Chapter 277: Starfire Alchemy

Half a month later.

Chen Luo finished consuming all the pills and successfully emerged from seclusion.

The mummified brain sensed the state of his Spirit Body, providing precise probabilities. After half a month of accumulation, Chen Luo finally saw hope for forming a perfect Golden Core. However, this Core Formation success rate left his face darkening.

“Less than half? What’s the difference from courting death?!”

Condensing a Blood Pill only required enduring three Thunder Tribulations for advancement, but ascending to a Golden Core demanded nine Heavenly Tribulations - nine successive Thunder Tribulations. The Demonic Heart Tribulation’s power would double, making it exponentially more difficult than ordinary Core Formation.

Of course, the difference in power after breaking through was as vast as the heavens.

Golden Core cultivators could achieve Core Formation, their strength utterly overwhelming Blood Pill cultivators.

Rejecting Mei Qin’s attempts to detain him, Chen Luo left the Mei Clan and headed to Medicine King City’s marketplace. He needed to replenish his medicinal supplies and address resource issues. He planned to exchange unused resources for Medicine King City’s currency, making transactions more convenient.

The Alchemy Grand Assembly had entered its final stages. After multiple rounds of elimination, only five alchemists remained.

These five individuals were exceptional among First-Tier Alchemists. Through this competition, each had forged numerous friendships. It was certain that all five would eventually achieve Foundation Establishment. With a bit of luck, they might even have the chance to apprentice under one of Medicine King City’s elders, catapulting them to new heights.

“The Pill Formula for Spirit Guiding Pill?”

In the dimly lit old hall, night pearls illuminated the entire medicinal trade district. A white-bearded old man flipped through a booklet in his hand. Upon hearing the voice, he looked up and studied Chen Luo from head to toe.

“The Spirit Guiding Pill Formula is a Third-Tier Pill Formula.”

“Name your price.”

Chen Luo produced a Pouch of Holding from his sleeve, filled with spirit stones. Among them lay ten pieces of spirit essence.

He had previously researched extensively and found a pill that could accelerate the refinement of spiritual energy. However, such a pill was incredibly expensive and not available for purchase in the market.

Chen Luo, possessing the brain of a Third-Tier Pill Refiner, hadn’t even considered buying it. He only needed to find the corresponding Pill Formula and refine it himself. The Third-Tier Pill Refiner’s brain he had acquired had been in the process of refining a Nascent Soul Pill when he died—a genuine Fourth-Tier Pill.

“These items are worthless in our Medicine King City.”

The old man at the apothecary turned away, not even glancing at the spirit stones Chen Luo had presented.

“Medicine King City only accepts Pill Coins.”

“Help me exchange these for Pill Coins, and I’ll give you the remainder.”

Chen Luo had no desire to run around anymore. He’d already confirmed this shop possessed the Spirit Guiding Pill formula before coming. With his Foundation Establishment Perfection strength, gathering information came easily—especially after witnessing the ‘Demonic Heart’ of Medicine King City’s residents.

“Rules are rules. Moreover, Pill Coins alone won’t get you the formula. You need qualification too. If Fellow Daoist truly wants the Spirit Guiding Pill formula, consider taking the Alchemist assessment. With Alchemist status, you can purchase as many as you like.”

The old man offered a reminder, his advice stemming from Chen Luo’s Qiong Hua Sect disciple status. The sect’s close ties with Medicine King City meant they’d always call upon Qiong Hua experts to handle threats. Though officially neutral, their private relationship surpassed that of other sects.

Immortal cultivation wasn’t all about combat; social connections mattered too.

“Assessment location: turn right at the exit, it’s the tallest building.”

After sensing Medicine King City’s expert numbers, Chen Luo collected the spirit stones from the table and headed to the Pill Hall.

The alchemist’s assessment took place right here.

