Seeing the Ten-Breath Golden Ephemera once more, Lin Feng couldn't help but inwardly marvel at his extraordinary luck. This kind of precious spirit herb, normally impossible to encounter even in a hundred years, he had actually found twice within such a short period.
This particular Golden Ephemera looked much like the one he had seen back in the Black Mist Herb Valley, except its flower was slightly more open, indicating it was a bit more mature. It was indeed as Yu Zhun had said; it was close to full maturity.
Lin Feng's gaze shifted away from the Golden Ephemera as he carefully scanned his surroundings. He noticed traces of a recent collapse on the left cave wall, likely caused by the fleeing Gold-Devouring Ants earlier. Perhaps the Level 3 ant leader had been lurking right there. He secretly felt relieved that the ants, ultimately lacking higher intelligence, had simply fled without taking or destroying the Ten-Breath Golden Ephemera.
After thoroughly checking the area and confirming no immediate threats remained, Lin Feng returned to the center. He sat down cross-legged right beside the shimmering Golden Ephemera and sank into deep thought.
Although this Golden Ephemera was 'almost mature,' waiting for it to ripen naturally could take an unknown amount of time. This wasn't a problem for Lin Feng, however, as he possessed Spirit Spring water capable of 'forcing' its maturity instantly. Yet, he didn't plan to do so immediately. This time, he wouldn't directly cultivate using the ten breaths the flower remained open; instead, he intended to attempt refining the Golden Ephemera Pill.
This had been his plan all along. However, he dared not jump straight into refining such a pill. He had never refined a Level 3 pill before, let alone the notoriously difficult Golden Ephemera Pill. Such recklessness was unthinkable. His strategy was to first elevate his pill refining skills—aiming to reliably produce at least Level 3 Waste Pills—before attempting the Golden Ephemera Pill.
—A pill refiner whose sole ambition is to produce Waste Pills... Lin Feng might well be the least ambitious alchemist in history.
"Xiaoqiu, guard duty is yours," Lin Feng said, handing the small creature several mid-grade spirit stones. "I worry those Gold-Devouring Ants might return. Stay vigilant. Alert me immediately if anything happens, understand?"
"Qiu!!" Xiaoqiu chirped affirmatively. Clutching the spirit stones, it hopped onto the tallest nearby rock. It gave Lin Feng a look that clearly said 'Don't worry,' signaling its commitment to the task.
With Xiaoqiu, his reliable 'danger detector,' on watch, Lin Feng could focus entirely. He took a moment to center himself, then waved his hand, summoning his pill furnace.
With a tap on the furnace, he channeled his Lava Flame inside. A resonant BOOM echoed as fierce flames erupted within the vessel. Lin Feng then produced several different spirit herbs in succession, methodically feeding them into the fiery maw...
He didn't immediately attempt a Level 3 pill. Instead, he 'reviewed' refining Level 2 pills. He was pleased to find that reaching the Golden Core realm had indeed significantly enhanced his efficiency. Crafting Level 2 pills presented almost no difficulty now. Furthermore, aided by his Exotic Flame, the pills he produced were consistently high-grade, even top-grade—though pill quality was largely irrelevant to his specific needs.
After refining several batches of Level 2 pills, Lin Feng felt he was properly warmed up and in the right state. He pulled out a set of Level 3 spirit herbs and began his first attempt at a Level 3 pill.
...
"BOOM!!"
A sharp detonation echoed through the cavern. Lin Feng stared disappointedly at his pill furnace, thick, acrid smoke billowing from its mouth. Another failure... He sighed inwardly. This was the fifth Level 3 pill batch ruined. Half a day had passed, and he hadn't produced a single Waste Pill. Over twenty precious Level 3 herbs had turned to useless ash.
Feeling his true essence significantly depleted, Lin Feng had no choice but to pause his refining. He began meditating to recover his strength, simultaneously reviewing the failures. He recalled the key points from Lu Danxin's Pill Refining Insights, mentally cataloging numerous areas needing improvement.
Two hours later, fully restored, Lin Feng resumed his work. This time, he immediately sensed tangible progress. His spirits lifted, fueling even greater concentration and dedication.
Lin Feng slipped into a state of near obsession. His surroundings faded, time lost meaning. Attempt followed attempt. Gradually, the accumulated ash and dregs of failed pills piled up beside him, forming a small mound...
Unnoticed, time flowed on. Two full days slipped past...
Finally, on the morning of the third day, Lin Feng achieved his first batch of Level 3 pills!!
Though they were only Waste Pills, the significance for Lin Feng was immense. This 'success' provided invaluable experience. His success rate immediately saw a dramatic improvement. Of the next three batches, only one failed. He even managed to produce one batch of low-grade pills.
After refining two more batches of low-grade Level 3 pills, Lin Feng reached for more herbs only to realize his remaining stock couldn't form a complete set for another Level 3 pill attempt.
"Huff... That's probably enough. It's time for the real thing!" Lin Feng exhaled softly, murmuring to himself. His gaze shifted to the Ten-Breath Golden Ephemera glowing nearby. After a moment's thought, he first recalled his Lava Flame and stored the pill furnace away. He took a short while to meditate and restore his peak condition, then stood up and walked over to the radiant flower.
He retrieved a small bottle from his spatial ring—the Spirit Spring. Pulling out the stopper, he used his true essence to carefully draw out a single, tiny droplet. He let it fall onto the soil at the base of the Golden Ephemera.
The potent ripening power of the Spirit Spring was undeniable. As the droplet seeped into the earth around the roots, the Golden Ephemera reacted instantly. The partially drooping flower slowly straightened. The golden light emanating from it intensified, and its petals began to unfurl, one by one. It was visibly on the cusp of full bloom.
Joy flickered in Lin Feng's eyes. He was about to summon his pill furnace again, preparing to begin refining the Golden Ephemera Pill the moment the flower matured.
But it seemed fate always enjoyed throwing obstacles Lin Feng's way at critical moments. Things rarely went smoothly. Last time in the Black Mist Herb Valley, a Level 3, Stage 6 beast resembling a raptor had appeared. And this time...
"QIU!!!"
Xiaoqiu's sharp warning cry jolted Lin Feng into alarm. He instantly spun around, his guard snapping up as he focused on the collapsed section of the cave wall. Simultaneous with Xiaoqiu's cry, he had already sensed it—a powerful, familiar aura emanating from within that wall of rock!
"SCREEE!!" A piercing shriek, muffled but distinct, reverberated through the cavern. Lin Feng felt the entire cave tremble, as if something massive was tunneling rapidly through the earth. In the blink of an eye, a cacophony of cracks and snaps echoed—the sound of rock shattering—followed by a thunderous BOOM!
The rock face directly ahead exploded outwards. From the swirling dust and debris burst a colossal figure, gleaming gold and easily the size of a small car!!
Its form was unmistakably that of a Gold-Devouring Ant, but its size dwarfed any ordinary specimen by an immense margin. Without a doubt, this was the Level 3, Stage 7 Gold-Devouring Ant leader that had fled in fear from Lin Feng before!