A few hours later, a streak of white light flashed across the sky outside Cloudveil City before vanishing into the horizon.

Chen Xuan’s destination was distant, but his Nascent Soul strength granted him unimaginable speed.

Even without exerting his full power, he reached his goal within a couple of hours.

Just as he prepared to descend, a thunderous laugh boomed in his ears.

"Junior Brother Chen, you’re finally here! I almost thought you’d run into trouble!"

"You know, although we cultivators enjoy freedom, we must take the necessary precautions, especially in turbulent times like these."

Chen Xuan smiled faintly, nodding towards the fat middle-aged man who had just appeared.

Subconsciously, the man’s information surfaced in his mind.

Duan Feng. Peak of the Core Formation realm. Peak Master of the Alchemy Peak.

More importantly, he was Chen Xuan’s "teammate" for this guarding mission.

After exchanging brief greetings, Chen Xuan landed, with Duan Feng following closely behind.

Soon, the entrance to a massive mine came into view.

Uniformed disciples patrolled the perimeter, while the Spiritual Energy grew noticeably denser as they approached.

Even compared to the famous Battle Peak, the Spiritual Energy here was hardly any thinner.

"Although the mission carries some risks, the benefits of staying here make it worthwhile," Duan Feng sighed, his round belly bouncing as he walked.

He surveyed the mine and continued:

"As one of the six large-scale Spirit Stone mines controlled by the sect, this place is extraordinary. A single year of operation yields hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stones."

Chen Xuan nodded in agreement, though he suspected Duan Feng was severely underestimating the accompanying danger.

’The mine accounts for nearly five percent of the Jade Pure Sect’s total revenue. The demonic faction will never ignore it,’ he thought, though he soon breathed a sigh of relief.

’Fortunately, the other righteous sects are keeping them busy. At most, a few Core Formation cultivators might attempt to raid this place. With my strength, I can protect myself. As for this guy...’

Chen Xuan cast a subtle glance at Duan Feng and suppressed his urge to sigh.

This guy was too weak!

Though he was at the Peak of Core Formation, his aura felt no stronger than someone in the Early Stage.

Chen Xuan suspected Qian Lingxue had paired them on purpose.

She might have guessed that he was still concealing his strength and chose to hand this burden to him to manage.

’No wonder this guy has been trying to get close to me since we arrived. Is he hoping that I’ll protect him if things go south?’

As Chen Xuan looked at Duan Feng’s flattering smile, he caught a flicker of genuine fear hidden deep within his smiling eyes.

’At least this guy has some self-awareness.’

--

Having a companion like Duan Feng wasn’t without its perks.

For one, since they were both Peak Masters, and Chen Xuan was the strongest cultivator stationed in the mine, no one could order him around.

Even if he slipped away for a few hours, as he had done before, no one would dare stop him.

As for the more practical benefits...

’This guy deserves to be a Peak Master of the Jade Pure Sect! He might become a burden if a fight broke out, but his attainments in alchemy are truly shocking!’ Chen Xuan mused.

He flipped through the Alchemy Manual Duan Feng had given him as a bribe—cough, cough... a gift—reading it with genuine amazement.

The manual was remarkably easy to follow, containing all of Duan Feng’s insights regarding alchemy.

The value of such a manual was staggering, but for Chen Xuan, it served a very specific purpose.

’After several days of study, I can finally attempt to refine the Nascent Soul Pill,’ he thought, tucking the manual into his spatial ring.

In its place, he took out a series of rare materials: exotic herbs, shimmering plants, gem-like fruits, and even viscous liquids.

These were the materials required to refine the High-Grade Heaven Nascent Soul Pill.

Following Chen Xuan’s deal with Lan Lanyue and using his identity as an Envoy of the Myriad Weapon Pavilion, he had managed to secure several full sets of these precious ingredients.

’This is why networking is essential for cultivators,’ Chen Xuan reflected.

’Even if an ordinary cultivator obtained the Nascent Soul Pill formula, they’d be unable to do a thing with it. I can gather these things because of the connections I’ve built over the years.’

A few seconds later, his smile vanished.

His expression grew solemn, and his gaze sharpened as he pulled out the alchemy furnace he had asked Tang Yuechen to refine.

His Spiritual Energy flared, transforming into a docile flame beneath the cauldron.

Then, one by one, the materials were fed into the furnace.

His divine sense manipulated each ingredient, forcing them to fuse into a beautiful round shape.

Everything proceeded smoothly at first. But just as success seemed within reach on his very first attempt...

Bang!

The furnace suddenly erupted with a violent explosion!

Flames surged outward, threatening to devour the room and the mine outside.

Fortunately, Chen Xuan acted instantly, suppressing the blast with a wave of his hand.

But he was far from pleased.

Looking at the charred, black mass at the bottom of the cauldron, his face darkened as if to match its color.

Even he, who had always been calm, couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

’Damn it! Which alchemist created this formula? Were they schizophrenic?’

He nearly slammed the cauldron, but he quickly reined himself in.

Gritting his teeth, he conjured another flame and tossed in a fresh set of materials.

A few minutes later, another deafening explosion echoed. A cloud of black mist spread through the room.

Again and again, the cycle repeated several times.

Chen Xuan’s furnace continued to explode, wasting the precious materials he had spent so much effort to collect.

Outside, a pair of disciples passing by his quarters stopped dead in their tracks.

They glanced at the trembling walls and the ominous black smoke billowing from the gaps, and immediately panicked.

"Junior Brother! Quick! Go inform Peak Master Duan!" one of them shouted at the top of his lungs.

"The demonic faction is trying to assassinate Peak Master Chen! Request reinforcements!"