The chatter of the apothecaries on the steps fell silent the moment a red-robed figure appeared.
An elderly Pill Master dressed in red robes entered the pavilion, accompanied by a middle-aged man.
"That's the Patriarch of our Ren family," Ren Lu said in a low voice.
The Patriarch of such a powerful family wore a gentle smile as he accompanied the Pill Master, devoid of his usual commanding presence.
Bai Mo knew that not all Pill Masters received such treatment. This could only mean the old Pill Master's status was far from ordinary.
"I know you have all come here with a mind to improve your Alchemy Skill."
"But for most of you, I'm afraid it's more about a craving for certification. Your ambitions are too wild, and the vast majority of you are not cut out for the Alchemy Dao."
The old Pill Master clasped his hands behind his back and surveyed his surroundings. His expression was serene, but his tone held a hint of disappointment.
"I don't mind telling you all: if you don't have one or two impressive Alchemy Skills up your sleeve, you might as well go home now and avoid embarrassing yourselves."
This statement caused an immediate uproar.
"How could he say that!?"
As they put their heads together and whispered, the clamor grew.
Ren Lu leaned toward Bai Mo's ear and asked:
"Brother Bai, do you have any tricks up your sleeve?"
Bai Mo replied without reservation, "Naturally. And you, Brother Ren?"
Ren Lu let out a knowing laugh, raising his chin and puffing out his chest.
"I've witnessed numerous Alchemy Skills, and I'd like to think I've grasped the essence of quite a few."
As the two spoke, they suddenly noticed someone whose face was alternating between pale and flushed. The person gritted their teeth and stood up, ready to leave.
Bai Mo gave them a look as if they were a complete idiot.
'Someone's actually leaving?'
'Did they really take the Pill Master's words to heart?'
Ren Lu wore the same expression.
"It's always good to stay and watch. You might learn something."
Perhaps unable to bear the many astonished gazes, some who had stood up fled in haste, while others forced themselves to sit back down.
The old Pill Master's gaze swept past Ren Lu and Bai Mo, as well as a few other apothecaries who looked as if it had nothing to do with them.
A trace of dejection flashed across his face as he spoke to the Ren family Patriarch beside him:
"If I'd had such conviction back in my day, I wouldn't have ended up being looked down upon."
The Ren family Patriarch consoled him, "He is a Cultivator from the Xuandao Sect, after all. Possessed of great talent, he is unlike us."
"Alchemist Yin, you still haven't fully recovered. In my opinion, you should just demonstrate one of your skills today and then go back to rest."
The old Pill Master nodded. "I really did overestimate myself. That day in Mingding Tower, those of us who tried to act tough were the ones who got hurt the worst."
A few family servants brought a Pill Furnace into the pavilion, and the old Pill Master began at once.
All the apothecaries grew excited.
Bai Mo couldn't help but lean forward as well, his eyes fixed on the old Pill Master's technique.
Although the man was old, his hand movements showed no signs of slowness, and his ten fingers were exceptionally nimble as he processed the medicinal herbs.
After passing through his hands, all the medicinal ingredients were added to the Pill Furnace in three successive batches.
A bright flame burned beneath the Pill Furnace, and in no more than thirty minutes, the pills were complete.
The old Pill Master removed six snow-white Pills from the furnace, and a rich Pill Fragrance filled the air.
"My method of dividing ingredients into three batches is quite effective for refining medicinal power. I hope you all can gain some insight from it."
A wisp of Pill Fragrance drifted on the wind, reaching Bai Mo.
Bai Mo took a light sniff and felt the Spiritual Qi within his body begin to stir restlessly.
'A cultivation-support Pill I've never seen before.'
Ren Lu sidled up and asked with a smile:
"Brother Bai, what did you think of Alchemist Yin's batch?"
Bai Mo thought for a moment before commenting, "Effortless and impeccable."
The Pill Master's advantage stemmed from years of experience; his long career in Alchemy had honed his skill to an impeccable level of mastery.
"The old Pill Master's way of handling the ingredients… there's a story behind it, isn't there?" Bai Mo asked Ren Lu.
Ren Lu nodded.
"Exactly. It's a technique that came from a certain sect. Originally a grappling art, Alchemist Yin adapted it for making Pills."
Inspired by the old Pill Master's opening demonstration, an apothecary with an excited look in his eyes abruptly stood up.
"Alchemist Yin! I have a unique skill, a family heirloom, and I would like to ask for your critique."
At his words, the gazes of the numerous apothecaries swiveled in an instant to the two figures in the pavilion.
