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**
Inside the medicinal cauldron, a black sun hovered in the air.
Within it, the conflicting medicinal properties had gradually subsided. A blue-green pill, still rough and uneven on the surface, slowly rotated in place.
At this point, the most crucial and difficult phase of pill refinement had passed.
The embryonic form of the pill had already taken shape.
All that remained was to continuously and carefully nourish it with gentle flames until it fully matured into a proper pill.
Wei Yang finally relaxed completely. He split a portion of his focus to control the flame and nourish the pill, while the rest of his attention turned to asking Yao Lao various questions.
Yao Lao did not hold back in the slightest. No matter what Wei Yang asked, he answered freely and thoroughly.
Even Xiao Yan was fully attentive, listening with rapt focus. Though he was currently only at the peak of second-tier alchemist rank, it didn't stop him from absorbing every word.
The discussions between Wei Yang and Yao Lao involved some fairly advanced topics. Xiao Yan could only understand bits and pieces—it was hazy and confusing to him. But even so, this was practical, high-level knowledge. He made sure to commit everything to memory first.
After all, the challenges Wei Yang faced now were ones that he, too, would inevitably face one day.
As time went by…
Under the steady warmth of the flame, the previously rough and lumpy blue-green embryonic pill gradually grew round and plump.
A faint medicinal aroma began to waft out from the pill, seeping through the cauldron and slowly filling the entire hall.
Wisps of tangible pill fragrance, visible to the naked eye, coiled and danced in the air.
Seeing this, Wei Yang's eyes lit up.
This feeling… he knew it well!
Yao Lao stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction, smiling.
"Judging by the color and activity, this will no doubt be a Superior-grade pill once it forms."
Wei Yang grinned. "Seems like Queen Medusa has some pretty decent luck. First pill out of the gate and it's already a Superior-grade one."
Xiao Yan was equally astonished as he gazed at the developing pill.
A peak Tier 5 pill achieving Superior-grade quality—how incredibly rare that was!
And with the pill's quality elevated to Superior-grade, its value would easily double or even triple.
"She only gave us three portions of Ice Spirit Cold Fountain. She's getting off easy." Wei Yang smirked, then added, "Xiao Yan, when you go pick from the treasure vault, just grab the most valuable herbs."
"Got it!" Xiao Yan grinned and nodded. "Don't worry, I won't hog everything for myself. I'll share a few plants with you when the time comes."
"Hah! Now that's what I like to hear." Wei Yang chuckled approvingly.
"Hehe, come on, we're in this together. If there are benefits to be had, how could I possibly keep them all to myself?" Xiao Yan laughed.
"You two brats. As alchemists, we're supposed to have professional integrity, you know," Yao Lao scolded lightly, though there was a smile on his face.
Still… they've got a bit of the old me in them, he mused.
This is how it should be.
Why let yourself get shortchanged?
The pill fragrance grew richer and more intense.
The smooth, rounded pill began to reveal delicate and profound Pill Lines across its surface.
The pill… was on the verge of completion.
Suddenly—!
The pill wrapped in the black sun abruptly released a violent surge of energy, slamming against the cauldron and sending out a resonant hum.
The entire cauldron began to tremble lightly.
At the same time, the pill seemed to resonate with the ambient natural energy—drawing some mysterious response from the heavens and earth!
In an instant, the spacious hall was filled with rippling fluctuations of worldly energy.
The pill fragrance that had been swirling outward was suddenly drawn back in. Blue and green clouds of elemental energy twisted together like twin dragons, coiling above the cauldron. With their heads lowered and mouths agape, it looked as though they were ready to devour the pill just as it was about to form!
In response, the palm-sized black sun trembled slightly, clearly displeased. Like a protective mother, it released waves of subtle fluctuations, as if warning the two dragon-shaped clouds to back off.
Xiao Yan's eyes widened in shock.
"Heavenly phenomenon!"
"Just a phenomenon prototype, that's all," Yao Lao explained calmly. "It's a peak Tier 5 pill and it's Superior-grade. The energy it contains already rivals some Tier 6 pills, so it's not surprising for it to trigger the prototype of a heavenly phenomenon."
Only Tier 6 pills and above could truly summon full-blown heavenly phenomena.
The commotion didn't go unnoticed beyond the great hall.
Above the hall, the gathered elemental energy churned violently, forming two phantom dragon shadows that coiled in the air and let out soundless, furious roars.
At once, the patrolling guards and maids all looked toward the tightly shut doors of the hall, faces filled with astonishment.
