Lin Yuan's question, "Did the furnace explode?" was like an invisible slap across the faces of Lie Yangzi and the other two. The air seemed to freeze, leaving only the sound of dense star power flowing in the core area of the stone platform, and the strange, comforting fragrance emanating from the dozen or so "Starlight Tempering Powders".
Lieyangzi's once crimson face now turned a deep purplish-red, like a volcano about to erupt. He stared intently at the warm, flowing, nebulous pills in the jade plate in Lin Yuan's hand, feeling their pure, flawless aura brimming with the vitality of stars. He made a "hoarse" sound in his throat, but couldn't utter a single word.
An explosion? Forget about an explosion, not even a spark flew! The strange "wok" remained completely unharmed, gleaming silver under the onslaught of the violent star power! This completely overturned his centuries-old understanding of alchemy!
"Impossible... This is absolutely impossible!" The hook-nosed elder muttered to himself, utterly distraught, his eyes glazed over as if his faith had crumbled. "The stellar energy is violent, containing stellar evil... How can it be so docile? How can it be extracted directly? How can it... become a pill?!"
Elder Gu Chen, the horse-faced elder, reacted quite differently. His usually stern and serious face was now contorted with extreme excitement, his eyes wide like copper bells, fixed on the "Starry Night Wok" and the pills in Lin Yuan's hand, his eyes bloodshot! His gaze was filled with unbelievable fanaticism, an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and... a green light like a hungry wolf eyeing a fat sheep!
"The power of the stars is the fire! Direct extraction! Ignoring impurities! Returning to the origin! This...this is simply the highest realm of alchemy! The legendary...fireless alchemy?! No! It's even more profound than fireless alchemy! This is drawing upon the power of the celestial sphere, using heaven and earth as the furnace, and the stars as the fire!" Elder Gu Chen's voice trembled sharply with excitement. He took a sudden step forward, ignoring Lie Yangzi's unpleasant expression, and urgently asked Lin Yuan, "Peak Master Lin! May I ask...may I ask what the name of this pill is? What are its medicinal properties? How can this method of controlling fire...no, controlling the stars, achieve such a precise balance without compromising the medicinal properties in the slightest?"
Lin Yuan felt a little uneasy under Gu Chen's intense gaze, and subconsciously hid the jade plate behind his back (mainly to avoid it being snatched). He cleared his throat and tried his best to maintain his superior demeanor: "This pill is called 'Starlight Tempering Spirit Powder.' It uses the essence of stars to temper spiritual power, and has the effects of refreshing the mind, accelerating the recovery of spiritual power, and slightly nourishing the soul. As for the method of controlling stars..." He deliberately dragged out his words and smiled mysteriously, "This is a secret of my Starfall Peak, a mere superficial understanding of the Starry Sky Pill Dao."
"Starlight Tempering Powder... Starry Sky Pill Dao... a rudimentary understanding..." Gu Chen muttered to himself, his eyes growing even more fervent as he looked at Lin Yuan as if he were looking at a moving treasure trove of pill Dao!
"Enough! Gu Chen!" Lie Yangzi finally erupted, his furious roar like a thunderclap, jolting Gu Chen, who was immersed in the awe of alchemy, awake. Lie Yangzi's face was ashen, his eyes so dark they could drip water. Lin Yuan's "refining pills in a frying pan" not only slapped him in the face but also turned his previous accusation of "star power destroying pills" into a joke! How could he, the dignified Master of the Pill Cauldron Peak, possibly save face?
"Lin Yuan!" Lie Yangzi forcibly suppressed his anger, his voice icy and piercing. "Even if you can use star power to refine this...this nonsensical pill, it doesn't change the fact that you set up the array without authorization and disturbed the earth fire spiritual vein! This array must be closed! Otherwise..."
"Otherwise what?" A clear, melodious voice interrupted him. Feng Qinghuang stepped forward, her late-stage Breaking Realm aura locking onto Lieyangzi without flinching. Her Phoenix Cry Sword Intent was drawn but not unleashed. "If Peak Master Lieyang insists on overwhelming me with force, then the entire Xingyun Peak will fight to the bitter end!"
