A dry chuckle escaped him, and pretended not to notice the several gazes directed his way, managing an awkward smile. “It is indeed a pill refined from Mailing Grass. I never imagined Miss Xuanyuan was also so accomplished in alchemy. Truly admirable, truly admirable!”

Unexpectedly, a look of thinly veiled disdain also crossed ’s face. “The pharmacology is correct, but do you know how to refine pills? Do you even understand medicinal theory? Don't tell me you plan to just toss all the ingredients into the crucible at once? Truly clever in your own mind, yet utterly foolish. If you don't know alchemy, then stop wasting these herbs—”

Even with's good temper, he couldn't help but feel a sting of shame and anger. Then, a wave of self-admonishment immediately washed over him. His expression sobered, and he bowed respectfully to . “If that is the case, then Miss Xuanyuan must surely know how to refine this Mailing Pill? is indeed only half-aware when it comes to the art of alchemy. I beg Miss to bestow her knowledge upon me!”

The Sages once said that if three people walk together, one must be one’s teacher. One should ask when one doesn't know, and not be ashamed to ask; there is nothing embarrassing about it.

In his heart, he was also secretly amazed. That woman's ability to discern herbs just now was truly extraordinary. Even high-level Alchemists in later generations might not possess such skill. He surmised that her alchemy techniques would certainly not be inferior.

indeed frowned upon hearing this, and the expression on her face turned placid. “To refine this pill, the two ingredients, Yinqiao and Zongban, must only be added after a full three-quarters of an hour. The other ingredients also require precise timing; otherwise, this pill will turn into a poison pill, just like what you have now. Furthermore, after the mixture boils, the first seven seals of the Danxuan Twelve Seals must be used to control the pill and expel its toxic force. When opening the crucible, one must use the Kongyuan Art to collect the pill and dissipate the fire—”

Midway through her explanation, seeing that was listening with increasing confusion and a blank, bewildered look, couldn't help but feel another wave of helplessness. “Forget it. Even if I explain the method, you won't be able to refine this pill. It involves some secret techniques of my sect, so it’s no wonder you don’t know. I will refine this Mailing Pill for you. However, if the pill succeeds, you must tell me exactly which book you read the formula for this Mailing Pill from? Where did you get the reference? If you are interested in learning, you can come in and watch.”

She then sniffed delicately, followed the scent of the charcoal fire, and walked directly into’s room.

froze for a moment, wondering why this girl was so impatient? She hadn't even been told the complete formula, yet she was rushing to start refining.

Even if one knows the ingredients, the proportions must be impossible to guess. Can she really refine the pill this way?

At this moment, also approached. Her gaze was even more murderous than the day before, colder still. “Does Miss also know alchemy? Miss was taken in by the Danquan Sect seven years ago. After only three years of study, she was chosen by Elder Mingdan as his final disciple, praised as the most gifted in the Way of the Pill under him, promised to inherit all his true teachings in thirty years. Forget it, why am I telling you this? The Shenxiao Sect, the Danquan Sect—perhaps your father wouldn’t tell you about them either. It’s a waste of breath—”

Her words were full of scorn. She seemed too lazy to speak further to. “You only need to know that with Miss’s status, you, a waste who cannot even open the meridian wheels, are far beneath her notice. Even if one day you manage to resolve your dual-meridian constitution, you are still not worthy of her. If you have any self-awareness, then scram far away and stop pestering Miss!”

Her voice was as thin as a whisper, only reaching half a zhang. Yet, heard every word clearly in his ears.

’s bright, watery eyes widened, ready to clash with this woman. But grabbed her arm, a faint smile playing on his lips. “The Danquan Sect? I’ve heard of it. The seventh among the Nineteen Spirit Prefectures, correct? Said to be comparable in strength to the last three of the Ten Great Holy Lands, specializing in alchemy. As for the Shangxiao Sect, I’ve heard a little too. The third of the Nineteen Spirit Prefectures, their Thunder Magic and Thought Techniques are quite formidable—”

’s expression faltered, then she let out another cold laugh. “It’s better that you know. By the way, since Miss will personally refine your Mailing Pill, it should be ready in a day or so. You can come collect it then! Miss’s alchemy skills involve the hidden secrets of her sect, so it is best that the Young Lord does not watch!”

After saying this, she also walked into’s room. Just as was about to shamelessly try to follow her in, the door snapped shut with a sharp ‘pa’ sound, closing tightly.

was furious, sticking her delicate tongue out at the door and humming, “So arrogant, what’s the big deal? She wasn't the one who became Elder Mingdan's disciple! And what’s this about not pestering? You all walked over here yourselves! It wasn't the Young Master chasing after you! Young Master, if that woman knew that you, after only a few months of cultivation, have already reached the Out-of-Body realm, capable of roaming freely at night, I wonder if her jaw would drop? Oh, and there’s the Sword Dao Spiritual Attunement—”

She still didn't know the true significance of Sword Dao Spiritual Attunement. However, since it had surprised someone like , and even the Heaven Rank Martial Grandmaster was astonished by it, it must be an incredibly significant matter, perhaps even more profound than the Out-of-Body realm.

Even the day he slew the Innate Martial Master while in the Spirit Nurturing realm, it was who did it.

Hearing this, chuckled, flicking ’s forehead. “I think you’re the one showing off! This tiny bit of skill amounts to nothing in the eyes of those great sects. Don't mention it; you’ll just make a laughingstock of yourself!”

He cast a slightly resentful look at his closed door, shaking his head inwardly.

Such a rare opportunity was ruined just like that. It was the same in his previous life; countless times he wished to catch a glimpse of the secret transmissions of those great sects, yet failed.

The Martial Dao Intent and the Talisman Arts, he had figured out entirely on his own, but they were all unorthodox methods, lacking a complete system.

Now that observing was hopeless, he needed to find something else to do. Should he go to the backyard to practice a set of fist forms and wait quietly for to finish refining the Mailing Pill? Or should he try Shenhun Out-of-Body again, to further comprehend this realm?

Suddenly, a thought moved him, and turned to ask , “Has there been any news about the sword Uncle Yin was looking for?”

had been pouting, gently rubbing her head. Hearing the question now, she dared not delay. She hurried towards the front yard, and in just a moment, returned holding a sword, a slight joy in her voice. “We found it! Uncle Yin found it yesterday. It’s a Supreme Grade Talisman Soldier, the Leiya Sword. It cost a full twenty third-rank Beast Cores!”

’s eyes brightened. He took the sword and drew it sharply. The blade was a striking cyan-blue, with faint arcs of lightning flickering along it.

A third-rank Beast Core was equivalent to a thousand taels of gold or one hundred thousand silver ingots. Twenty cores meant twenty thousand taels of gold.

In the past, at the Treasure Armament Pavilion, he had ordered a Songwen Wind Sword that cost one third-rank Beast Core. This sword was two grades higher than the Songwen Wind Sword, and a rare piece of fine craftsmanship; this price was actually slightly on the cheap side.

Just as he was about to channel his soul power to activate the runes on the sword, he heard speak again. “There’s also a Spirit Weapon. Uncle Yin searched for a full half a day. Although there are some in the city, no one is willing to sell. However, Uncle Yin heard that a pawnshop in Cloud Saint City is auctioning off a Spirit Weapon tonight, so he has already gone there to wait. Apparently, someone pawned that sword a year ago in exchange for one hundred third-rank Beast Cores, and no one has come to claim it since—”