For Kawachi Mako-shin, her troubles were only just beginning. Although the probability of convincing Robin to participate in the "Academy Ranking Tournament" was infinitesimally close to zero, the Principal's command could not be defied. Worse still, she had actually fabricated a story claiming that Zhong Shenxiu and Robin were children of her relatives!
Now, her heart felt utterly cold. Putting aside the issue with the Principal for a moment, the mere thought that she had made a solemn pledge to her father made her future seem utterly bleak! She genuinely wished she could just throw caution to the wind and marry someone!
To locate Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, she had visited the library multiple times—not just one, but every library across the entire campus—yet she could not find any trace of them. No matter how anxious she became, there was nothing she could do!
Little did she know that, at this very moment, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin had already left "Duberlei Magic and Martial Arts Academy" and were out in the Demon Beast Forest gathering herbs.
Starting today, Zhong Shenxiu was going to officially teach Robin the art of pill refinement!
Robin already possessed some foundational knowledge, and Zhong Shenxiu had often subtly introduced her to relevant matters regarding alchemy during their daily interactions. Therefore, for Robin, "pill refinement" was not too difficult to grasp!
Judging by the herbs they gathered, it was clear that Zhong Shenxiu had a plan long in advance, and this wasn't some spur-of-the-moment whim. After all, the collected medicinal herbs were limited to just a few specific kinds!
"Robin, what is this called, and what are its effects?" Zhong Shenxiu asked, holding up a strange plant while testing Robin.
"It's called Sanjiduan. It is Yin-natured and often grows in damp places. It is mainly used to regulate blood circulation," Robin replied quite fluently, indicating she had already achieved a certain level of proficiency.
Zhong Shenxiu was very satisfied with Robin's performance. The two of them busied themselves for a full hour before returning, laden with their harvest!
Upon arriving back at the small courtyard, Charlotte and the others were quite surprised. They hadn't expected Zhong Shenxiu and Robin to return so early today!
Zhong Shenxiu paid them no mind, instead leading Robin straight into the room.
Subsequently, Zhong Shenxiu brought out the "Melting Furnace" he had recently refined. First, he granted Robin usage permission, and then he began instructing her on its proper use and necessary precautions!
Robin listened intently, her expression showing clear excitement. This was hardly surprising; she was going to personally attempt alchemy today, so not being thrilled would have been impossible!
Although the study of pill refinement is complex, mastering the relevant knowledge makes the operation less difficult. Furthermore, Zhong Shenxiu's "Melting Furnace" eliminated many tedious steps in the process, making refinement significantly simpler.
Before Robin officially began refining, Zhong Shenxiu made her practice operating the furnace until proficient. From controlling the heat intensity to manipulating the spiritual energy, this process consumed another half hour or so!
Next came the main event. To enhance the success rate and efficacy of the medicine, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin both stepped out of the room and headed to the "Spirit Gathering Formation" set up in the courtyard!
Liss and the others were diligently practicing when they noticed Zhong Shenxiu and Robin gathered around a strange furnace. Seeing Robin cautiously toss peculiar plants into the crucible, they could no longer focus on their training and all stood on the sidelines to watch.
"What are they doing?" Charlotte asked curiously, assuming Angelia might know.
However, this was also the first time Angelia had seen such a strange apparatus; she had no idea what Zhong Shenxiu and Robin were up to. In the past, any invention or creation by Zhong Shenxiu took place inside the house, strictly forbidding interruptions. Thus, Angelia was seeing the mysterious process of "pill refinement" for the first time.
"Could there be something living inside that furnace?" Liss interjected. He guessed the crucible was housing something like fish or shrimp, and Robin was currently feeding them! Honestly, he was incredible; how could he even come up with such a notion!
Charlotte and Angelia exchanged a look and actually nodded slightly, finding Liss's suggestion quite reasonable! One... two...
Just as the three were speculating about what creature might be inside, something astonishing happened!
A strange, low "humming" sound suddenly emanated from within the furnace. Although not loud, the sight that followed made their jaws drop: under Robin's control, the furnace began to emit a soft, ethereal green light, flickering faintly, utterly bizarre!
But this was not the most shocking thing to the three; the truly strange part was yet to come!
As the green light intensified and the flickering quickened, the half-meter-tall furnace actually began to float in the air by itself, rising and falling like a ship on ocean waves—eerily uncanny!
Zhong Shenxiu watched quietly from the side. Although he knew Robin was straining herself at this moment, he still did not intervene.
Many things cannot be learned simply by being taught; one must experience them firsthand to truly grasp the underlying principle!
Zhong Shenxiu had begun instilling the concept of self-reliance in Robin a long time ago. He did not want Robin to become overly reliant on him; he intended to cultivate her into someone truly capable of standing on her own two feet!
