Before the black Medicine Cauldron, Xiao Yan focused all his attention on compressing a pill to its utmost limit with blood-red flames.
"Qi-Replenishing Pill, complete!"
Xiao Yan moved swiftly, snatching the pill that flew from the Medicine Cauldron's outlet and holding it in his palm.
"Teacher Sheng'er, how did I do?"
Time flowed on, and before he knew it, Xiao Yan had spent three months in the Bamboo Lodge.
Sheng'er, the little girl who seemed far too precocious for her age, had also demonstrated alchemy skills utterly at odds with her appearance.
Over those three months, she had taught Xiao Yan many alchemical techniques and greatly broadened his horizons.
In just three months, Xiao Yan had grown from a novice alchemist who knew only how to try every possible combination into someone capable of attempting third-rank pills.
His teacher, however, seemed stricter than he had imagined. Or rather, every time, she seemed positively stunned by how stupid Xiao Yan could be.
Still, paired with her tiny, childish appearance, even her angry expression looked utterly adorable.
Sheng'er took the pill Xiao Yan offered her and merely weighed it in her hand before understanding its quality.
"Not bad, not bad. These days, apart from two things you haven't gotten right, you've pretty much learned everything."
Joy stirred in Xiao Yan's heart. Usually, all he heard were things like "You're so stupid!" and "Oh, that's not how you refine it!" Yet today, Teacher Sheng'er had actually given him a rare word of praise.
"Teacher Sheng'er, which two things haven't I gotten right?"
Seeing Xiao Yan's cheeky grin, Sheng'er answered calmly, "This and that, of course. You think you can fool me with this lousy little pill?"
Sheng'er squeezed hard, and the seemingly perfect pill cracked open. Ash spilled from its center all over