Successful Refinement, Scorching Poison

"Boom—!"

Searing emerald-green flames rose from the center of the square. The already scorching noon grew several degrees hotter.

"It's a Heavenly Flame! There's no mistake. Only flames born of nature and tempered by heaven and earth could possess such a violent, terrifying aura."

A handsome middle-aged man sat beside Fa Ma, the badge on his chest engraved with six gleaming silver lines.

He was Pill King Gu He. Having heard that Su Yun intended to refine a Sect Breaking Pill, he could not resist coming to watch.

The Nether Poison Flame in Su Yun's palm suddenly split apart, turning into six streams of fire that shot through the six fire inlets into the cauldron without the slightest leakage. This level of precise flame control alone made Gu He feel inferior.

"The refinement of all pills is generally divided into two steps: extracting the medicinal liquid, then condensing the liquid into a pill. Though methods may vary, the underlying principle remains the same. The Sect Breaking Pill is no exception..."

Su Yun spoke loudly, and his hands did not pause in the slightest. He placed all twenty different medicinal ingredients into the cauldron at once, intending to extract them simultaneously!

"Watch carefully."

He formed seals with both hands. The originally surging flames abruptly contracted, their violent nature completely vanishing as they became exceptionally docile. They enveloped the twenty medicinal ingredients and slowly refined them.

The crowd was awestruck, crying out in admiration at Su Yun's superb skill.

Yet Gu He and Fa Ma had no leisure to make a sound. Their eyes remained fixed on the scene before them as they hungrily studied Su Yun's alchemy techniques.

The medicinal liquid was quickly extracted and sank to the bottom of the cauldron, displaying seven brilliant colors.

Su Yun repeated the process and extracted the second batch of medicinal liquid. The entire process flowed as smoothly as drifting clouds and running water, a delight to watch.

"Nine Heart Ganoderma must be refined by burning its branches and leaves first. Once the flames reach its stalk, the heat must be suitably increased to ensure its medicinal properties are not lost.

"Blazing Sun Wood Essence must be simmered with fierce flames. However, take special care: when the medicinal liquid is about to take shape, the heat must be lowered swiftly. Blazing Sun Wood Essence is tough by nature, but its medicinal liquid is extremely fragile. One lapse of attention, and it will turn to ash in the blazing fire..."

Su Yun pointed out the crucial refinement methods for every medicinal ingredient.

"No wonder... So that's how it is... It has to be done this way!"

Gu He clapped his hands in praise, his face full of excitement. He looked exactly like a newly initiated alchemy apprentice, without the slightest bearing of a Pill King.

It was not as if he had never attempted to refine a Sect Breaking Pill before.

Back when Old Sect Master Yun Shan had entered seclusion, the Misty Cloud Sect had gone to great lengths to prepare six complete sets of ingredients for refining Sect Breaking Pills.

They had hoped he could refine even one Sect Breaking Pill, but unfortunately, Gu He had not succeeded even once.

But if a set of ingredients were placed before him now, Gu He did not dare claim he could succeed on the first try. Still, he would at least have an additional fifty percent chance of success!

An increase of fifty percent was already exceedingly rare. He had merely listened to Su Yun explain it once!

The extraction of the medicinal liquid continued for more than half a day before finally ending. Night had already fallen, yet not a single alchemist left.

Su Yun's explanations progressed from simple to profound. Even low-grade alchemists could grasp a little of the basics, but even that little was enough to benefit them immensely.

"It's time to condense the pill..."

Gu He's mouth was dry. The terrifying heat of the Heavenly Flame made even him feel a hint of scorching heat.

Fa Ma could not help asking, "How great is the gap between your alchemy and his?"

Gu He smiled bitterly. "President, please do not make fun of me.

"With my abilities, refining a Sixth-Grade Pill requires me to adjust my condition and sit in meditation in a quiet chamber for more than ten days. I cannot endure even the slightest disturbance during that time. Only then would I have a chance of success.

"Yet this man refined a Sect Breaking Pill with such ease. In just over half a day, he has reached the pill-condensation stage, and he even had the spare attention to teach us... How could I possibly compare myself to him?

"In my opinion, he is not far from becoming a Seventh-grade Alchemist."

"Condense!"

Su Yun gave a low shout. The medicinal liquid accumulated within the cauldron immediately churned and condensed into an emerald pill the size of a longan, its rich Pill Fragrance filling the entire square.

"The pill is complete!"

A trace of intoxication flashed across Gu He's face. He was immersed in Su Yun's exquisite alchemy techniques, unable to pull himself free.

"It really succeeded!"

"Unbelievable!"

"..."

The crowd praised Su Yun's unfathomable alchemy. A small number revealed greedy looks, entertaining thoughts of snatching the pill. This was a peak Sixth-Grade Pill, priceless and unavailable in the Jia Ma Empire!

Still, they only dared think about it. Su Yun was not only an alchemy master, but also a terrifying expert capable of easily defeating Jia Xing Tian!

"My skills have grown rusty. Fortunately, the result was acceptable."

Su Yun made a grasping motion, drawing the Sect Breaking Pill into his hand. He then summoned the power of heaven and earth to lift the cauldron before Fa Ma.

"Here. Take it back."

Fa Ma hurried forward to inspect the cauldron.

Fine cracks had faintly appeared across the surface at its base. It could still be used without issue for now, but after hundreds or thousands more such burnings, the outcome would be different.

"The might of a Heavenly Flame is truly terrifying..."

Fa Ma's heart ached.

Jia Xing Tian clenched his fists, his heart filled with regret as he looked at the Sect Breaking Pill in Su Yun's hand.

Su Yun had generously shared his alchemy techniques with everyone, proving that he was no villain. Perhaps he truly had only come looking for a place to rest...

If I hadn't made an enemy of him, perhaps I could have asked him to refine a Sect Breaking Pill for me and attempt a breakthrough before my time ran out...

Unfortunately, it was too late for regrets.

At the center of the square, an elderly man and a middle-aged man with short silver hair walked toward Su Yun.

"Congratulations, sir, on successfully refining the pill."

"Who are you?"

Mittel Tengshan stepped forward to introduce them. "These two are Nalan Jie and Mu Chen, the heads of the other two families among the Three Great Families of the Imperial Capital."

Su Yun nodded. "I have some impression. I seem to recall you mentioning them before."

Nalan Jie smiled. "It is our honor that you remember our names.

"The Three Great Families of the Imperial Capital have always shared resources with one another. This time, the three families are holding a banquet together. Might we have the honor of your presence?"

Su Yun shook his head. "This Sect Master is temporarily staying with the Mite'er Family, but This Sect Master is not a member of the Mite'er Family."

Nalan Jie heard the refusal in his words. Having no other choice, he said, "Forgive the disturbance."

"Mm."

Su Yun's expression remained indifferent as he prepared to leave. Yet just before departing, he seemed to notice something. He turned to look at Nalan Jie, confusion appearing on his face.

"You seem to have been afflicted by Scorching Poison?"

Nalan Jie's body suddenly stiffened. He said awkwardly, "You have keen eyes, sir."

Mittel Tengshan and Mu Chen's gazes immediately sharpened. There were no shortage of people in the square watching their movements, and they too had heard the news.

Fa Ma frowned. "A few years ago, Nalan Jie fought a Fifth-order Scorching Iron Poison Seal Python and ultimately killed it. He returned safely, and we thought he had emerged unscathed.

"Who would have thought that such lingering aftereffects had remained in his body?"

Had Su Yun not inadvertently exposed it, no one knew how much longer this secret would have remained hidden.