"You...!" Lie Yangzi was speechless with anger. As a Celestial King, he naturally had no fear of Feng Qinghuang, but she was, after all, a prodigy who had triggered the "Phoenix Cry and Starfall" phenomenon, and behind her stood the watchful eyes of the sect's high-ranking members and possibly even an Emperor-level ancestor. To act forcefully would be illegitimate and would have endless consequences!
Just as the two sides were deadlocked and the atmosphere was tense—
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Several powerful divine senses, like invisible tentacles, instantly traversed space and descended upon the summit of Starfall Peak! These divine senses were either majestic, profound, fiery, or icy, each containing terrifying power far exceeding that of the Immortal King Realm!
Sect Master Xingyun Immortal King! Sword Cry Peak Master! Misty Peak Master! Even... there was an extremely ancient divine sense, carrying a rich medicinal fragrance and the aura of accumulated time! This aura... could it be that Emperor-level alchemy ancestor from Dan Ding Peak who has been in seclusion for many years?!
These divine senses instantly locked onto the "Starry Wok" in the center of the stone platform, which was still emitting a faint starlight, and the dozen or so "Starlight Tempering Powders" in Lin Yuan's jade plate, which were fragrant and surrounded by nebula-like wisps of light! In particular, the ancient divine sense clearly fluctuated the moment it came into contact with the pills, revealing a strong sense of surprise and inquiry!
Immediately afterwards, a majestic and grand voice resounded throughout the mountaintop; it was none other than Sect Master Xingyun Immortal King:
"Peak Master Lieyang, Peak Master Lin, Feng Qinghuang. The strange phenomena and elixir fragrance at Starfall Peak have alarmed the sect. What is the matter you are arguing about? Speak quickly!"
Lie Yangzi's expression changed again, inwardly cursing Lin Yuan for causing such a commotion, alarming even the sect leader and the old monsters! He quickly suppressed his aura and bowed respectfully: "Reporting to the sect leader! Peak Master Lin is skilled at setting up strange arrays and gathering star power, which is suspected of disturbing the earth fire spiritual veins, causing our peak's alchemy to fail and resulting in significant losses! Moreover, his alchemy method... is unpredictable and evil, likely not the orthodox path! Therefore, I have come to question him and request that he shut down the array!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan immediately jumped up, his voice booming with feigned grievance: "Sect Master, please be wise! Peak Master Lieyang is slandering me! My Starfall Peak's array drew upon the power of the Nine Heavens, yet it did not disturb his earth fire in the slightest! His failure in alchemy was clearly due to his own lack of skill, yet he blamed me! As for alchemy..." He raised the jade plate, his voice filled with pride, "This is the 'Starlight Tempering Powder,' a product of my research into 'Starry Alchemy,' a mild and pure medicinal powder. How could it be considered evil? Peak Master Lieyang is ignorant and does not understand the mysteries of Starry Alchemy, yet he falsely accuses it of being a heretical path. He is truly... truly jealous of talent! Please, Sect Master, do justice for your disciple!" He even exaggeratedly wiped away non-existent tears.
"Pfft..." Xiao Cui and the other handymen disciples in the distance almost couldn't help but burst out laughing, and quickly covered their mouths.
Feng Qinghuang's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
The sect leader and the other peak masters scanned Lin Yuan's "pleading" and the jade plate of pills with their divine senses, creating a somewhat strange atmosphere. The ancient alchemy ancestor's divine sense, however, remained focused on the pills, seemingly savoring their medicinal properties.
"The Dao of Starry Sky Pills..." Sect Master Xingyun Immortal King's voice carried a hint of contemplation and astonishment, "Peak Master Lin, is what you say true? This pill... is it truly refined with stellar power?"
"Absolutely true! Everyone present can testify!" Lin Yuan puffed out his chest, pointing to the "Starry Sky Wok," "This disciple used it to draw upon the power of the stars and refine the food on the spot! The process was transparent and absolutely genuine!"
"Sect Master! This pill...this pill..." Elder Gu Chen, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke excitedly. He had somehow moved closer to Lin Yuan, staring intently at the pill in the jade plate, his voice trembling, "The purity of this pill, containing the essence of the life force of the stars, is truly unparalleled in my life! Absolutely no evil in it! Peak Master Lin's words about the Starry Sky Pill Path are no exaggeration! This is...a new path in the Dao of Pills! Enough to establish a sect!"
