Finally, afternoon arrived, and Ye Feng, filled with excitement, headed straight for the Pill Tower.

He spent most of the mornings cultivating on his own, and only in the afternoons would Ye Feng come over to help and teach him.

Li Qinghe's term of duty in the outer sect has come to an end; she no longer needs to refine low-level pills or give lectures to the outer sect.

However, the alchemy area is still located beneath the Pill Tower, because there is a perpetually burning earth fire there, eliminating the need for spirit firewood.

The ground fire is filtered by the array, and can be controlled without even requiring highly skilled fire control techniques....

Of course, the rental price is also quite high, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of yuan per month, from Class A1 to Class D12.

"Dear Master! I'm here!"

In room C3, Ye Feng respectfully bowed to Li Qinghe, but the way he addressed her...

This was something he earned two years ago by advancing to the sixth level of Qi Refining, along with his thick skin and five or six beatings.

Three years have passed, and Li Qinghe has hardly changed at all, except that her clothing has become more conservative, with tighter necklines.

Hearing Ye Feng's address, he could only sigh helplessly.

"You always make me wait for you. Are you the master or am I the apprentice?"

Ye Feng:...

"You came all this way, and you didn't even give me a ride..."

Li Qinghe rolled her eyes, not wanting to argue with him any further.

Ever since they made their agreement, Ye Feng has become increasingly bold. Whenever he uses a flying artifact to carry him, Ye Feng insists on having his arm around his waist.

She wasn't as resistant as she had imagined, but others weren't blind, and as their teacher, she had to save face, right?

If Ye Feng fails to establish a foundation and turns to dust after a hundred years, he will likely become a laughingstock forever.

Looking at Ye Feng's carefree attitude, Li Qinghe couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.

Why did I even make that promise with him in the first place? He's always so attentive and caring, showing no respect whatsoever.

She was really worried that she wouldn't be able to control herself.

What are the consequences of falling in love with mortals? There are countless cautionary tales on Qingxue Peak.

That is the loneliness that will be endured for countless years... It may even become a demon in one's heart, cutting off the possibility of advancing to the Golden Core stage!

"I won't teach you anything else today. Try refining a batch of Qi Gathering Pills yourself and see what happens."

Ye Feng nodded and began preparations. Li Qinghe had already placed the ingredients for the pill on the workbench.

Ye Feng began to break it down one by one.

The Qi Gathering Pill is a commonly used elixir in the later stages of Qi Refining cultivation, and can also be considered the ultimate test for alchemy apprentices.

If you can perfectly step through it, you can become a first-level alchemist!

For Li Qinghe, the Foundation Establishment Pill is also the pinnacle of a first-level alchemist. Perfectly refining the Foundation Establishment Pill would make her a second-level alchemist, but she has not yet had such an opportunity.

Put the main ingredients in a pot, add some spiritual essence water, and simmer over low heat.

Then add the prepared auxiliary ingredients in batches and stir-fry over high heat...

Li Qinghe's eyelids twitched involuntarily as she watched Ye Feng's actions, which resembled a cow chewing on a peony.

But the timing of each step was perfect; even with her divine sense, she could only manage about this much.

This guy is truly a genius at alchemy!

If only their qualifications were just a little bit better...

Ten minutes later, the lid opened, and Ye Feng used his magic to suspend it. Before the medicinal liquid inside the cauldron solidified, he instantly divided it into eleven portions.

Under his control, there was one high-grade, seven mid-grade, and three low-grade stones.

"How was it? Beautiful master, am I ready to graduate?"

Ye Feng handed the pill bottle to Li Qinghe with a fawning expression, his face clearly displaying four words:

Praise me!

Li Qinghe could tell the quality of the pill with a single scan using her divine sense.

Such a result was so good that even if she wanted to say it was bad, she wouldn't be able to. A success on the first try, so smooth, and producing a top-grade pill—even a newly promoted first-level alchemist might not be able to achieve that.

"good!"

After speaking, he looked at Ye Feng with a serious expression.

"You're almost at the later stages, so you can put alchemy on hold for a while. Do it in your spare time, and use the rest of your time to break through your cultivation level."

I need to go out of town for a while, which may take a few months. You should focus on your cultivation...

In addition, you are not allowed to refine and sell pills during this period. Do more sect missions and save up your points to exchange for a chance to enter the sect's secret realm next year.

Ye Feng's cultivation progress far exceeded her expectations. Just over a year after breaking through to the fifth level, he broke through again, reaching the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Based on this calculation, I estimate I'll be able to advance to the late stage of Qi Refining next year.

What's even more astonishing is his talent for alchemy.

Over three years, I accumulated no less than 100,000 contribution points.

At his speed, he practically monopolized all the sect's low-grade pills.

Even after exchanging for a magical alchemy furnace and several spells, there would still be 20,000 to 30,000 points left.

Now that he can even practice Qi Gathering Pills so smoothly, he will definitely be able to save up 100,000 points by the end of next year, exchange them for tokens, enter the secret realm, and further improve his cultivation.

"Master, you want me to enter the secret realm so much, is it because you hope I can reach the Foundation Establishment stage quickly?"

Ye Feng chuckled and took a few steps closer. Li Qinghe sighed inwardly but said nothing.

"I'm just worried that all the effort I've put into teaching will only result in my apprentices aging faster than me. That would be so embarrassing for me!"

Now that Ye Feng has been promoted to a Level 1 Alchemist, equivalent to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he no longer needs to worry about being sent out to other areas.

However, Li Qinghe felt a surge of hope.

This time, the Han Hai Chamber of Commerce is passing through and will be holding an auction in the territory of the Luo Shui Sect. It's said that Foundation Establishment Fruits will be for sale, and she wants to go and see if she can win one.

I can refine Foundation Establishment Pills myself. Once Ye Feng reaches the peak of Qi Refining, he can consume the Foundation Establishment Pills I refine for him.

This can be considered as fulfilling my dream.

"Master, you've been gone for so long, shouldn't we keep our promise?"

"What...what...promise?"

As soon as Li Qinghe spoke, she remembered what Ye Feng had said, her heart raced, and she stammered.

"Look at my cultivation level!"

"You... Qi Refining Level 7!!"

Li Qinghe's divine sense swept over Ye Feng slightly, a hint of disbelief appearing in her eyes.

"You've actually reached the late stage of Qi Refining?!"

Three years! This aptitude is better than more than half of those with dual spiritual roots.

Li Qinghe wished she could test Ye Feng's aptitude right now.

Reaching the late stage of Qi Refining so quickly... what about Foundation Establishment...?

Thinking of this, Li Qinghe, who always kept a straight face in front of Ye Feng, couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart.

"Hmph, you win! So, what are your demands?"

Seeing that Ye Feng had truly advanced to the late stage of Qi Refining, Li Qinghe couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.

Turning around, she saw his wicked expression, and immediately straightened her face and said...

"You brat, if you dare to mention anything outrageous, you're dead!"

What's said back then can't be taken back now.

If it becomes a mental demon, then the losses outweigh the gains...

Although it's not a vow, it should still be kept.

Even the slightest possibility must be avoided...

Of course, poking or something like that won't do.

This is too much! Even if he has inner demons, he can't tolerate it. This kid must be beaten so badly he can't get out of bed for three months!!

Ye Feng looked at the exquisite face before him, as beautiful as a painting.

Facing her own gaze, she would sometimes be shy, sometimes blush, sometimes glare angrily, and sometimes squint threateningly...

So what if I die!

"I want to take a bath with you!"