Chapter 272: Blown Furnace

"A furnace explosion?" Hall Master Feng and the others involuntarily clenched their fists.

A furnace explosion is the most terrifying occurrence during alchemy, happening when an alchemist loses control over the medicinal ingredients' power, leading to an uncontrollable situation.

Once an explosion occurs, all the ingredients in the furnace are destroyed, and the failure to produce a pill is a minor concern. More critically, the entire cauldron is ruined, and the alchemist themselves might sustain injuries.

The higher the grade of the pill, the more volatile its inherent energy, making it more susceptible to explosions.

If Miss Mo Yu were a two-star alchemist at the Grandmaster realm, she might have been able to reverse the situation by using her power and control over the ingredients to suppress the boiling energy. However, with the cauldron now shaking uncontrollably, it was clear that an explosion was imminent and unavoidable.

"Has it failed?" Hall Master Feng's expression was grim.

He knew the Scorching Yang Pill was crucial for the Iron-toothed Roaring Beast. If successfully refined and administered, it could enhance the beast's Yang-attribute energy, potentially allowing it to complete its bloodline evolution and experience a dramatic surge in power. Failure, however, meant it might never awaken, facing certain death.

Previously, he had held a glimmer of hope for Miss Mo Yu's alchemy, guided by Master Zhang. However, witnessing the violently boiling cauldron now, he knew that hope had dwindled to almost nothing. A furnace explosion and the destruction of the pill were inevitable, beyond anyone's ability to alter.

"It's over..." Yun Tao's face paled, as he too had not anticipated this result.

Although he hadn't spent much time with the young man, the latter's apparent omnipotence and consistently confident smile had left a deep impression on Yun Tao. Could it be that Senior Zhang Xuan, who seemed capable of overcoming any challenge, was about to completely fail at alchemy?

Unlike the others' tension, Zhu Jinhuang and Zhou Xuan exchanged cold smiles.

"Didn't he act all high and mighty just now, claiming he'd guide her alchemy and guarantee success?" they thought. "Pah! Now that the furnace is exploding, let's see what he has to say. So young, yet acting like he knows everything. We'll see how we mock him later."

Disregarding the crowd's tension, Zhang Xuan also frowned.

This Miss Mo Yu was truly unreliable, becoming distracted at such a critical moment. He genuinely wondered how she had ever qualified as an alchemist.

Even though the ingredient was added only half a breath off, it shattered the delicate balance he had painstakingly maintained.

A slight deviation can lead to a huge error.

While a skilled alchemist could use their power to forcibly suppress volatile medicinal properties, Miss Mo Yu, being only a one-star alchemist, lacked this ability. She relied solely on maintaining the precise balance between ingredients during refinement. Now that an error had occurred, if not rectified immediately, all their previous efforts would be for naught.

"Steady your mind, don't panic, don't retreat!" Zhang Xuan barked, his face darkening, as he saw Miss Mo Yu instinctively wanting to step back from the cauldron, which seemed ready to explode at any moment.

Retreating now was absolutely forbidden; once she stepped back, the cauldron would lose control, and an explosion would be inevitable.

"I..." Miss Mo Yu's face flushed.

"What? Are you scared? I shouldn't have asked for your help then; even an apprentice wouldn't have caused this situation!" Zhang Xuan scoffed.

"You..." Miss Mo Yu bristled.

Her proud and unyielding nature allowed her to excel in multiple professions, earning her the reputation of a genius in the eyes of others.

While she had been filled with hesitation at the sight of the impending explosion, hearing him declare that seeking her help was a mistake and that even an apprentice would be better ignited a furious spark within her.

If she retreated now, wouldn't she be mocked mercilessly later?

Gritting her teeth, her retreating footsteps abruptly halted. "What do I do now?"

Zhang Xuan, knowing his provocation had worked, continued to instruct, "Throw the remaining White Yang Leaf and Spirit Yang Vine in together!"

"Throw them all in?" Miss Mo Yu was startled. The power was already uncontrollable, and adding more Yang-attribute ingredients would surely make the explosion even more thorough. This was completely against standard alchemy practices...

A typical furnace explosion would merely shatter the cauldron. However, adding these two ingredients would not only cause the cauldron to explode but also unleash a torrent of searing energy that could easily leave her severely injured! Could this guy be taking personal revenge, intentionally trying to harm her...?

"Quick!" Zhang Xuan urged, raising an eyebrow.

"Alright!" Unexpectedly, he had scolded her. Her face darkened, and she gritted her teeth. "So what if I die! Even severe injury is better than being mocked by this guy!" With a nod, she flicked her wrist, and the last two Yang-attribute ingredients entered the cauldron.

Boom! As expected, with the addition of the two potent Yang-attribute ingredients, the entire cauldron shook even more violently.

If it had seemed likely to explode before, now it was 100% certain. The cauldron clearly could no longer withstand the pressure; cracks had already appeared on its walls.

"Everyone, step back..." Hall Master Feng's expression was grave. A surge of True Qi erupted from his body, forming a protective barrier in front of them.

Knowing the danger of a furnace explosion, everyone retreated in unison. All were on high alert, preparing for the worst.

Creak, creak! The cracks on the cauldron walls widened, and the furious energy intensified, seemingly reaching its breaking point.

