Earth Abyss, Golden Drum Cave.
Before a Scarlet Red Cauldron with a round exterior and square interior, Chen Heng divided the Primordial Beginning True Origin into dozens of airborne streams, slowly circling them around the cauldron.
Whenever the two touched, sharp hisses erupted, like water splashed onto fiercely burning coals, with smoke and light surging violently amid a clamor.
Hovering above his palm was a bushel of egg-sized Red Compassion Sand, its color bright and lustrous.
As it shifted, he could vaguely see what seemed to be a pool of dark crystalline liquid hidden inside the grains, ceaselessly churning.
This sand was one of the main ingredients for refining the Red Lead Great Ring Pill.
Under Cui Jingzhong's guidance, Chen Heng was slowly stripping away its outer layers to extract the true medicinal essence within and refine it into the cauldron.
But just then.
Upon hearing the call outside the Alchemy Chamber's great hall.
Not only did Cui Jingzhong freeze before delight spread across his face.
Chen Heng's eyes flickered too, and he immediately rose from his cushion.
"Junior Brother, this day has finally come. Congratulations! Congratulations! The True Lord is mild-mannered. There is no need to be overly restrained; simply act as you normally would."
Cui Jingzhong patted his belly and laughed.
"That sounded like Qiao Ting outside just now? I never expected her to come summon you in person. How rare.
"Hurry outside. Don't keep Qiao Ting waiting too long, or she'll lose her temper again."
Chen Heng nodded in assent, straightened his robes and crown, and strode out of the Alchemy Chamber's great hall.
After passing through the restrictions sealing the doorway and between two towering pillars supporting the entrance.
He saw only a beautiful woman with skin like snowy jade, standing coldly below the steps.
Impatience