A god-level alchemist, starting by manually crafting forbidden pills.

Luo Fan took a few deep breaths, confirming several times that he had broken through.

Second level of Qi Refining!

Although it's only one level more than the Qi Refining stage, rounding it up, that's double the strength!

"Twenty years... Do you know how I've spent these twenty years?!"

He almost burst into tears.

But after three seconds of excitement, he calmed down.

"Wait, could this be... a last-minute breakthrough?"

It's been twenty years since I last farted, and today it suddenly happened. It just feels so weird.

He quickly figured it out.

"Who cares! Breakthrough is a good thing! This level of cultivation is nothing compared to Zhang Tie's, but at least..."

"I can breathe normally again when I run!"

The sense of crisis instantly overshadowed his joy. Luo Fan crouched low and slipped out of Danfeng like a thief.

He's a pro at sucking up to powerful figures!

Especially this leg, which is long and white, with a warm heart.

at the same time.

Inside a room in the outer disciples' residential area.

Zhao Mang, Wang Zhong, and Li Huan, these three unfortunate brothers who had been tortured by Zhang Tiexue, sat around a table.

The atmosphere was so heavy it felt like you could wring water out of it.

Three cups of cold tea sat on the table, much like their chilled hearts.

"unlucky!"

Zhao Mang slammed his fist on the stone table, sending the teacup flying half a foot into the air without spilling a drop of tea.

—This shows how precisely he controlled his strength, and also how furious he was.

"Do you think that kid Zhang Tie secretly ate some rare and precious herb?"

Wang Chong rubbed his aching chest, wincing, "The three of us have completely lost face today. That kid's probably laughing to himself somewhere!"

The thought of those four disgraceful disciples of the outer sect actually defecating on their heads today... no, it's more like they stole the limelight, made him so angry his liver hurt.

Li Huan remained relatively calm.

He slowly picked up the herbal tea, took a sip, and didn't even frown.

"I think Zhang Tie's sudden increase in strength is related to that rather unusual-looking pill."

The other two turned to look at him.

"You mean?"

Zhao Mang was stunned. "That medicine was given to me by Luo Fan?"

Although it sounds absurd, Li Huan is the smartest among them, so there must be some truth to what he said.

"impossible!"

Wang Zhong shook his head vigorously, "That seasoned waste Luo Fan, only at the first level of Qi Refining, could he possibly refine such a divine medicine? Unless it was left behind by Elder Li..."

He paused, then his eyes widened suddenly.

"Wait! Could it really be a treasure left behind by Elder Li, which that kid stole?!"

He slapped his thigh, heartbroken, "You bastard Zhang Tie! Making a fortune in silence! No wonder he dared to go on stage; he was so confident he had nothing to fear!"

"not necessarily."

Li Huan nodded, then shook his head. "It's true he went to Danfeng, but whether it's Elder Li's treasure is hard to say. Don't forget Zhang Tie's amazing performance after taking the medicine."

The three of them simultaneously recalled the image of Zhang Tie with blood streaming from his nose on the arena.

A scene of death during a flag-raising ceremony at a certain location.

The air suddenly became quiet.

The atmosphere became somewhat philosophical at one point.

"Cough cough..."

Zhao Mang coughed twice, breaking the awkward silence, "So you mean there's something wrong with this medicine?"

"Not only is there a problem, I suspect this is a test subject!"

Li Huan's gaze was deep. "That idiot Zhang Tie was used as a guinea pig for drug testing, and he still thinks he got a huge advantage and is grateful to the other party."

Wang Zhong froze for a few seconds, then slapped his thigh and burst into laughter.

"Ha ha ha ha!

One dares to refine it, the other dares to eat it! It's like a turtle eyeing a green bean!

"We've hit it off!"

As he laughed, tears welled up in his eyes; he couldn't tell if they were from laughter or from sadness.

"So, I plan to go and take a look at Danfeng."

He looked at the two men, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Senior brothers, would you like to go and investigate together?"

"No way! I'd rather die than go!"

Wang Chong's laughter abruptly stopped, and he shook his head, leaving a blurry image. "I, Wang Chong, would rather starve to death or jump off this cliff than beg that good-for-nothing for help!"

Li Huan turned his gaze to Zhao Mang.

Zhao Mang turned his face away, his voice muffled, "Breaking through using crooked methods is not something someone of our caliber would do. Even if I, Zhao Mang, am stuck at the third level of Qi Refining for my entire life, I will never ask anyone for help!"

The tone was forceful and resounding, but the underlying confidence was clearly lacking.

Who wouldn't envy Zhang Tie's overwhelming strength after his breakthrough?

Who wouldn't be envious?

Li Huan understood perfectly well, but didn't point it out; he simply smiled slightly.

"In that case, I'll go and see for myself."

He turned and went out, his figure disappearing into the night.

Inside the room, the two people remained, staring at each other blankly.

silence.

A long silence.

One minute later.

