Xiao Wusheng was focused on refining a fourth-grade elixir, the Blood Lotus Spirit Pill, and couldn't spare any attention to explain the process.

Meanwhile, Yu Xian watched intently, memorizing many details.

However, the technique of multitasking would require much practice to master.

Over a hundred types of spiritual herbs were quickly activated by Xiao Wusheng's technique and sent into the alchemy furnace.

Next came the bones and flesh of an unknown demonic beast, along with a demon core!

Using demon cores for alchemy was something Yu Xian had never seen in the Myriad Elixirs Record or the Grand Alchemy Compendium.

After all, those records only documented methods for refining up to third-grade elixirs, none requiring demon cores.

The demonic beast's flesh and demon core floated simultaneously!

Xiao Wusheng's hands suddenly appeared as a blur.

Yu Xian's pupils contracted!

He could barely see clearly!

Such a technique was unimaginable!

Sweat beaded on Yu Xian's forehead as he desperately tried to see and remember!

But Xiao Wusheng's technique was too fast.

With just a blur of his hands, the demonic beast's flesh and demon core were swiftly activated and sent into the furnace in a split second.

It was so fast that it was impossible to see clearly.

Clang!

The furnace closed, and Xiao Wusheng shut his eyes, beginning to control the heat with spiritual qi to refine the pill.

Yu Xian, drenched in sweat, had barely managed to see Xiao Wusheng's technique, which had already drained much of his energy!

Yet, from just that glimpse, he gained so much!

Suppressing a breath in his chest, Yu Xian continued to watch Xiao Wusheng finish the process with bloodshot eyes.

Controlling the heat was also a crucial step in alchemy.

The quality of the elixir often depended on the subtle variations in heat intensity!

The heat for a fourth-grade elixir had over a dozen variations!

But Xiao Wusheng, at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, didn't need to constantly add and remove charcoal like Yu Xian.

He only needed to skillfully suppress and increase the heat with spiritual qi.

Alchemy is about seeing the truth in the details.

Under the suppression of spiritual qi, Yu Xian couldn't discern much and could only rely on his intuition to guess.

However, at this stage, which was about temperature control, Xiao Wusheng relaxed and began to speak.

"Disciple, this Blood Lotus Spirit Pill requires sixteen variations in heat. When the herbal materials gather, the heat should be at seventy percent. After thirteen breaths, it should shift to sixty percent, and after fifty breaths..."

Yu Xian listened carefully, committing it to memory.

After Xiao Wusheng detailed the timing and heat of the sixteen variations, he suddenly opened his eyes and exclaimed, "The pill is complete!"

A gleam flashed in Yu Xian's eyes!

After a full hour of alchemy, it was finally done!

What quality of fourth-grade Blood Lotus Spirit Pill could his master produce?

Clang!

The furnace opened, and a stream of Pill-Tempering Spirit Liquid shot in with a sizzling sound, releasing a rich medicinal aroma that spread all around!

Then, two pills flew out, landing in two jade bottles in Xiao Wusheng's hands.

One pill per bottle.

"Ah, what a pity."

Looking at the two bottles in his hand, Xiao Wusheng shook his head and sighed, "Only mid-grade."

Yu Xian was shocked.

His master's meticulous alchemy seemed almost perfect to him.

Yet, the result was only a mid-grade fourth-grade Blood Lotus Spirit Pill?

Was there something in the process he missed?

But then again...

At his current level, it was normal not to see everything.

Xiao Wusheng noticed Yu Xian's confusion and smiled, "I over-activated the medicinal properties of a few herbs, and under-activated a few others. The demon core of that fourth-grade blood fox was also slightly under-activated, so it ended up as a mid-grade pill."

"I see."

Yu Xian nodded, bowing, "Thank you for the lesson, Master."

"I couldn't explain while refining the pill, but you watched for a long time and must have remembered quite a bit."

Xiao Wusheng put away the two bottles of pills, smiling as he beckoned, "So now I'll review it with you and explain thoroughly. Come over, come over."

"Yes!"

Yu Xian's face lit up with joy as he quickly walked over and sat beside Xiao Wusheng.

"First, the initial herb, the Three Summer Fruit, its medicinal properties need to be... like this..."

Xiao Wusheng explained, and Yu Xian listened attentively, keeping it in mind and occasionally raising his own questions, which Xiao Wusheng answered with a smile.

The two, one old and one young, in the courtyard, were like a teacher imparting knowledge and a student receiving it, peaceful and harmonious.

One was happily teaching, and the other was diligently learning.

Time flew by unnoticed, and before they knew it, it was afternoon.

Outside the courtyard, a disciple called out, "Master of the Workshop! Elder Liu from the Inner Sect is here to visit!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wusheng stopped his explanation, nodded, and said, "Please invite him in."

Saying so, he stood up.

Naturally, Yu Xian also stood up and walked with Xiao Wusheng to the entrance.

An Inner Sect Elder... at the very least, a Golden Core expert.

The arrival of a Golden Core expert could not be taken lightly by Xiao Wusheng.

