"Not bad. Your soul power has reached the intermediate level of the seventh grade," Old Yao said, stroking his beard with satisfaction, his gaze on Xiao Yan filled with amusement.
"With your intermediate seventh-grade soul power, coupled with your three months of honing your alchemy skills, you should be much more efficient at refining Emperor Grade Pills now than before. Even peak sixth-grade pills should be within your capabilities. If you could obtain a Heavenly Flame, you would have a chance to become a seventh-grade alchemist. Even without a Heavenly Flame, with your talent, you should reach the seventh grade within a year."
Thinking this, Old Yao's aged face bloomed like a chrysanthemum.
A sixteen-year-old seventh-grade alchemist. This record could probably be considered the most terrifying in a thousand years.
"Heavenly Flame, huh? I'll just kill my senior brother and swallow his Sea Heart Flame." Xiao Yan chuckled darkly.
"Why do you always have such murderous intent towards your senior brother?" Old Yao frowned.
"That man's heart is crooked, and he's been eyeing the Burning诀 for a long time. Old man, believe it or not, if someone tempts him with enough benefits, he'd sell you out in an instant, even though you're like a father and teacher to him."
Xiao Yan sneered.
"Although Han Feng might have gone astray, I've raised him since he was a child. He wouldn't do this," Old Yao said, shaking his head.
"Besides, is your own character really so upright, boy?"
If Han Feng was a villain lurking in the shadows, then Xiao Yan was a bandit in the open. If he wanted something, he'd take it, by force if necessary!
"Heh heh." Xiao Yan chuckled, saying no more.
After all, he had been raised by Old Yao, so it was natural to have deep feelings.
As for Han Feng, he was destined to be eliminated sooner or later. Although Xiao Yan wouldn't betray those close to him, when it came to ruthlessness, he might not be any worse than Han Feng. Simply wanting the Sea Heart Flame gave him a reason to deal with Han Feng.
Plus, he had always found Han Feng annoying. Killing him was no big deal.
To achieve great things, first, kill the do-gooders.
The first three months of the Danta's youth program focused on theoretical foundations. But after three months, the emphasis shifted to practical application.
"Class, after three months of theoretical instruction, you should all have a wealth of knowledge. With that in mind, I want you to independently develop a prescription of your own.
The prescription doesn't need to be of too high a grade, but it's best if you create it yourselves. If you really feel you lack the ability, you can improve upon the work of those who came before."
A burly middle-aged man in white stood on the alchemy square, smiling at the group of talented young people.
Although this person was physically imposing, his face held the air of authority that comes with high position, along with a deep scholarly aura – a bit like a leader in academia from a past life.
This was Elder Li, a peak seventh-grade alchemist. It was said that he was only one step away from breaking through to the eighth grade, making him a notable figure in the Danta.
Hearing the elder's assignment, the group of youths immediately wore long faces.
Everyone knew that alchemist's prescriptions were mostly obtained through countless experiments. There were strict controls on both flame control and the dosage of medicines; even a tiny error could turn a medicine into poison.
Even Xiao Yan frowned at this task.
"Heh heh, students, think carefully. If you have an idea, feel free to try. I'll be here to guide you. I'll explain anything you're unsure about to the best of my ability."
Elder Li said with confidence. Although he wasn't an Eighth-Grade Alchemist, his understanding of the properties of low and mid-grade pills was terrifying, even surpassing some ordinary Eighth-Grade Alchemists.
This also showed the powerful foundation of the Danta.
Seeing the worried expressions on the faces of the young people, Elder Li revealed a profound smile.
He had finally gotten a few classes to teach, so of course he wanted to show off his knowledge. If a few geniuses admired his talent and came under his tutelage, he would have struck gold.
Just as he was thinking this, he heard a whoosh and turned to look. He saw that Xiao Yan had already started a fire under his furnace.
"Student Xiao Yan, you've started the fire so quickly. Do you already have an idea?" Elder Li's eyes lit up. If he could guide Xiao Yan, he would have bragging rights in the future.
He imagined the scene of Xiao Yan becoming a Ninth-Grade Alchemist, and he could say, "This person's early pill formulas were guided by me." What a face that would give him.
Xiao Yan nodded at him, then turned back to look at Danchen, smiling as he tossed a Sixth-Order Magical Beast's magic core into the cauldron.
Elder Li's expression changed, and he exclaimed, "Student Xiao Yan, I only asked you to create or improve a pill formula at will. Why do you need to use a Sixth-Order Magical Beast's core for the experiment?"
A Sixth-Order Magical Beast's core, although the elders of Danta each possessed a few, wasn't something you could find lying around. Even a Seventh-Rank alchemist would feel the pinch if they wasted it.
"Teacher, I'm improving a Sixth-Rank pill, so naturally I need to use a Sixth-Order Magical Beast's core to refine the medicine." Xiao Yan smiled slightly.
"Six, Sixth-Rank pill..." Elder Li's mouth twitched. His intention was to have these youngsters refine a Second or Third-Rank pill, so he could show off a bit. But he never expected that this Xiao Yan would go straight for modifying a Sixth-Rank pill formula.
Elder Li had lived for over two hundred years, and he had only personally created two Sixth-Rank pill formulas. He had only successfully modified three.
Sixth-Order Magical Beast core, Snow Moon Clear, Emperor Grade Immortal Vine, Azure Cloud Feathering Leaf.
Watching Xiao Yan toss in these precious materials one by one, Elder Li couldn't help but twitch his mouth.
The value of these precious materials was enough to refine a Seventh-Rank pill. Using them for an experiment was a bit extravagant.
Elder Li's lips twitched, but Danchen, not far away, watched this scene with joy on her small face. Her crystal-like peach blossom eyes were filled with affection as she looked at Xiao Yan.
Three months had passed, and she was completely captivated by Xiao Yan.
The pill Xiao Yan was currently refining was the upgraded Emperor Grade Pill they had discussed multiple times, which made Danchen feel valued.
In contrast, Cao Ying wore a cold expression. Although Xiao Yan wasn't as cold towards her as before, he also didn't have the same initial attitude.
For some reason, Cao Ying always inexplicably hoped that Xiao Yan would once again shamelessly flirt with her in front of her.
As Xiao Yan was refining the pill, the numerous disciples first scratched their heads in thought, and then, as time passed, they each ignited their flames.
However, most of them were refining second or third-grade pills, which finally brought a smile to Elder Li's face.
"Finally, it's my time to show off."
He once again wore a profound smile, pointing and guiding each of the geniuses.
It was as if he were a learned and benevolent teacher.
"Shi Hao, what kind of pill are you planning to refine?" Elder Li asked with a smile, looking at the little boy who loved to drink beast milk.
The little boy had thick eyebrows and big eyes, but a cute appearance. He was slightly chubby and was the favorite of the youth class, especially Xiao Yan, who took extra care of this child destined to dominate for eternity.
"Elder Li, I want to modify the formula for the Nine Revolutions Qi-Circulating Pill, transforming it from a first-grade pill into a second-grade pill," Shi Hao said, his voice still that of a young boy, as he hadn't gone through puberty yet.
"Haha, excellent! Although it's an improvement on a first-grade pill, at your age, you can still be considered a genius. Tell me, what name do you plan to give the new pill?"
Elder Li happily stroked the little fatty's head. This kind of child could give him a chance to show off. Look at that Xiao Yan, he made himself speechless.
"I plan to call it the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill!" Shi Hao said happily.
Elder Li's face instantly froze, his smile disappearing.