Several days had passed since the battle of that bloodied night. Yet, Four Pillars City remained quiet. Calm, but with an atmosphere so heavy—it felt like the moment before an invisible storm.In Albert’s residence, Hansen sat before an ancient alchemist’s furnace. A steady blue flame flickered under the round metal vessel, while thin, sharp-scented vapors drifted through the air. The wooden table before him was cluttered with powdered roots, spirit flower petals, and thick liquids from various crystal vials.Suddenly—BOOM!—a small pop echoed from the potion boiling out of control. The liquid overflowed and burst upward in a minor explosion, splattering the ceiling.Hansen closed his eyes and let out a long breath.“You added it too early. Wait until the temperature drops by half a degree, then add the Wind Leaf Crystal extract,” Albert’s calm yet admonishing voice came from the corner of the room.“I know,” Hansen replied, wiping the steam from his brow. “But this body’s too slow. My

All eyes were fixed on Hansen’s furnace.The bluish-purple flames dancing around it slowly dimmed, condensed, and seeped into the pill that had now fully formed atop the crystal disc. Its color was vivid—reflecting light like starlight filtered through mist. Its aroma was gentle and calming, as if infused with deep healing power.The audience was spellbound.Even several elders who had been watching with indifferent faces unconsciously leaned forward. Some young disciples from minor sects held their breath, eyes filled with awe. They knew—Hansen’s result wasn’t just “good.” It was astonishing. Rare. On the edge of perfection.But on the other side of the stage, Huang Bi’s face turned red. Not from embarrassment—but from rising fury.“IT’S A TRICK!” he suddenly shouted, pointing at Hansen’s pill.The atmosphere erupted.“That’s not the result of a real alchemist! That… that must be illusion magic! There’s no way flame energy could change color like that without external manipulation!”