Spiritual Power gathered, then burst forth.
In just a short while, the medicinal liquid inside the alchemy furnace began to boil.
Next, Qin Yu started to condense his spiritual power.
Thirty threads woven into a net, densely layered like a sieve; each sweeping pass carried out a layer of fine impurities, the impurities in the medicinal liquid decreasing at a rate visible to the naked eye.
Qin Yu was wholly focused, his spiritual power shaped into a net like probing tentacles, finally allowing him to clearly sense impurities that had previously eluded him.
These impurities were extremely minute, remnants left in the medicinal liquid when refining the herbs.
If likened to gold panning, they were like fine sand sifted through the mesh.
The more impurities there were, the less effective the medicinal liquid became, and the slower it would take effect.
Even when the medicinal liquid was condensed into a pill, excess impurities would lower the success rate of pill formation.
Therefore, they had to be eliminated.
Qin Yu sifted again and again; the impurities in the medicinal liquid became ever fewer, yet he knew he was still short by just a bit.
Moreover, the impurities did not stay still in the liquid, but moved like mayflies in water, rolling along with every swirl and stir.
"This won't do!"
"The net woven with thirty threads still has gaps; I must add a few more to block the interlaced spaces!"
Qin Yu sensed this in his heart.
He had to condense a few more!
But he did not act immediately; instead, he steadied the pressure he was under, then slowly squeezed out extra strength.
This process was extremely cautious, like a juggler stacking bowls—those final few bowls do not fall easily, but each one adds difficulty atop the dozens below, sometimes needing half a day before settling in place.
Yin Qinghe saw this scene and only then realized her palm had unwittingly clenched tight.
She was actually a bit nervous.
This disciple, though his private life was somewhat... indulgent,
still possessed incredible talent.
In mere moments, he had already reached this step.
"Li'Er."
She lowered her voice, beckoning to Zhao Mengli.
In the future, Zhao Mengli would reach this stage as well; it was a perfect time to observe and learn from Qin Yu's experience.
Zhao Mengli moved closer, her bare jade feet padding softly.
"Mother, is junior brother about to purify Second Grade medicinal liquid?"
Zhao Mengli felt ever more that her title as senior sister was only that—title, nothing more.
It had only been a day, not a year, yet Qin Yu's progress was so startling it rendered him almost a stranger!
"Don't speak, watch carefully!"
Under the gaze of the two, several fine threads gradually emerged from Qin Yu's original thirty strands of spiritual power net.
The fine threads swayed like water grass in a stream, seeming as if they could snap at any moment, just like the taut heartstrings of Yin Qinghe and her daughter.
Those four thin threads needed to deftly pass through the pre-existing net and gently cover gaps as small as needle eyes.
Zhao Mengli's bright eyes widened; being well-versed in this, she knew all too well how difficult this was!
She hadn't expected Qin Yu to dare directly split off five additional threads of spiritual power!
And for her, producing just one more thread required months of practice and accumulating experience!
Moreover, Qin Yu wasn't reckless; on the contrary, he maintained the caution and meticulousness proper in alchemy throughout.
This could only be said—Qin Yu's skill was so high, he was bold!
Of course, there was also the meteoric progress of a novice!
When those five strands fused completely into the net, and became one, Qin Yu suddenly tightened it.
Swoosh!
Like a clever sailor pulling in a net after catching a big fish, or a master craftsman adding that final, golden touch!
A divine net—vast but with no leaks!
Few impurities were caught, so small they seemed scattered sand, yet they made the once-murky medicinal liquid visibly much clearer!
"It's a success!"
In that moment, Qin Yu murmured, the tension and slight fatigue in his eyes replaced by joy.
Even Yin Qinghe now showed her shock openly.
As for Zhao Mengli, she was so excited she clutched her mother's clothes, exclaiming aloud, "Mother! Junior brother purifies Second Grade medicinal liquid!"
"Mm, I know."
Yin Qinghe struggled to appear composed, but there was a trace of tremor in her tone.
"Madam Master."
"Senior Sister!"
Qin Yu, though delighted, knew his manners; after settling the medicinal liquid, he bowed to Yin Qinghe, expressing gratitude for her teaching.
"Junior brother, you're amazing!" Zhao Mengli came closer, her eyes gleaming as she looked at him.
So fragrant!
A beautiful maiden gazed at him with a hint of admiration—Qin Yu couldn't help but feel a bit elated, but he said, "It's all thanks to Madam Master and Senior Sister!"
"Without Madam Master's teachings and Senior Sister's guidance, I couldn't even grasp the most basic techniques…"
It was indeed true.
And it made Yin Qinghe very pleased.
Knowing gratitude was a good thing.
Her little bit of dissatisfaction also slowly faded.
She would forgive him once more.
The first day was to celebrate moving house.
The second day, he'd bought supplements to restore so-called masculine dignity.
She refused to believe this exceptionally talented disciple would be lost in those matters day and night.
"Don't be arrogant or impatient—remember to be diligent!"
Appreciation overflowed from Yin Qinghe's peach-blossom eyes so much she didn't notice her loose robe had been tugged by her daughter into bunches of wrinkles, much cloth clinging to her curves, unable to fall free.
"Yes!"
Qin Yu answered respectfully, but only when he looked up did he notice Madam Master... was slightly disheveled.
This made the fruits at her chest especially conspicuous.
Hiss!
It wasn't that Qin Yu preferred big ones…
Madam Master was naturally beautiful, with all the charm in every movement. Paired with her alluring figure, it was truly hard not to steal a few glances.
For some reason, Qin Yu thought of those few flame points Madam Master had provided.
He still wasn't sure if anyone could provide flame points, since he hadn't experimented yet.
But for now, those able to provide flame points included his lovely wife Lin Qianqian, and the Madam Master Yin Qinghe before him.
It was odd.
He hadn't seen his master.
Could it be Madam Master herself…
The thought flashed and Qin Yu nearly lost composure; he could hardly imagine what scenario that might be.
A serious Madam Master, but nighttime she…
Fortunately, Madam Master had no idea what he was thinking, still sighing how he was a bright pearl covered in dust.
Qin Yu had said he'd approached various herb shops seeking a master, including Danxin Herb Hall.
Who knows who rejected him back then…
If the herb hall folk had seen his value and at least taken him as a helper apprentice,
her husband was still alive then, and had Qin Yu had guidance a few years earlier, now…
Perhaps his spiritual power could be on another level!
Entering high tier.
She didn't dare think this of others, but Qin Yu just might!
And if so, Danxin Herb Hall wouldn't be teetering as it was now.
Maybe Qin Yu and Li'Er would've been matched up long ago…
Fate plays tricks.
Yin Qinghe's face tinged with sorrow, she sighed softly in her heart.