Chapter 180: 180 - Ninefold Condensation

Yet no amount of flame control alone could resolve this fundamental clash. The violent energies continued to grow stronger as the bronze cauldron vibrated fiercely.

This was precisely why the secret ingredient was necessary.

'Now!'

Su Ming retrieved the fine Heartroot powder and tossed it straight into the middle of the cauldron.

The effect was instantaneous.

The powder dissolved into the medicinal liquid, acting like a sponge that absorbed the violent energies. The chaotic streams gradually converged into a unified current. Within three breaths, the violent shaking stopped completely, replaced by a smooth flow of medicinal essence.

With the medicinal essence fully stabilized, Su Ming guided the final ingredient into the center of the cauldron.

The Nine-Leaf Soul Lotus.

Under the gentle flow of the medicinal liquid, the delicate lotus dissolved without suffering the slightest damage, its pure essence blending seamlessly with the rest of the mixture.

Su Ming did not hesitate. The most demanding phase of alchemy, Pill Condensation, was about to begin.

***

In the world of alchemy, transforming molten medicinal essence into solid pills required specialized condensation methods. Different pills demanded different levels of compression and refinement.

For this ancient pill, the Ninefold Condensation Method was the correct one.

As the saying went, threefold condensation establishes the pill, fivefold refines it, sevenfold elevates it, and ninefold perfects it.

Threefold Condensation was commonly used for basic pills, establishing a stable foundation and removing residual impurities. Fivefold Condensation further refined the medicinal properties while minimizing the loss of medicinal essence. Sevenfold Condensation was reserved for some Mystic-grade pills, allowing the alchemist to resolve deeper conflicts between their medicinal properties.

Then came the Ninefold Condensation Method.

It was among the most complex pill-condensation techniques, essential for unlocking the full potential of ancient formulas like the Nascent Soul Breakthrough Pill. Ordinary pills gained very little from nine condensations, but profound ancient pills would remain incomplete without them.

The technique was divided into three distinct phases.

The first three condensations focused on condensing the essence.

With the medicinal foundation established, the next phase was refining the pill.

Su Ming narrowed his eyes, his Essence Sight tracking every subtle movement within the cauldron. Through the fourth, fifth, and sixth condensations, the churning medicinal liquid inside the cauldron gradually solidified, taking the rounded shape of pills.

Now came the final three condensations.

This was the stage in which ordinary medicinal pills were elevated into true masterpieces.

Su Ming took a steady breath with the Insight Halo in his Sea of Consciousness glowing brightly.

The seventh condensation tightened around the pills, compressing their medicinal essence once more. Without adding any heat, Su Ming guided the essence inward, stripping away its outer shell and returning it to its most pure state.

The eighth condensation took hold, binding the medicinal properties firmly into the core of each pill. The dense essence settled and concentrated further, elevating the potency of the medicine while locking every drop of its spiritual power inside.

Finally, Su Ming executed the ninth condensation.

The gold and violet flames flared in a sudden flash, burning away the final trace of flaws and bringing all pills to complete perfection.

Baam!

Su Ming retracted his flames and struck the side of the cauldron with his palm.

The heavy bronze lid lifted smoothly, and a soft hiss of white steam rolled over the stone platform. A dense yet refreshing medicinal fragrance filled the entire chamber, clearing his lungs and soothing his spirit.

Su Ming looked into the cauldron.

Resting quietly at the bottom were eight jade pills. Each was perfectly round, possessing a smooth surface and a glowing white sheen. Ideally, this batch should have produced ten pills, but considering it was his first attempt at refining such an ancient pill, producing eight pills was still a remarkable achievement.

Su Ming swept his sleeves, sending the eight pills into prepared jade bottles.

'Only eight out of ten,' Su Ming murmured with a quiet sigh, sealing the bottles. 'Still, for a first attempt, it seems fine.'

He packed away his tools, swept the stray ashes from the stone platform, and deactivated the restriction arrays around the chamber.

It was time to test the effectiveness of this ancient pill.

***

The central plaza of the sect was as lively as ever. Cultivators in various robes of different peaks hurried between the towering stone buildings, running errands for their respective peaks.

Su Ming made his way through the wide square and headed toward the Pill Pavilion.

The grand hall spanned several floors, lined with glowing spirit wood counters and arrays of display cases. Deacons and disciples bustled about, submitting mission tokens, exchanging merit points, and browsing shelves of talismans and medicinal pills.

At the front intake counter, an overworked deacon was mindlessly stamping requisition slips.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Wooden stamp hitting paper was the only rhythm that mattered on that busy morning. When a shadow fell across the mahogany desk, the deacon reached for his seal without looking up.

"Peak, name, batch tier," the deacon asked. Then he caught the white hem of the robes and blinked. "Ah. Peak Master Su. Forgive me."

Su Ming only smiled.

The deacon relaxed, setting down the wooden seal and pulling forward the yellow register reserved for low-grade stock. White Lotus Peak had recently become the pavilion's most reliable supplier of flawless Qi Gathering Pills.

The deacon dipped a fine brush into black ink. "How many jars of Qi Gathering Pills this time?" he asked, ready to record it on the register. "Fifty? Some of the outer sect elders have been asking since last week's supply ran out."

"None," Su Ming said. "It's a Nascent Soul breakthrough pill. Middle Mystic-grade."

A heavy drop of black ink fell from the brush. It soaked straight through the yellow ledger.

The deacon sat frozen. His gaze slowly turned up to Su Ming's face, searching for a smirk or a joke. Finding neither, his pupils shrank to pinpricks.

"Master-grade?" The deacon's voice cracked.

"Five pills," Su Ming added mildly.

The deacon stood up so fast his wooden stool flew backward and clattered against the stone floor. Heads turned across the hall, but the deacon didn't care. He moved the register aside, bowed until his forehead nearly brushed the counter, and gestured frantically toward the inner corridor.