Chapter 159: Failed Alchemy Matters Not, the Passage Opens by Success

Everyone’s gaze focused sharply in that instant.

This time, if Jiang Xiaolong failed to refine the pill, it would determine how much further they could proceed into this tomb!

Failure would mean retreat, resealing the passage, and returning another time.

Success, however, would mean continuing the exploration—perhaps even inheriting the legacy of the tomb’s master!

The flames roared, and the temperature rose steadily.

Jiang Xiaolong’s expression was calm. With a flick of his finger, the first herb soared into the air, activated by spiritual energy, and entered the furnace.

The moment he began, it was as if a storm had erupted!

Dozens of strands of spiritual energy split before him like illusions. Herbs flew into the air, triggered into releasing their medicinal properties, and were delivered into the furnace.

A rich medicinal fragrance quickly filled the entire hall.

Yu Xian didn’t blink, watching intently.

His hand inside his sleeve twitched slightly, as if he were the one refining the pill instead.

He was observing, learning, and even mentally rehearsing the process!

Time passed. Before long, Jiang Xiaolong was drenched in sweat, and his expression gradually became tense.

Though he told himself to remain calm, inner peace was hard to maintain.

After all, this was his first time refining a fifth-grade pill on his own. Regardless of the outcome, nervousness was inevitable.

Yu Xian would be nervous too—but his kind of nervousness often brought excitement, allowing him to focus even more intently.

Perhaps that was just his stubborn nature.

The Yellow Dragon Blood Dust Pill had reached its most critical stage.

At this moment, Jiang Xiaolong needed to control the effects of over twenty different herbs all at once—an extreme test of multitasking!

The others didn’t understand the intricacies, but Yu Xian did.

He narrowed his eyes, watching closely. For a while, Jiang Xiaolong’s technique showed no flaws.

But then, Yu Xian’s pupils contracted slightly.

Something was wrong!

The activation of the Fire Dust Leaf was too slow—its medicinal potency was reduced by two parts!

And the Coldflame Root—its activation was too fast, causing a loss of three parts potency!

Yu Xian frowned, realizing Jiang Xiaolong had started to lose his rhythm and control.

It was understandable—Yu Xian himself might not perform any better if he were the one refining.

Eventually, all the herbs had been added to the furnace. Jiang Xiaolong stared at the jade pill furnace, waiting for the final moment.

The last ingredient—Earth Flood Dragon Blood—was the key to success or failure!

Having assisted once before, he now had a bit of experience.

Carefully calculating the timing, Jiang Xiaolong suddenly shouted, “Now!”

The lid of the furnace flipped open, and a stream of dragon blood shot in like a crimson thread.

Gurgle, gurgle…

Strange sounds echoed from within the furnace as thick medicinal fragrance burst out, enveloping the hall.

Yu Xian’s frown returned.

Too much fragrance—unnaturally so.

Normally, pill refining released some scent, as no furnace could seal it completely.

But if the aroma was so overwhelming it felt like it was right under your nose… it meant the pill’s medicinal properties were dissipating too quickly.

Lack of cohesion.

What a pity!

It was said that spiritual-grade furnaces could completely lock in fragrance, preserving the medicinal essence for near-perfect results.

But such furnaces were out of Yu Xian’s reach for now.

Judging by the overwhelming aroma, failure was almost certain.

Jiang Xiaolong noticed it too. His expression changed as he tried to adjust the flame—making one final attempt to salvage the pill.

Flames surged. The final moment had come.

With a complicated expression, Jiang Xiaolong shouted: “Form!”

Boom!

The furnace burst open—but what emerged was a dull, gray clump.

No pill.

Jiang Xiaolong’s expression dimmed.

It had failed…

The other cultivators all shared a single thought:

Failure.

The six-pointed star array on the ground remained inactive—proving the pill was unworthy of activating the tomb’s deeper levels.

Jiang Xiaolong exhaled deeply, drenched in sweat.

Refining that one pill had drained him more than three days and nights of combat.

But it still failed.

After all, a fifth-grade pill was not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could refine alone.

Only a Core Formation expert or a true alchemy master could achieve it.

“I lack skill. The pill failed,” Jiang Xiaolong sighed, looking at the others with a bitter smile. “Looks like we’ll have to wait until my skills improve or we find another expert. Then we can attempt to enter the next level of the tomb.”

Some cultivators began glancing at the ghost-bound stone pillars.

If they couldn’t go deeper, these spirits might be their last opportunity. Any chance was worth grabbing.

“But it’s just one failure.”

A calm voice spoke. Qi Xuan looked at Jiang Xiaolong, saying, “Why not try again? With experience, the second attempt might succeed.”

Jiang Xiaolong shook his head with a bitter smile. “You don’t understand alchemy. If this were a normal fourth-grade pill, I might agree. But a fifth-grade pill is far more complex and mysterious. I don’t even know where I went wrong. Trying again without insight is meaningless. I must reflect and truly comprehend the process first.”

