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Could it really be that simply switching the alchemy furnace would lead to success?

Qin Shu still had her doubts, but she didn't stop moving.

Thanks to her five previous furnace explosions, she had become significantly more skilled at refining the ingredients.

As all the medicinal herbs melted into liquid form, and the crucial moment of fusion arrived, a sudden realization surfaced in her mind.

This time... the pills would form successfully.

Her spiritual energy spread delicately throughout the alchemy furnace, carefully enveloping the purified medicinal liquid. Like an invisible hand, her spiritual energy tightened ever so slightly, guiding the fusion process.

Qin Shu focused all her attention, carefully sensing the state of the medicinal herbs inside the furnace.

Finally, under the precise control of her hand seals, the components began to merge.

A surge of excitement rose in her chest, but she remained cautious, executing each step with even greater precision.

About the time it took for an incense stick to burn, her hands suddenly changed gestures—this was the moment she had been waiting for.

Finally! She was about to use the **final pill condensation seal**!

At this stage, the chances of successful pill formation were **99%**. Even if the process failed, the remaining residue would still retain some medicinal properties.

Wen Chi, who had been watching closely, finally relaxed, a small smile forming on his lips.

Indeed, how could his junior sister possibly lack talent in alchemy?

She wasn't untalented—her talent was simply **too good**.

Qin Shu's hands moved faster and faster. As she completed the final hand seal, the furnace's temperature gradually cooled.

Qin Shu opened her eyes and looked eagerly at Wen Chi. "Senior Brother! Did I succeed?"

Wen Chi nodded slightly. "You did. Open the furnace."

But Qin Shu remained seated, unmoving for a long time.

Wen Chi raised an eyebrow and glanced at her in confusion, noticing a bead of sweat rolling down her forehead.

"What's wrong?"

Qin Shu rubbed her hands together nervously. "Senior Brother, I feel a little anxious... Can you check for me first?"

Wen Chi: "..."

With a flick of his fan, he lifted the furnace lid effortlessly. "Look at you, so timid."

The moment the lid came off, a **rich, fragrant pill aroma** filled the room.

Wen Chi froze for a moment before quickly standing up. With a wave of his hand, the pills floated out of the furnace.

**Nine pills in total, each marked with dark golden pill patterns—every single one was of superior grade.**

He turned his gaze toward Qin Shu, who was staring up at him with anticipation.

"Second Senior Brother... is it... decent?"

Wen Chi was momentarily speechless.

When he first started alchemy, even with his exceptional talent, his **first successful batch had only produced six mid-grade pills**.

Qin Shu, seeing his hesitant expression, grew increasingly anxious.

That shouldn't be! She could clearly smell the pill fragrance!

Unable to stand the suspense, she pushed herself up from the ground, walked over to the furnace, and cast a retrieval spell. A pill floated into her palm.

Her eyes widened in shock. "Whoa! Senior Brother! **Nine superior-grade pills!**"

Wen Chi, having collected himself, now exuded his usual composed demeanor. He opened his folding fan and waved it leisurely. "Not bad."

Qin Shu beamed with excitement. "I'm amazing!"

She eagerly retrieved a porcelain bottle she had prepared beforehand and carefully stored the nine pills inside.

Hearing her self-praise, Wen Chi chuckled. "Since you like this furnace so much, I'll **rent** it to you."

Qin Shu's smile froze. Holding her porcelain bottle tightly, she turned to him in disbelief.

"Rent? Senior Brother, why must there be such **distance between us**?"

Wen Chi looked down at the little thing in front of him, knowing full well that she had **piled up a mountain of debt** and wasn't in any position to negotiate.

"Oh? Who was it that said, 'One should not accept rewards without merit'?"

Qin Shu: "..."

**She had dug her own grave and jumped in.**

Since she had said those words herself, Qin Shu slumped her shoulders and asked, "How much is the rent?"

Wen Chi shook his fan lightly, tilting his chin slightly with a playful smirk. "Not much. **One pill per successful batch. If the batch fails, I won't charge you.**"

"One pill?!" Qin Shu's voice rose in disbelief. "**Senior Brother, even loan sharks aren't this ruthless!**"

Wen Chi merely smiled. "Junior Sister, consider this: **you explode every other furnace**, but **mine can withstand your abuse**. Wouldn't you say this furnace also deserves some credit for your success?"

Qin Shu hesitated. When he put it like that... he kind of had a point.

Seeing the shift in her expression, Wen Chi smiled knowingly and said, "No rush, think it over carefully."

With that, he **recalled the furnace with a flick of his wrist and turned to leave**.

Seeing him about to walk away, Qin Shu panicked and quickly called out, "**I'll rent it! Senior Brother, I'll rent it, alright?!**"

She must be the **most pitiful alchemist** in existence—before she even finished a batch, **one pill was already claimed by her senior brother**.

Wen Chi didn't seem surprised at all. Chuckling, he **placed the furnace back in the alchemy room**.

"Since Junior Sister is so sincere, I'll leave it here for you to use," he said, then gracefully left, fanning himself as he walked.

Left alone, Qin Shu stared at the furnace with a thoughtful expression.

According to alchemy theory, a **perfect batch** would produce ten pills per furnace.

She had only produced nine.

If she could reach ten, then **she could use the extra pill to cover the rent**.

With this thought, it suddenly didn't seem so painful anymore.

Touching the jade pendant around her neck, she pulled out her self-authored manual, **'One Hundred Furnace Explosions: Lessons Learned'**.

She had to **study harder**.

One day, she would refine the **most flawless** pills!

According to her notes, alchemy had three **critical factors**:

1?? **Purity of Ingredients:** All impurities must be removed, leaving only the essence. Even the slightest contamination could affect the final result.

2?? **Fusion Order:** The sequence in which medicinal properties merge plays a crucial role.

3?? **Speed of Hand Seals:** The final condensation imprint must be executed with **absolute precision and speed**—any hesitation would impact the success rate.

Determined, Qin Shu sat down cross-legged and **practiced her hand seals over and over**.

She moved faster and faster, until her **fingers blurred into afterimages**.

Only then did she **open her eyes** and ignite the furnace once more.

Meanwhile, after leaving the alchemy room, Wen Chi went directly to their master's secluded cultivation site.

His master had been in seclusion for quite some time.

Finding no response, Wen Chi left a voice transmission before returning to his own quarters.