Perhaps, in some future year... Robin might become the second "Prodigy" to follow in Zhong Shenxiu's footsteps!
A quarter of an hour passed. The furnace finally settled back onto the ground, and by then, Robin was drenched in sweat and panting slightly.
This didn't mean that refining pills was incredibly strenuous work; rather, it was because Robin was just starting out. Due to nervousness mixed with inexperience, she had exerted a lot of unnecessary effort!
Robin looked anxiously at Zhong Shenxiu, uncertain about the outcome of the batch she had just refined.
Although Zhong Shenxiu already knew the answer, he gave no indication, remaining silent and simply watching.
Robin hesitated for a moment before finally opening the lid. A plume of white vapor immediately billowed out, resembling a wispy dragon exhaling mist.
However, what was strange was that the moment she lifted the lid, Robin's expression shifted to one of disappointment, and she furtively stole a glance at Zhong Shenxiu.
Perhaps everyone has guessed already: Robin's first batch of medicine had failed. There was no need for a close inspection; the outcome was evident the instant the lid was opened!
Liss and the others, who had been watching intently, had changed their minds. They no longer believed something was being raised inside; instead, they concluded that Zhong Shenxiu and Robin were cooking something, and the white smoke that just rose was the best proof. Although this theory was slightly more plausible than the last, it was still hardly commendable!
What baffled the group, though, was how the contents inside could have been cooked when no fire was lit outside the furnace?
They couldn't know that this was precisely the profound mystery of the "Melting Furnace." The flames used for refinement were not external but internal!
The fire inside the furnace was generated by the formation array—conceivable as an induction cooker or electric ignition. It was not only energy-efficient and convenient but also caused no atmospheric pollution!
Zhong Shenxiu did not scold Robin for the failure. In fact, having been with Robin for so long, he had never once lost his temper with her!
Next, Zhong Shenxiu analyzed the reasons behind Robin's recent failure, while Robin listened with red-rimmed eyes. Even though Zhong Shenxiu hadn't criticized her, she still felt deeply upset!
They say women are perceptive. When Charlotte and Angelia saw Robin’s eyes turn red, their bodies involuntarily flinched!
No way, Robin was going to cry?
They couldn't be blamed for being so surprised, as Robin had established an image of an "Invincible Little Fighter" in their minds. They never imagined Robin possessed such a vulnerable side!
And Robin only showed this side to Zhong Shenxiu, just as she only smiled at him alone!
Next, Robin began her second attempt at refinement. Thanks to Zhong Shenxiu's prior guidance, she was much more relaxed this time. Her expression had shifted from intense nervousness to composed tranquility!
The path of alchemy is deeply connected to one's temperament. The more one consciously strives for success, the more often one is counterproductive. Conversely, acting with ease can yield unexpectedly good results!
Seeing the furnace again this time, it was markedly different from before. Firstly, the green light it emitted was no longer intermittent but constant. Secondly, it did not float this time but merely rotated in place, emitting no sound whatsoever.
After some time like this, Robin finally ceased her action and stood back.
This time, she didn't look towards Zhong Shenxiu; instead, she directly closed the furnace lid.
Immediately, a beam of light shot upward, flashing and vanishing in an instant.
And at that moment, Robin broke into a happy smile, because she knew she had succeeded; she had done it!
Zhong Shenxiu still said nothing, merely nodding slightly.
The batch of pills Robin refined was not overly complex; it was suitable for a beginner's initial practice.
This pill was named the "Water Flower Jade Purity Pill." The medicinal herbs used included Baiding Grass, Tiansan Flower, Lingyazi, and others.
Its medicinal effect was: Detoxifies all poisons!
As long as the poison wasn't exceptionally virulent, the "Water Flower Jade Purity Pill" could cure it. Even for poisons it couldn't completely eradicate, it could still provide alleviation and suppression.
After successfully packaging the refined pills, Zhong Shenxiu instructed Robin to continue refining until she had achieved complete mastery!
The tally showed that Robin refined a total of three hundred and forty-two "Water Flower Jade Purity Pills" today, a considerable achievement!
Afterward, Zhong Shenxiu had Robin start refining the slightly more difficult "Purple Return Ointment."
This medicine was not unfamiliar to Angelia and the others, as it was the ointment they had been using for their injuries after being put through the wringer these past few days.
The primary effects of this medicine were: Invigorates blood, removes stagnation, stops bleeding and pain, activates cells, and refreshes the mind and brain—truly an excellent recommendation for anyone heading out to fight or engage in duels!
It must be said that Robin’s talent was truly high. After the initial failure and subsequent instruction, all her subsequent refinements proceeded smoothly without major difficulties.
Even the "Purple Return Ointment" was successfully refined by her! To know what happens next, please log in to Jihou, where more chapters await. Support the author, support legitimate reading!