Yu Tiancheng looked at the elixir in his hand, his eyes suddenly narrowing and his brow furrowing. Only after a long while did he come back to himself. He raised his head and let out a long breath. "Qingtong, your progress in alchemy has already surpassed anything I could have imagined as your master. The day you surpass me is close at hand."
"Once I report to the Forefather, I will pass on the valley's second-tier elixir formulas to you. If you succeed, you should become the youngest Second-Tier Alchemist in our Gloomwind Valley. Perhaps, in the not-too-distant future, our Gloomwind Valley will have a Third-Tier Alchemist."
"Master, what's going on with this elixir?" Xu Qingtong asked in confusion.
Yu Tiancheng said, "This is a high-grade elixir, but it differs from ordinary high-grade elixirs. It is a high-grade elixir that has developed pill marks."
Xu Qingtong asked again, "What are pill marks?"
"Pill marks are also called pill flowers. They are unusual patterns formed through crystallization when an elixir reaches a certain degree of purity."
After a moment's thought, Yu Tiancheng added, "Qingtong, return to your cave abode first. I will go see the Forefather." With that, he paid Xu Qingtong no further heed, stepped onto his flying sword, and flew away.
Xu Qingtong could only return to his own cave abode and wait for word from his master.
Meanwhile, Yu Tiancheng hurried to the entrance of Gloomwind Valley in a blazing rush, only to be stopped by the two disciples guarding it.
Yu Tiancheng glared and thundered, "What are you doing?"
The two disciples jumped in fright and stammered, "The Forefather has ordered that no one may enter the valley without his permission."
Yu Tiancheng cursed angrily, "How dare you! Didn't the Forefather tell you? That order doesn't apply