Chapter 2497: Eight Pills in One Furnace

Chapter 2497: One Furnace, Eight Pills

Accompanied by the sound of the pill emerging, the alchemy furnace let out a deep hum.

Suddenly, a beam of light shot straight up from the furnace into the sky. It was indeed a one-pattern dan, but far more radiant than an ordinary one, glowing brilliantly.

That wasn't the main point—what mattered was what followed.

As the dan soared into the clouds, thunder rumbled, dark clouds gathered, and lightning flashed.

"Dan Lei?"

Not just Hua Shan Zhen Ren, but even Hua Shan Xian Zi abruptly stood up, staring in shock at the sky, their expressions full of astonishment. They had seen plenty of one-pattern dans before, but one that triggered dan lei was truly a first.

"Am I seeing this right? A one-pattern dan lei?"

The old folks who were playing chess all rose to their feet. The disciples practicing in the mountains lifted their gazes as well, staring at the sky above Qian Kun Peak. There was a red dan, vibrant and full of spirit, enduring its dan tribulation amid the thunder and lightning.

"Shifu's alchemy skills have advanced again—he actually produced a one-pattern dan with dan lei."

"How did he do it?" Among the Hua Shan alchemists, many were looking up, murmuring to themselves. They assumed it was Hua Shan Xian Zi's dan, but what was the logic behind this dan lei?

Yet, that wasn't the end. After the one-pattern dan fell, another dan shot into the sky.

This time, it was a two-pattern dan.

Barely a second later, thunder boomed again, with lightning and electricity crackling.

"Two-pattern dan lei?"

Exclamations of surprise echoed everywhere across the mountain.

But still, it wasn't over. Following the two-pattern dan came a three-pattern ling dan, a four-pattern ling dan, a five-pattern ling dan, a six-pattern ling dan—and each one triggered its own dan lei.

The sky above Qian Kun Peak was truly lively, filled with constant thunder and lightning.

It was like a grand performance in sequence, with the smaller roles going first and the star taking the stage last. The star, of course, was a dazzling eight-pattern dan, glowing with golden light.

That's right—Ye Chen had refined an eight-pattern Life-Extension Golden Dan. Its golden beam was incredibly radiant, shooting straight into the heavens and piercing through the sky and earth. The domineering dan lei spread across the firmament, resembling a human heavenly tribulation, carrying a terrifying pressure.

On top of that, there were visions, faintly appearing, each one full of spirit.

"This..."

The old folks' expressions were all quite something— even the chess pieces in their hands slipped away unnoticed. They stared blankly at the sky, where the dans from one-pattern to eight-pattern appeared one after another, each with its own dan lei, each more profound than the last. It was extraordinary.

"On Qian Kun Peak, how many people are refining dans?" The disciples instinctively scratched their heads, their lips dry from watching. Though not alchemists themselves, they had some understanding of alchemy.

"Has Shimei's dan techniques reached divine levels?" The Hua Shan alchemists were stunned, with many already taking to the skies, eager to see what was happening in the mountains. It was just too incredible.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen held a wine flask in one hand and caught the dans with the other, each one perfectly round and translucent. The reason for the pressure in his refining was simple—he had produced eight dans from a single furnace.

That's why he was called a Dan Saint—it was his nature to nurture eight dans simultaneously in one furnace, and each with its own dan lei. It was a heaven-defying feat.

This was the complete victory he wanted, especially since the stakes were so precious.

Looking at Hua Shan Zhen Ren and Hua Shan Xian Zi, their expressions were the most captivating.

In those moments, shock, horror, confusion, and doubt played across their faces like a magic show.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren handled it somewhat, but as an alchemist, Hua Shan Xian Zi was truly horrified.

Only then did she realize that Ye Chen hadn't refined just one type of dan in that furnace—he had produced eight dans, from one-pattern to eight-pattern, each with its own dan lei. Such alchemy techniques and mastery weren't just beyond her; it was outright domination. Compared to Ye Chen, her so-called alchemy skills seemed like child's play.

"How did he do it?" Hua Shan Xian Zi murmured softly. Having lived over two thousand years, this was the first time in the alchemy realm that she was truly stunned, feeling her own ignorance.

"What kind of master could teach such a monstrous disciple?" Hua Shan Zhen Ren took a deep breath. Though the dans had vanished from the void, he still gazed up at the sky, lost in thought.

"Senior, have I won?" Ye Chen held the eight dans in his hand, smiling cheerfully. If this wasn't a win, he'd make this great immortal witness the ways of an emperor.

"You've won."

Hua Shan Xian Zi smiled self-deprecatingly. It was more than a win—it was a total triumph. She had refined only one dan, while Ye Chen had produced eight from a single furnace, each with dan lei. Not to mention anything else, just the grade of his eight-pattern dan far surpassed hers.

"The Xian Ling Zhi Hua is yours."

Hua Shan Zhen Ren shook his head with a smile. His earlier sense of foreboding had come true. This little stone spirit had used their alchemy materials to win his supreme treasure. This alchemy duel wasn't because Hua Shan Xian Zi was lacking—it was because he had underestimated Ye Chen.

One furnace yielding eight dans, each with dan lei—who would believe it if said aloud?

Yet, a newly ascended saint like this little stone spirit had done it, creating a legend.

"Thank you, senior."

Ye Chen vanished in a flash, heading straight to that misty place.

"There are always masters beyond masters, heavens beyond heavens."

Hua Shan Xian Zi chuckled.

