When word spread that Gu Qingli was about to attempt her first live alchemical trial, a chorus of scornful mockery erupted.
Among the apprentices of the Pill Refining Hall, Gu Qiqi was undoubtedly the sharpest-tongued. Though she was of similar age to Gu Qingli and the granddaughter of Elder Lei, her own cultivation talent was mediocre—only her soul power was passable.
Yet even after more than three months of training, she had failed to attain the rank of a First-Grade Alchemist, and had not even acquired her own cauldron. The fact that Gu Qingli, by contrast, had been gifted the exquisite Linglong Cauldron by the clan head gnawed bitterly at her pride.
"Hah! Just look at her, she's clearly nothing more than a hollow vessel. Not everyone is fit to become an alchemist—it's pure delusion!" Gu Qiqi sneered as she caught sight of Gu Qingli.
"But she's no longer the fool she used to be. Do you really think a twelve-year-old Martial Warrior counts as a failure?" someone murmured in rebuttal.
Though Gu Qingli's reputation as a good-for-nothing had once been deeply ingrained, few still dared to believe it now.
Gu Qingli merely cast a cold glance at Gu Qiqi, noting the jealousy and indignation that twisted her youthful features, but chose not to waste words on her.
With practiced ease, she selected a dozen portions of herbs from the medicine chest. Her gaze fell upon the ancient and elegant Linglong Cauldron, and she felt a surge of quiet confidence.
Today, she would attempt to refine the Restoration Pill, a low-grade medicinal pellet with effects similar to trauma salves, though far more potent. It was particularly favored among mercenaries.
Fortunately, Uncle An had already prepared the necessary ingredients, and after three days of study, Gu Qingli had memorized the refining sequence. What remained now depended entirely on her comprehension and control.
After igniting the cauldron, a stream of bluish-yellow flame flowed through two small vents at its base, giving the illusion of a mythical beast inhaling fire—lively and fierce.
She channeled her soul power into the fire, stabilizing its intensity and precisely governing its direction, strength, and area of effect—fundamentals upon which every alchemist's success depended.
Gu Qingli exercised the utmost caution, knowing that failure at this stage meant not only the loss of this batch but the inability to even be considered a true alchemist.
Fortunately, this ordinary flame was the lowest grade of fire used in alchemy, well within the range of what her soul strength could bear.
She was aware of the existence of Heavenly Flames—extraordinary sources of fire ideal for pill refinement—but with her current means, such things remained out of reach.
As time passed, a sheen of perspiration appeared on her forehead. Her expression was composed and focused, her phoenix-dark eyes glowing like stars suspended in the night sky.
A crowd of apprentices had gathered around, watching the Sixth Miss's first live trial. Gu Qiqi stood among them, gloating internally, anticipating Gu Qingli's failure with ill-concealed delight.
Most onlookers shared her doubt. Alchemy was notoriously difficult, requiring years of practice and countless failures before one could be deemed worthy of the title. For someone like Gu Qingli—barely three days into her training—to succeed on her first attempt seemed absurd.
But as Gu Qingli's soul force enveloped the flame, it began to lash out violently, flaring and twisting like a wild beast in rebellion.
Yet, her spirit was unyielding. Pouring more soul power into the fire, she gradually subdued it. The once-wild flame softened, its movements tamed, and at last, it burned with calm consistency.
A murmur of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
"How is this possible?"
"She did it on the first try?"
"Incredible… simply extraordinary!"
"No way! How could that useless girl succeed on the first attempt? It must be pure luck!"
Gu Qiqi stared in disbelief at the obedient flame within the Linglong Cauldron. She remembered all too well the hundred failed attempts it had taken her just to achieve that very control.