Chapter 24: A Turn of Fortune

"I'll start refining it for you; when I can't hold on anymore, you take over—we'll take turns."

After all, the Dijia Shou's horn is extremely hard and requires prolonged high-heat refining, so alternating between the two doesn't affect the process.

"Alright!"

Fang Qingyan didn't pretend or hesitate; she stepped aside to let Luo Yao take her place.

Luo Yao thought for a moment, then placed a Soul-Returning Pill in her mouth, took out a Spirit Stone and gripped it in her hand; after making these preparations, she channeled her Spirit Power into the alchemical cauldron.

Half an hour later, Luo Yao's Spirit Power was completely depleted; she had no choice but to swallow the Pill in her mouth, and her Spirit Power quickly recovered, allowing her to resume refining.

When her Spirit Power was depleted again, she absorbed the Spirit Qi from the Spirit Stone in her hand.

But now, Xu Zhanglao's requirement was that even if the Pill failed, Fang Qingyan could still stay with him to do chores—so there was no need to waste the Golden Finger's usage count.

Fang Qingyan glanced at Luo Yao, didn't withhold anything, but emphasized that it was Luo Yao who helped and that it was Luo Yao's idea.

Just as Luo Yao was worried, a fragrance of the Pill surged into her nose.

Fortunately, Fang Qingyan had copied Luo Yao's method: she held a Soul-Returning Pill in her mouth, swallowed it the moment her Spirit Power neared depletion, and instantly restored her Spirit Power.

Fang Qingyan sealed the Spirit Liquid, then turned to Luo Yao, "How long did I use? How much time remains?"

The Spirit Herb that followed was her first time refining; with no reference or experience, she had to be utterly focused.

This was her final chance.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhanglao fell silent. When he gave Fang Qingyan that impossible Pill formula, he had already revealed his stance—but he never expected they would actually succeed.

"Yes!" Fang Qingyan hurriedly said, "Elder, I will work hard—I beg you to accept me!"

Fang Qingyan didn't want this outcome, so she succeeded through sheer willpower.

Behind him followed a Qi Refining Stage 6 acolyte.

And now the Spirit Herb was completely used up.

So although his expression remained neutral, his heart was filled with astonishment.

Although the Dijia Shou's horn had begun to melt, it had not fully liquefied, so it still required massive Spirit Power to refine.

After resting a while and restoring her energy and Spirit Power to peak, Fang Qingyan resumed refining.

Ultimately, just as she was about to collapse, she successfully refined the Pill.

Her Spirit Power was nearly exhausted; she had swallowed the Pill, used the Spirit Stone—but it still wasn't enough, so she gritted her teeth, absorbing Spirit Qi while continuing to refine the Pill.

"Thank you, Elder!"

Boom!

The stone door suddenly opened, and Xu Zhanglao walked in precisely on time.

"So, from start to finish, aside from your help refining the Dijia Shou's horn, it was all done by yourself?"

The temperature mustn't be too high, but it also couldn't be too low.

Luo Yao held her breath, dared not disturb Fang Qingyan, her eyes fixed intently on the front.

Luo Yao rushed over and helped Fang Qingyan to her feet.

"I'm fine, just exhausted from using too much Spirit Power," Fang Qingyan said, turning to Luo Yao with excitement, "Xiao Yao, I succeeded—I did it!"

"About five more hours remain."

Moreover, it would make Zhao Yang hesitate and refrain from attacking her.

Though difficult, Fang Qingyan would not give up; she recalled the teachings of The True Explanation of Alchemy and proceeded step by step.

Fang Qingyan also collapsed onto the ground, drenched in sweat, gasping for breath.

After all, only one Spirit Herb could be chosen.

Luo Yao watched as the Dijia Shou's horn began to melt, and finally exhaled in relief.

Before Xu Zhanglao could speak, Luo Yao handed him the Pill.

That was it.

It seemed like little time had passed, yet time had flown so quickly.

Moreover, he knew clearly that even an experienced alchemist might not succeed—let alone someone like Fang Qingyan, with no foundation or experience.

Xu Zhanglao interrupted, "So your meaning is, she passed the trial, and I should accept her to work for me as a helper?"

"!!!"

No choice left—only return and beg her master to let Yan Jie stay in her room.

Soon, she noticed the Pill fragrance growing stronger and stronger.

"Xu Zhanglao, Yan Jie succeeded."

But now it was different—if she couldn't find a way to advance further, she would drag Luo Yao down.

And even if Fang Qingyan failed, she still couldn't use it.

"However, if you're willing to become my disciple, I will accept you."

"Xu Zhanglao, you're a Foundation Establishment cultivator—you wouldn't go back on your word, would you?"

But she still chose the path of cultivation.

"Yes!"

Until her Spirit Power was nearly depleted, the Dijia Shou's horn was finally refined into Spirit Liquid.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator actually acting like a brat?

Even if they were angry, it wouldn't help—if they angered a Foundation Establishment cultivator and he killed them, the sect wouldn't avenge them or seek justice.

Ultimately, Xu Zhanglao couldn't help himself—he wanted to ask for details.

"Yan Jie!"

Xu Zhanglao shook his head, and Luo Yao's face darkened instantly; she hadn't expected that after passing the trial, Xu Zhanglao would cheat.

Luo Yao said nervously, "Although I helped, most of the work was done entirely by Yan Jie—and more importantly, you yourself said earlier that even a failed Pill would be enough to accept Yan Jie—we've completed the trial ahead of schedule..."

The scent of pills meant the pill was nearly complete.

Fortunately, Fang Qingyan had good luck; the subsequent Spirit Herbs were not difficult, and she was only missing the final step—the most critical and most difficult one.

"No, I won't take a menial servant!"

At this moment, Xu Zhanglao looked at Fang Qingyan again.

"It's half done."

"How did you refine it?"

Luo Yao and the other were stunned, then overjoyed; this was a complete turnaround.

Xu Zhanglao took the Pill, feeling somewhat surprised; he knew very well in his heart that the Pill Formula given to Fang Qingyan was one he had reconstructed himself from ancient texts, so its difficulty was higher than ordinary Pill Formulas.

Upon entering, he raised an eyebrow, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Fortunately, it was already the second day; her Golden Finger could be used, but it still required Fang Qingyan to successfully refine a Pill, even a defective one.

Condense into a Pill.

"That's right, Yan Jie, you succeeded."

Luo Yao was happy for her; although for many people, it was merely refining a Pill once, for Fang Qingyan it was different; this might be an opportunity to change the future.

He didn't want a menial servant, but as for a disciple, he could still accept one.

After an unknown duration, Fang Qingyan finally saw the horn of the Dijia Shou melt completely; instantly, she became fully alert and began removing the impurities.

This way, Xu Zhanglao would accept her; although it would only be as a menial servant, as long as Fang Qingyan performed well, Xu Zhanglao could casually give her some Pills or casually offer guidance, both of which would benefit her greatly.

Five hours; they did not know if they could succeed.

Luo Yao recovered her Spirit Power on the side, then waited anxiously.

Luo Yao could not help with this; she could only wait for the result.

Bang!

Suddenly, Luo Yao heard the lid of the Pill Furnace fly up, then a Pill, wrapped in Spirit Power, flew into the jade bottle in Fang Qingyan's hand.

In a short while, Luo Yao's Spirit Power was exhausted, and Fang Qingyan quickly took over.

Her talent destined her for no great achievement in the future; of course, this was only on the path of cultivation; if she chose another path, perhaps she could have a different future.

"Thank you, Senior!"

"Why call me Senior? You should change your address to Master!"

(End of this chapter)