Gu Chen's words were like cold water being poured into boiling oil, instantly causing an uproar! Especially the last sentence, "establishing a sect," caused noticeable fluctuations in the powerful divine senses that had descended! Even Lie Yangzi looked at his usually rigid and serious colleague in astonishment.
"Gu Chen! You..." Lie Yangzi trembled with anger.
"Blazing Sun! Facts speak louder than words!" Gu Chen seemed like a completely different person at this moment, his eyes fixed solely on the Starry Sky Pill Dao. He turned towards the direction of the Sect Master's divine sense and bowed excitedly: "Sect Master! I swear on my heart! Peak Master Lin's pill is absolutely without fault! Although his alchemy method... although its form is peculiar (he glanced at the pot), it contains supreme alchemical principles! I implore the Sect Master to investigate thoroughly! Do not let prejudice bury this rising star of alchemy who is capable of shaking the Southern Wilderness!"
Gu Chen's sudden and fervent declaration completely stunned Lie Yangzi! It also left Lin Yuan bewildered. This…this horse-faced elder, is he really that shrewd?
The sect leader's divine sense remained silent for several breaths, seemingly weighing his options. The ancient alchemy ancestor's divine sense then slowly transmitted a wave of thought, directly entering the sect leader's sea of consciousness (undetectable to others).
A moment later, the sect leader's authoritative voice rang out again:
"Master Lin's array to draw stars did not touch the foundation of the underground spiritual veins. The claims that he disturbed the earth fire and destroyed spiritual herbs are unsubstantiated and are not accepted."
"Peak Master of Blazing Sun, you may all leave."
"As for the Starry Sky Pill Dao..." The sect leader paused, his voice carrying a deeper meaning, "Now that Peak Master Lin has gained something, he should devote himself to its study and not waste this opportunity. If he achieves anything in the future, the sect will naturally provide support."
"Furthermore, the operation of the Starfall Peak formation is crucial to the overall balance of the sect's spiritual veins, and it cannot be altered arbitrarily. Maintaining the status quo is sufficient. Disperse!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the powerful divine senses that had descended receded like a tide.
Lie Yangzi's face turned pale and then red. The sect leader's words were tantamount to a complete denial of his accusations, and also carried a subtle warning. He glared fiercely at Gu Chen, who was still drooling over the pills, and then gave Lin Yuan and Feng Qinghuang a venomous look. He squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth: "Fine! Fine, Starfall Peak! Lin Yuan, we'll see!" With that, he swept up the still bewildered hook-nosed elder with his sleeve, transformed into a streak of frustrated crimson light, and left in a sorry state.
Crisis averted!
Lin Yuan let out a long sigh, feeling his back was soaked with sweat. Being watched by so many powerful figures' divine senses just now was incredibly stressful!
"Hahaha! I won!" He couldn't help but pump his fist, his face beaming with undisguised triumph.
The servant disciples cheered even more enthusiastically: "Peak Master is mighty!"
Feng Qinghuang also breathed a slight sigh of relief, her gaze towards Lin Yuan now filled with a complex mix of emotions. This guy always manages to pull off unexpected things and turn danger into safety.
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared in front of Lin Yuan, startling him.
It was Elder Gu Chen! His horse-like face was flushed with excitement, his eyes were fixed on Lin Yuan, he was rubbing his hands together, looking like he wanted to get closer but dared not be presumptuous, and his tone was more respectful than ever before... flattering?
"Peak Master Lin... Peak Master Lin!" Gu Chen's voice trembled. "I... I was so rude just now! I was blind and ignorant! I didn't recognize a true master!" He bowed deeply. "Peak Master Lin's alchemy is profound, pioneering a new path for the stars. He is truly a model for all alchemists! I... I am Gu Chen, obsessed with alchemy for hundreds of years. Today, I have seen a new world and realized how narrow-minded I was! I beg... I beg Peak Master Lin to take me in! I am willing to join Starfall Peak, even as a lowly alchemy apprentice, just to serve you and occasionally... occasionally glimpse a fraction of the secrets of the Starfall alchemy! I swear a solemn oath to my heart that I will never reveal even a fraction of your alchemy secrets! I beg you, Peak Master, to grant my request!"
