Chapter 62 | The Divine Ability Practitioner

A faint pill fragrance lingered and flowed through the elegant courtyard.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xuan and Zhou Fuling stood frozen like stone statues, their eyes fixed in disbelief on the pill spinning smoothly inside the lotus cauldron.

“Ahem.”

Lu Ming had to cough softly to snap the two out of their state of shock.

“What is that? You refined a Qi Refining Elixir on your very first try? How is that possible! Did you sneak a pill in there yourself, kid?!” Zhou Fuling stared with wide eyes, her words firing out like artillery shells.

Her voice was filled with doubt.

She had no choice but to doubt it, because succeeding on the very first attempt at alchemy was simply abnormal.

Although the Qi Refining Elixir was the simplest of pills, the steps involved were tightly interconnected. Even a minor error would make it impossible to form a pill. She knew this from deep personal experience; when she first tried alchemy, she had failed for a full half-month before slowly gaining control over the heat needed to fuse the medicinal efficacy.

Yet now, Lu Ming had succeeded on his very first try.

This comparison caused Zhou Fuling, who possessed an extraordinary background and a proud personality, to break down slightly.

Zhou Xuan did not lose his composure like Zhou Fuling. He could tell at a single glance that the Qi Refining Elixir still carried the residual heat of the cauldron, and the pill fragrance was diffusing because it had just been completed. Therefore, it was impossible for Lu Ming to have sneaked a pill in to fool them.

Thus, it could only have been refined by Lu Ming himself.

But... was this alchemy talent really so astonishing?

An unusual look flickered in Zhou Xuan's eyes. He slowly set down the teapot in his hand, gestured, and the pill inside the lotus cauldron flew out, landing in his palm.

Zhou Xuan turned the pill over in his hand. With a slight probe, he detected a familiar trace of Clear Qi from within. This further proved that this pill had indeed been refined by Lu Ming using the True Explanation of the Six Refinements of Clear Qi he had taught him.

“The shape of the pill is fairly complete, and its medicinal power is abundant. Although your Clear Qi tempering technique during the pill formation was a bit rough and unpolished, it can already be considered a successful Qi Refining Elixir,” Zhou Xuan said slowly.

With his vision as an Alchemy Master, he could evaluate the quality of the pill at a glance.

Although there was still plenty of room for improvement, for Lu Ming's first attempt at alchemy, this result was practically perfect.

What surprised Zhou Xuan the most was that the medicinal efficacy within this Qi Refining Elixir was remarkably well-preserved. This indicated that Lu Ming had maintained excellent control during the fusion phase. Yet, this very step was the most difficult part of the entire pill refinement process.

Ninety-nine percent of the world's alchemists would fail at this exact step.

“How did you manage to fuse the medicinal efficacy so perfectly?” Zhou Xuan could not help but ask.

Lu Ming looked bewildered and said, “I just went with my gut, I guess.”

Zhou Xuan remained silent for a few breaths before saying, “This is not just a feeling; this is your talent for the Dao of Alchemy. Since you could already perceive pill energy before, you were able to rely on instinct to maintain the heat and degree of fusion when merging the medicinal efficacy. This is a talent that countless alchemists yearn for but can never obtain. It saves you from countless failures.”

If Lu Ming's previously displayed ability to perceive pill energy only made Zhou Xuan feel he had some talent, now Zhou Xuan was absolutely certain that the young man before him was a true alchemy genius.

Beside him, Zhou Fuling could not help but reach out and grab Lu Ming by the shoulders, shaking him violently as she gritted her teeth and yelled, “I am so jealous of you!”

Other alchemists had to accumulate experience through countless failures to control the fusion of medicinal efficacy, yet Lu Ming could accomplish it solely by relying on his talent. This was indeed deeply enviable.

Zhou Fuling was so excited that her movements were quite exaggerated. Coupled with her ample bosom, she almost pulled Lu Ming right into her. The latter hurriedly and awkwardly extended his arms to shield his face.

Only then did Zhou Fuling realize what was happening. Her pretty face flushed crimson, and she spat in embarrassment before quickly taking two steps back to hide behind Zhou Xuan.

