Chapter 10: Blasted

"Nonsense!"

The jade-robed Master Yu ahead walked while turning his head to glance at Hao Yun and said: "Don't even speak of our Xiuzhu Peak—throughout all history, from ancient times to now, among every elder and disciple on every peak in Grand Void Gate, who has ever been able to refine a top-grade Foundation Establishment elixir?"

"Just getting me to successfully form a single lower-grade pill is already a miracle!"

"Of course, if even one or two medium-grade pills were to appear, it would be sheer divine fortune!"

"Yes yes yes!" Hao Yun quickly corrected himself: "Then I hereby wish Master Yu that this entire batch becomes medium-grade!"

"Hehe..." Master Yu chuckled, raising his snowy-white fly whisk again: "You kid, you're quite the smooth talker!"

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to He Pingsheng and asked: "Your disciple looks unfamiliar—what's his name?"

He Pingsheng, seeing Master Yu addressing him, did not fear but bowed calmly and said: "I... ah no... I'm He Pingsheng, a laborer disciple!"

Grand Void Gate has strict hierarchical ranks; different statuses carry different titles and courtesies.

He was a laborer disciple, but Hao Yun was an outer disciple.

So Hao Yun could refer to himself as "disciple," but he could only call himself "boy."

"Laborer?" Master Yu looked at He Pingsheng and asked: "Do you have a spiritual root?"

"Yes!" He Pingsheng bowed again: "I have a Five Elements spiritual root—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth all present!"

"Ah?" Master Yu's eyes widened in shock: "You're a Five Elements spiritual root?"

"Alas... what a pity... what a pity!"

He shook his head.

Then he asked: "Do you know someone named He Sanjie?"

He Pingsheng nodded: "He Sanjie is my father—he passed away several years ago."

Master Yu's eyes locked onto He Pingsheng like two nails, then whispered: "Do you know how your father died?"

"I know!" He Pingsheng said: "My Uncle Jiang told me he was attacked by a demonic beast and killed. Later, my mother went to seek revenge—and died in the beast's den too."

As he spoke, He Pingsheng's eyes grew red.

His parents' deaths were only a few years ago—not long ago at all.

"Alas..." Master Yu sighed deeply: "Those who walk the Dao inevitably face sudden death. Since they chose this path, they must bear no regrets."

"In the future, when you meet others, never say He Sanjie was your father. Remember, remember!"

"Come, follow me inside—attend to the alchemy!"

"Yes!"

The two stepped forward again and followed Master Yu into the alchemy chamber.

The alchemy chamber was spotless.

The floor, walls, even the ceiling beams were immaculate.

"Very clean—good!" Master Yu nodded in approval, then said: "Hao Yun, start the fire!"

"You understand the fire control for Foundation Establishment elixir, correct?"

Hao Yun smiled: "I understand. The main ingredient is Tianling fruit; the auxiliary ones are Jue Ming Zi and Zheng Yang Ju."

"At first, use gentle fire to simmer the Tianling fruit, then use fierce fire to quickly boil the Jue Ming Zi and Zheng Yang Ju!"

"Finally, use intense fire to fuse all three. After half an hour, switch back to gentle fire to evaporate excess moisture from the cauldron!"

"But the exact timing must follow your orders, Master!"

Clearly, Hao Yun was quite proficient in alchemy.

"Good good, excellent... hehe..." Master Yu smiled: "Begin!"

Next, Hao Yun crouched down and lit the fire beneath the massive alchemy cauldron.

A large ladle of water had been added to the cauldron.

Why?

Because wood generates fire!

Herbs belong to wood in the Five Elements; fire is fire.

Without balance, placing herbs directly into the cauldron would instantly turn them to ash.

So something must mediate between wood and fire.

The best medium is various spiritual liquids.

If no spiritual liquid is available, water will do.

But using water greatly reduces the success rate of pill formation.

Yet spiritual liquids are rare treasures—ordinary people cannot obtain them. Even Master Yu, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, couldn't acquire any, so water was all they could use.

Of course, not too much water is needed.

One ladle is enough.

When the water boiled, the main ingredient, Tianling fruit, was added.

Then came the auxiliary ingredients!

He Pingsheng couldn't understand the process—he only stood by, transferring firewood and helping Hao Yun adjust the flame.

Still, as he watched Master Yu pull out herbs one by one from his storage pouch, he felt both envy and curiosity.

Soon, wisps of steam rose in the alchemy chamber.

A fragrance never before smelled drifted from the cauldron—just one breath filled the heart with peace and clarity.

"Almost done!"

Master Yu's eyes fixed on the cauldron, his spiritual sense extending inside: "Boy, reduce the fire immediately!"

"Yes yes... even less!"

"Enough!"

"Hahahaha... I'm coming!"

The most critical step in alchemy was fusing the pills.

Hearing Master Yu's hearty laugh, He Pingsheng thought the pills were about to be finished.

But the next instant—CRASH!

A powerful energy wave burst from the cauldron.

Master Yu remained unmoved; Hao Yun, crouched by the fire, was unharmed—but the energy struck He Pingsheng squarely, hurling him three feet into the air before he crashed to the ground, face-first.

Ruined!

Ignoring his own pain, He Pingsheng's mind raced: Would Master Yu punish him after the cauldron exploded?

If a Foundation Establishment cultivator flew into a rage, wouldn't his life be over?

Not just him—Hao Yun beside him trembled in fear.

The air filled with the scent of medicine, burnt herbs, and a deathly silence.

After several breaths, Master Yu waved his fly whisk and said: "Not your fault—it was my mistake during fusion. Ultimately, the Tianling fruit's quality was subpar."

"If we'd acquired a top-grade Tianling fruit, this batch of Foundation Establishment elixir would have succeeded!"

"Clean up. I'm leaving."

Master Yu's face was grim.

Though he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, this batch of pills had cost him nearly all his wealth.

Now the cauldron had exploded—his fortune was gone.

"Phew..." After Master Yu left, Hao Yun exhaled deeply: "I told you—Master Yu is the kindest of all dozens of immortals on Xiuzhu Peak—he never blames others!"

"If it had been any other temperamental master today, we'd have been beaten senseless!"

"Learn from me—watch your surroundings!"

"Yes!" He Pingsheng nodded quickly.

Hao Yun said: "Go—clean the cauldron, sweep the floor, then wipe it down with water."

Hao Yun said: “Go on… clean the furnace thoroughly, sweep the floor clean, then wipe it down with water!”