They soon reached the inner courtyard.
Elder Shi sat calmly on a wooden chair as usual. The moment Xiao Feng stepped in, his gaze shifted toward him.
"Disciple greets Master," Xiao Feng said respectfully, bowing slightly.
Shi Bodong nodded faintly before speaking. "This is Steward Mo. He has been here for many years. If you require anything in the future, you may inform him."
Xiao Feng acknowledged with a nod. "Understood, Master."
Steward Mo also inclined his head slightly, then stepped back without another word. His figure quietly retreating from the immediate focus of the courtyard.
Silence followed briefly between them.
Elder Shi's gaze returned to Xiao Feng, but he did not speak immediately. Instead, he observed him carefully.
His eyes lingered, not overtly probing. But subtly attentive, as if searching for something that was not immediately visible.
A faint crease formed between his brows.
"…Something feels different about you."
The words were spoken slowly, carrying a trace of uncertainty.
Xiao Feng's heart tightened slightly at those words. A fleeting thought flashing through his mind that his teacher might have sensed the change brought by the Dao Origin Pupil.
However, Elder Shi's gaze did not remain fixed for long.
After a brief moment, he shifted his attention away, as if whatever he had sensed was too vague to confirm.
"Perhaps it is nothing," he muttered lightly, dismissing the thought just as quickly as it had arisen.
Xiao Feng remained silent, his expression unchanged, though a subtle tension that had formed within him quietly dissipated.
Shi Bodong said, his tone returning to normal. "We will begin today's cultivation."
He raised his hand slightly, indicating the alchemy area nearby.
"You have already learned the fundamentals. Today, I want to see your control in practice."
He paused briefly before continuing in a steady voice.
"I have prepared different kinds of First rank pills for you to refine."
Xiao Feng's gaze sharpened slightly. "Yes, Master."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and took his position before the alchemy furnace.
With a wave of his hand, the flame ignited beneath the furnace, burning steadily as a controlled heat spread upward.
Xiao Feng's movements were calm and precise as he began selecting the herbs. His hands moving with practiced familiarity as he measured each portion with careful accuracy.
As the refining process began, his focus deepened completely.
Although he did not actively use the Dao Origin Pupil, the subtle changes it had brought were undeniable. His perception of the refining process was clearer than before, allowing him to grasp even the smallest fluctuations within the furnace with ease.
The transformation of the herbs, the balance of heat, the merging of medicinal properties—everything appeared more distinct in his awareness.
Time passed steadily.
The first pill was completed without issue.
It emerged smooth and flawless, its surface even, without the slightest imperfection.
Elder Shi's gaze flickered slightly, but he remained silent.
Xiao Feng did not pause and immediately began refining the second pill.
His movements remained steady, his control precise, his timing flawless as he guided the process from beginning to end without the slightest deviation.
Soon, the second pill was completed.
And once again, it was a perfect quality pill.
At this point, even Steward Mo, who had been standing quietly at the side, showed a faint change in expression. A subtle hint of surprise appearing in his otherwise calm eyes.
Xiao Feng continued without hesitation.
The third pill began.
This time, the process seemed even smoother than before, as if his control had subtly improved with each refinement, his understanding deepening as he progressed.
When the third pill was finally completed, it too showed no flaws.
Shi Bodong looked at the pills for a long moment, his gaze calm yet thoughtful, before slowly shifting back to Xiao Feng.
Then, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"To reach this level in such a short time, you have already crossed the threshold."
He paused slightly, allowing the weight of his words to settle. "From today onward, you are an official First Rank Alchemist."
The words were simple, yet carried undeniable significance.
Xiao Feng lowered his head slightly in acknowledgment.
"Thank you, Master."
His voice remained calm, but within his eyes, a faint light flickered. Because he understood clearly, this was merely the beginning of a much longer path.
Elder Shi did not immediately dismiss him, nor did he continue with further instruction. Instead a smile appeared on his face.
"Since you have officially stepped into the ranks of a First Rank Alchemist," he finally said, his tone steady and unhurried, "it is only natural that you receive something appropriate to your status."
