At that moment, Master Yin and Elder Mu exchanged glances, their eyes unable to conceal the elation stirring within—they both knew that, with proper cultivation, Gu Qingli was destined for far greater things than the confines of the Gu Clan.
Yet on Gu Qingli's face, there was no sign of joy. Unshaken by the commotion around her, her young features remained solemn, her gaze fixed intently upon the cauldron.
The process was not yet complete. The medicinal essence still needed to be shaped into a pill.
The fusion remained irregular in form. She had to employ her soul power once more to knead the elixir into a perfect sphere—ensuring the medicinal properties were fully harmonized, sealed within, and no essence was allowed to dissipate. Only then would the refinement be truly complete.
The smoother the surface, the finer the texture, the rounder the form—the higher the quality of the pill. Such traits were essential criteria in determining the grade and potency of an elixir.
At last, Gu Qingli steadied herself, exhaled slowly, then extinguished the flames beneath the cauldron. She lifted the lid, and in an instant, the rich fragrance of medicine filled the great hall.
"She's done it!"
Gu Qingli retrieved a jade vial and gently tipped a single, perfectly round, milky-white pill into it. Only then did a faint smile of satisfaction bloom on her lips.
All eyes turned to the pill in disbelief—some astonished, some envious, some consumed with jealousy.
Gu Qiqi, in particular, stared at Gu Qingli as if beholding a creature from another world. Her cheeks flushed crimson, her heart roiled with envy.
Sensing the mocking glances of those around her, her face turned a mottled red and green with fury. At last, she could only stomp her foot in frustration and storm out of the hall, gritting her teeth.
Uncle An presented the freshly refined Rejuvenation Pill to Elder Mu. One glance, and Elder Mu burst into hearty laughter.
"The Sixth Miss is a prodigy of alchemy! The Gu Clan has birthed another true alchemist at last—what splendid news!"
News of Gu Qingli's success spread through the Gu household like wildfire. Such a momentous event sent the entire clan into an uproar.
Who could have imagined that the girl once dismissed for years as a mere good-for-nothing had, in a single day, ascended to become the brightest star in the Gu family?
Though most within the clan rejoiced, there were a few exceptions.
"Is it really true?"
Patriarch Gu Yifeng was undoubtedly the most delighted of all. His usually stern face now bloomed with unrestrained laughter.
Though he had once failed to recognize a jewel for what it was—mistaking a pearl for mere glass—Gu Qingli had still managed to reach such heights without any aid from the family.
Had she never returned to the clan that year, he would be pounding his chest in regret by now.
Elder Mu, brimming with excitement, reported to the patriarch.
"Of course it's true. I witnessed every moment with my own eyes. Though still unpolished in technique, the Sixth Miss possesses an impressively deep reservoir of soul power. Master Yin even confided to me that her talent may well surpass his own in his youth."
"And to succeed on her very first attempt—the quality of the pill is excellent! Her aptitude for alchemy is exceptional!"
Gu Yifeng laughed heartily, pride radiating from every feature. If the Gu Clan could claim an alchemist of their own, even the most powerful factions in Loulan City would have to show them due deference.
No one would dare offend an alchemist—a silent law that governed all of Shengu Continent.
After all, the influence of an alchemist was immense. To befriend one was to gain unending benefit.
"Oh, right! Is the Grand Martial Pill ready? If so, deliver it to Qingli immediately!"
Gu Yifeng's attitude toward Gu Qingli had become nothing short of indulgent.
"At once! The tournament is less than a month away. With this, she might advance another star—there's a real chance she could take the championship," Elder Mu said, barely containing his excitement. The Gu Clan hadn't basked in such glory for a long time.
"And… when will the Patriarch address the family formally?" he added, his voice lowering slightly, face tinged with awkwardness—for he knew that a public apology would not be easy to deliver.