Chapter 41: Observing Alchemy

The next day, Lin Tianming opened his eyes after a night of meditation, just as Ye Pinghai did the same.

Lin Tianming stepped forward to pay his respects, awaiting instructions from Ye Pinghai.

"Today, I will begin refining the Minor Foundation Establishment Pill. You can observe for a few batches and then return to your training," Ye Pinghai instructed.

Lin Tianming calmly replied, "I will follow your instructions without question, Senior."

Ye Pinghai nodded, taking out a fiery red alchemy furnace from his storage bag along with a set of pre-prepared alchemical ingredients, placing them on a nearby stone platform.

The furnace was entirely red, covered in dense inscriptions, and exuded a strong spiritual aura, clearly a high-quality second-tier alchemical furnace, superior to Lin Tianming's Four Symbols Furnace by two sub-tiers.

However, Lin Tianming quickly regained his composure, knowing that Ye Pinghai, being a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and a mid-tier second-tier alchemist, likely possessed wealth beyond his imagination.

As soon as Ye Pinghai placed the furnace in the alchemy room, a subtle fragrance filled the air, indicating the furnace's extensive use in refining various pills over time, resulting in its inherent aroma.

Ye Pinghai performed a hand seal, causing the small furnace to expand rapidly until it was the size of a water vat. He then suspended it over the geyser of ground fire, preparing to start the refining process.

Sitting cross-legged on a cushion, Ye Pinghai began his preparations. After half an hour, the ground fire erupted, a pillar of flame as thick as a water bucket engulfing the furnace, causing its temperature to rise sharply. The fire, tinged with gold, significantly increased the room's temperature, making Lin Tianming break into a sweat. A mortal could not endure the intense heat for more than a few minutes without succumbing.

Time passed as Ye Pinghai meticulously controlled the furnace's temperature. After half a day, he began adding the first of the ingredients, carefully breaking it down and purifying it into a blue-yellow liquid, which hovered inside the furnace.

Lin Tianming watched intently, ensuring he didn't miss any details. He realized that Ye Pinghai's initial step of warming the furnace took much longer than his own, underscoring the complexity of refining second-tier pills.

One by one, Ye Pinghai added over a dozen different ingredients, breaking them down into vibrant liquids. This process alone took three days.

Ye Pinghai then began infusing spiritual energy into the mixture, his face contorting with effort, veins bulging on his forehead. His significant expenditure of spiritual energy over the past three days, without replenishment, made this task even more challenging.

After several breaths, he determined the right moment and shouted, "Condense!"

The fire beneath the furnace flared, completely enveloping it in flames. The temperature soared, drying Lin Tianming's sweat-drenched clothes instantly.

Moments later, a rich fragrance filled the room, signaling success. Ye Pinghai, relieved, opened the furnace to reveal three golden pills, each emitting a strong spiritual aura and adorned with delicate patterns—the completed Minor Foundation Establishment Pills.

Ye Pinghai carefully examined the pills before placing them in a prepared jade bottle, which he handed to Lin Tianming.

"Take these three pills to your senior. The refining process is lengthy; each batch takes nearly seven days. This is my first time refining this pill, and it has been quite taxing. I need three days to recover before I can continue."

He continued, "I suggest you send these three pills back to your family immediately, allowing your relatives to use them as soon as possible. When you return, some of your elders might have already successfully established their foundation."

Lin Tianming agreed, finding Ye Pinghai's advice sensible. He took the jade bottle and prepared to return to the rented dwelling to deliver the pills to Lin Shilu.

After Lin Tianming departed, Ye Pinghai sat down to meditate, restoring his depleted energy.

Lin Tianming hurried back to the small courtyard. He performed a hand seal to enter, his face beaming with excitement as he approached Lin Shilu.

"Fifteenth Uncle, these three Minor Foundation Establishment Pills are from the first batch that Senior Ye refined. He suggested we send them back to the family immediately to expedite their use."

He continued, "Given the importance of time for our family, I believe Senior Ye's advice is sound. Waiting for the remaining fifteen batches to be refined would take at least six months. It's better to send these pills back now."

Lin Shilu considered the suggestion carefully. Despite his trust in Ye Pinghai, caution was necessary.

"Tianming, did you observe the entire refining process? Was there anything unusual?"

"Yes, Fifteenth Uncle. I observed the entire process closely. There were no abnormalities, and the pills match the description perfectly."

"Very well. We will follow this plan. I will take these pills back to the family immediately. You stay here and continue learning from Ye Pinghai. Do not leave the city or cause any trouble. I will return as soon as I can."

Lin Tianming agreed wholeheartedly, handing Lin Shilu a spirit beast bag and two bottles of Spirit Yuan Pills, ensuring he had the necessary resources for the journey.

Lin Shilu took the spirit beast bag and pills, handing Lin Tianming the courtyard's access token before departing on the journey back to the family.