Chapter 509: A Drastic Change in Attitude
Chapter 509: A Drastic Change in Attitude
2024-12-03
At this moment, Yan You's body was in a half-squatting position.
His eyes were fixed on the pill that Su Chen had just refined.
He had been staring at it for a quarter of an hour, without even moving a muscle.
During this time, Yan You seemed to want to reach out and touch it.
But as his hand stretched out, he retracted it halfway.
The jade essence pill before him made him hesitant to touch it.
Alchemy masters are the ones who can best sense the value of a pill.
In Yan You's eyes, the jade essence pill in front of him seemed to carry a sense of sanctity.
As he reached out to touch it, he even felt like he was defiling the pill.
In fact, Yan You's thoughts were not wrong.
The jade essence pill, with its impurities removed from the outer skin, was more fragile than other pills.
Each time he touched it, it would suffer considerable damage.
That's why it was reasonable to consume the jade essence pill as soon as possible.
It wasn't just to prevent the technique from being leaked or to stop others from taking the pill away.
"Brother Yan, Brother Yan,"
Beside him, Jiang Zhu called out to him twice.
But the result was the same; Yan You was still immersed and couldn't extricate himself.
After watching for half an hour, Yan You blinked.
His martial arts prowess was actually quite good, but the prolonged and intense eye usage had already left him with tired eyes.
The initial mocking and disdain had vanished from his face.
Instead, it was replaced by an extremely solemn expression.
As Yan You regained his composure, he turned to look at Jiang Zhu, Wang Shanlin, and Qin Wei.
He now had some regrets in his heart.
Regrets for his previous careless words and regrets for his previous blindness.
"Elder Wang, Elder Qin, and Elder Jiang, are you sure this pill was refined by him...?"
Yan You hoped that the three of them would give him a negative answer.
But given the current situation, that was impossible.
"This pill was indeed refined by Su Xing. What's going on here?
Is there a problem with this pill?
Is it really the White Jade Jadehua Pill?"
Jiang Zhu saw that Yan You had snapped out of his daze, and he quickly asked.
He was now eager to know the answer.
Yan You's reaction was truly unusual.
It was so unusual that even Jiang Zhu couldn't understand the current situation.
He could only wait for Yan You's response.
Beside him, Wang Shanlin and Qin Wei were also awaiting Yan You's reply.
Initially, when Su Chen wanted to refine the pill himself,
Wang Shanlin and Qin Wei had no expectations at all.
But seeing Su Chen's skilled and refined technique,
they witnessed the creation of a jade-like pill.
Now, they were waiting for Yan You, the alchemist, to provide a definitive answer.
At this moment, Yan You's face underwent various changes.
From his facial expressions, one could sense the complexity of his thoughts.
After hesitating for a long time, he knew he couldn't delay any longer and finally spoke.
"This is indeed the White Jade Jadehua Pill."
Yan You was an alchemist, and he was passionate about the art of pill refinement.
Despite the myriad thoughts in his mind, he ultimately chose to tell the truth.
"This White Jade Jadehua Pill was refined using the technique of jade essence pills.
Almost ninety percent of the impurities were removed, leaving no trace of brown impurities on the surface.
Even the master of Zhu Ming Palace doesn't have the ability to refine such a pill."
Regret and remorse filled Yan You's heart.
Especially when he recalled his initial words.
He had said: "Help us obtain this White Jade Jadehua Pill, and we'll consider everything else settled. You don't owe us, and we won't ask anything more of you."
Recalling those words, Yan You felt like slapping himself.
Su Chen and their Taihe Sect had a somewhat friendly relationship.
Especially Elder Wang Shanlin and Elder Qin Wei, who had a close relationship with Su Chen.
But when he and Jiang Zhu represented the Taihe Sect and spoke those words,
they were severing this connection.
Su Chen might still have some goodwill towards the Taihe Sect, and even owed them some favors.
But with their words, all those favors were gone.
In exchange for this White Jade Jadehua Pill.
If Su Chen had no other value after leaving Zhu Ming Palace,
obtaining a White Jade Jadehua Pill would indeed be a good deal.
This kind of pill was also very valuable.
But now, this White Jade Jadehua Pill was refined by Su Chen himself.
It wasn't as they had imagined, with Su Chen going to Zhu Ming Palace and begging for it.
This showed that Su Chen didn't need to rely on Zhu Ming Palace and had exceptional skills in pill refinement.
