https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-898-The-Opening-of-the-Pill-Sage-Hall-Five-Sects-Enter-Together/13111260/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-900-Self-Created-Dan-Technique-Xuan-Yan/13111302/
Chapter 899: Divine Brushwork, Instant Success
Chapter 899: Divine Brushwork, Instant Success
February 21, 2025
Swish!
In the void, a large sleeve swept past.
However, the sensation of touch remained empty.
Luo Chen slowly retracted his hand, and his eyes shone with golden light.
"Another illusion?" he wondered.
But soon, he realized that the existence emitting the dense white light was not an illusion but a real entity.
However, if he tried to forcefully capture them, they would become slippery and difficult to touch.
"It seems that using brute force to collect these protected pills is out of the question, and sniffing them is impossible."
With his eyes that could see through illusions, he had already discerned that these white lights were actually pills.
Just like the 'Dan Shu' in the side hall earlier, they were created using the same illusion techniques.
At this moment, forcing a collection was impossible; only by truly identifying the corresponding pill could he obtain it.
Luo Chen suppressed his agitated thoughts and turned his gaze to the other four people not far away.
At first, they were also surprised by the specific test of this trial.
But it seemed that they had experienced similar situations before, so after the initial panic, they quickly calmed down.
Each of them displayed their abilities!
Chen Mozzi took out a gourd and poured out an unknown liquid, dripping it onto his nose.
Xinyan Sheng released a dazzling red light, which shone in harmony with the white lights, creating a brilliant spectacle.
Lu Chun, on the other hand, performed a technique and sat cross-legged in the void.
Zhu Yu had the simplest approach; she merely donned a white veil, as if it could filter out the miscellaneous pill energies.
With these methods, they gradually made progress.
Lu Chun's face lit up with joy as he awoke from his meditative state and wrote down the name of a pill on the table before him.
Whoosh!
As the name of the pill appeared, a white light shot towards it and finally landed on the jade plate.
This indicated that he had succeeded once!
Lu Chun was at the forefront, feeling extremely proud.
He glanced around and happened to catch Luo Chen's scrutinizing gaze, prompting him to subconsciously cover the first-grade pill on his jade plate.
Luo Chen smiled and turned away, no longer paying close attention.
In reality, there was a special arrangement in this place, and it was impossible to differentiate the pills the others had obtained with the naked eye.
After smiling, Luo Chen fell into deep thought.
Smelling the fragrance was a necessary skill for pill masters.
Often, identifying the quality of pills was not solely dependent on their cloud-like appearance, taste, texture, or other tangible means.
The pill fragrance, or pill energy, was also a crucial aspect.
For experienced pill masters, sometimes they didn't even need to look; a mere sniff was enough to identify the pill, its potency, and its quality.
Even Luo Chen, who had learned pill refining through unconventional means, had achieved a high level of proficiency in this regard.
In his early years, he had refined a pill called Xuesha Dan.
After its formation, the pill emitted a scorched fragrance, thick and sticky.
Other orthodox pills might have been considered failures under such circumstances.
However, for Xuesha Dan, this fragrance was a sign of success.
Luo Chen had initially confirmed his success through this scorched pill fragrance.
But what truly demonstrated Luo Chen's expertise in this area was not the fragrance of a single pill but a technique.
Cleansing Technique!
In his early years, to prevent enemies from targeting him through his residual aura, Luo Chen had mastered the Cleansing Technique to perfection.
After each pill refinement, he would instinctively use this technique to remove his aura.
This process was not merely about erasing all traces of his aura but involved precisely identifying the pill energy from the miscellaneous energies on his body, allowing for accurate removal.
Over three hundred years, Luo Chen had become so proficient that he could identify the pills he had refined just by smelling them.
He scanned the hall filled with chaotic white lights, and his brows furrowed slightly.
If the scope of pill identification was limited to the pills he had refined, this task would not be daunting.
However, there were countless white lights here, not just hundreds or thousands.
To accurately identify one hundred pills without a single mistake within this vast array was indeed a challenging task...
"Scope?"
Luo Chen suddenly realized that the 'Dan Shu' he had read in the side hall of the Pill Sage Hall encompassed all the pills in this trial.
"The scope of this test is too broad. If I proceed recklessly, it may seem like I'm ahead of the others, but in reality, I'll be at a disadvantage."
"One careless mistake, and all my efforts will be in vain."
"Only with absolute certainty can I put pen to paper!"
Luo Chen took a deep breath and, like Lu Chun, sat cross-legged in the void.
He released his divine sense, enveloping the endless white lights.
With a slight sniff, he carefully identified each white light that passed by.
Most importantly, he compared these pill fragrances with his memory of reading the Dan Shu.
Through repeated identifications, Luo Chen gradually understood that Dan Sheng Zhu Yan's transformation of pills into Dan Shu was not merely a display of skill.
