But Xu Ping now doesn't have Earth Fire, so he can only choose to use the array to ignite flames, though it consumes Spirit Stones.

After about half an hour, the Pill Furnace was sufficiently preheated, the purple-red body of the furnace faintly glowing with red light, and Xu Ping felt an astonishing high temperature.

He knew the preheating was complete, so he quickly formed a Magic Technique, and a wisp of Mana was injected into the small furnace. The furnace trembled, the lid flew up, revealing the round opening.

Xu Ping lightly moved his forefinger, the Storage Ring shimmered, and several jade boxes appeared in the air. They contained the Spirit Medicine needed to refine Qi Refining Pills.

He pointed at the jade boxes, each one opened, using Spiritual Power to levitate a Spirit Medicine above the furnace opening, slowly entering the furnace. With another gesture of Magic Technique, the furnace lid flew back, covering the opening.

Xu Ping's Divine Sense penetrated inside the furnace, carefully adjusting the size and temperature of the flame to extract the essence of the Spirit Medicine.

Afterwards, Xu Ping continuously formed Magic Techniques, following the Spirit Gathering Pill recipe requirements, inserting each Spirit Medicine, merging the extracted essence into marble-sized orbs, beginning the pill condensation.

Time slowly passed, and the small furnace gradually emitted strands of medicinal fragrance, invigorating anyone who smelled it.

Xu Ping's face was expressionless, but his heart was somewhat excited.

He formed a Magic Technique in his hand, sending out a white light to the array, making the flames slowly extinguish, and then controlled the furnace lid to slowly rise.

As the furnace lid opened, a rich pill fragrance wafted out, refreshing the senses.

At the bottom of the furnace lay two light blue Pills.

"It's done!"

Xu Ping's face broke into a smile.

After spending so much time, the Qi Refining Pill was finally refined!

He finally became a Second-stage Lower Grade Alchemist.

Xu Ping reached out, grabbing in the void, and the two Qi Refining Pills flew from the furnace bottom into his hand.

He held the Pills and sniffed them at the tip of his nose.

"The pill fragrance is rich with a hint of spice, indeed Qi Refining Pills!" Xu Ping's smile widened, feeling even more joyful.

He carefully sealed the two Qi Refining Pills in a Jade Bottle.

After storing the Qi Refining Pills, he opened the proficiency panel.

[Entry Level in Qi Refining Pill: 1/100]

"On the list! Once proficiency increases, I can start the earning plan!" Seeing the Qi Refining Pill listed, Xu Ping secretly anticipated.

...

...

Night falls.

Cultivation room.

Xu Ping swallowed the Qi Refining Pill, silently cultivating.

Two hours later.

Xu Ping opened his eyes, slowly pressing his hands down, ending a cycle of cultivation.

He checked the proficiency panel.

[Realm: Early-Stage Foundation Establishment: 2/100]

"Whew, at last some breakthrough." Xu Ping exhaled a deep breath: "It took half a year just to increase by one point, truly not easy!"

It had been half a year since the Cultivation Technique transition completed, and even with Qi Refining Pill assistance, progress was extremely slow.

Despite slow progress, he wasn't discouraged, knowing that as Cultivation Technique level advances, the pace is bound to accelerate.

His gaze shifted lower, landing on the Cultivation Technique.

[Cultivation Technique: Entry Level in Longevity Skill: 89/100]

"Almost there, just 11 points shy of breaking through proficiency level!"

...

A month later.

Xu Zhixuan's residence.

"Fellow Daoist Xu looks so happy today; did something good happen?" Xu Zhixuan asked with a smile.

Xu Zhixuan was also a Loose Cultivator Guest Minister, known for his frank personality.

Among the Foundation Establishment cultivators of 'Qiu Xuan Mountain,' Xu Ping had a good relationship with him.

"A few days ago, I successfully refined the Qi Refining Pill!" Xu Ping replied with a beaming smile.

"What!"

Xu Zhixuan's face showed shock, "Fellow Daoist Xu refined the Qi Refining Pill?"

Though he had long heard Xu Ping was attempting to refine a Second-stage Pill, truly succeeding was still surprising.

Foundation Establishment Cultivators have Divine Sense, greatly enhancing all cultivation arts, but only relatively speaking.

First Rank arts can generally succeed with time investment, but the Second-stage poses significant difficulty.

Without talent, even Divine Sense is no use.

"Lucky, lucky!" Xu Ping smiled.

"Daoist is humble; having become a Second-stage Alchemist, your path will be much smoother than mine. Considering your young age, reaching Golden Core isn't impossible." Xu Zhixuan spoke with envy.

"Thank you for the good wishes!" Xu Ping replied with a smile.

After some more casual chatting, Xu Ping bid farewell and returned home.

"Now that I've gained initial fame, just wait for time to ferment it."

...

...

A month later.

Xu Ping didn't see other Foundation Establishment cultivators seeking Pills, but rather received the Sect Leader's senior disciple's summon.

"Senior, the Sect Leader's senior disciple requests your presence," a Qi Refinement disciple respectfully said.

"Understood." Xu Ping nodded, wondering the purpose behind the Sect Leader's senior disciple's invitation.

"Could it be a Guest Minister mission? The timing seems about right."

"Hope the task doesn't take too much time."

Having joined 'Qiu Xuan Mountain' and enjoyed free Cultivation Techniques and residence, fulfilling tasks was expected.

Gathering his thoughts, Xu Pin stood up and headed towards the grand hall.

...

Not long after.

Xu Ping reached the grand hall, where besides Hongyi, an elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator was present.

This elderly cultivator carried a heavy air of old age, evidently lacking many years left to live.

"Greetings to Sect Leader's senior disciple and Master Lie Alchemist," Xu Ping bowed.

This old Foundation Establishment was named Lie and was 'Qiu Xuan Mountain's' sole Second-stage Upper Grade Alchemist, with a status vaguely surpassing Hongyi.

In 'Qiu Xuan Mountain,' he was second only to the Golden Core ancestor.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, sit." Hongyi warmly invited Xu Ping to sit.

After Xu Ping sat down, they chatted briefly, while Master Lie Alchemist silently sat aside.

"I wonder what the Sect Leader's senior disciple seeks me for?" After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Ping couldn't help but ask.

"Nothing major." Hongyi smiled slightly, "I heard Fellow Daoist Xu has successfully refined the Qi Refining Pill; is it true?"

At this moment, Master Lie Alchemist's gaze also fell on Xu Ping.

"Yes, luckily succeeded recently." Xu Ping nodded.

Being the Sect Leader's senior disciple, the highest authority in 'Qiu Xuan Mountain' after the Golden Core ancestor, knowing disclosed matters was entirely normal.

Hearing that, Hongyi's smile widened further, he paused to organize words then said, "I wonder if Fellow Daoist Xu could demonstrate refining a batch of Qi Refining Pills in front of me and Master Lie Alchemist?"

"I've already prepared the materials."

Upon hearing this, Xu Ping's expression shifted, and he had a certain guess in his heart.

"Of course, it's possible." He smiled and nodded, "However, my little Alchemy before Master Lie Alchemist is entirely like showing off, hoping Master Lie can offer guidance."

"Mm."

Master Lie Alchemist nodded.

"In that case, Fellow Daoist Xu, please proceed to the side hall for refining, as there is more space now."

Hongyi led the two through the corridor to a side hall, where faint light dots shimmered on the stone walls, evidently concealed by an array.

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