Inside the empty Pill Hall, a few scattered individuals stood. A group of Qi Refining realm cultivators were purchasing basic alchemy knowledge, while others sold materials for First-Tier Qi Blood Pills. These were low-tier cultivators with alchemical aptitude seeking to learn the art of pill refinement.

Upon entering, Chen Luo dispersed his divine sense and quickly located the most powerful presence in the hall.

The aura of a Great Cultivator of the Perfected Realm immediately drew the attention of the Foundation Establishment cultivator overseeing the assessment. Chen Luo had no intention of participating in the alchemist’s evaluation alongside these low-tier cultivators - not only was it tedious, but it would also waste several days waiting for results.

Those with true strength naturally took the express route.

“Fellow Daoist, are you here to purchase pills?” Wei Kong asked, his face filled with surprise as he looked at the unfamiliar Foundation Establishment cultivator. The aura he had just radiated clearly marked him as one of the most exceptional Great Cultivators. As an alchemist, Wei Kong’s perception surpassed even that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, making him acutely aware of the difference in cultivation levels.

“I’m here to take the alchemist’s assessment,” Chen Luo said, concealing his aura and smiling. “I’ll also exchange some Medicine King City Pill Coins while I’m here.” Having already descended to this level, there was no need to waste time.

An Alchemist assessment?

Wei Kong cast a suspicious glance at Chen Luo but kept his doubts to himself, instead leading him inside with enthusiasm.

“Ah, a fellow alchemist! Please, come in.”

After they left, the Qi Refining realm cultivators in the hall let out a collective sigh of relief. They watched Chen Luo with envy, imagining themselves being personally received by an elder like this Foundation Establishment senior in the future.

“The Alchemist assessment is quite simple,” Wei Kong explained, choosing the most straightforward test possible. “You just need to refine a Qi Blood Pill.”

Regardless of whether Chen Luo was truly an alchemist, Wei Kong treated him with respect due to his status as a Great Cultivator of the Perfected Realm. He personally guided Chen Luo through the process, explaining the fees, materials, and use of the Pill Furnace.

Upon entering the assessment chamber, Chen Luo found everything prepared - the materials, the Pill Furnace, and earthflame surging in the center of the room, its heat radiating in waves.

“Let’s begin,” Chen Luo said, picking up the standard Pill Furnace provided by Medicine King City. He casually grabbed some pills from the side and tossed them into the furnace.

Watching from the side, Wei Kong’s expression shifted slightly.

How casual he is with these medicinal herbs.

Under Elder Wei Kong’s watchful gaze, Chen Luo activated the mind of a Third-Tier Pill Refiner. He grabbed materials ranging from First-Tier to Third-Tier and tossed all the assessment materials into the furnace.

Waste! This is such a waste.

Elder Wei Kong’s expression grew increasingly grim.

If Chen Luo didn’t possess the strength of a Great Cultivator of the Perfected Realm, Wei Kong would have already intervened. He’d never heard of anyone attempting to refine First-Tier, Second-Tier, and Third-Tier Pills simultaneously.

Chen Luo continued his work undeterred.

After loading the spirit medicines into the furnace, he swiftly closed the Pill Furnace.

His right ring finger and pinky curled instinctively as he raised his index and middle fingers to tap through the air. With each tap, a wisp of spiritual energy shot from his fingertips, igniting a starfire beneath the Pill Furnace.

These starflames distributed themselves around the furnace, dividing the interior into three zones to refine the Pills separately.

This fire control technique differed from Elder An’s methods.

It was a habit of the Third-Tier Pill Refiner whose brain Chen Luo had acquired. Though he hadn’t consciously studied it, the residual instincts from the 9% intact portion of the mummified brain allowed him to use it naturally. When he’d obtained this Core Formation brain, its damage level had been 91%, leaving only 9 points of integrity - enough to preserve these innate skills.

Starlight Fire Pill Refining Technique?!

Elder Wei Kong, who had been somewhat indifferent earlier, suddenly changed his expression.

