The Imperial Martial Pill Venerable

No detail was too small.

As she watched Qin Ya perform his alchemy, a single phrase came to Muu Xue’s mind. ’It’s only a First-Grade Elixir, yet he’s so meticulous. The control of the heat, the steps, the techniques, the processing of the ingredients, even the rhythm of each hand seal—he’s brought countless tiny details to a state of absolute perfection. It’s just incredible.’

Suddenly, twelve thumb-sized, golden elixirs flew out from the Pill Furnace. At the sight, Qin Ya gave a casual flick of his sleeve, gathering all twelve elixirs into a Jade Bottle. "I have now personally demonstrated the refining process for the Feather Spirit Pill. Did you see it clearly?"

Just then, Gong Yu tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said with a charming smile, "Teacher Qin, if we didn’t see it clearly, would you be willing to demonstrate it for us one more time?"

"Yeah, do it again!"

"Watching Teacher Qin’s alchemy is a true pleasure."

"This must be what they mean by ’Skill Nears Dao’."

Qin Ya gave a detached smile and said, "The demonstration is only happening once. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me or discuss it among yourselves. During the next class, I expect to see acceptable Feather Spirit Pills."

Half an hour later...

"That’s all for today’s lesson." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

............

"Tsk, tsk. I’ve never seen anyone as remarkable as Teacher Qin. The last time I went to class with you, Teacher Liu also demonstrated the alchemy process, but I just found it boring and tedious. Today was completely different, though. It was like watching a piece of art."

On a small path within the Academy, Muu Xue and Feng Ling walked side by side. Recalling Qin Ya’s alchemy process, Feng Ling’s face filled with admiration. She turned to her friend and asked, "Muu Xue, I don’t know the first thing about the Alchemy Dao, but you’re the Academy’s resident genius. What do you think the difference is between Teacher Qin’s and Teacher Liu’s skill levels?"

Hearing this, Muu Xue stopped in her tracks. She lowered her head in thought for a moment before sighing. "I’m merely a Second-Grade Alchemist; I’m in no position to judge the gap between Teacher Qin and Teacher Liu. And please, don’t call me an alchemy genius anymore. When I think of Teacher Qin, I feel nothing but shame for my own skills."

"Heh, I suppose you’re right."

Just then, an elderly man in a gray robe approached them. Upon seeing him, both women immediately bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Teacher Liu."

"Ah, Muu Xue," Liu Qing said with a pleasant expression. He held a deep appreciation for this student and her considerable talent in the Alchemy Dao.

"By the way, Muu Xue, how is your research on the Qixi Pill coming along?" Liu Qing asked with a smile. He himself had only ever read about the Qixi Pill in ancient texts. The fact that this young woman was already studying a Fourth-Grade Elixir at her age, while he was unable to offer any assistance, filled him with the sentiment that the new generation was already surpassing the old.

At the mention of the Qixi Pill, a blush suddenly rose on Muu Xue’s cheeks. Seeing this, Liu Qing laughed heartily. "Muu Xue, it’s perfectly normal for us Alchemists to research lost elixirs. There’s no need to be shy. So, how has your progress been lately?"

"You are right, Teacher Liu," Muu Xue said, taking a deep breath. "The Pill Formula for the Qixi Pill... has been completed."

"It’s still not complete, eh? Well, that’s to be—What?!"

Liu Qing hadn’t held out much hope. Completing the formula for a lost Fourth-Grade Elixir was an incredibly difficult task. Forget Muu Xue—even he, a Fifth-Grade Alchemist, would be incapable of it. But now, Muu Xue was telling him the Pill Formula was complete. Complete...

A Second-Grade Alchemist completed a Fourth-Grade Pill Formula?!

This was fucking impossible.

"You really completed it?" Liu Qing asked, his voice strained.

Muu Xue nodded. "Yes. And it’s all thanks to Teacher Qin. I never would have achieved my goal otherwise."

"So it was Teacher Qin, Qin Ya, who completed it?" Liu Qing asked.

"Yes."

"So that’s how it is." Liu Qing breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing that it was Qin Ya who had completed the Fourth-Grade Pill Formula, while still surprising, wasn’t completely inconceivable to him. This just went to show that, in his mind, Qin Ya’s skill in the Alchemy Dao had already reached a profound and unfathomable level.

"I never would have thought Teacher Qin could even complete the formula for a Fourth-Grade Elixir. His mastery of the Alchemy Dao is becoming more and more inscrutable to me."

After speaking, Liu Qing sighed. "Muu Xue, you have considerable talent in the Alchemy Dao. If you study hard under Teacher Qin, your future accomplishments will surely surpass mine. But enough about that. I must go post the course announcements."

Staring at Liu Qing’s departing figure, Feng Ling was stunned for a moment before saying, "Well, now I know which of the two has a higher skill level in the Alchemy Dao."

Neither of them was a fool; they could clearly hear the reverence for Qin Ya in Liu Qing’s words. Without a doubt, Qin Ya’s skill in the Alchemy Dao was far greater than Liu Qing’s—and not just by a small margin.

"Gods, just how old is he?"

Feng Ling gasped, covering her mouth. Liu Qing was already a renowned Fifth-Grade Alchemist throughout the Yunxiao Empire, yet Qin Ya was somehow even stronger than him.

She turned to her friend. "Muu Xue, how can a monster like him even exist in this world? Compared to him, those so-called prodigies in the Imperial Capital are a complete joke."

"It’s true. It’s as if he were born for the Alchemy Dao itself."

Muu Xue muttered, a sudden glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes. She looked at Feng Ling. "Feng Ling, if it’s Teacher Qin... he might actually be able to help us accomplish that thing."

"You mean..." Feng Ling’s eyes lit up. "We can’t delay. Let’s hurry back and tell your uncle!"

"Right..."

Just then, the two women suddenly heard a cold shout.

"Fongg Feiyu, Lu Yuwei, don’t you go too far!"

Li Peiyi stared at the man and woman before her, her expression icy. Her right hand rested on the hilt of the longsword at her waist, and she radiated a sharp, blade-like aura.

A strange glint flashed in Fongg Feiyu’s eyes, but he quickly put on a smile. "Li Peiyi, I’m giving you an opportunity. Join our Celestial Star Squad, and I guarantee you won’t lack for benefits in the future."

"Hmph. I already told you I’m not interested."

Lu Yuwei’s pretty face fell, and she spoke in a cold tone. "Li Peiyi, don’t be so unappreciative! Our Celestial Star Squad earns over ten times the Points your pathetic little team gets every month, which means we can exchange them for far more Cultivation Resources. Do you know how many people are desperate to join us? You’re just a first-year. If we didn’t see that you had some talent, do you really think you’d have this chance?"

"I couldn’t care less. You can save this opportunity for someone who does. I’ll say it one last time: get out of my way!" Li Peiyi said, her voice like ice. At the same time, the hand resting on her sword suddenly clenched the hilt.

Fongg Feiyu and Lu Yuwei both knew that if they didn’t move aside, the woman before them would undoubtedly draw her sword. But they were both Martial Artists in the Spiritual Element Realm; why would they fear someone in the Profound Origin Realm?

"Li Peiyi, I’ve already..."

Before he could finish speaking, a white light flashed. A cold Cyan Blade was already thrusting toward him. Fongg Feiyu’s pupils shrank, and he threw himself backward, but he was still a step too slow. A bloody line appeared on his cheek.

"You’re courting death, Li Peiyi!"