White-Robed Chief

Through the Omniscient Mirror, he took a clear look at the alchemy furnace.

The running spring water became black, and four spirit herbs started to turn into a concoction, releasing strong medicine smell.

It was almost impossible to get a hint of fragrance from the rich medicine smell. Although the All-Knowing Scripture had allowed him to have an extraordinary sense of smell, such that he could differentiate every kind of smile, it was unfortunate that the Muscle Gaining Pill could not be distinguished through smell.

After looking through two scriptures, he watched the alchemy furnace attentively to observe the changes inside.

As time ticked away, an hour had passed. Ni Hong walked over and sat on the cattail hassock beside him. He, too, watched the alchemy furnace.

Chu Li then shut his eyes and took slow, long breaths as if he was meditating.

Upon seeing that, Ni Hong scoffed. He thought to himself, ‘How can you meditate now? Your composure is really something.’

All of a sudden, Chu Li widened his eyes before he quickly poured a scoop of water below the alchemy furnace to put out the fire, and poured a few more scoops on the furnace itself. Instantly, white gas evaporated to the roof, and a whiff of fragrance was present amidst the strong medicine smell.

Chu Li smiled and looked at Ni Hong. “Elder Ni, the pill is done!”

Ni Hong furrowed his brows as he looked at him. “Have you refined pills before?”

“No.” Chu Li shook his head.

Ni Hong hmphed. Watching as Chu Li scooped water onto the alchemy furnace for a few more times, he then opened the furnace. A delicate scent wafted out.

Chu Li beamed with joy. “The pill is done, right?”

“That’s right!” Ni Hong sneered.

Refining the Muscle Gaining Pill was a piece of cake for him, by which he would seldom make a mistake. However, it was Zhao Dahe’s first attempt, yet he was able to seize that fleeting moment. The only way to justify it was that he was simply gifted, and was a natural pill-refining master.

Chu Li reached his hand out to pick a handful of the rich extract, which appeared to be like vanishing cream in the later generations. When he took a sniff, he said with a smile, “This is the Muscle Gaining Pill!”

Normally, once refined, spirit pills were in ointment forms which would then pressed into pills, and sealed with beeswax. Although the ointments looked the same as half-dried herbal medicine juice, there was a distinctive difference between their qualities.

“Not bad, make another batch!” Ni Hong said disdainfully.

Zhu Suifeng came as well. He retrieved the Muscle Gaining Pills with some tools, then cleaned the alchemy furnace quickly.

Subsequently, Chu Li continued to make the fire to refine more pills.

Another hour later, Chu Li extinguished the fire with water to cool the furnace again. He had produced another batch of Muscle Gaining Pills.

“Alright, make something more complex, the Fortifying Pill,” Ni Hong instructed.

With that, Zhu Suifeng fetched another basket of spirit herbs. According to the Treasured Pill Scripture, Chu Li added ten spirit herbs into the furnace separately before he made the fire bigger. This time, the process was two hours long, but he had still managed to control the fire perfectly.

By observing through the Omniscient Mirror, he could clearly watch the mixing of the spirit herbs. Everything from the initial part where the herbs were still distinct, to when they combined into one.

The instant the herbs became one, the fire must be stopped. In terms of this, Chu Li admired pill-refining masters for being able to capture that moment without having the Omniscient Mirror.

Once the batch of Fortifying Pill was done, Ni Hong looked at him oddly.

Chu Li chuckled. “Elder Ni, it was just a feeling. I felt that they were done, I can’t believe that they’re actually done!”

“God is truly unfair!” Ni Hong was contemptuous.

‘Zhao Dahe is a genius at martial arts. Now, he’s the number one disciple at the First Peak and a genius at growing spirit herbs. I can’t believe that he’s so talented at alchemy too. Apart from being ugly, he’s truly favored by God!’

Right then, footsteps were heard. It was followed by a gentle female voice. “Is Senior Brother Ni here?”

“Come in!” Ni Hong replied loudly.

Soon enough, a graceful lady dressed in white came into view.

Chu Li was surprised. “Senior Sister Li!”