Wang Chong suddenly stood up. "Well, I suddenly feel that Huanzi needs protection. More people mean more strength!"

After saying that, he dashed out the door, heading in the same direction as Li Huan.

Zhao Mang: "..."

He sat there, his expression shifting constantly.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and slammed his fist on the table. "We four heroes are of one mind and one branch. If anything happens to our junior brothers, I, as their senior brother, cannot shirk my responsibility!"

After saying that, he vanished into the night with a whoosh.

The direction is still Danfeng.

Under the moonlight, three figures, taking three different routes, headed towards the same destination!

Danfeng, a small courtyard.

Luo Fan cautiously slipped back, followed by a slender, graceful figure.

Moonlight bathed her, her skirt swayed, and bells jingled softly.

It would be perfect to shout: "The young lady has arrived, everyone get out of the way!"

"Senior Sister Bai, we really owe you a lot this time."

Luo Fan took out a small jade bottle from his pocket and presented it with both hands, "It's just a small token of my appreciation, please don't find it offensive, Senior Sister."

Bai Jie smiled gently, her eyes sparkling, and without refusing, she extended her slender hand to accept it.

The touch of fingertips was slightly cool and carried a faint fragrance.

Luo Fan's heart skipped a beat.

"You're too kind, junior brother."

Bai Jie said gently, "It's only right for fellow disciples to look after each other."

She put the jade bottle away. "With your senior sister here, no one will dare to disturb you. Just focus on your work."

The moonlight outlined the delicate contours of her profile, her red lips were moist, and her long legs were faintly visible under her moon-white dress.

Luo Fan was momentarily stunned.

Bai Jie noticed his gaze, her pretty face flushed slightly, and she raised her hand to gently tap his forehead.

"Hey little brat, where are you looking?"

A slight coolness on my fingertips, the fragrance drawing ever closer, "If you don't behave, I might not take care of you anymore~"

Luo Fan blushed deeply and darted back into the alchemy room, his back view showing a flustered retreat.

Bai Jie covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her laughter like silver bells echoing in the night.

You little rascal~

He said he wouldn't dare, but his eyes told a different story.

Many people spied on her, but he was unique in being so blatant and cowardly at the same time.

She knew that Luo Fan wasn't a bad person and had always worked very hard; it's just that talent is sometimes more irrational than love.

If this were in the mortal world, marrying such a handsome and simple-minded man would certainly be a wonderful thing.

Pooh!

What are you thinking about?

Bai Jie's cheeks flushed even redder. She quickly composed herself, sat cross-legged in the courtyard, and began to regulate her breathing.

But she just couldn't suppress the slight upturn of her lips.

Alchemy room.

Luo Fan touched his burning face; his heart was still pounding wildly.

Fortunately, Senior Sister Bai didn't pursue the matter, otherwise I might have had to spend the night in the small dark room of the Deacon Hall.

But he should be able to get a good night's sleep tonight; he should reward himself quietly.

He chuckled, his gaze falling on the rusty furnace in the corner, his expression turning serious.

Luo Fan placed the prepared herbs for refining the Lesser Rejuvenation Pill into the furnace one by one, and lit the ignition spell with his fingertips.

嗤…

The furnace vibrated and emitted a wisp of blue smoke.

then…

There was no further movement.

Luo Fan: "???"

He circled the stove twice, patting and knocking it.

"Hey? Big brother? Wake up! Time to go to work! Even the donkeys in the production team don't get as much rest as you!"

There was still no response.

Luo Fan frowned in thought, then suddenly a thought flashed through his mind: "Could it be that it hasn't recognized a master yet?!"

Many advanced magical artifacts require a blood oath to be used!

Without further hesitation, he bit his fingertip, squeezed out a drop of blood, and dripped it onto the stove.

Om-!

The rust on the furnace body receded like the tide, revealing the dark gold, ancient patterns underneath!

A faint light flowed, and an ancient, vast, and indescribable Daoist aura permeated the entire alchemy room!

Luo Fan's soul trembled.

Several lines of golden characters appeared in my mind:

[The Great Forge]

It can refine all things and turn waste into treasure.

Cultivation is shared, and the elixir is achieved, leading to the Dao.

Luo Fan's pupils dilated in shock, and his mouth opened into an "O" shape.

Holy crap!

It can refine all things, turning waste into treasure...

Shared cultivation levels?!

Does that mean if someone eats the pills he refines, he can level up effortlessly?!

"We've struck it rich! This time we've really struck it rich!"

Luo Fan was so excited he almost jumped up on the spot.

After twenty years of being a salted fish, today I've turned my life around, and look at it from the outside.

—Hey, it's a tuna!

"Refine it for me!"

He suppressed his elation, focused his mind, and controlled the furnace.

next second.

With a clang, the furnace's light went out, and then there was silence.

Luo Fan's ecstasy froze on his face.

Four cold, large characters flashed into my mind.

[Insufficient energy.]

"???"

What do you mean?

This thing needs energy?!