Several days later... the Wang Pai Divine Medicine Hall was fully established. It stood as the most majestic and mysterious two-story building in the entire commercial district.
The daily routines of Wang Cheng and Liu Yuexin had shifted as well. Liu Yuexin took full charge of managing the storefront, while Wang Cheng spent most of his time on the second floor, which had been converted into a state-of-the-art private alchemy room.
And finally... the first batch of precious herbs sent by Su Meilan arrived!
"U-Uncle! This is... 'Thousand-Year Lingzhi Root', 'Iron Snow Lotus', and 'Fire Spirit Fruit'!" Liu Yuexin exclaimed in shock as she helped him check the inventory. "Every single item is a legendary herb!"
"Mm... Manager Su is truly attentive," Wang Cheng said calmly. "Alright... since the ingredients are ready, it is time to prepare the 'merchandise' for the auction."
He decided to brew the "Foundation Establishment Pill"—a pill absolutely essential for every cultivator seeking to break through their limits, yet known for its incredibly low success rate and high danger during refinement.
"Little girl, come help me prepare the ingredients."
This was the first time he would teach her seriously. Liu Yuexin rushed over to assist with enthusiasm.
"Before refining the pill, the most important step is the 'Purification' of ingredients," he said, picking up the 'Iron Snow Lotus' and activating his [Divine Diagnostic Eye].
[Iron Snow Lotus (Age: 800 Years)]
[Properties: Rich in pure Ice Attribute Spiritual Qi]
[Defect: Accumulated 'Residual Cold Qi' at the stamen. If not cleansed, it will introduce impurities to the pill.]
He pointed to the lotus stamen, which was covered in a faint blue shimmer. "Do you see this blue shimmer? Ordinary people might think it is a sign of dense energy, but in reality, it is 'Residual Cold Qi,' a type of poison. If fused directly with other herbs, it will instantly destroy the pill's balance."
As he spoke, he channeled Qi to his fingertip. A tiny flame of pure blue Qi, no larger than a needlepoint, instantly appeared! He used that flame to singe the stamen gently and swiftly!
Fwoosh!
The blue cold vapor burned away in the blink of an eye! All that remained was the snow lotus, looking even brighter and purer than before!
Liu Yuexin's eyes widened in astonishment! Such delicate and precise Qi control... this was clearly the level of a Grandmaster!
He did the same with every herb, using both 'Qi Fire' and 'Qi Knife' to trim and cleanse every hidden impurity—something ordinary alchemists never did, nor could they do!
When the preparation was complete, he turned to face the furnace.
"Watch closely... this is the most critical step."
He didn't use firewood. Instead, he placed his palm on the furnace and circulated his energy.
"Alchemical Qi Fire!"
Roar! A pure blue flame blazed to life inside the furnace instantly!
'System, begin the process for the Perfect Grade Foundation Establishment Pill. Guide my Qi flow.'
[Acknowledged... Activating skill [Hand of Alchemical Fusion]... Please insert 'Iron Snow Lotus' first.]
Wang Cheng tossed the Iron Snow Lotus into the flame. The moment it touched the Qi Fire, it didn't burn to ash but slowly melted into droplets of liquid, clear and blue as sapphire!
[Eliminated residual impurities 0.01%... Essence extraction successful... Please insert 'Fire Spirit Fruit'.]
He tossed the bright red spirit fruit in after it. It melted into droplets of liquid fire, floating alongside the blue droplets.
"Next step... Fusion!"
Wang Cheng closed his eyes, focusing all his concentration to control the Qi according to the system's guidance. He slowly compressed the droplets of the two colors toward each other!
Hiss!
The opposing elemental energies resisted violently! The flames in the furnace even flickered!
"Control it!" he roared in his mind.
He poured in more Qi, mobilizing all his power to compress the two droplets, forcing them to spin and merge like a Yin-Yang symbol!
[Fusion Successful... Commencing Pill Formation!]
The swirling liquid began to solidify into a round sphere rapidly. It spun faster... and faster... until it became a golden orb shining with blinding light!
A divine fragrance, one that no one had ever smelled before, wafted through the entire room! It was a scent that, just by inhaling, made one feel as if they were on the verge of enlightenment!
Suddenly... on the surface of the spinning golden pill, intricate golden lines faintly appeared... "Pill Veins"! The symbol of a legendary pill that was completely free of impurities!
"Done!"
Wang Cheng slapped the side of the furnace lightly once!
Bang!
The furnace lid flew open! A golden pill, glowing brightly and adorned with exquisite patterns, slowly floated out. The pure energy radiating from it caused Liu Yuexin to collapse onto the floor!
She looked at the scene before her as if spellbound... before kneeling and kowtowing to Wang Cheng with all her heart!
"Master... You are truly the God of Alchemy!"
Wang Cheng received the pill gently into his hand before storing it in a high-quality jade box.
"Good things... must be few in number to be valuable."
That night... Wang Cheng stood looking at the full moon outside the window. A strange sense of loneliness visited him for a fleeting moment... but he quickly shook it off.
'This life is far more exciting!'
While he was lost in thought...
The familiar carriage of the Li Family rolled up silently to stop in front of the shop.
Three days had passed... It was time for the first "Scheduled Examination" of Young Miss Li Sumei.
He turned to Liu Yuexin. "Watch the shop well. I must go check on a very important 'patient'."
"Yes, Master... May the 'treatment' go smoothly," she replied, her face blushing a lovely shade of red.
Wang Cheng smiled with satisfaction. He slung a small medicine bag over his shoulder—inside of which "Stamina Recovery Pills" were already prepared...
He stepped onto the carriage gracefully, wearing a knowing smirk.