**Chapter 36: Tremendous Progress in Alchemy**

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The winter of Yunze Great Wilderness had returned once again. 

Gray clouds shrouded the mountains, and biting winds howled across the land. 

In the Green Sun Market, heavy snow began to fall, but it did little to dampen the enthusiasm of wandering cultivators. 

The streets were bustling with people, alive with energy and noise. 

A few months ago, the Spirit Feather Sect and Golden Cloud Valley began issuing missions one after another. 

Anyone who completed these assigned tasks according to the rules would receive generous rewards promised by the sects. 

Some missions involved supporting frontline battle camps, fighting against barbarian cultivators at great risk. Others tasked participants with heading to Five Peaks Mountain to help construct the Immortal City of Cloud Marsh. 

There were also missions focused on hunting down various demonic beasts or gathering rare herbs and materials. 

Even more enticing were the high bounties placed on "Plunder Cultivators," offering extremely lucrative rewards. 

Among all the tasks, the highest bounty was undeniably the most tempting: the legendary Foundation Establishment Pill. 

However, the difficulty of completing such a mission was equally daunting. 

Ordinary wandering cultivators attempting these tasks might as well be signing their own death warrants. 

Yet, despite the dangers, cultivators continued to flock toward the missions like moths drawn to flames. 

Amidst this wave of recruitment, groups of cultivators around the Green Sun Market began forming teams to venture out together. 

But Qin Ming showed no interest in any of these missions. 

As steady as ever, he remained secluded in his room, focusing solely on his cultivation. 

He stared intently at the ten entries of [Weak Soul Power] within his consciousness sea, deciding to strengthen his soul today. 

With a thought, one white entry vanished. 

Instantly, an unbearable pain surged through his mind, as if something inside his consciousness was being violently torn apart. 

*Buzz~* 

When he came back to his senses, sweat covered his face. 

"I didn't expect strengthening the soul to hurt so much," Qin Ming muttered through gritted teeth, his complexion pale. 

Still, he could clearly feel that his soul had grown significantly stronger. 

"Nine more to go!" 

Gritting his teeth, Qin Ming continued using the [Weak Soul Power] entries. 

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Three days later. 

After consuming all ten [Weak Soul Power] entries, Qin Ming's soul power had increased by over double its original strength. 

At this point, his soul's intensity should be two to three times greater than that of other cultivators at the same stage. 

"Let's try alchemy again with Su Yuqing." 

Feeling his newly fortified soul, Qin Ming felt a renewed sense of confidence returning to him. 

In the Shantytown, inside Su Yuqing's residence: 

"Qin Brother, I advise you to give up. Your aptitude really isn't suited for learning alchemy," Su Yuqing said earnestly, shaking his head at Qin Ming's stubbornness. 

"Why put yourself through this?" 

Qin Ming gave a faint smile in response. "I just want to try one last time." 

"Fine, do as you wish, sigh..." 

Seeing that persuasion was futile, Su Yuqing resigned himself to letting Qin Ming proceed. He sat down, brewed another pot of Spirit Mist Tea, and started sipping leisurely. 

Qin Ming entered the alchemy chamber. 

He arranged all the prepared herbs and materials neatly on the table before beginning the process of refining medicinal essences. 

This time, he aimed to craft a low-grade first-rank pill—the Qi Restoration Pill. 

Qin Ming noticed that with his enhanced soul, the alchemical process went surprisingly smoothly. 

From refining the medicinal essence to mixing the ingredients, everything felt markedly different compared to before. 

It almost flowed seamlessly. 

Qin Ming opened the fire valve. 

*Boom!* 

Roaring underground flames shot up from below. 

Using the techniques described in the *Flame Control Manual*, Qin Ming carefully regulated the heat, ensuring the pill furnace received even warmth. 

Once the timing was perfect, he waved his hand, guiding the prepared medicinal essence into the furnace with his willpower. 

Focusing intensely, Qin Ming maintained control over the flames while beginning the fusion of the medicinal components. 

