Chapter 36: Scarlet Flame pill

Zhan Chen observed the different products of Firecloud treasure pavilion while waiting for the manager to fetch him herbs. There were various kinds of weapons, rare materials and pills in display.

The crowd is booming but Zhan Chen was in innermost section of the Firecloud treasure pavilion. So, no one noticed him coming from the second floor. Otherwise, it would have created a commotion among them.

After sometime the middle aged manager returned with the herbs. "Young master, these are the herbs you have ordered", she said with a smile.

Zhan Chen nodded his head and threw a glance at the texture of the herbs. The herbs looked fresh and we'll preserved. So, Zhan Chen accepted them without checking further. "Tell me the cost?", he asked the middle-aged manager.

"Young master, you are a guest of young miss. So, how can I demand anything from you?", the middle aged manager spoke with a smile. She was also staying in the second floor and all the manager were given their position by Shen Ruyan herself. So, she refused to ask for a price from Zhan Chen.

Zhan Chen threw a glance at her and immediately saw through her intention. "We will talk about it later", Zhan Chen replied as he didn't want to waste his time.

"No need to bother about it. Put the expense of young master Chen in my name", a voice interrupted the conversation between Zhan Chen and the manager of Firecloud treasure pavilion.

Hurried footsteps came from behind and soon a old man cladded in green robe entered the inner section of the Firecloud treasure pavilion.

"Good morning, Grand master Wang", the middle-aged manager greeted grand master Wang. Grandmaster Wang nodded at her before focusing his gaze on Zhan Chen. His gaze quickly fixated on the few herbs that Zhan Chen had received from the middle aged manager of the Firecloud treasure pavilion.

"Young master, are you going to refine a pill?", grand master Wang asked Zhan Chen. There was fervent gaze on his face as he he asked him.

Zhan Chen nodded his head indifferently. "Young master, can I come along?", grand master Wang asked.

"No problem, take me to your alchemy room", Zhan Chen replied.

"Young master, come with me. I have the best facility for practicing alchemy", grand master Wang smiled widely as he walked towards a nearby room. Zhan Chen followed after grandmaster Wang and entered the nearby room.

The middle aged manager looked at the nearby room and a stunned expression appeared in her eyes. She had never seen grand master Wang frowning upon another cultivator. The most surprising was the behaviour of Zhan Chen who was making a conversation with grand master Wang as if he was an equal to him. "Looks like grand master Wang and fifth young master of Zhan family is close to each other", she thought inside her mind.

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"You can come in", Zhan Chen spoke after extracting the essence of the herbs. He still chose to extract the essence of herbs in seclusion as he couldn't show his secret to others. This time he took an hour of time to extract the essence of the spirit herbs.

Grand master Wang walked in and immediately checked the extract of spirit herbs. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Zhan Chen. "Young master Chen is indeed capable. You have managed to master the method of your teacher within such a short period of time", grand master Wang commented.

Zhan Chen secretly breathed the air of relief after successfully managing to fool the grandmaster of the Firecloud treasure pavilion. Earlier he had extracted the essence of the spirit herbs within a very short period of time which would definitely lead to controversy if the word had to go out. This time Zhan Chen took an hour to erase any kind of suspicion from the mind of grandmaster Wang.

"Ok, lit the fire", Zhan Chen spoke. Grandmaster Wang followed his instruction and lit the tripod.

After sometime, Zhan Chen threw in the essence of the Scarlet Lotus grass, the Vermilion Bamboo shoot and the essence of the Blue Branch fruit into the pill furnace. He poured in the essence of the spirit herbs one by one and then closed off the lid.

"Maintain the fire in low flame", Zhan Chen spoke and withdrew himself from the spoke. Grandmaster Wang nodded his head and lowered the intensity of the flame.

Half an hour of time passed in silence and the curiousity of Grandmaster Wang rose by each passing moment. "Young master Chen, what is the name of this pill?", grand master Wang asked as he couldn't hold back his curiousity.

"It is a Yang attributed spirit pill. It's name is Scarlet flame pill", Zhan Chen replied. Grandmaster Wang's eyes lit up but he knew how to control himself. After fifteen minutes of time Zhan Chen signaled him to stop.

After this came the most important step of pill concoction. It was pill condensation. "Heat the furnace with high flame and stop after ten minutes", Zhan Chen spoke.

Grand master Wang did as he was instructed and then opened up the lid. A strong medicinal medicinal smell came out from the furnace.

"It is a success", grandmaster Wang exclaimed. Although it was a grade two pill but grand master Wang was still elated because he managed to concoct another pill in his first try. Without his notice, a thread of soul consciousness of Zhan Chen mixed in the pill furnace and it had managed to change the grade of the pill.

"Ok, I am taking my leave then", Zhan Chen spoke and took the spirit pill with him. Grand master Wang was still reluctant to let go off the pill but he had no choice but to let go.

Zhan Chen climbed up the stairs and entered the room of Shen Ruyan again. He looked at Shen Ruyan who was still sleeping like a baby. A smile came to his lips and he walked towards the sleeping Shen Ruyan.

Her hair was looking slightly messy. So, Zhan Chen combed her hair with his fingers and planted a kiss on her forehead. Then, he sat down and took a breath. A crimson coloured pill with flame pattern on it appeared in his hand. He popped it in his mouth and closed off his eyes.

Without his notice, Shen Ruyan's eyes fluttered slightly and her lips curled up forming a beautiful arc.