Translator: CinderTL
Three days later, Song Wen emerged from the Pill Refining Chamber to find Shu Niang waiting outside.
Shu Niang respectfully bowed. "Greetings, Vice Hall Master. Forty-three alchemists are waiting in the Great Hall. Among them, there are thirty-seven First-Tier Alchemists and six Second-Tier Alchemists."
Song Wen nodded approvingly. "Well done."
"Vice Hall Master flatters me. Please, come this way!" Shu Niang's eyes lit up slightly as she gestured toward the exit.
Song Wen stepped forward, leading the way. They soon arrived at the Great Hall.
Inside, a group of cultivators were already waiting. Upon seeing Song Wen and Shu Niang emerge from the corridor, they immediately rushed forward.
"Greetings, Vice Hall Master."
Song Wen's gaze swept across the crowd, confirming that the number of cultivators matched Shu Niang's report.
"I assume you all already know why you've been summoned, so I won't repeat the details. Those among you who cannot refine the Ghost Shadow Pill or the Soul Return Pill, please leave now. Additionally, those whose Ghost Shadow Pill success rate is below 60% or whose Soul Return Pill success rate is below 50%, please also depart. If anyone with poor alchemical skills insists on staying and participating in Pill Refinement, wasting the sect's Spirit Herbs, don't blame me for being ruthless."
As Song Wen's words fell silent, no one retreated. However, a male cultivator in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment stepped forward.
The man was dressed like a refined young master, but a hint of frivolity lingered between his brows. His complexion was deathly pale, radiating an unnatural, sickly aura.
"Junior Meng Cao greets Vice Hall Master Gou Jun. Reporting to the Vice Hall Master, I have never refined the Ghost Shadow Pill or the Soul Return Pill before, but I am quite interested in both pills. I humbly request the Vice Hall Master to grant me an opportunity to try."
How dare a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator openly defy the rules he had just laid down? Song Wen's expression immediately darkened.
"If you don't want to die, get out this instant."
Meng Cao remained unfazed by Song Wen's stern rebuke. He continued to clasp his hands in a respectful bow.
"Reporting to the Vice Hall Master, my mother, Meng Lengyu, is the Hall Master of Zhenbao Hall. I beg the Vice Hall Master to consider my mother's reputation and allow me to participate in the refinement of the Ghost Shadow Pill and the Soul Return Pill."
Song Wen turned his head, casting an inquiring gaze at Shu Niang beside him.
She gave a slight nod.
Instantly, a smile forced its way onto Song Wen's icy face.
"So you are Meng Hall Master's son. No wonder you carry yourself with such confidence. Since you are eager to participate in the refinement of the Ghost Shadow Pill and the Soul Return Pill, I will grant you this opportunity. In the future, if you have any questions about Pill Refinement, you may come to me for guidance."
"Thank you, Vice Hall Master," Meng Cao said with a wide smile, the hint of arrogance in his eyes growing more pronounced.
Song Wen shifted his gaze from Meng Cao and announced loudly, "For this sect mission, we require 30,000 Ghost Shadow Pills. Each pill will earn you one low-grade Spirit Stone. This task will be handled by the thirty-seven First-Tier alchemists among you. Additionally, we need 5,000 Soul Return Pills, each earning six low-grade Spirit Stones. This will be completed by the six Second-Tier alchemists. The allocation of specific quantities will be decided through your own negotiations. Remember, this mission has a one-year deadline. Don't be overly ambitious. Don't take on more than you can handle just to earn Spirit Stone rewards."
"We will obey the Vice Hall Master's orders," the crowd responded in unison.
Song Wen turned to Shu Niang. "From now on, you will work by my side."
Shu Niang had been eagerly currying favor, and Song Wen knew she had her own agenda. It was clear she was seeking a powerful patron.
Shu Niang's eyes lit up with excitement. "This subordinate will dedicate her life to serving the Vice Hall Master."
Song Wen handed her his identity token. "Once they've agreed on their individual pill refinement quotas, take them to the Zhenbao Hall to collect the Spirit Herbs they need. But don't take everything at once—stagger the withdrawals."
