Desolate Devouring Art

There was nothing unusual in the preliminary stages. The key lay in condensing and forming the pills. Time was limited, and no one could control ten cauldrons at once.

“Master Mao, can we possibly produce 5,000 pills from fewer than 20,000 herbs?” Sang Yan inquired, her face etched with worry. Theoretically, if one could maintain a perfect success rate, there would be a 90% likelihood of producing 5,000 pills.

However, even Master Mao could only guarantee an 80% success rate, leading to a daily occurrence of failed pills. Typically, each cauldron would yield between ten to fifteen pills, with the quality left to chance. In the most favorable circumstances, fifteen high-quality pills would be produced. But in less ideal situations, only ten high-quality pills would be made, with the remainder being of inferior quality.

In the worst-case scenarios, half of the fifteen pills would be spoiled and would have to be thrown away. As a result, the Treasure Pill Pavilion discarded a vast number of pills each year.

Elder Wen was attempting to put Liu Wuxie in a difficult position by misrepresenting the value of the herbs, leaving even Master Mao uninformed. These herbs were priced at 20,000 spirit stones, assuming a 100% success rate, a feat that was realistically unattainable.

The data could only serve as a guideline, as there would inevitably be a discrepancy with the actual results. If Liu Wuxie could produce 2,000 pills, it would suffice to compensate for the value of the herbs. However, nobody was aware that Liu Wuxie intended to refine 7,000 pills with these herbs, a revelation that would likely drive them to madness if they found out.

It was no wonder Geng Ye was so confident in challenging Liu Wuxie. In everyone’s eyes, no one could refine 5,000 pills with these herbs.

Most importantly, Liu Wuxie had to refine pills in multiple cauldrons simultaneously, and Geng Ye thought that he would win this bet no matter what.

The herbs that Liu Wuxie had selected were originally purchased by the Treasure Pill Pavilion for less than 3,000 spirit stones. However, Elder Wen had inaccurately assigned them a value of 20,000 spirit stones, which was significantly higher than their actual cost.

This was all part of a scheme. They had likely conspired with Elder Wen to reveal the events that had occurred in the warehouse while Liu Wuxie was busy inspecting the cauldrons. This was why Geng Ye had appeared so confident about the bet. After all, the stakes were high—the loser would have to renounce their status as an alchemist for life.

“It will be tough, but I believe in him,” Master Mao said after briefly pondering and expressing his viewpoint. After all, Liu Wuxie was very mysterious; he could even recognize the Dragon Whisker Grass at first glance.

Since the matter had progressed, they could only hope for a miracle. If it came to holding Elder Wen accountable for overpricing, had calculated the value based on a hundred percent success rate, and there was nothing inherently wrong with that.

As for the accusations of Geng Ye intentionally stirring up trouble; his words held merit because if Liu Wuxie aspired to become the chief alchemist, it was only natural that he had to prove his alchemy skills.

Regardless of his decision, Liu Wuxie had to surmount this obstacle. After all, Master Mao had faced similar skepticism when he was the chief alchemist. Since Liu Wuxie had taken over the position of Master Mao, it was only natural that he had to convince all the present alchemists of his abilities.

As they conversed, herbs were tossed into the ten cauldrons. Liu Wuxie performed the Seven Dipper Steps because the Nine Heavenly Crane Dance wasn’t suitable for pill refining. He left behind afterimages, and no one could keep pace with him. Multiple seals were stamped onto the ground, appearing systematic despite the apparent chaos.

When Mu Yueying came out of her cultivation chamber, a maid poured her a cup of tea. As she sipped tea, she asked, “What is Young Master Liu doing now?”

“Young Master Liu made a bet with Geng Ye. Whoever loses would have to leave the Treasure Pill Pavilion.” The maid dared not hide anything from Mu Yueying and shared everything that had happened. After all, this incident had spread throughout the Treasure Pill Pavilion.

Due to the recent downturn in the Treasure Pill Pavilion’s business, a crowd had gathered around the alchemy chamber. The rest of the Pavilion’s staff could only wait outside for the outcome.

Mu Yueying’s brow furrowed, a flash of anger crossing her eyes. She had personally appointed Liu Wuxie as the chief alchemist, and now, someone dared to challenge her decision.

Upon grasping the situation, Mu Yueying rose and made her way to the alchemy chamber. The incident was utterly despicable, particularly Elder Wen’s deliberate overpricing of the herbs to pressure Liu Wuxie.

How could she not be aware that Liu Wuxie’s intention to refine such a large number of pills was because he didn’t want to owe anything to the Treasure Pill Pavilion and thereby maintain a certain distance in their relationship?

She had invested considerable effort to bring on board a top-tier alchemist like Liu Wuxie, only for it all to be sabotaged by Geng Ye. This hardened her resolve to deal with them. She had hoped for Liu Wuxie to be as indebted to the Treasure Pill Pavilion as possible, but they had thwarted her plan.

Others didn’t know, but she knew what a top-tiered alchemist meant in the cultivating world. It had been long since the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion had a top-tiered alchemist, and Liu Wuxie’s appearance gave her hope. She even wanted to send him to the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion immediately because such a talented individual would be wasted in the Great Yan Dynasty. Only the cultivating world could fully excavate his potential.

When Mu Yueying rushed to the alchemy chamber, Liu Wuxie’s first batch of pills had already reached the condensing stage, and she stood by the side with a cold expression.

This caused Geng Ye and the others to smirk, as they believed that Liu Wuxie would be ousted from the Treasure Pill Pavilion by the end of the day.

“How is he going to manage condensing pills using ten cauldrons simultaneously?” Sheng Lian anxiously scratched his head, wishing he could lend a hand to Liu Wuxie. As a three-star alchemist, he stood to gain a lot from observing a four-star alchemist refine pills.

