Done! Refined!

With Elder Lu intentionally ceding authority and Zhang Qing's cooperation, Lin Chang'an, Elder Lu's disciple, stepped forward. However, not many people paid attention to this; all factions were currently focused on only one matter.

The Liu Family had joined forces with the Great Sword Sect, while the strongest power, the Beast Taming Zhou Family, had held back. The other factions couldn't help but sigh in admiration upon seeing this.

What a perfect time to strike, they thought. Currently, all parties were fully focused on mining the Purple Copper Spirit Mine, and no one wanted any more trouble.

Inside the alchemy room.

The fiery red pill furnace emitted heat, causing the air around it to distort.

"Junior Brother, it's done! It's refined!"

Before Lin Chang'an could say anything, Zhang Qing couldn't contain his excitement. He stared with wide eyes at the dissipating flames of the pill furnace, where several pills shimmering with spiritual light floated out.

"Done with what!" Despite Zhang Qing's excitement, Lin Chang'an's exhausted face showed a hint of displeasure. He sighed with a touch of unwillingness, "It's still not enough."

Out of the ten pills that floated out, only four shimmered with spiritual light. The other six were dark gray, clearly failed pills.

"Junior Brother!" Seeing Lin Chang'an like this, Zhang Qing felt a bit wronged. "It's only been this long, and you've achieved four out of ten Golden Marrow Pills. If other alchemists found out, they'd be so frustrated they'd die."

Zhang Qing sighed helplessly at Lin Chang'an's seemingly humble yet boastful demeanor. Perhaps this was the nature of a genius.

"Take these four to report to Elder Lu. As for the remaining six!" Lin Chang'an's expression turned grim as he let out a cold snort, as if these six pills were a personal disgrace.

Although Zhang Qing wasn't an alchemist, he knew how talented an alchemist had to be to master the refinement of the Golden Marrow Pill in just three months. At this moment, his eyes were only on the four successful pills; who would even bother with these failed ones?

"Junior Brother, you've worked hard these past three months. Get some good rest first. I'll go report to Elder Lu right away."

With a smile, Zhang Qing placed the Golden Marrow Pills into a jade bottle. Before leaving, he suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but turn back with a smile. "Oh, right, Junior Brother. The marketplace has also gradually stabilized recently, and your family has been brought here."

"What do you think?" Zhang Qing's words were practically a gesture of goodwill. After all, befriending a potentially limitless alchemist was hardly a disadvantage.

Lin Chang'an, however, chuckled lightly. He rubbed his tired temples and shook his head. "You don't need to ask me about these things. Having Li Han and Qi Feng around is enough for now."

"Besides, people don't remember favors that come too easily," Lin Chang'an said with a knowing smile. Zhang Qing, seeing this, couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up, nodding in admiration.

"You're truly insightful, Junior Brother."

What Zhang Qing had asked him just now was a subtle inquiry about whether he needed a couple more people assigned to him while the opportunity was there. He never expected Lin Chang'an to not take the bait.

"Junior Brother, you should get some good rest."

After Zhang Qing left, Lin Chang'an was alone in the alchemy room. He lowered his head, and a smile slowly curved his lips.

"Three months. If I can't achieve it again, my persona as a genius alchemist won't hold up."

He casually tossed the six failed pills into his mouth. As the pills entered his stomach, Lin Chang'an seemed to sense something, his brows furrowing tightly.

"I've been eating too many failed pills in secret lately. My spirit stones are running low."

The milky white mist in his sea of consciousness was extremely thin. This sight made Lin Chang'an's heart ache, and he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

He dared to swallow these failed pills so recklessly and cultivate with a flawed cultivation method entirely because of this mystical treasure, which possessed the effect of purifying and refining mana. However, it was just too costly in spirit stones.

Elder Lu's residence.

"It's done!" Seeing the four shimmering pills in the jade bottle, Elder Lu showed a rare flicker of excitement.

Zhang Qing, standing beside him, also nodded with a smile. "It's really done. This Junior Brother Lin is indeed a genius in alchemy. He's mastered a pill like the Golden Marrow Pill in just three months."

Elder Lu, rarely showing a pleased smile, nodded at Zhang Qing's praise.

"Indeed. It's only been three months since we obtained the pill recipe, and to achieve such results, he can certainly be called a genius. It's just his cultivation..."

Speaking of this, Elder Lu couldn't help but frown, then shook his head and sighed. "Perhaps he's put all his focus on alchemy and neglected his cultivation. His progress in cultivation has been a bit slow."

Zhang Qing, hearing this, felt his mouth twitch. Seriously, are those the words of a human?

"Elder Lu, although Junior Brother Lin's cultivation is a bit slow, it's because he's poured all his effort into alchemy."

Seeing Zhang Qing still making excuses for Lin Chang'an, Elder Lu shook his head. "Allocate more cultivation resources to this kid. Once his cultivation improves, his mana and control will increase. If he wants to refine better pills, his cultivation cannot fall behind."

"Yes." Hearing that his cultivation resources would be increased again, Zhang Qing couldn't help but show envy. This truly is his favorite son.

As if sensing the hint of jealousy in Zhang Qing's envious gaze, Elder Lu let out a displeased snort.

"What do you know? A fully developed alchemist can create more benefits for the sect. Don't look at the cultivation resources invested now; in the future, this kid will return them to me tenfold, a hundredfold!"

Speaking of this, Elder Lu showed a rare smile. Lin Chang'an's talent was indeed extraordinary.

"All of this is for the sect..."

Elder Lu's eyes now held ambition. A developed alchemist was enough to strengthen the sect. If Lin Chang'an could truly reach that point, the sect might even be able to replace the current status of the Beast Taming Zhou Family.

Patrol Prefecture.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Lin, on refining the Golden Marrow Pill."

Inside the room, Li Han and Qi Feng raised their wine cups with smiles, offering their congratulations. Lin Chang'an, seated at the wine table, waved his hand with a look of contentment and nodded with a smile.

"Come, sit down and drink and eat with us."

No one could have imagined that this prefecture, responsible for the security and patrol within the sect's stronghold, would change its character in just three months after Lin Chang'an's rise to power.

The three sat at the wine table, looking at the formerly imposing and inviolable prefecture. Li Han and Qi Feng exchanged glances, feeling a sense of disbelief.

"Brother Lin, isn't this a bit improper for us?"

Li Han said awkwardly, while Qi Feng nodded in agreement beside him. Only Lin Chang'an calmly took a bite of his food, glancing at the two nonchalantly with amusement in his eyes.

"Improper? Then what do you think would be proper?"

His question left the two speechless. Lin Chang'an then smiled, picked up his wine cup, and took a gentle sip, a look of savoring the taste appearing on his face.

"In this place, doing too much doesn't necessarily mean it's right, but doing nothing will definitely not lead to mistakes."

Li Han was a bit confused by Lin Chang'an's casual remark. However, Qi Feng, who had come from a Marquis's estate, instantly understood. He subtly tugged at Li Han and whispered.

"If Brother Lin were to actively participate, he would inevitably get entangled in the power struggle with Senior Brother Zhang Qing. You must remember that everyone here, from top to bottom, is from the sect. We are outsiders, after all."

After Qi Feng's explanation, Li Han suddenly understood. "So that's how it is! You mean that by doing nothing, we're actually doing the right thing! But won't Brother Lin be sidelined then!"

As he said this, Li Han couldn't help but glance cautiously at Lin Chang'an. However, Lin Chang'an's expression was calm, showing no hint of annoyance.

Damn, I forgot to set the timed update after checking the chapter content last night. I thought I had already set it. My sincerest apologies.