As Meng Lin settled into the comfortable room prepared for her, she took the time to look through her system menu.
[Meng Lin]
[Soul Wandering Stage (Middle)]
[Experience Points: 10%]
System Coin: 1080
Immortal Jade: 3
Taoist Gacha Wheel: Unavailable
Spiritual Roots: [Water > Fire > Gold > Wood > Earth]
Variant Elemental Qi: [Mud] [Erosion] [Water] [Darkness] [Fire] [Gold 20%]
[Heavenly Dao]
[Death]
[Comprehension 0.06%]
Main Cultivation Method: [Elemental Qi Convergence Method]
Side Cultivation Methods: [Basic Qi Gathering] [Formless Cultivation Method] [Brute Vortex Cultivation Method] [Black Tortoise Essence Art, 5th Layer] [Imperial Water Art]
Techniques: [Celestial Moonlit Sword Art] [Hundred Unity Techniques] [Wrath of Thunder] [Physique Cleansing Sutra] [Vital Essence Exchange]
Secret Techniques: [Stellar Soul Shield]
Skills: [Immortal Flesh]
Ancient Spirit Seal: Crimson Tortoise Dragon
[Market] [Blacksmith] [Alchemy] [Daily Mission]
Meng Lin studied the screen, her gaze focusing on her alchemy section, quickly bringing up the panel for it.
[Alchemy (Expert) 1%]
Pill Slot: None
Ingredients: None
Chance of Success: 25%
She held a small smile as she gazed at the alchemy panel; after successfully refining two Spirit Rejuvenation Pills, she had not tried to create anything else, thus her percentage remained at 1.
She closed her system menu and felt a flicker of anticipation. This was an opportunity to elevate her alchemy skills, and she was determined to make the most of it.
The Core Restoration Pill, much simpler than the Spirit Rejuvenation Pill, was still a rank four pill. It required precision and patience. She knew the City Lord, Yue Lan, would be cautious, likely providing several sets of ingredients to ensure success.
For Meng Lin, these extra resources would mean more proficiency and a higher chance of success—each attempt increasing her chance of success and also boosting her overall proficiency.
She had the High Tier Rootless Flame, which increased her chance of success even more, so she felt confident that she could steadily refine her skills with each attempt.
And once she got her hands on the ingredients for the Spirit Rejuvenation Pills, she wouldn't have to worry about a low chance of success because, by then, her alchemy proficiency would be much higher, allowing her to make even more pills.
Meng Lin quickly inserted the Core Restoration Pill into the pill slot of her Alchemy panel, wanting to see the ingredients of the pill.
Her thoughts, however, were briefly interrupted by Xi Lin and Xi Lan, who approached, curiosity dancing in their eyes. "Miss," Xi Lin started hesitantly, "when did you reach Rank 4 in alchemy?"
Meng Lin offered them a faint smile, evading a deep explanation. “It’s nothing special,” she replied casually while turning away from them “When I left before to go to a secret realm, I met a master at the Ensoulment Realm who the inheritance of a master alchemist. That's how I quickly advanced in Alchemy."
Meng Lin’s nonchalance about meeting an Ensoulment Realm cultivators as well as a master alchemist’s inheritance piqued their interest slightly, but they didn't ask further, understanding that Meng Lin didn't want to talk about it.
De Sijie, at the side, wore a frown that deepened as she listened, her arms crossed, a hint of skepticism in her eyes. She wasn’t one to accept things at face value, especially when it came to Meng Lin, whose abilities always seemed to defy the usual norms.
Her own Crimson Flame Art was comparable to the core cultivation manuals of rank 4 or 5 sects, yet a casual manual given out by Meng Lin was of a similar grade.
However, being an alchemist herself, the idea of Meng Lin receiving such advanced alchemy knowledge with relative ease left a bitter taste in her mouth, if only she was that lucky.
Meng Lin noticed De Sijie's expression but remained unbothered. She returned her attention to the Alchemy panel, selecting the Core Restoration Pill and focusing on the ingredient list.
As the panel displayed each component, she noted them carefully, mentally preparing herself for the process. The Core Restoration Pill required a few standard medicinal herbs, though it also needed rare ones with precise energy properties.
She mused that with her High Tier Rootless Flame, she’d have greater control over the refinement process, especially with a pill that depended on flame control.
