Chapter 82: Elder Yang Is Dumbfounded

Feng Xue and Elder Yang could not help coming closer to peek into the cauldron. There were exactly ten-round vermilion-colored pills inside. The surface of the pills sparkled temptingly, appearing almost translucent. Although they themself did not know anything about alchemy, they were certain that Snowy had succeeded in concocting the pills.

Snowy glanced at the pills, inspecting it carefully with her divine eyes.

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Name: Golden Core Congealing Pill (Enhanced)

Grade: Earth

Quality: Upper (70% purity)

Description: The medicinal pill to help martial artists breakthrough into the Golden Core stage. An ordinary Golden Core Congealing Pill could increase the success rate of condensing crystal by 30%, while this pill could increase the success rate by 50%.

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"This, this…" Elder Yang dumbfounded as he examined the pills closer. 

He had seen the same pills so many times that he lost count yet the ones in front of him were at a different level altogether.

The spiritual qi oozing from the pill was a lot purer and thicker than most of the Earth-rank pill he had seen before.

It was like comparing heaven and earth.

If he hadn't witnessed the concocting process with his own eyes, he most likely would have mistaken them as Heaven-rank pills.

Even he knew that when Heaven-rank pill was successfully refined, it would incite an heaven tribulation.

Depending on its quality, the tribulations might be a fire tribulation at the weakest or thunder tribulation at the strongest.

While the quality of the pills seemed to be higher than ordinary pills, they still didn't cross the limit of Earth-rank.

Despite this, the shock in Elder Yang's heart didn't decrease.

'The youngest Alchemy Grandmaster…'

Elder Yang shifted his attention to Snowy—the maker; his gaze filled with awe and respect.

However, his expression suddenly turned into a puzzled one when he saw her flawless facial skin wrinkled as she scowled slightly.

"This… She seems to be disappointed?" Elder Yang murmured, accidentally speaking his thoughts.

Feng Xue was as confused as Elder Yang; Snowy should feel happy—or at least glad—since the refinement is successful, right?

Yet, why did she have an expression that showed otherwise?

"Is there anything wrong with the pills Snowy? Have you failed?" 

"No, the refining process was successful. But…"

"But, what?"

"But, the pill's purity is only 70% and the pill's effect only gives a 50% chance of breakthrough to the Golden Core stage. If it wasn't because Myriad Flame was so intense and this was also my first time refining a pill, the quality might have been a lot higher."

Snowy's shoulder dropped and a disappointed sigh came out softly from her mouth.

"It's okay Snowy. Next time will be better," consoled Feng Xue. 

She didn't seem to be surprised by the fact that her speculation, that Snowy had never done an alchemy practice before, was spot on.

She never doubted that Snowy could do better.

Quite the opposite, Elder Yang was stunned, his widened eyes looking at snowy unblinking, while his mouth gaped.

"Wh-what? 70% purity? 50% chance of success?!"

Elder Yang suddenly felt dizzy; his views of the world were ruthlessly flipped by Snowy's remark.

"This was really your first time refining a pill?"

"Un."

Seeing Snowy's affirmation, Elder yang couldn't help but suck in a deep breath.

One should know that even with using only an ordinary Golden Core Congealing Pill, four out of five cultivators could successfully break through the peak Qi Transformation stage and enter the Golden Core stage.

Using the pills concocted by Snowy, most of the peak Qi Transformation cultivators were guaranteed to succeed.

What if the pill's quality was enhanced further? Did it mean that even cultivators in the seventh or eight level of Qi Transformation could directly advance to the Golden Core stage?

One pill could increase the cultivation base one or two levels at once, what concept was this?

If someone could produce the pills with similar efficacy as the one made by Snowy, they could make an organization rivaling big sects and great families just in five or ten years.

That was how terrifying the pills and Snowy's alchemy's skill was.

'The hell with Ancient Family, even if she claims that she is the reincarnation of alchemy goddess or whatnot, no one will dare to doubt her.' 

Of course, Elder Yang didn't know that his thought wasn't that far from the truth. Snowy was really related to the Alchemy Goddess.

