When Pef finished explaining his plans, the old Cauldron couldn't help but laugh. 'You did get smarter in this life, young Soldier. It will probably work as well...unless the Taotie decides to fight to the death, in which case you cannot win. Nobody can overpower the Taotie in this Realm...'

Pef sighed. 'I understand perfectly well, Ancient Cauldron. But even then, I still have a way. The Mausoleum itself.'

'And I thought you were wiser...the Seven Colored Pagoda was crafted to contain the Taotie. It may even be in contact with the Heavens, in the event the Taotie escapes again.' the Cauldron answered in a disappointed voice.

'And here you are wrong. It was adapted to imprison the Taotie, but it was not its original purpose. I suspect it was originally a private garden for enlightenment, or some type of Divine Sect trial grounds, maybe both. That's how the Jade Emperor became that strong, and that fast. And that's how he crafted the Heart Dividing Ruler and the Destiny Fan. He found something.' Pef concluded in a certain voice.

The old old Cauldron did not reply for minutes, possibly considering Pef's words and their consequences.

'Then, it would be worth to try. If you can find a scrap of knowledge from above, True Alchemy or even...anything really. However, it will be terminally dangerous as well. Such knowledge, it will be guarded jealously. Only do what your glove tells you to do...' the Cauldron said in a whisper.

After saying that, the Cauldron became much smaller and lighter, and simply flew into Pef's pocket, to be carried.

Meanwhile, inside Pef's inner world Lord Rejin was teaching Pef's Avatars about Alchemy, spreading his attention thousands of ways in small temporal accelerated rooms.

Everything from basic alchemical theory to practical lessons in pill making, managing the immortal flame or medicinal uses for reagents or herbs.

In less than a day outside, and years of accelerated time, Pef's understanding of Alchemy climbed rapidly until it stabilized around 10 percent.

"You can now be considered an Alchemy Master, Lord Pef. If the Purple Cauldron still existed, you could even wear an Alchemist Insignia." Rejin pronounced while tapping his purple jade emblem.

"So I can make Ascension Pills already?" Pef asked a bit curious.

"Up to Saint Realm, for now. And you will need to make millions of them, before you can risk going further." The Tier 8 Alchemist answered in a serene voice.

"Practice, I get it. Just like the sword." Pef said in a wiser voice, proving he was indeed somewhat wiser now.

"Well? Get on with it! Use these Avatars of yours, until you start creating your other selves. It will go much easier then." Rejin demanded while spreading out thousands of adamantium-grade cauldrons, crude but effective tools for refining low grade pills.

Icefire split itself into multiple flames as well, and a happy pill-crafting camp began, punctuated randomly with explosions, flash fires and toxic fumes ruining the experience.

Alchemy was hard. Really hard.

A single Avatar remained beside Rejin, and started brewing a new batch of Godwine, leaving the Alchemist speechless with its purity and quality.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Good wine, right?" Pef hummed happily as he sipped his wine. Dao insights were always precious, but this time the wine was granting a dozen insights at once. Pef never felt prouder for learning how to brew wine.

Rejin just nodded. "This is the best wine in the universe!" he exclaimed after a long discerning pause.

"And for a single jug of this Divine Wine, I only need a batch of Universe Pills. Unless you don't want it?" Pef asked wryly.

"... You know I will, Lord Pef. I will sell my self-made wine to provide the funds for the reagents. But you still need to provide the Tribulation." the Alchemist explained in a practical voice.

"I still can't match the Silent Monk's Tribulation, merely a few percents of it." Pef said in a careless voice.

Rejin stopped drinking his wine, as he measured Pef once more to be sure it wasn't a joke. "Your Skill Tribulations are stronger than my Ascension ones?" he asked in disbelief.

Pef shrugged and sipped his wine. "The Cutting Skill is much stronger in this life. I can kill Tier 8s with it now. Only the first two Stars though." he concluded in a calm voice, although he was under-valuing himself. The Dimensional strike of the Heart Ruler could kill even 4 Star Tier 8s now. Or so the glove said.

"I'm in my first Star!" Rejin shouted in dismay. Also true, it hasn't been two decades since he Ascended into Xian Realm. Gaining more Stars in his exalted Realm could take entire Chaos Cycles if he was going at his normal pace.

"Yes, you're pretty weak. But don't worry, you're under my protection now, Lord Rejin." the blonde teenager assured the Alchemist, and patted his shoulder in encouragement.

"Damn it! No wonder nobody in my realm takes me serious. Pretty weak, you say?" Rejin asked in a lower tone.

"Weaker than the General and Hualitep, for sure. Possibly as strong as the Serghoul, although he has other advantages." Pef answered in a serious voice.

"Yes...I heard of his past attempts to breach into the Gap. Failed rather miserably." Rejin muttered with a scowl.

"Still, you're stronger than that White Tiger. So that's something at least." Pef consoled the man and poured him more Divine Wine.

"...I'm stronger than a dead cat who barely reincarnated." Rejin muttered in his wine.

"Yes, I was meaning to ask about that. How does that work? If you were to die now, you'd keep a spirit body and wander around, at Tier 8?" Pef asked curious.

"Pretty much, yes. Until I reincarnate, and then follow my new body around. Only after reaching Dian Realm can you integrate into your new body. But it is not free walking around. You need a host to carry you, usually by being bound to an artifact." The Alchemist explained with a shrug. It was far better than dying in the Dian Realm, and having to Ascend once more without most memories.

"So, you're all Liches at that point. And here I thought the Serghoul was something better." Pef mused to himself.

"He is better, Lord Pef. Nobody else can replicate his feat, and separate the souls from the body for safekeeping. I also heard from him not long ago, he asked for my help...but I sent him to you instead. I guess you managed to help him?" Rejin said in a curious tone.

"Yep. Took me a few hours." Pef answered truthfully.