Under Uchiha Yuan's steady gaze, the raging flames gradually subsided. In the end, they condensed into two fire dragons that swam slowly within the bronze furnace.
A single detail revealed the whole picture — his control over fire and chakra had reached an extraordinarily refined level.
At that moment, a translucent attribute panel appeared before his eyes.
Name: Uchiha Yuan
Physique: Superior (17/100)
HP: 6919/6919
SP: 9882/9882
Chakra: 13685/13685
Reputation: You are now a renowned powerhouse in the ninja world. Your intelligence file has drawn the attention of the Five Kage.
Support Professions: Alchemist, Blacksmith, Chef, Medic, Formation Master
Through continuous study and research, Yuan had unexpectedly unlocked the hidden Support Professions tab in his personal status panel.
According to the game system he had designed in his previous life, support professions capped at Level 9. Each profession would only activate once one's mastery of knowledge reached a sufficient threshold.
For example:
Alchemist and Medic were unlocked through studying medical knowledge under Orochimaru and researching Hashirama's cells.
Yuan dismissed the panel.
With a thought, three shadow clones appeared behind him.
They leapt down, retrieved prepared herbs, and returned to the furnace's side.
"Prepare to add the materials," Yuan said solemnly.
The furnace lid lifted.
The first batch of herbs was added in precise sequence.
Below, Daishi and the others watched intently.
"I've never seen medicine refined like this," Kawa muttered.
Clan pharmacists typically boiled herbs into decoctions until reduced into pills.
But this—
This was direct flame refinement.
"Isn't he afraid of burning the materials?" someone whispered.
"Look carefully," another replied. "That flame isn't ordinary Fire Release. There's something else within it."
Five Days Later
Yuan refined the pills for five days and nights without rest.
During that time, shadow clones handled Police Force duties.
Each day, when the furnace lid opened, an increasingly rich medicinal fragrance filled the underground chamber.
By the fifth night, the air itself felt nourishing.
Then—
Yuan formed hand seals.
The twin fire dragons surged upward and returned to the suspended flame pillars.
"Prepare the jade box," he ordered.
A shadow clone retrieved a square white jade container from a storage scroll.
The furnace lid opened.
A cloud of heated vapor rose and lingered like mist.
Then—
Streams of blue-white light shot from within the furnace and landed neatly inside the jade box.
Yuan caught it.
The clone dispersed.
108 pills.
He already knew the exact count.
He descended from the pillar and stood before the gathered youths.
"Daishi, Takuya, Keijin, Kawa, Asuka, Kenji — step forward."
They obeyed, confused but hopeful.
Yuan opened the jade box.
Inside lay rows of radiant blue-white pills, each glowing faintly as if encased in soft light.
"These are Azure Dragon Pills," Yuan said calmly.
"I've observed that your cultivation has reached a bottleneck. This will help you break through — and replenish your vital essence."
Their eyes widened.
Yuan flicked his sleeve.
Several pills floated gently into their hands.
"Consume them immediately."
"Thank you, Leader!"
They swallowed the pills and sat cross-legged to refine the medicinal power.
Yuan then looked at the others.
"Each of you will receive one — but only when you stand at the threshold of breakthrough."
The youths straightened, determination blazing in their eyes.
They would train harder.
They would become worthy.
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