Chapter 109: Calm Heart Pill

"Excellent!""Meng Yan's technique has reached a state of perfection!""Indeed, if anyone can find a flaw in this technique, I'll twist my own head off!"

As Zhang Xuan observed, the other alchemists also focused their gaze on Meng Yan as he refined the pill, nodding in approval as they watched. They recognized the technique Meng Yan was using; it wasn't obscure, and they had all used it themselves. Precisely because of its familiarity, it had fewer flaws. Even they couldn't spot a single error in his execution. Everything was done strictly according to the rules, flowing smoothly without the slightest mistake.

"President Ouyang, can he... can he really identify the technique and its flaws?"Wen Xue, who had brought Zhang Xuan over, had not left. She stood behind Ouyang Cheng and couldn't help but ask. She wasn't even an apprentice and couldn't understand the intricacies of alchemy. She only hoped that the president, standing before her, might see something.

"Flaws?" Ouyang Cheng shook his head. "To be honest, this technique of Meng Yan's has been used in alchemy for over three hundred years. Countless people have practiced it. Even if there were errors, they would have been corrected long ago. At my level, anyway, I can't see anything!""You can't even see anything?"Wen Xue covered her mouth in surprise.

Ouyang Cheng was the most skilled alchemist in the Tianxuan Kingdom's Alchemist Guild, having already reached the mid-level of one-star. If he couldn't see any flaws, how could Zhang Xuan, who had only just become an apprentice, possibly see them?

Moments later, the pill-making flame diminished. Meng Yan's large hand grasped the cauldron, and as it opened, a rich herbal fragrance instantly wafted forth. The pills were complete! Meng Yan gently pinched and retrieved three pills from the alchemy furnace. They were about the size of dragon eyes, each plump and perfectly round, exuding a unique luster.

"Excellent, excellent! As expected of Alchemist Meng Yan. Not only did he successfully form the pills, but they also reached the 'full' grade! Impressive, truly impressive!"Seeing the pills in his palm, everyone couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Pills are categorized into four grades based on their efficacy and appearance after refinement: Formed Pill, Full, Perfect, and Pill Vein. For a typical one-star early-stage alchemist, successfully forming a first-grade pill is already commendable. Achieving the 'full and rounded' state is considered an exceptional performance.

"Hmph, kid, my pills are done. Tell me, what technique did I just use, and what flaws does it have?"Meng Yan returned to his chair and looked coldly at Zhang Xuan.

Hearing his challenge, the others also turned their attention to Zhang Xuan, curious to see what astounding words this arrogant young man would utter. They expected him to speak immediately, but instead, they saw him gaze upward at a forty-five-degree angle, a faint melancholy on his face, as he slowly shook his head and let out a sigh: "Alas!""Speak quickly if you have something to say, or just let it out!"

Seeing the young man still putting on airs, Meng Yan clenched his fists in anger and slammed his fist onto the table in front of him. Bang! His immense strength, coupled with his fury, caused immediate cracks to appear on the table, threatening to shatter it at any moment.

"Since you're not embarrassed, I'll begin then!"Seeing that the moment was right, Zhang Xuan lowered his gaze to meet Meng Yan's. "If I'm not mistaken, you were refining the Quieting Heart Pill, commonly used by cultivators, right?""That's right!" Meng Yan nodded. Identifying the pill type was easy for any alchemist and wasn't considered a remarkable skill.

"The technique is the Ten Styles of Tranquil Water!" Zhang Xuan continued."This... that's correct! It is the Ten Styles of Tranquil Water. This technique is best for refining the Quieting Heart Pill. It's not particularly impressive that you recognized it!"

Meng Yan was slightly surprised that the other party named it instantly, but he didn't dwell on it. The Ten Styles of Tranquil Water is a special technique for refining the Quieting Heart Pill, reportedly created by an alchemist while observing the still waters in a mountain stream. The entire technique is delicate and calm, without much violent fluctuation, flowing like a quiet stream. It perfectly complements the refinement of the Quieting Heart Pill, making it easy to form the pill. It was not uncommon to deduce that a Quieting Heart Pill was being refined and then guess the technique was the Ten Styles of Tranquil Water.

"It may not be much," Zhang Xuan said with a slight wave of his hand, his voice growing stern, "but unfortunately, you've distorted the Ten Styles of Tranquil Water beyond recognition, losing its original essence!""Distorted beyond recognition? Nonsense! If it were distorted beyond recognition, how could I have refined a Quieting Heart Pill, and one that's even at the 'full' grade?" Meng Yan scoffed.

"Since you don't believe me, I'll explain!" Zhang Xuan took two steps forward, picked up a pill, and held it between his fingers in his palm, surveying the room. "Can anyone tell me what effect this pill has?"

"The Quieting Heart Pill is a first-grade pill that helps cultivators calm their minds and prevent stray thoughts. Pills of this level are effective for cultivators below the Martial Artist Eighth-stage Grandmaster realm, making it one of the best-selling pills in the guild!" Wen Xue, who was standing to the side, explained. As a guild attendant who sold various pills, she knew a great deal about the Quieting Heart Pill.

"That's well said. This pill indeed helps cultivators calm their minds!" Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction. "Unfortunately, the one Alchemist Meng Yan refined has no such effect! Not only that, but if someone consumes it, they might even suffer qi deviation!""You're spouting nonsense..." Meng Yan's face darkened. The other party was openly questioning his pills, which was akin to slapping him in the face.

"Don't rush to explain; let me finish what I have to say!" Ignoring the other man's roar, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and continued, "If this pill had been refined by Alchemist Meng Yan yesterday, I certainly wouldn't say this. Unfortunately, the time is not yesterday, but today, and this pill is destined to be scrap!"

"Yesterday? Today?""What's the difference?""Young man, explain yourself clearly. Don't be so mysterious!"Hearing Zhang Xuan's words, everyone was confused and couldn't help but exclaim.

"I'll explain it to you then! Refining pills isn't just about technique and skill; it's even more about one's state of mind! Only by infusing one's spirit into the pill can its medicinal effects be maximized! The Quieting Heart Pill, in particular, requires a calm and peaceful state of mind to be refined flawlessly! As you all just saw, Alchemist Meng Yan is irritable and easily provoked. With such a fiery disposition, how could he possibly refine a Quieting Heart Pill that soothes the mind?"As Zhang Xuan spoke, he lightly touched the table in front of Meng Yan. The table, which had been cracked by Meng Yan's punch earlier, could no longer withstand the pressure and shattered instantly. Witnessing this scene, everyone present shivered.

Indeed, alchemy was greatly influenced by one's state of mind, and refining a Quieting Heart Pill under such agitated circumstances was certainly ill-advised."Of course, an irritable temper alone wouldn't necessarily ruin the pill. More importantly... Alchemist Meng Yan, you carry killing intent within you. If I'm not mistaken, you must have killed someone just this morning. Moreover, your aura carries resentment, presumably from being betrayed by someone you trusted. This resentment and killing intent, even a trace of it, when infused into a Quieting Heart Pill, becomes very serious for the cultivator who consumes it, making them highly susceptible to qi deviation and potentially fatal harm!" Zhang Xuan stated.

"You... you..." Meng Yan staggered, his face instantly turning deathly pale as if he had seen a ghost.