The world lay quiet. Li Guanqi and Meng Wanshu stood atop the volcano in a viewing pavilion.
Aside from the two of them, numerous alchemists of the Gu clan had also gathered to observe the proceedings.
After all, an alchemy session like this was exceedingly rare.
This was practically the first time in the Six Domains that five top eighth-grade alchemists were joining hands to refine a pill!
Previously, even the most difficult pill formulas had required at most three alchemists.
That was already the limit of coordination known for any pill.
With more people, the complexity of a formula grew exponentially, and the process permitted not the slightest error in synchronization!
Many white-haired elders looked toward Xiang Huaizhi with reverence in their eyes.
A figure like him was a rare sight even to fellow eighth-grade alchemists, let alone having the chance to watch them join forces at such close range.
Meng Wanshu found their excitement somewhat excessive at first.
Yet at what unfolded next, she fell silent, realizing it was not an exaggeration at all for the five of them to refine this formula together.
In an instant, the rhythms of their auras struck a tacit, seamless balance!
Boom!
The massive azure cauldron ignited in a sudden roar, the heavenly flames coiling within it letting out low, piercing howls.
Beneath the enormous cauldron, which was engraved with arcane runes, vents were set into its base.
Fire now blasted from sixty-six flame vents as the powers of three heavenly flames vied and clashed within the cauldron!
At once, the earth trembled and the peak shook.
Scorching magma erupted over a hundred zhang into the sky, leaping out like a fiery dragon.
The molten red magma splashed against the cauldron, giving off blistering heat and dense pluming smoke.
Yet not a fraction of that force could reach the six figures suspended in the air above.
Moreover, the interior of the volcano below was instantly enveloped in a profound wave of fire, and the temperature skyrocketed!
Beside Li Guanqi, an elderly seventh-grade alchemist, his forehead dripping with sweat, stared intently at the cauldron with cloudy eyes and murmured, "A cauldron of such magnitude, yet warming it took a mere six breaths!"
"It's unimaginable how terrifying the temperature inside must be!"
Buzz!
The lid of the azure cauldron swung open with a heavy ring, revealing swirling mists shining with tri-colored firelight.
Immediately afterward, hundreds upon thousands of phantom spirit herbs materialized from bursts of spiritual radiance.
Li Guanqi paid particular attention to Xiang Huaizhi. Xiang Huaizhi condensed them at incredible speed, conjuring hundreds of phantom herbs almost simultaneously with the others.
Then, the gathered alchemists witnessed an astoundingly brusque sight...
Every single conjured herb was hurled into the cauldron at once.
And leading the charge was Xiang Huaizhi.
The elder beside him narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "As expected of a top eighth-grade alchemist—such supreme confidence in his control!"
His words drew nods of agreement from many around them.
Without true mastery, no one would ever dare attempt such a thing.
Throwing them all in at once meant each alchemist had to manipulate over a thousand streams of flame simultaneously to extract the medicinal essences.
Every herb demanded a distinct temperature and heat intensity, and each had to be enveloped with spatial power.
Only then could they ensure that the refined medicinal fluids would not interfere with one another.
The dizzying display of extraction techniques caused over a hundred watching alchemists to draw sharp breaths.
None had expected that Xiang Huaizhi, working with the others for the very first time, would not make the slightest misstep!
Meng Wanshu marveled, "Senior Xiang's alchemy skills are incredible. From start to finish, he didn't make a single mistake."
In truth, Guo Feng and the others had made minor slips during the process, though none serious enough to affect the final pill.
Li Guanqi's eyes flickered as he whispered, "I suspect it's because Senior Xiang's personal ability far surpasses the rest of them."
"To achieve such a flawless performance on their very first collaboration, there's only one explanation."
"His understanding and technique in the Dao of Alchemy far exceed everyone else's!"
Meng Wanshu nodded. Soon, the simulation drew to a close. Because they were not refining real herbs, the simulated practice proceeded very quickly.
Gu Changsheng opened his eyes with pleasant surprise, exhaling a breath of relief. "Good, no major errors occurred again."
"Let's steady our minds and seize this momentum to refine the pill for real."
"Regardless of having only one set of ingredients, we just need to keep our composure."
Xiang Huaizhi waved a hand and said casually, "It was hardly any exertion. Take your time to adjust, and call me when you're ready."
With that, he stepped across a hundred zhang of space and landed on the railing of the pavilion. Looking down at Li Guanqi, he slowly squatted down.
Gazing at Li Guanqi, he asked softly, "That brother of yours is named Cao Yan?"
Li Guanqi smiled and nodded.
Xiang Huaizhi pondered for a moment before asking, "What kind of person do you think he is?"
Surprised by the question, Li Guanqi paused to think before replying, "He... is probably very stubborn, deeply loyal, and a man of few words in ordinary times, but when a critical moment comes, he fights the fiercest."
Li Guanqi answered honestly, for that was who Cao Yan had always been in his heart.
Few words, but heavy fists!
"Do you think he wants to practice alchemy?"
Li Guanqi hesitated, then looked straight into Xiang Huaizhi's eyes and answered softly, "He used to love alchemy dearly—more than anything!"
"But now... he probably wants to hone his fist techniques instead..."
Xiang Huaizhi had not expected that response. He had only brought it up on a whim after seeing Li Guanqi today.
He was not opposed to taking an apprentice; it was simply that he believed his mantle was not something just anyone could inherit.
Yet hearing Li Guanqi's words piqued his interest.
Folding his arms, he squatted on the railing and looked at Li Guanqi, asking with curiosity, "Why?"
Li Guanqi shrugged and said softly, "Like I said, the third brother values brotherhood above all."
"Because of his past, the most important person in his heart is me, and the second is Ye Feng, who was taken by Sha."
"With Ye Feng's whereabouts unknown, he would rather cultivate his fists!"
Xiang Huaizhi gave a faint smile and murmured, "Once this pill refinement is finished, I'll go seek him out myself. Don't tell him."
Li Guanqi's eyes lit up. Taking a deep breath, he said with utmost solemnity, "Li Guanqi thanks Senior!"
Xiang Huaizhi waved dismissively, rose, and returned to his original spot, closing his eyes to calm his mind and regulate his breath.
Meng Wanshu was also delighted. If Cao Yan could apprentice under Xiang Huaizhi, his future connections would become immensely formidable.
Yet just as Li Guanqi felt a wave of joy, his expression suddenly shifted drastically!
He reached back and pulled out a golden life-bound jade slip. Demonic qi swirled over its surface, and its golden halo flickered with faint, dying light.
Meng Wanshu's gaze sharpened. "This is..."
Before Li Guanqi could speak, a sharp crack rang out, and a finger-length fissure suddenly ruptured across Ye Feng's life-bound jade slip!
Li Guanqi watched with trembling hands, his heart sinking all the way to the abyss.
Chapter 982