He let out a dry chuckle, pretending not to notice the several gazes directed his way. Zong Shou offered an awkward smile. "Indeed, it is a pill refined from the Pulse Spirit Grass. I hadn't realized Miss Xuanyuan was so accomplished in alchemy as well. Truly impressive, truly impressive!"

Unexpectedly, Xuanyuan Yiren’s face also betrayed a flicker of disdain. "The medicinal theory is correct, but do you know how to refine it? Do you even understand the principles? Don't tell me you just toss every herb into the crucible and start heating? Truly self-important, and utterly foolish. If you don't know alchemy, then don't waste these precious ingredients—"

No matter how good Zong Shou’s temper was, he couldn't help but feel a surge of frustrated anger at this point. Yet, immediately, a sense of self-admonishment surfaced. His expression grew solemn, and he bowed respectfully to Xuanyuan Yiren. "In that case, Miss Xuanyuan must surely know how to refine this Pulse Spirit Pill? Zong Shou is indeed only half-educated in the art of alchemy. I beg Miss to grant me your guidance!"

The Sage once said, "When three walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher." A person should ask when they don't know, and not be ashamed to ask; there is nothing shameful about it.

He was also secretly amazed. The woman’s ability to discern the herbs just now was truly extraordinary. Even high-level Alchemists in later generations might not possess such skill. He presumed her alchemy techniques would certainly be outstanding.

Hearing this, Xuanyuan Yiren indeed frowned, and the expression on her face turned calm. "To refine this pill, the two ingredients, Silver Hops and Brown Sheath, must only be added after three quarters of an hour. The remaining herbs also require precise timing, otherwise this pill will turn into a poison pill, just as yours would now. Furthermore, after the mixture boils, the first seven seals of the Twelve Alchemic Seals must be used to control the essence and expel the toxic nature. When opening the cauldron, one must use the Essence Control Art to draw out the essence while scattering the fire—"

Midway through her explanation, seeing Zong Shou looking increasingly bewildered and confused, Xuanyuan Yiren couldn't help but sigh with exasperation. "Forget it. Even if I explain the method, you still couldn't refine this pill. It involves some secret techniques of my Sect, so it’s understandable you wouldn't know. I will refine this Pulse Spirit Pill for you. However, if it succeeds, you must tell me precisely which book you read that contained the formula for your Pulse Spirit Pill, and from what source? If you are interested in learning, you are welcome to watch."

She sniffed lightly again, then following the scent of the charcoal fire, walked directly into Zong Shou’s room.

Zong Shou was momentarily stunned, wondering why this girl was so impatient. She hadn't been told the complete formula, yet she was already rushing to begin the refinement.

Even if she knew the ingredients, she surely couldn't guess the proportions. How could she refine the pill like this?

At this moment, Li Yuniang also approached. Her gaze was even more venomous and chilling than the day before. "Could it be that the Young Miss also knows alchemy? The Young Miss was accepted into the Pill Spring Sect seven years ago. After only three years of study, she was chosen by the Elder Ming Dan as his final disciple, heralded as the most gifted in the Dao of Alchemy under him, promised to inherit all his true teachings within thirty years. Never mind, why should I tell you this? The Divine Firmament Sect, the Pill Spring Sect—your father probably wouldn't tell you about them either, it's just wasted breath—"

Her words were full of contempt. She seemed too lazy to speak further to Zong Shou. "You only need to know that with the Young Miss's status, she is far beyond the reach of a mere waste like you who cannot even open the meridians. Even if you somehow managed to resolve your dual-meridian condition one day, you would still not be worthy of her. If you have any sense of propriety, then leave quickly and stop pestering the Young Miss!"

Her voice was as thin as silk, barely carrying five feet. Yet, Zong Shou heard every word clearly.

