The Art of Chaotic Divinity

Chapter 98: Who is this Expert?

"Elder Li, since you're a fifth-grade alchemist, could you assist me in verifying whether this pill indeed possesses medicinal properties?"

Yuan Qiansheng examined the pill repeatedly, yet he hesitated to consume it.

"Perhaps it's wiser for me to not assess it. Ling Feng's alchemical prowess surpasses my understanding. I wouldn't be able to decipher the pills he refined." Elder Li chuckled inwardly. "However, I have a hunch they should be effective. Why not give it a taste test first?"

"Why don't you taste it yourself?"

Yuan Qiansheng shot Elder Li a glare, his brow furrowed deeply. The foul odor emanating from the pill made him wish he could toss it directly into a sewer!

After a moment of hesitation, Yuan Qiansheng turned on his heels and strode into the Yunling Hall. He ascended all the way to the fifth floor, then proceeded to enter a secluded alchemy chamber nestled at the deepest end.

"President Yun, do you have a moment?"

Yuan Qiansheng approached the door of the alchemy chamber, bowing respectfully inside. His demeanor was noticeably more deferential than when facing Wen Tingguang.

"Ah, it's Qiansheng!"

In the alchemy chamber, an elderly man with snow-white hair but a remarkably youthful appearance sat immersed in the study of ancient texts. Upon hearing Yuan Qiansheng's voice, he nodded slightly and said, "Please, come in. I'm not busy at the moment."

This white-haired elder was none other than Yun Danqing, the chief alchemist of the Cangqiong Sect and one of the honorary vice-presidents of the Imperial Alchemist Guild in the capital.

He was a sixth-grade alchemist, widely regarded as the foremost grandmaster of alchemy in the entire Tianbai Empire.

Rumors circulated that the imperial family had attempted to recruit him numerous times with lavish offers, only to be consistently rebuffed by Yun Danqing, who remained singularly focused on researching various exotic and peculiar pills within the Cangqiong Sect.

However, he held a significant position within the alchemist community of the Tianbai Empire, with the power to influence the dynamics of alchemy circles with a single word or action.

Yuan Qiansheng's current achievements in alchemy owed much to the guidance he had received from Yun Danqing.

Their relationship could be characterized as both mentorship and friendship.

"President Yun, I have a favor to ask today. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare disturb your research," Yuan Qiansheng said respectfully. Over time, Yun Danqing had often crafted remedies to dispel malevolent cold qi for him, easing his ailment.

Hence, Yuan Qiansheng held Yun Danqing in particularly high regard.

"Oh?" Yun Danqing finally lifted his head, casting a discerning gaze at Yuan Qiansheng before emitting a deep sigh. "Your body's malevolent cold qi has resurfaced, hasn't it? Alas, I am merely an alchemist. If true recovery is what you seek, perhaps you should seek out those divine imperial physicians."

"Hmph, those divine imperial physicians! They are nothing but arrogant. How many of them are truly capable?" A glimmer of resentment flashed in Yuan Qiansheng's eyes. "I've said it before, even if I were to succumb to illness, I would never seek aid from those so-called Daoist physicians."

With a clenched fist, he took a deep breath and continued, "I haven't come here today to request pills to suppress the malevolent qi. Instead, I have acquired a pill capable of dispelling the malevolent cold qi within my body. Therefore, I'd like to ask for your appraisal."

"Oh?" Yun Danqing's eyes brightened with interest. "The malevolent cold qi within your body is indeed extraordinary. It has permeated your organs, even your blood and marrow. Completely eradicating it is an incredibly daunting task. Has someone managed to refine such a pill? I must examine it closely to see who possesses the skill to create such a pill."

Yun Danqing was secretly astonished. Though not a Daoist, as a grandmaster alchemist, his medical knowledge far surpassed that of an ordinary physician. The fact that someone could create a pill to expel the malevolent qi from Yuan Qiansheng's body suggested that their alchemy skills might even surpass his own.

Surely, they must be a senior with a sage-like demeanor.

Who could this esteemed individual be?

Yuan Qiansheng's mouth twitched slightly as he remembered that Ling Feng was just a teenager, making him feel somewhat embarrassed to bring it up.

