Chapter 385: with translation of chapter title

An alchemist refining pills cannot do without a pill furnace, medicinal ingredients, and fire.

However, pill furnaces vary in quality, and medicinal ingredients differ greatly depending on the type of pill.

As for fire, there is a distinction between spirit fire and mundane fire.

Just now Lin Xueyan took out charcoal and ignited it with mysterious force; this is clearly mundane fire.

The vast majority of alchemists still use mundane fire, because spirit fire is extremely rare, hard to come by, and even if one is fortunate enough to encounter it, it is difficult to draw the fire into the body and make it one's own.

Drawing fire into the body itself is a very difficult undertaking, fraught with risk; a moment's carelessness could easily lead to playing with fire and burning oneself.

Lin Xueyan stayed at the Summit of Contending Deer for five years, yet she never managed to draw spirit fire into her body. It is not that the Summit lacks spirit fire, but she tried several times and all failed.

Ye Qingran took out a pitch-black pill furnace from her space; its appearance was plain, looking quite ordinary.

"Ye Qingran, your pill refining isn't anything special, is it?" the Thirteenth Princess said impatiently, mocking. She could already imagine Ye Qingran about to take out charcoal!

This isn't the same as Lin Xueyan, is it?

Does she have the nerve to mock Lin Xueyan?

The crowd also largely agreed.

But in the next instant, everyone's expressions changed!

Because Ye Qingran did not take out charcoal; instead, she extended her right hand, pressing her index and middle fingers together, and a strand of flame appeared at her fingertips—a pale blue fire, flickering, reflected in the eyes of everyone in Jin Luan Hall!

Spirit fire!

The same word almost simultaneously appeared in everyone's minds!

The light in their eyes jumped continuously with the rhythm of the flame!

Inside, they were shocked to the point of despair!

Ye Qingran actually possesses spirit fire!

"Oh my god, I must be seeing things! Ye Qingran must be holding a candle!"

Someone exclaimed aloud.

It took the crowd a while to mentally prepare and reluctantly accept the fact that Ye Qingran possesses spirit fire!

Spirit fire!

That is something extremely rare.

Even the Ninth Elder, upon seeing the spirit fire at Ye Qingran's fingertips, couldn't help but reveal an envious gaze.

Even he, the Ninth Elder of the Divine Medicine Sect, can only envy it—one can imagine how rare spirit fire is.

The Ninth Elder is not without encountering spirit fire; he simply lacks the ability to refine and assimilate such potent spirit fire, and can only regret it.

When Lin Xueyan saw that burst of flame, she was already unsettled!

That strand of spirit fire is so pure.

It is the purest spirit fire she has ever seen!

Ye Qingran not only refined and assimilated such pure spirit fire, but also seems to handle it with ease!

How could this lowly person possibly refine spirit fire?

What gives her the right?

"It can't be real!"

Lin Xueyan, no matter what, dares not believe what she sees.

That is an extremely high-quality spirit fire! It demands a high physique!

The higher the quality of spirit fire, the harder it is to refine and draw into the body for one's use.

She stayed at the Summit of Contending Deer for five years, spent much effort searching, encountered several mediocre spirit fires, yet all ended in failure!

Something she doesn't have—what gives Ye Qingran the right to possess it?

This is simply unreasonable!

Ye Qingran absolutely does not deserve such excellent spirit fire!

Spirit fire should belong to her, Lin Xueyan!

Gradually, greed replaced the light in Lin Xueyan's eyes.

As long as she kills Ye Qingran, the spirit fire will be hers!

For this lowly person Ye Qingran to possess spirit fire is a waste of heavenly treasure; spirit fire would find its best home in Lin Xueyan's hands!

Ye Qingran deliberately did this to anger Lin Xueyan.

Her reaction was entirely within her expectations.

Lin Xueyan, are you jealous?

Jealousy—exactly right!

Ye Qingran curled the corner of her lips slightly. With a flick of her finger, flames blazed beneath the pill furnace—rootless and sourceless, fueled by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, burning freely.

The sight left everyone gaping.

"Is this spirit fire?"

It can blaze without any medium, and can be enlarged or reduced at will!

It's truly miraculous!

Everyone felt astonished in their hearts.

The pill furnace hovered before Ye Qingran, as if pulled by a mysterious force, floating up and down slightly. The flames licked the black furnace, soon turning the entire furnace red-hot.

