Chapter 260: Heart Flame Body Refining Pill (Part 3)
The explosion from the failed attempt to refine the fifth tier pill moments earlier had unleashed a force comparable to the full power of a peak Dou Wang. Had the energy been allowed to spread unchecked, the entire alchemy square might have been destroyed.
Yet Xiao Yan had effortlessly extinguished the energy with a simple motion of his hand, reducing the violent surge to nothing.
This feat alone solidified his standing as one of the most powerful among Dou Huang practitioners.
A peak six tier alchemist combined with peak Dou Huang strength Xiao Yan's abilities and influence had reached a level that left no doubt in the minds of the onlookers about his exceptional status.
Ignoring the respectful and awed gazes from those around him, Xiao Yan furrowed his brow, replaying the steps of the failed refinement in his mind.
After half an hour of contemplation, he turned to one of the elders. "Replace the Golden Thread Grass with Golden Line Grass, and swap the Purple Glow Dew with Green Glow Dew."
The elder immediately nodded and hurried to the alchemy hall to fetch the requested ingredients.
When the materials were brought back, Xiao Yan showed no sign of fatigue. He quickly began another attempt, reigniting the seven colored flame as a new round of refinement commenced.
This time, he adjusted the flame's intensity at several critical points and substituted two additional auxiliary ingredients.
Two hours later, another muffled explosion echoed across the alchemy square.
The elders sighed in disappointment. Despite Xiao Yan's adjustments, another failure had occurred.
Each batch of ingredients cost nearly a million gold coins, meaning the two failed attempts had already wasted two million a reminder of the extraordinary expense of the alchemy profession.
For alchemists, earning wealth was quick, but spending it was even faster. Every step in their journey to mastery required mountains of gold.
Unperturbed by the disappointment of others, Xiao Yan's eyes glimmered with determination. Without hesitation, he summoned another batch of ingredients.
Ignoring the pained expressions of the elders, he enveloped the materials in his seven colored flame and began refining again.
This time, just before the final fusion, Xiao Yan retrieved a translucent snake from his spatial ring.
"It's Heart Flame Essence!"
The elders gasped, recognizing the tiny flame snake immediately. Many of them had undergone the body refining process using Heart Flame Essence and were familiar with its unique characteristics.
Under their curious gazes, Xiao Yan carefully extracted a wisp of Heart Flame Essence from the snake and introduced it into the molten mass of medicinal essences.
"Boom!"
The mixture began to bubble violently, emitting gurgling sounds as it underwent a remarkable transformation. Xiao Yan remained calm, using the seven colored flame to encase the chaotic blend within a fire lotus.
Another hour passed, and finally, the lotus, now reduced to the size of a fist, began to unfurl.
As the petals opened, a small, crystalline, water blue pill emerged, spinning slowly within the lotus.
The fragrant aroma of the pill filled the air, invigorating all who inhaled it. The elders' eyes gleamed with awe and excitement.
"It's a success!"
The elders exchanged glances, their respect for Xiao Yan growing even deeper.
This single pill, the Heart Flame Body Refining Pill, would significantly increase the likelihood of Dou Wang breakthroughs for the academy's students, potentially doubling the rate of success.
The contribution of this pill alone surpassed that of most of the academy's past department heads. Even First Elder Su Qian would struggle to match such an achievement.
"Elder Yan Xiao, this pill deserves a name," Fei Shi said eagerly, his gaze fixed on the water blue pill.
Although the initial idea for the pill came from the Alchemy Department, the final adjustments and successful refinement were Xiao Yan's doing. As its creator, he had the right to name it.
"A name?" Xiao Yan thought briefly before speaking.
"Let's call it the Heart Flame Body Refining Pill."
The elders nodded in unison, impressed by the simplicity and appropriateness of the name.
Xiao Yan inscribed the pill formula and refinement steps onto a jade plaque, ensuring that the knowledge could be preserved for the academy. With this, Jia Nan Academy gained a pill formula of immense significance.
As the elders celebrated, Xiao Yan discreetly retrieved a communication jade and sent a message.
"Wife, send someone to Jia Nan Academy in Black Corner Region to collect something."
Moments later, the jade vibrated, and a mature, alluring, and icy female voice responded, "Got it."
Xiao Yan smiled. "The Queen is as cold as ever," he murmured to himself before adding a reminder about bringing materials for refining more Heart Flame Body Refining Pills.
As news of Xiao Yan's success spread, the alchemy square buzzed with activity before eventually quieting down. However, Xiao Yan's reputation had already begun to echo throughout the academy.
That night, in a quiet corner of Jia Nan Academy, Liu Qing and his group of followers listened to an account from a friend in the Alchemy Department.
Their expressions darkened with unease as they learned that the young "rookie" student they had confronted was actually a new elder an extraordinarily skilled alchemist and fighter whose status rivaled even First Elder Su Qian's.
They realized that simply being beaten was a light punishment. Given Xiao Yan's influence, he could have easily ensured their expulsion from the Inner Academy.
"Who would've thought he was such a powerful figure," Liu Fei muttered, frowning as she stood behind Liu Qing. However, her lips curved into a faint smile, as though she had thought of something.
"I wonder if Elder Yan Xiao is interested in women," she mused.
If she could win over this extraordinary elder, advancing to Dou Wang would be within her grasp.
Unaware of Liu Fei's scheming, Xiao Yan was busy in a secluded area of the Inner Academy, refining another pill.
This time, he was preparing a special digestive pill for Zi Yan a simple yet uniquely potent blend.
Zi Yan sat nearby, her small hands propping up her chin, her large eyes fixated on the vibrant seven colored flame and the pill forming within.
As the pill's aroma began to fill the air, her mouth watered uncontrollably.
Watching her, Xiao Yan couldn't help but think that she and his silly disciple would make a great pair.
Suddenly, a faint but powerful presence appeared in the sky above. Ordinary practitioners wouldn't notice it, but the aura immediately alerted every Dou Zong level expert in the Inner Academy.
"Why is he here?" Xiao Yan muttered, glancing skyward with a hint of exasperation.
(End of Chapter)
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