The days following Yan Rui's victory over Lin Zhan were transformative. Whispers of his unexpected skill spread throughout the outer disciples, and though he wasn't yet a ranked name, his presence could no longer be ignored. Some regarded him with curiosity, others with envy. Lin Zhan's humiliation at the hands of an unranked disciple only fueled the tension.
But Yan Rui didn't allow the newfound attention to distract him. His primary focus was still his cultivation and survival within the Flameborne Sect.
One morning, while Yan Rui was in the library poring over scrolls on cultivation techniques, Fei Yue appeared, dropping a thin jade slip in front of him.
"What's this?" he asked, glancing up.
"A task," she replied, her tone nonchalant. "You've proven yourself decent at fighting. Let's see how you fare in alchemy."
"Alchemy?" Yan Rui frowned. He had little experience with the craft, apart from hearing the stories about miraculous pills that could boost cultivation or heal grievous wounds.
Fei Yue crossed her arms. "Every disciple needs to learn at least the basics of alchemy. Pills are as important as techniques when it comes to cultivation. Without them, you'll plateau sooner than you think."
Yan Rui picked up the jade slip and read the task's description: Harvest Flamepetal Blossoms and refine them into Qi Nourishing Pills.
"I've never refined a pill before," he admitted.
"You'll learn," Fei Yue said with a smirk. "The task hall provides access to the basics, but the actual refinement is up to you. If you want to survive in this sect, you need to be more than just a fighter."
Yan Rui hesitated for a moment before nodding. She was right. Cultivation wasn't just about raw strength—it was about adaptability and resourcefulness.
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The Flamepetal Blossoms grew in a valley just beyond the sect's territory. Yan Rui set out early the next morning, armed with a small pouch and a basic alchemy guide he had borrowed from the library.
The valley was beautiful yet treacherous, its rolling hills dotted with crimson flowers that emitted a faint heat. As Yan Rui approached, he could feel the fiery energy radiating from the blossoms.
He crouched near one of the flowers, examining it closely. The petals seemed to shimmer like molten gold, and their scent carried a hint of spice. Carefully, he used a small blade to cut the stem, placing the blossom in his pouch.
As he worked, he became aware of movement in the distance. A group of Flame-Scaled Lizards had appeared, their red eyes scanning the valley. They were known for their territorial nature, and Yan Rui knew better than to provoke them.
He kept his movements slow and deliberate, gathering the required number of blossoms while keeping a wary eye on the lizards. Just as he was about to leave, one of the creatures let out a low growl, its gaze locking onto him.
Yan Rui sighed. "Of course it wouldn't be that easy."
The lizard charged, its claws tearing through the ground as it closed the distance. Yan Rui dodged to the side, drawing his wooden sword. The creature's tail lashed out, forcing him to jump back.
Using the Flame Foundation Breathing Technique, Yan Rui channeled fiery energy into his strikes. His sword glowed faintly as he parried the lizard's next attack, then countered with a quick slash to its side. The creature hissed in pain before retreating, its companions following suit.
With the danger passed, Yan Rui made his way back to the sect, clutching the pouch of blossoms tightly.
---
The alchemy workshop was a small, dimly lit room filled with cauldrons, shelves of herbs, and the faint aroma of burning wood. Yan Rui placed his pouch on the table and unrolled the guide, scanning the instructions for refining Qi Nourishing Pills.
The process seemed straightforward enough: crush the blossoms into a paste, mix them with powdered Spirit Jade, and heat the mixture in a cauldron while infusing it with Qi.
He began by grinding the blossoms with a mortar and pestle, the fiery petals releasing a vibrant red liquid. The next step involved adding the Spirit Jade powder, which he carefully measured out from a jar provided by the sect.
When it came time to heat the mixture, Yan Rui activated the Ember Vein Constitution, channeling a steady flow of fiery Qi into the cauldron. The liquid began to bubble, its color shifting from red to orange.
But as the process continued, he encountered his first challenge. Maintaining the right balance of heat and Qi was more difficult than he had anticipated. Too much energy, and the mixture threatened to explode. Too little, and the concoction began to cool prematurely.
Sweat dripped from his brow as he adjusted his Qi flow, his focus unwavering. The minutes stretched into what felt like hours, but finally, the liquid solidified into small, round pills that glowed faintly.
Yan Rui exhaled, relief washing over him. He had succeeded—barely.
---
Later that evening, Fei Yue inspected the pills, rolling one between her fingers. "Not bad for your first attempt," she admitted. "The consistency is off, but they'll work."
"Is alchemy always this difficult?" Yan Rui asked, slumping into a chair.
Fei Yue chuckled. "It gets easier with practice. But it's not just about making pills—it's about understanding the balance of elements, the flow of Qi, and the nature of the materials. Alchemy is as much an art as it is a skill."
Yan Rui nodded, his respect for the craft growing. He had learned a valuable lesson today—one that would serve him well on his path to becoming stronger.
As the sun set over the Flameborne Sect, Yan Rui returned to his quarters, the Qi Nourishing Pills safely tucked away. He was exhausted, but a spark of determination burned within him.
His journey was just beginning, and he was ready to embrace every challenge that came his way.
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