Under normal circumstances, Chen Nan would not mind taking in Nangong Wan.
After all, this woman was truly remarkable!
But the problem was...
His true identity was Chen Nan.
Not Ye Ce!
Coming to Huoyun Cave itself was a deception!
Not to mention his great secret of the spiritual artifact; once discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Of course!
The most important point of all was that he was a scumbag!
And Nangong Wan had previously stated that besides emotional deception, she could forgive Chen Nan for anything else.
Therefore.
He and Nangong Wan were destined not to be together!
In the afternoon.
Nangong Wan had gathered the ingredients for refining the Body Tempering Pill.
A total of seventeen types, each one very expensive, all over three hundred years old.
It was fortunate that Huoyun Cave was the third-ranked power in Zhongnan Mountain; otherwise, collecting these medicinal herbs would have been difficult.
Even with billions in wealth, they couldn't be obtained.
Nangong Wan said, "Ye Ce, my attainments in alchemy are far inferior to yours."
"If I were to refine the Body Tempering Pill, I would very likely waste these medicinal ingredients!"
"To be safe, it's best that you refine it!"
"Also, don't put too much pressure on yourself."
"Even if you fail, it's no big deal. Even if our Huoyun Cave doesn't have enough medicinal ingredients to refine a second Body Tempering Pill."
"With my face, I can borrow some medicinal ingredients from other powers."
The Body Tempering Pill was a first-grade pill, extremely difficult to refine.
Even Nangong Wan lacked the confidence to refine it.
Although Chen Nan had only recently started learning alchemy, he was naturally gifted and could try refining it.
Chen Nan's sense of guilt increased by one.
You are already thinking about borrowing medicinal ingredients from other sects if I fail, yet I am still deceiving you...
I am truly a scumbag!!!
Although he hated himself.
There was no other way!
In the evening.
Chen Nan began to refine the Body Tempering Pill.
Refining first-grade pills was very difficult.
Although Chen Nan had refined many pills, this was his first attempt at the Body Tempering Pill.
It was a lie to say he wasn't nervous.
However, he quickly adjusted his mindset and began refining with concentration.
In the early morning.
He formed hand seals.
The spiritual energy in the air gathered at the top of the furnace, and with his control, it entered the pill furnace.
"It's done!"
Hearing the crackling sounds from within, Nangong Wan's eyes were filled with excitement.
Nangong Wan knew Chen Nan could refine the Body Tempering Pill.
But she hadn't expected him to succeed on the first try.
"I have lived up to your expectations, and not disappointed you!"
Chen Nan also breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the Yin Gathering Art invisibly supplemented his true qi, otherwise, with his current abilities, he might not have succeeded.
"Enough of that, quickly take it, solidify your realm, and temper your body!"
Nangong Wan said with a smile.
Rapid advancement in cultivation could lead to an unstable foundation, which was why the seniors had developed the Body Tempering Pill.
As long as the Body Tempering Pill was consumed, any hidden dangers would be eliminated.
Chen Nan then took the Body Tempering Pill and immediately felt as if his flesh and blood were being compressed by an invisible force.
This sensation was not pleasant.
It was even quite painful.
But this was the effect of the Body Tempering Pill.
It was the same principle as forging steel in a hundred fires.
The medicinal effect lasted for three full days.
During these three days, Chen Nan looked like he had lost a lot of weight. In reality, his flesh and bones had become much more solid than before.
His entire body was filled with boundless strength.
"The Body Tempering Pill is truly a spiritual medicine. It not only solidified my cultivation but also elevated my physical body to a new level."
"If my cultivation advances too quickly in the future, I can prepare more of these pills."
In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the pill-dueling competition with Shi Haotian.
The sun was high in the sky.
Huoyun Cave also became lively.
Both the younger generation and the older generation of powerhouses gathered around the arena.
Even Jiang Ye had arrived.
He stood in the distance, with a hint of a meaningful smile in his eyes.
Compared to Chen Nan's and Gao Jun's combat, today's pill duel made them more expectant.
They hoped to see a miracle.
If Chen Nan could master the way of alchemy, it would be absolutely joyous news for Huoyun Cave.
After all, alchemists were vital to the rise and fall of a sect or force!
"Shi Haotian, surrender. You cannot defeat Ye Ce today!"
Nangong Wan's face held a confident smile.
With a raise of her hand, she released her pill furnace from her storage artifact.
It wasn't that she deliberately belittled Shi Haotian, but it was the truth.
After all, Chen Nan had already refined a first-grade pill, while Shi Haotian was still dealing with Qi Replenishing Pills. They were simply not on the same level.
However, no one would believe such a thing if it were said.
Shi Haotian sneered, "Junior sister, don't overestimate him, or he will surely lose miserably!"
"Then we shall see!"
Nangong Wan crossed her arms, a mischievous smile on her face.
Shi Haotian sat down cross-legged. With a wave of his hand, a black pill furnace appeared out of thin air, landing in front of him.
Afterward.
He took out several pieces of top-grade jade stones and set up a ground fire formation.
As his finger movements shifted, the ground fire formation was successfully set up and ignited.
The entire process was fluid and skillful.
In contrast, Chen Nan appeared much less experienced. Although his speed in setting up the ground fire formation was not slow, he was significantly inferior when compared to Shi Haotian.
"I am becoming more and more impressed with Ye Ce. To be able to activate the ground fire in such a short time, his future is promising!"
"Indeed, even if he cannot defeat Shi Haotian today, his future achievements will not be low!"
"Our Huoyun Cave has found a treasure this time!"
The elders of the sect's eyes flashed with admiration.
Hearing the elders' praise for Chen Nan, Shi Haotian's anger ignited instantly.
In the past, he was the prodigy in the eyes of the elders, the first person to lead Huoyun Cave to glory!
But now.
Everyone was looking favorably upon Chen Nan.
Even the junior sister was infatuated with him!
If he couldn't defeat him today, what face would he have left?
He hid all his anger in his heart and then began to refine pills with intense focus.
Chen Nan also took out the prepared medicinal ingredients, forgot the noisy surroundings, and entered a state of self-forgetfulness, fully immersing himself in the process of alchemy.
This time, it wasn't just about defeating Shi Haotian in the pill duel.
It was his way of repaying Huoyun Cave.
And making amends for his debt to Nangong Wan!
Time slowly passed.
After about three hours, crisp crackling sounds came from the pill furnace in front of Shi Haotian.
This sound was like heavenly music, instantly exciting all the disciples.
After all, the senior brother was superior!
At least he had defeated Chen Nan in terms of speed.
As for the quality of this pill, it should not be low, right?
Indeed, when Shi Haotian took out the pill, his expression was one of excitement.
However, it was not the time to reveal the answer yet.
He respectfully handed the pill to the Grand Elder for safekeeping, to be revealed after Chen Nan finished refining his pill.
The Grand Elder was greatly surprised upon seeing this and couldn't help but exclaim, "The result of the pill duel has already been decided!"
It had to be said that Shi Haotian's attainments in alchemy were second only to the Young Lady.
He had actually refined a low-grade Qi Replenishing Pill.
The Second Elder retorted, "What if Ye Ce refines a Great Return Pill???"