Chapter 100

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Chapter 100: Make Every Possible Effort

Minister Professor Zhou stretched before settling beside Yi Qianmo, motioning for him to come closer and start brewing tea.

“Do you know what kind of medicine I am making?”

He asked.

Yi Qianmo glanced at the Pill Furnace and shook his head.

“Then why did you make that face earlier?” Minister Professor Zhou’s expression darkened. “Do you look down on the pills I make, or do you think little of me?”

Yi Qianmo thought to himself, I do look down on your pills, but not on you, Minister Professor Zhou. You did help me, after all.

“I may not know what kind of pills you’re making,” Yi Qianmo admitted, “but I can tell their grade.”

“Oh?”

Minister Professor Zhou raised a brow, surprised, before sipping his tea. “Then tell me, what grade do you think these pills are?”

“Third grade,” Yi Qianmo replied directly.

Minister Professor Zhou’s eyebrows rose slightly, though his face soon returned to calm. “It seems you’ve done your homework. Did the Grand Princess tell you? Did she also send you here?”

“No,” Yi Qianmo replied. “I came on my own. And thank you for what you said before, Minister Professor.”

“You do know how to show gratitude.”

Minister Professor Zhou nodded approvingly before waving dismissively. “Since you’ve thanked me, you may leave now.”

Yi Qianmo suppressed his exasperation, bowed, and walked toward the door without complaint.

Just as he was stepping outside, the Pill Furnace began to tremble violently. Minister Professor Zhou’s face turned grave as he rushed toward it, his expression tense.

Yi Qianmo paused at the doorway, observing silently.

Minister Professor Zhou quickly sat cross-legged before the Pill Furnace, channeling spiritual energy with his hands forming various gestures. Yet, the trembling of the Pill Furnace only intensified. Sweat began to bead on his forehead as the vibrations grew uncontrollable.

“Pouring spiritual power into it won’t help,” Yi Qianmo remarked from the doorway. “If you try to suppress it now, the Pill Furnace will explode.”

Minister Professor Zhou ignored him, pouring even more energy into the furnace.

“What do you know, you foolish child?” he snapped. “If I don’t suppress it, the pills will crack and be ruined entirely!”

“With your current skills, successfully making a third-grade pill is already difficult,” Yi Qianmo said calmly. “Adding more spiritual power will only make things worse.”

“Do you want me to kick you out?” Minister Professor Zhou growled.

“You helped me before, so let me repay you,” Yi Qianmo responded, stepping closer.

He continued, “The shaking of the Pill Furnace isn’t a mistake on your part. It’s an issue with your formula. The main and secondary ingredients are clashing, causing the main ingredient to lose control of the others. That’s why the pills aren’t taking shape.”

Before he could finish explaining, Minister Professor Zhou cut him off angrily. “You think I don’t know the basics of alchemy? I’ve refined this pill nine times, trying every possible combination. This is the best outcome so far! Boasting in front of a third-grade Pill Master—you’ve got some nerve!”

Yi Qianmo remained composed. “When crafting first-grade pills, the ratio between the king and minister ingredients isn’t strict. For second-grade pills, the balance must be precise. But for third-grade pills, you must prioritize the king herbs over the minister herbs. Without proper supporting herbs, you’ll never succeed.”

Minister Professor Zhou scoffed. “Adding supporting herbs would dilute the pill’s grade. Are you suggesting I make second-grade pills instead?”

Yi Qianmo shook his head. “If you trust me and adjust your formula just once, I can help you preserve the quality and complete the pills. But if you delay any longer, you’ll face only two outcomes—either destroy the batch or let it explode.”

Minister Professor Zhou hesitated, glaring at Yi Qianmo. Finally, he sighed and rattled off the list of ingredients in his formula. “If this doesn’t work, you’re banned from ever stepping foot in the Pill Pavilion again!”

Unfazed, Yi Qianmo analyzed the list. His extensive knowledge of herbs far surpassed Minister Professor Zhou’s, and within moments, he pinpointed the issue.

“The subordinate herb is overpowering the king herb,” he said. “Add these herbs after refining.”

He handed over a few carefully selected ingredients. Minister Professor Zhou was skeptical but realized he had little choice. With the furnace nearing its breaking point, he quickly followed Yi Qianmo’s instructions.

As time passed, the furnace’s tremors gradually subsided. The once chaotic energy inside the Pill Furnace calmed, and the previously unbalanced herbs began to harmonize. Minister Professor Zhou’s stern expression softened into one of astonishment.

The king herb took control as the supporting herbs neutralized the clashing energies.

“This… How is this possible?”

He turned to question Yi Qianmo, only to see him heading toward the exit.

“Where are you going?” Minister Professor Zhou called out.

“I’ve repaid your favor,” Yi Qianmo replied without turning back. “It’s time I headed to Tao School.”