Everyone was looking eagerly, including Mu Yueying. She quietly stood by the side to avoid disrupting Liu Wuxie.

“Look, what is he trying to do?!” The temperature in the alchemy chamber increased as a fireball appeared in Liu Wuxie’s hands. That wasn’t an earthly flame but a spiritual flame.

“Indeed, that’s a spiritual flame!” Master Mao and everyone else were taken aback as Liu Wuxie had managed to grasp the Fire Spiritual Bead and understand the fire attribute. They were perhaps on the verge of witnessing a miracle.

Earthly flame only had an eighty percent chance of success, but the success rate would increase with spiritual flame.

Liu Wuxie formed profound seals and injected them into the fireball, causing it to expand until it was about the size of a water barrel.

Many people’s sweat evaporated under the intense heat, and Mu Yueying’s eyes shone with amazement. She even forgot about the bet between Liu Wuxie and Geng Ye.

To become a powerful alchemist, the alchemy skill was only one factor because it only meant you had enough theoretical knowledge. But even with vast knowledge, it was impossible to refine high-grade pills without powerful flame. Without powerful flame, becoming a four-star alchemist was the limit.

Alchemy skills were like the boat, and flame was the oar. This meant that both were required to make the ship sail.

Not only did Liu Wuxie possess extraordinary alchemy skills, but he also possessed a powerful flame that could make countless people envious of him. Even Master Mao revealed a hint of envy when he saw this scene.

In his youth, Master Mao had cultivated a fire-attribute technique, awakening the pill flame. However, it paled in comparison to the spiritual flame. The spiritual flame had the potential to continually grow as one’s cultivation level increased, while Master Mao’s potential had reached its limit.

Geng Ye’s expression turned grim, as he hadn’t anticipated that Liu Wuxie would master the spiritual flame. This detail had been omitted when he had gathered information on Liu Wuxie.

Everyone’s expression varied, with some being jealous. They couldn’t believe that Liu Wuxie had found a treasure like the Fire Spiritual Bead at such a young age.

All eyes were on the fireball floating in the air. After absorbing sufficient seals, the fireball split into ten and darted towards the ten cauldrons. The ensuing events not only stunned everyone present but also left Mu Yueying, who covered her mouth in shock, as even she hadn’t witnessed such an extraordinary refining technique before.

Coming from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, there were few in the Great Yan Dynasty whom she respected, aside from Master Mao. This was the first time she had looked at Liu Wuxie’s alchemy skills with such surprise on her face. It was as if she had discovered a treasure, bringing a radiant smile to her face.

After the ten fireballs flew to the ten cauldrons, they began taking the form of a palm, looking like real hands refining pills.

“Manifesting true essence! Is he really in the Spirit Cleansing Realm?” Everyone was dumbfounded because manifesting true essence could only be achieved after reaching the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

Liu Wuxie was only in the Spirit Cleansing Realm, but he could manifest his true essence, not to mention that the hands looked so vivid. Even someone in the high levels of the Marrow Cleansing Realm might be unable to achieve what he did, which made Master Mao smile bitterly.

The flames manifested Liu Wuxie’s true essence, containing his will as they controlled the ten cauldrons. With the Ghost Eye’s ability to see through everything, Liu Wuxie could perceive everything in his sight.

Upon reaching the sixth level of the Spirit Cleansing Realm, Liu Wuxie’s soul sea was on par with the pinnacle of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, possessing a purity of soul energy that even left him in awe. His potent soul energy was divided into ten wills, each corresponding to a cauldron that exuded a rich aroma.

What was truly terrifying was that the ten cauldrons were not refining the same type of pill, but five different kinds. This revelation further shocked everyone present.

Gao Hong nearly went down on his knees to kowtow to Liu Wuxie. He had completely forgotten his age, and this seemingly insignificant youth had far exceeded everyone present.

As the condensing stage concluded, the process swiftly transitioned into the forming stage. The sounds of pills colliding resonated within the chamber. Yet, no one uttered a word, choosing instead to observe in silence.

Geng Ye’s expression became progressively more severe as he realized that Liu Wuxie was likely to succeed, given his current pace.

He will fail for sure! A person’s true essence is limited, and he can’t possibly last for an entire day and night. Geng Ye could only console himself with this thought, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.

The first cauldron opened in less than fifteen minutes, and the speed far exceeded Mu Yueying's. This was thanks to spiritual flame because the powerful flame and spirituality sped up the forming process.

As the flame on the first cauldron died out, Liu Wuxie didn’t rush to open it, choosing instead to wait until the flames on all ten cauldrons had extinguished.

Everyone was still in shock and couldn’t calm themselves down as the alchemy chamber fell silent. This was because Liu Wuxie had succeeded with all ten cauldrons. Even if he couldn’t refine 5,000 pills in a day, this was enough for him to be recorded in history.

Such abilities were godlike. Multitasking wasn’t difficult, but was Liu Wuxie not akin to a god to be able to split his mind into ten?

When everyone regained their composure, their faces reflected a mix of anticipation and anxiety, all of which Liu Wuxie took in.

“I’ll have to trouble the three alchemists to retrieve the pills for me.” Liu Wuxie didn’t want to waste time and left collecting pills to Sang Yan’s group of three.

The trio quickly fetched a porcelain bottle from the alchemy chamber and hurried towards the cauldrons.

Master Mao, filled with envy, also wished to approach, but his status held him back, leaving him no choice but to stand aside and await the outcome.

Several alchemists noticed Mu Yueying’s arrival, and they quickly went up to bow to her as a greeting.

When the cauldrons were opened, a potent fragrance permeated the air, sending everyone present into a state of euphoria.

“Excellent pills!” Sang Yan roared in excitement.

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