"It doesn't matter. Could you please check the properties of this pill for me? Something seems off to me." With that, Yuan Qiansheng took out a porcelain bottle from his pocket, and as soon as he opened it, a foul smell immediately wafted out.

Immediately, Yun Danqing frowned. "Is this supposed to be a pill or a dog..."

He stopped mid-sentence, realizing that while most pills were supposed to be fragrant, there were exceptions, and some pills indeed had unpleasant odors.

Yuan Qiansheng then retrieved the pill, revealing its pockmarked surface. Not only was it lacking in fullness, but it also bore a completely irregular shape, resembling a lump of snot...

Yun Danqing hesitated briefly, then took the pill, giving it a skeptical glance before shaking his head with a derisive chuckle. "Qiansheng, you've been deceived. Can this even be called a pill? As a third-grade alchemist, you shouldn't have trouble discerning such crude alchemy."

"Huh?" Yuan Qiansheng paused, feeling uncertain. "But that person did manage to produce high-quality pills, even ancient ones. It shouldn't be..."

"Hmm? Hold on..." Yun Danqing suddenly interrupted Yuan Qiansheng, studying the pill in his hand with a hint of doubt. "Wait a moment, let me check some information."

"Checking information?" Yuan Qiansheng looked at Yun Danqing with confusion. Yun Danqing was arguably the most formidable alchemist he had ever encountered, surpassing almost everyone in the entire Tianbai Empire. Could it be that even he wasn't certain about the properties of this pill?

Yun Danqing walked over to a nearby row of bookshelves and began rummaging through them, muttering to himself, "Hmm, I recall encountering a highly peculiar alchemical method once. There were some similar records. Pills don't necessarily have to be round. These irregular pills, with their pockmarked appearance, might be due to the neutralization of various toxins, hence the irregularities."

"Wait a moment, let me search carefully!"

Yuan Qiansheng froze, clutching the pill in his hand, his expression one of disbelief. "Could it be that the kid's alchemy skills are even surpassing the President's...?"

After an extensive search, Yun Danqing finally uncovered a yellowed ancient book hidden in the corner of the cabinet. With eager anticipation, he flipped through its pages and burst into laughter, exclaiming, "Indeed, it's this alchemical method! Haha, Qiansheng, it seems the alchemist refined the pill using several materials mixed with potent toxins, right?"

"Yes, yes, indeed, it contains various potent toxins." Yuan Qiansheng nodded vigorously.

"That's right!" Yun Danqing nodded in agreement. "The pill you're holding is called the Malevolent Elemental Pill, isn't it? How did I overlook using this method to enhance the Malevolent Elemental Pill? Haha, with this pill, the Yin and cold malevolent energy in your body won't be a concern anymore!"

"Really?" Yuan Qiansheng blinked in disbelief, gazing at the pill in his hand before looking up at Yun Danqing.

"Indeed, I am one hundred percent certain." Yun Danqing nodded, "You're incredibly fortunate this time. Otherwise, if you hadn't eradicated the root of this illness, there would be little hope for further progress in your lifetime."

Upon hearing Yun Danqing's assurance, Yuan Qiansheng hesitated no longer. He immediately gulped down the pill. The pill smoothly went down his throat, emitting a warm sensation from his abdomen. There was no foul odor, but instead, a hint of rich fragrance wafted out.

"What a miraculous pill!" Yuan Qiansheng had never imagined that there could be such an extraordinary alchemy technique in the world.

"Indeed, there are talents beyond comparison." Yun Danqing's face revealed a hint of admiration. "Qiansheng, where is this master? May I pay my respects to him?"

"Pay respects..." Yun Danqing's reverent expression startled Yuan Qiansheng. "President, what do you mean?"

"Don't you understand? Whoever can refine such a pill must be at least a sixth-grade alchemist, undoubtedly more skilled than me! Shouldn't we pay respects to such a senior expert?"

"Senior? Expert?" Yuan Qiansheng's jaw nearly dropped to the floor.

How could a young kid of seventeen or eighteen become the revered senior expert in Yun Danqing's eyes?