, declared, “Master! I’ll add a bit more difficulty for myself. This month, not only will I reach Xuan-tier alchemist, but I also won’t neglect my martial cultivation!”
Yao Yan fell silent for a moment. Lu Xuan chuckled. “Excellent, excellent, excellent!”
He really wasn’t intentionally pushing his disciples to their limits! Lu Xuan thought with amusement. It’s just that they’re all far too proactive! He doesn’t even need to prod them! It’s simply too effortless!
Lu Xuan flashed a faint smile. “Alright. Since you’re about to begin your alchemy journey, the gift I promised you can now be yours.”
With that, Lu Xuan’s mind stirred, and the Heaven-Devouring Cauldron materialized directly before Ye Chen.
Ye Chen and Elder Yao were utterly dumbfounded.
The Heaven-Devouring Cauldron’s four corners were thick and ancient, its body grand and imposing. Countless Dao patterns were carved upon it, depicting majestic mountain ranges, soaring mythical beasts, and powerful, ethereal figures, all appearing incredibly profound. Brilliant spiritual patterns slowly flowed across its surface; upon closer inspection, a tangible essence of ‘Dao and Momentum’ converged within the furnace itself! This was the Heaven-Devouring Cauldron in its sealed state! If its seal were ever broken, being a six-star Emperor-tier artifact, it would undoubtedly trigger a monumental Heaven and Earth Phenomenon!
Ye Chen’s eyes went wide, fixed on the cauldron. “Another Emperor Weapon! Just how many Emperor Weapons does Master actually possess?!”
Yao Yan’s voice trembled slightly. “Peak Master Lu, what grade Emperor-tier is this?”
Lu Xuan replied nonchalantly, “Oh, it’s merely a six-star Emperor-tier item. Take it and use it. By the way, this Heaven-Devouring Cauldron isn’t just for refining pills; it also possesses extremely potent offensive power!”
Yao Yan stood rooted to the spot, utterly astonished. A six-star Emperor-tier alchemy furnace! He replayed the events in his mind. Just how many Emperor-tier treasures had Lu Xuan already bestowed upon Ye Chen? Just how unfathomably deep was Lu Xuan’s true background? Yao Yan couldn’t help but think that even his Yao family, an overlord of the Southern Wilds, wasn’t as incredibly extravagant as Lu Xuan. To casually gift an Emperor Weapon, an Emperor-tier cultivation technique! No! Looking through the entire Yao family, not a single person had ever received such treatment. Not even their Divine Son! Lu Xuan was simply far too generous to Ye Chen!
Yao Yan extended his ethereal spirit body, reverently stroking the Heaven-Devouring Cauldron with immense excitement. In all his long life, he had never once had the privilege of using an Emperor-tier alchemy furnace for pill refining! And now, Ye Chen, who was just about to begin his foray into alchemy, was directly getting his hands on one? The disparity was simply too immense. With this Emperor-tier alchemy furnace, coupled with the Heaven and Earth Spirit Flame seed, if he couldn’t successfully train Ye Chen to be a Xuan-tier alchemist, he’d rather bash his head against a block of tofu and perish from the shame. With this in mind, Yao Yan declared with unparalleled fervor, “Peak Master Lu, I swear, within one month, I will ensure Ye Chen reaches Xuan-tier alchemist!”
Ye Chen nodded. “Alright, Elder Yao, I look forward to it.”
At that moment, Ye Chen cautiously piped up, “Ahem… Master, how many more Emperor Weapons do you have on you?”
Lu Xuan pondered for a moment. “None,” he replied. This time, he really didn't have any more.
Ye Chen pouted. He didn’t believe it. Master definitely still has many more supreme treasures hidden away.
Yao Yan stated, “Chen’er, let’s return to your cave dwelling now. We’ll begin with spirit fire mastery, and I will slowly impart various alchemy techniques to you.”
Ye Chen nodded. “Alright.”
Lu Xuan waved a dismissive hand. “Go on, then.” Once the two had departed, he promptly lay back down again.
As they walked out of Lu Xuan’s cave dwelling, they happened to encounter Ji Fuyao emerging from her straw hut. Ye Chen said with a smile, “Senior Sister, I’ve already promised Master that I’ll become a Xuan-tier alchemist within a month! When that happens, I’ll refine pills for you to eat!”
Ji Fuyao smiled. “That sounds wonderful.” She hadn’t expected Ye Chen to actually become an alchemist! This way, whenever she needed any pills in the future, couldn’t she just ask Ye Chen to refine them?
Ye Chen revealed a cunning smile. “Senior Sister, guess what goodie Master gave me this time?”
Ji Fuyao was slightly startled, then casually ventured, “An Emperor Weapon?”
Ye Chen nodded furiously, pulling out the Heaven-Devouring Cauldron. “A six-star Emperor-tier alchemy furnace, the Heaven-Devouring Cauldron! Not only can it refine pills, but it’s also a supreme killing artifact!”
Ji Fuyao gazed at the Heaven-Devouring Cauldron with a hint of shock, a ripple stirring in her heart. A six-star Emperor-tier alchemy furnace! It truly seemed Master had given Ye Chen far more treasures than he had given her. And that wasn't even counting all the supreme treasures Master had bestowed upon Ye Chen back at the Qingcheng Ye family!
At this moment, Ye Chen quietly asked, “Senior Sister, did Master give you many more treasures than me?”
Ji Fuyao offered a faint smile, her starlit eyes twinkling mischievously. “No.”
Ye Chen chuckled. He didn’t believe it for a second. He just felt that Master liked Senior Sister more.
Ye Chen put away the Heaven-Devouring Cauldron and declared, “Senior Sister, it seems I need to work even harder!”