Chuxue’s clear, bright eyes widened, ready to snap at the woman. Zong Shou pulled her back, a faint smile touching his lips. "The Pill Spring Sect? Zong Shou has heard of it. The seventh among the Nineteen Spirit Prefectures, correct? Reportedly, its strength is comparable to the last three of the Ten Great Sacred Lands, specializing in alchemy. As for the Upper Firmament Sect, I have also heard rumors. The third among the Nineteen Spirit Prefectures, their Thunder Arts and Mental Techniques are extremely renowned—"

Li Yuniang’s expression froze, then she gave another cold laugh. "It's better if you know. Oh, since the Young Miss is personally refining your Pulse Spirit Pill, it should be ready in a day or two. Come collect it then! The Young Miss's alchemy techniques involve her Sect's secrets, so it’s best if the Young Lord refrains from observing!"

With that, she also walked into Zong Shou's room. Just as Zong Shou was about to shamelessly try to follow her in, the door slammed shut with a sharp 'pa,' locking tight.

Chuxue was indignant, sticking her tongue out at the door with a soft 'hmph.' "So arrogant, what's the big fuss? She wasn't the one who became Elder Ming Dan's disciple! And what about 'stop pestering'—you all came here yourselves, didn't you? It wasn't the Young Master chasing after you! Young Master, if that woman knew that you have already reached the Soul Projection Realm after only a few months of cultivation, and can travel freely at night, I wonder if her jaw would drop? Oh, and also the Spirit Resonance of the Sword Path—"

She still didn't quite grasp the significance of the Spirit Resonance of the Sword Path. But since it caused Zhao Yanran such shock, and even Lei Dong, a Celestial Martial Master, was astonished by it, it must be an incredibly significant achievement, perhaps even more remarkable than the Soul Projection Realm.

It was even the case that the previous day, while only in the Spirit Nurturing Realm, Zong Shou had slain a Congenital Martial Master with his sword.

Zong Shou chuckled upon hearing this, lightly flicking Chuxue’s head. "I think you’re the one showing off! This tiny bit of skill means nothing in the eyes of those major sects. Don't even mention it, lest you become a laughingstock!"

He then cast a slightly resentful glance at his closed door, shaking his head secretly.

Such a rare opportunity had been spoiled just like that. It was the same in his previous life; countless times he had wished to glimpse the secrets of those great sects, only to be denied.

His martial intent and talisman techniques, he had to figure out entirely on his own—all of them were unorthodox methods, unsystematic.

Since observing the refinement was now impossible, he needed to find something else to occupy himself. Should he go to the back courtyard to practice a set of boxing forms and wait quietly for Xuanyuan Yiren to finish the Pulse Spirit Pill? Or should he attempt another Divine Soul Projection to further explore that realm?

Suddenly, a thought stirred in his mind. Zong Shou turned back and asked Chuxue, "Is there any news about the sword Uncle Yin was looking for?"

Chuxue, who had been pouting, rubbing her head, immediately sobered up at the question. She hurriedly ran toward the front courtyard and, moments later, returned carrying a sword with a hint of delight. "We found it! Uncle Yin found it yesterday. It’s a Supreme Grade Talisman Weapon, the Thunder Fang Sword. It cost a full twenty Third-Tier Beast Cores!"

Zong Shou's eyes brightened. He took the sword and drew it sharply. The blade was a deep cyan color, faintly shimmering with electrical arcs.

A Third-Tier Beast Core was equivalent to a thousand gold taels or one hundred thousand silver taels. Twenty cores meant twenty thousand gold taels.

In the past, he had ordered a Pine Grain Wind Sword at the Treasure Armament Pavilion, which cost one Third-Tier Beast Core. This sword was two grades higher than the Pine Grain Wind Sword and was a rare fine piece; this price was actually a bit on the cheap side.

Just as he was about to urge his soul power to activate the runes on the sword, he heard Chuxue speak again. "There's also a Spirit Weapon. Uncle Yin searched for a whole half-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 gone there to wait. Reportedly, someone pawned that sword a year ago for one hundred Third-Tier Beast Cores and hasn't redeemed it since—"