"So it begins in three days?"
Ye Chen held a letter between his index and middle fingers, then a golden flame appeared, burning it to ashes.
He had been looking forward to this auction event for quite some time. One of the main ingredients for refining the "Spirit Refining Pill" was being auctioned, and it was said that the finale item was a Divine-level secret treasure. Although it was unknown whether this rumor was true, it was enough to fill everyone with anticipation.
Because the auction was about to be held, Ye Chen, after consideration, chose not to attempt a breakthrough, planning to do so after the auction. He had a premonition that this breakthrough wouldn't be completed in just a few simple days; it might even last for a considerable period.
After the demonic beast turmoil ended, that very night, Elder Duanmu of Xia Feng Academy led Ye Chen and the other elite students back to the academy. As for the kingdom's ancestor, he had already left at the first opportunity. The royal capital could not be left without the presence of a Heavenly God powerhouse, lest those with ill intentions take advantage of the situation to cause trouble. The Academy Head, however, remained on the battlefield. Although Great Sage Hong Tian had spoken and the turmoil had ceased, it was better to be safe than sorry. He needed to continue guarding and watching over the area.
That night, the group returned to the royal capital.
Being far from Demon-Suppressing City, although rumors circulated among the populace that the entire Xia Feng Kingdom might fall, many citizens of the royal capital firmly believed in the capital's enduring stability. Even if other towns were breached, this capital, which had stood on this land for over a thousand years, would not fall. Therefore, the panic caused by the demonic beast turmoil was not significant here. Everything in the capital was as usual, still bustling and lively.
Upon returning to the academy, everyone went their separate ways, essentially reporting their safe return.
Without a moment's delay, Ye Chen left the academy without looking back, heading straight for the Alchemist Heart Palace to find Li Yun and obtain detailed information about the auction.
The Alchemist Heart Palace was as bustling as ever, with many dignitaries in the main hall seeking pills. As soon as Ye Chen entered, before he could even ask for guidance, a beautiful maidservant approached him, gesturing politely, "Sir, please come this way."
Ye Chen was taken aback. Looking back, he realized it was the same maidservant who had received him last time. Having noticed his arrival and knowing he was a friend of Master Li Yun, she dared not neglect him and thus approached him with these words.
"Thank you," Ye Chen nodded, not refusing, and followed the maidservant into the inner hall.
Entering the inner hall of the Alchemist Heart Palace, Ye Chen once again felt its luxurious splendor. To occupy such a large palace estate in the royal capital, where land was worth its weight in gold, was not something an ordinary force could manage. However, alchemists were identities everyone revered, and the Alchemist Heart Palace was the gathering place for all alchemists in Xia Feng Kingdom, so this was only natural.
Upon entering the resplendent inner hall, contrary to the expected quietness, bursts of cheers were emanating from within, which was quite surprising. Weren't alchemists most averse to noise? And this was the inner hall of the Alchemist Heart Palace, an important place. For it to be so noisy was truly rare.
Ye Chen raised his eyes and saw that the inner hall was densely packed with a crowd, bustling and noisy, giving off a market-like atmosphere. Besides a portion being alchemists, there were also some prominent figures from the royal capital, gathered together, discussing and pointing.
Ye Chen was momentarily stunned, then immediately smiled, because he sensed the aura of pill refinement. They were probably gathered to watch someone refining a pill.
Since he wasn't in a hurry to find Li Yun immediately, Ye Chen was also curious about what kind of pill was being refined that attracted such a crowd.
Signaling the maidservant to withdraw, Ye Chen stepped forward, approaching the crowd. He found that at the center of the gathering, a pill cauldron was placed. Atop the cauldron, Dao Fire was rolling and burning vigorously, with medicinal fragrance overflowing. Clearly, even if the pill being refined was only First Grade, it was definitely a superior one. Otherwise, it would be difficult for medicinal fragrance to appear during the refinement process.
His gaze passed over the pill cauldron and landed on the person refining the pill. To his surprise, it was a woman, or rather, a young girl would be more fitting. She looked to be only about twenty-five or twenty-six, similar in age to Ye Chen.
The young girl was graceful and elegant, with a beautiful face like a flower and the moon. She sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, wearing a satin yellow robe that outlined her delicate and well-proportioned figure, revealing beautiful youthful curves. Though young, she had developed quite nicely, enough to stir one's heart.
Such a beautiful young girl likely had quite a few suitors.
However, on her lovely, still somewhat childish face, there was a faint trace of arrogance, clearly indicating she was a proud peacock. It would probably be difficult for ordinary men to catch her eye.
But then again, with outstanding looks and knowledge of alchemy, it was only natural for her to have high standards. She couldn't just marry any random man.
