Within the LOG treasure, the unlocking of higher levels in tower buildings, such as the Alchemy Tower, Formation Tower, and Craftsman Tower, had two distinct methods. The first involved Xu Fang elevating his cultivation, breaking through to the next realm, thereby opening the next level of the buildings. The second method required Xu Fang to enhance his skills, allowing him to create higher-tier artifacts, pills, or arrays of the last open level. This, too, would result in the unlocking of the next level before any increase in cultivation.
Shen Yin nodded understandingly after hearing Xu Fang's detailed explanation. They then proceeded to the second floor of the Alchemy Tower. As Shen Yin observed the pill furnace on this level, she couldn't contain her excitement and spoke to Xu Fang with joy.
"Husband, it's a Tier 4 pill furnace, and it's here on the second floor. I'm thrilled at the thought of even higher levels."
Upon seeing the Tier 4 pill furnace on the second floor, Shen Yin remained silent. However, the appearance of the Tier 4 pill furnace on the second floor fueled her curiosity about what she might find on the higher levels.
"Hahaha, I already knew you'd react like this when you saw the same-tier pill furnace here," Xu Fang chuckled, understanding Shen Yin's enthusiasm.
Xu Fang was well aware of the significance of pill furnaces for alchemists, especially considering that Shen Yin possessed Tier 4 higher-grade pill furnaces, which were close to Tier 5. Her eagerness to explore the higher levels stemmed from the anticipation of encountering even more advanced pill furnaces.
"Husband, don't laugh, let's go to the next floor. I want to see which tier pill furnace is there," Shen Yin said, taking Xu Fang's hand as they moved toward the third floor.
Xu Fang complied, and together they ascended the stairs, entering the Alchemy Chamber on the third floor.
"Tier 5? Husband, is it Tier 5? I can't believe I have the opportunity to use a Tier 5 pill furnace so soon. They are not easy to find or build in the outside world," Shen Yin expressed her surprise and delight upon seeing the Tier 5 pill furnace in front of her.
"If you like it, Yin Er, it's yours now," Xu Fang told her with a smile, noticing Shen Yin's excitement.
"But Husband, you also need it for your practice," Shen Yin pointed out with a serious expression.
"You don't have to worry about that. I use the one on the second floor, and besides, my skills are not advanced enough to surpass this one," Xu Fang reassured her with a smile.
"Husband, I appreciate that you're thinking about me, but I'll use this pill furnace here for practice when I'm in this tower. That way, I don't have to move it around," Shen Yin suggested, indicating her intention to utilize the Tier 5 pill furnace for her alchemical practice within the Alchemy Tower.
"I'm happy to see my Yin Er happy," Xu Fang expressed with a smile, glad to witness Shen Yin's joy.
Shen Yin stepped forward, embracing Xu Fang, and they shared a few moments in the warmth of the hug.
"Husband, what is your plan for today's practice?" Shen Yin inquired, curious about Xu Fang's focus for the day.
"Wife, today I plan to practice creating an 'Inner Harmony Draught Pill'," Xu Fang shared his practice plan with Shen Yin.
"The Inner Harmony Draught Pill is a Tier 3 higher-level pill. Husband, is this your first attempt?" Shen Yin asked, wondering if he had tried creating a Tier 3 higher-level pill before.
"It's my second try, Yin Er. The first attempt didn't yield good results, but every failure brings success, right?" Xu Fang replied with a smile, maintaining a positive outlook.
"Then, husband, go ahead and start practicing. I'll observe and start understanding your movements," Shen Yin encouraged him.
Xu Fang nodded, positioning himself in front of the pill furnace. With a wave of his hand, five different types of herbs materialized in his grasp. He carefully placed them on the floor nearby, then channeled his Qi, conjuring a light blue flame. With precision, he directed the flame toward the pill furnace, initiating the process of heating it to a higher temperature.
This time, Xu Fang wanted to use his spiritual sense while creating this pill. After a few moments, Xu Fang opened the pill furnace lid, started adding ingredients to the furnace, and began extracting the essence from them one by one. While he hadn't mastered the creation of Tier 3 higher-level pills, Xu Fang efficiently extracted essences from each ingredient separately.
Despite not being a master in Tier 3 higher-level pill creation, Xu Fang's speed and the finesse with which he controlled his Qi fire surprised Shen Yin as she observed him.
Xu Fang skillfully formed the pill from the refined essence of the ingredients and initiated the refinement process with the heightened temperature of the Qi fire.
"Boom, boom, boom."
'Ding'
Before long, Xu Fang had completed the refinement of the pill. The sound of a minor explosion echoed from the pill furnace, and Xu Fang received a notification in his mind.
