I was just making up techniques... how did all of you become Emperors?

Chapter 252: A Crowd Waiting for a Joke

"Fang Mu, this is your assignment for the month. Here are the herbs."

In the Merit Hall of Danfire Peak, Fang Mu accepted a task token and herbs from the steward.

His assignment this month was to refine six batches of Body Tempering Pills. He had to submit at least six mid-grade and thirty low-grade pills. Anything extra would be his reward from the sect.

This meant he had to hand over six pills per batch — a heavy task for a new alchemist.

Most beginner alchemists could, at best, refine one mid-grade pill per furnace.

But for Fang Mu, it was no big deal. He cupped his hands slightly toward the steward. "Thank you, Uncle Zhang."

"Mm."

Steward Zhang nodded lightly. He originally wanted to give the youth a few words of caution, but with so many people around, he refrained from saying much.

All he could do was hope the kid had good fortune.

No sooner had Fang Mu left than someone in the Merit Hall passed the news to Liu Senior Brother's group.

"He didn't protest?"

Senior Brother Liu asked instinctively.

"Replying to Senior Brother, that Fang servant just said thank you," reported the disciple from the Merit Hall.

"Interesting."

Junior Brother Jin chuckled with interest. "Looks like this Junior Brother Fang is quite confident. Only three months into the sect, and he already thinks he can handle a full assignment."

Liu Senior Brother said, "Junior Brother Jin, what's your plan? Are you going to deny him access to the fire chambers?"

Junior Brother Jin grinned. "We're all fellow sect members. We'd never bully a newcomer like that. Let's just give Junior Brother Fang the worst fire room available. And if we happen to pair it with a furnace prone to explosions, we'll have a good show to watch."

"Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."

Liu Senior Brother gave him a thumbs-up. "This way, the kid won't last on Danfire Peak unless he goes crying to Elder Chen."

Junior Brother Jin smirked. "Don't worry, Senior Brother. Those servant-born types are always arrogant. They think they'd be superior to us noble disciples if not for their background. He'll grit his teeth and push through, no doubt."

"True enough."

Liu Senior Brother said, "I can't wait to see that little servant's face when he fails. Hopefully, he doesn't start begging too soon, or it'll be no fun."

The others nodded in agreement, all eagerly waiting to see Fang Mu make a fool of himself.

Who told him to be so ostentatious his first day at Yunlan Sect, riding a crane with Fairy Qinghe? Even the inner disciples and personal disciples were displeased with him.

Fang Mu, of course, had no idea he was being targeted.

He took his herbs and went straight to the fire chambers.

He didn't refine pills in his own courtyard. First, he didn't want anyone discovering his secrets. Second, he clearly felt that the senior brothers living near him weren't fond of him.

Even those from the Fang residence who had entered the sect alongside him now avoided him as if he were plague-ridden.

Fang Mu didn't dwell on the reasons. To him, everyone in Yunlan Sect was just a passerby in his life—there was no need for deep bonds.

"Senior Brother, I'd like to borrow a fire room."

He handed over his identity token as he spoke.

The disciple guarding the fire chambers gave Fang Mu a second look upon seeing his token.

"Junior Brother Fang Mu, is it? Let me see what rooms are available. What kind do you need?"

"Replying to Senior Brother, I'd like the cheapest one you've got. The cheaper, the better."

His words left the guarding disciple completely baffled.

Was this guy not following any normal logic?

Who came to an alchemy room and asked for the worst one?

Though confused, the disciple didn't question it — Fang Mu's request actually made things easier.

"There's a Class-D fire chamber — one spirit stone per day, or one merit point."

"I'll take it. Deduct the merit from my token."

Fang Mu agreed without hesitation.

"All right."

After deducting the merit, the guarding disciple handed him a jade token along with his identity token.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Fang Mu accepted both tokens, thanked the disciple, and made his way toward the fire chamber.

Watching his back, the disciple thought, This guy really is strange. I have no idea what Fairy Qinghe sees in him.

He shook his head, brushing the thoughts away, and sent out the news that Fang Mu had entered the fire chamber.

