Chapter 109: Tranquility Pill

"Not bad!"

"Meng Yan's technique has reached perfection!"

"Indeed, if anyone could find a flaw in this technique, I'd chop off my head!"

...

Zhang Xuan observed as the other alchemists also focused their gaze on Meng Yan, who was alchemizing, nodding as they watched.

They could all recognize the techniques he used, having employed them themselves; they were not too obscure.

Precisely because of that, there were fewer flaws. Even they could not detect any mistake in his execution. He followed every rule strictly, moving smoothly like flowing clouds and water, without the slightest error.

"President Ouyang, can he... discern the techniques and flaws?"

Wen Xue had brought Zhang Xuan over but had not left. Now standing behind Ouyang Cheng, she could not help asking.

She was not even an apprentice and did not understand the many intricacies of alchemy. She only hoped that this president might perceive something.

"Flaws?" Ouyang Cheng shook his head. "To be honest, Meng Yan's set of techniques has been used for over three hundred years. Countless people have employed them. Even if there were errors, they would have been corrected long ago. As for me, I can see nothing at all!"

"You can't see anything?"

Wen Xue covered her mouth.

Ouyang Cheng was the most skilled alchemist in the Tianxuan Kingdom Alchemist Guild, having already reached the early stage of one-star. If he could not see it, how could this newly appointed apprentice, Zhang Xuan, possibly see it?

Whoosh!

After an unknown time, the alchemical fire weakened. With a sweep of his hand, he opened the furnace, and instantly a fragrance of medicine wafted out.

The pill was complete!

Meng Yan gently pinched and retrieved three pills from the furnace, each the size of a dragon's eye, plump and round, with a unique luster.

"Excellent, excellent! Truly worthy of Alchemist Meng Yan. Not only did you form the pills, but they have reached the plump grade. Impressive, impressive!"

Seeing the pills in his palm, everyone could not help exclaiming.

Pills, based on their efficacy and appearance after refinement, are divided into four grades: Formed, Plump, Perfect, and Pill Pattern.

Generally, an early-stage one-star alchemist refining a first-grade pill would be quite good if they could form the pill. Reaching the plump and round level was already an exceptional performance.

"Hmph, boy, I've finished refining. Now tell me, what technique did I use, and what flaws did it have!"

Meng Yan returned to his chair and coldly stared at Zhang Xuan.

Hearing his words, the others also turned their attention to see what astonishing words this arrogant brat would utter.

They expected him to speak directly, but instead, they saw him tilt his eyes at a forty-five-degree angle, his face bearing a faint melancholy, slowly shaking his head, and letting out a sigh: "Alas!"

"Speak quickly if you have something to say; if not, let it out like a fart!"

Seeing that this kid was still putting on airs, Meng Yan clenched his fists in anger and slammed the table before him.

Bang!

With his immense strength and fury, the table immediately cracked and was about to break apart.

"Since you're not embarrassed, then I'll begin!"

Sensing the moment was right, Zhang Xuan lowered his head and looked straight ahead: "If I'm not mistaken, what you refined is the [Tranquility Pill] commonly used by martial artists!"

"Not bad!"

Meng Yan nodded.

What kind of pill it was, as long as one was an alchemist, it was easy to tell, nothing special.

"The technique is the 'Still Water Ten Forms'!" Zhang Xuan continued.

"This... not bad! It is the Still Water Ten Forms. This set of techniques is best for refining the Heart-Calming Pill. You recognizing it is nothing either!"

Unexpectedly, the other party had said it in one breath. Meng Yan was slightly surprised but didn't care.

The Still Water Ten Forms was a special technique for refining the Heart-Calming Pill. It was said that an alchemist created it while observing a mountain pool. The entire set of techniques was delicate and tranquil, without much violent fluctuation, like a quiet stream flowing slowly. Used to refine the Heart-Calming Pill, it complemented it perfectly, making it easy to form the pill.

Being able to see that the refined pill was a Heart-Calming Pill and guessing the technique as the Still Water Ten Forms was not unusual.

"It is nothing, but unfortunately, this set of Still Water Ten Forms has been used by you beyond recognition, losing its original meaning!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand, his voice slightly stern.

"Beyond recognition? Bullshit! If it were beyond recognition, how could I refine a Heart-Calming Pill, and at the full grade at that?"

Meng Yan snorted.

"Since you don't believe me, then I'll tell you!" Zhang Xuan stepped forward, pinched the pill in his hand, and looked around: "Who can tell me, what effect does this pill have?"

"The Heart-Calming Pill is a first-grade pill that helps cultivators calm their minds and avoid random thoughts. This grade of pill is effective for all experts below the Martial Ancestor realm of the Eighth Level of Martial Artist. It is one of the best-selling pills in the guild!"

Wen Xue on the side said.

She was a guild attendant, selling various kinds of pills, and knew a lot about this Heart-Calming Pill.

"Well said. This pill helps cultivators calm their minds!" Zhang Xuan nodded approvingly. "Unfortunately, the one refined by Alchemist Meng Yan does not have this effect! Not only that, if someone takes it, they might even go berserk!"

"You're talking nonsense..."

Meng Yan's face darkened.

The other party was publicly questioning his pill, which was equivalent to slapping him in the face.

"Don't rush to explain, let me finish!" Ignoring the other's roar, Zhang Xuan smiled lightly and continued: "If this pill was refined by Alchemist Meng Yan yesterday, I definitely wouldn't say this. Unfortunately, the time is not yesterday but today. This pill is destined to be a waste!"

"Yesterday? Today?"

"What's the difference?"

"Kid, speak clearly, don't be mysterious!"

...

Hearing Zhang Xuan's words, everyone was baffled and couldn't help shouting out.

"I'll explain it to you! Refining pills is not just about technique and skill, but more about the mind! Only by integrating one's mind into the pill can the medicinal effect be enhanced! The Heart-Calming Pill requires a calm mind and a peaceful mood to be refined perfectly! Everyone must have seen just now, Alchemist Meng Yan has a hot temper, easily ignited by a single word. With fire in his heart, how could he refine a Heart-Calming Pill that calms the mind?"

Zhang Xuan said, gently touching the table in front of Meng Yan.

This table had cracked from the other's punch earlier, and now, unable to bear it any longer, it shattered on the spot.

Seeing this, everyone shuddered.

Indeed, alchemy was closely related to one's state of mind. Refining a Heart-Calming Pill in such an irritable state was indeed inappropriate.

"Of course, a hot temper alone wouldn't ruin the pill. The most important thing is... Alchemist Meng Yan carries murderous intent in his chest. If I'm not mistaken, he just killed someone this morning, and his aura carries resentment, likely from being betrayed by someone he trusted. This resentment and murderous intent, though only a trace, have been infused into the Heart-Calming Pill. For the cultivator who takes it, it is very serious, easily leading to berserk and fatal injury!"

Zhang Xuan said.

"You... you..."

Meng Yan staggered, as if seeing a ghost, his face instantly turning pale.