Xiao Huo's Shock!

"No wonder Lu Youyou said that when she studied alchemy, most of her time was spent understanding spiritual herbs and the spirituality of exotic beasts. This was practically a fortress of knowledge!"

Qin Yan sighed sincerely, feeling even greater admiration for his Little Senior Sister, who could balance hammer techniques, alchemy, and martial arts.

With a thought, he opened the System Panel again to check his progress in this area:

[Sky-Supporting Qi Pillar: Fifth layer (Perfected)

Blood Qi: 99 Cal

Spirit: 42 Hz

Martial Skill: Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear, Flesh and Skin Chapter, First Revolution (100%)

Spear Technique: Third Stage (17%)

Alchemy Path: Complete Guide to Low-Grade Spiritual Herbs (0.1%)

Skill Points: 1 point

[Note: As long as you work hard, there will be gains.]]

Seeing the pitiful 0.1% progress and his sole remaining Skill Point, Qin Yan's face fell.

He then tried adding that single Skill Point to the "Complete Guide to Low-Grade Spiritual Herbs."

Buzz! His mind trembled slightly.

A vast amount of detailed information, images, and properties concerning hundreds of first-grade spiritual herbs instantly flooded into his mind.

It was as if he had already spent a long time diligently studying these materials.

When he looked at the panel again, the progress had changed to: Complete Guide to Low-Grade Spiritual Herbs (2.1%)!

Qin Yan let out a long breath, and a huge weight lifted from his heart.

"Good! Alchemy knowledge, unlike Blood Qi and spirit, can be improved by adding points!

Although the cost is huge—one Skill Point can only raise the progress by about 2%.

As long as I can add points, there's hope!"

This meant that his path to becoming an alchemist was entirely viable!

After taking a short break and having dinner at the cafeteria, Qin Yan returned to his dormitory and resumed practicing with his spear.

It was not until late at night that another brand-new Skill Point condensed amid the sweat.

Over the next five days, Qin Yan lived a regular and fulfilling life.

He attended classes on time when he had them, and when he did not, he trained diligently in the Cultivation Room at the manor.

During breaks in training, whenever his body felt tired, he would immerse himself in the vast ocean of the Complete Guide to Low-Grade Spiritual Herbs.

Though his progress was slow, small gains added up.

His understanding of all kinds of first-grade spiritual herbs also gradually deepened.

Because he had already condensed Qi, Qin Yan could now train for eight hours every day.

This allowed him to reliably gain two Skill Points per day, greatly increasing his Skill Point acquisition.

Five days later, Qin Yan had accumulated eleven Skill Points.

Without hesitation, he invested them all into cultivating the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear.

In an instant, more insights regarding the Second Revolution flowed into the depths of his consciousness like a gentle stream.

When he checked the System Panel again, the data had already updated:

Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear, Flesh and Skin Chapter, Second Revolution (77%)!

He was not far from perfecting the Second Revolution!

"Tomorrow, I'll find Teacher and ask him to stand guard for me.

I'll complete my first full Flesh and Skin tempering and step into the First-Rank Martial Artist realm!"

The next day, early in the morning.

As usual, Qin Yan first completed two hours of morning spear practice.

After a simple breakfast at the cafeteria, he headed straight for Instructor Xiao Huo's Pill Chamber in the Sixth Academy.

He made his way familiarly to the door of the room filled with a faint medicinal fragrance.

Once his identity was verified, the heavy solid-wood door silently slid open.

Inside, Instructor Xiao Huo was fully focused before the pill furnace.

His hands hovered over it, blazing orange flames pouring from his palms.

The flames seemed to possess a will of their own, splitting into six lifelike Flame Dragons in midair.

They coiled and danced around the dark-red pill furnace, continuously feeding pure heat into it.

The pill furnace trembled slightly. A faint medicinal fragrance drifted from the gap beneath the lid, refreshing the mind and spirit.

Clearly, the alchemy process had reached its final nurturing and pill-forming stage.

Seeing this, Qin Yan immediately lightened his steps and quietly stood in the corner by the door.

Holding his breath and focusing his mind, he did not dare make the slightest sound, afraid of disturbing his teacher at such a critical moment.

About the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the medicinal fragrance had grown rich to the extreme.

A sharp gleam flashed through Xiao Huo's eyes as he shouted, "Condense!"

His hand seals shifted, and the six Flame Dragons let out a long cry before plunging back into the pill furnace.

With a hum, the furnace lid automatically opened, and ten round, plump pill pellets, crimson as blood, shot out of the furnace as though they possessed life!

Xiao Huo had long been prepared. With a sweep of his sleeve, a warm, lustrous Jade Bottle appeared in his hand.

A suction force arose from the bottle's mouth, precisely drawing all ten pills inside.

He removed the stopper and carefully inhaled their fragrance.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face. "Ten finished pills—seven high-grade and three mid-grade.

The quality of this batch is fairly good."

After putting away the Jade Bottle, Xiao Huo finally turned around, his gaze landing on Qin Yan by the door.

In truth, his powerful Mental Strength had sensed Qin Yan the moment he entered.

However, the alchemy process allowed no distraction, so he had not paid him any attention.

"Qin Yan, have you run into any difficulties in your cultivation that brought you here today?"

Xiao Huo walked to the resting area and sat down, lifting a cup of Mind-Clearing Tea as he asked gently.

Qin Yan stepped forward and respectfully bowed.

Then he directly stated his purpose. "Teacher, I came to ask you to stand guard for me.

I'm preparing to attempt... a breakthrough into the Martial Artist realm!"

"Pfft—cough, cough!"

The tea Xiao Huo had just swallowed nearly sprayed out. Choking twice, he abruptly set down his cup.

His face was filled with disbelief. "Break through to Martial Artist?!

You're saying you want to break through to Martial Artist now?!"

His figure flashed, and he instantly appeared before Qin Yan. A warm palm had already settled over Qin Yan's wrist pulse.

A gentle yet pure current rapidly flowed into Qin Yan's limbs and bones, examining the truest state of his body.

A moment later, Xiao Huo released his hand. Not only had the shock on his face not faded, but it had grown even stronger.

He looked Qin Yan up and down as though meeting this student for the first time. "You brat!

It's only been a few days?!

You actually reached the Beginner level of the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Spear and successfully condensed qi!

This speed... is simply unbelievable!"

He clearly remembered that it had only been six full days since he had given Qin Yan the martial art!

Condensing qi in six days was no longer something that could be described merely as "exceptional talent"!

Feeling somewhat embarrassed under his teacher's stare, Qin Yan smiled modestly.

He explained, "Perhaps... I was simply lucky and happen to be especially compatible with this Body Tempering Martial Art."

"Compatible? Hahaha, what a fine compatibility!"

Xiao Huo could not help bursting into hearty laughter.

He firmly patted Qin Yan on the shoulder, his eyes filled with gratification and admiration.

"Good! Very good!

I had been worried that this martial art was too difficult and would slow your progress.

It seems I was worrying for nothing!

You brat, you truly haven't disappointed me!"

The terrifying comprehension and progress Qin Yan had displayed completely dispelled the last trace of worry in his heart.