Learning Ability

The two chatted as they walked, finally stopping at the academy's Medicinal Materials Warehouse.

After spending more than 800,000 gold coins on enough ingredients for ten Bone-Tempering Spirit-Nurturing Pills, Wu Bai took Han Yue's hand and wandered aimlessly around the academy.

Since he had yet to hand over the two Purple Heart Barrier-Breaking Pills, Wu Bai's life at the academy remained peaceful.

Three days later, after seeing Han Yue off to class, Wu Bai took out his Medicine Cauldron.

"The Bone-Tempering Spirit-Nurturing Pill tempers the bones and improves one's aptitude for cultivation. In terms of its effects alone, this fifth-grade pill rivals some lower-tier sixth-grade pills!"

"But its refinement is just as difficult as its extraordinary effects would suggest. Even some Alchemists who have recently reached the sixth grade have less than a fifty percent chance of success."

Wu Bai carefully reviewed the Bone-Tempering Spirit-Nurturing Pill's Pill Formula in his mind three times from beginning to end before lighting the fire.

He took out one set of ingredients, his gaze settling on the pill's main ingredient: the Spirit-Tempering Fruit.

As soon as the temperature was right, Wu Bai tossed in the Spirit-Tempering Fruit.

The extraction went smoothly. Earth-yellow medicinal liquid churned within the flames.

Extracting the other ingredients went smoothly too. Wu Bai pressed his lips together and began combining them.

Bang!

"Failing the first time is normal. Again."

Bang!

"I've found the problem. Again."

Bang!

"Keep going."

Bang...

The sun slowly set. In the light of dusk, the other side of Wu Bai's face looked utterly black.

The corner of his mouth twitched, and at last he let out a long breath.

"That's good enough. Three pills from nine sets of ingredients. Solid top-tier fifth-grade Alchemist performance."

"Mm, you don't need to comfort me, Teacher. I'm fine." Wu Bai took several deep breaths and cleaned up the room.

The Yellow Springs Demon Saint watched silently. He knew that failing all five of his first attempts had dealt his disciple a considerable blow.

But what if he looked at it another way?

"Xiao Bai, your talent really is excellent, especially your ability to correct mistakes. Most Alchemists can't compare to you. You made three pills from the last four sets of ingredients—a seventy-five percent success rate. Even sixth-grade Alchemists can't match that."

"Teacher, I really am fine. You don't have to comfort me. I'm not that fragile. I just hate wasting all those gold coins. If I'd burned the coins themselves, they would've lasted longer than those ingredients!"

Wu Bai had long known he was no genius, so he did not put too much pressure on himself.

Still, he now understood why everyone said Alchemists burned through money to get where they were.

"I really am praising you. The way you improve is frightening."

The Yellow Springs Demon Saint shook his head. The boy's ability to learn was remarkable. This pill was among the hardest fifth-grade pills to refine, yet he had paid his tuition with just five sets of ingredients and then achieved an astonishing seventy-five percent success rate.

Ordinary Alchemists could never improve that quickly. It was perfectly normal for them to make the same mistake three to five times.

But Wu Bai made each mistake only once!

Didn't that kind of aptitude for learning count as genius too?

"I don't feel anything, Teacher."

Wu Bai had swallowed the first Body-Tempering Spirit-Nurturing Pill, but it felt no different from drinking a cup of sweetened water.

"Wait a while. If you still feel nothing after fifteen minutes, take the second one."

The Yellow Springs Demon Saint was surprised. He had not expected the boy's aptitude to be so poor that a single fifth-grade pill could not make up for it.

Fifteen minutes later, Wu Bai swallowed the second Body-Tempering Spirit-Nurturing Pill.

A few breaths later, he felt it.

"My whole body feels warm. It's so comf—no, it hurts!"

Wu Bai's face twisted rapidly. Every bone in his body felt as though it had snapped, and the intense pain left him lying on the floor, crying out without a sound.

Worse, his powerful Soul Power let him feel the pain even more acutely while keeping him from passing out.

Time stretched unbearably. Less than two minutes had passed, yet Wu Bai was already drenched in sweat, leaving a wet imprint on the floor.

He lay there for fifteen minutes before slowly recovering a little strength.

Half an hour later, Wu Bai emerged from the room feeling like a new man.

Knock, knock, knock!

Han Yue glanced curiously at Wu Bai's still-damp hair but did not ask. Perhaps he had washed it specially for their date?

Wu Bai blocked her way out and lifted his chin slightly.

"Let's talk inside."

"Hm?"

Han Yue blinked in surprise, her heart beginning to race. Could it be...

Click!

The door shut tight, and Han Yue saw Wu Bai lock it. A blush rose on her usually cool face.

Was he about to...

"Here. Take this, quickly. Don't let anyone else see."

"Huh?"

"Don't 'huh' me. It's good stuff. Just take it."

"Oh. Okay."

Han Yue accepted the pill. Without worrying that it might be some sort of aphrodisiac, she swallowed it at once.

Two seconds later, violent pain swept through her body, and Han Yue suddenly regretted it.

An aphrodisiac would've been better than this. It hurt so damn much!!!

Though Han Yue had no experience in that regard, she was certain of one thing:

The pain of having every bone in her body seemingly broken was at least a hundred times worse than losing her virginity!

Her usually composed, cool face twisted beyond recognition.

People said even a beauty looked lovely when she cried, but that was only because she wasn't in enough pain. Push the pain far enough, and even a fairy's face would contort beyond recognition.

Sweat soaked her clothes, revealing the curves of her figure.

Wu Bai did not look for long. As soon as the pain passed, he carried her into the room and helped her into a bath of hot water.

Fifteen minutes later, Han Yue came out in fresh clothes, her cool face still rosy from the hot bath.

The moment her eyes met Wu Bai's, she remembered how she had looked just now and grew even more embarrassed.

"Thank you. You're right—no one else can know about this pill."

Han Yue sat down across from Wu Bai. Embarrassment aside, she could clearly feel that her aptitude had improved, and warmth filled her heart.

Even the Han Family had never obtained a pill that could improve one's aptitude. Anyone with half a brain would know how much trouble would follow if word of such a pill got out.

Yet Wu Bai had brought one straight to her.

More importantly, judging by his damp hair earlier, he had come to give it to her right after taking one himself.

That affection and trust filled Han Yue's heart to the brim.

"Mm. As long as you understand. I trust you."

Wu Bai nodded, then stood and walked to the door.

He unlocked it, only to feel a tug on his arm.

He turned to find Han Yue's soft, rosy lips against his.

In the last light of the setting sun, Wu Bai could see the depth of love in Han Yue's eyes.

They kissed for so long that an ordinary person would have run out of breath before finally parting, still wanting more.