In the full view of the elders, Lin Feng took the large tray, which contained the entire batch of medical materials, from the table and poured it straight into the cauldron.
'What is he doing?'
'Isn't he supposed to separate them based on what pill they're used to refine, then melt them one after another to stabilize their volatile properties during combination?'
'Does he want the furnace to explode?'
'Could it be he really isn't a genius but just got lucky?'
The elders communicated amongst themselves using spiritual energy as they stared wide-eyed at the operation.
'Humph, he is indeed just an arrogant kid,' Ouyang Jun thought.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Pavilion Master, seated at the front of the elders, had an astonished look on his face, his eyes narrowed in both worry and excitement.
'The universal melting pot technique… he actually knows this skill. Good lad, as expected from the disciple of a grandmaster.'
'The melting pot skill—a technique that allows one to refine a large number of pills at once while still maintaining high efficiency.'
'But unfortunately, this technique isn't popular because it is notoriously difficult, and one is required to expend a large amount of soul power. Can a warrior apprentice who has no soul power really pull it off?'
As a third-grade alchemist, the Deputy Pavilion Master naturally had more knowledge than the remaining elders and everyone else, so he was able to discern what Lin Feng was trying to do. This made him excited for Lin Feng's future potential. He decided that if things started getting out of control and Lin Feng was in danger, he would intervene and save him. Such a good seedling must not perish here.
Back at Lin Feng's table, as he threw the materials into the furnace, he quickly formed even more complex seals, increasing the heat inside it. Then he closed his eyes, using the system perception he had recently discovered, which could not only be used for inner perception but also for alchemy, to monitor the melting process.
After a few breaths, the entire material melted completely, leaving only several amounts of liquid with different colors and potent medicinal properties.
Next, after melting came the combination phase—bringing all the different liquid properties together to form one elixir.
But suddenly, a change occurred.
"CLANG! CLANG!"
A fierce and violent aura erupted from the furnace as the liquids repulsed each other, refusing to combine due to their opposing properties. The energy spread across the room from his cauldron, causing it to vibrate restlessly as cracks appeared on its surface.
Lin Feng quickly tried to stabilize it by using different formation seals to control the temperature inside, but unfortunately, the violent tremor of the cauldron did not subside.
Instead—
It intensified.
"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"
The lid rattled like a beast trying to break free, the cracks on the surface spreading further as waves of chaotic energy surged outward.
"OOHH NOOO!"
Several candidates cried out, instinctively stepping back in fear.
Even the elders' expressions changed.
"This is bad…"
"The energies are clashing!"
"If it explodes at this range—"
"Everyone nearby will be injured!"
'Sigh, it seems I thought too much. How can the technique be easy to perform without soul power?' the Deputy Pavilion Master thought as he stood up, looking very worried and slightly disappointed. Still, he prepared to act immediately if Lin Feng was in danger.
His emotions were in stark contrast to Ouyang Jun's, who looked almost celebratory.
'Yes… just like that. Explode. Quick, explode. Kill him—kill him!' he roared inwardly, excited.
—
At the center—
Lin Feng stood unmoving.
His eyes were calm.
Unlike the panic spreading through the hall, his gaze remained fixed on the cauldron, observing every fluctuation.
'As expected…'
'The three energies are rejecting each other.'
Inside the cauldron—
Blood energy surged violently.
Qi energy fluctuated erratically.
Wind energy twisted unpredictably.
Three different attributes.
Three different natures.
Forcefully brought together—
Collision was inevitable.
Failure—
Was expected.
But—
Only if one lacked control.
'It seems I'll have to do that thing,' he thought.
Meanwhile, the elders began to panic as the violent fluctuations reached their peak.
The cauldron trembled violently, cracks spreading across its surface as chaotic energy surged outward.
"Back away!"
Several candidates retreated in panic. Even the elders tensed, ready to intervene.
But Lin Feng remained still.
His gaze was calm, fixed on the furnace.
'Now.'
He moved.
"Bang!"
A sharp slap struck the cauldron.
Then—
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Nine precise strikes landed in succession as he gripped the rim and spun the cauldron in controlled rotations.
Each movement was exact.
Each strike perfectly timed.
For a moment—
Nothing changed.
Then—
The chaos faltered.
The violent trembling slowed.
The cracks stopped spreading.
Inside the cauldron, the clashing energies began to circulate instead of collide.
"…What?" an elder's voice trembled.
The storm—
Collapsed.
A faint medicinal fragrance began to spread.
Rich.
Layered.
Complete.
"It… stabilized?!"
Shock rippled through the hall.
Moments ago, they were certain it would explode.
Now—
It had succeeded.
Not far away—
"BOOM!"
A furnace exploded.
Then another.
Candidates who had panicked lost control, their attempts failing one after another.
In contrast—
Lin Feng stood in perfect calm.
At the front, the Deputy Pavilion Master's eyes lit up.
'This technique…'
He felt a trace of recognition but said nothing, watching closely.
—
Inside the cauldron, the liquid essence rotated smoothly.
Lin Feng's hands moved again, slower now, guiding and refining.
Time passed.
The incense burned steadily.
Then—
"Click."
The essence condensed.
The fragrance deepened.
Lin Feng opened his eyes.
Done.
He extinguished the flames and lifted the lid.
A rich aroma spread instantly.
Inside—
Three pills.
Perfectly formed.
A blood-red pill.
A pale-golden pill.
A light cyan pill.
Silence.
"Three… pills?"
"In one attempt?"
The elders were stunned.
"Look at the quality…"
"At least mid-grade…"
"No… high-grade…"
At the front, Elder Lu was speechless.
The Deputy Pavilion Master slowly smiled.
—
Ouyang Jun stood frozen.
His confidence shattered.
'Impossible…'
His fists trembled.
And yet—
Lin Feng didn't even look at him.
—
Calmly, Lin Feng picked up the pills and turned toward the elders.
His expression remained unchanged.
As if this—
Was nothing.
The incense still burned.
But the result—
Already felt decided.