Each herb, each fragment of material, seemed to whisper its essence to him.
“What’s happening…” Shen Yuan murmured, without pausing his refinement.
His gaze fell on a piece of Star Blossom Leaf. He could see it now—its flow of Qi, its alignment with fire-based energies, and even the faint trace of impurities clinging to its edges.
It was as if the essence of the world had revealed itself to him.
[Yuan’er, are you…?]
Yue Lan’s voice was tinged with astonishment.
Shen Yuan’s movements were fluid, his focus unshaken even as he murmured, “What is this feeling…”
[This… This is Alchemy Intent. And it’s constantly improving at an absurd rate.]
Yue Lan said in an astonished voice as even she had not expected this.
[But this isn’t the usual progression. You’re… skipping ahead.]
Shen Yuan’s hands didn’t falter. The Pure Heart Flame roared to life under his control, coaxing the herbs into releasing their full potential.
As the essence of the ingredients fused within the cauldron, his spiritual sense extended, and he felt the energy’s rhythm, its pulse, its flow.
It was like watching an intricate dance that only he could guide.
The first batch completed with a deep hum from the cauldron.
Shen Yuan opened the lid, revealing three pills, each with eight distinct veins glowing brightly.
“Not enough,” he said softly, his gaze remained sharp. “I need to do better.”
He prepared another batch, but this time, the sensation intensified.
As he refined the herbs, it was as though their very existence aligned with his own understanding.
His connection with the Pure Heart Flame deepened, and he could feel its eagerness to assist, almost as though it were alive.
As Shen Yuan added the final ingredients of the second batch, a sudden surge coursed through him.
His bloodline stirred, resonating with the limitless hunger in him to improve.
He could feel his spiritual sense expanding, not just perceiving the ingredients but understanding their very essence on a fundamental level.
“Alchemy Intent…” Shen Yuan whispered, his voice filled with understanding. “It’s like the herbs themselves are guiding me.”
The cauldron began to glow brighter than before, its hum more resonant.
The Pure Heart Flame flickered with an otherworldly light, as if responding to his heightened understanding.
[This is the third level of Alchemy Intent, Yuan’er!]
Yue Lan’s voice rang out, both amazed and delighted.
[You’re no longer just manipulating the materials; you’re communicating with them, understanding their essence and harmonizing with their natural flow.]
Shen Yuan nodded slightly, his expression excited as well. “So, this is what it feels like… to truly see the world through the eyes of a true alchemist.”
The batch completed with a wondrous chime, and when Shen Yuan opened the cauldron, three pills lay within.
Each one gleamed with a purity and brilliance he had never seen before—nine distinct veins marked their surfaces, radiating an almost divine aura.
“Nine-veined Pristine Origin Pills,” Shen Yuan said, his voice low but brimming with satisfaction.
[That’s really good, Yuan’er, but you should not only limit yourself to this. There are higher levels of pill purity as well. Just above pill veins are Pill Clouds. But that’s too far away from you for now.]
Shen Yuan nodded his head. “I only managed to refine these pills due to the low grade of pill and the high tier of my technique. I still need to master a lot of things.”
Yue Lan got silent hearing him speak.
‘Only if it were that simple. The top alchemists will be refining low-level pills to make Pill Clouds like crazy.’
Yet she didn’t say anything to him as she knew Shen Yuan was different from others by the sole virtue of his Bloodline. He couldn’t be measured through normal means.
Shen Yuan didn’t stop there.
His newfound mastery of Alchemy Intent drove him crazy to refine more batches, each comparable to the last.
The herbs seemed to yield to his will effortlessly, their impurities dissolving under his guidance to smoke, their essences blending seamlessly.
With every pill he refined, his comprehension of Alchemy Intent deepened.
The Pure Heart Flame, now melding perfectly with his spiritual sense, danced with precision, its crimson-golden hues brighter and more vibrant.
As he completed his fourth batch of nine-veined pills, Shen Yuan leaned back slightly, exhaling a long breath.
The chamber was filled with a warm, golden glow, the air thick with the scent of refinement and spiritual energy.
[Yuan’er, do you realize what you’ve done?]
Yue Lan’s voice was filled with pride.
[This level of mastery is something only legendary alchemists achieve, and they spend lifetimes doing so. You’ve nearly reached the pinnacle of Earth-grade alchemy.]
Shen Yuan smiled faintly, storing the pills carefully in a reinforced jade vial. “It’s not just my talent, Lan’er. It’s everything—the Crimson Lotus Flame Art, the Pure Heart Flame, my Devouring Fiend Celestial Bloodline, the Verdant Flame Phoenix Legacy… and your guidance.”
[Heh, flattery will get you everywhere,]
Yue Lan teased.
[But you’ve earned this, Yuan’er. So, what now?]
“I will use the pills to break through,” he softly said.
[So soon?]
“En. I feel my body is ready for further refinement,” he said before standing up and looking around.
[Hmm? What happened?]
She curiously asked.
“I have a feeling I should go outside for my breakthrough, or else something unfortunate might happen,” he murmured, rubbing his chin.
[Huh? I’m sure no place is as safe as the Dual Cultivation Chamber in the Myriad Worlds.]
Shen Yuan’s eyes twitched as he heard her boasting. “Stop flattering yourself. Anyway, I will see what this feeling is when I’m outside.”
He shook his head before a portal appeared in front of him, and he stepped inside to leave the Dual Cultivation Chamber.
…
Stepping out of the chamber, Shen Yuan took a deep breath, his gaze falling on the serene courtyard.
The cherry blossom tree stood majestically, its branches swaying gently in the breeze, shedding soft pink petals that danced in the air.
The tranquil sight brought a faint smile to his lips, and he walked toward the tree with slow steps.
Beneath its shade, he sat cross-legged on a smooth stone bench, leaning back slightly.
With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a simple yet elegant gourd of wine. Uncorking it with ease, he brought it to his lips and took a long swig.
The cool liquid slid down his throat, leaving a subtle warmth that spread through his body, washing away the fatigue from his long seclusion.
“Ah, now that hits the spot,” Shen Yuan murmured, exhaling contentedly as the tension in his muscles melted away.
He tilted his head back, gazing at the blossoms overhead.
[Drinking under a cherry blossom tree after achieving such an extraordinary feat. How poetic,]
Yue Lan teased, her voice carrying a playful tone.
[What’s next? Writing a poem?]
Shen Yuan chuckled softly. “Even I’m allowed to enjoy the simple pleasures, Lan’er. Besides, this wine complements the atmosphere. You should try it sometime.”
[Hmm, maybe I will someday. But currently, it takes too much energy for me to manifest my body. But don’t think you’ll be able to just laze around at that time—I’ll keep an eye on you.]