Cao Yue's Identity?

The distribution of temperature within the cauldron's flames was not uniform. Instead, it formed an exquisitely subtle gradient, hottest near the core of the medicinal liquid and gradually decreasing toward the edges, creating a perfect Temperature-Gradient Circulation.

Cao Yue was utterly shocked by the technique, yet Lu Heng performed it as naturally as breathing.

She was completely dumbfounded.

A quarter of an hour later, Lu Heng opened his eyes.

The cauldron lid opened, and five Soul-Gathering and Spirit-Focusing Pills of exceptional quality floated out. Their bodies were round and smooth, with faint pill patterns on their surfaces.

"Senior Sister, you're here?" Lu Heng put away the pills and turned to look at her.

Cao Yue walked in and sat on a stool beside him.

"Did you figure out that Temperature-Gradient Circulation technique yourself?"

"More or less. The advantage of having multiple Dou Qi attributes is that I can layer the heat control into all kinds of variations."

Cao Yue shook her head.

"You're really absurd."

Her tone was calm when she said those words, but her expression plainly said, I'm convinced.

"Can I watch for a while? I won't disturb you."

"Go ahead."

And so, in the days that followed, Cao Yue came by almost every day or two. Sometimes she would leave after watching for an hour; other times, she would stay the entire afternoon.

Occasionally, while Lu Heng rested after finishing a batch, the two would exchange a few words.

Cao Yue's questions were all highly insightful. They were not vague, general questions, but ones precisely aimed at specific steps. Lu Heng did not keep secrets either and explained whatever he could.

On the fifth day, Han Yue carried lunch inside. When she saw Cao Yue sitting there again, her expression turned subtle as she swept her gaze