Yan You even felt that Su Chen's pill refinement skills were more formidable than some of the elders in Zhu Ming Palace.
"Little Friend Su, was this pill truly refined by you?"
Yan You looked at Su Chen and couldn't help but ask for confirmation.
Su Chen didn't answer him, but Yan You didn't seem to mind and continued speaking.
"I may have been a little too harsh earlier.
I was worried and anxious, which led to some misjudgments.
As for what I said before, just consider it my rambling.
Sometimes, I can't control what comes out of my mouth."
At this moment, Yan You's attitude underwent a significant change.
When speaking with Su Chen, he sounded like a junior addressing a senior, a stark contrast to his previous demeanor.
Before, he would occasionally chuckle during their conversation.
Now, that tone was gone, replaced by the utmost politeness.
He was even more polite than when he spoke to the Grand Master of the Taihe Sect.
"So, Su Xiaomei, the pill you refined..."
Yan You paused, then continued, "It's genuine, and it's even better than the ones refined by the Zhu Ming Palace."
Wang Shanlin and Qin Wei, standing by his side, eagerly asked, "Elder Yan, is that what you meant?"
Their faces were filled with excitement and enthusiasm.
They had not done anything unpleasant to Su Chen, nor had they taken advantage of his weakened position.
Maintaining good character often leads to unexpected rewards.
"Elder Wang, Elder Qin, the White Jade Jadehua Pill has been successfully refined.
Which Elder would like to take it? Elder Yan, you should know the rules regarding Jade Essence Pills—they cannot be taken away."
Su Chen did not respond politely to Yan You's attempt at flattery.
He stepped forward, took out the White Jade Jadehua Pill, and handed it to Elder Wang Shanlin.
"Please, Elder Wang, consume it. Next time, I'll prepare one for Elder Qin.
The White Jade Jadehua Pill is not a challenge for me.
To use Elder Yan and Elder Jiang's words, I've settled my debts with the Taihe Sect.
But I will remember the help of Elders Wang and Qin."
Elder Wang Shanlin accepted the White Jade Jadehua Pill.
He glanced at Su Chen and then at Yan You, who was standing nearby.
A Jade Essence Pill would never be allowed to be taken away casually.
This rule was universally acknowledged in the Jin State.
The Strange Tower, the Crystal Pavilion, and now the Zhu Ming Palace—none of these powers would permit anyone to take away a Jade Essence Pill. After obtaining one, you must consume it immediately.
Yan You's eyes pleaded with Elder Wang Shanlin.
He hoped Elder Wang would say something nice to Su Chen.
If he could get this pill, he would have the chance to study it thoroughly.
The Taihe Sect's alchemy prowess would soar to the forefront of the Jin State.
But Elder Wang Shanlin understood Su Chen's intentions at a glance.
Su Chen would not agree to let him keep the pill.
If the Taihe Sect treated them this way, how could they expect to receive such a favor in return?
Elder Wang Shanlin hesitated for a moment, then swallowed the pill.
He knew what he had to do and what choice to make.
Su Chen still held good intentions towards him and Qin Wei.
Although his impression of Yan You, Jiang Zhu, and even the Taihe Sect was not favorable, he maintained a channel of communication with Wang Shanlin and Qin Wei.
The strength Su Chen displayed today was not that of an ordinary disciple.
Looking back, it was clear that the Zhu Ming Palace had treated Su Chen well.
It was not because Su Chen had offered them some benefit.
Su Chen was genuinely talented and capable.
As he watched Elder Wang Shanlin swallow the White Jade Jadehua Pill, Yan You felt a sudden emptiness in his heart.
It wasn't that he couldn't bear to part with the pill.
It was the missed opportunity to study it that he regretted.
As an alchemist dedicated to the path of alchemy, he truly wanted to research the Jade Essence Pill.
Perhaps it wouldn't be easy to learn, but at least he would have a chance.
But from the very beginning, the words they had spoken in front of Su Chen...
Their behavior and the attitude of the Taihe Sect they represented were too narrow-minded.
When Su Chen refused, Yan You couldn't help but agree.
"Elder Wang, I have some questions for you. May I have a word in private?"
Su Chen's primary purpose for coming tonight was to seek information from Elder Wang Shanlin about the Wulan Manor.
Elder Wang Shanlin had mentioned it before, but only briefly.
Su Chen wanted more detailed information.
The two of them left the alchemy workshop and stepped outside.
