As a rich medicinal fragrance spread, ten perfectly rounded Red Blood Pills were extracted.
Moreover, due to the Earth Fire’s tempering, the efficacy of these ten Red Blood Pills was even more ample.
"How is it? Pill Master Xue, do you have any guidance?" Zhong Lin said with a smile.
Xue Gang’s expression was uncertain, first picking one up for closer inspection, then swallowing it directly.
After a while, he opened his eyes and said solemnly, "The elixir is perfectly round, without any elixir toxins. These Red Blood Pills have reached perfection. Although I still can’t believe you could produce a First Grade pill in a day, just based on the Red Blood Pill, you are unmatched in Second Grade pills."
Deng Yunsheng’s eyes were wide with anger, about to reprimand, but Zhong Lin interrupted him directly.
"As the saying goes, time reveals a horse’s strength, and people’s hearts are seen over time. As for whether it is as it seems, it will become clear in the future. My purpose in coming here is only to learn the technique of crafting Third Grade elixirs, I kindly ask Pill Master Xue for guidance."
Zhong Lin bowed respectfully, with no intention of arguing.
People always like to judge others by themselves; in terms of skill, actions speak louder than debates.
How else could one prove themselves?
"Very well, I also wish to see how truly talented you are. Please, go ahead."
Just as Zhong Lin was stepping forward, Jing Yan suddenly grabbed his arm, breathing heavily, his eyes slightly red.
"Elder Yin said you were the son of a mountain hunter and had never been exposed to alchemy. How did you accomplish this?"
Zhong Lin subtly pushed Jing Yan’s hand away, straightened his clothing, and proudly said, "I am a genius."
After speaking, he didn’t give Jing Yan a chance to continue the conversation and strode towards the nearby Alchemy Room.
Jing Yan was left red-faced and furious by Zhong Lin’s remark, angrily leaving.
"Jing Yan, you come over here too."
Xue Gang’s words from afar made the already turned-around Jing Yan obediently follow him.
The Alchemy Room where Xue Gang resided could also be described as a quiet chamber, except a bit warmer.
Zhong Lin and Jing Yan both sat cross-legged on meditation cushions, respectfully.
"I am proficient in crafting the Great Rejuvenation Pill among Third Grade elixirs. This pill uses thirty-seven types of herbs, with a total of one hundred and twenty-three variations. The crafting process must consider the impact of flame on the herbs; any slight mistake, and the entire furnace can be ruined."
Saying this, Pill Master Xue Gang took out a manual and handed it over.
"This records the various roles of herbs and the changes in their Five Elements interactions during the Great Rejuvenation Pill crafting; memorize it thoroughly without any omission, and then I’ll teach you to recognize the tempering fire."
Jing Yan looked delighted as he received it with both hands.
"Yes, I will memorize it as soon as possible."
Zhong Lin, however, furrowed his brows slightly and said, "Pill Master Xue, did Manager Deng mention to you that my way of learning alchemy is different from others?"
Jing Yan sneered, "What’s so different about it?"
Zhong Lin ignored him, directly looking at Pill Master Xue Gang and waiting for his answer.
Given I have a cheat, I obviously take the fast track, who would leisurely learn at this pace?
Xue Gang looked deeply at Zhong Lin, nodded, and said, "Alright, I too would like to see how you are unique."
Without further delay, the two went straight towards the Pill Furnace, with Jing Yan curiously following closely.
"Young master, how do you plan to proceed?"
"With Pill Master Xue’s guidance, I will begin direct alchemy."
Jing Yan shuddered, and blurted, "Are you crazy? Who starts alchemy this way?"
"You don’t understand the world of a genius, watch carefully," Zhong Lin casually replied.
An apprentice had already brought up three sets of Great Rejuvenation Pill materials, each set invaluable.
The Great Rejuvenation Pill is specifically for the Third Grade Inner Breath Realm, capable of enhancing inner breath and elevating True Qi, hence the materials used are extremely rare, especially its main component, the Purple Ginseng.
This ginseng is entirely purple, growing in sunny places, but too much sunlight can cause it to wither easily, making it extremely difficult to cultivate and very expensive.
Zhong Lin sat cross-legged in front of the Pill Furnace, surrounded by all sorts of materials.
Zhong Lin had discovered earlier that to quickly form skills on the System Panel, it’s best to do everything hands-on, not relying on others.
With a push of the lever, the Earth Core Fire roared up, and in no time, the Pill Furnace was heated to the suitable temperature.
Zhong Lin looked at Pill Master Xue Gang, waiting for his next instructions.
"Add five taels and four maces of Black Water, three maces of Iron Wire Vine Juice, eight maces of Black Corner Grass."
Without hesitation, Zhong Lin swiftly added the required materials into the Pill Furnace as per Pill Master Xue’s instructions.
"Purple Sage Flower, Heavenly Sun Grass, Rhinoceros Vine, Eight Thousand Sons, Water Cloud..."
The crafting of the Great Rejuvenation Pill is indeed extremely complex, not only needing to consider the sequence of adding various herbs and their fusion process but also controlling the flame size, as any slight error can result in a wasted pill.
With a muffled sound from the Pill Furnace, a puff of black smoke immediately emerged.
Jing Yan mocked, "Heh, is this what you call a genius? I’d say you’re a born fool! Crafting a Third Grade elixir requires long-term study and a profound understanding of the materials, thinking you can complete it based on someone else’s guidance, calling you a fool is praise enough."
Zhong Lin ignored Jing Yan’s ridicule, glanced at the System Panel, which hadn’t yet formed the Great Rejuvenation Pill skill.
"Clean the furnace, continue."
As soon as the order was given, an apprentice swiftly lifted the lid, clearing out the waste residue inside.
Zhong Lin took out another set of Great Rejuvenation Pill materials and began anew following the previous steps.
An hour later, there was another muffled sound, but this time Zhong Lin’s face showed a hint of a smile.
Skill: Heavenly Treasure Pile (Full Level), Golden Muscle and Jade Bone Skill (Full Level)...
Skill: Thousand Mist Swordsmanship (Full Level)...
Miscellaneous: Alchemy: Third Grade Elixir: Great Rejuvenation Pill (Beginner)...
"Finally formed a skill, System, give me more points, show me your limit."
With an order, countless experiences of crafting Great Rejuvenation Pills flooded into Zhong Lin’s mind.
Moments later, Zhong Lin opened his eyes.
"Clean the furnace, continue."
The third alchemy session started, but this time, Zhong Lin’s entire demeanor had shifted, reverting to the confidence he had during the crafting of the Red Blood Pill.
This sudden change startled Pill Master Xue Gang and Jing Yan, as an unwilling thought arose in their minds.
Zhong Lin... has mastered it.
They shook their heads vigorously, how could this be? It’s impossible.
The two watched Zhong Lin’s every move closely, observing his elegantly precise adjustments to the flame and addition of ingredients, every step seemed pleasing to the eye, like a general on a battlefield planning strategies, winning victories from a thousand miles away.
As time passed, no black smoke poured from the Pill Furnace as it had before; instead, a faint elixir fragrance wafted out, growing stronger.
An hour later, the flame gradually extinguished, and when the Pill Furnace lid was opened, a rich elixir fragrance spread throughout the Alchemy Room.