“Master Chun Ci, this way please.”
As the call rang out, the cultivators automatically cleared a path to avoid crowding this esteemed figure.
From a distance, the most striking feature of Master Chun Ci, clad in a dark Taoist robe, was his hairstyle.
Unlike ordinary cultivators who wore their hair pinned up with crowns to appear ethereal and dignified, his entire head of thick, jet-black hair puffed out wildly, large and curly, as if covered by a black rounded cap—in modern terms, this would be called an afro.
Master Chun Ci was somewhat shorter than those around him, and surrounded by the crowd, the spot where he stood seemed to sink into a depression.
“So this is the legendary Master Chun Ci—what a unique hairstyle.”
“He likes it that way, intentionally so.”
“I never expected…”
Those who had never seen the master were somewhat astonished.
Du Xinghe, however, remained completely unfazed—thinking back to history, it was when alchemists were refining elixirs of immortality with saltpeter and sulfur that the explosive power of gunpowder was discovered. Regardless of this man’s abilities, just looking at Master Chun Ci’s appearance, one could tell there had definitely been some serious explosions in the alchemy workshop.
It might have been the pill furnace, or it might have been his head.
The Alchemy Pavilion had a very spacious common area that could accommodate hundreds of spectators. What surprised everyone, though, was that there was actually a large-scale Earth Fire Array here.
Earth Fire originates deep within the Earth Lung of the earth, distinct from magma, with a bluish tint. Special arrays and magic artifacts are required to preserve and transport it, and its high market price also drives up the cost of elixir pills.
After acquisition, preserving the Earth Fire is also costly.
That the guild had set up a large Earth Fire Array in the Flying Ship’s Alchemy Pavilion was what astonished everyone so much.
Cultivators curious about the Art of Alchemy on the Flying Ship crowded in. The pavilion master immediately had no time to attend to A Shui, turning instead to entertain disciples from prominent major sects.
Among them were disciples from one of the three great sects—the Wuliang Sect.
From a distance, they wore light blue attire, gathered around a tall young man in a navy Taoist robe. A closer look revealed an emblem of a direct disciple embroidered on his hem, quite conspicuous.
When Du Xinghe glanced over, the other party seemed to notice and looked back in her direction, his captivating peach-blossom eyes slightly curving.
“The chief disciple of Wuliang Sect, Qin Qingyue, is actually on this Flying Ship too? How come I didn’t see him aboard before?”
“Tch, do you really think someone like him would stay in the same cabin as you?”
“True enough. To reach the Core Formation realm at such a young age—he truly lives up to being the most valued disciple of Wuliang Sect.”
After exchanging a glance with Du Xinghe, Qin Qingyue quickly turned back and engaged in conversation with Master Chun Ci.
Their voices were neither loud nor soft, but those who listened carefully could make out the general content. Wuliang Sect was renowned for its Art of Alchemy, with many Fire Spiritual Root holders in the sect. Qin Qingyue’s master and Master Chun Ci were old acquaintances: “It has been a long time since I last saw you, Senior, after your trip to the desert. Meeting you on this Flying Ship is truly fate.”
Chun Ci treated his esteemed nephew kindly, saying, “Perfect timing. The Soul Gathering Detoxification Pill I’ve tasked my disciples with refining—you’ve already mastered it thoroughly. If there are any points I might overlook later, please help guide them.”
“You flatter me, Senior. I am still an apprentice myself—how could I presume to instruct others?”
Qin Qingyue replied with a laugh.
After conversing for a while longer, the six disciples began igniting their furnaces. Using their spiritual sense to channel the Earth Fire, the arrays beneath the massive Pill Furnaces burst into blue flames under the guidance of their Spiritual power—this was the furnace-warming stage. Once the furnaces maintained a stable temperature, the processed Spirit Herbs would be added.
Du Xinghe felt a sudden tension and quickly exchanged for the Thieving Eye from the System mall.
【Thieving Eye】: Once activated, the host can perfectly deconstruct any skill witnessed, though mastery still requires personal effort. Your dance is exquisite, but in the next moment, it becomes mine!
The demonstration uses of the Thieving Eye were all centered around various dance forms.
Those dances that once captivated emperors and were lost to the river of time could be deeply imprinted in her memory after just one viewing. With such an eye, no unique skill in the imperial harem would remain exclusive—all would be stolen by the host.
The System enthusiastically explained: 【Besides dance, it also covers calligraphy, vocal music, ice skating, horseback riding, cooking… and if the host is bold enough, even the bedroom techniques of other consorts can be pilfered!】
“Hmm, then I want to learn alchemy.”
Du Xinghe felt this was her most reasonable decision yet.
If she truly mastered alchemy, historical emperors would bang their heads against the wall for her! Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Jiajing would cherish her above all else!
Du Xinghe closed her eyes, and when she reopened them, everything around her was outlined in shimmering green borders. Every movement of the people was captured in detail, but the strain was immense—after just a short while, her head began to ache faintly.
In her haste, she caught her reflection in the nearby water mirror pillar and saw three revolving tomoe patterns appear in her pupils.
Du Xinghe: …
Wouldn’t this design raise copyright issues?
There was no time to dwell. She refocused her attention on the six individuals practicing alchemy.
So, Severed Dust Grass had to be soaked in Boundless Water before being sliced diagonally, while Flourishing Fruit required only its skin, not the pulp. Du Xinghe discovered that these eyes not only rapidly memorized minor techniques but also automatically informed her of each material’s composition.
Of course, the formula for the Soul Gathering Detoxification Pill wasn’t exactly a secret…
Otherwise, Master Chunci wouldn’t have allowed his disciples to practice alchemy openly. The challenge lay in the handling methods and those subtle details invisible to the naked eye—all of which were meticulously recorded by the Thieving Eye.
The medicinal properties within the Pill Furnaces steadily sublimated under the heat of the Earth Fire. Du Xinghe watched until her eyes grew sore, knowledge flooding into her mind faster than she could process it.
But it didn’t matter—she had memorized it all, waiting only to replicate it later.
Practicing alchemy alongside peers tested their mental fortitude.
The six Alchemists displayed varied expressions: some nervously glanced toward their master, while others remained wholly absorbed in their elixir pills. Fortunately, no one committed the amateur mistake of furnace explosion… One by one, the furnaces opened, and the Antitoxin Pills flew automatically into jade boxes, awaiting their master’s evaluation.
After the final batch of pills settled into the jade boxes, Du Xinghe could finally close her eyes and rest briefly.
Six Alchemists refining the same pill, with varying skill levels—mistakes were inevitable. Yet, she couldn’t distinguish them, because the Thieving Eye recorded everything, good or bad, for her to learn!
Under the Thieving Eye’s microscopic observation, she even noticed one Alchemist who had forgotten to prepare the required beast blood and secretly nicked his fingertip, dripping his own blood into the mixture.
Her temples throbbed with a dull ache.
At that moment, a tall figure approached and greeted her gently, “Just now I didn’t dare believe my eyes, and even now I’m not entirely certain… Are you Fellow Daoist Xinghe?”
Du Xinghe cracked her eyes open slightly and recognized the newcomer.
It was none other than Qin Qingyue, the chief disciple of the Endless Sect who was surrounded by stars like the moon.