by Feng Yise
Initially, Skymaple was still full of confidence. But when he heard about refining the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill, he could not help faltering again.
"Refine it now? But there's only one set of materials. Why not familiarize more with the Soul Driving Pill?"
Where was there still any majesty of a grand elder for Skymaple now? Rather, he was like a little kid worried about whether or not he could get to eat candy.
Whether he could refine or not, Ye Yuan naturally had the best say in this matter.
"Grand Elder is already very well-versed in the Soul Driving Pill, and you've also passed the period where you experience the greatest increase. Continuing to refine will not bring any notable effect. Rather, you've just finished refining over a dozen cauldrons of Soul Driving Pill and are currently in a state where your hands are hot and ready to go. Once you rest, I'm afraid that it will be very hard to find this sort of feeling again. Therefore, I feel that it's still better to refine now," Ye Yuan advised.
Skymaple felt at a loss for a while when he heard that. He became determined in spite of himself and said, "It's a blade whether I poke my head out or shrink back! Do it!"
Immediately, Skymaple swallowed several medicinal pills and began to meditate to adjust himself.
If this were before, Skymaple absolutely would not listen and follow the words of a junior like so. But these two days, Ye Yuan already subdued him with his broad and profound knowledge.
Even with Ye Yuan pretending to borrow his master's words to say most of the things, that gleam of brilliance revealed within the words could be sensed intensely by Skymaple!
The master was very powerful. The disciple was similarly very formidable!
. . . . . .
After four hours, Skymaple adjusted his condition to its peak.
To have become the Tranquil Cloud Sect's sole Alchemy King, there was no questioning of Skymaple's mind and determination.
Since he was already resolved to refine the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill, Skymaple would not be timid anymore.
Wang Jie already prepared the materials. Ye Yuan took the initiative to take on the role of assistant. Wang Jie became idle instead.
Preparation work was similarly very important to refining pills. Not that Ye Yuan looked down on Wang Jie, it was just that with him doing the preparatory work, the success rate would clearly be higher.
The preparation work was not limited by realm. Ye Yuan performed it with high proficiency.
Ye Yuan's hand grabbing refinement method astounded these two people too. Seeing that virtually perfect medicinal embryo, Skymaple's eyes went wide.
Indeed, an outstanding disciple comes from an accomplished master! Skymaple thought to himself.
Placing the medicinal embryo into the medicinal cauldron, a mass of fire floated from Skymaple's palm and lit the medicinal cauldron.
"Ganwu True Fire!" Ye Yuan said the name of the flame.
"Haha, I didn't think that you would even know the Ganwu True Fire. That's right. Under my nurturing, the Ganwu True Fire is already about to advance to a Tier 4 essence fire!" Skymaple said rather pleased with himself.
"Uh . . . Grand Elder better use my essence fire. This way, your chances will be greater." Ye Yuan said rather oddly.
"Oh? You actually have an essence fire too? Looks like your fortune really isn't shallow! However, it's still better to use essence fires that you nurtured yourself when refining pills. You should know this point, right?"
This was already Skymaple taking into consideration Ye Yuan's face. He was somewhat perplexed. It was impossible for Ye Yuan to not even know this bit of general knowledge. Why did he still raise such a request?
Could it be that Ye Yuan's essence fire was even better than his? How was this possible? He was only at the Spirit Condensation Realm. To have a Tier 2 essence fire was already considered immensely fortuitous.
Ye Yuan did not let him wonder for long. He nodded and said, "Of course I know that. But the chances should be better by using my essence fire to refine."
Ye Yuan repeated again as a bundle of flames appeared in his palm too.
When Skymaple saw that bundle of faint-yellow flames, he s.u.c.k.e.d in a cold breath. Wang Jie by the side clearly recognized Ye Yuan's essence fire too, his eyes full of envy!
"Hiss . . . Cleansing Sandal Sacred Flame! This . . . This . . . How's this possible?" Skymaple stuttered.