Ye Chen chuckled lightly, dismissing these idle thoughts. Then his gaze fell on the pill cauldron. He sniffed the medicinal fragrance and revealed a hint of surprise, unable to help but say, "It's actually a First Grade medium-difficulty Clear Spirit Pill. Although the pill grade isn't very high, how old is this girl to already be refining a First Grade medium-difficulty pill? That's quite impressive."
Pill refinement also had difficulty levels. The Clear Spirit Pill was considered medium difficulty. Generally, those who could refine First Grade medium-difficulty pills were mostly veteran alchemists with years of experience. For a young girl of this age to refine a First Grade medium-difficulty pill—if she succeeded, such talent would absolutely be considered dazzling and extraordinary, enough to make even Ye Chen take notice.
The crowd was also abuzz with discussion. Many alchemists were praising her repeatedly, while others were exclaiming in amazement.
However, the yellow-robed young girl at this moment paid no attention to the gazes of those around her. She focused almost all her attention on the pill cauldron. Spiritual power surged from her brow, continuously flowing into the cauldron as she carefully controlled the intensity of the Dao Fire within to avoid causing flaws in the pill.
Pill refinement was not something that could be completed in a short while. The yellow-robed young girl continuously released spiritual power to maintain control. As time passed, the medicinal fragrance from the pill in the cauldron grew increasingly rich, permeating the entire inner hall, refreshing and pleasing to the mind.
"Soon, the pill is about to be refined," the alchemists in the crowd whispered. They too were looking forward to seeing what quality of pill the yellow-robed young girl could produce.
The pill cauldron began to tremble slightly. The medicinal fragrance continuously wafted out, attracting everyone's attention.
Even Ye Chen couldn't help but pay more attention, clearly wanting to see what grade of pill this yellow-robed young girl would refine.
"Hmm, it's about to succeed. The mere appearance of the medicinal fragrance is enough to prove this Clear Spirit Pill is at least First Grade medium. If it reaches First Grade high, I think Miss Shuangshuang might even be taken as a disciple by the Chief Alchemist in the royal palace."
"Although the medicinal fragrance is wafting out, one misstep in alchemy leads to another. We must not be careless. If she becomes negligent now, this Clear Spirit Pill might not even reach First Grade medium, possibly only low grade, or even become a defective pill."
The crowd discussed animatedly, closely watching the yellow-robed young girl's refinement process. For many alchemists, this process was also a way to absorb experience.
After about half an hour, the yellow-robed young girl suddenly widened her apricot eyes and let out a soft shout. The pill cauldron opened with a bang, and medicinal fragrance billowed out. A perfectly round cyan pill was plucked from the air and landed in the young girl's fair, jade-like hand, lying there quietly. Cyan light shimmered around it, almost entirely cyan. It was a First Grade high Clear Spirit Pill.
The appearance of this pill immediately caused waves of exclamations and praises from the onlookers.
"It really is a First Grade high pill! Miss Shuangshuang is truly remarkable."
"To refine a First Grade high pill at only twenty-six years old—even looking across the entire Xia Feng Kingdom, she is absolutely number one, well-deserved."
"I believe even compared to people from other kingdoms, Miss Shuangshuang can absolutely be called a genius alchemist."
"Indeed. If this news reaches the royal palace, that lofty Chief Alchemy Master will probably take her as a disciple. That would be a great honor."
Hearing the joyful voices of the crowd, even the yellow-robed young girl couldn't help but curl her red lips into a proud smile.
At such a young age, to be able to refine a pill of this grade was absolutely extraordinary. Even looking across the entire Xia Feng Kingdom, she was undoubtedly one of a kind.
Because she was only twenty-five years old, considered extremely young. No one in the entire Xia Feng Kingdom could compare to her.
And hearing the crowd's words, she also felt full of anticipation for that Three-Star Chief Alchemy Master in the royal palace, wishing she could be taken as his disciple.
Once guided by a Three-Star Alchemy Master, becoming a Two-Star Alchemist would only be a matter of time. As for the even higher Three-Star level, there would also be a considerable chance to step into it.
And once she reached that level, even Martial God powerhouses would treat her with respect, and the royal family would hold her in the highest esteem. She would truly be one person above ten thousand.
Who wouldn't wish to attain such a lofty status?
"High grade it is indeed, but what a pity..."
Just as everyone was cheering and praising, a voice filled with regret suddenly rang out, like thunderclaps, startling everyone.
When they followed the source of the sound, they were astonished to find it was a black-robed, handsome young man, his face full of regret, shaking his head vigorously.
Instantly, the yellow-robed young girl's expression darkened...