Days passed in a blur of focused, relentless effort. The cycle of seclusion became Lin Yun's entire world. The whispers in the academy corridors faded into a distant hum, irrelevant to the rhythm of purification and concoction that governed his days.
He lived in his training room. The floor was perpetually littered with empty jade boxes and spent Fire Crystals. The air was thick with the lingering, complex aromas of countless refined herbs.
His routine was simple, brutal, and effective. He would refine pills until his spiritual energy was completely drained. Then, he would swallow one of his own High-Grade Qi Gathering Pills—far more efficient than the standard ones—to replenish himself. Once restored, he would begin the process again.
Purify. Concoct. Condense. Restore. Repeat.
It was a grueling marathon, but the system's constant feedback was his fuel.
[Ding! Successful concoction of High-Grade Qi Gathering Pill. Alchemy Proficiency +15! EXP +10!]
[Ding! Successful concoction of High-Grade Body Tempering Pill. Alchemy Proficiency +15! EXP +10!]
He also completed every "easy" mission the system generated, which were often simple tasks like "Refine 10 Qi Gathering Pills in a row" or "Achieve 5 consecutive High-Grade concoctions." The experience points trickled in steadily.
Now, on the morning of the Alchemist Association's assessment, Lin Yun finally allowed himself a moment to take stock. He sat on his meditation cushion, the familiar ache of spiritual exhaustion a constant companion, and pulled up his status screen.
[Host: Lin Yun]
[Cultivation: 3rd Level of Qi Gathering Realm]
[System Level: 1 (755/1000 EXP)]
[Alchemy: Tier 9 Alchemist (Proficiency: 985/1000 to Tier 8)]
[Alchemy Proficiency:]
• Qi Gathering Pill Refinement: Level 7 (173/7000 to Level 8)
• Body Tempering Pill Refinement: Level 7 (50/7000 to Level 8)
• Enhanced Ingredient Purifier: Level 2 (45/500 to Level 3)
A surge of satisfaction washed over him. He was on the cusp of several breakthroughs.
His system was just 245 EXP away from Level 2. He wondered what new functions or benefits would unlock.
More importantly, his overall Alchemy Proficiency was at 985. A single, successful refinement of any pill would push him into Tier 8. The assessment today would undoubtedly accomplish that.
He focused on his pill refinement skills. Reaching Level 7 in both the Qi Gathering and Body Tempering Pills was a monumental achievement. The system had explained that the proficiency threshold for these foundational pills was low because of their simple nature, which was why his level had skyrocketed with such intense practice.
The real prize, however, was the Enhanced Ingredient Purifier skill. Reaching Level 2 meant his purification process was now significantly faster and more efficient. He could cleanse impurities with even greater precision and less spiritual energy expenditure. This was a foundational skill that would benefit every single pill he ever refined.
His gaze then swept over the collection of jade bottles neatly arranged against one wall. There were dozens of them. He had amassed a small stockpile of over a hundred High-Grade Qi Gathering Pills and nearly eighty High-Grade Body Tempering Pills.
This was his capital. His plan was straightforward. He would go to the assessment, obtain his certification, and then use his status as a certified alchemist to sell these pills at the Association's market.
The profit would be substantial, especially for High-Grade foundational pills. With that money, he would buy more high-quality ingredients and repeat the entire process, creating a self-sustaining cycle of improvement and wealth generation.
The only area he had neglected was his direct cultivation. It was still stuck at the 3rd Level of the Qi Gathering Realm. He had been using pills to replenish energy, not to break through. Every moment and every resource had been poured into alchemy.
He had consciously decided to save his stockpile of Qi Gathering Pills for sale and for future training marathons, prioritizing his alchemy foundation over a rushed cultivation advance. He knew that once his alchemy was established, boosting his cultivation would become much easier.
He stood up, his body feeling light despite the fatigue. He was more than ready.
He changed into a clean, white robe, suitable for the formal setting of the academy's assessment. He carefully selected ten of each type of pill—Qi Gathering and Body Tempering—and placed them in a small pouch at his waist.
"Young Master," Yu Tao'er greeted him as Lin Yun walked out of the room.
"Let's go, Tao'er." Lin Yun smiled and headed out.
***
The academy's main assessment hall was a vast, circular amphitheater, buzzing with nervous energy. Sunlight streamed down from a crystalline dome above, illuminating the polished stone floor where hundreds of students from Lin Yun's year had gathered.
As Lin Yun entered, he immediately swept his gaze across the crowd. He saw many familiar faces, each representing the complex web of alliances and rivalries within Fortune City.
There was Ji Xuan, the younger brother of Ji Gengxin. His expression was dark and venomous, his eyes burning with a hatred that needed no explanation after the humiliation of his clan. He stood with a few other Ji Clan disciples, a small island of simmering resentment.
Nearby, Nangong Qing'er was surrounded by her usual coterie of admirers. She looked as elegant and aloof as ever, but when her eyes met Lin Yun's, they held a new, calculating coldness. The friendly pretense was completely gone.
Wang Kun glowered at him with undisguised hostility, his bulky frame tense.
In contrast, Hua Mengyan, upon spotting him, offered a warm, genuine smile and a small wave from where she stood with her sister, Hua Yuxian. The Hua Clan's friendly stance remained unchanged.
A slight, polite nod came from Bai Chenfeng.
The atmosphere was a microcosm of the city itself—fractured, competitive, and charged with ambition.
Hua Mengyan broke away from her group and walked over, her smile bright. "Lin Yun! I haven't had a chance to talk with you back in the banquet. That was amazing! Beating Ji Meili like that!"
Lin Yun offered a small, polite smile in return. "Thank you, Sister Mengyan. I was just lucky."
Before they could converse further, a hush fell over the hall. A group of academy teachers, led by a stern-looking elder with a long grey beard, walked to the center of the arena. This was Elder Kong, the head of student assessments.
"Silence!" Elder Kong's voice, amplified by spiritual energy, boomed through the hall, instantly quelling all chatter.