After a long moment, Master Xing stood up and bowed deeply to Shen Haoran. This was both an apology and a display of his profound admiration.

By successfully refining an elixir with a Pill Cloud, Shen Haoran had made a myth of the Alchemy Realm into reality. At this point, even if Shen Haoran had killed Master Xing’s family, Master Xing would still have bowed to him. In the face of a Pill Cloud, all other feelings were as fleeting as smoke.

"The victor has been decided. I admit defeat. I will leave the Celestial Martial Auction House and devote myself to studying the art of Alchemy!" Master Xing said, having completely shed his pride.

Hearing this, Luo Xiaowen chuckled and said, "There’s no need for that, Elder Xing. Little Brother Haoran was just teasing you. If you don’t mind, please stay at the Celestial Martial Auction House!"

Luo Xiaowen’s words made Master Xing’s eyes light up, but he then grew hesitant. He looked toward Shen Haoran, as if seeking his approval.

"I don’t mind either way. Let’s do as Sister Xiaowen says," Shen Haoran said nonchalantly. At the same time, he was inwardly cheering for Luo Xiaowen’s move. ’With just a few simple words, she’s won over a Fifth Grade Alchemist. Luo Xiaowen truly is the daughter of a great merchant family!’

Seeing Shen Haoran agree, Master Xing finally breathed a sigh of relief. If possible, he didn’t want to leave the Celestial Martial Auction House either. For an Alchemist to break through to the next level, they had to constantly practice Alchemy, find their weaknesses, and improve. However, refining elixirs required enormous financial backing. If Master Xing tried to break through on his own, it would take him an eternity. But things were different at the Celestial Martial Auction House. The one thing the auction house didn’t lack was money and Spirit Medicine. With their support, his breakthrough was only a matter of time. Therefore, unless he was absolutely forced to, Master Xing had no desire to leave.

After offering his thanks, Master Xing left the Alchemy Room.

As soon as Master Xing had left, Luo Xiaowen immediately hurried over. Gazing at the Calm Spirit Pill, which was wreathed in a faint mist, she asked excitedly, "Is this really a Pill Cloud?"

Seeing Luo Xiaowen’s expression, Shen Haoran gave a slight nod.

"Little Brother Haoran, I can’t believe you actually refined a Spirit Medicine with a Pill Cloud! If word of this gets out, your value is going to skyrocket!" Luo Xiaowen exclaimed in delight.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran shook his head gently. "It’s not that easy," he said. "I only managed to create this Pill Cloud because I got lucky this time. If you gave me another chance, I’m sure I couldn’t do it again."

Shen Haoran was telling the truth. This time, with the help of the Concentration Incense, he had sunk into a strange state during the Alchemy process. The Alchemy Dao from his Alchemy Inheritance swam through his mind like a fish. Concepts that were normally obscure and difficult to understand suddenly became clear. He had unconsciously followed the Alchemy Skill in his mind as he refined, and to his surprise, he had created a Pill Cloud. When Shen Haoran came to his senses, he tried to enter that state again, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t find that feeling anymore. So, this time, it really was just a stroke of luck...

"Sister Xiaowen, we’ve just reunited and I haven’t given you a gift yet. Please, take this elixir," Shen Haoran said with a light chuckle, placing the Calm Spirit Pill into a Jade Bottle and handing it to Luo Xiaowen.

"For me?" Luo Xiaowen was stunned. This was an elixir that had formed a Pill Cloud. ’Shen Haoran is just giving it away, just like that?’

"What, you don’t want it? If you don’t, I’ll just throw it away!" With that, Shen Haoran pretended he was about to toss the Jade Bottle. Seeing this, Luo Xiaowen quickly snatched the bottle from his hand, shot him a playful glare, and then happily stored it away safely.

"Oh, that’s right! The auction starts this afternoon, and you still haven’t refined your Calm Spirit Pills!" Luo Xiaowen suddenly remembered and cried out in alarm.

At her words, Shen Haoran slapped his forehead. He’d been so preoccupied with competing against Master Xing that he had completely forgotten. Now he only had a single Calm Spirit Pill, and Luo Xiaowen would certainly never agree to auction the one with the Pill Cloud. As for Master Xing’s six elixirs, they didn’t meet the standard Shen Haoran was hoping for. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Okay, go get me a few more sets of Spirit Medicine. I’ll do my best to refine a batch," Shen Haoran said in a serious tone.

"Huh? Can you do it in just one morning?" Luo Xiaowen asked, a little worried. After all, it had taken Shen Haoran three whole days to refine the last Calm Spirit Pill!

"I’ll just have to give it everything I’ve got!" Shen Haoran said, his expression grim.

Seeing Shen Haoran’s determination, Luo Xiaowen wasted no more words and went to prepare the Spirit Medicine. A moment later, she returned with four sets.

Shen Haoran took the Spirit Medicine and, without another word, began the refining process. The temperature in the Alchemy Room began to rise once more.

Time ticked by, second by second. The auction was about to begin, but Shen Haoran still hadn’t emerged. Luo Xiaowen paced back and forth anxiously inside the Alchemy Room.

"Miss, you are hosting the auction this time. You absolutely cannot be late!" a Maid called from outside the Alchemy Room, urging her once again.

"Alright, alright, I know!" Luo Xiaowen answered dismissively, her gaze turning back toward the Pill Room where Shen Haoran was. But there was still no sign of movement.

"Sigh... It looks like he’s not coming out," Luo Xiaowen sighed softly. She couldn’t wait any longer. If she did, she would miss the start of the auction!

Luo Xiaowen turned to leave, but just as she was about to step out of the Alchemy Room, the stone chamber where Shen Haoran was finally opened.

RUMBLE...

A few booming rumbles echoed as a blast of scorching air erupted from the stone chamber. Shen Haoran’s exhausted figure emerged, leaning against the stone door for support. He then handed a Jade Bottle to Luo Xiaowen.

"Sister Xiaowen, I didn’t let you down. Four Calm Spirit Pills, and all of them have Pill Patterns!" Shen Haoran said weakly, his face pale.

Hearing this, Luo Xiaowen looked at the elixirs in the Jade Bottle. Sure enough, each one was adorned with several beautiful patterns. ’To refine four elixirs with Pill Patterns in a single morning... just how incredible are Shen Haoran’s Alchemy skills?!’

Luo Xiaowen stared at Shen Haoran as if he were a monster. If the Pill Cloud was a myth of the Alchemy Realm, then the Pill Pattern was its peak. Any Alchemist capable of creating Pill Patterns had surely reached the pinnacle of the art. Yet Shen Haoran had managed to create both a Pill Cloud and Pill Patterns in a single day!

In truth, Shen Haoran had pushed himself to his absolute limit this time. The Spiritual Thought in his Sea of Consciousness was completely depleted, and his entire head throbbed with a painful, swelling sensation. But he had no other choice. He needed to use his reputation as an Alchemist to rally people to his side, so he had to put something impressive on the table. These elixirs with Pill Patterns would be more than enough to attract those Martial Artists.

"Hurry and go!" Shen Haoran urged Luo Xiaowen. If she missed the auction, all his hard work would have been for nothing!

Hearing his urgency, Luo Xiaowen called two Maids over to take care of Shen Haoran. She then took the elixirs he had refined and rushed to the auction hall...