"I did it," Xu Fang exclaimed in happiness, having successfully created the Tier 3 higher-level pill.
Standing up, he opened the lid and took a pill from the furnace. Handing it to Shen Yin with a smile, he urged her to check the quality.
Shen Yin accepted the pill and, with a wave of her hand, a small needle appeared. She carefully examined the pill in her hand, assessing its quality.
"Husband, your first-time success, and it's already at 94% quality," Shen Yin exclaimed with a mix of happiness and surprise in her tone.
'Wow, spiritual sense helps a lot to enhance the quality of the refining process.' Xu Fang thought in his mind.
"Yes, for successfully unlocking the next level based on skills, a minimum of 90% quality is needed. Now, I've achieved 94%. Yin Er, let's go to the fourth floor, which has already opened," Xu Fang stated with a serious expression.
"Really?" Shen Yin expressed her surprise upon hearing Xu Fang's words.
Affirmatively, Xu Fang took her hand, and together they moved towards the fourth floor of the Alchemy Tower, entering the Alchemy Chamber available there.
"Tier 6? Husband, it's a Tier 6 pill furnace," Shen Yin exclaimed with excitement upon seeing the pill furnace before her.
"Wife, it's not just any Tier 6 pill furnace. It's the 'Black Dragon Furnace,' a Peak Tier 6 pill furnace. I've read about it in alchemy-related books," Xu Fang shared his surprise when he saw the pill furnace.
"Black Dragon Furnace? Husband, if I'm not mistaken, this belongs to the legendary Pill Emperor 'Kang Zexi,' who passed away over five hundred years ago," Shen Yin asked with a questioning expression.
"Exactly, Wife," Xu Fang confirmed with a nod, conveying the significance of the legendary Black Dragon Furnace.
"Wow…" Shen Yin approached the Black Dragon Furnace, gently touching the embossment of the black dragon on the pill furnace.
"Let's start practicing here so you can begin studying the Pills Refining Master technique," Xu Fang suggested to Shen Yin.
Shen Yin nodded in agreement. With a wave of her hand, a scroll appeared, and she immersed herself in studying the technique. Meanwhile, Xu Fang moved in front of the Black Dragon Furnace, seated himself cross-legged on the floor, and began practicing his skills with the legendary furnace.
They dedicated the next few hours to alchemical practice in the Alchemy Tower before making their way back to Xu Fang's Mansion. Along the way, Xu Fang inquired if Long Xiu was available to return to the mansion, but she was engrossed in practicing at the Formation Tower. Upon entering the mansion, Xu Fang and Shen Yin proceeded directly to Shen Yin's room, as she had expressed a desire for Dual Cultivation.
Granting her wish, they engaged in Dual Cultivation. An hour later, as Long Xiu returned to the mansion and entered Shen Yin's room, she was met with the sounds of Shen Yin's passionate moans.
Not hesitating, Long Xiu joined them in Dual Cultivation. Shen Yin's room was soon filled with the harmonious symphony of Shen Yin and Long Xiu's pleasure.
The three of them indulged in Dual Cultivation for a continuous five hours before putting a halt to their activities. Afterward, they shared a meal, practiced together, engaged in conversation, and strolled within the LOG treasure until it was time to return to the real world.
'Ding' 'Ding'
Upon returning to his room, Xu Fang took a bath, dressed, and headed to the dining hall for breakfast with his family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the library, Xu Min gathered her siblings, Xu Zhi, Xu Ling, and Xu Jing, and shared a revelation about Xu Fang. She explained that it was not Xu Fang who was unwilling to assist them in their cultivation but their mother, Shen Yin.
"What?" Xu Zhi and the others were taken aback by the unexpected information.
"He said he wants to help." Xu Ling asked, her expression reflecting her surprise.
"We've been misunderstanding him all this time," Xu Jing expressed with a tinge of sadness.
"Yes, I found out from Xu Fang yesterday after lunch," Xu Min confirmed, emphasizing the sincerity in her words.
"I need to talk to my little brother and apologize for thinking wrongly about him," Xu Zhi declared, determination in her expression.
"Count me in," Xu Ling added with a determined nod.
"Me too," Xu Jing chimed in, echoing their sentiments.
"Great, let's get back to studying," Xu Min suggested, steering the conversation back to their current task.
They all agreed and resumed their studies. After their study session, they dedicated time to cultivating and practicing with their respective teachers.
Upon completion of Xu Zhi's Elements Qi Awakening ceremony, she, like Xu Min, now had her own separate teacher. The same was true for Xu Ling and Xu Jing—they all had their mentors.