Chapter 1366: Chapter 540: The Struggle for the Furnace

Danxia Peak, Grand Hall.

In the center of the hall, there is a large incense burner.

At this moment, blue smoke is curling up from the burner, spiraling below the dome, rendering the entire hall serene and solemn.

Twelve purple sandalwood chairs are arranged on both sides, with relief carvings of various Pill Patterns, resembling clouds and haze.

The main seat in the center is slightly higher than those on the sides, covered with a complete white fox fur, soft and thick, accentuating the grace and ethereal presence of the person sitting there.

Wang Yu sits upright, his spine straight, the red-gold sheen flowing lightly over the Danxia patterns on his Cloud Robe under the lamp’s reflection.

He rests his left hand on the armrest, his fingers gently curving, appearing relaxed yet hiding a stiffness unnoticed by outsiders.

His right hand holds a brand new White Jade Feather Duster, the feathers are as white as new, hanging beside the chair, motionless.

Wang Yu’s complexion is as usual, even slightly more rosy than usual. His eyes are deep like stars, only revealing a thin layer of dull gray haze when he blinks.

This dullness is well concealed by his composed demeanor, almost impossible to notice without careful observation.

The hall is already filled with people.

All are core figures and important high-level individuals of Danxia Peak.

Wang Yu coughs lightly, making the hall even more tranquil.

Then, this contemporary Peak Master of Danxia Peak slowly opens his mouth: "Today’s meeting concerns the matter of the Nanming Fire Furnace."

"The Nanming Fire Furnace is one of the significant foundations of Danxia Peak. Now the furnace is ruined, and the spirit is frightened, nearing demise."

"Common appeasement methods are completely ineffective. Forcibly repairing it is very inappropriate; if the Artifact Spirit is scared to death, the Nanming Fire Furnace will no longer be a Spiritual Treasure. In the future, recovery will be extremely difficult."

"This is not just our peak’s internal affair, even the Sect Leader is concerned."

"News about the related Xingyun Trial has already been proactively released. But I prefer all troubles to dissolve within our own confines."

"Just like the Evil Slaying Hall, when the Cloud Prison had issues, they managed to handle it themselves."

"The Nanming Fire Furnace is fundamentally an asset of our peak. If it can remain in our hands, that would be the best outcome."

"As for how to proceed, everyone may speak freely of your thoughts!"

The hall falls silent after his words.

This silence lasts for about three breaths.

An old alchemist suddenly stands up, attracting many gazes: "Peak Master! The ruin of the Nanming Fire Furnace, I cannot shirk my responsibility! In recent days, my colleagues and I have reviewed our peak as well as the archives of the Alchemy Hall extensively, and after much inquiry, have drafted a list."

"The individuals on this list are the cream of the crop and may regain the trust of the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit, allowing the Nanming Fire Furnace to remain at our peak."

The old alchemist’s hair and beard are pale, his figure trembling, his voice hoarse, with a near-pleading urgency to redeem himself.

Wang Yu silently looks at the old alchemist, then slowly scans the entire hall. After a full ten breaths, he nods: "Since no one opposes, let’s first discuss this list."

With the Peak Master’s permission, the old alchemist immediately speaks: "The first one on the list is the Vice Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall, Jiang Ping."

"He is three hundred and twenty years old, at the Golden Core Middle Stage Cultivation level. Having joined the sect for one hundred and ten years, he has refined many pills with high quality, especially adept in ’Spirit Containing Pill’. He once took the first prize in the sect’s grand competition with a furnace of ’Sixth-turn Spirit Storage Pills’, achieving a success rate of 73%, with six Pill Patterns, its Pill Fragrance lasting for three days."

"When this person refines pills, his temperament is extremely stable, and his control of the fire is exquisite. He set a record of refining continuously for thirty-seven days without sleep or rest, during which his Pill Furnace never exploded once. In my opinion, he is one of the most outstanding Golden Core level alchemists to emerge from our peak in the past century."

Those present are silent.

More accurately, there is no opposition.

Myriad Images Sect is the largest sect in Flying Cloud Country, teeming with talent, with Danxia Peak firmly controlling the Alchemy Hall as its foundation. Among them, Jiang Ping’s alchemical skills are not particularly prominent, yet he is the first to be recommended.

The reason behind this is that Jiang Ping is one of Wang Yu’s disciples.

The old alchemist places Jiang Ping as the first recommendation entirely for political correctness.

No one present has any objections.

Wang Yu remains calm: "Continue."

The old alchemist then recommends the second candidate, a steward of the Alchemy Hall, Shen Hongyao.

"This woman is called ’Red Medicine Fairy’, also known as ’Half-Yama’, at two hundred and thirty years old but already at the Late-stage Golden Core Cultivation. Her expertise in pills is two-sided and distinct. One is the ’Life-extending Pill’, which has saved more than thirty thousand people during an epidemic. The other is the ’Life-Bursting Pill’, which when ingested, allows a person to burst forth with power far beyond their limits..."

This time, the old alchemist is immediately countered with differing opinions.

"Shen Hongyao’s alchemy techniques are indeed unconventional, often with astonishing moves. She once added ’Yin Sha Spring Water’ during the alchemy process, increasing the efficacy of the life-extending pill by thirty percent, but also resulting in the Pill Furnace exploding three times, injuring seven people."

"Her actions are bold, frequently subjected to the penalty of ’Forbidden Furnace’. Such nonconformity is both advantage and flaw. With the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit currently frightened, if she pulls off another ’astonishing move’, it could exacerbate matters."

The old alchemist argues persuasively: "However, this woman’s sincerity in saving lives is unquestionable. The Artifact Spirit is most sensitive and can discern true from false in people’s hearts. Shen Hongyao’s genuine compassion might move the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit."

More voices chime in agreement: "That’s reasonable. Besides, how many can claim a career in alchemy without a single furnace explosion? Have any of us never had a furnace explode in our lifetime?"

Debate grows louder, making the atmosphere in the hall somewhat noisy.

Wang Yu listens quietly and after a moment speaks indifferently: "Proceed to the next candidate."

The old alchemist nods promptly, "Yes."