"Add Green Toad Grass, Crape Myrtle Flower..." Zhang Xuan continued to instruct, his face still devoid of panic.

Knowing she had no choice but to obey, Miss Mo Yu turned, grabbed the neutralizing ingredients he specified, and threw them into the cauldron.

At this point, all ingredients had been added. With their addition, the cauldron boiled even more violently, and the scorching heat warped the air. Everyone watching couldn't help but wipe away cold sweat, their hearts tightening with involuntary tension.

"Double the heat!" Zhang Xuan continued.

"Double the heat?" Miss Mo Yu clenched her delicate fists. It was already unbearable; increasing the heat now was like adding fuel to a raging fire!

However, having made her decision, she no longer hesitated. True Qi surged wildly from her palms. Whoosh!

Propelled by her True Qi, the flames instantly doubled in intensity, and the scorching inferno immediately enveloped the entire cauldron.

Crack! Crack! Crack! The impact of the medicinal power inside the cauldron was already immense, and the cauldron was already struggling to hold. With the flames now intensified, how could it possibly endure? A series of crackling sounds erupted as the previously fine cracks suddenly widened...

"It exploded!" A cry of alarm erupted from the crowd as the cracked cauldron, unable to withstand the pressure any longer, burst with a thunderous "Boom!" A scorching wave of air instantly shot skyward, and the formerly sturdy and heavy cauldron shattered into pieces that flew outward in all directions.

"It's over..." Miss Mo Yu, still infusing True Qi, was caught off guard by the sudden explosion. She had no time to react or even escape before a massive pressure wave slammed into her.

The pressure wave was laced with fragments of the cauldron. If struck, even with her considerable strength, she would undoubtedly be severely injured.

"It's over; I've truly been harmed by this guy..." Her heart sank. Knowing there was no escape, she could only circulate her True Qi to protect her vital points.

Just as she resigned herself to inevitable severe injury, a figure abruptly appeared before her. Boom, boom, boom! The violent energy wave fully erupted, but the figure stood motionless in front of her, like a colossal mountain, bearing the brunt of all attacks.

"Zhang Xuan..." At that moment, she recognized him: the very person she had disliked! He had stepped in front of her the instant of the explosion, blocking the entire impact... Her eyes reddened slightly.

She hadn't expected that despite his harsh words, he acted without the slightest hesitation. Zhu Jinhuang, Zhou Xuan, and Yun Tao had all claimed they would do anything for her, yet when the crucial moment arrived, they did nothing. It was this harsh-spoken individual who stepped forward to shield her.

When the smoke and dust cleared, the cauldron that had once stood tall was now a pile of shattered iron, with charcoal embers scattered everywhere. Zhang Xuan stood before the exploded cauldron, having shielded Miss Mo Yu from all attacks. He was a mess—his clothes torn and his face blackened.

"Are you alright?" Hall Master Feng and the others approached.

"I'm fine!" Zhang Xuan shook his head. His Heaven's Path Golden Body, combined with Heaven's Path True Qi, had long rendered his defense comparable to steel. Although the furnace explosion was powerful, it had only caused superficial injuries, leaving him fundamentally unharmed.

"It's good that you're alright... If it truly cannot be refined, I will immediately send someone to the Northern Void Kingdom to seek the help of Alchemist Wang Xing," Hall Master Feng reassured him.

Alchemist Wang Xing was the President of the Alchemist Guild in the Northern Void Kingdom and a peak two-star alchemist. While it was difficult for others to secure his services, Hall Master Feng had a personal acquaintance with him and they held equal status, making it relatively less challenging to request his help.

"No need..." Zhang Xuan shook his head, about to speak, when Zhu Jinhuang and Zhou Xuan rushed over, hastily helping Miss Mo Yu to her feet, their faces etched with concern.

"Miss Mo Yu, you're not hurt, are you...?" Miss Mo Yu shook her head, a hint of disappointment on her face, seeing them only just approaching. The entire impact of the furnace explosion had been blocked by the young man; she was merely startled and had sustained no injuries.

"It's all this guy's fault! He claimed to guide alchemy, acting so impressive, and look at the result! Not only did the furnace explode, but he also nearly injured Miss Mo Yu. If anything serious had happened to her, could you have taken responsibility?" they demanded. "Alchemy is not child's play that can be taught with mere instructions! Do you think you're a renowned master? Even a renowned master wouldn't dare claim to guide a one-star alchemist in refining a second-grade pill. You truly don't know your place!"

"Shut up!" Miss Mo Yu's face darkened, already disappointed in the two, and their incessant chattering only fueled her anger.

"Miss Mo Yu..." They hadn't expected their attempt to defend her to backfire so spectacularly. Just as they were about to explain, their "goddess" took two steps towards Zhang Xuan, her face full of apology. "The pill failed because of my mistake," she said. "If necessary, we can try refining it again. This time, I promise I won't get distracted!"

"It's fine!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand, completely unconcerned.

"Thank you for shielding me from the furnace explosion just now," Miss Mo Yu said, her voice filled with a fresh wave of guilt as she saw his unconcerned expression. "No man has ever done anything like that for me before. I understand your intentions..."

"Cough, cough, hold on! You're overthinking this... I wasn't shielding you from the furnace explosion's power!" Zhang Xuan shook his head, extending his hand to reveal several perfectly round pills resting in his palm. "I was collecting the pills that had just been refined!"