Elder Yang shifted his eyes back and forth between Snowy and the pill. After pondering for a while, he smiled slyly at Snowy.

"What's your plan with all of those pills? Surely you won't waste it or throw it away right?"

As his disciple, Feng Xue quickly caught the subtle meaning behind Elder Yang's inquiry and cracked a peal of laughter.

"You want to get it for the sect, Master?"

"Hehe, you definitely are my disciple, you are still the one who understands me the best."

"You won't make Snowy take a loss right?" said Feng Xue, beaming with a smile. "All of the materials were bought using her money so Master won't be so shameless to take the pills but give nothing to Snowy, right?" 

"Alright, alright. I won't take the pills for nothing. When she officially joins our sect, I'll ask the Mission Hall's elder to give her contribution points equivalent to the pill's value," said Elder Yang as he patted Feng Xue's head.

"How many points do you think Snowy will get, master?" asked Feng Xue with sparkling eyes.

"Hmm… for 20 sets of pills of this quality, I estimate she will get around 2 or 3 million contribution points. If the pill's quality is higher, she could get up to 5 million points," replied Elder Yang.

"Wow…" Feng Xue's eyes blinked several times and her mouth made a big 'O'. "I never heard of someone with that many contribution points! She literally can take all the Earth-rank treasures and weapons in Treasure Hall if she wants!"

"Well, I think it's worth it. With those pills, we will have 400 more Golden Core stage cultivators in our rank. This is a game-breaker!" said Elder Yang excitedly.

Elder Yang added, "We might have to restructure our disciple hierarchy. The requirement to be a core disciple will be a lot stricter. You need to work harder, my silly disciple."

Feng Xue nodded since she understood the implication of 400 more Golden Core cultivators.

Heaven Sword Sect would be twice as powerful by then.

It also meant that Heaven Sword Sect could claim hegemony in Eastern Region if they wanted.

"You might haven't heard about Contribution Point before. Contribution Point is like a currency in Heaven Swords Sect. You can exchange it with cultivation resources, treasures, weapons, or techniques. It is usually acquired by doing missions for the sect or exchanging with anything valuable you got from outside," explained Elder Yang to Snowy as he was afraid that she had never heard of the term before.

Of course, his worries were unfounded since Snowy had many records mentioning contribution points in her memory.

"Thank you," Snowy still thanked Elder Yang. "But, this first batch will be for my personal use. Because these pills are not that good. The next batches, I will give it to you."

"Okay, it's good to prepare. Even though you are currently only in the sixth level of Qi Transformation stage, I believe you'll reach the peak of the Qi Transformation soon enough. These pills will definitely help," said Elder Yang.

Realizing that Elder Yang misunderstood her intention, Snowy said, "It's not for my breakthrough. I'll use them to advance my cultivation."

"What do you mean?" Elder Yang looked at Snowy with a puzzled expression.

"Master, what you'll see next is one of Snowy's biggest secrets. So I hope you'll keep it for yourself and won't tell it to anybody else, even if it's Sect Master," Feng Xue said with a solemn expression.

"Okay, I'll swear upon my Dao heart that I'll not tell a soul about what I'll see next," said Elder Yang decisively.

"Thank you."

"Thank you, Master."

"Don't mind it. I already consider Snowy as our own person. Of course, I'll do anything to ensure her safety including keeping her secret."

After a moment, Snowy grabbed all of the pills inside the cauldron and threw it into her mouth.

Boom!

Her Qi increased in breakneck speed, it only took her 3 seconds to leap 3 minor levels into the Ninth Level of Qi Transformation stage. 

She was only one step short of breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage.

Surging power inside her body made Snowy feel exhilarated. This was one of her favorite things about cultivation. Becoming stronger was truly pleasurable.

Elder Yang couldn't make sense of what was happening right in front of his eyes.

He felt like dreaming.

He pinched his thigh, his arms, and his cheek.

'It hurts,' he thought.

Then, he glanced at Feng Xue, who responded with a nod as if she knew what he was thinking about.

He really wasn't dreaming.

He couldn't help but mutter…

"What the hell?!"