Chapter 85

In the designated alchemy room, Chu He was not foolish enough to think that this alchemy room was problem-free.

However, even if someone was watching, Chu He did not intend to hide the Purifying Fire. After all, it only had the effect of purifying two-tenths of the impurities, not some heaven-defying flame. He was not afraid of them knowing this minor skill.

Moreover, to refine the Cultivation Essence Pill using such poor quality medicinal materials, the chances of success would be even lower without the power of the Purifying Fire.

Fortunately, the Dharma Cauldron was of medium quality, and with the aid of the earth fire, it could meet the standards for refining the Cultivation Essence Pill.

The first batch was quickly decided, and Chu He failed.

The alchemy room was immediately filled with a foul, burnt smell, but Chu He seemed unaware. He swiftly cleared out the burnt medicinal residue and replaced it with the second batch of materials, continuing the refinement.

"Haha! I like seeing people like this." The eagle-nosed cultivator slapped his thigh and laughed loudly.

Schadenfreude was a natural trait for some people, and the eagle-nosed cultivator was a prime example.

Although Wu Yuanming also laughed, he noticed something unusual and frowned.

What incredible speed! Wu Yuanming stared at the mirage mirror and finally realized what was wrong.

Such concise and efficient movements, without any unnecessary delays, were at least a notch or two better than other lower-stage Xiantian alchemists. Even if he did it himself, he might not do better.

Is he really just a seventh-layer Qi Condensation disciple?! No wonder Bai Li values this kid so much, even going so far as to argue with the family head Wu Hao.

However, even if his techniques and experience are top-notch, without good materials and a Dharma Cauldron, it will all be in vain. Just accept your punishment, kid. Thinking of this, Wu Yuanming felt happy.

Chu He's second batch of pills also failed, but he did not continue refining. Instead, he closed his eyes and sat down to think.

"If he fails the task, how should we deal with him? Send him to the deepest part of the Blue Crystal Vein and give him an impossible task to complete, tiring him out for one or two months?" The eagle-nosed cultivator suggested.

The deepest part of the Blue Crystal Vein had almost no spiritual energy, and the air was stagnant and polluted. Due to the vein's yin nature, the temperature decreased the deeper one went. Even if a Xiantian cultivator stayed there for a long time, it would have a significant impact on their spiritual body and cultivation.

Because of these conditions, Qingling Mountain had a rotation system for the mining apprentices to prevent any accidents.

Damaging one's cultivation, such a punishment was quite severe for a Qi Condensation disciple. It could also be justified under the guise of the sect's needs, making it a good method.

"This idea seems good. He's not a fool; he should know our intentions and won't resist." Wu Yuanming clapped in agreement.

"Still meditating, how boring. I'll go check outside." The eagle-nosed cultivator lost interest in the dull scene. His duty was to guard this place, and any negligence would be a serious offense, so he did not dare to be too lax.

Wu Yuanming waited for about half an incense stick's time. Seeing that the brat still had no movement, he became somewhat annoyed and left to attend to other matters. After all, his position was not low, and in this unpredictable place, there were many things to manage.

This time, Chu He closed his eyes to think more deeply about how to further improve his previous refining methods.

To improve efficiency, he needed to consider the fire, techniques, and experience. For these, Chu He had already reached a very high level given his current cultivation. To improve further was truly difficult.

He could only strive for perfection, try other methods, and not be afraid of failure. If it didn't work, it didn't matter.

In his storage ring, he still had over a dozen bottles, about a thousand low-grade Cultivation Essence Pills. If it didn't work, he could use these to make up the numbers.

...

"Blue Crystal Mountain?" The tall and strong young man was somewhat taken aback upon hearing the news.

The Qingling Mountain disciple in front of him confirmed it again.

"Oh, then you can go with peace of mind!" The tall and strong young man suddenly smiled.

The Qingling Mountain disciple was struck as if by lightning and shouted loudly, "You can't go back on your word!"

The tall and strong young man extended his blood-red tongue, licked his lips, and said, "Unfortunately, I am a practitioner of the demonic path. How could I lose my true nature?"

"I'll fight you to the death!" The Qingling Mountain disciple's true essence surged, and a red beam of light shot out of his mouth, aiming at the tall and strong young man's face.

"Is that all you've got?" The tall and strong young man grinned, and a layer of black light emerged from his chest, easily enveloping the red beam.

"Ah!" The Qingling Mountain disciple suddenly clutched his chest and screamed in pain, falling to the ground and writhing. Even the seemingly fierce red beam was like a toothless tiger, easily captured by the black light.

Watching him struggle on the ground, the tall and strong young man's smile faded. He extended his right hand, and a thin gray light flew out of the Qingling Mountain disciple's chest, instantly being taken away.

"Just a joke, why be so serious? You're really impatient. We of the demonic path are not as hypocritical and fickle as you righteous ones. Remember, the honest young man who keeps his word is your Dharma Lord."

In an instant, the tall and strong young man was gone, leaving only his faint words behind.

The Qingling Mountain disciple, after the gray light flew out of his chest, was no longer in pain and could struggle to get up.

His face was full of anger and sorrow, but what could he do? His actions were even more dishonorable: collaborating with the enemy and plotting against his fellow disciples. He could only keep this matter to himself and never mention it again.

...

"Whoosh." The Dharma Cauldron's lid was opened by a force from a distance, and the pills inside were lifted out.

A total of twenty-one low-grade Cultivation Essence Pills.

At this point, Chu He finally breathed a sigh of relief. After destroying three batches, he finally succeeded with one.

A success rate of over two-tenths was indeed unsatisfactory, but Chu He had found a good method to significantly increase the success rate. This batch of pills was refined using this method.

Due to the poor quality of the medicinal materials, which did not meet the required medicinal power, Chu He increased the amount of materials put into the Dharma Cauldron.

This batch of pills was refined using one and a half times the amount of materials.

Although this method seemed simple on the surface, it required higher standards from the alchemist in various aspects.

Refining pills was very strict for Qi Condensation and Xiantian cultivators, with precise measurements and steps. Generally, it was best not to make significant changes, as the failure rate would be very high if one's cultivation was not sufficient to control it.

Otherwise, a batch of pills would not usually yield only twenty to thirty pills. One could simply put in more materials and complete them in one go, harvesting hundreds of pills, which would be much faster and more convenient.

However, even with the method of increasing the amount of materials to compensate for the lack of medicinal power, plus the assistance of the Purifying Fire, the success rate was still around fifty percent.

"Damn, you figured it out so quickly. You're a talent, no, a genius! The young are truly to be feared!" Wu Yuanming was surprised when he returned. If he were to use such poor materials to refine the Cultivation Essence Pill, the best method he could think of would be the same.