After saying this, this senior elder of Dan Ding Peak, under the astonished gazes of everyone, actually knelt down directly before Lin Yuan, the peak master of the Qi Refining Realm, with a "plop"! He kowtowed repeatedly!
The entire room fell silent!
The servants gaped open, their mouths wide enough to fit an egg.
A rare look of astonishment appeared in Feng Qinghuang's usually cold eyes.
Lin Yuan was completely stunned, and the jade plate containing the "Starlight Tempering Powder" almost fell to the ground.
To be taken in? To become a disciple of Starfall Peak? To be a lowly alchemist? A senior elder of Pill Cauldron Peak, a Celestial King-level alchemist, begging a Qi Induction Realm peak master to take him in? Just to learn alchemy?
Wait... did they get the wrong script?!
Lin Yuan looked at Gu Chen kneeling on the ground, his eyes filled with fanaticism like a believer, then at the pills in the jade plate in his hand, and then at the profound book [Star Pill Explanation] in the system. A bold and crazy idea instantly surged into his mind.
This... seems like a super thug + free labor + living advertisement?!
He cleared his throat, trying to make his voice sound profound and enigmatic, with a hint of reluctance:
"Ahem... Elder Gu Chen, you... you should get up first. As for joining my peak... well, my Starfall Peak is small and doesn't need many alchemy apprentices for the time being..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chen's eyes dimmed instantly, and his face was filled with despair.
"...However," Lin Yuan changed the subject, a fox-like smile playing on his lips, "our peak is in dire need of rebuilding, and we are indeed lacking a... well, a 'guest elder' in charge of the herb garden management and basic research on pills. If Elder Gu Chen doesn't mind our peak's simplicity and is willing to condescend to occasionally guide our disciples in identifying herbs and explaining the basics of alchemy... this peak master can make an exception and grant you a guest elder position, allowing you... well, to observe and learn from the sidelines."
The Peak Master is a master of the art of "promising the moon." Guest Elder—a prestigious title, certainly carries weight. Managing the herb garden? Perfect for putting him in charge of the future berry plantation! Basic alchemy research? Just giving him some scraps to study the Starry Sky Alchemy! As for "instructing disciples" and "observing and learning"... hehe, those who know, know!
Gu Chen's dim eyes instantly burst forth with a light brighter than the stars! A guest elder! And he can even observe and learn! This is simply an immense blessing!
"No problem! No problem! This old man is willing! A thousand times willing!" Gu Chen was so excited that he was incoherent, and kowtowed three more times. "Thank you for your great kindness, Peak Master! This old man, Gu Chen, pays his respects to Peak Master! From now on, I will follow your lead! Herb garden! This old man is best at managing herb gardens! I'll go and plan it right away! I guarantee that Peak Master's 'Starry Divine Tree' will grow tall and strong!" He got up, his eyes instantly locking onto the thirteen Starry Spirit Gathering Bonsai at the edge of the stone platform. As if looking at priceless treasures, he rolled up his sleeves and rushed over. His enthusiasm was even greater than that of the handyman disciples!
As Lin Yuan watched Gu Chen's back as he seemed to have been rejuvenated and was full of energy as he rushed towards the bonsai, and felt the almost tangible worshipful gazes of the surrounding disciples, as well as Feng Qinghuang's helpless look that said, "You're a genius," a huge sense of satisfaction and absurdity welled up within him.
He weighed the jade plate in his hand, looked at the pills inside that shimmered with starlight, and chuckled.
"Xiao Cui, come on, let's distribute the candy! Everyone gets a share! Let's celebrate Starfall Peak's acquisition... uh, acquisition of a hardworking 'medicine fanatic' elder!"
The summit of Starfall Peak was once again filled with a joyful atmosphere. Meanwhile, in the distance, inside Zhao Hao's cave, a jade talisman that had transmitted images of Lin Yuan refining pills in a wok and Gu Chen kneeling in worship was crushed to pieces!
"Starry Sky Pill Cultivation...Guest Elder...Lin Yuan!!" Zhao Hao's eyes blazed with jealousy and murderous intent, almost bursting forth. "You think you can rest easy now? Just wait, your good days...are over!"