BLOODLINE TEMPERING: Transforming From Worm To Dragon

Chapter 52: Failure

The trio patiently waited around the cauldron for it to reach the ideal fire temperature. When the time was ripe, everyone immediately closed the distance and tossed the Spiritual Herb each person was responsible for into the pot.

They had one responsibility here.

Chen Tu was to extract the Medicinal Essence from the Crimson Marble Fruit. Qin Lei, on the Burial Root, and Tang Yun Long are responsible for both Spirit Calming Grass and Highland Flower.

Thanks to his elementary achievement in the Alchemic Refinement Flame, Chen Tu could participate in this while being a mere third-level Body Tempering cultivator. He also had to thank the Crimson Marble Fruit for its stable Medicinal Content.

As for Qin Lei, he had no mastery over the Alchemic Refinement Flame, but his efficiency didn't lose to Chen Tu. As an eighth-level Body Tempering cultivator, he had almost triple the amount of Spiritual Energy compared to Chen Tu.

This difference helps narrow the differences between them. The time difference between them was a mere two minutes.

Meanwhile, TangYun Long's part was the most challenging. He had to refine the Spiritual Calming Grass and Highland Flower at once. It would be almost impossible without a slight mastery over the Alchemic Refinement Flame and the ninth level of the Body Tempering Layer cultivation.

Thanks to the cumulation of experience over the years, Tang Yun Long turned this challenge into a miracle. The process of cooking and condensing the Medicinal Extract from gases to liquid was done perfectly.

The first part was done in fifteen minutes. After ensuring that Tang Yun Long was ready for the next part, Chen Tu and Qin Lei delivered their portion of Medicinal Extract to this eldest senior brother.

They swiftly distanced themselves from the cauldron, but not before Chen Tu replaced the bucket of charcoal with another batch. This fiercer flame would surely help Tang Yun Long mix everything together as one concoction.

It is up to Tang Yun Long now. Without the Burial Root acting as the container for this special concoction, he had to carefully move the liquid around to avoid them from evaporating too quickly.

This was a process that Tang Yun Long couldn't afford to relax for a second. And to turn this puddle of liquid into a miracle, he had to concentrate and ignore everything else.

To Tang Yun Long, this was his battlefield between the concoction, the flames, and himself.

Three minutes later, the concoction finally thickens. The water content inside the concoction gradually dissipates to create a batch of thicker liquid.

In the ninth minute, the concoction finally reaches the desired concentration and starts to divide itself. A fragile outer layer of a pill is gradually forming and hardening.

Twelve minutes later, there's no longer liquid in the cauldron. All that was left was four Medicinal Pills in bright red color. The more it was oxidized by the flame, the darker it became. Chen Tu's acute sense of smell also caught a whiff of Medicinal Fragrance in the air.

Exactly fifteen minutes share, the refinement process is said to be complete. Four beautiful Spiritual Replenishing Pills were carefully scooped out of the cauldron and carefully placed on a cooling pan.

This would be their final obstacle to overcome before completion. The pill was about a quarter of an inch bigger than the usual Spiritual Replenishing Pill.

The coagulated pills were allowed to roll between the spiraling groove towards the middle of the cooling pan. This process would enable them to safely disperse the heat and solidify.

But before the trio calmed their restless heart, disappointment quickly struck them.

Three out of four pills detonate from the inside. All that was left to them was a hint of Medicinal Fragrance.

They only had one chance left, as their attention landed on the fourth pill rolling towards the middle of the plate. The pellet safely arrives at its destination and reveals a beautiful outer appearance.

Based on the quality and looks, there's no doubt this was a starred pill.

"Two-Star Spiritual Replenishing Pill. We actually refined a Two-Star Medicinal Pill from tinkering with the refinement method!" Tang Yun Long was the happiest in the trio. It felt like the success helped topple a wall inside his mind.

But that happiness was short-lived.

Ten seconds later, the pill cracked and split into two halves. This means that their attempt had ended in failure. Of course, if that was a success, they would have succeeded in refining a Two-Star Pill.

Although they failed, this is still considered an achievement for those aiming to become an alchemist. And being realistic here, how could a Two-Star Pill be that easy to refine?

With the help of six other disciples yesterday, even the elder only refined a single Two-Star Pill out of five batches of ingredients.

But if they were successful, the trio still had to repeat this ten consecutive times to be worthy of a recommendation to the Heavenly Alchemist Association. A further decision would be made to determine if they qualify to be invited to the alchemist examination.

**Pa! Pa! Pa!**

The sound of someone clapping came from a corner. Following the noise was the silhouette of a person stepping forward.

This individual appeared to be wearing an elder's robe with a name plaque on his belt. Chen Tu's acute sense of smell also noticed a faint fragrance from Spiritual Medicine lingering in this person's hand.

Needless to say, this person was their honored teacher, Elder Wei Xuan. As the owner of this workshop, he naturally knew where is the best blindspot to hide and observe what the trio is doing.

"Disciple (Chen Tu, Qin Lei, Tang Yun Long) paid his respect to the honored teacher." they quickly cupped their fists and slightly bowed at the elder.

"An excellent work, the three of you." said the elder as he rested his buttock on a seat nearby.

"Nothing makes me happier than seeing you guys working hard to refute the recipe I've perfected over the years. From who did this idea comes?" Elder Wei Xuan asked with a smile on his face.

The trio obediently made their way beside the elder before answering.

"The idea comes from our youngest junior Chen." Tang Yun Long answered. Since the idea wasn't from him, it was pointless to squabble for the favor. "Both me and sixth junior merely giving him a helping hand," he added.

Furthermore, who amongst them wasn't meticulously picked by the elder?