Apex truly believed in the power of hard work and determination. While talent played a role in cultivation, the mindset that talent was the sole determining factor made people weak and prevented them from reaching their true potential.
Apex acknowledged that some individuals may have more innate gifts in certain aspects of cultivation, but providing equal opportunities and assistance to those considered less talented could empower them to become just as powerful, even if it took a bit longer.
Apex was determined to prove this by helping the four disciples surpass even the most gifted cultivators in the Lower Realm.
After ten minutes, Yu Xin entered the room carrying a small black pouch.
"Here you go, Zhou Fan. All the materials and herbs are inside this spatial pouch," Yu Xin said, handing Apex the pouch. A spatial pouch was a small bag with infinite space inside, capable of holding various items as long as they belonged to the owner.
"Thank you," Apex expressed gratitude and accepted the spatial pouch.
"No, Zhou Fan, I should be thanking you. Taking on this favor for us is not something many skilled alchemists would do. They could earn twice the value of the pill by selling it," Yu Xin bowed respectfully towards Apex, who maintained a humble demeanor.
"N-No, Yu Xin! There's no need to bow. I am grateful that you have accepted me as a disciple. This is the least I can do," Apex insisted, helping Yu Xin rise from her bow.
"Well then, you can proceed to the 5th floor. There's a room specifically designed for alchemy. Hu Xin will guide you there just in case," Yu Xin instructed.
Hu Xin walked to the door, opened it, and gestured for Apex to follow. They made their way to the 5th floor, reaching a door that appeared ordinary.
Hu Xin opened the door and waited for Apex to enter.
"Once again, thank you, Zhou Fan," Hu Xin expressed her gratitude with a bow.
Apex reassured her that it was nothing and stepped into the room. Hu Xin closed the door behind Apex, leaving him to fulfill his task.
Hu Xin returned to the room where her mother was waiting.
"Zhou Fan has begun the alchemy process," Hu Xin informed Yu Xin, who proceeded to lie down on her bed.
"Your reaction to my teasing earlier... Do you have feelings for Zhou Fan?" Yu Xin asked sincerely, without any teasing this time.
"I'm not sure what I feel, but I don't think it's love," Hu Xin responded honestly.
"You're just like me when I was young. I met your father in a similar way, and at first, I wasn't sure what my feelings meant. However, as we spent more time together, those feelings blossomed into love. It may not be the case for you, but if it is, don't hide it. Let him know. You never know when it will all end, and you may regret not expressing your feelings," Yu Xin shared her advice.
Hu Xin pondered her mother's words, contemplating whether she should follow her advice or not.
"Well, it will take Zhou Fan a couple of hours at least. Normally, it would take an alchemist a day at most, but Zhou Fan is by no means ordinary," Yu Xin commented, taking a sip of her expensive tea from a golden cup.
"Yeah... While we wait, we could—" Hu Xin's words were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Yu Xin's eyes widened as she sensed the familiar aura behind the door.
"Zhou Fan!" Yu Xin exclaimed, placing down her cup of tea and rushing to open the door. Apex stood there with a pill in hand.
Yu Xin stood there in shock. It hadn't been more than five minutes since Hu Xin had brought Apex to the alchemy room, yet here he was, holding a pill.
"What's wrong?" Apex asked, his expression feigning confusion. His acting skills were so convincing that Yu Xin's shock intensified.
"What's wrong?! You made a pill in less than five minutes, and you're asking me what's wrong!" she exclaimed, pulling Apex into the room. She extended her hand, and Apex placed the pill in the center of her palm. As Yu Xin examined the pill, she felt as if she was going to faint.
[Mid Grade Pill][Purity: 70%]
[350% Increase in Qi Absorption]
She had never seen a pill with such high purity, let alone one that had such incredible effects on Qi absorption.
"350% with a 70% purity! This pill is as good as the one made by the goddess of alchemy!"
Hu Xin rushed over to see the pill. Yu Xin handed it to her, and she, too, felt like fainting.
"This pill will help me break through to the 6th Stage of Spirit Apprentice! And if I can find a location with dense Qi, I might be able to break through two stages!" Hu Xin exclaimed, looking at Apex and recalling their private conversation. If what Apex had said was true, she wondered if she could also achieve such heights.
"If any Spirit Lord were to use this pill, they would gather nearly 20% of the Qi needed for a breakthrough. It could save them years of cultivation!" Yu Xin exclaimed, tempted to ask Apex for a pill. However, the price seemed too high.
"This pill will cost 750,000,000 gold. Since you wanted it in items, I'll take you to choose them right now."
Apex, however, had other plans and didn't want to choose the items right away.
"I have something important to attend to, but I'll return later to select the items."
With a bow, Apex headed towards the door to leave the Black Pearl.
"Let me accompany you," Hu Xin offered, but Apex declined politely.
"No need to worry. I've familiarized myself with the surroundings. You should focus on finding a suitable place to cultivate with the pill."
Apex reassured Hu Xin and bid them farewell before exiting the Black Pearl.
Referring to a map in its database, Apex made its way to the Tang Estate, where the registration for the marriage competition was taking place. Before entering, Apex donned an all-white mask, concealing its true identity, and its golden eyes from the Zhou Fan appearance were the only feature visible through the eyehole.
Upon arrival, Apex noticed a long line stretching from the entrance, indicating a significant turnout. As Apex waited in line, it sensed a particular gaze directed towards it.
Shen Tang was observing Apex intently, likely due to its high cultivation base and the mask it wore to obscure its identity. This scrutiny raised Shen Tang's suspicions and made him more cautious of Apex.