Some aspects of pill refinement could not be fully described using words alone.
For instance, pill fragrances—while one or two might be accurately described, what about ten, a hundred, or even thousands and millions?
Description often faces the challenge of limited vocabulary, and different pills may share similar descriptions.
Seemingly a hair's breadth apart, yet worlds apart in reality!
Only through specific olfactory examination can a pill master truly grasp the concept.
Luo Chen remained seated in the hall, deep in thought for an extended period.
Such eccentric behavior naturally attracted the attention of others.
However, amidst the ongoing trial, no one paid continuous attention, as everyone's primary concern was their own progress.
Lu Chun was the first to start writing, and his progress was the fastest.
Over a dozen pill names were already listed on the white paper, and the corresponding pills were indeed placed on the white jade plate.
Xinyi Sheng's progress was slower, but each identification was precise.
Zhu Yu maintained a steady pace, and her white silk face veil, a treasure, seemed to filter out miscellaneous odors. Thus, she was the second fastest in the room.
Chen Mozzi, on the other hand, after his initial writing, seemed to hit a bottleneck, struggling to identify a second pill.
At this moment, three distinct scenes unfolded within the hall.
Lu Chun's side was bustling with energy, and his progress was rapid.
Xinyi Sheng and Zhu Yu worked at a steady pace, their brushstrokes calm and composed.
Chen Mozzi and Luo Chen remained completely still, like wooden sculptures.
Time ticked by, and within the grand hall, where the passage of day and night was imperceptible, and the changing sky was indiscernible, an unknown duration had passed.
The first phase of the trial had unknowingly reached its midpoint.
"Hmm..."
Chen Mozzi exhaled, breaking his silence.
He surveyed the surroundings, noticing Lu Chun, who had started with rapid progress but now struggled to write.
Zhu Yu and Xinyi Sheng maintained their initial identification speed, but their expressions grew increasingly grave.
Chen Mozzi couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
"The more distinct the features, the easier the identification. But in the end, only those with similar auras remain."
"Even the colorless and odorless pills have several variations."
"Moreover, the pressure of the trial constantly looms, and the invisible competition intensifies. As we progress, who can maintain their composure and fully demonstrate their abilities?"
"Only with thorough preparation can one write with divine precision!"
"Fortunately, I noticed the issue from the start and didn't rely on past experiences from previous trials."
He began to write.
But before he did, he glanced at Luo Chen.
Luo Chen remained deep in contemplation.
"I underestimated Luo Chen. He must have realized, like me, or perhaps even earlier, the true method to pass this trial."
"The reputation of the Pill Sect is well-deserved!"
"However, his youth is his weakness. Lacking depth, he is currently restrained by his inexperience."
Chen Mozzi smiled and wrote the name of the second pill on the rice paper.
A faint white light flickered.
The fragrance was extremely faint, almost imperceptible, but he had indeed identified it.
Just then, a flame suddenly ignited.
Lu Chun stared blankly at the desk, his paper, filled with dozens of pill names, was burning.
All the pills on the white jade plate flew away.
This meant he had failed.
"How could this be?"
"The records describe a rich fragrance, like plum and cassia, for the Fanghua Dan, which prolongs life and preserves youth. How could I be wrong?"
"No, that's not right!"
"There's also a third-grade pill called Baihe Dan, described similarly. But they are fundamentally different. It's a demonic pill that awakens potential and grants immense power."
"I was wrong... so wrong!"
Lu Chun regretted his haste as he muttered.
Just then, a surge of powerful energy pushed him out of the hall.
Before leaving, he scanned the room, taking in everyone's reactions.
Some were indifferent to his departure, some seemed unsurprised, and others smirked.
Only one person remained unmoved.
Boom!
Amidst the changing winds and clouds, someone stumbled out, taking a few unsteady steps before standing dejectedly in front of the Pill Sage Hall.
Ye Lingtian, in charge of this trial, was astonished.
"So soon? It's been less than half a year!"
The others gathered around.
"Young Master!"
"Cousin, why are you out so early?"
"Did you fail?"
Lu Chun, unable to respond to his clan's inquiries, was filled with shame.
The others, understanding the situation, refrained from further questions to spare him embarrassment.
But seeing Lu Chun linger, seemingly waiting for the results, someone asked out of curiosity.
"How did the trial go?"
Lu Chun sighed, sharing his observations and judgments from before he left.
Ye Lingtian listened silently, forming a rough understanding.
Chen Mozzi, the most mature and composed, had the slowest progress.
Zhu Yu and Xinyi Sheng progressed steadily, likely to pass the trial first.
However, Luo Chen, in whom Ye Lingtian had placed high hopes, remained inactive even after half a year.
"What is he doing?"
...
"What are you thinking about?"
Zhu Yu observed Luo Chen secretly during her break.