Ji Fuyao smiled brilliantly and nodded.
Ye Chen then said, “Senior Sister, I’m going back to cultivate now. Master said that this month, not only must I reach Xuan-tier alchemist, but I also cannot neglect my martial cultivation.”
Ji Fuyao replied, “Alright.”
Watching Ye Chen’s departing figure, Ji Fuyao felt a faint sense of disarray. Master had given Junior Brother Ye Chen yet another supreme treasure!
A moment later, Ji Fuyao also returned to her cave dwelling. She composed her mind, sat cross-legged, her fiery red gown settling gracefully around her. In her slender jade hands, spirit incantations shifted, and a wisp of spirit fire surged. She began to cultivate!
Meanwhile, in Lu Xuan’s cave dwelling, he was lying down, leisurely reading some storybooks. Just then, the System’s voice chimed.
“Ding! Host’s eldest disciple, Ji Fuyao, is increasing her cultivation! Synchronizing now!”
“Ding! Host’s second disciple’s spirit herb mastery is increasing! Synchronizing now!”
Instantly, a surge of pure spiritual energy flowed into Lu Xuan’s body, an incredibly refreshing sensation. Simultaneously, knowledge of various spirit herbs’ medicinal properties and characteristics appeared in his mind. Lu Xuan was somewhat surprised. Sure enough, knowledge entered his brain in a strange and effortless way. This feeling was so peculiar. He inexplicably became familiar with various spirit herbs: Three-Star Grass, Flame Grass, Dragonflame Root, Thorny Moss…
Lu Xuan mumbled, “Spirit herb mastery can also be synchronized? Not bad, not bad.”
“This also counts as an insight,” the System chimed.
Lu Xuan nodded. “Oh.”
He then opened his System panel to check it.
[Host: Lu Xuan!
Disciples: Empress Fuyao! Ye Chen!
Cultivation Realm: Fourth-stage Profound Venerate!
Cultivation Techniques: Heaven-Burning Art! Grand Dao Scripture!
Spirit Weapons: None!
Insights: Perfected Mastery of the Path of Spirit Fire, Grand Dao Scripture (Not yet grasped), Spirit Herb Mastery (Not yet grasped)!]
A moment later, Lu Xuan closed the System and continued reading his storybooks. “What a wonderful life,” he thought contentedly.
***
The Supreme Profound Sect.
Here, ten thousand towering mountains rose, their peaks bathed in emerald light. Spirit wood grew incredibly lush, and boundless life energy permeated the surroundings. Spiritual energy surged like a tide of flowing light. These spirit peaks were all imprinted with brilliant Dao patterns, subtly circulating, incredibly profound. As an overlord-level power in the Southern Wilds, the Supreme Profound Sect commanded a vast territory, stretching for tens of thousands of miles. Across the endless spirit peaks, cave dwellings dotted the landscape, shrouded in ethereal glow and dense spiritual energy. Below the spirit peaks, several rivers surged, their waves crashing against the shores with awe-inspiring force. This place was truly blessed by heaven and earth, concealing profound mysteries. Auspicious beasts soared through the void, emitting sounds of good fortune.
Nangong Baixue, in an elegant, light-colored long dress, flew towards Cloud Sun Peak on a divine rainbow.
Inside the cave dwelling, Pill Saint Yunyang had been waiting for a long time. “Baixue, you’re back.” Pill Saint Yunyang, in a grey robe, stood tall and imposing, hands clasped behind his back, smiling as he looked at Nangong Baixue. “You went to the Ye family. They didn’t make things difficult for you, did they?”
Nangong Baixue hesitated for a moment, then said, “No.”
Pill Saint Yunyang nodded. “Good. For the next three months, you won’t leave Cloud Sun Peak. Stay by my side and diligently study the art of alchemy.”
Nangong Baixue replied, “As you command.”
Pill Saint Yunyang smiled and explained, “Every hundred years, the various great powers of our Southern Wilds hold a Pill Refining Exchange Conference. This time, it’s the Grand Dao Sect’s turn to host it.”
“This Pill Refining Exchange Conference will include not only our Supreme Profound Sect, but also the Yao family and other great powers with a legacy of alchemy.”
“After many years, this exchange conference has now become a grand stage for alchemy geniuses to compete. Baixue, your alchemy talent is very high; you will certainly shine brightly at this event.”
Hearing this, Nangong Baixue was somewhat excited. “Master, I will certainly work hard!”
Pill Saint Yunyang nodded. “Among the many alchemy legacies in our Southern Wilds, the ancient Yao family is undoubtedly preeminent. However, our Supreme Profound Sect’s legacy is also not to be underestimated, though the Grand Dao Sect is somewhat inferior to us.”
“This time, I don’t ask you to achieve first place among the many prodigies. As long as you can make a name for yourself and witness the brilliance of other alchemy geniuses in the Southern Wilds, I will be satisfied.”
Nangong Baixue said with a serious expression, “Understood, Master.”
Pill Saint Yunyang then said, “Alright, if you have anything else to take care of, you can do so now. You must return to Cloud Sun Peak in one day.”
Nangong Baixue smiled softly. “Thank you, Master.” Her master was truly good to her. He knew she wanted to see her Dao Companion, Qin Xiao. With this thought, Nangong Baixue bowed to Pill Saint Yunyang, slowly exited the cave dwelling, and flew towards Supreme Peak, where Qin Xiao resided.
Supreme Peak was the Supreme Profound Sect’s foremost peak! All Divine Son candidates cultivated on this spirit peak. And Qin Xiao’s master was the Supreme Profound Sect’s long-renowned Profound Radiance Saint King, whose offensive power was supreme, said to be unparalleled at the Saint King realm!