Time slowly ticked by. 

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Outside. 

Su Yuqing sipped his tea, occasionally glancing toward the alchemy chamber. 

He wasn't concerned about whether Qin Ming could successfully produce a low-grade pill; rather, he worried that if Qin Ming lost control during the process, his house might explode. 

"Sigh… Stubborn fool, why won't you listen?" 

"Why are you so obsessed?" 

"I already told you… It's impossible." 

Shaking his head, Su Yuqing took another sip of tea. 

*Jiu!* 

Suddenly, a sharp chirp echoed from the alchemy chamber. 

*Pfft!* 

Su Yuqing spat out the tea in his mouth, his expression one of disbelief. "What? Success on the first try?" 

He rushed into the alchemy chamber to investigate. 

Inside, a fragrant aroma filled the air. 

Five green pills lay perfectly formed within the furnace. 

Qin Ming raised his hand, and the five Qi Restoration Pills flew into his palm. 

"T-this… You succeeded?" Su Yuqing stammered, unable to believe his eyes. 

Considering his own talent, it had taken him nearly as long to master crafting low-grade pills. 

"Heh, just lucky, I suppose!" Qin Ming grinned, his heart swelling with excitement. 

Finally, he had succeeded! 

This meant he was now officially a low-grade first-rank alchemist. 

Hearing this, Su Yuqing suddenly realized, "Ah, right! You've only been studying for a short while—it must have been pure luck." 

Qin Ming stored the five Qi Restoration Pills in a jade bottle. 

"Su Brother, I'd like to attempt crafting a batch of Qi Gathering Pills next." 

Su Yuqing frowned upon hearing this. "Qin Brother, think carefully. The Qi Gathering Pill is used to boost cultivation in the middle stages of Qi Refining. Its difficulty far surpasses that of the Qi Restoration Pill." 

"Don't rush things." 

But Qin Ming remained resolute. "I still want to give it a shot." 

"Do as you please. After all, it's not my spirit stones that'll suffer losses." 

With that, Su Yuqing returned to his tea-drinking. 

Qin Ming cleaned out the pill furnace and prepared to begin crafting the Qi Gathering Pills. 

The formula and steps for making the pill were etched deeply into his mind. 

Every step proceeded methodically. 

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Outside. 

Su Yuqing held his teacup, his attention fully fixed on the alchemy chamber. 

*Pfft~* 

A muffled sound came from the chamber, followed by the acrid smell of burnt herbs. 

"Sigh… I knew it. No one gets lucky every single time, yet this Qin Brother refuses to accept reality." 

"One successful low-grade pill made him overly confident." 

Su Yuqing shook his head as he spoke. 

Inside the alchemy chamber. 

Qin Ming rested his chin on his hand, staring at the furnace without showing too much disappointment. 

He meticulously replayed the entire alchemical process in his mind, examining each detail. 

His eyes narrowed slightly, a spark flashing within them. 

It seemed he had figured something out. 

Without delay, he restarted the process. 

An hour passed. 

*Pfft~* Another muffled sound emerged from the alchemy chamber. 

Su Yuqing popped a piece of pastry into his mouth, shaking his head in resignation. 

"Another failure…" Qin Ming furrowed his brow, raising his hand to retrieve several failed pills from the furnace for inspection. 

Suddenly, the corners of his lips curled upward. 

Upon closer examination, he saw that the pills in his hand were nearly complete. 

"Just a little bit more…" 

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Qin Ming's third attempt at crafting Qi Gathering Pills began. 

He keenly understood that with his enhanced soul power, his precision in measuring medicinal portions, blending ingredients, and controlling the flames had improved dramatically. 

Now, when refining medicinal essences and preparing ingredients, he rarely made mistakes, achieving near-perfect accuracy. 

Time trickled away. 

Su Yuqing grew bored and was about to get up to prepare dinner when— 

*Jiu!* 

A piercing chime rang out from the alchemy chamber. 

Su Yuqing froze mid-step, struck as if by lightning. 

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(End of Chapter) 

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