"This lad is loaded. He doesn't seem like an Otherworlder." As Yao Lao watched Chu Zhou casually produce medicinal ingredients of exceptional age and potency, along with an energy-rich Fifth-Tier fire attribute magic core, the corner of his illusory eye twitched.
Even back when he had become a Sixth-grade Alchemist and a Dou Huang expert, gathering these ingredients would have taken some effort.
Yet Chu Zhou had brought them out without a care. Anyone who didn't know better might have thought he had robbed some long-established, first-rate faction.
If the Snake-People Tribe knew what Yao Lao was thinking: "..."
"Ahem." Yao Lao cleared his throat, suppressing his surprise, and said solemnly, "Refining a Heavenly King Pill requires complete concentration and extremely precise control over flames and soul force. In my prime, I could have refined one effortlessly, but now that I exist only as a soul, I need some time to prepare and get myself into the proper condition."
"Young friend Chu, why not return at this time tomorrow? I will hand you the completed Heavenly King Pill then."
Chu Zhou knew perfectly well that Yao Lao simply didn't want to refine it in front of him. After all, an alchemist's unique methods and flame-control techniques were part of his secrets.
But he didn't mind. As long as he ultimately obtained a Heavenly King Pill personally refined by Yao Lao, the heaven-defying abilities of his Myriad Medicine Clarity Body would allow him to analyze its medicinal power after taking it and trace the process backward. He could repeatedly "observe" the entire refinement process, in even greater detail than if he had watched it firsthand.
"Very well. I'll return tomorrow. I need to condense the Heavenly Heart Spirit Pearls anyway." Chu Zhou readily agreed, cupping his hands with a smile.
"Good."