Shu Niang said, "Rest assured, Vice Hall Master. I understand."
Song Wen turned and returned to the Pill Refining Chamber.
For the next month, Song Wen spent most of his time refining Ghost Force Pills.
For him, refining Ghost Force Pills was incredibly easy. He succeeded in condensing pills on his second attempt.
Moreover, from ten sets of Spirit Herbs, he produced a total of eight batches, yielding thirty pills.
In his spare time, Song Wen also strolled through the Alchemy Hall, familiarizing himself with the place.
One day, in a Second-class Alchemy Room, Meng Cao gazed at the two Yin Energy-laden pills lying in his furnace, his face flushed with ecstatic joy.
"I've finally succeeded in refining the Soul Return Pill!"
Song Wen stood beside him, a gentle smile on his face, his expression as benevolent as if he were watching his own nephew.
"Congratulations, Young Meng."
Yet inwardly, Song Wen felt a deep contempt.
It had taken this First-Tier Alchemist a whole month, with his constant guidance as a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, just to barely succeed in condensing a Soul Return Pill for the first time.
Such talent could only be described with two words: utterly useless.
During their month-long interaction, Song Wen had also observed that Meng Cao was reckless in his actions and excessively fond of women.
Many female disciples in the Alchemy Hall, especially those in the Qi Refining Realm, had fallen victim to his depravity.
However, this man had an inexplicable obsession with alchemy. Unfortunately, his talent for it was so abysmal it was almost painful to watch.
"I must thank Vice Hall Master for your guidance. Without your help, this junior would have struggled to grasp the key principles," Meng Cao said, his excitement tempered by a degree of self-awareness.
"It was a minor effort, not worth mentioning," Song Wen replied with a humble smile. Then, changing the subject, he continued, "Young Meng, I've used up all the Spirit Herbs for my Ghost Force Pill. I plan to go to Zhenbao Hall to collect more. Would you accompany me? I'd also like to meet your mother."
"If Vice Hall Master wishes to meet my mother, I would be honored to introduce you," Meng Cao replied.
The two left the Alchemy Hall and flew through the air to Zhenbao Hall.
As the main repository for the Wu Ji Sect's treasures, Zhenbao Hall was naturally heavily guarded. The mountain peak it occupied was completely enveloped by a massive array. At the foot of the mountain, outside the array, stood a Great Hall. All Wu Ji Sect disciples who came to collect treasures were required to stop at this hall and were forbidden from taking a single step onto the mountain.
In addition to its main hall, the Great Hall had two side halls.
Under Meng Cao's guidance, Song Wen arrived at the entrance of a Second-class Alchemy Room in the right hall.
"Niang Qin, your son requests an audience." Meng Cao's voice was filled with genuine respect.
Upon arriving at Zhenbao Hall, the playful demeanor that had been on his face vanished completely, replaced by an air of calm composure.
A cold, clear female voice echoed from within the stone chamber.
However, it wasn't directed at Meng Cao.
"Which Fellow Daoist has come to visit?"
"I am Gou Jun, Vice Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall. Having recently joined the sect, I have come to pay my respects to Fellow Daoist Meng."
Before Song Wen could finish speaking, the stone door of the chamber slowly creaked open.
A woman of mature beauty stood in the doorway.
"Fellow Daoist, what brings you here?"
Meng Lengyu, true to her name, exuded an aura of aloofness that kept others at arm's length. She remained standing in the doorway, making no move to invite Song Wen inside.
Before Song Wen could respond, Meng Cao stepped forward.
"Niang Qin, why are you blocking the door? Vice Hall Master Gou Jun has been very kind to me, personally teaching me the Pill Refinement Technique. If we treat him poorly, wouldn't it seem like we lack proper etiquette?"
As he spoke, Meng Cao sidestepped his mother and entered the chamber. He suddenly turned back and said to Song Wen, "Vice Hall Master, please, come in quickly."
Only then, reluctantly, did Meng Lengyu step aside.
"Fellow Daoist Gou Jun, please enter."
(End of the Chapter)
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