Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

Qin Yu first reviewed the knowledge imparted by the Sect Leader, then began the process of refining the medicinal herbs.

Whether it is alchemy or purification, these are preparations for alchemy. The fewer impurities in the medicinal liquid, the higher the chance of forming a pill and the higher the quality.

Since it was his first time performing alchemy, he was very careful, even if it meant being slower, to ensure no mistakes were made.

Su Xihe observed Qin Yu’s serious demeanor and nodded slightly.

Refining.

Purification.

These two steps took merely a quarter of an hour.

However, the next step, Condensing Pill, is the most critical.

"Increase the temperature!"

With a reminder from the Sect Leader, Qin Yu increased his output of Spiritual Power.

Condensing Pill requires using Spiritual Power to continuously temper the medicinal liquid, transforming it from a liquid to a solid.

And this step truly tests one’s control over Spiritual Power.

"Bang! Bang! Bang..."

In Su Xihe’s perception, Qin Yu’s Spiritual Power transformed into a small hammer, continuously striking the medicinal liquid as if forging iron, removing the dross and retaining the essence.

Each strike was precise, neither too heavy nor too light.

The key word is ’steady’.

This was the tempering method the Sect Leader had just used. Qin Yu was applying it right after learning, yet appeared somewhat unskilled.

Despite this, the Sect Leader felt gratified.

After all, it was Qin Yu’s first time performing alchemy, and his ability to remain humble and not rush to achieve results proved his pragmatic mindset.

Time flowed amidst the repetitions of tempering. Su Xihe watched quietly the entire time, not making a sound, as if afraid of distracting him.

Under the high temperature and spiritual pressure inside the Alchemy Furnace, the medicinal liquid gradually turned viscous.

This is the most crucial step in Condensing Pill.

Even the slightest distraction could lead to failure.

Qin Yu’s actions were slow, seemingly without method, yet he hadn’t made any mistakes.

When the medicinal liquid reached a certain thickness, strands of Spiritual Power emerged, enveloping the liquid.

"Condense!"

Finally, he formed the Condensing Pill Seal taught by the Sect Leader and pressed it forcefully against the Alchemy Furnace.

"Boom!"

From inside the Alchemy Furnace, came the sound of an object dropping.

"Did it work?!"

Qin Yu’s eyes flashed with an unmistakable joy. Yet, as he fought fatigue and used Spiritual Power to retrieve the object from the Alchemy Furnace, he was dumbfounded.

What appeared before him was not the round and smooth elixir he had expected, but a misshapen lump.

Not only was it a strange shape, but its surface was covered in uneven pits, and even had two prominent cracks, as if it might break apart at any moment.

It seemed like a failure.

However, the Sect Leader just stood there in a daze.

Qin Yu’s first alchemy attempt, though not very successful, certainly couldn’t be termed a failure. The efficacy was questionable, but it had indeed solidified into a form.

Even though she knew Qin Yu had extraordinary talent, to learn alchemy with just one observation—was simply...

Compared to Qin Yu, Su Xihe felt like a mediocrity.

Yet, she remarked, "In the final step, you were not cautious enough; your control over temperature and timing still lacks..."

She pointed out some of Qin Yu’s minor mistakes.

Qin Yu listened and nodded, perfectly embodying a humble learner’s attitude, even appearing somewhat... embarrassed?

The Sect Leader’s lips twitched slightly, but she said nothing.

Nonetheless, she appeared a bit dazed. While Qin Yu was recovering his Spiritual Power, she stepped out of the Alchemy Room and sat on the hammock in the front yard.

When Liu Zixiao arrived, she saw the Sect Leader lying on the hammock, eyes vacant, occasionally letting out a light sigh.

What happened here?

Could it be that she’s been frightened by her disciple?!

Liu Zixiao indeed guessed correctly, but there was a slight difference in the way she was frightened.

"Sect Leader, Sect Leader..."

Liu Zixiao approached, calling twice, yet Su Xihe merely glanced at her indifferently, gazed again at the sky, and let out a gentle sigh.

How distressing.

It seems her disciple will soon catch up with her, perhaps even surpass her quickly.

Although this expectation was long set in her heart, the pace is too rapid.

Primarily, her Dao Heart was shattered by the blow.

"???"

Liu Zixiao was stupefied.

What’s going on?

She asked, "Sect Leader, weren’t you supposed to be teaching Qin Yu alchemy today?"

In the next moment.

Liu Zixiao seemed to understand something, "Don’t tell me... he’s already learned?!"

"Ah!..."

What returned was still a sigh from the Sect Leader.

Liu Zixiao couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

She knew where Qin Yu came from. After all, when she first saw him, he was at Qi Refining Fifth Layer, having never even touched alchemy.

Yet he learned it already?

No need to compare him to the first alchemists; no one ever heard of someone succeeding in alchemy their first attempt without prior contact.

This kind of talent must be retained by Cyan Mountain Sect.

"Sect Leader, you must spend more time teaching and mentoring Qin Yu in the future..."

"Why?"

Su Xihe looked at her, puzzled.

"Because... you are the most beautiful woman in Yunlan Domain."

Liu Zixiao said meaningfully.

"Liu Zixiao!"

The Sect Leader was suddenly furious, glaring and chastising her, "Do you even hold me in any regard as your Sect Leader?!"

Liu Zixiao remained calm, asking, "Does the Sect Leader think Qin Yu’s loyalty to Cyan Mountain is assured?"

"This..."

Su Xihe raised her Dai Mei slightly.

Although Cyan Mountain had extended great favor to Qin Yu, other Immortal Sects could offer the same, perhaps even more!

She felt a bit uncertain, even a sense of urgency.

Her gaze fell on Liu Zixiao.

Perhaps bind this dear sister and throw her onto Qin Yu’s bed?!

The two dear sisters sat together on the hammock, occasionally glancing at each other, not knowing what they were thinking.

...

Within the Immortal Sect, everything seemed tranquil, but this didn’t mean the outside world was peaceful.

The Hundred Sword Sect suffered greatly at the Ruins Rift last time, losing a Golden Core Elder, and now Su Xiyue was rising swiftly. Logically, they should avoid confrontation.

Yet on this day, the Hundred Sword Sect suddenly made a move.

They simultaneously targeted several city territories under Cyan Mountain’s jurisdiction, yet before they could seize control, the Nether Bone Elder from the Demon Sect appeared, catching Hundred Sword off guard.

Following this, Cyan Mountain and the Demon Sect retaliated against the Hundred Sword Sect.

To their surprise, the city territories under Hundred Sword Sect were sparsely populated, with only a few Hundred Sword Sect disciples guarding the areas.

Quickly, news returned to the two major Immortal Sects.

However, they couldn’t fathom what the Hundred Sword Sect was trying to achieve.

The Loose Cultivator City is equivalent to the foundation of an Immortal Sect.

Was Hundred Sword Sect’s action self-destructive?!

Perhaps the attacks on Cyan Mountain’s territories weren’t merely acts of aggression?