Raise a sword!

Jiang Peng was somewhat confused.

The disciple speaking before him had a token of a true disciple hanging from his waist, but even a true disciple should not be so rude and frivolous in front of Qin Yuan.

They thought Qin Yuan was just a Qi Refining cultivator, and his cultivation level wasn't much higher than that of a true disciple, so they looked down on him.

Jiang Peng thought it was unlikely.

"This is Zhao Shan'ao, Senior Brother Liu's disciple," Qin Yuan introduced.

Jiang Peng suddenly realized.

The Senior Brother Liu that Qin Yuan mentioned was naturally the Grand Elder of the Pill Hall who was currently in seclusion.

No wonder this Senior Brother Zhao dared to disregard Qin Yuan; it turns out that his master was not only far superior to Qin Yuan in alchemy, but also a genuine Foundation Establishment cultivator.

At the same time, Zhao Shan'ao spoke up once again.

He sized up Jiang Peng for a long time, making no attempt to hide his hostility as he spoke.

"Elder Qin is refining Foundation Establishment Pills this time, and he specifically mentioned that you, Junior Brother, should come and watch... If you ask me, Junior Brother, you've never even refined a late-stage first-tier pill before, so I doubt you'll be able to tell anything from it."

Jiang Peng gave a polite smile, ignoring Zhao Shan'ao, and looked at Qin Yuan with a questioning gaze.

Qin Yuan naturally understood what Jiang Peng meant.

He laughed and said, "This kid has his eye on my Purple Jade Nourishing Pill... Before you appeared, because there was no one to carry on the legacy, I originally planned to leave this pill and Azure Mist Peak to the Pill Hall."

Leaving it to the Pill Palace is the same as leaving it to Zhao Shan'ao.

Jiang Peng then understood the source of the other party's hostility.

At this moment, there were still many disciples coming and going in the Pill Hall, and Elder Qin's voice was not concealed, so many people heard it.

Many disciples subconsciously quickened their pace, not daring to stop, but some bolder ones pretended to be busy while secretly pricking up their ears.

Zhao Shan'ao, standing to the side, did not think he had done anything wrong.

He said in a matter-of-fact manner, "Elder Qin's Purple Jade Nourishing Pill is extremely precious. This disciple is only afraid that Elder Qin has entrusted it to the wrong person."

Jiang Peng looked surprised.

"What's it to you?"

"What?" Zhao Shan'ao was taken aback.

Jiang Peng continued, "This pill was originally Master's private property. So what if it's been lost? You openly coveted it and even held a grudge against me, a junior brother you've never met... Didn't your elders in the sect ever advise you? With such a mindset, how can you achieve anything great?"

"How dare you—"

"Alright!" Qin Yuan waved his hand to interrupt Zhao Shan'ao, and said impatiently, "You two have now met each other. From now on, you two will be my assistants in refining Foundation Establishment Pills."

"Go to a quiet room to calm your mind and then start refining the elixir in two hours."

"Disciple obeys," Jiang Peng replied.

Since it concerned the Foundation Establishment Pill, Zhao Shan'ao also restrained his temper.

"Yes, ma'am."

...

For the Cangshan Sect, the refining of the Foundation Establishment Pill is clearly the sect's top priority.

When Jiang Peng emerged from the meditation room two hours later, she found several unfamiliar Foundation Establishment elders in the Pill Hall.

Elder Qin was talking to the Foundation Establishment elders when Zhao Shan'ao was already waiting in the hall.

Upon seeing Jiang Peng appear, Zhao Shan'ao sneered, "Junior Brother Jiang, you have quite the airs. The sect's important matters still require you to handle them alone."

Jiang Peng bowed slightly to the elders present and then said, "My master told me to meditate for two hours, so I will stay in the meditation room for the full two hours."

Zhao Shan'ao chuckled but said nothing more.

Upon seeing Jiang Peng appear, Qin Yuan stood up and said, "I trouble you all, fellow disciples, to protect me."

