C20 Refining a Third-grade Pill

Taking the pill formula from Su Ling's hands, Lan Yun cast a curious glance at it and was immediately struck by astonishment.

"Spirit Soul Pill! This pill is costly, and it's only meant for alchemists with Soul Force below third grade."

As the Pavilion Master of Lanqing Pavilion in Qingyang City, Lan Yun was well-versed in various pill formulas. The one Su Ling handed her was clearly for concocting the Spirit Soul Pill.

Yet, what stunned Lan Yun wasn't Su Ling's intention to craft the Spirit Soul Pill, but rather the fact that it was a third-grade pill. Given Su Ling's mere first-grade Soul Force, it was inconceivable for him to produce such a pill.

Su Ling had indeed previously crafted the Top Grade Essence-Consolidating Pill and the Top Grade Body Tempering Pill, but those were merely second-grade. Whether in terms of complexity or the requisite strength of Soul Force, they paled in comparison to the Spirit Soul Pill.

"Mr. Wu Chen, the Spirit Soul Pill is a third-grade pill. With your current level of Soul Force, refining such a pill seems highly improbable," Elder Leng interjected, visibly concerned upon hearing Su Ling's plan.

Elder Leng was aware of Su Ling's alchemical gift and his formidable soul control. However, Su Ling's Soul Force had only just reached first grade. The fact that he had managed to refine second-grade pills was already a revelation to Elder Leng. If Su Ling could refine a third-grade pill, it would be a humbling blow to him as a third-grade alchemist.

"...Who said I'm the one who has to do the refining? You're correct; with my current first-grade Soul Force, attempting to refine the Spirit Soul Pill would be a fool's errand. That's why I'm proposing that Elder Leng do the refining on my behalf."

Su Ling's gaze shifted to Elder Leng, his eyes narrowing as he spoke with gravity, "Elder Leng's Soul Force is precisely at third grade. If he lends his aid, wouldn't that make the refinement of the Spirit Soul Pill feasible?"

Elder Leng hesitated, caught between words, but he knew this was no time for secrets. He spoke candidly, "Mr. Wu Chen, while your Soul Force may be first grade, your perceptual power is exceptionally strong. I'm sure you realize that even with my abilities, guaranteeing a successful refinement of the Spirit Soul Pill is nearly impossible."

"Understood," Su Ling acknowledged with a slight nod. "The success rate isn't a concern. I'll be here to guide you."

Had any other first-grade alchemist dared to offer guidance to Elder Leng, it would have likely provoked his ire. For a high-grade alchemist to be directed by someone of a lower grade was an affront to their status.

Yet, Su Ling was the one making the offer, and rather than anger, Elder Leng felt a surge of pleasure. Su Ling's ability to refine second-grade pills, especially top-grade ones, with just a first-grade Soul Force, had already earned Elder Leng's respect.

One might attribute a single instance of top-grade pill refinement to luck, but Su Ling had consistently achieved this feat. It was proof positive of his mastery and assurance in crafting top-grade pills, demonstrating that his understanding of pill refinement had long surpassed that of a second-grade alchemist, even eclipsing that of a third-grade alchemist.

Although Elder Leng possessed a Third Grade Alchemist badge from the Alchemist Guild, he was well aware that perfectly refining Third Grade pills with his current abilities was nearly an impossible feat. If it were otherwise, he would have ascended to the rank of a Fourth Grade Alchemist by now.

"With Su Ling's guidance, I might just be able to achieve a one hundred percent success rate in refining Third Grade pills, which would greatly enhance my understanding of the process," Elder Leng mused, his gaze hardening with resolve. He turned to Lan Yun and requested, "Pavilion Master Lan, please procure the necessary herbs. Under Mr. Wu Chen's tutelage, I shall undertake the refinement of a Third Grade pill."

"Alright!" Lan Yun promptly agreed, having already committed to Su Ling's request. Without further delay, she dispatched someone to gather the ingredients for the Spirit Soul Pill.

The cost of the ten sets of ingredients for the Spirit Soul Pill—a hefty sum of twenty thousand High-Grade Profound Crystals—made Su Ling wince at the expense.

With the ingredients in hand, Su Ling followed Elder Leng into the alchemy chamber, Lin Ling'er and Lan Yun trailing behind them.

"Silence is crucial during the pill refinement process," Su Ling announced with a newfound gravity upon entering the room. "Aside from my instructions to Elder Leng, I expect no other sounds."

He had consented to Lin Ling'er and Lan Yun's presence in the alchemy chamber, but this was the extent of his tolerance. Should they cause any disturbance, he would not hesitate to expel them, as the success of the Spirit Soul Pill was paramount.

"Elder Leng, regardless of what transpires, please adhere strictly to my instructions throughout the pill-making process," Su Ling stated, his expression stern.

"Alright!" Elder Leng replied, taken aback by Su Ling's intensity but recognizing it as the proper demeanor for an alchemist.

Pill refinement demanded unwavering focus, where even the slightest distraction could result in failure and wasted effort.

Su Ling's current state of absolute concentration was the epitome of an alchemist's discipline, singularly devoted to the craft of pill-making.

"Light the fire!" Su Ling commanded, entering his zone of intense focus—a skill honed in his past life as an alchemist.

Elder Leng positioned himself before the Pill Furnace and extended his right hand, summoning a wisp of Mystical Qi at his fingertips.

With a resonant "Boom!" the Qi ignited into a robust flame beneath the furnace, turning the metal from a steely blue to a molten red.

"Add the Chaos Grass, Jade Spirit Root, Sky Mountain Flower, and Dew to the Pill Furnace in sequence. Keep a vigilant eye on the temperature; it must remain stable without any fluctuations," Su Ling instructed, his voice carrying an authoritative weight. He was acutely aware that many alchemists often overlooked the critical detail of maintaining the furnace's heat during ingredient addition, resulting in subpar pill quality.

As a Peak of Ninth Grade Alchemist in his previous life, Su Ling had faced numerous setbacks in pill refinement and was intimately familiar with the common errors made by less experienced alchemists.

If an alchemist can't even manage something as basic as controlling the temperature of their Pill Furnace, then crafting top-tier pills is simply out of the question.

"Thank you, Mr. Wu Chen, for your advice."

Elder Leng experienced an epiphany following Su Ling's instruction. The issue of Pill Furnace temperature control had never crossed his mind before. He had been leaving it to chance, hoping the temperature would remain stable. Now, he realized why his attempts at pill refinement had so often ended in failure.

"Keep your focus!"

Su Ling's irritation was evident as he noticed Elder Leng's lapse in concentration, prompting him to command in a stern tone.