Qi Xuan frowned, his hopeful expression fading.

So, Jiang Xiaolong was truly done—there would be no fifth-grade pill.

Then Qi Xuan’s eyes fell upon Yu Xian, who stood calmly in the distance.

Why wasn’t he disappointed?

Was he really that composed?

Qi Xuan suddenly smiled. “Even if Jiang Xiaolong can’t refine it, there’s still another here who can—perhaps he has a chance?”

“Huh?”

Jiang Xiaolong was stunned, then turned toward Yu Xian.

The others also looked at him thoughtfully.

Him?

A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator—not even at mid-stage. Though young and a clear genius for reaching this level so soon, alchemy wasn’t purely based on talent in cultivation.

Could he really do it?

Jiang Xiaolong gathered himself and asked, “Junior Brother Yu… would you like to try?”

Yu Xian hadn’t expected this responsibility to fall on him.

Originally, he thought the group would retreat after Jiang’s failure.

But now they wanted him to try?

Still, the materials weren’t his…

So why not?

Experience was invaluable.

He nodded lightly. “If you all trust me, I will try my best.”

“Then go for it,” Qi Xuan smiled. “You have the furnace, and Jiang can guide you. Surely it will succeed.”

Jiang Xiaolong also nodded. “Don’t worry about the cost. Ten thousand spirit stones’ worth of herbs—I can afford that. Just focus on refining!”

Yu Xian nodded and stepped forward. “Please lend me the Yellow Dragon Blood Dust Pill recipe.”

Jiang Xiaolong sighed, pulled out the scroll, and handed it over. “Be careful. Beast-type pills are harder than regular ones. Take your time—even failure is still training.”

Yu Xian thanked him, took the recipe, and—surprisingly—didn’t read it right away.

Instead, he approached the jade pill furnace and slowly circled it, examining and sensing it carefully.

The others didn’t understand why, but they kept quiet and waited.

Yu Xian spent nearly an hour just familiarizing himself with the furnace.

Only after fully understanding it did he sit two meters away and begin reading the recipe.

The others grew impatient.

Why did reading a recipe take so long?

Was he just wasting time?

But no one dared to speak—they could only wait.

Eventually, one by one, the others began meditating and cultivating to pass the time.

In truth, Yu Xian was deeply engrossed.

This fifth-grade recipe was ten times, even dozens of times more complex than fourth-grade ones!

Techniques, ingredient synergies, heat control—it was mentally exhausting.

He had to master it thoroughly before attempting the refinement.

Time slipped by unnoticed in the dark tomb.

Then suddenly, Yu Xian opened his eyes.

Rising to his feet, he placed seven pieces of Dragon Rock Coal into the furnace—one less than Jiang Xiaolong had used.

He had learned from observing that this furnace absorbed heat more efficiently.

Seven was enough.

The flames rose.

The others were startled from their near-meditative states.

“He’s starting?”

Qi Xuan muttered, “Took long enough.”

“Quiet,” Jiang Xiaolong snapped. “He’s just heating the furnace.”

Qi Xuan smirked but said no more.

Jiang Xiaolong, meanwhile, noticed the seven coals—and his eyes sparkled with appreciation.

This kid… might actually pull it off.

Then Yu Xian began.

Herbs soared into the air as his hands moved like streaks of light, assisted by split spiritual strands and even vine-like spells behind him.

One person, twenty-two simultaneous actions.

The others were stunned.

What kind of method was this?

But it worked!

Jiang Xiaolong rubbed his beard, admiration glowing in his eyes.

A monster talent indeed.

The Yellow Dragon Blood Dust Pill was taking form.

Yu Xian reached the critical moment, sent the Earth Flood Dragon Blood flying—and perfectly timed the furnace lid’s opening!

Jiang Xiaolong flinched, realizing his own attempt had been far clumsier.

This was flawless!

A faint but proper medicinal scent filled the room—just right.

Suddenly, the six-pointed star array lit up.

Everyone stepped forward in excitement.

Had the passage really opened!?

Then Yu Xian shouted: “Form!”

Boom!

The pill flew out—but before it could land in his hand, the star array snatched it and drew it into itself!

“What?!”

The others rushed forward.

Yu Xian stood slowly, breath unsteady but triumphant.

He had succeeded.

He had truly refined a fifth-grade pill!

The array absorbed the pill—and in response, rumbled.

The tomb quaked, and the wall ahead split open, revealing a dark passage filled with rot and decay.

The others raced inside.

Only Jiang Xiaolong lingered to ask, “Are you okay?”

Yu Xian smiled. “Just tired. I’ll catch up.”

Jiang Xiaolong looked proud. “Thank you.”

With that, he joined the others.

Yu Xian sat down to recover.

He had done it—he could now refine fifth-grade pills.

And he had opened the path to the tomb’s heart.

This… was just the beginning.