Chapter 226: The Odd One

The manor isn't large, but its layout is exquisite and it's kept spotless.

At the entrance is a small path paved with blue bricks, flanked by unknown green plants.

At the end of the path lies a tiny courtyard, and in its center there is a pond.

On the north side of the courtyard is the main house, whose furnishings are simple and rustic.

In the central open space stands a half‑person‑tall Ba Gua furnace.

The furnace body is forged from an unknown black ore; its surface is etched with dense Runes, clearly not an ordinary item.

On both sides of the Ba Gua furnace are neatly arranged various alchemy tools and sorted alchemical ingredients.

The Millennium Snow Lotus and ice silkworm silk are each placed on a delicate jade plate, and the other auxiliary materials are also individually sorted, clearly prepared long ago by Yitian Pavilion.

Jiang Feng walked around the Ba Gua furnace, then lightly tapped the furnace body with his hand.

The furnace emitted a dull thud, and he nodded in satisfaction.

"This Ba Gua furnace is of good quality, far better than the one I used in Kunlun; Yitian Pavilion really splurged this time," he said.

He no longer hesitated, walked to the materials, and swept his hand wide.

The categorized materials seemed drawn by an invisible force, flying out of their containers and hovering in midair.

Jiang Feng's gaze hardened, his Fingers twitched slightly, and the materials flew one by one toward the Ba Gua furnace, landing precisely inside.

Immediately, Jiang Feng inhaled deeply, and his internal energy began to circulate slowly.

His right index finger pointed, and a wash of pale gold alchemical flame burst from his Fingers instantly.

"Boom!"

The alchemical flame touched the furnace bottom, and the Runes on the Ba Gua furnace seemed to undergo Activation, instantly glowing with a faint red light.

The furnace began to warm slightly, and an invisible suction emanated from within.

Jiang Feng closed his eyes tightly, devoting his whole being to the alchemy.

Meanwhile, Duanmu Ya had just reached the Black Awning Boat, preparing to board and depart.

Suddenly she seemed to recall something, slapped her forehead, her face full of frustration.

"Damn! How could I forget to remind Mr. Jiang that a strange person lives next door!"

He is a Fengong of Yitian Pavilion, whose power is unfathomable but temperament extremely volatile.

He usually cherishes peace; anyone who dares disturb him, even unintentionally, will be scolded harshly and may even be assaulted.

Jiang Feng is currently alchemizing; if any disturbance provokes that person, it could cause serious trouble.

Thinking this, Duanmu Ya dared not delay, turned immediately and ran toward Jiang Feng's manor.

She must hurry to warn Jiang Feng.

But when she reached the manor's gate, she stopped in her tracks.

Because at that moment she sensed a powerful aura spreading from within the manor.

That aura mingled with the heat of alchemical flame and dense spiritual energy fluctuations, forming an invisible barrier that enveloped the entire manor.

Duanmu Ya herself is a cultivator; though not top‑tier, she can still sense the aura's extraordinary nature.

"Not good, Mr. Jiang has already started alchemy..."

Disturbance is the greatest taboo during alchemy.

In this situation, he certainly cannot go in and rashly disturb.

Duanmu Ya hesitated briefly, then stayed at the gate waiting for Jiang Feng to finish alchemy.

But before she had stood long, the phone in her pocket suddenly rang.

Duanmu Ya hurriedly answered; on the other end came Li Lao's urgent voice.

"Pavilion Master! Trouble! Elder Ge has arrived at the branch pavilion and says he must see you immediately!"

"Elder Ge?"

Duanmu Ya felt a shock inside.

Elder Ge is a senior elder of Yitian Pavilion Headquarters, in charge of promotion assessments for branch pavilion masters, holding a prestigious position.

It is said he has been touring the nation lately, aiming to select an outstanding branch pavilion master for a headquarters appointment.

Could it be that his performance caught headquarters' eye, and Elder Ge's visit is to promote him?

Thinking that, Duanmu Ya dared not delay any longer.

Elder Ge's time is precious; keeping him waiting is a grave taboo.

She glanced at Jiang Feng's manor gate, took out a wooden "Do Not Disturb" sign, hung it on the handle, and hurried away.

Soon after Duanmu Ya left, a dense violet alchemical cloud rose over Jiang Feng's manor.

The cloud was as large as a millstone, its hue purple tinged with gold.

The alchemical cloud lingered over the manor, persisting, while a refreshing medicinal fragrance spread with it.

From afar it looked like a fairyland.

Fully focused on alchemy, Jiang Feng sensed a change from the furnace and a hint of joy appeared on his face.

He could clearly feel that the Elixir inside the furnace was about to take shape.

"I didn't expect the first batch to reach supreme quality; this Ba Gua furnace truly is extraordinary!"

Jiang Feng felt a quiet delight.

He no longer hesitated, swiftly formed seals with both hands, and let out a low shout.

"Elixir formed!"

"Boom—!"

The Ba Gua furnace's lid sprang up violently, a violet afterglow shooting skyward from the furnace, echoing the violet alchemical cloud above.

Immediately thereafter, dozens of round, plump Elixirs flew out of the furnace, hovering in midair.

Each Elixir is a light purple, its surface covered with fine purple elixir patterns.

Each one emits a strong medicinal fragrance.

Jiang Feng extended his hand and inhaled, and an Elixir fell into his palm.

He examined the Elixir in his palm carefully, seeing it round, smooth, and its elixir pattern clear.

Its quality far exceeds any beauty elixir he has ever refined in a single furnace.

"It actually has an elixir pattern!"

Jiang Feng sighed inwardly.

"This Bagua Furnace truly isn't ordinary; I couldn't have refined such a top‑quality Elixir before…"

Only when an Elixir's purity and Spiritual Energy reach the extreme can an elixir pattern form.

Such an Elixir's effect is several times stronger than that of a regular top‑quality Elixir.

Jiang Feng, in high spirits, was about to store these Elixirs and continue refining a second furnace.

At that moment, a powerful aura suddenly descended upon the manor's sky without any warning.

Immediately after, the manor's main gate went "bang" as someone kicked it open from Outside.

A scruffy middle‑aged man strode in.

His hair was a tangled mess, as if he hadn't washed it for a long time.

He wore a tattered long robe, his beard unkempt, yet his eyes shone astonishingly.

Like a starving wolf spotting prey, he stared fixedly at the Elixir in Jiang Feng's hand, his eyes glittering.

"Fine Elixir! Truly a top‑quality Elixir!"

The middle‑aged man hurried toward Jiang Feng, shouting loudly.

"Kid, hand over the Elixir! Such a fine Elixir in your hand is a waste!"

Jiang Feng was stunned by this sudden turn of events.

Looking at the inexplicably intruding middle‑aged man before him, his brows twitched slightly.

Who is this reckless youngster?

He actually dares to kick open his manor's gate and immediately demand his Elixir?

Crucially, isn't this area Yitian Pavilion's territory?

Is this guy also from Yitian Pavilion?