Although his status as an alchemist was similar to that of an Inner Sect Elder, the difference in cultivation level was like a chasm!

Unless he became the first Golden Core stage alchemy master of the White Cloud Sect, his status would remain on par with these elders.

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However, the White Cloud Sect hadn't produced a Golden Core stage alchemy master in over a thousand years.

Therefore, even the late-stage Golden Core experts and the Elemental Infant ancestors of the White Cloud Sect, when seeking high-quality pills, even if they gathered all the materials for the formula, had to seek help from the Medicine King Valley.

Because Xiao Wusheng couldn't refine them.

The Medicine King Valley was one of the six major sects in the Eastern Continent.

Following Xiao Wusheng out of the courtyard, they saw a man in a yellow robe walking over from the garden.

"Disciple, he is Liu Huangqu, the master of Huangqu Peak in the Inner Sect, at the mid-Golden Core stage, with thirty-three Foundation Establishment disciples under him."

Seeing the man in the yellow robe, Xiao Wusheng quickly introduced him, then laughed heartily, "Elder Liu, have you come for the Blood Lotus Spirit Pill?"

Liu Huangqu, seeing Xiao Wusheng come out of the courtyard, also laughed, "I was anxious. You said the preparation for alchemy would take five days, so I should have come tomorrow. But I was truly anxious, so I came this afternoon on the fifth day. Please don't mind, Brother Xiao!"

"No problem, no problem."

Xiao Wusheng waved his hand with a smile, "I understand Elder's anxiety. Just in time, the Blood Lotus Spirit Pill is ready. I was about to deliver it myself, but you came."

"It's ready!?"

Liu Huangqu was overjoyed, quickly stepping forward to Xiao Wusheng, "That's wonderful, thank you so much, Brother Xiao!"

Xiao Wusheng just smiled as he took out a bottle of Blood Lotus Spirit Pill, waving his hand, "No problem, no problem. I'm glad I didn't fail the task entrusted by the Elder."

Liu Huangqu took the jade bottle, opened the lid for a glance, and couldn't contain his joy, quickly putting it away, clasping his hands, "Thank you, thank you! I will remember this favor! If you ever need anything, I, Liu Huangqu, will surely help!"

"Elder Liu, you're too kind. If you need alchemy in the future, just provide the materials, and I will certainly oblige."

"Of course, of course!"

"You're too kind, too kind!"

After some pleasantries, Liu Huangqu couldn't wait to leave, turning to go.

This Blood Lotus Spirit Pill was greatly beneficial for cultivating a certain technique of his.

He had spent two years gathering the materials, and now that the pill was finally refined, he couldn't wait any longer.

Watching Liu Huangqu leave, Xiao Wusheng turned to Yu Xian, smiling, "Disciple, are you wondering why I clearly refined two Blood Lotus Spirit Pills but only gave him one?"

"Master must have his reasons; there's no need for me to guess."

Yu Xian shook his head; he wasn't puzzled, and he had a rough idea of the reason.

"Disciple, we alchemists have it tough, spending a lot of time practicing, studying, and pondering alchemy, which naturally affects our cultivation!"

Xiao Wusheng said seriously, "So while we serve others with our alchemy, it's only right to take some benefits to make up for the lack of cultivation time! Do you understand?"

"I understand, Master!"

Yu Xian nodded; Xiao Wusheng's words made perfect sense!

Xiao Wusheng laughed, patting Yu Xian's shoulder, "A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it rightfully. We acquire it rightfully. Come, I'll continue teaching you about alchemy."

Yu Xian also smiled, nodding as he walked back into the courtyard with Xiao Wusheng.

For an alchemist to take benefits, it was only natural!

He had understood this principle from his first day of alchemy.

His master was just reinforcing the lesson.

The days that followed were fulfilling.

With a master explaining alchemy, Yu Xian's alchemy skills improved rapidly!

Meanwhile, in the Alchemy Workshop, his cultivation speed also increased significantly, though breaking through to the late Qi Condensation stage was difficult due to his poor spiritual root and bone.

He could only continuously expand his Qi Sea, using the wood qi of the Eternal Spring Wood Art to cleanse his body until, seven days later, he could no longer cleanse any impurities, and Yu Xian finally began to break through to the second layer!

The second layer of the Eternal Spring Wood Art, Wood Qi Transforms into a Sea!

During these seven days, many things happened in the Outer Sect.

The most important was, of course, the conclusion of the grand selection.

After over ten days of selection, out of more than twenty thousand applicants, six were chosen!

Five were at the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation, and one was at the late Qi Condensation stage!

And that sole late Qi Condensation cultivator, Yu Xian knew, was the steward transferred to the Scorching Sun Mining Area, Liu Qinghe.

These six were the center of attention, envied, and resented by many.

They could only watch as they entered the Inner Sect.

With the resources of the Inner Sect, these six were sure to reach Foundation Establishment soon.

But this had nothing to do with Yu Xian, who merely smiled when he heard the news.

They walked their path, and he walked his own.

