Chapter 150: From Steel to White Jade, Eighth Stage of Qi-Refining (II)

Luo Chen really didn't want to attract the attention of Steward Miao. It wasn't because of his identity as an alchemist but because he had just broken through to the eighth stage of Qi-Refining the previous night.

To prevent Mi Shuhua from discovering the truth about his rapid cultivation speed, he deliberately used the Spirit Suppression to conceal his true realm. As for whether the Grandmaster level Spirit Suppression could fool a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Luo Chen had some confidence.

After all, back in Changyin Mountain, it had helped him evade second-tier demonic beasts. Though human Foundation Establishment cultivators were more perceptive than beasts, those spirit wolves had been anything but ordinary. Their spirit sense and keen smell rivaled that of most human cultivators in the same realm. If he could fool them, perhaps he could fool humans too.

That was why he dared to attend the Radiant Moon Hall meeting today.

But now, in front of Steward Miao—a disciple of the renowned Jade Cauldron Sword Sect—his confidence wavered. Who knew what kinds of mystical detection techniques a sect like that might possess? The man had seen through Wang Yuan’s physical cultivation path at a glance. Could he do the same to Luo Chen?

It was said that after breaking through to Foundation Establishment, disciples of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect were granted access to clarity essence. With prolonged use, their eyes became as sharp as swords, greatly enhancing their perception and providing significant advantages in combat.

But unexpectedly, Steward Miao didn't seem to see through his concealment? Or perhaps he simply didn't care.

To him, there was likely no difference between the seventh and eighth stage of Qi-Refining! Only someone like Wang Yuan, walking the path of a Physical-Refining and nearing Foundation Establishment, would catch his attention.

Luo Chen offered a humble smile. "Miao Initiate, just call me Little Luo. This junior doesn't dare claim the title of alchemist master."

"No, no, you may not deserve it now, but who's to say you won't in the future?" Steward Miao gazed at Luo Chen, full of praise.

"Let me put it this way: just the faint trace of pill energy on you, without a hint of medicinal or fiery impurities, already shows the bearing of an alchemist master."

Luo Chen froze.

Could one's alchemical prowess be discerned through scent?

He indeed lacked any medicinal or fiery scents, as he had deliberately cleansed them with Cleanse. That faint pill energy was something he had intentionally retained.

He had asked Gu Caiyi about it before and wasn't concerned about it based on her response. But he hadn't expected Steward Miao to possess not only sharp vision but also an equally keen sense of smell.

"Truly, the younger generation is to be admired!" Steward Miao sighed in admiration, then turned to Mi Shuhua.

"Fellow Daoist Mi, your Poshan Gang is truly flourishing with talent. It seems your future prospects are bound to grow brighter."

Mi Shuhua smiled and replied, "That will also depend on Fellow Daoist Miao's support."

"Of course, of course. But about that matter I asked you, I hope you'll give it your utmost attention."

"You have my utmost effort!" replied Mi Shuhua.

"Then I won't intrude any longer. Farewell!" Steward Miao opened his mouth, spitting out a sword orb that expanded with the wind, transforming into a three-foot blade in the blink of an eye.

He leaped onto it and sped away at an astonishing pace.

It was the quintessential Sword Riding!

Luo Chen watched the scene, unable to suppress the twitch in his eyelid.

Isn't that gross? Stepping on it like that, then swallowing it back to nourish it in his dantian later?

After Steward Miao left, the atmosphere among the three turned somewhat strange. Luo Chen could sense the source of it almost immediately: Mi Shuhua’s gaze, sharp and unrelenting, was now fixed squarely on Wang Yuan.

Wang Yuan had initially kept his head respectfully lowered. But under that piercing stare—scorching like sunlight concentrated through a lens—he slowly lifted his head, meeting Mi Shuhua’s eyes directly.

Luo Chen tensed, every muscle in his body wound tight. He could feel the pressure like a storm cloud gathering over his shoulders. Mi Shuhua’s black eyes were like polished iron, intense and immovable, locking onto Wang Yuan with the weight of judgment.

Was it a moment? Or an eternity?

To Luo Chen, it felt like time had frozen, stretching endlessly beneath the crushing weight of a mountain. Seconds ticked by like centuries.

After what seemed like forever, a sigh broke the silence.

“If you ever need anything,” Mi Shuhua said quietly, “feel free to come to me.”

With that, he turned and walked away, his steps calm and measured, leaving behind only stunned silence.

That’s it?

Luo Chen blinked, baffled

. That’s really it?

The intense confrontation Luo Chen had envisioned—whether swords drawn in tension or the ruthless disposal of an outlived ally—never happened. He was left utterly baffled, like a monk trying to grasp the incomprehensible.

Smack!

A heavy slap landed on his shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts. Luo Chen turned his head and saw Wang Yuan, his face pale, leaning against him while panting heavily.

Meeting Luo Chen's confused gaze, Wang Yuan managed a faint smile.

"The spirit consciousness of a Foundation Establishment cultivator truly carries the might of a celestial being." he said with his voice weary.

Luo Chen's eyes widened as a sudden realization struck him. "Brother Wang, don't tell me you were using sheer willpower to resist a Foundation Establishment cultivator's spirit consciousness!"

Qi-Refining cultivators trained their spirits, while physical refinement cultivators honed their will.

