Seizing Destiny From Heavens Hands

Chapter 349: How Could a Mere Boy Be Compared to Someone as Noble as You?

As soon as Shen Mo finished speaking, Zhou Mingyi, Bai Tianyuan, and the Ninth Elder all froze in shock.

Bai Tianyuan immediately burst into laughter.

As if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

"The Heavy Water Frost Pill is a Heaven-tier pill. Even if it’s only of the lower grade, it’s not something an amateur like you can refine so easily!"

Pointing at Shen Mo’s nose, Bai Tianyuan sneered, "Even my master wouldn’t dare claim a one hundred percent success rate."

"And yet you say you only need a single set of ingredients?"

"Utterly laughable!"

The Ninth Elder also reprimanded him. "You're nothing but an outsider. Giving you a single set of ingredients would be a waste!"

"Besides, I painstakingly gathered all five sets of ingredients from various places. There’s no way I’m handing even one to you!"

Zhou Mingyi turned to Shen Mo. "Daoist Shen, you…"

Shen Mo met his gaze. "Trust me."

Zhou Mingyi looked into Shen Mo’s eyes and saw unwavering confidence.

That self-assured gaze seemed to carry an undeniable force.

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Mingyi made his decision. "Alright! I trust you!"

He then turned to the Ninth Elder and spoke seriously. "Ninth Elder, while it’s true that you gathered some of the materials for these five sets of ingredients—"

"—the cost of acquiring them was covered by the sect’s funds."

"As the Tenth Elder of the sect, I also have the authority to allocate resources!"

"Moreover, Shen Mo has rendered great service to our Tianhe Sect. Even if we were to give him one set of ingredients, what harm would it do?"

The Ninth Elder was left speechless.

In the end, he could only grit his teeth and say, "Fine! I’ll give him one set."

"But I’m taking the other four and handing them over to my master for refinement."

Shen Mo remained indifferent and simply tossed his storage ring over.

The Ninth Elder retrieved the four sets of ingredients, snorted coldly, and left with Bai Tianyuan.

"The Young Lord of the Jade Cauldron Sect—I look forward to hearing of your failure in alchemy."

As he left, Bai Tianyuan cast a mocking glance at Shen Mo, leaving behind a final sneer.

It was clear that he didn’t believe Shen Mo had any chance of success.

Once they departed, the courtyard returned to its usual tranquility.

Zhou Mingyi finally couldn't help but ask, "Daoist Shen, can you really succeed?"

"You have only one attempt… but Elder Qingmu has four. Not to mention, he’s a master of the alchemical arts and has successfully refined several lower Heaven-tier pills!"

Shen Mo smiled faintly. "If you choose to use someone, trust them completely."

"Daoist Zhou, do you still have doubts now?"

Zhou Mingyi was at a loss for words. After a brief silence, he nodded resolutely. "Alright! I believe in you!"

Shen Mo pondered for a moment before saying, "I have one more condition."

"Please, speak."

"I want to take a look at the Ninefold Tianhe Scroll."

Zhou Mingyi hesitated and, after a long pause, said, "The Ninefold Tianhe Scroll is our Tianhe Sect’s most powerful and orthodox cultivation technique. It is a Heaven-tier technique and cannot be easily shared."

"However, I have studied it myself and can recite it for you."

Shen Mo nodded. "That will suffice."

With his level of comprehension, he could grasp the essence of the technique just by hearing Zhou Mingyi’s recitation.

For a full hour, Zhou Mingyi carefully recited the entire Ninefold Tianhe Scroll.

Shen Mo listened attentively, lost in thought.

Finally, Zhou Mingyi cupped his fists and declared, "From this moment on, I will personally stand guard outside this courtyard. No one will be allowed to interfere with your alchemy!"

Shen Mo smiled. "Good. That is the greatest support you can offer me."

After Zhou Mingyi left, Shen Mo began inspecting the ingredients within his storage ring.

"Not bad. All the necessary materials are here."

"These ingredients are indeed rare. They were gathered from all across the land, and even a wealthy sect like Tianhe Sect took over a decade to collect five full sets."

Shen Mo nodded slightly and began making preparations for alchemy.

