Because he was refining a Grade Eight pill, even with Heavenly Flames, Tang Chen still needed more than ten days to complete it.
Throughout that time, his soul power remained highly focused, constantly monitoring every subtle change in each strand of medicinal ingredient within the cauldron.
Soul power was the foundation of an alchemist. Without sufficiently formidable soul power, it was simply impossible to precisely control the heat inside the cauldron for an extended period, and successfully forming a pill would naturally be nothing more than wishful thinking.
During this time, Xuan Kongzi, as the examiner, naturally could not leave.
Cao Ying did not leave either. She had always been obsessed with alchemy, and her secluded training sessions routinely lasted dozens of days. These few days were nothing to her.
Moreover, observing Tang Chen refine pills from such close range was a rare opportunity for her to verify and improve her own skills. That was precisely why she remained here without taking a single step away.
Ten days later, movement finally came from within the medicine cauldron. Tang Chen's pill had gradually taken shape, and a rich medicinal fragrance spread out from the cauldron.
Above them, layers of thunderclouds began gathering at an astonishing speed. In mere moments, they blanketed the entire sky, plunging the daylight into darkness.
"The pill is about to form!" Xuan Kongzi abruptly rose to his feet, undisguised shock appearing on his face. "That pill-forming speed is truly terrifying!"
Cao Ying said nothing. Her gaze remained locked tightly on Tang Chen in the field, unwilling to miss even the slightest movement he made.
Boom!
The gathered thunderclouds slowly split apart at their center, silver lightning churning and flashing within the opening. Accompanied by low roars, it resembled a silver thunder dragon rolling through the clouds.
Faced