***
Later that evening, a maid came to the room, holding an ornate box containing rare herb descriptions and a small slip of paper containing the refining process of multiple Rank 4 alchemy, as well as the Core Restoration Pill.
Meng Lin recognized several sets of ingredients that she had seen on the alchemy panel, and her thoughts became assured.
More importantly, her eyes shined with glee as she quickly began reading several of the jade slips, understanding how rare it was to get ones hand on such knowledge.
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She had been slightly worried about the alchemy panel, but with this, her confidence grew and she knew her alchemy chance of success had suddenly increased by a large margin.
Looking at the several jade slips, she wanted to immediately go and visit Yue Lan and ask her if she has anything just like the jade slips.
However, having not known Yue Lan for too long, Meng Lin maintained a certain amount of caution regarding the fact that she was dealing with a cultivator in the same realm as herself.
The next moment, Meng Lin, accompanied by the three girls and the maid, headed to the alchemy chamber provided in the mansion. The room was lined with shelves of tools and components and some luminescent stones to light the room up.
As Meng Lin arrived at the alchemy chamber, her gaze met Yue Lan, who stood patiently near the entrance.
Yue Lan acknowledged her presence with a slight nod and gestured toward a nearby table covered with various sets of rare herbs and spiritual plants. Meng Lin’s eyes flicked over the ingredients, confirming that Yue Lan had indeed prepared multiple sets, likely anticipating the challenging refinement process.
Yue Lan spoke calmly, “I’ve provided six complete sets of ingredients, just in case. As a Rank 4 pill, the Core Restoration Pill is no simple task—success rates for alchemists at this level tend to hover between twenty and forty percent.”
Meng Lin nodded, her expression steady. “Thank you, City Lord Yue. I’ll surely be able to create one or two pills from this. Please ask everyone to wait outside—I don’t wish to be disturbed.”
Yue Lan raised an eyebrow, seeming slightly surprised by Meng Lin’s last sentence, but she respected her request, gesturing to her maid, Xi Lin, Xi Lan, and De Sijie, who all followed her out.
As the door shut, Meng Lin was left alone in the quiet, spacious room, surrounded by the array of rare herbs and the luminescent stones.
She took a deep breath, centering herself as she opened her system menu and confirmed the Core Restoration Pill in the alchemy panel. With her High Tier Rootless Flame, she knew her chances were slightly higher than usual, though still challenging.
She looked towards the door, and after contemplating, she tossed out a small sealed scroll, quickly employing the Soul Confusing Array, which came in the form of a white fog that covered the walls of the room.
Meng Lin was quite pleased with the item, for it had accompanied her even more than Purple; its ability to confuse the soul came in handy, though it was about to outlive its usefulness.
[Alchemy (Expert) 1%]
Pill Slot: Core Restoration Pill
Ingredients: Moonlight Dew x2, Blood Jade Ginseng x1, Voidshade Herb x2, SoulBind Herb x4
Chance of Success: 60%.
From 25 percent all the way to 60 percent. Meng Lin marveled at the few jade slips that were given to her by the maid.
Just looking over and having an understanding of the jade slips of the previous alchemy refining process for the Core Restoration Pill had already boosted her already slightly better chance to more than double.
"Six sets of ingredients. If I make more pills than needed, I could keep a few for myself. After all, a pill that restores the soul core—it's bound to have its uses beyond this deal.”
Seated down, Meng Lin summoned the small alchemy furnace and began to first burn the ingredients with the Rootless Flame, removing all the impurities, before placing them within the alchemy furnace.
Pressing start, Meng Lin observed the ingredients within the furnace through her spiritual consciousness. A small timer of 30 minutes appeared beside the furnace, the High-Grade Rootless Flame already cutting the time by a considerable margin.
Meng Lin focused intently on the alchemy process, her spiritual consciousness finely tuned to the space within the furnace. As the seconds ticked down, the ingredients began to meld together. The impurities had already been removed by the Rootless Flame, thus no problems arose in the quality; the process however...
****
Outside the alchemy chamber of the manor stood Yue Lan, who occasionally flickered her gaze toward her maid servant as well as Xi Lin, Xi Lan, and De Sijie, who had gathered in a corner, each one silently awaiting the outcome of the alchemy process.
