Sun Lanyue hesitated, then asked softly, "Where… where is he?"
Fang Yulan's lips curved into a faint, familiar smile. "The same as always. He left early to refine pills". Sun Lanyue nodded in quiet understanding, her gaze lowering for a moment before lifting again with calm resolve — and far from the peaceful courtyard, the scent of herbs already filled the air.
Within the Alchemy Hall, Fang Zhengyuan stood before a stone furnace, sleeves rolled back as spiritual flames danced beneath a bronze cauldron. The air shimmered with heat and medicinal qi as crushed herbs, spirit dew, and refined powders were added in precise intervals. His expression was focused, steady, as he guided the flow of qi with practiced control, ensuring the pill within took form without impurity. He was refining Nourishing Qi Tempering Pill, a speciality in mid stage qi strengthening and helps steady cultivation.
The faint hum of the formation array echoed softly, marking the start of another day.
Inside the alchemy hall, the scent of medicinal herbs lingered faintly in the air. As Fang Zhengyuan tended to the cauldron, a calm presence approached from behind.
It was Elder Mo Yunsheng, the Alchemy Hall Master of the Fang Clan.
Mo Yunsheng was an old man with ash-white hair tied loosely behind his back.Though his cultivation had stalled at the late stage of Qi Condensation, his mastery in alchemy far surpassed most. He was a First-Grade Finishing Refiner.
"You're steady today," Mo Yunsheng said lightly, glancing at the cauldron. "The flame is even. Good control."
Fang Zhengyuan inclined his head in response, continuing his work without pause.
The old refiner watched silently, a trace of approval passing through his eyes.
Mo Yunsheng nodded once. "Two is enough." He deduced by glancing at the cauldron.
The fire beneath the cauldron slowly dimmed. A soft hum lingered in the air as the lid lifted on its own, releasing a thin stream of pale vapor. Inside, two pills lay quietly, their surfaces smooth and faintly luminous—clean, stable, and complete.
The rest of the mixture had failed to condense. Dark residue clung to the inner walls of the cauldron, already cooling into useless slag.
At a gesture from Mo Yunsheng, the alchemy hall's master, disciple-servants stepped forward. One carefully stored the two finished pills in a jade vial, while the others cleaned away the residue without pause.
Mo Yunsheng gave a small nod. "Enough. This batch is complete."
The hall settled into silence once more, the lingering scent of herbs slowly fading as Fang Zhengyuan stood quietly beside the furnace.
Without another word, Master Mo Yunsheng turned back toward the furnace at the center of the alchemy hall.
Before him stood a Grade-One Cloud Cauldron, its surface etched with faint, drifting patterns that resembled slow-moving mist. Though modest compared to higher-grade artifacts, it was stable, reliable, and perfectly suited for refining pills meant for Qi Condensation cultivators.
With a calm motion, he flicked his wrist. A thread of controlled flame bloomed beneath the cauldron, steady and restrained. One by one, he added the prepared ingredients — Spirit Dew Grass, Clearheart Root, and a small measure of Stoneleaf Powder — all measured with practiced precision.
"This will be Essence Pill ,a Late Qi-Gathering Pill," he said calmly, more to the process than to Fang Zhengyuan. "Enough to enhance the speed of cultivation without straining the meridians."
The cauldron hummed softly as the medicinal essence began to melt together. Pale vapors rose, carrying a faint herbal scent that filled the hall. Master Mo adjusted the flame in small increments, his movements unhurried yet exact. Every breath, every pause, came with long experience.
Time passed quietly.
When the lid was finally lifted, a gentle glow spilled out. Within the cauldron lay three formed pills, their surfaces smooth and faintly luminous. Two were perfectly round. The third bore a slight imperfection but still held medicinal value.
"That will suffice," Master Mo said calmly.
Disciples stepped forward at once, carefully collecting the pills while clearing away the remaining residue and spent herbs. The failed essence was swept aside without ceremony — waste was a natural part of refinement.
The finished pills were stored within the Treasure Pavilion, sealed behind layered formations. Not long after, a young servant hurried into the Alchemy Hall and bowed deeply.
"Master Fang, the First Lineage Patriarch requests your presence."
Fang Zhengyuan wiped his hands clean and followed without delay. The path led toward the inner halls of the Fang estate, where the residence of the Patriarch, Fang Jianhong, stood dignified and silent.
Inside the reception chamber, Fang Jianhong sat calmly at the head seat. His gaze lifted as Zhengyuan entered.
"You've come," he said simply. "Sit."