"Hur hur, when this disciple took part in the Endless Trials at the Dan Wu Academy, I happened to chance upon some lucky chances," Ye Yuan explained it lightly.
Not that Ye Yuan wanted to show off, but because if Skymaple used a Tier 4 essence fire to refine, the success rate would clearly be greater.
Ye Yuan knew that Skymaple had an essence fire. He thought that if it were a Tier 4 essence fire, then he would not mention this. The result was that Skymaple's essence fire was indeed not Tier 4.
If Skymaple had a Tier 4 essence fire, using Ye Yuan's essence fire would really be inferior to the one he nurtured himself. But as for Tier 3 . . . the grade was really kind of lousy, let alone comparing to the Cleansing Sandal Sacred Flame which was suited for alchemy.
Skymaple looked at the Cleansing Sandal Sacred Flame within Ye Yuan's palm dimly for a long time before letting out a sigh and saying, "Comparing people to people is indeed odious! Back then, I risked my old life before I gained the Ganwu True Fire at the Sea Transformation Realm. You're only at the Spirit Condensation Realm and actually already have the Cleansing Sandal Sacred Flame. This is the paramount dream essence fire for alchemists!"
Finishing Skymaple quietly kept away the Ganwu True Fire in his palm. It was evident that he did not plan on taking it out to show his inadequacy.
Ye Yuan kept staring at Skymaple's eyes. If his heart gave birth to greed, then Ye Yuan and the Tranquil Cloud Sect's fate would end here.
Fortunately, Skymaple did not disappoint him.
The matter of Ye Yuan possessing the Cleansing Sandal Sacred Flame was actually already known by Yao Qian long ago. It was only a matter of time before it reached Skymaple's ears. Hence, Ye Yuan had no reservations about taking it out.
Tranquil Cloud Sect's rules stated that all the natural treasures obtained by disciples outside belonged to them. Others may not insist on it. If they had no use for it, they could hand it over to the sect to exchange for points.
If a sect wantonly seized disciples' lucky chances, it was no different from killing the chicken to retrieve the egg. Then, the sect would not be far from destruction anymore.
"Haha, this disciple also faced near-certain death to acquire the essence fire. It was just a lucky coincidence. Grand Elder, let's begin?" Ye Yuan brushed over it.
Skymaple nodded and calmed his mind.
Ye Yuan called out the Cleansing Sandal Flame Lotus's main body and used the main body to light the medicinal cauldron. Skymaple began to refine the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill.
Chapter 245 - Pill Hall Vice Hall Head!
The refinement of the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill was relatively smooth!
Ye Yuan already prepared everything to help Skymaple refine this medicinal pills. He even threw in the Cleansing Sandal Sacred Flame.
If Skymaple still could not refine it like this, then this Alchemy King should just find a piece of tofu to commit suicide with.
When Skymaple held the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill in his hands, he trembled agitatedly and almost slipped and dropped the pill on the floor.
"Hahaha . . . I finally refined the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill! Truly the heaven is protecting me, Skymaple. The heaven is protecting my Tranquil Cloud Sect!"
While Skymaple was talking, the flesh on his face was quivering.
For the past years, all of Skymaple's energy was placed on this medicinal pill, but it was all to no avail.
Skymaple naturally understood at present that if Ye Yuan had not appeared, the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill definitely could not be refined, and he wou
ld also fail to take a single inch forward in this lifetime!
Now that the medicinal pill was refined, how could Skymaple not be agitated?
"Congratulations, Master! Your long-cherished wish of 13 years is finally fulfilled!" Wang Jie's words also carried trembling, and he even seemed to choke up a little. He was clearly also greatly moved.
Wang Jie had followed Skymaple for five to six years already. These five to six years, most of his time was spent on the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill!
Only he himself was well aware just how much hardship and scoldings he suffered during this period.
Of course, Wang Jie was an understanding person. He knew the misery and pressure in Skymaple's heart. That was why he bore the hardsh.i.p.s without any complaints.