Now, all that remained was to wait for the show to begin…

Inside the fire chamber.

Fang Mu casually tossed the fire control token aside, then took out his own alchemy cauldron and summoned his spirit flame to begin refining pills.

Time ticked by minute after minute.

Outside the fire chamber, Senior Brother Liu, Junior Brother Jin, and the others had already arrived, drinking tea as they waited for the show to begin.

One hour passed.

No one showed the slightest sign of impatience.

Soon, two hours went by.

A disciple standing beside Junior Brother Jin asked, "Senior Brother Qi, are you sure Fang Mu is using the Class-D fire chamber? It's already been two hours and there hasn't been the slightest disturbance."

Senior Brother Qi, who was on duty, chuckled. "Don't worry. The ground fire in a Class-D chamber is unstable, and no one can say exactly when it'll flare up. But one thing's certain—by the third hour, something is bound to happen.

"That's why many outer sect disciples gamble their luck in these chambers, to see if they can last the full three hours without issue."

Senior Brother Liu took a sip of tea. "It's just one more hour. Let's continue waiting."

As they chatted idly, the third hour passed.

Everyone's gaze turned to the fire chamber's entrance.

But after some time, Fang Mu still didn't emerge, soot-covered or staggering.

Their eyes shifted collectively to Senior Brother Qi.

"Brother Qi," said Senior Brother Liu, now slightly annoyed, "don't tell me you gave him the wrong token?"

"Impossible. Absolutely not," replied Senior Brother Qi, visibly displeased. "If you don't believe me, we can go and check the Class-D chamber together."

Just as the tension was about to rise, Junior Brother Jin stepped in and said, "No need for our two senior brothers to get upset over a mere servant. Once he comes out to return the token, we'll know the truth."

"I suppose that's all we can do," said Senior Brother Liu, cupping his hands politely toward Senior Brother Qi.

The latter said nothing, simply turning his head away in irritation.

Inside the Class-D fire chamber—

Fang Mu had already completed three furnaces of pills. Over the past three months since joining Yunlan Sect, his alchemy skills had progressed significantly. With his enhanced spiritual sense, he could now dissolve medicinal energy directly within the cauldron.

His control of the spirit flame had also become more refined. Each of today's three batches had produced one high-grade Body Tempering Pill.

He glanced at the alchemy cauldron, which had already turned red from the heat. If he refined another batch now, it might very well explode.

So, Fang Mu decided to rest for two hours before continuing. After all, he had the chamber for the entire day.

This break, however, made things difficult for the people waiting outside.

They had waited from day until nightfall, yet Fang Mu still hadn't come out.

One younger disciple grew restless and muttered, "That Fang Mu guy... don't tell me he got swallowed by the ground fire?"

No one present refuted the suggestion. While there hadn't been any recorded deaths in a Class-D chamber, serious injuries and unconsciousness weren't uncommon.

Senior Brother Qi glanced at the nearby hourglass. "If any of you are tired of waiting, feel free to leave. Once the time is up, I'll notify everyone."

Junior Brother Jin said, "No need. We're already here—of course we're going to wait for the result."

Several hours later—

Fang Mu finally completed the final batch of pills.

Looking at the six high-grade Body Tempering Pills in his hand, he couldn't help but feel a little emotional. If I'd been able to make pills of this quality back then, my strength would've advanced much faster.

Now, however, Body Tempering Pills had little effect on him.

He stored everything in his pouch and was just about to leave when he noticed something in the corner of his eye—the fire array had never been activated.

If I leave without using the array and someone notices, won't that reveal my secret about possessing a spirit flame?

With that thought, Fang Mu picked up the jade token and activated the fire array. He drew out the ground fire and, having learned basic fire control techniques at Yunlan Sect, carefully adjusted the flame to the lowest setting to avoid accidents. Still, the flame surged out of the formation, barely within his control.

Half an hour later, as the fire continued to grow, Fang Mu finally shut down the array.

Once everything was in order, he took the token and left the chamber, heading for the exit...

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