"Senior Gu He, what's going on here?"
"If I remember correctly, this should be the Third Grade Pill: Condensing Qi Pill, right?"
"Condensing Qi Pill can increase the success rate by 10%~15% for a Ninth Stage Dou Disciple when condensing the Dou Disciple vortex. Its effect is not just a half-star less than Qi Gathering Powder, which has a 100% success rate in condensing the Dou Disciple vortex, if I'm not mistaken!"
This made Yun Yun very angry, and there was a hint of questioning in her tone.
Because before this, in order to be absolutely sure, she traveled throughout the entire Imperial Capital, preparing materials for six batches of Qi Gathering Powder.
Considering the possibility of alchemy failure, even if three sets of materials produce one Pill, she should have at least refined two Qi Gathering Powders. However, Gu He only gave her one, making her seriously suspect his integrity and believe that he privately took the alchemy materials!
"Cough~ It was a moment of carelessness on my part, and there were quite a few failures in the refining process."
"Please forgive me. Please punish mes Sect Master."
Gu He's eyes flickered slightly, seemingly trying hard to conceal something.
"Refining failure?"
Yun Yun's brows furrowed even deeper as she looked at Gu He with a skeptical expression.
A sixth-grade Alchemist, refining a Fourth Grade Pill, should have a success rate of at least ninety percent if not one hundred percent, right?
The entire six batches of materials only produced one Qi Gathering Powder; this failure rate is somewhat absurd!
"Sect Master, don't worry. According to Yanran, just by taking a Qi Gathering Powder, she can advance from Dou Disciple to Dou Practitioner."
Gu He attempted to change the subject. At the same time, he subtly reminded that Nalan Yanran is your personally accepted disciple, so it's reasonable for her to have a Qi Gathering Powder. Other disciples may not enjoy such privileges.
"I am well aware of that, but I promised to give one Qi Gathering Powder to Tianming."
Yun Yun said in a deep voice.
"Tianming, that Yun Tianming!"
"Forgive my frankness, but what merit does this lad have to deserve the Sect Master's reward of a Fourth Grade Pill?"
A shade of jealousy flashed in Gu He's eyes, and his expression turned unpleasant. Just thinking that this fellow had been staying in the Sect Master's Residence for a full three years, meeting his admired goddess every day, Gu He couldn't help but wish to snatch him away immediately! Yet, Yun Yun still asked him to refine Qi Gathering Powder for Yun Tianming, making Gu He feel as if a heavy burden was on his shoulders, and he was utterly frustrated!
In this way, with a deliberately negative and indifferent attitude, Gu He intentionally failed in his alchemy attempt, planning to casually produce a Third Grade Pill just to get by.
"Tianming possesses extraordinary talent, and his aptitude is not even inferior to Yanran's. He is definitely a promising individual in the future."
Yun Yun spoke the truth. She genuinely had high expectations for Yun Tianming's growth.
Seeing his beloved goddess uncommonly praising another man, Gu He was greatly irritated. However, he dared not confront Yun Yun and could only suppress his frustration.
"..."
Yun Yun narrowed her eyes, sensing that the current Gu He seemed to harbor some inexplicable hostility towards Yun Tianming. She was puzzled by this sudden animosity. Considering that if she continued to inquire about Gu He "privately taking materials," it might deepen his prejudice against Yun Tianming, having a sixth-grade Alchemist harbor resentment would not be beneficial for Yun Tianming. After careful consideration, Yun Yun ultimately decided to let the matter rest.
"Elder Gu He, thank you for your efforts. I'll find another solution for the Qi Gathering Powder. Goodbye."
Yun Yun gave Gu He a cold glance, not waiting for his response, she unfolded her Dou Qi wings and flew away.
"Yun'er."
Gu He stared blankly at the graceful figure of Yun Yun as she left. He knew that his actions today would certainly be a negative mark in Yun Yun's eyes. However, he was also a man and couldn't accept Yun Yun looking at another man.