These ingredients had been reverse-engineered from the remnants of Elder Qingmu’s past refinements.

However, after listening to Zhou Mingyi’s recitation of the Ninefold Tianhe Scroll and combining it with his own understanding of the Ninefold Alchemy Codex, Shen Mo had developed some new ideas.

The Heavy Water Frost Pill refined by Elder Qingmu only accelerated cultivation speed by ten to twenty percent at most.

Back then, Tianhe Sect had dismissed it as too insignificant to invest in, which was why they hadn’t immediately purchased the pill formula.

But now, an entirely new pill was taking shape in Shen Mo’s mind.

Preliminary estimates suggested that it could enhance cultivation speed by thirty to forty percent.

A significant improvement.

Another day passed.

By then, Shen Mo had already simulated the alchemical process over a hundred times in his mind.

Only then did he open his eyes and officially begin refining the pill.

He chose to use Solar Essence Fire instead of the Red Lotus Flame.

This was because the primary ingredient for this pill was the Essence of Heavy Water.

This heavenly material required an extremely high temperature to melt.

Moreover, the more thoroughly it was melted, the more its medicinal potency could be activated.

With a single motion of Shen Mo’s palm, the massive and weighty Myriad Beast Cauldron appeared before him.

Under the searing flames of the Solar Essence Fire, the cauldron began heating up.

The refinement of the nameless pill had officially begun.

…

At the northernmost part of the capital, crimson walls stood tall, isolating the imperial palace from the outside world.

To the east of the palace was an area permeated with the thick scent of medicinal herbs.

This place was called the Myriad Herb Garden.

It was a residence bestowed upon Elder Qingmu by Emperor Jing.

Powerful protective formations shielded Elder Qingmu, his disciples, and the young alchemists serving under him from any threats.

An abundant supply of rare medicinal ingredients allowed Elder Qingmu to refine pills at will, showcasing his exceptional mastery in alchemy.

Over the centuries, the Myriad Herb Garden had evolved into a sacred ground revered by all alchemists in the entire Jing Kingdom.

Countless young alchemists traveled from far and wide, just for the chance to catch a glimpse of this legendary master.

However, Elder Qingmu rarely made public appearances.

Thus, many alchemists left disappointed after making the pilgrimage.

At this moment, in the highest pavilion of the garden—

Behind a curtain of pearl beads sat an old man with a gaunt and withered appearance.

He neither spoke nor moved, not even opening his eyes.

Yet, an invisible pressure spread around him like the tide, making it impossible for anyone to utter a word.

Before him, the Ninth Elder and Bai Tianyuan stood quietly.

Especially Bai Tianyuan—

The once proud and arrogant young man was now as silent as a caged bird, not daring to act presumptuously.

After a long moment, the old man finally spoke in an indifferent tone, "Did you bring the materials?"

The Ninth Elder smiled ingratiatingly. "Master, I have brought them—four full sets of ingredients."

"I humbly ask you to refine the Heavy Water Frost Pill for my grandson. Without it, his future will be utterly ruined."

The old man replied, "I expelled you from my tutelage long ago. I have told you many times—you are not to call me Master again."

The Ninth Elder forced a sheepish smile. "Forgive me, but I still remember the bond of master and disciple from back then."

Elder Qingmu let out a long sigh. "Indeed… who in this world is truly devoid of sentiment?"

"However, you previously told me you would bring five sets of ingredients. Why is it that you now have only four?"

Before the Ninth Elder could respond, Bai Tianyuan stepped forward and quickly recounted everything that had happened at the Tianhe Merchant Association’s courtyard.

He also took the opportunity to harshly disparage Shen Mo.

Elder Qingmu’s expression remained utterly impassive.

The name Shen Mo was unfamiliar to him.

Clearly, this person was no master of alchemy and was therefore unworthy of his attention.

"If he wishes to refine a pill with just one set of ingredients, let him. It has nothing to do with me," Elder Qingmu said, his tone as still as an undisturbed pond.

Bai Tianyuan immediately chimed in with flattery, "Yes, yes! Someone as noble as you—how could a mere boy ever be compared to you?"

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