The visitor was Li Ruolan.

As usual, Li Ruolan was stunning and charming.

She giggled. Then, she gave a fist salute. “Senior Brother Ni, sorry for bothering you.”

“Junior Sister Li, why are you here?” Ni Hong was rather startled. “You’re a valuable guest.”

Li Ruolan laughed softly and replied, “How am I a valuable guest? I’m here for Junior Brother Zhao Dahe.”

“I was just about to report to you. Can you assign Zhao Dahe to our herbalist hall?” Ni Hong added, “We need people like him.”

Li Ruolan was struck dumb.

“He’s a genius at alchemy.” Ni Hong complimented, “He has amazing talents.”

Li Ruolan shook her head softly. “I’m actually here to take Zhao Dahe away.”

“What’s the matter?” Ni Hong quickly asked.

Li Ruolan explained, “He has sufficient cultivation level, and can now leave the peak to enter the outside world. I’m taking him away so that he can assist me. From now on, he won’t always be in the First Peak.”

“So fast?” Ni Hong frowned. “You’re ruining him by undue haste, aren’t you?”

“He can bear it.” Li Ruolan smiled lightly. “Senior Brother Ni, don’t worry. If he likes to refine pills, he can come over when he’s free.”

“Ugh…” Ni Hong shook his head. “Once he enters the outside world, how can he still get down to alchemy? Forget it, forget it, do as you wish!”

“Junior Brother Zhao, come with me.” Li Ruolan asked.

Chu Li nodded helplessly. He said to Ni Hong, “Elder Ni, I’ll be back to refine more pills.”

“Come anytime you want!” Ni Hong nodded.

With that, Chu Li brought the Thousand Herb Scripture and Treasured Pill Scripture along and left the cave with Li Ruolan.

It was evening time where the sun was setting, which made her look even more enchanting and beautiful like no other.

“Senior Sister Li, what is it?” Chu Li asked.

“I’m going to Qiu Dynasty, follow me.” Li Ruolan furrowed her brows and continued, “A giant invader who has killed countless people has escaped to Qiu Dynasty. I’ve received orders to hunt him down!”

“A giant invader?” Chu Li asked, “If I descend the mountain, what happens to the Spirit Medicine Nursery?”

“Of course, Elder Zhou will take care of it.” Li Ruolan added, “He’s the head of Sky-Crossing Camp who would commit any imaginable evil deed, such as burning, killing, and robbery. At last, he has provoked the public of the martial art scene — that’s why Sky-Crossing Camp was encircled. However, head of the troop, Zhao Haiyun has managed to escape and is now within Qiu Dynasty’s border.”

“A powerful figure,” Chu Li commented.

Li Ruolan nodded slowly. “He’s sneaky, crafty, and outstanding in martial art. Hence, I was asked to attend to this matter. Nonetheless, I suppose I won’t be able to do it all by myself, so I’m asking for your help.”

Zhao Dahe’s cultivation level was extremely profound now, he even had the Light Blade. It was certainly a remarkable and useful weapon for assassination.

“No problem!” Chu Li beat his chest. “We must eliminate this fella!”

“Go pack your things. We’ll leave right away,” Li Ruolan instructed.

Upon hearing her, Chu Li nodded.

Not long after, he returned to the Spirit Medicine Nursery. By then, Zhou Huang was already waiting. The moment he saw him, he handed two bottles of spirit pills to Chu Li. “Kid, once you descend the mountain, it’s no longer a part of the Great Light Peak. If you’re not wary, you might lose your life easily. So these spirit pills are for emergency use — don’t lose them!”

Chu Li accepted the spirit pills. “Elder Zhou, don’t worry, I’m very blessed!”

“I knew you were going to think that way!” Zhou Huang said snappily, “You must listen to Ruolan. Don’t act recklessly!”

“I understand, I understand.” Chu Li put the two scriptures down. The contents of the scriptures were already imprinted on his mind. Thus, there was no need for him to look at them anymore. After packing two sets of clothes in a cloth bundle, he descended the Great Light Peak with Li Ruolan and headed straight to Qiu Dynasty.