This was something Wang Yuan had once explained to Luo Chen in his free time. Luo Chen had always thought Wang Yuan had exaggerated the power of will, but the scene just now had left him shaken to his core.

High-tier cultivators could focus their divine thoughts in an instant, probing the azure heavens and delving into the nine netherworlds. Yet, the ancient path of physical refinement preached "my heart is like iron, unbreakable and indomitable."

It was evident that Wang Yuan had used his willpower, honed through a lifetime of relentless trials, to directly withstand the spirit consciousness of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The outcome was obvious, Mi Shuhua had won.

But Mi Shuhua was a genuine mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, while Wang Yuan was merely at the eighth stage of Qi-Refining, the same as Luo Chen. Even if his physique was said to be nearing Foundation Establishment, it was still only close and nothing more.

***

In the quiet chamber, the soft flicker of a soundproofing talisman glowed as it unfolded, sealing them away from the outside world. Wang Yuan sat cross-legged on the floor, his complexion gradually returning to normal. The pallor that had lingered since their encounter with Mi Shuhua was beginning to fade.

Luo Chen sat nearby, silent, patient. He didn’t press, simply waiting for Wang Yuan to regain his strength.

After a long while, Wang Yuan opened his eyes and said, "As expected, Foundation Establishment cultivators are no easy opponents. With just one glance, Mi Shuhua almost took my mind. If I had bowed in that moment, I'm afraid I would never be able to advance past Foundation Establishment in this lifetime."

"Is it really that serious?" Luo Chen couldn't help but ask.

Wang Yuan replied seriously, "A true man may bow when necessary, but he must never lose his integrity. When faced with true moments of decision, you must hold firm to your heart. If your will is broken, that one bowed head will never rise again."

There seemed to be a deeper meaning behind his words. Luo Chen felt a little uncomfortable. He was the type to bend and adapt as needed, but his life had never presented him with a true moment of decision.

If that moment ever came, could he lift his head, straighten his back, and face it all with Wang Yuan's composure?

Luo Chen didn't know the answer.

Fortunately, Wang Yuan didn’t seem interested in dwelling on the moment any further. He took a breath, composed himself, and smoothly shifted the topic. “The results of the Blood-Burning pill test are in.”

"For human cultivators, it doesn't cause them to lose their sanity, but it does make them more irritable. Additionally, the pill's other effects are the same as in the tests on demonic beasts."

The same!

In other words, it could catalyze essence blood, generate large amounts of spirit energy, and increase strength by thirty percent in a short time. Of course, the side effects were likely similar as well.

Luo Chen, however, was more concerned about one key point. "What about the duration?"

"Half a cup of tea!" Wang Yuan thought for a moment, frowning slightly. "But it depends on the realm. I tested it on a mid stage Qi-Refining cultivator. Perhaps his physique wasn't strong enough, because after using a top-grade enchanted artifact, the duration decreased rapidly.

"The other Blood-Burning pill is still with me. I couldn't bring myself to use it."

Luo Chen winced.

Half a cup of tea? That’s short... but not insignificant.

Testing on humans was always difficult. Without enough volunteers, exact timing and long-term effects were impossible to confirm.

Wang Yuan hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, "Can it be mass-produced?"

Luo Chen was curious. "A few for emergencies should be enough, right? Why mass-produce it?"

"I might be able to use this pill to break through a bottleneck during a critical moment." Wang Yuan replied.

"Don't!" Luo Chen quickly raised his hand to stop him. "This is clearly a combat pill, not something meant for cultivation. Don't even think about it. Worst case, I'll figure something out later. I'll study the Blood Fiend pill recipe further and try to develop a version you can use for cultivation instead."

Wang Yuan stared at Luo Chen intently, his lips pressed tightly together.

After a long pause, he finally said, "Then I'll trouble you with it."

Luo Chen shrugged. "It's no trouble. Just a bit more time, that's all."

Even if he did develop the pill, the materials needed for refining it would undoubtedly have to come from Wang Yuan himself.

After all, that's what alchemists were for! It's their job. How else would they earn their lofty status and excellent connections?

Thinking it over, Luo Chen still felt something was off. He asked curiously, "Brother Wang, why do I feel like you're in such a rush?"

The moment he said it, Luo Chen became even more certain of his suspicion.

Yes, Wang Yuan was in a rush!

In the past, he had focused solely on cultivation, doing dirty work for the Poshan Gang for ten years without complaint. But over the past year, his personality had changed drastically, drawing constant attention to himself.

Whether it was making a name for himself in the Poshan Gang, fighting on the Debate Platform, or taking charge of a hall, these actions didn't align with the Wang Yuan Luo Chen remembered.

Of course, it was possible that Wang Yuan had always been this way and was simply lying low when he first entered the cultivation world.

However, some recent events made Luo Chen feel something was amiss. He had rushed to have a second-tier pill recipe refined by Luo Chen, who at the time had only mastered the Myriad Wonders pill. Now, he was even attempting to use a Blood-Burning pill, that will harm one's essence, to break through a bottleneck.

What stood out was a clear sense of urgency.

In response to Luo Chen's curiosity, Wang Yuan spoke softly, "How could I not be in a hurry? Do you remember what Steward Miao didn't finish saying earlier?"

Luo Chen recalled the scene. There hadn't been much conversation, but the pressure from the two Foundation Establishment cultivators had left a strong impression on him.

Thinking carefully, he remembered the words.

What a pity? What a pity... that you cannot achieve longevity!