Zhou Xuan handed the Qi Refining Elixir back to Lu Ming and smiled. “Not bad. Succeeding on your first attempt is quite a feat. If you cultivate the True Explanation of the Six Refinements of Clear Qi I taught you well, you will have a good chance of becoming an Alchemy Master in the future.”

Without even realizing it, Zhou Xuan's tone had softened.

Lu Ming nodded and said respectfully, “If the Ward Master hadn't guided me through the gateway to the Dao of Alchemy, I would never have discovered this talent of mine. I will certainly keep your kindness in mind, Ward Master.”

The corners of Zhou Xuan's mouth curled up slightly, but he still waved his hand dismissively. “Bah, it was just a trade. Just make sure you don't slack off on cultivating the Golden Sun Flame Banner.”

Behind him, Zhou Fuling could not help but roll her eyes. Her fourth uncle was truly stubborn about saving face. In her eyes, Lu Ming's status as an alchemy genius was far more valuable than any High-grade Divine Ability Bone.

With such a promising talent, what was he waiting for if not to show favor now?

Thus, she reached out and poked Zhou Xuan hard in the back.

Zhou Xuan cleared his throat, thought for a moment, and suddenly said, “Lu Ming, the Divine Ability Clans of Qingyuan Ward have nurtured a minor blessed land called the Spirit Fish Pool. The spirit fish inside are quite extraordinary, and it seems it will open tomorrow. It just so happens that they gave me two spots. I gave one to Fuling, and I can give the other one to you.”

Lu Ming was taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled. “Thank you for your kindness, Ward Master, but there is no need. Aunt Li has already prepared a spot for me to participate.”

“Oh? Li Yan? Did she demand any price for giving you this spot?” Zhou Xuan was startled and asked.

Lu Ming shook his head. “Aunt Li has always looked after our Thunderfire Hall and treated me very well. There was no price.”

He did not mention his arrangement with Jing Yi here, as there was no need to explain things so clearly.

Zhou Xuan let out an “oh” and said with apparent indifference, “Since you already have one, then forget about it.”

“Oh right, wait a moment.”

He seemed to recall something and suddenly walked inside. A moment later, he emerged with some items and handed them to Lu Ming.

“What is this?” Lu Ming looked at the object handed to him. It was a bamboo tube, and inside seemed to be some parchment.

“Dossiers related to the Peach Mountain Bandits, including intelligence on their chief and the strength of their subordinates. Since your Thunderfire Hall has made an enemy of them, you need to understand them better.”

“Furthermore, according to the intelligence I gathered, the Peach Mountain Bandits have been showing unusual movements recently. Go back and tell your grandfather to take some precautions. The detailed intelligence is inside,” Zhou Xuan said calmly.

Hearing this, Lu Ming's expression instantly turned solemn. The Peach Mountain Bandits were indeed a thorn in the side of the Thunderfire Hall. These dossiers would allow them to gain a better understanding of the bandits, especially with the intelligence Zhou Xuan had provided.

“Thank you, Ward Master!”

Lu Ming said gratefully.

“It is just a minor matter. This intelligence doesn't hold much value to me,” Zhou Xuan said indifferently.

Zhou Fuling sighed in exhaustion. Fourth Uncle, if you don't know how to speak, just shut up.

Having received this intelligence, Lu Ming was in no mood to stay. After thanking Zhou Xuan once again, he hurriedly left the Ward Office, rushing back to inform Lu Jin of this information.

After Lu Ming left, Zhou Xuan smacked his lips and said, “This kid really has some skills.”

“A while ago, I wonder who was putting on airs and saying, 'There are countless geniuses in the world, how could we possibly invest in every single one of them?' Why did you actively offer him a spot at the Spiritual Fish Feast just now? And if I remember correctly, those Divine Ability Clans only gave you one spot. Where did the second one come from?” Zhou Fuling said sarcastically.

Zhou Xuan felt a bit embarrassed and said, “How could I have known back then that this kid possessed such talent for the Dao of Alchemy?”

“As for the spot, if I open my mouth, would they dare not give me face?”

Zhou Fuling curled her lip and complained, “If you're going to show favor, do it properly. Don't say such useless things. If you don't let him know the importance of these things, how is he supposed to evaluate your kindness?”