Xiao Feng's eyes flickered slightly at those words.
"A gift?" he asked, unable to completely hide the hint of curiosity in his voice.
Elder Shi glanced at him briefly, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly.
"For an alchemist," he said slowly, "what do you think is the most important thing?"
Xiao Feng paused for a moment, recalling what he had read the previous day.
"The flame," he answered.
Elder Shi nodded faintly.
"Then tell me… what do you know about flames?"
Xiao Feng did not answer immediately, instead taking a brief moment to organize his thoughts, recalling the contents of the books he had studied.
"The flame formed by transforming spiritual energy is the most basic and commonly used flame. It is stable, easy to control, and suitable for most beginners. But it lacks any unique attribute, making it limited in higher-level refinement."
He paused briefly, his gaze steady.
"Beyond that, there exist special flames, which can be broadly divided into three categories."
Elder Shi said nothing, but his eyes remained fixed on him.
"First are Spirit Flames," Xiao Feng continued, "naturally formed within heaven and earth over long periods of time, each possessing unique properties depending on their origin and environment."
"Second are Beast Flames, derived from powerful spirit beasts. Their strength is directly tied to the cultivation level and bloodline of the beast they originate from."
"And third…"
A faint depth appeared in his eyes.
"Heavenly Flames."
"The rarest and most powerful of all, born from the laws of heaven and earth themselves, each one unique, each one possessing abilities far beyond ordinary flames."
When he finished, silence lingered for a brief moment, before Elder Shi gave approving nod.
"Not bad."
"Teacher, what type of flame do you possess?"
Suddenly, Xiao Feng asked with curiosity. He remembered that he claimed to be one of the top alchemist in this continent.
Then, his flame would not be ordinary.
"What, do you want to know? Then let me show you something."
Elder Shi laughed slightly, but still raised his hand.
A faint fluctuation appeared in the air.
In the next moment, a pale green flame emerged above his palm.
It did not erupt violently, nor did it radiate intense heat, yet the moment it manifested, the entire courtyard seemed to change in an indescribable way.
The air felt fresher, lighter, as though infused with vitality, and even the surrounding plants appeared subtly more vibrant, their leaves trembling faintly as if responding to the presence of that flame.
"That's real!" Xiao Feng's pupils contracted.
Even without activating the Dao Origin Pupil, he could feel that this flame was completely different from the spiritual flame he used.
"I have this, a Heavenly Flame." Elder Shi said, his voice carrying a faint, unmistakable trace of pride that he did not bother to conceal.
"The is called the Life Spirit Flame. It ranks seventh on the Heavenly Flame Ranking."
The flame flickered gently, its pale green light steady and restrained, yet containing a depth that seemed impossible to measure.
"The Heavenly Flame Ranking records the strongest flames born from heaven and earth, each one possessing unique attributes.
Some flames lean toward destruction, capable of burning mountains and seas into nothingness, while others carry corrosive properties that can erode even spiritual essence."
His gaze lowered slightly toward the flame in his palm.
"This one is also like them."
"It enhances stability during refinement, nourishes medicinal properties, and significantly increases the success rate of pill creation."
He paused briefly.
"However, its offensive capability is comparatively weaker."
Xiao Feng listened in silence, his attention completely drawn to the flame, a faint sense of awe rising within him despite his attempt to remain composed.
With a slight movement of his fingers, Elder Shi closed his hand, and the pale green flame disappeared instantly, as if it had never existed.
"Now, it's your turn." he said calmly, shifting his gaze back to Xiao Feng.
The anticipation that had been building within Xiao Feng surfaced more clearly this time.
"What kind of flame will I receive?" he asked, unable to completely suppress the curiosity in his voice, as a faint expectation formed within his mind.
"Heavenly Flame…?"
Before he could continue—
Smack.
A sharp knock landed directly on his head.
"Don't let your thoughts run wild," Elder Shi said flatly, his expression returning to its usual calm indifference.