C22 The Importance of Resources

"Take a brief break, but don't get ahead of yourself. We've only completed one Highest Grade Soul Pill so far. There are still eight more that you'll need to refine."

Su Ling breathed a sigh of relief after successfully crafting a Highest Grade Soul Pill, but he was aware of the daunting challenge ahead and cautioned Elder Leng not to let his guard down.

"I understand, Mr. Wu Chen!"

In that moment, Elder Leng's respect for Su Ling solidified, and he quickly acknowledged the instruction.

Su Ling's Soul Force might have just reached the first grade, but his grasp of pill refinement was enigmatic.

Lin Ling'er and Lan Yun had been observing the process from the start. They had clearly seen Elder Leng's earlier failure and were puzzled by the outcome, especially since the books on pill refinement did indeed mention the need for five parts essence of a certain herb.

They had initially thought Su Ling's guidance was misguided, but the final result was nothing short of astonishing.

"Mr. Wu Chen, how have you achieved such a profound understanding of pill refinement?"

Lin Ling'er's voice quivered with shock, her eyes wide with intense curiosity as she gazed at Su Ling.

Su Ling glanced at her nonchalantly and replied, "I've often observed my master refining pills. His insight into the craft is even more profound. I've merely picked up a few techniques from him."

"What?!"

Su Ling's offhand remark left Lin Ling'er, Lan Yun, and Elder Leng in a state of amazement.

"Don't be so surprised. My master is a Peak Ninth Grade alchemist. I'll introduce you to him when the opportunity arises."

Having decided to fabricate a fictitious master, Su Ling was determined to make his story convincing.

"Mr. Wu Chen, will we truly have the chance to meet your master?"

Elder Leng, now in his sixties, was only a third-grade alchemist. He had never even encountered an eighth-grade alchemist like Luo Hee, let alone one at the Peak of Ninth Grade.

"Absolutely!"

Su Ling nodded affirmatively and added, "But before that, we should focus on refining the remaining eight Spirit Soul Pills."

"Alright!"

Elder Leng's blood surged with excitement at the thought of witnessing the prowess of a Peak Ninth Grade alchemist, and he eagerly ignited the furnace.

"Concentrate."

Entering the zone for pill refinement, Su Ling's demeanor turned stern, and he commanded in a deep tone.

Upon hearing Su Ling's admonishment, Elder Leng's face tensed, his expression grave as he precisely manipulated the Mystical Qi to keep the Pill Furnace's temperature constant. He then enveloped the furnace with Third Grade Soul Force and methodically tossed the herbs into the Pill Furnace in the predetermined sequence.

Having successfully crafted the Spirit Soul Pill before, Elder Leng was well-versed in the procedure.

In no time, Elder Leng had distilled the herbs into their essences, retaining just a third of the Red Illusion Grass essence. The critical phase of pill condensation was next.

"I'm still uncertain about the exact moment for condensation."

Elder Leng had a sudden realization. Though he knew the steps for crafting the Spirit Soul Pill by heart, he had yet to master the precise timing for its condensation.

For an alchemist, mastering the pill condensation timing is as crucial as remembering the refinement steps.

Condensing the pill too early could result in imperfections, while tardiness could compromise the pill's quality.

Distracted, Elder Leng was jolted back to focus by a sharp command.

"Condense the core!"

Su Ling's voice resonated with authority.

Despite the distraction, Elder Leng's reflexes responded to Su Ling's directive. At the call to 'Condense the core,' he swiftly merged the essences within the Pill Furnace into a single blood-red pill.

Elder Leng then slapped the Pill Furnace, and with a swift "whoosh," a demonic red pill burst forth, landing squarely in his palm.

"This scent... Could it be...?"

Elder Leng had entertained the possibility of refining another Highest Grade Soul Pill, but he knew such an achievement was a rare stroke of fortune. They had already produced one Highest Grade Soul Pill, and creating a superior Spirit Soul Pill would have been commendable.

Yet, when Elder Leng unfurled his hand and clearly saw the Spirit Soul Pill resting there, he was utterly dumbfounded.

"Another Highest Grade Soul Pill!" Elder Leng exclaimed, barely able to contain his thrill.

"If you adhere strictly to my instructions during the pill refining process, you're guaranteed to produce a top-grade pill."

Su Ling chuckled to himself, thinking, "Back in my past life, I was a Peak of Ninth Grade alchemist. Guiding a third-grade alchemist with my skills is a walk in the park. And even if there were fifth or sixth-grade alchemists here, I could still offer them some advice."

Indeed, Su Ling wasn't boasting. In his former life, he was among the most formidable alchemists across the Nine Heavens and Ten Realms. Though his Soul Force had dissipated, his memories—and thus his mastery of alchemy—remained intact.

With his expertise as a Peak of Ninth Grade alchemist, wasn't he more than qualified to mentor a lower-grade practitioner?

In his previous life, numerous scions of great families yearned to study under Su Ling and call him master.

"Just two Highest Grade Soul Pills? That's not enough! Nowhere near enough! To elevate my Soul Force to the second grade, I need eight of these pills."

Despite successfully creating two Highest Grade Soul Pills, Su Ling was not particularly overjoyed. If his current Soul Force weren't so weak, he would have personally crafted ten. Now, Elder Leng's initial failure in pill-making had squandered an opportunity. While Su Ling didn't fault Elder Leng, he grieved over the wasted Profound Crystals. Those medicinal ingredients had been purchased with the precious crystals, and each failure meant a loss of his investment.

As a Cultivating Warrior at the Sixth Level of Body Refinement Stage and an alchemist whose Soul Force had just reached the first grade, Su Ling understood all too well the significance of Profound Crystals. Whether for martial arts or alchemy, the cultivation process was incredibly demanding of resources—a stark reason why the impoverished could not produce powerhouses.

Many grand sects would pour their most valuable resources into nurturing a single prodigy, hoping to cultivate a true paragon.

Just like the Holy School within Danwu Academy, to this day, there have only ever been three disciples.

Founded a millennium ago, Danwu Academy boasts a profound heritage. Yet, the academy's resources are only sufficient to cultivate three heaven's chosen talents. This starkly illustrates the sheer extravagance involved in nurturing such prodigies.

"Lu Xueyao and I are both just sixteen, yet she possesses a fourth-grade Soul Force and has attained the Martial Essence Stage. With such an unparalleled talent, her potential is boundless. It's no surprise she gained admission to the Holy School at Danwu Academy."

The thought of Danwu Academy's Holy School brought Su Ling's mind to Lu Xueyao. Despite the absence of any romantic feelings, she was once his betrothed, and he felt a certain obligation to look out for her.