Yun Yun's Shock!

"So that's how it is."

After hearing Yun Yun's explanation, Gu He put on a look of sudden realization.

Then he said in complete agreement, "Actually, I'm not particularly in favor of Yan Ran's engagement to that Xiao Yan either."

"After all, Yan Ran is meant to succeed as the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect."

"That Xiao Yan is merely a Third Stage of Dou Qi good-for-nothing. How could he possibly be worthy of Yan Ran?"

"Elder Gu He thinks so too?"

At his words, Yun Yun's bright eyes lit up, and a faint smile appeared on her lovely face.

She had always felt guilty about calling off the engagement.

But after hearing Gu He's words, Yun Yun suddenly felt that perhaps she had done nothing wrong.

That Xiao Yan was never worthy of her precious disciple in the first place.

"Of course."

Gu He nodded slightly and said slowly, "I've watched Yan Ran grow up too. I don't want her to ruin her bright future over a single marriage contract."

"Since that's the case, there's no time to lose regarding the annulment. I'll have to trouble Elder Gu He with this Qi Gathering Powder."

Perhaps because Gu He's earlier remarks had struck a chord with her, Yun Yun always wore a radiant smile whenever she looked at him.

Seeing the smile on Yun Yun's face, Gu He's heart stirred slightly.

No wonder his predecessor had been so obsessed with Yun Yun. Even he couldn't resist her!

"Yan Ran is my junior as well. Refining Qi Gathering Powder is simply part of my duty."

Quickly coming back to his senses, Gu He said with a smile.

As he spoke, he reached out and accepted the Storage Ring from Yun Yun's palm.

"Elder Gu He, you are very thoughtful. I'll tell Yan Ran of your kindness toward her."

Yun Yun said with a smile on her lips.

"In that case, I'll come back tomorrow to collect the Qi Gathering Powder."

With that, Yun Yun slowly turned, intending to leave.

"Sect Leader, please wait."

"For something as trivial as Qi Gathering Powder, why wait until tomorrow?"

With a confident expression, Gu He said seriously.

"As for Yan Ran's annulment, the sooner it is done, the better."

"I should begin refining this Qi Gathering Powder now."

Yun Yun was slightly stunned by his words, then nodded. "Very well."

"Then I'll have to trouble the Sect Leader to wait here for a moment."

Seeing Yun Yun nod, Gu He took the Storage Ring and prepared to head toward the Alchemy Room.

"Elder Gu He, is there anything I can help with?"

After hesitating for a moment, Yun Yun parted her red lips and spoke to Gu He.

Seeing Gu He look over, Yun Yun said somewhat awkwardly, "The annulment concerns Yan Ran's future. As her teacher, I should naturally contribute something."

Gu He was slightly taken aback, then nodded. "In that case, Sect Leader, please follow me."

"Mm."

Nodding, Yun Yun took graceful steps and followed Gu He into the Alchemy Room.

Inside stood a crimson medicinal cauldron nearly half a meter tall, positioned in the very center of the room.

The cauldron was dark red all over, with faint glimmers of light upon its surface. Four ferocious snake heads were carved beneath it.

The gaping snake mouths formed four interconnected fire channels. The channels twisted and extended inward, narrowing in diameter the deeper they went, seemingly concealing some mystery within.

At the top of the cauldron, a giant snake coiled into a dark-red lid. There was also a special opening in the lid, specifically for inserting medicinal ingredients.

Fine holes crafted from ice silver were scattered across the lid. They served to dissipate heat and prevent the cauldron from exploding due to excessive temperatures.

At the center of the cauldron was a transparent mirror made of refined ice crystal. Through it, one could clearly observe every movement inside while refining medicine.

The cauldron's surface was covered with exquisite carvings of magical beasts, so lifelike they seemed almost alive.

This medicinal cauldron was called the Crimson Snake Cauldron, a four-mouth cauldron.

A medicinal cauldron was the most important tool in an alchemist's hands. A good cauldron could greatly increase the success rate of pill refinement.

Gu He remembered that the original story had mentioned that, in the world of alchemy, there was a Heavenly Cauldron Ranking in addition to the Heavenly Flame Ranking.

As its name implied, the cauldrons recorded on the ranking were all exceptionally perfect and outstanding medicinal cauldrons.

There were thirteen cauldrons on the ranking in total, and every one of them possessed an allure that countless alchemists would flock toward.

Although Gu He's Crimson Snake Cauldron could not compare to the famous cauldrons on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking, it was far superior to ordinary medicinal cauldrons.

Looking at the cauldron before him, Gu He suddenly remembered that his good disciple seemed to still lack a proper medicinal cauldron.

Mm, he would give this cauldron to his good disciple next month.

Thinking this, Gu He looked at Yun Yun behind him, then took a feather fan from the Storage Ring and handed it to her.

The fan was made from the feathers of some unknown flying beast. It was covered in golden patterns and looked quite exquisite.

"Why is Elder Gu He giving me this fan?"

Yun Yun subconsciously accepted the Golden Feather Fan from Gu He, unable to understand his intention.

Looking at Yun Yun, Gu He chuckled. "Sect Leader, if you truly want to help, why not fan me a few times? It's rather hot in this Alchemy Room."

"Uh..."

Hearing this, Yun Yun stared blankly at Gu He, her red lips slightly parted as she asked in astonishment, "You want me to fan you?"

"What, are you unwilling?"

"Then Sect Leader should leave first."

Gu He said indifferently, "I alone am enough to refine a mere Qi Gathering Powder. I have no need for anyone else's assistance."

As he spoke, Gu He took out the ingredients needed to refine the Qi Gathering Powder from the Storage Ring and placed them on the table beside him.

Yun Yun stood stunned for a moment. Seeing Gu He's serious expression, she hesitated, but ultimately set aside her status as Sect Leader and gently began fanning him with the Golden Feather Fan.

Feeling the waves of cool air coming from behind him, Gu He secretly reveled in it.

The Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect was personally fanning him. This treatment truly could not be better.

Then Gu He slightly composed himself and extended his palm. A wisp of Purple Flame immediately rose from it.

As the Purple Flame appeared, the temperature throughout the room abruptly rose.

"This... purple flame?"

Sensing the abnormality in the room, Yun Yun could not help turning her gaze toward the Purple Flame in Gu He's hand. A trace of shock flashed through her beautiful eyes.

"This is a Heavenly Flame!"

Although Yun Yun was not an alchemist, she still recognized a natural treasure like a Heavenly Flame.

"When did Elder Gu He obtain a Heavenly Flame?"

Her alluring red lips slightly parted, Yun Yun's gaze remained fixed on Gu He as a question arose in her heart.

At this moment, Gu He had already focused all his attention on refining medicine and failed to notice the change in Yun Yun's expression behind him.

The next moment, Gu He's hand moved rapidly over the table.

He grabbed medicinal herbs one after another and tossed them all into the medicinal cauldron in one sweep.

After withdrawing his hand from the cauldron, Gu He remained calm. His fair hand suddenly began to move swiftly, as though plucking flowers and leaves from the air.

As his fingertips flicked, the blazing Purple Flame inside the Crimson Snake Cauldron obediently split into more than a dozen small clusters of fire, wrapping around the medicinal herbs that had been thrown inside.

Yun Yun's beautiful eyes filled with wonder as she watched Gu He's smooth, effortless movements, as natural as if they had been ordained by heaven.

After being transformed by his Immortal-like Demeanor, every movement Gu He made now appeared so natural and pleasing to the eye in Yun Yun's eyes.