Chapter 9: The Scent That Stopped the Hall
The small alchemy furnace sat in the center of Lin Xuan's courtyard, faint wisps of medicinal vapor curling from its vents.
Inside, spiritual flames licked around a mixture of common qi-enhancing herbs—and one precious Moonfire Ginseng root.
The Empyrean Pill Scripture's instructions played through his mind as if etched into his soul.
Control the flame with intent, not force. Let the herbs yield willingly.
Minutes passed. The flames shifted from deep red to gold. The scent in the courtyard thickened, rich and vibrant.
Finally, the furnace gave a soft ding.
Lin Xuan lifted the lid.
Resting inside was a single round pill, smooth and glossy, its surface flickering faintly between silver and gold.
Its fragrance carried a warmth that spread through his body just by inhaling.
> [Moonfire Essence Pill – Heaven-Grade]
Effect: Rapid qi absorption, balanced yin-yang energy flow, marrow nourishment.
He blinked. "I was aiming for earth-grade…"
Max luck had struck again.
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Trip to the Alchemy Hall
Two days later, Lin Xuan walked into the Alchemy Hall, the sect's central hub for pill refinement and trade.
The hall bustled with disciples carrying baskets of herbs, jars of ingredients, and trays of freshly refined pills. Tall shelves lined the walls, stocked with medicinal powders, pills, and alchemical tools.
A young hall disciple at the counter looked up. "Outer disciple? Are you here to buy or sell?"
"Sell," Lin Xuan replied, setting a small jade box on the counter.
The disciple raised a brow. "May I see the product?"
Lin Xuan opened the box.
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The Scent That Stilled the Room
The instant the pill was exposed, the fragrance poured out like a warm breeze. The rich yin-yang balance in the aroma made even nearby cultivators pause mid-step.
Heads turned. Conversations died down.
In less than three breaths, half the hall was looking in Lin Xuan's direction.
Before he could even react, a blur of red robes appeared at his side.
The jade box snapped shut—held in the wrinkled hand of an elder whose presence radiated authority.
"Who refined this?" the elder's deep voice cut through the hall.
The hall disciple at the counter stammered. "E-Elder Danfeng, this outer disciple—"
Elder Danfeng's gaze pinned Lin Xuan like a spear. "Where did you get this pill?"
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The Question
Lin Xuan felt the weight behind that voice—it wasn't just curiosity. It was suspicion, mixed with a flicker of hope.
He considered his options. He could lie, say he'd bought it. That might get the elder off his back… but if the elder pursued it, he'd have to cover the lie.
Or he could tell the truth and risk exposing abilities that would draw even more attention.
The silence stretched. The onlookers leaned in.
Finally, Lin Xuan straightened his back. "I refined it myself."
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A ripple of disbelief passed through the hall. A few disciples snorted softly. Heaven-grade pills weren't something even most inner sect disciples could produce, and this one carried a balance of yin and yang that was rare even among master alchemists.
Elder Danfeng's brows lifted—not in mockery, but genuine intrigue. "You? Refined this?"
"Yes," Lin Xuan said steadily.
"Prove it."
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The Test
Elder Danfeng gestured, and one of the hall's assistants hurried forward with a top-grade portable furnace and a tray of fresh herbs.
The ingredients were clearly expensive—enough to make every onlooker's eyes widen.
"You have one attempt," the elder said. "Refine the same pill. Here. Now. In front of me."
Lin Xuan looked at the furnace, then at the herbs.
The Moonfire Ginseng root among them was smaller and less mature than the one he'd used before—but the challenge was set.
He took a slow breath, suppressing a faint smile. "Very well."
He stepped up to the furnace, placing his hands on either side, and summoned his flame.