The Foundation Establishment elders present all stood up to return the greeting.

"No need for thanks for what is within my duty."

After they finished speaking, the Foundation Establishment elders left the Pill Hall and disappeared to who knows where.

Qin Yuan led Zhao Shan'ao and Jiang Peng to the deepest alchemy room in the Pill Hall.

As soon as Jiang Peng entered the alchemy room, he felt a wave of heat rushing towards him.

Although there is also earth fire in the alchemy chamber on Biwu Peak, compared with this place, it is like a firefly compared to the bright moon, unattainable.

"The fire in the name Danhuo Peak refers to the earth fire here."

Before starting the alchemy process, Qin Yuan casually mentioned some secrets that Jiang Peng was unaware of.

"There are more than 30 peaks in the Cangshan Sect, five of which are naturally endowed with the characteristics of the five elements, which are in harmony with the Dao of Heaven. Therefore, the sect's predecessors chose to establish the sect here."

"Danhuo Peak is the fire element. The earth fire here can be used not only for refining pills, but also for forging weapons... The sword cultivators of Jade Pavilion once borrowed the earth fire from this peak."

As they spoke, Qin Yuan handed Jiang Peng a jade slip.

"This is the formula for the Foundation Establishment Pill, which also contains many details and experiences related to the pill refining process."

Seeing this, Zhao Shan'ao sneered, "Heh, Junior Brother, you've certainly opened your eyes! This pill formula is incredibly precious outside the sect..."

"It's not that valuable. If it weren't for the fact that it's circulated outside, how could so many rogue cultivators have achieved Foundation Establishment? If we're talking about what's truly valuable, it's the insights beyond the pill formulas that are the experience that Senior Brother Liu and I have accumulated over the years. That's what's truly valuable."

Qin Yuan gave a casual explanation, then looked at Zhao Shan'ao beside him.

"Mountain Pride."

"Elder Qin?"

"From this moment on, if you utter another word, get out."

Zhao Shan'ao's face turned bright red, but he dared not utter a sound.

Qin Yuan calmly said, "I know you're arrogant and proud, and I also know that Senior Brother Liu once said that you would be in charge of the Pill Hall in the future... But Shan Ao, I've watched you grow up since you were a child."

"Talent doesn't count until it's realized. You're so arrogant all the time, making enemies with everyone you talk to. Aren't you afraid something bad might happen to you..."

Qin Yuan's words were not explicitly stated, but their meaning was quite clear.

After saying that, Qin Yuan turned to look at Jiang Peng without waiting to see if Zhao Shan'ao had listened.

"How's the prescription coming along?"

"I only glanced at it briefly."

With a wave of his hand, Qin Yuan conjured up a dozen or so boxes containing spiritual materials.

"Let's start by selecting spiritual materials and see what your eye for talent is like."

Jiang Peng immediately stepped forward.

The master and apprentice had collaborated on alchemy many times, and Qin Yuan knew that Jiang Peng had a unique skill in selecting spiritual materials.

Qin Yuan didn't understand the specific method either, but Jiang Peng said she was just going by intuition.

But Jiang Peng always manages to pick out the better quality one from among similar spiritual materials.

Sure enough, in just a short while, Jiang Peng selected the best quality batch from among the many spiritual materials.

After carefully examining the items, Elder Qin showed a satisfied expression.

He didn't offer any praise, but instead took the spiritual materials that Jiang Peng had selected and threw them directly into the alchemy furnace next to him.

"Light the furnace, Shan Ao controls the fire, and Jiang Peng assists from the side."

Zhao Shan'ao silently stepped forward, controlled the earth fire, and began to refine the various auxiliary materials in the furnace.

Jiang Peng stood to the side.

Zhao Shan'ao's fire control skills were quite proficient, and Jiang Peng couldn't find any fault with them.

After all, he was a disciple valued by the Foundation Establishment Elder. His temperament might not be the best, but his talent was undeniable.