NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16:
Chapter 16: Another Explosion!:
Qi Ze’s face was dark with fury. Unknowingly, both his hands had clenched into fists.
Lu Chen had protected the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect for three hundred years, even at the cost of destroying his own cultivation. Back then, the entire sect, including the Sect Master, had seen him as a towering hero. But when he returned as an ordinary man, how many people in the sect still held him in the same regard?
Perhaps, at first, they did. But over time, that gratitude had faded.
It wasn’t that he had sowed discord—those seeds of resentment had long existed in their hearts.
Since ancient times, people had always been selfish. It was in their nature, etched into their very bones.
Even someone like Yu Yanxue—hadn’t she also started looking down on Lu Chen?
All he had done was fan the flames at the right moment, exposing the darkness already buried deep within them.
And only by doing so could he free himself from always being overshadowed.
Losing a few shadow guards was unfortunate, but the current situation was exactly what he had wanted.
If Lu Chen returned seeking revenge, all his past merits would be erased in an instant, and he would be condemned by the masses.
If he wanted peace, he would have no choice but to swallow his humiliation.
“If you don’t come back, that would be best.”
Without Lu Chen, the resources and power within the Mystic Spirit Holy Sect would eventually fall into his hands.
“When that time comes, I won’t have to put on an act anymore. I’ll finally be able to live as I please.”
Releasing his fists, Qi Ze rubbed his face, dispelling the fatigue that had crept up on him. But the cold, ruthless glint in his eyes never faded.
Lu Chen’s recovered cultivation was now undeniable.
Whether it had been a sign before he left the sect or a fortuitous encounter afterward, the result was the same—he had regained his strength.
Thinking of this made Qi Ze uneasy.
He had been too soft-hearted. If only he had finished Lu Chen off when he was at his weakest, things wouldn’t have come to this.
Now that the dragon had returned to the sea, it was too late to strike again.
Even the Northern Li Imperial Shadow Guards had failed to take Lu Chen’s life.
Clearly, this matter would have to be put on hold for now.
—
Alchemy Hall.
The scent of medicinal herbs filled the air, a fragrance that would normally calm the mind.
But Chi Lingxiao’s expression was grim, like a layer of frost had settled on her face.
Staring at the shattered pill furnace before her, her face was unreadable.
The surrounding disciples didn’t dare to breathe too loudly, let alone meet her gaze.
Another explosion.
How could this have happened again?
The prescription had been chosen by the hall master herself.
The timing had been personally calculated by her.
Even the heat control had been exact.
Yet, right before everyone’s eyes, the furnace had exploded with a deafening bang!
What went wrong?
Though none of the disciples spoke, confusion was written all over their faces.
At this moment, only the hall master herself could explain what had happened.
For a brief second, someone thought they saw Chi Lingxiao’s hands tremble.
And sure enough, her sharp voice rang out an instant later.
“Why are you all just standing there? Clean this up!”
“This happened because you weren’t focused, and you made a mistake during the refining process. That’s why the furnace exploded!”
“The prescription is flawless. Once you’re done cleaning, prepare the materials for another batch!”
Her tone was harsh, full of frustration.
The disciples scrambled into action, not daring to disobey.
Chi Lingxiao grew more and more furious, an unbearable frustration rising in her chest.
Stepping outside, her expression remained stormy.
This was the third time today!
If this continued, she—the Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall—would become a joke within the sect!
But if she didn’t try again, how would she restore her reputation?
Her mind was in turmoil.
“Clang!”
In a fit of rage, she unsheathed her sword and began slashing wildly at a patch of chrysanthemums nearby.
“Senior Sister, what’s wrong?”
“Tell me who angered you! I’ll deal with them for you!”
A gentle voice rang out as Qi Ze approached. His tone was full of concern.
Chi Lingxiao looked up and saw a handsome face right in front of her.
Dressed in immaculate white, Qi Ze had an air of refined grace, his gaze steady as he looked at her.
His concerned expression made her heartbeat quicken.
In an instant, her cheeks flushed red.
“Junior Brother, why are you here?”
“I felt a bit uneasy, so I came to check on you.”
Qi Ze’s response was direct and warm.
Chi Lingxiao felt a surge of shyness and quickly sheathed her sword.
Her setback was his concern.
Didn’t that mean… they were connected?
It seemed her Junior Brother really cared about her.
“To tell you the truth, I’ve had nothing but failures today… it’s embarrassing, but I’ve had three furnace explosions in a single day.”
The moment she spoke, she poured out all her frustration.
“What? Three explosions?”
Qi Ze looked stunned, as if he had just heard some shocking news.
Chi Lingxiao sighed helplessly.
“I don’t know what’s wrong lately. The prescriptions keep having problems.”
She didn’t say the rest out loud.
Before, every prescription she used had been checked by Lu Chen before she even started refining.
Over time, she had simply let him handle it all.
He never complained, and she had happily left the work to him.
But ever since Lu Chen left, she realized that Alchemy Hall’s work had become a struggle.
Her supposed talent in alchemy wasn’t as flawless as she had believed.
Today alone, three furnaces had exploded, and she still didn’t know why.
If she weren’t so furious, she wouldn’t have attacked those chrysanthemums in frustration.
Facing Qi Ze’s concern, Chi Lingxiao was both flustered and helpless.
“If refining is troubling you, perhaps I can help?”
“You know alchemy?”
“A little.”
“Don’t be so modest. If you say you know, then you definitely do! Let’s study the prescriptions together!”
Overjoyed, Chi Lingxiao excitedly grabbed Qi Ze’s arm.
Qi Ze didn’t pull away, though he did clear his throat lightly.
Chi Lingxiao quickly let go.
“Let’s hurry. If we refine one more batch before dark, I can finally succeed!”
—
A short while later, inside the Alchemy Hall, discussions could be heard, mingled with Chi Lingxiao’s cheerful laughter.
Soon after, she stepped outside, beaming.
“Junior Brother, your insights were enlightening! I finally see what I was missing!”
“This next batch is guaranteed to succeed!”
“It was my own mistake—I overlooked those flaws. I have much to learn!”
Her confidence was restored, while Qi Ze remained humble.
The disciples around them bowed respectfully.
Hearing that Qi Ze had spotted the flaw, their admiration for him grew.
As expected of the Sect Master’s personal disciple.
His talent was extraordinary.
If things continued like this, Qi Ze would surely become the pillar of the sect.
Everyone carefully followed the revised method, step by step.
Two hours later, the pill furnace glowed steadily, the fire burning perfectly.
The disciples held their breath, excitement in their eyes.
Chi Lingxiao was elated.
The temperature was stable—this time, it would work!
She thought of Lu Chen.
She didn’t need his guidance.
She could do this without him!
Just as that thought crossed her mind, her expression suddenly changed.
Something was wrong.
Before she could react—
“BOOM!”
A deafening explosion shattered the furnace into countless pieces.
Another… explosion.