"This Xian Ling Zhi Hua was lost fair and square." Hua Shan Zhen Ren laughed too.

What a talent—this little stone spirit was a jack-of-all-trades.

In just a few days, he had first been recognized by the Dao Jing, then separated the Emperor's Essence, and now, in a single day, not only defeated Hua Shan's top true successor but also bested their most brilliant alchemist. Each of these feats set a precedent for Hua Shan.

Handing over the future leadership of Hua Shan to him was only fitting; anything else would be against the natural order.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren laughed even more heartily, with no hesitation left. Even if the Jade Emperor himself came, it wouldn't stop him from passing on the position—no one could change his mind.

As they spoke, a crowd of old alchemists descended one after another, surrounding Hua Shan Xian Zi without a word. Their eyes sparkled as they said,

"Shimei, you've reached divine levels!"

"It's not me who's divine—it's him." Hua Shan Xian Zi pointed into the distance.

The crowd followed her gaze and spotted a little stone spirit strolling not far away, eyeing the Xian Ling Zhi Hua as if planning to pick it.

Damn!

A bold curse rang out across all of Hua Shan, startling countless people and making them stagger, while others trembled in fear.

Night had quietly fallen.

Tonight, Qian Kun Peak was bustling. Who knew how many old folks had gathered, surrounding Ye Chen in layers, their eyes full of curiosity.

Ye Chen, at the center, said nothing, just letting his eyes dart around.

These old folks were all filthy rich—he knew exactly who had what Xian Tie, and even what color underwear they were wearing.

He'd find a way to swindle them over—after all, he was a civilized person, not one to rob outright.

It was deep into the night when the crowd finally dispersed—or more accurately, when Hua Shan Zhen Ren shooed them away. They left with sighs and exclamations, still glancing back even after walking far.

Hua Shan Xian Zi left too, needing a quiet place to reflect. Later, she'd seek out Ye Chen—not for another duel, but to humbly ask for guidance, even if it meant becoming his disciple.

Now, vast Qian Kun Peak was left with only Hua Shan Zhen Ren and Ye Chen.

Ye Chen remained in the misty area, guarding his Xian Ling Zhi Hua. It hadn't fully matured yet, but he had to watch it—who could guarantee Hua Shan Zhen Ren wouldn't go back on his word? This felt safer.

"Since it's yours, I won't change that."

Hua Shan Zhen Ren said with a wry smile.

Ye Chen gave a dry laugh and finally withdrew his gaze, sitting down like a gatekeeper god. He had to wait until the Xian Ling Zhi Hua matured—that was key to reviving Mu Liuqing.

It was a good thing the evil demons weren't here, or they'd be moved to kick him.

"Your alchemy techniques—who taught you?"

Hua Shan Zhen Ren sat down too, smiling at Ye Chen.

"Hong Jun."

Ye Chen casually dropped the name of the ancestor.

"I've read the ancient scrolls and never heard of such a person." Hua Shan Zhen Ren didn't buy Ye Chen's story. If he taught you alchemy, he was still cursing someone out at the bottom of Hua Shan just the other day—that didn't add up. Or perhaps this little stone spirit's logic was just to bluff.

"He's a recluse expert."

Ye Chen replied meaningfully.

"The Jing Shi Shen Li you carry—where did it come from?"

Hua Shan Zhen Ren asked again.

"Jing Shi Shen Li?" Ye Chen turned his head slightly.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren smiled and drew out a thread of white light from Ye Chen's body, holding it in his palm. The power was incredibly pure as he said leisurely, "Jing Shi Shen Li, the purest force in the world, capable of cleansing all impurities. You're not a Jing Shi Xian Ti, yet you possess Jing Shi Shen Li."

"So this is Jing Shi Shen Li?" Ye Chen gently touched it, murmuring to himself. He'd heard of the Jing Shi legends but didn't realize the power he carried was exactly that.

For some reason, touching this force made his heart ache intensely, as if there was a faint call from the void, but he couldn't trace its source or know who was calling.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren's expression grew strange. Seeing Ye Chen's reaction, it was clear he didn't know the power he bore was Jing Shi Shen Li. That was interesting.

Now, thinking about the rest, everything carried a mysterious aura surrounding Ye Chen, leaving him unable to figure out this little stone spirit's origins.

As he pondered, Ye Chen had already lifted his gaze, quietly staring at the stars.

It was another deep, silent night, and his longing for home was strongest. Each star twinkled with starlight, making his mind wander. That place, Da Chu, was his true homeland.

Perhaps he was too absorbed, because he didn't even notice when Hua Shan Zhen Ren left.

The Zhen Ren had gone, but he left behind a storage bag full of treasures—like several pieces of Xian Tie and Shen Tie. It was incredibly generous, as if he were already grooming Ye Chen as the next Hua Shan leader, sparing no precious resources.

As dawn approached, Ye Chen rose and left. He glanced at the Xian Ling Zhi Hua but didn't pick it—since it wasn't mature, doing so would diminish its potency.

Leaving it on Qian Kun Peak was the safest option.

"Thank you for the gifts, senior."

As Ye Chen walked away, his words lingered. He had already crushed the pieces of Xian Tie and Shen Tie into powder, absorbing their essence into the Ding Hai Shen Zhen. It hummed powerfully—it would become a divine weapon, accompanying him to roam the nine heavens.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren watched him go, stroking his beard with a meaningful look in his eyes. He felt Ye Chen was missing something—what was it? Ah, a wife. He'd have to arrange that for him when he had time.