If one day fate brought them together, whether as friends or foes, it would be decided then!

"Wood Qi Transforms into a Sea."

In a side hall of the Master's Grand Hall, Yu Xian sat cross-legged on the bed, calm, muttering to himself, "I wonder how my Qi Sea will change as I retrace the path of Qi Condensation."

Saying this, he followed the Eternal Spring Wood Art's method, gathering the dense wood qi around him and directing it into his Dantian!

Wood Qi Transforms into a Sea, meaning transforming wood qi into a sea of wood qi!

That is, the Qi Sea!

The surging wood qi, like spiritual liquid, flowed from the Wood Spiritual Root into the Dantian Qi Sea!

At this moment, Yu Xian had long formed a Dantian Qi Sea.

But as the wood qi poured in, the deep, dark green pool rippled!

The entire Dantian began to stir!

However, this stirring was unlike the violent, painful expansion from consuming Returning to Origin Pills or Sea-Expanding Pills.

This stirring was like stretching one's muscles, extending one's limbs!

It was as refreshing as yawning!

Under this stirring, the Qi Sea expanded once more!

Five feet... six feet... seven feet!

Until it reached two zhang!

A six-meter diameter, six-meter deep green pool Qi Sea!

This pool was now crystal clear, vibrant with wood qi, making one feel joyful just looking at it.

This was... the breath of life!

The first layer had taken him ten days.

But the second layer took only half an hour.

The second layer of the Eternal Spring Wood Art was complete.

Next was the third layer.

Wood Qi Transforms into Spirit.

Yu Xian exhaled a breath of turbid air, opening his eyes.

Unknowingly, the small elm tree pattern on his chest had become more vibrant.

But Yu Xian himself didn't notice.

With calm eyes, Yu Xian got off the bed and headed outside.

Besides daily cultivation, he still had to listen to his master's alchemy lessons.

And every time his master refined pills, he would let Yu Xian observe.

Today was no exception.

Yu Xian walked out briskly, disappearing from sight.

Summer turned to autumn, autumn to winter.

In the blink of an eye, Yu Xian had been at the Alchemy Workshop for four months.

The White Cloud Sect was protected by formation arrays, preventing snow from entering, but the cold weather persisted.

In the garden, only a few hardy plants still displayed green, while the rest had shed their leaves, awaiting the arrival of spring.

A year had passed.

Yu Xian was seventeen.

Despite the biting cold, Yu Xian felt no chill, his face beaming with a smile as he jogged to his master's courtyard.

Today, his master had sent word that he would be refining another Blood Lotus Spirit Pill!

This time, he would observe carefully, even mastering it completely!

After all, seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times!

However, as soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Yu Xian's smile froze, his expression turning cold.

In the courtyard, Xiao Wusheng was all smiles.

Quan Dao, on the other hand, was calm!

After a year, Yu Xian saw Quan Dao again.

This was the person who had brought him to the Outer Sect of the White Cloud Sect, casually leaving him at the Hundred Mines Workshop, never to care for him again!

Although Yu Xian knew that no one, except his parents, was obligated to care for him or manage him.

But because of Quan Dao's implications, Yu Xian had nearly died several times!

To say Yu Xian didn't harbor any resentment towards Quan Dao would be impossible.

Today, could it be that Quan Dao was the one requesting his master to refine the Blood Lotus Spirit Pill?

"Is he Yu Xian? I heard he became your disciple. I was surprised at the time, but it turns out to be true."

Quan Dao looked at Yu Xian, a faint smile on his face.

What he had told Chu Jiang was literal, that Chu Jiang shouldn't care for him, just treat him as an ordinary disciple.

As for Chu Jiang's overthinking, that was none of his concern.

Later, when Chu Jiang came to report that the Yu Xian he supposedly targeted had been taken as a disciple by the Master of the Alchemy Workshop, Quan Dao was indeed surprised for a moment.

When had he ever targeted this kid?

It was laughable; he was too busy to target him, to target an ant?

It was just that Yu Xian had disappointed him greatly, being a low-grade Wood Spiritual Root yet awakening the Ascension Token, wasting an ascension spot, so he left him at the Hundred Mines Workshop to fend for himself.

Until today, when he needed Xiao Wusheng to refine a pill, he came to the Alchemy Workshop and met Yu Xian.

"Hehehe."

Xiao Wusheng chuckled, proudly saying, "That's thanks to Elder Quan for bringing me this disciple. Though his aptitude isn't great, his talent in alchemy is rare. In the future, he will be my sole successor."

"Oh, hahaha, then I've brought a future alchemy genius to the White Cloud Sect."

Quan Dao also laughed, nodding, then looked at Xiao Wusheng, seriously asking, "When does Brother Xiao plan to start alchemy?"

Yu Xian was just a side note; he came to see Xiao Wusheng today to have him refine a pill.

"Alchemy can begin anytime."

Xiao Wusheng smiled, "But my disciple once awakened an Ascension Token. I wonder when Elder Quan plans to take him for ascension?"