"Master Shen has allowed Wei Yi to begin refining pills."
"He's only been learning for a day, and now he's attempting to refine pills? How utterly ambitious and reckless..."
"It must have been his own request. He has no patience and dares to learn alchemy. He's destined for failure and isn't worthy of being Master Shen's successor."
"Where is he refining pills? Let's go take a look."
"I think it's in Room One. Let's go together."
Soon, news of Wei Yi's attempt to refine pills spread throughout the entire left wing courtyard.
Almost ninety-nine percent of the people regarded it as a joke.
How could someone who had only been learning alchemy for a day possibly refine pills? If alchemy were that simple, wouldn't everyone be an alchemist by now? Alchemists would no longer be rare, and their status wouldn't be so high.
The crowd mocked him, and many hurried to Room One to witness Wei Yi's inevitable failure.
"Ruo Mei, let's go take a look as well."
At the sound of her friend's call, a young woman with a graceful demeanor looked up.
Wei Ruo Mei, a member of the Wei family's side branch, was the most talented alchemist among them. Had Wei Yi not appeared, she would have been the most likely candidate to inherit Master Shen's teachings.
"Alright, let's go."
Wei Ruo Mei was usually calm and rarely involved in such spectacles, but for some reason, this time, she agreed without hesitation.
Perhaps, she felt unwilling to accept that she wasn't the best choice to inherit Master Shen's legacy.
"It's begun. It looks like he's refining Body Refining Pills."
"He probably can only refine Body Refining Pills."
"His refining technique, though, is quite skilled. Could he have practiced before...?"
The crowd murmured in curiosity.
Wei Ruo Mei, also among them, noticed this.
Wei Yi's techniques were surprisingly proficient—not just average proficiency, but remarkably skilled, almost comparable to her own.
Could this really be someone who had only been learning alchemy for a day?
A deep sense of doubt filled her mind.
She wasn't the only one questioning it. Many people were puzzled, including Wei Yi's mother, Shen Qiulan.
But as Wei Yi's mother, Shen Qiulan naturally knew that he had just started learning alchemy. In fact, he had only reluctantly agreed after her insistence.
What she couldn't understand, however, was how his technique could be so refined.
This dilemma, of course, could be attributed to the game system.
Just like with martial techniques, once learned, and with level-ups, Wei Yi was able to master them with ease.
With Alchemy at level 7, Wei Yi could refine First-Rank pills with the expertise of a seasoned apprentice.
"Jin Yin Hua, Jiu Ling Grass, Cold Winter Mushroom Powder, Morning Dew, and Fragrant Leaves..."
The formula for the Body Refining Pill was firmly etched in Wei Yi's mind.
The entire process was carried out in a steady, organized manner.
His control of the flame was impeccable.
As the simplest First-Rank pill, the Body Refining Pill didn't take long to refine. Within the time of two incense sticks, a successful batch was completed.
"Mother, please check it."
Wei Yi removed the batch of pills and addressed Shen Qiulan.
As a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, Shen Qiulan had vast experience. In fact, by just observing Wei Yi's refining process, she could roughly guess the outcome.
But she still nodded, then turned to Wei Ruo Mei and instructed,
"Ruo Mei, please check it."
Ruo Mei nodded gently, took a damp cloth, and opened the alchemy furnace. Immediately, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the air.
Everyone present couldn't help but widen their eyes.
After her inspection, Ruo Mei, clearly astonished, spoke, "Ten Body Refining Pills, all of excellent quality, and they should be usable without issue."
Without a doubt, the batch had been successfully refined.
Shen Qiulan had given Wei Yi five opportunities, but he only needed one.
Ding! "Player Wei Yi successfully refined a batch of Body Refining Pills, Alchemy Experience +300."
The system notification sounded, and Wei Yi couldn't help but laugh.
"Mother, should I continue refining?"
Wei Yi asked with a smile.
"Is this really your first time refining pills?"
Shen Qiulan furrowed her brow, unable to suppress her doubts.
"Of course, I've always been at the academy, and there's no place for alchemy there."
"As for the family, when have you seen me come to the left wing courtyard?"
Wei Yi replied without hesitation,
"Also, I can only refine Body Refining Pills. I'm still unsure about the rest. For Body Refining Pills, I followed the refining process of my senior brothers and sisters from yesterday."
Upon hearing this, the crowd couldn't help but blush.
Though Wei Yi had referenced their methods, his process was far more skilled than theirs, surpassing their abilities.
"No wonder your technique is proficient but has a few clear mistakes—those are low-level errors only beginners make," Shen Qiulan suddenly spoke up, as though she had found the answer to her confusion.
Upon hearing this, the others felt even more embarrassed, wishing they could disappear into the ground.
"One successful batch. It seems your talent for alchemy exceeds my expectations."
"Had I known this, I would have taught you alchemy years ago."
At this point, Shen Qiulan couldn't help but feel a sense of regret.
It felt as though she had delayed her son's future.
"Everyone else can leave now. Ruo Mei, stay for a moment," Shen Qiulan waved her hand, quickly giving instructions.
The crowd dispersed without hesitation, and soon, only Shen Qiulan, Wei Yi, and Wei Ruo Mei remained in the alchemy room.
Wei Ruo Mei, confused about why Master Shen had kept her, said nothing, respecting the silence as Shen Qiulan didn't explain.
Shen Qiulan turned to Wei Yi and spoke,
"Since you've fulfilled my requirements, you may now refine pills on your own."
"Of course, what pills you refine and how many you make must be approved by me first. Otherwise, if you waste precious alchemical materials, I won't be able to explain it to the family."
"No problem. As long as the value I create exceeds the cost, there should be no restrictions, right?" Wei Yi asked with a smile.
He wasn't concerned with the pills themselves; it was the experience points from refining them that mattered to him.
"As long as you can ensure a success rate of at least forty percent, there's no issue."
Seeing Wei Yi's confident demeanor, Shen Qiulan couldn't help but smile.
She then turned to Wei Ruo Mei and asked, "Ruo Mei, would you be willing to become my successor?"
"Ah?"
Wei Ruo Mei was immediately shocked.
She looked at Shen Qiulan, then at Wei Yi, clearly unable to understand.
"I originally intended to make Yi'er my successor, but with his talent, I won't be able to teach him for long, nor do I want to hinder his future," Shen Qiulan sighed and explained.
"If you're willing, I will personally teach both of you."
"I'm willing," Wei Ruo Mei immediately nodded.
She wasn't foolish and certainly wouldn't miss such an opportunity.
Upon hearing her agreement, Shen Qiulan couldn't help but smile with joy. She turned to look at her son, her gaze filled with both pride and regret.
The pride stemmed from Wei Yi's alchemical talent far exceeding her expectations, ensuring his future achievements would surpass hers.
The regret came from not being able to be his alchemical master. Since alchemical masters could only have one disciple, she didn't want to take that precious spot and hinder his development.
In her view, only a true alchemical master could serve as her son's alchemical teacher.