However, the herbs and the Alchemy Furnace needed for alchemy can only be found in the Pill Pavilion, so Ji Chen had to come personally.
"Since Elder Li is not here, there's no need for you to entertain me. Go on with your tasks." Ji Chen spoke.
How could Wang Ping be willing to comply?
After all, the Pill Pavilion is an important place, even ordinary elders cannot enter or leave easily. Now, with this rogue Young Sect Leader here, how could he just leave him alone?
If something happened, and Elder Li blamed him, he definitely wouldn't be able to shoulder the consequence.
"What elixir does the Young Sect Leader wish to refine? Perhaps you could let me know, and after Elder Li returns tomorrow, I will personally convey it to him. Once the elixir is ready, I'll deliver it to the Young Sect Leader myself." Wang Ping proposed.
Ji Chen ignored him and instead began to wander around the courtyard.
Everywhere here was planted with various Spirit Grass, all used as ingredients for alchemy.
With Ji Chen's knowledge, he could naturally recognize the types of these herbs at a glance.
He picked some from the ground, all of which were the main ingredients for a Body Tempering Pill.
Wang Ping initially wanted to stop him but felt no need. Having worked as a Medicine Boy here for so long, he naturally understood the herbs as well and could see that the few herbs Ji Chen picked were not particularly precious. Even if a few were missing, Elder Li wouldn't say anything.
What Wang Ping really couldn't accept was that after picking a few herbs, Ji Chen didn't leave but rather entered the Pill Pavilion.
This is a truly important place, containing the Alchemy Furnace used by Elder Li for refining elixirs.
An Alchemy Furnace is a very valuable item; any mishap is something Wang Ping couldn't bear.
Following Ji Chen into the Pill Pavilion, seeing him stand before the Alchemy Furnace as if plotting something, Wang Ping finally couldn't help but speak, "Young Sect Leader, are you planning to..."
Before he could finish, he saw Ji Chen slightly furrow his brow and murmur softly, "Such a poor-quality furnace."
"Poor-quality?"
Though his voice was small, it still reached Wang Ping's ears.
This immediately made Wang Ping feel internally disdainful.
The Alchemy Furnace is something you, a mere playboy, could hardly understand, isn't it?
It's known that Elder Li, as a Second Grade Alchemist, is one of the most noted individuals even within the entire Chu Kingdom. It's said that this Alchemy Furnace was obtained by Elder Li with considerable effort.
"Go wait outside, don't disturb me here."
While Wang Ping was mulling over this, he heard Ji Chen's calm voice enter his ear.
"Is the Young Sect Leader intending to refine elixirs himself?" Wang Ping couldn't help but ask.
This playboy only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun every day, but now he also wants to dabble in alchemy?
Alchemy isn't something just anyone can do, after all.
Becoming an Alchemist is a rarity among thousands, and the requirements are very stringent.
Moreover, even if one had the potential to become an Alchemist, it's impossible to master it without a teacher.
Not to mention someone like Ji Chen, who has never had any contact with alchemy.
Is he really planning to refine elixirs himself?
If this gets out, it will surely be a source of endless ridicule.
"Young Sect Leader, the Alchemy Furnace is a valuable item. What if an accident happens and Elder Li blames us..."
Although feeling disdain, Wang Ping had no choice but to speak humbly due to the difference in their statuses.
He didn't want to be implicated by this playboy's sudden whim.
"What kind of accident could happen?"
Ji Chen turned his gaze towards him, "And even if Elder Li blames anyone, I'll take the responsibility. What? Me, as the Young Sect Leader, can't even order you around?"
"This..."
Wang Ping furrowed his brow, troubled.
But in the end, he still compromised and obediently retreated outside the Pill Pavilion, closing the door.
After all, he had tried to stop him, advised him, but since Ji Chen wouldn't listen, what else could he do?
If something went wrong later, he could just place all the blame on this playboy.
Meanwhile, inside the Pill Pavilion.
Soon after Wang Ping left, Ji Chen sat down cross-legged before the Alchemy Furnace.
He released his Spiritual Power, gathering a gentle Pill Fire within the furnace, and sequentially put in the herbs he had picked earlier to begin refining.
Under the refining of the Pill Fire, the herbs were soon turned into medicinal liquid, emitting a medicinal fragrance that filled the entire Pill Pavilion.
Time passed, though it was unclear how much exactly.
When the medicinal fragrance in the Pill Pavilion reached a certain intensity, the medicinal liquid finally began to blend and was on the verge of forming a pill.
"Boom!"
Unfortunately, just as the pill was about to form, Ji Chen failed due to a fire control issue, resulting in a pill explosion.
"This..."
He was a bit dumbfounded, taking out the half-destroyed Wasted Pill from the furnace, "The herbs were fine, and the refining process was also fine..."
"It should be because my current Spiritual Power isn't strong enough, causing the Pill Fire's temperature to be insufficient. Therefore, before the pill could completely solidify, I was too hasty to take it out, leading to the pill explosion."
Just a two-second glance, he realized the problem.
Since being reborn, the changes to his Spiritual Power made it difficult for Ji Chen to adapt initially.
He didn't feel discouraged but quickly adjusted his state, concentrating again to form a Pill Fire, and then put the second batch of herbs into the furnace.
This time, Ji Chen was obviously much more cautious, especially in controlling the heat.
Finally, after half an hour, a Body Tempering Pill was completed without any accidents.
The thumb-sized elixir still had residual warmth as Ji Chen held it up for inspection.
He nodded in satisfaction, "At least eighty percent of the medicinal potency is retained. This pill could barely be considered superior quality."
After storing the elixir carefully, Ji Chen stood up, ready to leave.
Outside the Pill Pavilion, Wang Ping had been anxiously standing guard. Now seeing Ji Chen finally coming out, and with everything intact inside the Pill Pavilion, including the Alchemy Furnace which hadn't encountered any mishaps, he couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.
"Young Sect Leader, may I escort you..."
Now he just wanted to see this playboy leave quickly and preferably without Elder Li knowing that he came today. Otherwise, he might not escape a reprimand.
"No need."
Ji Chen waved his hand and left without looking back.
Watching him leave, Wang Ping finally withdrew his gaze, then turned and entered the Pill Pavilion, carefully inspecting everything to ensure everything was normal.
The Alchemy Furnace had no issues, and it appeared nothing else in the Pill Pavilion had been disturbed either.
Reassured, Wang Ping closed the door with peace of mind.