Wang Yan carefully cradled the two "Scallion-Scented Qi-Restoring Pills" in a small jade bowl and all but sprinted to the gate of the courtyard where Si Chen and the others were staying.
His repeated failures had left him too ashamed to visit before. Now, with the fruits of success tucked against his chest, he was so excited that his heart nearly leaped out of his throat.
All he wanted now was to see his master immediately and tell him at the top of his lungs: Master, your disciple has found a way along your Dao!
If he could earn a single word of approval, all his previous torment would have been worth it.
He took several deep breaths before he barely managed to calm his racing heart and gently knocked on the courtyard gate.
Black Mountain answered. His enormous body blocked the entrance, and when he saw Wang Yan, he snorted gruffly. "Well, look who's back. The grandmaster of pill frying?"
Wang Yan was in such high spirits that he did not mind Black Mountain's teasing at all. Instead, he straightened his back, unable to suppress the excitement on his face.
"Senior Black Mountain, I did it! I fried pills!"
"What was that?" Black Mountain dug at his ear, thinking he had misheard.
Wang Yan was already too impatient to wait. He turned sideways and squeezed into the courtyard, immediately spotting Si Chen reclining in his lounge chair.
"M-Master! Your disciple succeeded! Look!"
Wang Yan hurried over, took out the jade bottle as though presenting a treasure, and held it before Si Chen with both hands.
Si Chen opened his eyes and sat up with some curiosity at his words. Red Bean was roused as well and sleepily lifted its little head.
Black Mountain and Red Wind gathered around too,