The disturbance even began to spread throughout the entire eastern region of the vast city.
Countless Snake-People raised their heads in shock, looking in the direction of the palace.
Before long—
Whoosh!
A curvaceous and fiery figure appeared on the open square in front of the great hall.
"Commander Yue."
The guards and maids immediately bowed respectfully.
A graceful figure appeared—it was Yue Mei.
She casually waved her hand in response to the greetings but kept her eyes fixed on the grand hall ahead. Her gaze burned with fervent intensity, as if she were trying to see through the tightly shut doors and catch a glimpse of what was happening inside.
"This kind of disturbance… could it be the legendary Heavenly Phenomenon? A Tier 6 pill?!" Yue Mei murmured in shock, her face filled with disbelief.
Just then, the space beside her twisted slightly. Without a sound, a breathtakingly beautiful woman dressed in a regal purple robe appeared out of thin air.
"No," the newcomer said with narrowed, elegant eyes. "The Dou Spirit Pill is merely a peak Tier 5 pill—it shouldn't be able to cause a full Heavenly Phenomenon… There's only one explanation for this kind of reaction: it became a superior-grade pill."
"Your Majesty!" Yue Mei quickly bowed in respect.
"Your Majesty~"
The guards and maids all knelt on one knee, respectfully greeting her.
"Silence. Don't disturb Mister Wei." Queen Medusa gave a slight wave of her hand and gently commanded.
At once, everyone shut their mouths tightly and bowed their heads, not daring to make a single sound.
Only Yue Mei couldn't help herself, whispering in an excited tone, "Your Majesty… you mean that Dou Spirit Pill… it was refined into a superior-grade one?!"
Heavens!
There was only a fifty percent chance, and it actually succeeded!
The value of that pill… could easily double!
Medusa gave a gentle nod. A faint smile of satisfaction appeared on her face as she said, "Looks like my luck isn't too bad."
She had paid a steep price—but now, finally, she was receiving some consolation.
With a flash of movement, she arrived right in front of the tightly closed doors to the great hall. Tilting her head slightly, she focused intently, trying to sense what was going on inside.
Meanwhile…
The prototype Heavenly Phenomenon above the cauldron rapidly dissipated.
"Gather!" Wei Yang formed a hand seal.
Whoosh—
Inside the cauldron, the pill released a powerful suction force. All remaining traces of the phenomenon's energy and the swirling medicinal fragrance were instantly drawn back into the pill.
As the final wisp of energy was absorbed, the pill began to spin rapidly. Pill Lines covered its surface—intricate and mysterious—radiating a stunning brilliance.
Yao Lao reached out with his translucent, ethereal hand, and with a sharp whoosh, the pill shot out from the cauldron and landed gently in his palm.
Wei Yang put away his Heavenly Flame and turned his gaze toward the pill.
Xiao Yan also leaned in curiously, staring closely at the round and plump pill resting in Yao Lao's hand.
"These Pill Lines… so intricate! It really is a peak Tier 5 pill!" Xiao Yan gasped in awe.
Pill Lines—were a unique phenomenon that only appeared on pills of superior-grade quality and above.
The higher the grade of the pill, the harder it was to produce Pill Lines. But once formed, the Lines became increasingly complex and profound.
"Mmm… the quality is quite good," Yao Lao said after a moment of close examination. "The medicinal power of this pill has been pushed to its absolute limit. Even if I were to refine it myself, the result wouldn't be much better than this."
"Hahaha!" Wei Yang laughed joyfully upon hearing that.
To earn such praise from Yao Lao—how could he not be pleased?
After all, this was Yao Lao—the former, undisputed top alchemist of the entire Dou Qi Continent!
"You've got real talent, kid. Over this period, I've clearly seen your rapid progress," Yao Lao nodded approvingly. "But you must always remain humble and respectful of the art. Never become arrogant or complacent."
"Yes, Teacher! I will remember your words!" Wei Yang immediately stood up and bowed respectfully. "Thank you for all your teachings during this time. I've learned so much from you."
"Mhm." Yao Lao nodded and calmly accepted the gesture. He placed the pill into a jade bottle, gently sealed the lid, and set it on a nearby table.
"Someone is coming. I'll withdraw for now," he said.
With that, whoosh—Yao Lao vanished into the ancient black ring on Xiao Yan's hand.
At that moment—
Knock knock knock…
A gentle knocking came from the door.
"Mister Wei, it's me. May I come in?"
Medusa's voice called from outside.
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