Chapter 153: Chapter 154: Assessment
The crimson flames illuminated the stone chamber in a scarlet hue, and the Cyan Elephant Furnace was enveloped in flames.
A faint, barely audible cracking sound could be heard.
The spirit patterns on it were all activated.
Droplets of sweat appeared on Ye Jingcheng’s forehead.
The earth fire in this fire room was hotter than imagined.
Moreover, the array inside the fire room was quite unique, seemingly more aggressive.
It requires more heart spirit consumption, and if not careful, the fire would rampage, turning the pill liquid into pill residue.
Fortunately, Ye Jingcheng had practiced beforehand.
With the Communication Beast Red Flame Fox, employing fire attribute spiritual power, he felt more at ease.
After a while, the Cyan Elephant Furnace emitted a humming sound, and the furnace lid spun and flew open.
Eight Cyan Spirit Pills shot out, landing in the pill bottle Ye Jingcheng had prepared.
Among them, four were ordinary pills, and four had pill fragrance.
Ye Jingcheng’s face showed delight.
Counting the Red Flame Fox, he was a Tier One Top-grade Alchemist, but without the fox, he would probably only be a Tier One High-grade Alchemist.
Producing eight pills with four having pill fragrance was already quite good.
"The Yun Furnace is passable, fire control is poor, medicine fusion is average, pill formation is a mess!" However, Ye Xuefu directly critiqued.
Ye Jingcheng was momentarily speechless, realizing that to Ye Xuefu, he was nothing.
However, he firmly believed that using the Red Flame Fox would greatly improve his skills.
Seemingly understanding what Ye Jingcheng was thinking.
"This is only considering you without using the spirit beast; otherwise, it would be worse!"
Ye Xuefu continued seriously.
He took the Cyan Elephant Furnace, summoned flames, and terrifying fire swept over, and the spirit patterns on the pill furnace lit up.
He then placed in spirit medicines one by one, these were also the spirit medicines for Cyan Spirit Pills.
Unlike Ye Jingcheng, who put them in one by one, Ye Xuefu threw them in handful by handful.
Ye Jingcheng was dumbfounded by this sight.
The scene before him shocked Ye Jingcheng.
The pill furnace was always kept in a brilliant state, while the flames surged around as if alive.
Meanwhile, the spirit medicines inside the pill furnace were divided into six portions, each containing medicine without any buffering pill residue.
Just as Ye Jingcheng thought it was not yet time for pill formation, he saw Ye Xuefu already condensing medicine into pills.
Under the flames, this was clearly more perfect.
Soon, the Cyan Elephant Furnace emitted a long elephant-like sound.
The furnace lid flew open, revealing ten pills inside.
Among them, four had pill patterns, and six were filled with thick pill fragrance.
"For the next six months, aside from demon hunting, come to me daily to practice alchemy!"
"Leave when I’m satisfied with your practice!" Ye Xuefu said.
"Thank you, Ninth Ancestor!" Ye Jingcheng was extremely delighted, with no sign of disobedience.
His mind sparkled with spiritual aura.
His thoughts were entirely filled with scenes of alchemy practice.
"Now you may start with the Yun Furnace, but don’t simply infuse, observe, look at the pill furnace, dismantle it!"
"If you don’t understand the array patterns of your own pill furnace, how can you refine good pills?"
"Sharpen your axe if you want to chop wood!" Ye Xuefu commented casually.
Ye Jingcheng nodded, but did not immediately start.
He took out a jade talisman and began recording.
As he began recording, Ye Xuefu frowned slightly.
Seeing Ye Jingcheng summarizing his practice, he relaxed.
His gaze towards Ye Jingcheng held a trace of approval.
"Good learning!" He mentally noted with a final evaluation.
Ye Jingcheng continued practicing with the Yun Furnace, while Ye Xuefu left.
He continued to practice the Yun Furnace alone; practicing made him realize his shortcomings.
The practice session passed, and it was already noon.
Ye Jingcheng tidied up the Earth Fire Room and left; staying too long in the fire room could breed irritability.
For cultivators, maintaining relaxation is crucial.
He went to the hall, observing the surroundings, curious about how many cultivators were interested in this underground hall.
He quickly shook his head.
From the room distribution and spiritual energy levels, Ye Jingcheng estimated there were few other clan members besides two ancestors.
This was normal; in the Ye Family, there was likely more than one mountain like this.
Firstly, it could serve as a breeding ground in Taihang Mountain.
Secondly, it could reduce the chance of the clan being discovered.
Moreover, it concealed the Ye Family’s true strength.
Unable to deduce more, Ye Jingcheng stopped observing and entered the hall, noticing Ye Jingyu and Ye Xingyu were present.
"Fourth Brother, Fifteenth Uncle!" Ye Jingcheng was somewhat surprised.
Both appeared exhausted.
It seemed they had been in magical combat.
Yet they had just arrived...
"Jingcheng, Fifteenth Ancestor said these rooms are available, arrays and array banners are on the tables in each room!" Ye Jingyu introduced.
Ye Jingyu pointed to two rooms—clearly their residence.
One was conveniently left open.
"Thank you, Fourth Brother!"
"Jingcheng, there’s a daily gravity field, requiring daily array trials; also, every three days, we must hunt a spirit beast!" Ye Jingyu noticed Ye Jingcheng’s confusion and explained further.
Although not magical combat, they had been to the gravity field.
This training Ye Jingcheng had considered trying, but hadn’t due to insufficient aptitude in arrays.
Unexpectedly, it was present here.
"Fifteenth Ancestor said even if you alchemize, you must complete it, or it’s considered abandoning Foundation Establishment!" Ye Jingyu added.
"Thank you, Fourth Brother, I’ll take a look!" Ye Jingcheng expressed appreciation.
He wasn’t opposed to the tests; they suited his interest.
The gravity field aids in improving agility and strengthening qi and blood.
The Foundation Establishment Three Gates comprised of Spiritual Power Barrier, Qi Blood Barrier, and Illusion Technique Barrier.
Though the Qi Blood Barrier can be passed by age sixty, for cultivators, healthier qi and blood, and youth, is advantageous.
Plus, with the excellent array patterns, his three spirit beasts were perfect for use.
For spirit beasts, their advancement requires stronger qi and blood!
Ye Jingcheng arrived at another stone chamber.
This chamber’s door was larger than usual.
Three words were engraved on the door:
"Qi Blood Sect!"
Ye Jingcheng felt satisfied with the name, corresponding with the Foundation Establishment Three Gates.
Ye Jingcheng promptly released three spirit beasts.
The Red Flame Fox clung to Ye Jingcheng upon encountering the unfamiliar scene, while the Golden Scale Beast craned its neck, eager to inspect everything.
The Jade Qilin Snake mistook the setting for feeding time, raising its snake head with its enormous maw open in eager anticipation, its eyes savoring a feast.
"Now it’s your turn to show your strength!" Ye Jingcheng’s expression turned slightly serious, as he took out the clan token, placing it into a groove on the door.
The stone chamber opened, revealing an interior filled with bright yellow light.