Ye Qingran stood before the furnace, her expression tranquil, her demeanor calm, as if she were a world unto herself.

The medicinal ingredients needed for refining, following her thoughts, rotated around her and then fell into the furnace at the most appropriate moment.

A faint green smoke drifted from the furnace; that subtle medicinal aroma instantly filled everyone's nostrils, leaving them refreshed and clear-headed.

Although the steps are almost the same as Lin Xueyan's, compared to Lin Xueyan's flustered haste, Ye Qingran is evidently much more composed.

It seemed she wasn't doing anything laborious; everything was as simple as lifting a hand and moving a foot!

Everyone stared, dumbfounded.

If watching Lin Xueyan's alchemy just now was a dull process, then watching Ye Qingran's alchemy is a visual feast!

She displayed a very difficult thing in a beautiful form, bit by bit.

It gave people the illusion that alchemy wasn't so out of reach.

As Ye Qingran continued her alchemy, the hand in Lin Xueyan's sleeve had long been clenched into a fist, nails digging into flesh, her complexion worsening.

As an alchemist, she couldn't help but admit the gap between herself and Ye Qingran.

When Ye Qingran did alchemy, it involuntarily reminded her of the sect leader of the Purple Ultimate Pill Sect!

Between them, they actually resembled each other somewhat!

But this is downright ridiculous.

How could someone as lowly and insignificant as Ye Qingran have any connection with the sect leader of the Purple Ultimate Pill Sect?

But after a moment's thought, the reason Ye Qingran could complete the alchemy steps so easily must be that the pill's grade is too low!

If it were me, I could do it too!

After about a quarter hour plus, Ye Qingran finished her alchemy.

Seeing the flame die out, they finally came to their senses, with a lingering longing in their eyes.

They finally understood what Ye Qingran meant by 'true alchemy'.

Ye Qingran's alchemy and Lin Xueyan's alchemy differ hardly in steps, but Ye Qingran possesses spirit fire; during alchemy the cauldron isn't fixed to the ground, controlling the herbs is effortless... In short, the whole process is even more flowing like clouds and water, magnificently splendid, leaving everyone in awe!

Gu Huanghou and the others watched the black cauldron hit the ground, their faces somewhat grim.

Although unwilling to admit it, Ye Qingran's alchemy process exudes a greater master's aura than Lin Xueyan's!

Ye Qingran, when did you acquire such formidable alchemy skill?

She's been back in Xiliang City for so long—how has she not revealed anything?

"Ye Qingran, I think compared to Lin Xueyan, you're all flash and no substance! Lin Xueyan may lack spirit fire, but the pills she refines are sixth‑grade! You? I'd guess your easy manner means you only refined some first‑ or second‑grade pills."

Mu Qingrou spoke loudly.

Upon saying that, everyone was momentarily stunned.

What Mu Qingrou said isn't without reason.

Ye Qingran's alchemy process is splendid, but if the pills produced are low‑grade, it proves nothing!

"You think the pills I refined are low‑grade?"

Ye Qingran stood before the cauldron, saying, "If I say I refined an eighth‑grade pill, who would believe me?"

Ye Qingran's clear voice echoed across the Jin Luan Hall.

Probably the mention of an 'eighth‑grade pill' frightened everyone, so even the vast Jin Luan Hall, with hundreds of people, fell completely silent!

An eighth‑grade pill?

Has Ye Qingran gone mad, or have they?

But soon, a voice came,

"Master, I believe you!"

Ling Shaoyang rose to his feet, his handsome, extraordinary face showing resolve.

"Sister Ran, I believe you!"

Xia Zhimeng also stood up.

"Gu Dongliu naturally believes Boss Ye!"

Besides these three die‑hard fans of Ye Qingran, two adorable children also stood up,

"Mom, we believe you!"

Mo Xiaohu and Fu Qianchen flashed Ye Qingran a handsome yet cute smile.

It almost melted everyone's hearts!

"I believe!"

An aged yet vigorous voice rang out.

Everyone looked, and there stood the old prince of the Ling State Manor, Ling Zhengrong!

Han Xing Leng Yue said nothing, yet everything was conveyed in silence.

Let alone eighth‑grade, for their young lady, even a ninth‑grade pill is child's play!

"My Palace, I believe you!"

It was actually Dongfang Qingxuan!

Even when Ye Qingran saw this person, she too was a little surprised.