Yue Lan appeared calm, her expression unreadable, but there was concern behind her eyes. She had been watching the door for a while, and although her posture remained poised, a subtle unease lingered within her.
'It has been three hours since Meng Lin began her alchemy refining process...'
Yue Lan thought to herself, her fingers lightly tapping against her sleeve. She had not expected the process to take this long, though she knew that the refinement of a Rank 4 pill was no small feat, especially with the additional complexity of the ingredients.
Her anxiety, however, stemmed not just from the time that had passed, but from the possibility that the young woman inside the chamber might fail. After all, Yue Lan had offered six sets of ingredients, and she might have tried to play it off as more than enough.
She herself knew that six sets was just the bare minimum to make just a single pill, however she couldn't do anything about, those six were all the sets of ingredients that she had left; if she had more, then she would have added to it.
This was also her way of not limiting her bets—if Meng Lin failed, it would be a big loss, but if she succeeded, it could only be advantageous to both parties.
The hum of spiritual energy coming from the alchemy room seemed to intensify as another hour passed, drawing Yue Lan’s focus back to the door.
Suddenly, the door to the alchemy chamber opened with a soft creak, and Yue Lan stood frozen for a moment, holding her breath. Meng Lin stepped out, the fragrant aroma of her past alchemy inside wafting into the air.
Yue Lan’s eyes brightened. "How did it go?"
Meng Lin’s expression remained calm. "Two pills, both for you," she said while raising her hand.
Within it was a small, glowing vial containing two perfectly formed Core Restoration Pills. The rich, ethereal glow of the pills was unmistakable—both were of high quality, the result of Meng Lin’s meticulous control over the alchemical process.
Yue Lan’s eyes widened in genuine surprise, her usual calm demeanor cracking slightly at the sight of the flawless pills. She stepped forward, her fingers trembling slightly as she took the vial from Meng Lin’s hand. The scent of spiritual energy emanating from the pills was potent, a clear indication of their success.
"You… you made two?" Yue Lan’s voice was soft, almost in disbelief. "The success rate is so low, yet you managed to refine two of them?"
Meng Lin’s lips curled slightly in a subtle smile, though her expression remained composed. "I said I’d make one or two, and that’s what I did. Your ingredients were sufficient."
Yue Lan nodded, taking a moment to compose herself before her usual poise returned. "I am impressed. I truly am. You have my gratitude." Her voice carried a sense of respect, but there was also a sharpness in her gaze—something about this young alchemist piqued her interest, beyond mere transactional dealings.
"I’ll ensure the transaction is completed immediately," Yue Lan continued, her tone now warmer, tinged with unspoken appreciation for Meng Lin’s skill.
She quickly took out a small storage bag from her sleeve, which she handed to Meng Lin. "As agreed, the ingredients for the pills you asked for, plus a bonus."
Meng Lin’s gaze flicked toward the storage bag before she accepted it with a nod of acknowledgment.
"Thank you," Meng Lin replied, her voice steady, but a spark of curiosity lit within her. She had expected a straightforward exchange, and she got just that.
Yue Lan observed Meng Lin closely, her sharp eyes never leaving the young alchemist. She felt that Meng Lin was something rare even among higher-ranked alchemists, combined with the aura that Meng Lin emanated.
With a soft smile, Yue Lan gestured toward the door. "Please, if you’d like, we can discuss future matters over tea or dinner. I find that such things are best enjoyed with a more personal exchange."
Meng Lin glanced over her shoulder, seeing Xi Lin, Xi Lan, and De Sijie lingering nearby, waiting for her.
"Perhaps another time," Meng Lin replied, her voice as measured as ever. "For now, I have other matters to attend to."
Yue Lan’s smile remained, though there was a glimmer of understanding behind her eyes. "As you wish. I will leave the invitation open."
Meng Lin nodded once more, then turned on her heel, heading toward her companions. As they walked through the manor’s halls, the sharp gaze of Yue Lan stayed with her for a few more seconds before fading.
Once outside the manor, Meng Lin’s expression softened, and she released a quiet breath. "We have what we came for," she said, looking at Xi Lin and the others. "Let’s head out and buy a few things before leaving. There are still things we need to prepare for."