Refining complete

Xiao Yu had no idea people outside were discussing him. Even if he had known, he probably would not have said anything.

Refining a sixth-grade pill was extremely time-consuming. Extracting the medicinal ingredients alone could take an entire day, and fusing their various essences at the end took even longer.

In theory, an ordinary sixth-grade pill would take a sixth-rank alchemist two or three days to refine.

With the Origin Flame's help, however, Xiao Yu greatly shortened that time.

It took twelve hours for Xiao Yu to finish extracting the nine lotus flowers. As its name suggested, the Nine Lotus Pill was refined from nine different precious lotuses, which was how it had earned its name.

"Phew... this is still a bit taxing."

Looking at the lotus essences of different colors in the jade bottles on the workbench, Xiao Yu finally had a moment to relax.

Refining a sixth-grade pill would have been impossible for other Dou Wang-level alchemists, since most alchemists at that cultivation realm were only fifth-rank.

Without a powerful soul that set them apart from ordinary alchemists, they could never reach the sixth rank while still in the Dou Wang realm.

Gu He was exceptionally gifted, which was why he had reached the sixth rank as a seven- or eight-star Dou Wang, though he could only be considered an ordinary sixth-rank alchemist. Even now, he was merely a peak Dou Wang. Unless he broke through to become a Dou Emperor or obtained some rare treasure to strengthen his soul, reaching the pinnacle of the sixth rank would be utterly impossible.

Xiao Yu was only a one-star Dou Wang at present. Though he could refine ordinary sixth-grade pills, it was far from easy. Without the Origin Flame's help, his chances of success would probably have been only twenty or thirty percent.

That was why he had not poured all the ingredients into the medicine cauldron to extract them together, as he had when refining lower-grade pills.

After a brief rest to recover some of his depleted soul power, Xiao Yu resumed refining. The remaining step was crucial. If he mishandled it, the cauldron really could explode.

He poured the liquid essences from two jade bottles into the medicine cauldron, then began fusing them.

Lightning flashed incessantly inside the cauldron. Under its strikes, the liquids slowly fused together.

Because the Myriad Transformation Flame concealed the aura around him, those outside could not detect the lightning within the cauldron.

Once the two medicinal essences had fused completely, Xiao Yu poured in the third and continued the process.

Time passed little by little, and soon it was the following morning.

Everyone seated in the Examination Hall was a powerhouse at the Dou Wang realm or above. Naturally, such a short wait would not leave them drowsy, nor did they lack the basic patience expected of someone with their strength. They all watched the projection quietly.

"President Fa Ma, how long do you think this gentleman will need to finish refining?"

Nalan Su suddenly asked.

Fa Ma did not look at him, keeping his attention on the projection instead. "You're asking the wrong person. I'm only a fifth-rank alchemist. But if I had to guess, I would say three or four days."

"That's merely my guess. You could ask Elder Gu He."

Gu He was also staring at the projection. "An ordinary sixth-rank alchemist would indeed need three or four days. But for the sixth-grade pill President Fa Ma provided, I would only need two days."

Nalan Su nodded and cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you for clearing that up, Elder Gu He, President Fa Ma."

"No need to stand on ceremony."

President Fa Ma waved a hand, still watching the projection with complete concentration. Though he could not observe the process up close, even the projection deserved that much attention.

After all, this was the refining of a sixth-grade pill-a dream he might never attain in his lifetime.

Wasn't Gu He, himself a sixth-rank alchemist, staring just as intently? Whether he was watching the refining or the heavenly flame, however, was anyone's guess.

Just then, the human-shaped figure of light suddenly stopped moving its hands. It struck the cauldron, and a tiny point of light shot out.

"?"

"?"

"?"

The scene in the projection left everyone utterly baffled.

Fa Ma could not help blurting out in astonishment, "Could he have... finished refining?!"

Gu He was stunned as well. Could this man's alchemy skills actually surpass his own?

"Ah... I prepared two sets of ingredients for him because I was worried his first attempt would fail. To think my concerns were entirely unnecessary."

Fa Ma shook his head in a daze and sighed.

Holding the tiny point of light, the luminous figure walked toward the door.

That movement confirmed everyone's suspicions. He had indeed finished refining.

Click.

The refining chamber's door slowly opened.

The instant it opened, a rich fragrance wafted out, and ripples of energy spread all the way to the raised platform.

Once the stone door had opened fully, energy lotuses of different colors floated out, accompanied by waves of delicate lotus fragrance.

