54 – Fifth Rank

An hour later, Elder Wu gazed at the white glowing pill in the furnace, his face full of shock.

Wang Ping’s technique for refining the Spirit Origin Pill was too proficient. The process was so smooth that he suspected it wasn’t a Spirit Origin Pill but a first-grade pill.

However, the fragrant scent and white glow emitted by the fourth-grade Spirit Origin Pill in front of him proved that Wang Ping had indeed refined a fourth-grade Spirit Origin Pill, and its quality looked quite good, at least a top-grade Spirit Origin Pill.

“The main aspect of refining a fourth-grade pill lies in controlling the fire,” Wang Ping looked at Elder Wu and pointed out: “The fire must be controlled without any error, or else the quality will drop. In severe cases, you might produce a waste pill…”

“I naturally understand the importance of controlling the fire,” Elder Wu smiled bitterly. “However, the changes in the heat control for fourth-grade pills are too complex for an ordinary person to master. Even though you have guided me several times, I still haven’t fully grasped it.”

“It’s quite complex indeed. However, the difficulty is incomparable to that of fifth-grade pills,” Wang Ping shook his head: “If precise control of the fire is paramount for a fourth-grade alchemist, then for a fifth-grade alchemist, not only must you achieve perfect fire control, but more importantly, you need the appropriate cultivation. Without reaching the Great Transcendence, it’s impossible to become a fifth-grade alchemist in your lifetime.”

“Yes,” Elder Wu nodded, longing yet regretful. “It’s a pity. Even a master at the Great Transcendence hasn’t appeared for hundreds of years, let alone a fifth-grade alchemist.”

The level of cultivation has little impact on below fifth-grade alchemists. An Innate Realm cultivator can refine fourth-grade pills.

Even the fire used for refining can be assisted by external flames.

Thus, theoretically, a Postnatal Realm cultivator could also become a fourth-grade alchemist.

But, fifth-grade is different. Fifth-grade treasure medicines already possess spirituality and strong vitality, making them unmeltable into medicinal liquid by ordinary flames.

At the same time, ordinary flames lack spirituality and sufficient heat. Only the terrifyingly high temperatures of flames condensed by a Great Transcendence cultivator, possessing spirituality and referred to as spiritual fire, can refine spiritual fifth-grade pills.

Thus, fifth-grade alchemists are legendary existences on the Profound Turtle Continent, only recorded in ancient texts.

The fourth-grade alchemist of the Sword Spirit Sect constantly seeks opportunities outside in hopes of quickly enhancing his cultivation to break through to the Great Transcendence, aiming to become a fifth-grade alchemist within his lifetime.

“For a thousand years, cultivation limitations have blocked all fourth-grade alchemists in history,” Elder Wu lamented.

Of course, he was just sighing.

After all, his talent was limited, only hoping to reach the fourth grade in his lifetime.

As for the fifth grade, he didn’t even dare to imagine it.

“However, senior, you might have a chance to reach the fifth grade,” Elder Wu respectfully looked at Wang Ping and said.

Though it was flattery, he truly believed Wang Ping had a slight hope.

After all, Wang Ping was already a fourth-grade alchemist at such a young age. If he could successfully enter the Great Transcendence in the future, becoming a fifth-grade alchemist would be a certainty.

By then, the entire Profound Turtle Continent would revere Wang Ping.

Whether for his strength or his alchemist skills, it would be the same.

If the future Wang Ping wanted to establish his own sect, all alchemists and cultivators would flock to him, making his sect destined to become the number one sect of all time.

“Who can say what the future holds.” Wang Ping shook his head calmly, collecting the Spirit Origin Pill and placing it into a white jade bottle.

Seeing Wang Ping’s indifferent demeanor, Elder Wu sighed inwardly.
The young and gifted are often arrogant and proud.

However, Wang Ping, being so young, possesses such a calm demeanor, neither arrogant nor impatient… Truly, it is astonishing.

It can be said that even without his talent as an alchemist, Wang Ping would undoubtedly achieve great things in the future.

In their Sword Spirit Sect, they also have someone like this, Bai Tianhong, a disciple of the Supreme Elder.

However, compared to Wang Ping, Bai Tianhong is still a bit younger and now, he is too sharp and conspicuous.

Next, Wang Ping and Elder Wu left the alchemy room.

As soon as they came out, everyone in the alchemy room looked towards them, wanting to know the result.

“Senior truly is a remarkable person, easily refining a top-grade Spirit Origin Pill…” Seeing everyone’s eyes on them, Elder Wu stroked his beard, full of respect and a hint of fanaticism.

“Hiss!”
With these words, the sound of people gasping instantly filled the room, faces full of shock.

They did not expect Wang Ping to really succeed, and moreover, refine a top-grade Spirit Origin Pill.

This level of alchemy… It’s terrifying.

In that moment, many elderly alchemists couldn’t help but have a thought in their minds.

This senior is terrifyingly powerful.

“He really is a fourth-grade alchemist, and his alchemy skills even surpass our sect’s fourth-grade alchemist.” Zhang Yuan’s eyes gleamed, his face beaming as he clenched his fists.

Indeed, they’ve gained a genius fourth-grade alchemist out of nowhere.

He could add another brilliant achievement to his resume as sect master.

“I must win him over in the future. If I can make him lean towards our faction, my position as sect master will be secure… Even if Bai Tianhong matures, he won’t shake my position.”

Zhang Yuan thought to himself, contemplating what good things their faction could offer to draw in Wang Ping.

“Haha, Daoist friend, it seems I was shortsighted, not knowing there is such a genius as you in the world. I offended you earlier, please forgive me…” Zhang Yuan looked at the approaching Wang Ping, smiling elegantly as he cupped his hands and apologized.

“Sect Master, in my hometown, when people apologize, they often bring gifts to show their sincerity…” Wang Ping looked at Zhang Yuan, his face warm.

“…” Zhang Yuan was taken aback, then smiled and said, “Offering gifts is indeed the proper thing to do.”

In Zhang Yuan’s eyes, Wang Ping was expressing his dissatisfaction.

After all, earlier when they came to the alchemy room, he did have some doubts and had Elder Wu follow Wang Ping to learn.

Fourth-grade alchemists are proud, let alone a genius like Wang Ping.

It’s only natural for him to have some dissatisfaction.