Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

Elder Xiong looked at the transparent luminous cup in Zheng Fa's hand. The icy crystals on the glass walls sparkled so brightly that he found it difficult to look directly at them.

But Zheng Fa's expression was something even harder to scrutinize.

"Is this the Water Refining method for alchemy?"

Zhao Jingfan leaned over curiously, staring at the luminous cup.

Gazing at the solution within the cup, Zheng Fa spoke cautiously, "I'm not very familiar with Water Refining in alchemy; I'm merely purifying."

The previous experimental process as well.

Whether it was the final potency test.

All pointed to one issue with the pill-making challenge — insufficient purity of the Golden Core.

For purification, there are only a few chemical methods. Looking back at previous experimental records, the first thing Zheng Fa thought of was extraction.

Based on current observations, Zheng Fa had a hypothesis:

Under certain conditions, Frost Leaves could form a solvent.

This solvent could dissolve the active ingredients in the Five Elements Orchid, separating them from other impurities.

Through some Secret Technique, he would then change the environmental parameters, allowing the solvent to recrystallize or form a powder, resulting in an intermediate product with medicinal effects.

Currently, this beaker contained a solution of Frost Leaf dissolving the Five Elements Orchid powder.

He was now observing under what conditions the Five Elements Orchid powder would dissolve most thoroughly.

Zhao Jingfan glanced back at Elder Xiong, seemingly seeking a definitive answer. Elder Xiong found his lack of perception annoying — if he knew, would he be making a fool of himself?

He took two steps closer, sniffed the Frost Leaf solution in the luminous cup, feeling somewhat uncertain, yet he nodded slightly, "It does seem a bit like it. I've sparred with a Pill Master skilled in Water Refining before..."

"Though I haven't seen his Secret Technique, I've seen similar spirit water."

This was indeed possible, for instance, some solutions can be stored long-term and even sold as a raw material to other Pill Masters.

"Ultimately, we'll have to see if a Golden Core is formed."

Elder Xiong said as he bit his thumb, seemingly eager to try it himself — obviously, he wanted to get hands-on experience.

Zheng Fa had learned about Elder Xiong's personality in recent days.

This person was likely quite obsessed with alchemy. While working in the Jiushan Realm for several months, although lured by the carrot of Divinity Transformation Skill, his serious dedication was clearly observed by Zheng Fa.

Now with thoughts about this solution's potential relation to the legendary Water Refining method, it was understandable for him to feel an itch like a wine connoisseur encountering a rare vintage.

After thinking for a moment, Zheng Fa spoke:

"Elder Xiong, I trust your skills, but our experiment has its own plan."

"I'm afraid..."

"Whatever you say, I'll do it!"

Elder Xiong patted his chest, expressing his willingness to follow orders.

"It's not about listening to me..."

"..."

"It's about listening to them."

Zheng Fa pointed to several Foundation Establishment disciples in the room, four of whom Elder Xiong was quite familiar with — the same four Foundation Establishment disciples he'd had disagreements with in the past.

Elder Xiong fell silent.

Zheng Fa wasn't deliberately trying to humiliate or make a point for the disciples, but rather in pursuit of specialized skills. He wasn't proficient in alchemy, and while he proposed a broad framework, precise execution required the expertise of these dedicated disciples.

To guide Elder Xiong in alchemy, it would naturally need to be them.

"I..."

Zheng Fa saw Elder Xiong's hesitation, understanding it was difficult for the Great Elder of the Qingmu Sect to overcome the obstacle in his heart, whether for the sake of face as a Nascent Soul Pill Master or due to past minor conflicts.

He didn't wait for Elder Xiong to respond, and instead nodded to the disciples.

The spiritual fire reignited in the pill furnace as Zheng Fa added the Frost Leaf solution containing dissolved Five Elements Orchid into the alchemy furnace.

Thus began another round of experiments.

Elder Xiong watched from the side, intently observing every action of the disciples; this time, he seemed to truly see the disciples' faces — including those four, now surprisingly familiar ones.

In the alchemy room, everyone had different thoughts, but the majority's attention remained fixed on the pill furnace.

The spiritual fire extinguished, and the pill furnace cooled.

Through the transparent glass at the furnace's base, everyone could see several Golden Cores.

These Spirit Pills looked distinctly different from those made before.

Previous cores were often murky dark blue.

Yet, now these Spirit Pills in the furnace were of a very pure blue, with even a hint of shimmering water light.

The room was filled with a faint, warm, and mellow pill scent, like a lonely orchid blooming silently at the lake's edge in a secluded valley.

Promising!

Even without Lady Xuanhua's assessment, everyone inexplicably shared the same hopeful feeling!

Elder Xiong closed his eyes, took a deep breath of the room's aroma, and exclaimed with delight, "Top grade!"

Zhao Jingfan, full of excitement, remarked, "So this is considered top-grade alchemy? A couple of days ago, we were still making wasted pills!"

Elder Xiong's expression stiffened, and his delighted look vanished, as if awakened from a dream by a knife's stab...

This Zhao Jingfan, his words were sharp as blades...

Weren't those wasted pills made by him?

Zheng Fa watched the Spirit Pills in the furnace, not satisfied merely by Elder Xiong's top-grade endorsement, he took out a jade bottle, waved them in, and had the disciples send them to Lady Xuanhua for evaluation.

Everyone in the room awaited the test results, while Zheng Fa reviewed the recent experiment records.

A head peeked over from behind his shoulder, staring at the records in his hands with apparent curiosity...

Zhao Jingfan, covering his forehead behind, thought.

"Weren't you dismissive of these records just before, sir?"

Zheng Fa turned to Elder Xiong, whose face was slightly red, and he nevertheless began to speak: