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Word spread fast.
By the next morning, the usually calm atmosphere of the outer Alchemy Hall buzzed with hushed whispers.
> "Did you hear? That new kid—Su Yang—refined Skin Tempering Pills with over 90% purity."
> "Impossible. Even I can't get more than 80%, and I've been refining for two years!"
> "Elder Mo gave him full access without a second test."
Inside the hall, Su Yang stood before his furnace, calmly sorting out his herbs. Dressed in the light gray robes of an outer alchemist, his presence should've gone unnoticed.
Yet now, wherever he walked, eyes followed.
Some were curious. Others doubtful. A few, openly hostile.
Still, Su Yang ignored them.
> "I didn't come here for their praise or attention. I'm here to improve."
He placed the herb for muscle reinforcement into the furnace, gently igniting his Karma Fire. Once again, the crimson-gold flames surrounded the ingredients in perfect harmony.
As the mixture began bubbling, Su Yang's thoughts drifted.
> "The purity seems to increase when I control the flame's temperature to an exact breath… just a little higher than normal… My Karma Fire naturally adapts to the pill's reaction."
But just then—
Crash!
A loud noise echoed through the hall.
Su Yang turned his head calmly.
A tall young man in a red-trimmed robe stood near a shattered furnace. His face twisted in annoyance.
"Damn it! Who does he think he is?" the man snapped. "I've been here for a year, and Elder Mo never praised my pills!"
"That's Senior Liang," whispered someone nearby. "A Yellow-Level high-tier alchemist… He's never failed a batch before."
Su Yang narrowed his eyes, reading Liang's cultivation level with ease.
> "Vein Refinement (Low)… and Fire Spiritual Root. He's got talent—but his flame isn't refined."
Liang turned suddenly and walked toward Su Yang's furnace.
"Hey, newcomer," he said, voice loud and mocking. "What's your secret? You hide some kind of fire treasure in your sleeve?"
Su Yang didn't even look up. "I used my flame. That's all."
"Yeah?" Liang leaned closer. "Then why don't we test your skill in front of everyone? Let's both refine a Skin Tempering Pill right here, right now. Let the results decide who's better."
Several disciples began to gather.
Elder Mo stepped in from the corridor, sighing. "Liang, don't cause trouble."
Liang bowed. "I won't, Elder. Just a friendly comparison."
Mo looked at Su Yang. "You don't have to—"
"I accept," Su Yang said plainly.
Liang grinned. "Then let's begin."
Both men stood before separate furnaces. Disciples gathered in a circle, forming an unofficial arena.
The test began.
Liang used a technique called Burning Palm, infusing external heat through his palm. His flame burst out violently, searing the herbs in moments.
Su Yang, on the other hand, summoned his Karma Fire with practiced calm. His flames wrapped around the herbs like silk, coaxing out their essence without forcing it.
The difference was clear.
Liang was fast, but unstable. His flames roared like an angry storm. Su Yang's fire pulsed like a steady heartbeat.
Thirty minutes passed.
Liang shouted, "Done!" and opened his furnace.
Four pills rolled out. One was blackened, another cracked.
The crowd murmured.
Then Su Yang stepped forward and opened his own furnace.
Three golden-yellow pills emerged—round, glowing faintly, and emitting a gentle medicinal fragrance.
Elder Mo stepped forward, inspecting both results.
"Liang's batch… purity 60%. One pill useless. Su Yang's batch… 91% purity."
The crowd erupted.
"Again over 90%! How does he do it?"
Liang's face turned red. "He's cheating! He's using a pill enhancer!"
Elder Mo frowned. "Enough. Su Yang, you pass again. Liang… learn to accept results."
Liang glared at Su Yang with clenched fists.
Su Yang met his gaze without emotion.
> "He'll come at me again. But not in alchemy next time."
---
Later that evening, as Su Yang stored away his remaining herbs, a soft voice came from behind.
"You refine pills… like weaving silk."
He turned.
A woman in white robes with a thin translucent veil stood at the corridor's edge. Her presence was calm yet striking—like frost kissed by moonlight.
"Who are you?" Su Yang asked.
"Mu Qinglian," she replied softly. "Profound-level alchemist. Third courtyard."
Su Yang raised an eyebrow.
> "She's young for someone who reached the Profound level already…"
She continued, "I watched your refinement earlier. That fire… it's not a simple Spiritual Flame, is it?"
Su Yang didn't answer.
She smiled beneath her veil. "Don't worry. I'm not here to expose you. I'm just… interested."
Su Yang remained cautious. "Interested in what?"
"In how far you'll go," she replied. "There's a Pill Spirit Competition in two months. Held in the Inner Hall. I'd like to see your name there."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving only her fragrance behind.
---
That night, Su Yang sat on his bed in the small outer disciple quarters, holding a glowing pill in his hand.
> "Two months… Pill Spirit Competition… Should I really draw more attention?"
Max, curled beside him, lifted his head and licked his hand gently.
Su Yang smiled. "No, you're right. I'll do it. If I want to grow stronger… alchemy is my path."
Outside, the moon rose over the Seven Valley Sect, unaware of the storm this calm boy would one day become.
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