The autumn harvest was only a few days away.

Jiang Chen rode his [Giant Leaf] toward the Alchemy Hall’s Earthfire Zone. This time, however, he bypassed Chu Xiu, the junior alchemist he had met previously, and headed straight for the Pill Tower.

His goal was ambitious. If he could secure a partnership with Yu Caiqing, a Senior Alchemist, his future access to pills—whether purchasing them or “observing” the techniques to steal them—would be secured.

“You’re finally here.” Lin Yan was waiting at the entrance, looking slightly impatient.

They had coordinated earlier via her sister’s [Communication Talisman].

Jiang Chen landed smoothly. “Is Senior Sister Yu available?”

Lin Yan nodded. “She’s still refining, but I contacted her just now. She agreed to see us immediately. We might even get to witness the refining process firsthand.”

Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up. Observing a high-level refinement in real-time was a rare opportunity for his system to gather data.

They logged their credentials with the tower guards and were granted entry.

The atmosphere inside was markedly different from his last visit. The halls were bustling. Dozens of cultivators walked with purpose, each sporting a flame emblem embroidered on their chest. Since Fire Spirit Root apprentices were generally barred from the upper levels, these were likely all official Junior Alchemists or higher.

“You alchemists are surprisingly organized,” Jiang Chen remarked, noting a group that seemed to be conducting a lecture.

“There are too few of us not to be,” Lin Yan explained as she led the way.

They descended the spiral staircase, heading deep underground toward Room 7 on the ninth sublevel. Along the way, other alchemists passed them. Some greeted Lin Yan familiarly; others wore expressions of cold indifference.

Soon, they stood before the heavy stone door of Room 7. It was sealed tight, muffling all sound from within.

Lin Yan retrieved Yu Caiqing’s talisman and injected a pulse of Fire Qi.

“Senior Sister, I’ve brought Jiang Chen.”

The exchange was brief. Yu Caiqing was clearly not a woman who wasted words on pleasantries.

They waited in the corridor for three minutes. Finally, the heavy stone mechanism ground into motion.

Whoosh.

A wave of stifling, wet heat surged out of the opening.

Lin Yan, despite possessing a Fire Spirit Root, frowned and took a shallow breath, clearly uncomfortable with the clashing energies. Jiang Chen, however, possessed dual Wood and Fire roots. To him, the mixture of intense heat and rich organic energy wasn’t oppressive—it was invigorating. He actually enjoyed it.

“Come in,” Yu Caiqing’s voice drifted from the haze.

Sharing a glance, Jiang Chen and Lin Yan stepped inside.

Through the veil of dense steam, the room opened up into a cavernous space.

In the center of the chamber, a triangular vent in the floor revealed the raging orange-yellow flames of the Earthfire vein, releasing waves of scorching heat.

Suspended directly above the fire was a three-legged cauldron.

It was pitch black, seemingly forged from deep-sea dark iron, with intricate frost patterns etched in relief across its surface. The three legs were shaped like coiled Chi-dragons, their mouths slightly agape, periodically venting freezing air to regulate the temperature. The lid featured nine lotus leaves that appeared ready to bloom—a magical sight.

This was the [Black Nether Cauldron].

Yu Caiqing stood to the right of the vessel. Her left hand formed the complex [Li Fire Seal], her expression a mask of absolute focus.

They say a man at work is a sight to behold. As it turned out, that adage applied perfectly to Yu Caiqing as well. Her intensity was captivating.

“Senior Sister, we’re here,” Lin Yan whispered.

Yu Caiqing didn’t look up. Her eyes were locked on the cauldron. “Wait. The internal temperature will stabilize in a moment.”

Neither Jiang Chen nor Lin Yan dared to breathe loudly. They stood by the wall, watching with bated breath.

Time seemed to slow. The violent Earthfire beneath the cauldron began to quell, its rhythmic roaring subsiding into a steady hum.

Yu Caiqing’s hands began to move. She plucked at the air as if playing an invisible harp—sometimes striking with lightning speed, other times moving as slow as a snail. With each gesture, excess fire currents were drawn out and dissipated.

Finally, the [Black Nether Cauldron] stabilized.

Yu Caiqing lowered her hands and exhaled a long breath. “Finally. I can rest.”

Lin Yan signaled Jiang Chen with her eyes, and the two stepped forward.

“Senior Sister,” Lin Yan called out sweetly, hurrying over to hug Yu Caiqing’s arm. If social norms allowed, she probably would have preferred to physically cling to this Senior Alchemist’s golden thigh.

Yu Caiqing turned, her gaze cool and scrutinizing as it landed on Jiang Chen. “How is the [Moonlight Grass]?”

Jiang Chen didn’t waste time with words. He tapped the [Jade Green Gourd] at his waist.

Flash.

One thousand stalks of [Moonlight Grass] materialized in the air. Each one was shaped like a perfect crescent moon and measured exactly seven inches in length.

Yu Caiqing’s eyebrows lifted slightly. She swept her spiritual sense over the floating harvest.

Her surprise deepened. He hadn’t lied. Every single stalk was Top-Quality. Not a single defect.

“Senior Sister Yu,” Jiang Chen smiled faintly. “Have I passed the assessment?”

With a wave of her sleeve, Yu Caiqing collected the herbs. She nodded, her expression softening just a fraction. “You truly have the ability to cultivate Top-Quality spiritual plants. In that case, I am willing to establish a long-term partnership with you.”

Jiang Chen remained calm. He had expected this result; his cheat didn’t allow for failure.

Lin Yan, however, visibly sagged with relief. It wasn’t that she cared deeply for Jiang Chen, but his success meant her relationship with Yu Caiqing was now cemented. Even if she couldn’t become a direct disciple, picking up a few alchemy tips was now a distinct possibility.

“So, Senior Sister Yu,” Jiang Chen asked, shifting to business mode. “What do I need to plant next?”

Yu Caiqing retrieved a [Communication Talisman] and handed it to him. “This batch was for the High-grade [Water-Fire Dragon Tiger Pill]. Next, I intend to attempt the Earth-grade [Yin-Yang Interlace Pill].”

She listed the requirements methodically.

“I need extreme Yang ingredients: [Crimson Sun Ginseng] and [Golden Crow Vine].”

“I need extreme Yin ingredients: [Black Yin Lingzhi] and [Moonlight Grass].”

“And the auxiliary herb: [Tai Chi Flower].”

She looked him in the eye. “Which of these can you cultivate?”

Lin Yan’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. “Earth-grade? Already?”

Jiang Chen was equally taken aback. “That is quite the leap in difficulty.”

Yu Caiqing frowned slightly, a touch of melancholy marring her features. “I possess dual Water and Fire Spirit Roots, but my Water root is a mutated Ice-Water variant. If I want to break through to the Golden Core stage, I have no choice. I must use an Earth-grade pill to balance the energies.”

“I see,” Jiang Chen said, the logic clicking into place.

“Of course,” Yu Caiqing added, waving a hand dismissively, “if you lack the capability right now, or if you are worried about the risk of failure, you are free to decline.”

Jiang Chen let out a low, confident chuckle.

“Senior Sister Yu, you wound me. Since I can produce Top-Quality [Moonlight Grass], the other herbs will naturally be no problem at all.”