Is he wrong? No! He is not wrong!
Three years ago, Gu He was amazed by Yun Tianming's powerful Soul Power. From that moment, he knew that this young man was extraordinary!
Now, at the age of 13, possessing the Ninth Stage Dou Disciple level, such talent is rare in the entire Jia Ma Empire.
If Yun Tianming obtains a Qi Gathering Powder and advances to Dou Practitioner at the age of 13, his status in Misty Cloud Sect will undoubtedly rise. Ten or twenty years later, he could become an elder of Misty Cloud Sect, equal to Gu He. In case this young man develops ambitions and pursues Yun Yun, Gu He will have to face competition from a man with higher talent and younger age for Yun Yun's affection.
In this situation, Gu He certainly did not want to provide Qi Gathering Powder assistance to his potential "rival" in the future!
"Humph! Without Qi Gathering Powder, advancing to Dou Practitioner, whether it takes a year and a half or three to five years, is quite normal."
Gu He sneered.
From Ninth Stage Dou Disciple to Dou Practitioner, it seems like a mere step, but it is, in fact, the first major bottleneck on the path of cultivation!
Without the aid of Pills, there is a considerable failure rate for ordinary individuals to condense the Dou Disciple vortex. After a failure, the Dou Disciple would drop back to the Eighth Stage, requiring time to re-cultivate to the Ninth Stage. Going through this process several times means wasting precious years in the cultivator's life.
As for Yun Yun seeking another Alchemist to refine Qi Gathering Powder, not to mention that this Fourth Grade Pill is not easy to refine, finding the materials alone is challenging. The six sets of materials Yun Yun collected earlier had already been searched throughout the entire Imperial Capital. It would take some time to replenish the materials for Qi Gathering Powder. If Yun Yun wants to find materials for Qi Gathering Powder, she would have to go to other cities, which also requires time.
...
Returning to the Sect Master's Residence, Yun Yun happened to see Nalan Yanran with her shoulders half-exposed. Her gaze was affectionately fixed on Yun Tianming. Yun Yun's heart inexplicably trembled, but upon closer inspection, she realized that Yun Tianming was using Wood-attributed Dou Qi to heal the injuries of the other party. Only then did she relax.
"Cough!"
Approaching, Yun Yun cleared her throat as a gentle reminder.
"Sect Master, you're back."
Yun Tianming remained composed, his Soul Perception had long sensed the approaching figure.
"Teacher."
Nalan Yanran quickly pulled up the clothes on her shoulders, and a suspicious blush surged on her cheeks.
Young lady, you have some issues!
Yun Yun observed the changes in their expressions, thinking to herself, "Tianming, you truly are a gentleman. Yanran is just a shy girl; it's only natural." Yun Yun intended to groom Nalan Yanran as her successor, to eventually take over as the next Sect Master of Misty Cloud Sect. At the same time, she hoped Yun Tianming could become the next Grand Elder of Misty Cloud Sect, assisting Nalan Yanran diligently.
The current Sect Master, Yun Yun, harbors resentment towards the Grand Elder, Yun Leng, which has affected the internal stability of Misty Cloud Sect. Bringing Yun Tianming into the Sect Master's Residence and having him spend time with Nalan Yanran is to cultivate their relationship from a young age. She hopes that the next Sect Master and Grand Elder of Misty Cloud Sect can cooperate sincerely and work together to promote the prosperity of the sect.
In saying that, if their relationship progresses further, it doesn't seem to be a bad thing, right?
A hint of doubt flashed in Yun Yun's mind, and she wondered why she felt this way. She wasn't entirely sure.
Images of the future wedding ceremony between Nalan Yanran and Yun Tianming surfaced in her mind. In that scene, she sat alone, drinking silently, feeling an inexplicable sense of loneliness and melancholy.
Is this jealousy?
No way, right? The esteemed Sect Master, herself, feeling jealous because her disciple gets married before her?
Yun Yun shook her head in self-mockery.
****
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