Under his watchful gaze, the medicinal liquids inside the Pill Furnace visibly melted. The three types of medicinal liquids coexisted without conflict, while the crimson flames below continuously shifted between gentle and Martial Fire. Despite being in the same furnace, each liquid remained unaffected by the others.

Soon, Chen Luo manipulated the Pill Furnace to perform its first mid-process opening.

The first refined Qi Blood Pills flew out, each one round and translucent. The Second-Tier Spirit Pills and Third-Tier Spirit Pills still being refined inside the furnace rapidly changed color as the cold air surged in, instantly restoring the disrupted temperature.

This sight left Wei Kong utterly speechless.

As a Second-Tier Pill Refiner himself, he had never heard of anyone using mid-process openings to control temperature. Wouldn’t the influx of extra gas lower the pill quality and risk a furnace explosion?

The Pill Furnace descended.

The final sparks dissipated as the Second-Tier Spirit Pills and Third-Tier Spirit Pills emerged one after another. The entire process flowed smoothly, as if Chen Luo had performed this refinement countless times before.

“These three pills should pass the test, right?”

Chen Luo waved the three pills onto the nearby tray, then stored the remaining portions in his sleeve.

“I never expected Fellow Daoist to be a Third-Tier Pill Refiner. My apologies for my oversight.” Wei Kong immediately rose and bowed to Chen Luo, his attitude now twice as deferential as before.

Earlier, he had attempted to suppress Chen Luo with his cultivation. For alchemists, cultivation could only compel superficial compliance. True surrender came only from a more advanced alchemist. Chen Luo’s capabilities had proven this truth, compelling Elder Wei Kong’s complete submission.

“Forgive my boldness, but what is Fellow Daoist’s relationship with True Person Gu Yue?” After presenting Chen Luo with the alchemist’s badge, Elder Wei Kong couldn’t resist asking.

“True Person Gu Yue?” Chen Luo asked, genuinely perplexed. This was the first he’d heard of the name.

“The Starlight Fire Pill Refining Technique you used earlier is a unique method of True Person Gu Yue,” Elder Wei Kong explained. “Eight hundred years ago, he was a distinguished guest of Medicine King City. Alas, after his passing, the technique was lost.” A note of regret colored his voice.

“I see.”

Chen Luo accessed his External Brain, which confirmed the Third-Tier Pill Refiner’s identity. “Speaking of which, True Person Gu Yue was also from Qiong Hua Sect, like you.”

Seeing that Chen Luo had no intention of elaborating, Wei Kong took the initiative to introduce him to the situation.

True Person Gu Yue was a master of Grand Void Peak in the Qiong Hua Sect. Not only was he a powerful cultivator, but his pill-refining skills were renowned throughout the southern lands. Even the Lord of Medicine King City counted him among his close friends. Beyond his martial prowess and alchemical expertise, True Person Gu Yue also held deep connections within the Qiong Hua Sect. It was said that the Grand Void Ancestor, who wielded the divine sword of the sect, was none other than the elder brother of True Person Gu Yue.

Strength, influence, and talent - all in one person.

Yet such a figure had been killed during the concoction of a Nascent Soul Pill. Indeed, alchemy remained a perilous profession. The higher the quality of the pill, the greater the destructive force of any resulting explosion. Perhaps there was more to this story than Chen Luo had witnessed; after all, he had only seen a fragment of True Person Gu Yue’s final moments.

Boom.

The sound of a bell resonated through the air.

“The Alchemy Grand Assembly has reached its finals,” Elder Wei Kong remarked, as if struck by sudden inspiration. “Since you are True Person Gu Yue’s successor, Fellow Daoist, why not attend? You could offer guidance to the younger generation and might even find a worthy disciple to carry on your legacy.”

Without waiting for a response, the elder alchemist took Chen Luo by the arm and began leading him toward the competition site.

We can’t let a Third-Tier Pill Refiner leave so easily.