Chapter 362: Let's See How Far You Can Go

362. Chapter 362: See How Far You Can Go

Without noticing, more than an hour passed.

The pills in the furnace had all solidified, and their quality was uniformly basic.

Jiang Cheng looked at the Panel.

The proportion of Experience Value gained was about the same as that of a Second Grade An Shen Pill.

Each basic-quality pill could raise the Experience Bar by one percent.

Currently the furnace holds ten basic Awakening Pills, raising the Experience Bar by one tenth; after refining nine more batches, Entry will be reached.

However, Jiang Cheng did not stop.

After he studied the Awakening Pills, he had some personal insight; the medicinal force in the furnace was still ample, so he could continue and further improve the pills' quality.

If he could raise them to intermediate or high grade, the Experience Bar would increase even more; as for top grade, Jiang Cheng felt that with his current level it was impossible.

Time slipped away bit by bit.

Jiang Cheng concentrated fully.

Until another hour passed.

Of the ten basic Awakening Pills in the furnace, more than half had become intermediate, and at that moment the medicinal force was completely spent.

Jiang Cheng finally relaxed and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Six intermediate Awakening Pills, four basic Awakening Pills.

The Experience Bar rose by 16%.

Some new information appeared in his mind, deepening his understanding of the Alchemy Technique slightly.

"It feels some aspects could still be improved,"

Jiang Cheng furrowed his brows, walked to the workbench, and tweaked some things in his original notes.

After about a quarter of an hour, he began Refining Alchemy on the second batch of pills.

Sure enough.

This time, all ten pills in the furnace were intermediate quality, and the Experience Bar rose another 20%.

"Very good,"

Jiang Cheng nodded.

Feeling the newly emerged information, he summarized and concluded; perhaps on the third attempt he could refine a High-grade Awakening Pill.

Doing so would not only save costs but also greatly shorten the time.

Of course, this method yields such a large boost now; later, as his Alchemy Technique improves, the gains will become smaller.

Until every pill reaches top grade.

It was afternoon.

After refining two more batches, the Panel showed the Awakening Pills had finally reached Entry level.

Jiang Cheng rubbed his head; the Spiritual Power in his mind was nearly exhausted, so it was time to meditate for a while to restore it.

The good news is that continuing this method could cut the time to Minor Completion by more than half.

"Keep it up!"

He thought to himself.

It is not only Gu Zhangkong who wants to see his Alchemy Technique reach Great Completion or perfection.

He himself wants it even more!

And on the other side.

Gu Zhangkong, eyes closed in the villa, cultivating Spiritual Power, slowly opened his eyes as his phone vibrated.

Seeing the number on the phone, he let out a light sigh.

If possible, he would rather receive a call from Gu Zhangjun than from Gu Zhanglin.

But yesterday the other side had already said clearly over the phone that they would call again at this time today.

What is meant to come will come; you cannot avoid it.

"Hello, big brother?"

When the call connected, Gu Zhangkong spoke first.

"Hmm," Gu Zhanglin replied, then asked, "Lao San, you should know why I'm calling you now, right?"

Gu Zhangkong was silent for a moment, then nodded, "I know."

"Good, that's all."

Gu Zhanglin gave a faint smile.

"Then, you should now tell me your answer."

Gu Zhangkong took a deep breath, "Sorry, big brother, Jiang Cheng is someone I have great confidence in; I don't want to hand him over to anyone. Yesterday I borrowed medicinal materials valued at two billion from my father for Jiang Cheng to use in Refining Alchemy Awakening Pills, so..."

"Heheh."

Gu Zhanglin smiled.

In fact, he had known about this yesterday.

"Big brother, don't misunderstand,"

Gu Zhangkong still harbored deep apprehension toward him in his heart.

"I have no intention of opposing you. As for Fifth Brother, I would be even less likely to cooperate with him; last night he called me asking for it, and I outright refused."

"I see."

Gu Zhanglin asked, "What if it were me? If I asked you for it, would you also refuse?"

Gu Zhangkong said nothing.

But sometimes, silence itself is the answer.

"Lao San, you wouldn't also want to compete with me, would you?"

Gu Zhanglin's tone carried a hint of danger.

"Big brother is overthinking it."

Gu Zhangkong said calmly, "I don't mean that, and I'm not your opponent; in every respect, that's the case."

"I suppose you have some self‑awareness."

Gu Zhanglin let out a light laugh.

He didn't think Gu Zhangkong could compete with him; aside from everything else, the sheer gap in their backgrounds was already evident.

"You really haven't changed at all."

He sighed lightly, a hint of emotion in his breath.

"When we were young, you were the one who never accepted me; grown up, you're still the same, always clinging to naive ideas."

Gu Zhangkong listened silently, saying nothing.

"The one who challenged me the most before was Lao Er; I know even now he still doesn't accept me, but that doesn't matter any more."

A trace of contempt flashed in Gu Zhanglin's eyes.

If, regarding Gu Zhangkong, he still harbored any intention to recruit him, regarding Lao Er he had not the slightest thought.

"Fine, since you insist on persisting, I'll let you have your way; I'm also curious how far you can actually go."

After speaking, he let out a burst of laughter and hung up.

Gu Zhangkong finally exhaled, feeling a cold sweat form on his back.

He knew that the other side hadn't hurled harsh words nor taken action, not because they were kind‑hearted, but simply because they looked down on him.

In Gu Zhanglin's mind, Jiang Cheng might not be that formidable; after all, as their father thought, Second-grade Elixir and Three-grade Elixir are not the same thing.

Elevating a Second-grade Elixir to the Perfect Realm doesn't guarantee a Three-grade Elixir can do the same; in other words, most likely it's impossible.

Yet he still called, simply to prevent Jiang Cheng from falling into the hands of a rival—namely Gu Zhangjun.

Just because it's most likely unattainable doesn't mean it's truly impossible; if it were achieved, he'd be at a disadvantage.

A Ninth Level, Level 10 alchemist placed in the Inner City District already carries considerable weight.

As for the other side's suggestion that he work under them, that too is the same.

Just as he, no matter what, never wants to be a dog for Gu Zhanglin, Gu Zhanglin, on the other hand, wants to make him a dog at any cost—not because he values his ability, but simply for his own amusement.

After all, that's human nature.

He hung up, turned his head, glanced toward the direction of the Lian Dan Shi, then silently turned around, closed his eyes, and continued his cultivation. (End of chapter)