Now that the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill had finally been refined, a feeling like the bitterness being followed by the sweet welled up in Wang Jie's heart.
He could not resist taking a look at Ye Yuan; his heart filled with awe and veneration.
Yes, it was awe and veneration!
This sort of feeling, he only had them towards Skymaple before!
For Ye Yuan to have such knowledge and means at such an age, it was truly overwhelmingly heaven-defying!
Originally, Wang Jie was still somewhat pleased with himself within the sect. But now, that pride in his heart was grounded until it was badly mauled.
This was a genuine genius!
Ye Yuan also went forward to congratulate. "Congratulations, Grand Elder, to have realized your long-cherished dream!"
Only now did Skymaple return to reality from his agitation. Looking at Ye Yuan, he sighed emotionally and said, "Ye Yuan, it's entirely due to your credit that this seat could refine the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill!"
Ye Yuan beamed and said, "The medicinal herbs were prepared by the sect, and the medicinal pill was refined personally by Grand Elder. How can Ye Yuan dare to claim credit? If one really had to talk about credit, it would just be the credit for loaning out the essence fire. Haha."
Skymaple did not show anything on the surface, but he secretly approved in his heart.
Ye Yuan completely lacked the impulsiveness that a youth should have. When claiming credit, he did not become arrogant. Looking at Ye Yuan's expression, it was as if he did some minor thing that was not even worth mentioning. This was not the breadth of mind that the average youth could have!
Skymaple obviously did not know that this was really just something insignificant to Ye Yuan.
"Haha, you don't need to be modest, Ye Yuan! Whether you have contributions or not, this seat is very clear about it in my heart! This matter, you bestowed grace upon this elderly self and similarly did a favor to my Tranquil Cloud Sect. This old man will remember it in my heart! Wang Jie, gather all the hall elders and above to the Assembly Hall! I have a matter to announce!" Skymaple suddenly said to Wang Jie.
. . . . . .
The Assembly Hall was the place where Ye Yuan underwent the Tri-Hall Joint Hearing.
Presently, there was commotion all about inside the hall. It looked rather like a teahouse.
"Elder Sun, do you know what matter Grand Elder suddenly summoned us for?"
Elder Sun was also at a loss as he shook his head and said, "How do I know? Grand Elder has already not inquired about sect matters for many years and studied the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill wholeheartedly. Sigh, I say, did he gather us because the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill is refined?"
"Ha! How is that possible? That Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill, both you and I have studied it. We can't refine it either after testing out so many medicinal herbs! Furthermore, this pill formula was accidentally obtained by Forefather Ouyang back them. Forefather was a high-rank Alchemy Sovereign. Even he could not complete it, so how could Grand Elder complete it?"
"That's true. But I heard that Grand Elder seemed to have studied another kind of medicinal herb to complete the pill formula recently. He seemed to be very confident. Maybe he really successfully refined it?"
Another elder could not help laughing as he said, "Haha, Old Sun, you really don't care what's going on outside your window! I've also heard about the matter you said. But there has already been several cauldron explosions from Grand Elder's place already. Do you think he can refine it?"
Finishing, Elder Sun also looked stunned before immediately smiling bitterly and shaking his head.
In truth, these elders were also displeased towards Skymaple for being obsessed with the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill. It was just that Skymaple's status in the sect was too high. Plus, the Sect Master supported him fully. Hence, nobody dared to say anything.
One had to know that what Skymaple expended to refine the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill were all Tier 4 materials!
Tier 4 materials were extremely valuable to the Tranquil Cloud Sect too. These few years, Skymaple exhausted countless manpower and material resources in order to refine this medicinal pill, but he never succeeded.
To say that these elders did not have any complaints at all, that was unrealistic.
And it was precisely so that Skymaple wavered previously and did not dare to start the refinement.
Just as everyone was confused, Skymaple and Luo Qingfeng walked into the hall while chatting happily. There were even two young men following behind them.
One was Wang Jie, and the other was Ye Yuan.