After two breaths of silence, a reply came from the pavilion.
"Proceed!"
The apothecary joyfully came forward and began the process of Alchemy, meticulously lighting the furnace and starting the fire.
But just as the Pill was about to form, he tossed two mutually-repellent medicinal herbs into the furnace.
A faint POP was heard, but the apothecary remained unfazed and continued with his procedure.
Finally, he retrieved two Pills from the Pill Furnace.
"Using the force of mutually repelling ingredients to stimulate their medicinal power is the very key to my method…"
The old Pill Master mulled it over for a moment before pointing out several shortcomings in the apothecary's Alchemy process.
"If you don't overcome these issues, I'm afraid your Pill Master certification will be rather difficult to obtain."
With this precedent set, several more apothecaries immediately jumped up, forming a line to ask for guidance.
"I have a pill-preservation method that can raise the success rate of formation!"
"I have a set method for substituting ingredients based on their medicinal properties…"
Bai Mo watched with keen interest as several apothecaries, who clearly came from notable backgrounds, performed their demonstrations.
Beside him, Ren Lu yawned.
"The Alchemy Skill is good, but sadly, they've only captured the form, not the essence."
Bai Mo didn't agree with him.
"How should I put it… you're just getting a look at their core ideas. You can't ask for more than that. Out there, nobody would willingly let you watch them work."
Alchemy was a time-consuming process.
By the time a few apothecaries had taken their turns, it was nearly noon.
The time it took had clearly exceeded the old Pill Master's expectations. After making an announcement, he hurriedly prepared to leave.
But just as he was about to leave, he spotted Bai Mo, who was smiling and chatting with Ren Lu.
The old Pill Master hesitated for a moment, then gathered his breath and called out to Bai Mo:
"Young man, the Pill Qi on you is quite dense. Aren't you going to demonstrate a skill or two?"
Hearing the old Pill Master's words, everyone present turned to look at Bai Mo.
Bai Mo pointed to himself in astonishment.
"Me?"
The old Pill Master nodded.
Bai Mo hadn't expected to be noticed by the Pill Master. After a moment's thought, he said:
"I can see that the Pill Master is tired, so I will refrain from performing Alchemy. Instead, please offer some guidance on my technique."
With that said, Bai Mo turned to look at the first apothecary who had demonstrated, who was still in the pavilion.
"Brother, could I trouble you to roast this Hemp Vine for a moment?"
The apothecary was a bit surprised but did as he was told, holding the Hemp Vine over the Pill Furnace to roast it in the residual heat.
Hemp Vine was a medicinal ingredient with very fragile properties.
Normally, a Cultivator had to roast it to force its internal juices to gather in one spot, then cut off that section to be used.
After only a few breaths' worth of roasting, the apothecary holding the Hemp Vine's eyes went wide.
The Hemp Vine had begun to curl slightly—a sign that the juices were gathering. If it were roasted for a few more breaths, the juices would turn red, and all its medicinal power would be lost.
Yet Bai Mo, on the high platform, remained completely motionless.
The apothecary grew anxious. Just as he turned to look back, he saw Bai Mo raise a hand and point with two fingers. A speck of light flashed from each fingertip.
He felt a lightness in his hand. When he looked again, he saw that the Hemp Vine had been severed, and its swollen middle section had fallen to the ground.
The apothecary hurriedly picked it up and presented it to the old Pill Master.
The latter twisted the piece of Hemp Vine, and a milky-white juice seeped out.
"Milky-white and viscous like glue. This is precisely the moment its medicinal properties are at their peak."
The old Pill Master looked at Bai Mo and said softly:
"A technique like that requires incredible eyesight and precision. In this regard, young man, you have already reached a masterful level. You have no need for my critique."
Hearing this, Bai Mo clasped his hands in a salute and watched the old Pill Master depart.
Ren Lu spoke up, "Brother Bai, you truly are the kind of talent who could support an entire shop on your own. With that one move, you've shown a mastery that surpasses who knows how many people here."
"But now, you're in for some trouble."
Once the old Pill Master was gone, some apothecaries immediately began approaching the young masters and ladies of the Ren family.
This was just another part of the Pill Assembly's side events; after all, not many were truly dedicated solely to the Alchemy Dao.
Among the remaining apothecaries, many turned to look at Bai Mo with fervent gazes.
Bai Mo chuckled softly, tilting his head as he said:
"The way you say it… Dealing with our peers here isn't actually that difficult. Their skills are just a bit too green."