Chapter 306: Where Has Yun He Gone?

However, the techniques of a Lian Dan Shi were extremely important. How could Xu Xiaoshou possibly be just waving around randomly?

Yun He immediately dismissed his own thought and continued to observe, gradually feeling immersed in the process.

What a huge difference!

It was completely unlike the paths of other Lian Dan Shi.

It was as if he had pioneered an entirely new great dao...

Yun He was startled by his own realization.

In a mere tenth-grade assessment, how could he discern a new great dao?

What a joke!

Even the guild master didn't have that kind of ability!

But...

He carefully examined Xu Xiaoshou's seemingly chaotic hand movements, trying hard to discern traces of a great dao or seal formations.

He failed!

"Am I just not knowledgeable enough?" Yun He thought dejectedly.

Yet, he didn't give up. This completely different path—well, he couldn't call it a 'dao' just yet, so let's say it's a 'path' for now!

This new great path... hmm, if he studied it himself, he was sure to gain some inspiration and insights!

That was precisely why the old folks on the seventh floor were dedicated to serving young geniuses.

Often, these people with their highly creative minds could pull the old timers out of their rigid thinking habits and point them in new directions!

Xu Xiaoshou focused intently, refining the medicinal liquid at an incredibly fast pace—many times quicker than an ordinary Lian Dan Shi.

After half an incense stick's time, bubbling sounds came from within the Dan Ding, and the liquid began to boil.

With a swift backhand motion, Xu Xiaoshou used a Ling Yuan pot lid to collect the essence and continued to stir.

The spiritual energy surged back, instantly seeming to unlock the sealed gates of Yun He's mind.

His eyes widened as he realized he might truly gain something from this!

Xu Xiaoshou's hands flew through the air at lightning speed.

The old man's eyes darted around, unblinking, until tears started to form.

"A new technique!"

"This is absolutely a new Lian Dan Shi technique!"

Even though he still couldn't fully grasp it, Yun He persisted tirelessly, determined to unravel the secret behind how this young man refined the medicinal liquid so quickly!

The bubbling grew louder as the liquid boiled more fiercely.

Yet, despite the intensity, it didn't turn to ash.

Under such precise control of the heat, the pure quality of the spiritual liquid continued to be refined by Xu Xiaoshou.

Yun He was going mad.

What kind of technique could achieve this?

He stared wide-eyed, his eye sockets straining as if they might burst.

Gazing at the boiling cauldron, inhaling the fragrant aroma of the herbs, and sensing Xu Xiaoshou's profound, heaven-attuned Lian Dan Shi techniques...

Yun He's mind suddenly wandered off track.

For some inexplicable reason, watching this young man refine pills made him think of a cook's work?

"Huh?"

Yun He was stunned.

Once this idea emerged, even though he tried to control it, it spiraled out of control.

Vaguely, if he imagined this boy holding a spatula out of nowhere, these movements would feel just like a master chef stir-frying!

"What a joke!"

Yun He felt like he was on the verge of collapsing.

After observing for so long, was that all he had gotten out of it?!

No wonder the guild master said his aptitude in the Lian Dan Shi path was truly lacking!

That was spot on...

At that moment, he was filled with remorse, feeling deeply ashamed for having desecrated the sacred art of alchemy with his misguided thoughts!

But...

He glanced again at Xu Xiaoshou, who looked solemn and occasionally wiped sweat from his brow with his sleeve.

"It does seem like it..."

"It really looks like a cook holding a spatula, brewing pills..."

Just thinking about it, Yun He's mind conjured up that bizarre image. His insight must have gone completely astray!

He fell into deep thought.

No!

He couldn't think about it anymore. This direction was definitely wrong!

How could such a brilliant Lian Dan Shi technique make him think of cooking...

What a hopeless case!

Yun He rubbed his belly and sighed quietly to himself.

It must be because he had been fasting for too long!

Yes, definitely!

"Be careful."

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly spoke up: "I'm about to collect the essence!"

Yun He: ???

Collect the essence?

He nearly dropped to his knees on the spot, his old face flushing with embarrassment.

How did this kid know what he was thinking? Did he have mind-reading abilities?

Xu Xiaoshou ignored him.

This old man was too powerful—almost on par with Mu Zixi.

Except for not cursing, he had provided waves of emotions, contributing dozens of passive points.

Things like "admiration," "doubt," "awe"...

He was basically a genius at generating passive values!

Refining the medicinal liquid was easy for Xu Xiaoshou, so he could keep an eye on his information panel at the same time.

But the next step required him to be extra cautious.

Condensing the pill!

The young man's eyes narrowed, as if facing his most dangerous enemy.

Yet, Yun He, upon hearing "be careful," didn't back away—instead, he moved closer, as if intent on observing more closely.

This...

What courage!

Xu Xiaoshou spoke again: "Step back a bit—I'm about to condense the pill!"

The essence collection was already done, and to avoid the final product turning into golden honey-like drops, he hadn't prolonged that step.

But Yun He smiled warmly and said:

"Little friend, you're being too formal. The path of Lian Dan Shi is something few pursue. With a good technique like yours, we should all communicate and improve together!"

As he spoke, he stepped even closer, now right in front of the small bathtub.

Xu Xiaoshou's face turned pale.

What the hell is this about Lian Dan Shi techniques? I don't even know any of that!

This is all just from the gestures that come with "Culinary Mastery," right?

Though it felt like something was missing from his hands, even with that empty, grip-less sensation, the gestures still made the flames obey.

He wasn't sure about the principle behind it.

After all, using "Culinary Mastery" for alchemy involved too many unexplainable things.

So, he couldn't teach it.

But at other times, the old man could discuss it if he wanted—but now, during the critical pill condensation, why get in the way? Was he asking for trouble?

Xu Xiaoshou's face darkened. If he didn't condense the pill now, the essence would be fully collected!

Then it would turn into a jelly-like substance, and the assessment would fail for sure!

He gave one last warning: "Old man, back off quick—I'm about to condense the pill!"

Yun He smiled amiably and sat down right beside Xu Xiaoshou.

"It's fine; I'm your assistant. I'll handle everything."

He pulled out a tray and whispered: "Little brother, what technique is that? Teach me, and I'll guarantee you pass the assessment!"

Pulling strings?

Xu Xiaoshou's face went ashen; he couldn't hold back anymore and felt utterly helpless.

With a swift motion, he retracted his hand, and the compressed fire seed beneath the small bathtub burst into a raging inferno.

The Jin Zhao Condensing Pill Technique emphasized a one-strike kill—using a sudden spike in temperature to char the exterior and condense the interior, thus forming the pill!

That line from Elder Sang's jade slip had stuck with him deeply.

Xu Xiaoshou treated it as gospel, yanking open the Ling Yuan pot and letting the flames scorch fiercely.

A faint white light broke through the skylight, drawing sunlight straight into the room.

Xu Xiaoshou felt his mind sway, his soul nearly scattering from the shock.

But he had "tenacity," so even though the spiritual medicine exploded, blackening his face, he remained steady.

A wave of medicinal fragrance hit him, and Xu Xiaoshou grew excited.

This time, the feel was exceptional. Though the explosion was inevitable, he was confident it wouldn't produce "Red Gold Liquid," but rather Red Gold Pills!

The quality... judging by the scent, it had to be top-notch.

He eagerly stood up, ready to open the channel and release the pills, when he suddenly noticed that beside the Dan Ding, the area around the pill outlet channel looked empty.

That's right!

Hadn't Yun He sat down next to him earlier?

Where had he gone?