"Wow, so handsome!"
"A fourth-rank alchemist—that's Xiao Ting?"
"Senior Xiao Ting is that handsome? You never told us!"
"Being handsome doesn't put food on the table."
"Why not? You guys say good-looking people are pleasant to look at. It's the same for female cultivators with handsome male cultivators."
"Appearance aside, do you want to compete with junior brother Xiao Ting in training, strength, and alchemy?"
"Uh…"
"Unfortunately, he already has a lover."
"So what? A genius like Brother Xiao Ting can't possibly keep only one or two women by his side." "Those three over there should all be like that, but the question is—can you match them?"
"Indeed. With three outstanding women, he must look down on ordinary girls like us."
"They have quite high self-awareness!"
The girls' faces flushed, their eyes filled with unconcealed admiration, like fanatical fans meeting their idol. They excitedly whispered among themselves.
The boys were jealous, but as one girl pointed out, Xiao Ting wasn't just handsome—his appearance wasn't even his most outstanding feature, yet it still overwhelmed the other boys. In training talent and alchemy skill, they could only look up to him.
"Students, seniors, elders—hello."
Xiao Ting stood before the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower and took out his Pill Furnace.
This cauldron was probably even stronger than the ones Yao Chen and Han Feng possessed. It had been formed from a soul weapon after he quickly mastered the basics of soul skills under dimensional guidance.
Instead of transforming the soul separation box into his usual sword, spear, or halberd, he had turned it into a massive cauldron.
The Heavenly Thunder Summoning Technique required heavenly thunder when pushed to the limit. Alchemy, especially at 8th rank and above, required soul power infused with spiritual essence.
Starting from top-grade 7th-rank pills, one could attract pill thunder. A cauldron with built-in heavenly thunder soul attraction was perfect—it could also strengthen soul skills in unconventional ways.
Moreover, this giant cauldron could attack, defend, suppress everything, support everything, and refine everything. It was incredibly powerful.
He could ask weapon-refining master Feng Zun to forge a long sword and spear in the future.
"At the request of Elder Huo and the other elders, I'm holding a public alchemy session to provide useful information to everyone."
Xiao Ting nodded to Xun Er and the girls, sat cross-legged without another word, and controlled the Thunder Flame Cauldron with soul power.
His soul power surged. His body rose into the air, standing in the void like a Dou Ancestor expert.
"Terrifying!" Yao Chen's shocked voice rang in Xiao Yan's ears.
"Teacher, what amazing thing has Xiao Ting done this time?" Xiao Yan asked calmly.
Xiao Ting possessed extraordinary talent—exaggerated or extraordinary performances were normal. Xiao Yan was used to it.
"Xiao Yan, I have to take back what I said a few days ago." Yao Chen said excitedly, hands in his pockets. "Xiao Ting's soul power has reached the peak of the mortal realm and is beginning to break through. He may soon reach the spirit realm."
"The spirit-realm soul is the key for alchemists to reach 8th rank. Spirit-realm experts can absorb spiritual energy to transform their souls. Their souls condense into a form that doesn't dissipate for a long time and can grant spirituality to pills—the key to 8th rank. Without special soul-training methods, it's normally impossible to perceive."
"These methods disappeared long ago after countless historical blank periods. Only a handful of forces still possess them."
"Most people who reach the peak of the spirit realm need tremendous luck to break through."
"Even if a Dou Venerate expert dies unnaturally, as long as the soul doesn't perish, they can survive for a period and may even resurrect by chance—like the method I mastered."
"However, most Dou Venerate experts are not spirit-realm souls. Hence the saying among experts: 'Spirit-realm people become Dou Venerate, but Dou Venerate are not necessarily spirit-realm people.'"
"The important point is that although Xiao Ting is only a two-star Dou King, he already possesses a spirit-realm soul. That explains his terrifying training speed."
"Essence, Qi, and Spirit complement each other. A Dou Venerate expert's soul has at least reached the late mortal realm—the lower limit."
"Xiao Ting will reach Dou Venerate without obstacles. It's only a matter of time."
"When he does, his soul domain will reach at least the middle stage of the spirit realm."
"Then his chance of reaching the peak of Dou Venerate after nine cycles and becoming a Saint is higher than most Dou Venerate."
"He plans to visit the ancient clans in the future, so he may not need your help anymore."
Xiao Yan: "…"
I knew my fourth brother was amazing. But I never imagined he was this amazing.
"Go!"
Ignoring the surrounding gazes, Xiao Ting raised his hand and released Purple Beast Flame.
He took out medicinal herbs one by one, placed them into the flame, and began refining.
"Watch him closely," Elder Huo seriously instructed the alchemists around him. "Later I'll examine you and find out exactly what pill Xiao Ting is refining."
In Elder Huo's opinion, Xiao Ting's status as a genuine 4th-rank alchemist was beyond doubt—otherwise he couldn't have passed the test.
Given his age, he had probably just reached 4th rank recently, so he likely only knew basic 4th-rank formulas. That would be perfect material for students and elders to observe and learn—nothing beyond their level.
As time passed, Elder Huo's expression grew increasingly serious, confusion appearing in his eyes.
He recognized every rare herb Xiao Ting used, but he had no idea what pill could be made from that combination.
In just fifteen minutes, Xiao Ting finished extracting all the spiritual medicinal herbs and casually added them to the Thunder Flame Cauldron.
Sweat covered Elder Huo's forehead. Although he couldn't understand Xiao Ting's technique, he could feel its immense power. The refinement purity of each spiritual herb exceeded 90%—better than when he himself had refined 4th-rank pills.
"Elder Huo, what kind of pill is Xiao Ting refining? Can you explain?" asked a 3rd-rank and a 4th-rank alchemist with burning eyes.
They saw this not as an evaluation but as a rare learning opportunity.
"Uh…" Elder Huo opened his mouth but couldn't explain.
"I don't know either." Elder Huo admitted awkwardly but generously. "In 4th-rank pill-refining technique and flame control, Xiao Ting is far superior to me. His soul power is already much stronger than mine."
Whoosh!
The alchemy students were stunned, but several 3rd- and 4th-year alchemists nodded thoughtfully.
They had already felt it while watching, yet still couldn't quite believe it.
Since Elder Huo himself admitted it, there was nothing more to say.
The real question was—what kind of pill was Xiao Ting refining that even Elder Huo couldn't figure out?
…