Cang Yan delivered a large batch of medicinal ingredients the next day. Yang Kai immediately threw himself into the grand endeavor of alchemy.
When alchemy grew tiresome, he would sit and meditate for a while. Once his spirit was refreshed, he resumed the refinement.
Qixiu Peak was indeed very quiet. Only Yang Kai and Fei Yu resided on this mountain. Moreover, whenever Yang Kai was refining pills or cultivating, Fei Yu never disturbed him. Coming and going, she held her breath and moved her feet with utmost lightness.
Every day, three meals arrived: rare demon beast meats, bone broths, and other nourishing delicacies. Although with Yang Kai's current cultivation, he could go months or even over a year without eating, Fei Yu still insisted on delivering these items to him daily.
She left them at the entrance. When Yang Kai needed them, he would retrieve and consume them himself.
Occasionally, when he left his stone chamber, the four protectors would gather together, explaining their experiences in cultivation and their insights into the Heavenly Dao and the Martial Dao to Yang Kai.
Here, Yang Kai felt a meticulous care.
The people of Tianxiao Sect provided him with the finest environment for both cultivation and alchemy.
Yang Kai felt grateful. Although he knew this likely had much to do with the aptitude he had demonstrated and his status as an alchemist, these four Senior Uncles were indeed very good to him.
Over the following months, Yang Kai's alchemy skills improved further. He successfully refined a Saint-grade low-quality pill without relying on a spirit formation!
He was now much closer to his goal.
Over several months, Yang Kai spared no effort, refining massive quantities of pills for Tianxiao Sect. The sheer volume and high quality left the four Senior Uncles dumbfounded.
They had only known Yang Kai as a Spirit-grade low-quality alchemist, certified by the Alchemist Association. They never imagined he could continuously produce Spirit-grade mid-quality and Spirit-grade high-quality spiritual pills.
Among them, many pills even manifested pill patterns!
The four Senior Uncles also realized the gravity of the situation. After a brief discussion, Yang Kai's existence and abilities were quickly classified as Tianxiao Sect's greatest secret. Fei Yu almost became Yang Kai's bodyguard, never leaving Qixiu Peak.
During these days, Yang Kai had only seen Fei Yu a few times. But each time he saw her, this beautiful woman was thoroughly drunk. It seemed she truly enjoyed drinking. When the alcohol kicked in, she lost all decorum befitting a Senior Uncle, frequently pestering Yang Kai and causing situations that left him both amused and exasperated.
Worst of all, every time she sobered up, she remembered nothing. This left Yang Kai utterly helpless.
During rare moments of leisure, Yang Kai would also visit Chu Lingxiao, listening to his teachings and benefiting immensely.
Since the start of his cultivation, Yang Kai could say he had always been groping his way alone, never receiving guidance from anyone. On the path of martial arts, the difference between having guidance and having none was immense.
Fortunately, Yang Kai now possessed the World-Extinguishing Demon Eye. Through killing some powerful individuals, he could forcibly absorb their insights into the Martial Dao and the Heavenly Dao, benefiting from them.
But what made Yang Kai feel slightly regretful was that, although Chu Lingxiao was also having people search for news of Su Yan and Xia Ningshang, there had been no progress.
The Profound Mystical Continent was vast. Finding two people within such a boundless sea of humanity was undoubtedly like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Several months later, one day, while Yang Kai was refining pills, he suddenly perceived faint footsteps outside the door.
It was Fei Yu's footsteps.
She had never disturbed him during his alchemy sessions. Now she came, deliberately making some noise, clearly meaning to speak with him.
Yang Kai hastened his movements. After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a Spirit-grade high-quality pill was ready.
He collected the pill, stood, and opened the stone chamber door. Looking at Fei Yu waiting outside, he asked, "Senior Uncle, do you need something?"
"Did I disturb you?"
Yang Kai shook his head.
"Good." Fei Yu let out a soft breath. "Cang Yan is looking for you. He's outside."
"I'll go see him." As Yang Kai spoke, he hurried out.
Shortly, he met Cang Yan. This time, not only had Cang Yan come, but Li Wan and Fei Jian were also present. The expressions of all three seemed somewhat solemn.
Yang Kai's expression grew serious, unsure of what had happened to make them treat the matter so gravely.
"Grandnephew." Seeing Yang Kai emerge, Cang Yan quickly called out.
"I heard Senior Uncles were looking for me?"
"Sit first." Cang Yan gestured.
They took their seats one after another. Yang Kai waited quietly.
After a long moment, Cang Yan finally said in a low voice, "Grandnephew, it's not that the Senior Uncles are suspicious of you. Tell me honestly, what level of alchemist are you really?"
From Elder Du, Cang Yan knew Yang Kai was a Spirit-grade low-quality alchemist.
But his performance over this period was far beyond what a Spirit-grade low-quality alchemist could achieve. He constantly produced Spirit-grade mid-quality and high-quality pills. Yang Kai was clearly more than just a Spirit-grade low-quality alchemist.
Elder Du would not lie to Cang Yan. The only possibility was that Yang Kai had hidden his true abilities at the Alchemist Association.
Fei Yu's beautiful eyes also shimmered with a strange light as she fixed her gaze on Yang Kai and said, "Some days ago, I recall you refined a Saint-grade pill!"
Hearing this, Cang Yan's expression changed sharply. "Really?"
"Yes." Yang Kai nodded and took out that Saint-grade pill. "I was lucky. One pill succeeded."
Cang Yan hurriedly took it. After examining it carefully, his face couldn't help but show some excitement. "Then, can you refine more Saint-grade pills?"
"Probably." Yang Kai nodded. When he refined pills, he had never relied on a spirit formation, not even the Myriad Medicine Spirit Liquid.