When the group of elders saw Ye Yuan, they were stunned.
How did Ye Yuan get together with Grand Elder after just a few days of not seeing him?
Especially Yao Qian. He was originally planning on finding trouble with Ye Yuan but did not imagine that Ye Yuan actually walked close with Grand Elder.
If it was an ordinary relationship, then that was still fine. But if Grand Elder took a fancy to him and took him in as a disciple, then it would be even harder for him to take action in the future!
Thinking up to here, Yao Qian could not help feeling frustrated in his heart.
His incident had already become a joke among the elders, but he could not even vent his anger. Truly aggrieving!
He could only pray now that Ye Yuan and Grand Elder did not have too close a relation.
The four people came to the center of the hall. Skymaple sat in the main seat, Luo Qingfeng sat beside him, while Ye Yuan and Wang Jie stood behind.
"Today, I called everyone here because I have two important matters to announce! The first matter is that from tomorrow onwards, I'll be entering terminal seclusion!"
When Skymaple's voice fell, whispered started again.
However, Ouyang Yu react extremely quickly. He bowed and said, "Martial Uncle, can it be . . ."
"Hahaha . . . Oh Ouyang you little monkey, your reaction is fast!"
Skymaple started laughing heartily. Except, his address of Ouyang Yu made the elders simmer with laughter. Ouyang Yu had an embarrassed face.
Ouyang Yu's position in the sect was extremely high. Only Skymaple dared to call him a little monkey.
"That's right! I believe everyone knows that this seat has been researching the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill wholeheartedly over these years. Heaven rewards the faithful! This Seat finally got what he wanted today and refined out the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill!" Skymaple was clearly in an excellent mood. When speaking, he was full of energy.
Once these words came out, there was congratulations and delighted surprise below.
Skymaple beamed happily and accepted everyone's felicitations.
After everyone calmed down, he then said, "The second matter this seat is announcing is to appoint Ye Yuan as the Pill Hall's Vice Hall Head!"
Chapter 246 - Unexpected!
The entire hall was silent . . .
This appointment from Skymaple came too suddenly. Nobody was mentally prepared, including the sect master, Luo Qingfeng, who was beside him.
As the sect's grand elder, Skymaple even had the authority to appoint or dismiss the sect master; let alone a v
ice hall head.
Ye Yuan did not have any mental preparation either and was stunned by this nomination for a long while.
The silence lasted for roughly 10 breaths of time when finally, somebody voiced out to object.
The first person to oppose it was Ling Potian. "Martial Uncle, Ye Yuan is just a newcomer disciple. Although he has some talent in the path of alchemy, isn't it rather rash to make him the vice hall head?"
"En? Your meaning is that I'm old and worthless and can't discern people clearly?" Skymaple said with a frown.
These words were rather serious. He was trying to suppress these opposing voices directly.
Although Ling Potian had a deadpan face, his expression right now was still rather ugly.
"Potian dare not! Potian was just dealing with the matter as it stands!" Ling Potian clearly had a stubborn temper.
At this time, Ouyang Yu also came forward. "Martial Uncle, Ye Yuan is only at the Second Level Spirit Condensation Realm and low-rank Alchemy Master. What capability does he have to be the vice hall head?"
Now that two hall heads stood up to refute this, everyone's guts also swelled. One by one, they all stood up to object.
Especially Ouyang Ming and Yao Qian, the two of them were yelling the happiest.
Among these elders, there were actually quite a few who were displeased with Ye Yuan's prior attitude.
In their opinion, although Ye Yuan this young man was talented, he was too oblivious to the immensity of heaven and earth and extremely arrogant! What qualifications did he have to be the vice hall head?
Of course, the most important thing was that Ye Yuan was still too young! His credentials were too shallow. He was simply unworthy of being the vice hall head!
What should they do in the future if a teenage youth rode above these elders' heads?
Did these old fellows who were hundreds of years old have to respectfully call out 'Vice Hall Head' when they saw Ye Yuan?