With a nine-colored pill hovering between the thumb and forefinger of his right hand, Xiao Yu slowly emerged from the chamber.

At that moment, the nine energy lotuses blazed with light and revolved around Xiao Yu. With every step he took, a lotus mark appeared on the floor. Even the saying "lotuses bloom with every step" could describe nothing more wondrous.

When Xiao Yu's two fingers touched the pill, the nine energy lotuses flowed into it one after another, becoming lotus marks of different shapes upon their corresponding colors.

This was the wondrous phenomenon produced when a sixth-grade pill was completed.

Everyone present stared at Xiao Yu as he emerged, lost in a daze.

His strikingly handsome features, white robes, gentle smile, and the lotuses blooming beneath his feet gave Xiao Yu such an extraordinary presence that even the other men could not help being drawn to him.

Yun Yun's beautiful eyes also gleamed with wonder, though they soon regained their usual calm. When she saw Xiao Yu's clothes, she felt a fleeting sense of familiarity.

But after thinking it over, she was certain she had never met Xiao Yu, so she dismissed the thought.

Before Xiao Yu could reach the foot of the platform, the others recovered their senses and leaped down, landing before him.

Xiao Yu nodded amiably to everyone, then smiled as he offered the pill to Fa Ma. "Elder Fa, I was fortunate enough to succeed. Please appraise it."

Fa Ma carefully accepted the pill and began examining it closely with his senses.

Although the phenomenon just now had already told him beyond doubt that this was a sixth-grade pill, he still could not resist widening his small eyes and scrutinizing it.

"It is indeed a sixth-grade Nine Lotus Pill, and its quality is exceptionally high. This is the most perfect Nine Lotus Pill I have ever seen!"

As Fa Ma examined the Nine Lotus Pill, he continued to marvel and praise it. Then he handed it to Gu He. "Would you like to take a look as well, Elder Gu He?"

Gu He nodded and accepted the pill. After sensing its quality, he could not help admiring it too. Such purity was truly rare.

It was not as though he had never refined a Nine Lotus Pill himself, but without exception, none of his could compare to the quality of Xiao Yu's.

"Its quality is indeed rare. Even I fall short."

Gu He shook his head and handed the pill back to Fa Ma with a somewhat self-deprecating air.

Fa Ma returned the pill to Xiao Yu and said with a cheerful smile, "Congratulations, Brother Zhou. You have passed the examination and officially become a sixth-rank alchemist. I will issue your badge and robes shortly."

Xiao Yu accepted the pill without ceremony. Although neither the ingredients nor the pill formula had belonged to him, since it was being offered, he could hardly slight the other man by refusing.

"Then, sorry for the trouble, Elder Fa."

Xiao Yu cupped his hands in thanks.

Fa Ma waved a hand, then began introducing the others to Xiao Yu.

"Brother Zhou, allow me to make the introductions."

"This is Elder Jia, Jia Xingtian, the retired emperor of the Jia Ma Imperial Family and the guardian of the Jia Ma Empire."

"This is Sect Master Yun Yun, the current leader of the Misty Cloud Sect."

"This is Master Gu He, chief alchemy elder of the Misty Cloud Sect and honorary elder of the Alchemist Guild."

"This is Nalan Su, head of the Nalan Family."

"This is Mu Chen, head of the Mu Family."

"This is Mittel Tengshan, the elder of the Mittel Family."

After listening to Fa Ma's introductions, Xiao Yu cupped his hands. "A pleasure to meet you all. My surname is Zhou. Please address me however you wish."

None of them dared take Xiao Yu's casual words at face value. The man before them was a genuine sixth-rank alchemist. They would have been fools of the highest order to address him carelessly.

Everyone returned his salute, and Jia Xingtian spoke first. "Surely you jest."

"As a distinguished sixth-rank alchemist, you cannot be addressed so casually. This old man shall call you Mr. Zhou."

Xiao Yu smiled. "Whatever you prefer, Elder Jia."

"All right, Old Man Jia. I still have something to discuss with Brother Zhou."

Fa Ma interrupted Jia Xingtian, then addressed Xiao Yu. "Brother Zhou, now that you've passed the examination and become a sixth-rank alchemist, would you be interested in joining the Alchemist Guild?"

"I will grant you the highest level of elder privileges the guild offers. If you are willing, once I finish presiding over this year's Alchemist Grand Meeting, I will step aside for a worthier successor and let you serve as president of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild. What do you think?"