"Then come on!" Luo Qifang generously helped Wang Mu exchange for a set of medicinal ingredients, then walked aside and gently pressed a numerical button.

It seemed as if a mechanism underground twisted, and an extremely intense flame erupted from beneath the Pill Furnace. Next to the Pill Furnace was a pivot-like controller, presumably designated for regulating the flame's intensity.

Truly... user-friendly, Wang Mu thought.

Having a ready-made Pill Furnace and flames saved beginners a lot of trouble, allowing them to quickly understand the principles and process involved. It also conserved Spiritual Power.

"Brother Wang, you just need to link your Divine Sense to this pivot controller for the flames; it's more convenient that way," Luo Qifang said. "But you must also constantly monitor the situation inside the Pill Furnace... It's your first time, so it's alright if you end up with Waste Pills."

Luo Qifang encouraged him from the side.

Many new disciples didn't even produce Waste Pills on their first Alchemy attempt, ending up with just dregs...

Waste Pills might still have some minimal use, but dregs meant a complete waste of all medicinal ingredients.

Wang Mu's interest was piqued, and he decided to try using his Action Points. Alchemy Dao was a Skill he was determined to learn. It was the beginning of a new month, and he hadn't used his Action Points yet, so he decided to take this opportunity to test the waters.

Before using them, he took a casual glance:

[Cultivation: Alchemy (+)]

Setting other things aside, the ability to directly use Action Points for Alchemy in the early stages certainly makes it easier than Artifact Refining, Wang Mu mused.

He made a light tap.

The next moment, Wang Mu's Divine Sense trembled. He fell silent, then, as if preordained, picked up the medicinal ingredients and began controlling the flames. Though it was his first time, everything seemed to flow with utmost naturalness.

He stared at the furnace, his Divine Sense perceiving the medicinal ingredients transforming under the furnace's heat, constantly changing beneath the scorching flames. At a certain moment, he immediately picked up the next herb, inserted it through the Pill Furnace's opening, and then adjusted the flame's intensity...

Luo Qifang opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found he had nothing to add. Brother Wang's first Alchemy attempt looked exceptionally smooth, without any hint of awkwardness, as if he had completely internalized everything Luo Qifang had told him.

But upon closer inspection, there were subtle differences, though Luo Qifang couldn't quite pinpoint what they were.

The art of Alchemy, especially for Low-grade Elixirs like Qi Condensing Pills, was quite elementary. The process was nearly identical for all novice disciples at Li Huo Palace. Yet, even if the process was the same, different individuals refining pills would still yield varied results.

For instance, the timing of adding each ingredient was critical. Being off by even the slightest margin, or minor fluctuations in flame temperature during the process, could lead to different outcomes.

「Two hours later.」

At this point, the Alchemy had reached its final stages, requiring only a gentle flame to slowly coax the Elixir Liquid into condensing into pills.

BANG!

Suddenly, the lid of the Pill Furnace vibrated slightly.

"Brother Wang, Dan Formation!" Luo Qifang exclaimed, inwardly startled.

The flames died down. Wang Mu watched in silence, seemingly unsure of the quality of the pills he had formed.

Luo Qifang lifted the lid. A gleam of light flashed past, slightly dazzling his eyes.

"This is… a Top-grade Qi Condensing Pill?" Luo Qifang's heart trembled.

Having refined pills at Li Huo Palace for some time, he knew what Top-grade Qi Condensing Pills looked like. When such pills formed, a medicinal fragrance would diffuse, and they would be translucent with visible patterns, appearing exceptionally mystical.

Taking a closer look, five round pills, steaming amidst the dissipating mist, flew out from the Pill Furnace. One of them was emitting a faint glow, its surface faintly showing intricate patterns—precisely the appearance of a Top-grade Qi Condensing Pill.

Luo Qifang gasped, utterly dumbfounded. With my skill level, what's the point of me even practicing Alchemy? One furnace yielding five pills, including a Top-grade Qi Condensing Pill. And this was his first attempt at Alchemy? Five pills might be one thing, but a Top-grade Qi Condensing Pill too? Is his luck really *that* good?

An Alchemy Dao genius! For a moment, Luo Qifang regarded Wang Mu with a complex expression.

「Meanwhile.」

Outside Li Huo Palace, an elder stood still, observing the scene, lost in thought.

When I first attempted Alchemy, I think I only managed four pills per furnace, right? And they were all rather inferior Qi Condensing Pills… What's the deal with this Top-grade Qi Condensing Pill? Not only does he possess exceptional talent in the Alchemy Dao, but his luck is also this good? the elder muttered to himself.

Thinking this, he retracted the foot that had just been about to step into Li Huo Palace and continued to watch quietly.

「Inside.」

"How did it go?" Wang Mu asked.

"Five pills formed, two of them Top-grade Qi Condensing Pills, with the rest being of better quality than ordinary ones…" Luo Qifang fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Brother Wang, would you like to try another batch?"

"Yes, please!" Wang Mu nodded.

It was still early, and his first Alchemy experience had been quite interesting. Especially the moment the pills emerged; it inexplicably felt like a gambler drawing cards. It's a bit addicting, he thought.

So, Luo Qifang exchanged for another set of ingredients for Qi Condensing Pills.

「Two hours later.」

The Pill Furnace was opened.

Looking at the five round Qi Condensing Pills, especially the two among them that still shimmered with a faint light.

Can someone truly be *this* gifted in the Alchemy Dao? Luo Qifang was profoundly shaken.

The elder outside was also profoundly shaken.

Looking at his technique for adding ingredients, it's clear this is his first time refining pills. Yet, he executed every step perfectly, like an emotionless Mechanical Man dedicated to Alchemy... What an Alchemy prodigy! When did our Sword Sect gain such a talented disciple? How could I not know? That boy's silhouette looks familiar… Hmm? Ah, so it's this kid… No, I can't watch anymore. If I keep watching, I'm afraid I won't be able to resist forcibly abducting this boy to be my disciple, the elder exclaimed internally.

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