The night was already deep, but the stars in the sky seemed brighter than before.
Even without a cultivator's vision, one could see clearly under this light.
Su Chen's main concern was to inquire about Fang Chengyan's news and the core elders of the Wulan Manor.
He wanted to know if they had accompanied her.
Shang Xuan Zhenren had asked Elder Wang Shanlin to investigate on his behalf.
The situation at Wulan Manor has become quite clear.
Fan Chengyan must have intentionally revealed her location, as she's gone to participate in the assembly at the Azure Cloud Palace.
Her whereabouts are quite obvious.
She wanted you to know and be reassured that she didn't follow you here.
As for the other core elders of Wulan Manor, you can rest assured about them too, my friend.
They won't waste their energy helping Fan Chengyan clean up this mess.
Even if someone followed her here, it certainly wouldn't be those outstanding Transcendent Realm masters from Wulan Manor."
Su Chen nodded and asked some more detailed questions.
He once again expressed his gratitude to Wang Shanlin.
Especially for protecting him in Heavenly Firmament City these past two years, he owed Wang Shanlin and Elder Qin Wei a favor.
Wang Shanlin politely waved his hand in response.
But deep down, he was still somewhat pleased.
Initially, he had also thought that Su Chen was in a difficult situation and couldn't get back up.
His opinion of Su Chen was mainly due to his character.
Wang Shanlin was an emotional person who didn't look down on others just because they were in a weak position.
However, it was even better to gain the favor of an outstanding individual.
After understanding everything he needed to know, Su Chen no longer lingered.
He began to focus on his own matters and prepare for the upcoming confrontation.
After their conversation, Wang Shanlin returned to the Alchemy Workshop.
The other three were still there.
Yan You stared at the cauldron Su Chen had used, the extinguished charcoal, and stood there for a long time.
When he noticed Wang Shanlin's return, he immediately came forward to ask what Su Chen had said to him.
"It's not about alchemy, but about Wulan Manor."
Su Xing will likely accept the challenge and confront those from Wulan Manor."
Upon hearing Wang Shanlin's answer, Yan You seemed to have an added touch of worry.
"Elder Wanglin, you should persuade him about this matter.
Wulan Manor arranged all this to lure him out and target him.
Why would he go and fight them? Is he tired of living? If he's talented in alchemy, he should focus on the path of alchemy.
Elder Wanglin, how can you let him be so reckless?"
Yan You continued, sighing as he spoke.
He seemed quite dissatisfied with Wang Shanlin's approach.
Hearing Yan You's words, Wang Shanlin glanced at him.
After a moment of hesitation, he voiced the doubts that had been on his mind.
"Elder Yan, your attitude has changed drastically tonight.
Earlier, you were so firm.
Why the sudden change?
Speaking of which, I really want to ask you something.
What's your evaluation of everything Su Xing has shown tonight? I want to hear your opinion as an alchemist."
Yan You furrowed his brows, not answering immediately.
Instead, he turned his gaze to Wang Shanlin and the other two.
"Before I answer your question, I need you to tell me something first.
Describe to me every step of his White Jade Jadehua Pill refinement process that you can remember."
Yan You was filled with regret.
If he had known the outcome, he would have risked losing face to secretly observe Su Chen's refinement process.
Jiang Zhu didn't hesitate and immediately described everything he could remember.
He spoke in great detail about Su Chen's pill refinement.
The skilled technique did indeed capture his attention.
As Jiang Zhu described the process, Yan You's brows furrowed even more.
Jiang Zhu had almost reached the final stages of his description.
After finishing, he added a few comments.
"In my opinion, his understanding of the path of alchemy isn't that great either.
Especially during the final stages, I noticed you all were very careful.
But Su Xing was much more hasty.
And towards the end of his refinement, he directly poured water onto the charcoal.
Oh, and many of his actions were careless.
He lacked the solemnity that a proper alchemist should have.
I think there might be some element of luck involved.
But he should still have some skill."
After Jiang Zhu's description, Yan You became even more serious than before.
"If your description is accurate, then Su Xing's alchemy skills are even better than I imagined.
This White Jade Jadehua Pill is perfect to the extreme.
I can't find a single flaw.
Alchemists always sit upright with a solemn expression.
That's because they don't have complete control over the refinement process.
If the technique is mastered, alchemists wouldn't be so tense.
For example, if you asked me, Yan You, to refine a batch of Vitality Pills, I'd casually complete the task."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