Two more months passed, and the other party still hadn't made a move.
If she had initially thought that the other party was deliberately being enigmatic, she no longer held that view.
As time went on, the task became increasingly challenging, and trying to accurately identify a specific type of pill from the countless varieties was already exhausting her.
By this point, she also understood that a meticulous and steady approach wasn't the best way to pass this trial.
Only by considering the whole picture could one succeed in one go.
But the amount of knowledge and Dan Dao foundation required for that was terrifying.
Among those present, perhaps only Chen Mozzi possessed such a foundation, as evidenced by the scroll of paper filled with names.
In this situation, why did Luo Chen insist on a difficult method? It would be better to use a more straightforward approach to identify the corresponding pills one by one, at least to avoid a humiliating defeat.
Xinyan Sheng rubbed his eyebrows and glanced at Luo Chen's calm profile, scoffing inwardly.
"Indeed, he's young and not up to much!"
But after seeing Chen Mozzi's progress, he became anxious.
How did the other party, who started later, manage to get ahead of him?
Chen Mozzi had no time to pay attention to others. At this moment, he was intently chasing after two intertwining white lights.
"Stench like a crucian carp, nauseating, entangled with each other, unending life and death."
"This must be the legendary Yin-Yang Dan!"
"But which is Yin and which is Yang? Where lies the difference?"
"Do I have to take a gamble?"
Beads of sweat had formed on the man's forehead without him realizing it.
For a Nascent Soul True Man, even if they didn't focus on physical cultivation, their body had undergone countless tempering by spiritual energy and cultivation techniques, so how could they break a sweat?
This represented immense pressure!
After a whole month of agony, Chen Mozzi finally made his decision.
He took a gamble!
And he succeeded!
With the pressure gone, his confidence soared, and his progress accelerated.
Seventy-one... Eighty-two... Ninety-three...
He was just a few short of identifying a hundred pills.
Just as the one-year deadline approached, and when everyone least expected it, Luo Chen suddenly woke up.
He scanned the vast white light, holding a brush and calmly dipping it in ink.
"Crystal Blossom!"
The white light suddenly appeared and landed on the jade plate.
The true pill was revealed.
It was almost transparent, colorless yet dazzling.
Tasteless, but after it appeared, it exuded a fragrant aroma that captivated the soul.
This was a fourth-grade Dan Yao, and it was a rare pill in the world that nourished the primordial spirit.
In this world, no one could refine it, except for the ascended Dan Sheng Daniang, who had only refined a small batch.
Luo Chen glanced at it indifferently, unconcerned.
It was as if everything was under his control.
Once he started writing, it was like an unstoppable river.
Luo Chen wrote swiftly, and the names of the pills appeared on the paper.
"Five Accumulations"
"Heavenly Return Spring"
"Purple Frost Flower"
"Jade Dewdrop"
"Thousand Bones"
...
"Nourish Qi!"
As Luo Chen wrote the last name, the table in front of him suddenly disappeared, and the white paper floated forward, as if guiding him.
Luo Chen first collected the hundred pills from the white jade plate and then followed.
Behind him, three pairs of eyes followed closely.
Ever since Luo Chen started writing, they had been paying attention. They were amazed that he could identify a hundred pills in one go.
This required an incredible foundation and confidence!
Pfft...
Blood splattered, and Xinyan Sheng, engulfed in flames, was pushed out of the Dan Sage Hall by its mighty force.
His mouth was stained with blood, and he regretted his mistake, shocked by Luo Chen's success.
Seeing Luo Chen's increasing speed, he panicked and misidentified a pill.
In the end, one misstep led to eternal regret.
"Chen Mozzi misled me!"
Amidst his resentful roar, the Dan Sage Hall's doors closed again.
Chen Mozzi opened his mouth, but Luo Chen was nowhere to be seen. Behind him, only Xinyan Sheng's disappointed expression echoed.
Finally, there was a soft sigh.
"This world has never lacked genius, my friend!"
Zhu Yu blinked and took a deep breath, refocusing her attention on herself.
The next task, identifying pills by scent, required even more caution.
...
Identifying pills by scent seemed simple.
But to accurately identify a hundred pills from thousands of mixed varieties was an extremely challenging task.
It required the pill refiner to have a deep foundation, vast knowledge, and meticulous control over details to succeed.
Fortunately, Luo Chen no longer had any shortcomings in this aspect.
He stood in a room filled with numerous tools and materials, looking perplexed.
"What's the second trial?"
Ding dong!
The white jade plate, which had just been put away, flew out uncontrollably.
To Luo Chen's surprise, the hundred pills he had identified with his knowledge seemed to have a life of their own, surrounding him.
Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, a familiar line of text appeared again.
【Return to Origin, Reverse Refinement, Pass the Gate】
This time, Luo Chen's eyebrows furrowed deeply.
(End of Chapter)
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