The Strange Alchemist had learned the technique, but he simply couldn't replicate Evan Yang's abilities. Evan had never revealed his Heaven-Cold Seed to him, which was the direct source of the pill-refining method's true power.
Once the Strange Alchemist had nearly mastered the method, he handed Evan Yang the pill recipe and shared all the key points to watch for during the refining process.
Three days passed quickly. Evan Yang smiled, “Alright, that's enough for now. When I come back, I'll look for you again.”
“Alright, you go ahead.” The Strange Alchemist was eager to try out whether he could use Evan Yang’s pill-refining technique to actually produce pills.
Watching the Strange Alchemist leave, Evan Yang smiled, “Got the recipe. Strange Alchemist, you never imagined this would happen, did you?”
Right now, the Strange Alchemist was completely absorbed in pill-refining. He barely cared whether Evan Yang would return; as long as he could make that pill, he wouldn’t even need the Fire Phoenix.
As for Evan Yang, he composed himself and headed toward the sect master’s main hall, wanting to see what pill she would have him refine.
But just as he was about to reach the hall, a cold snort sounded behind him. Evan Yang turned around—it was the Strange Alchemist, returning once again.
Evan Yang frowned, “Senior, what’s wrong? You just left for a moment—your hair…” He noticed the elder’s hair was completely ruined, his face blackened, but even so, he could still tell it was the Strange Alchemist.
“What did you even teach me? I went back and tried it right away, and it blew up!” the Strange Alchemist said furiously.
“Exploded? How could that happen? What pill would blow up?” Evan Yang asked, surprised and suspicious.
“That’s none of your business. I don’t care if I can refine it anymore. Either you come help me make the pill, or you’re not leaving today.” The Strange Alchemist was furious—not only had he lost a batch of herbs, but he’d gotten himself injured in the explosion.
Evan Yang was pressed for time, needing to get to the main hall, so he said, “Sorry, senior, I’ve got something urgent. Once I’m done, I’ll come find you?”
“No way. You have to help me refine it first, no matter what.” The Strange Alchemist said angrily.
Evan Yang hadn’t expected the Strange Alchemist to change his attitude so suddenly. He frowned, “Senior, I really do have something urgent.”
“What could be more important than me? Anyway, you’re not leaving today.” The Strange Alchemist insisted.
Evan Yang was just about to figure out a way to shake him off when a voice sounded from behind: “What’s going on? Why all the noise in front of the main hall?”
The speaker was Gavin White. She’d come out to check since Evan Yang hadn’t arrived at the agreed time, only to see a scorched figure blocking him. On closer look, she realized it was the Strange Alchemist.
“Sect master, he exchanged pill-refining techniques with me, but when I tried it, not only did I fail, it exploded. So I want him to help me refine the pill, so my exchange wasn’t wasted.” The Strange Alchemist explained.
Hearing the explanation, Gavin White said, “I need his help right now. Your issue can wait until later.”
Gavin White’s words were far more effective than any explanation Evan Yang could give. Hearing this, the Strange Alchemist awkwardly said, “I see, sorry.”
The Strange Alchemist left in displeasure, while Evan Yang followed Gavin White into the main hall to discuss the matter. Unexpectedly, as the Strange Alchemist passed a certain spot, he spotted Evan Yang’s clone.
“Huh? Isn’t that him? He really showed up. Just what I need—I'm pissed off. Damn it.” The Strange Alchemist saw Evan Yang’s clone, mistaking it for the real one, and fumed.
Evan Yang’s clone was just nearby, keeping an eye on Xiao Li and his companion in case anything happened, but hadn’t expected to run into the Strange Alchemist.
When Evan Yang’s clone saw the Strange Alchemist, Evan Yang’s main body was momentarily distracted. Gavin White noticed and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing. Let’s continue. Sect master, where are we going to refine pills this time?” Evan Yang asked.
“Just come with me and you’ll see. Afterwards, you’ll be well rewarded—whatever conditions you name, I’ll agree.” Gavin White promised.
Evan Yang nodded. Gavin White instructed him to wait in the main hall while she went to the back chambers to prepare. Meanwhile, Evan Yang closed his eyes in the hall, and his clone was grinning at the Strange Alchemist.
“Kid, you actually showed up? I thought you wouldn’t. I wasn’t planning to look for you, but I’m in a bad mood today. You’re dead—either tell me where the Fire Phoenix is, or figure it out yourself.” The Strange Alchemist had already set up a barrier around Evan Yang’s clone.
Evan Yang chuckled, “You gave me a token—why wouldn’t I show up? Your token let me sneak in easily, and as for the antidote for your Sky-Severing Talisman, I’ve already got it.” He made sure to provoke the Strange Alchemist before leaving.
Although Evan Yang still didn’t have the ability to deal with the Strange Alchemist, he believed that one day he’d capture him and hand him over to Yang Huo.
“Impossible. No one can refine the pill for my Sky-Severing Talisman. You’re imagining things.” The Strange Alchemist said confidently.
“Is that so? Didn’t you just teach someone how to refine it?” Evan Yang replied with a smile.
The Strange Alchemist heard this, raised his eyebrows, and his eyes narrowed. Sensing something was off, he asked in surprise, “What’s your relationship with him?”
“You mean the Pill Eccentric? He’s my senior, and he’s actually quite kind-hearted. After learning the pill-refining skill from you, he went to gather herbs to make the pill.” Evan Yang said, smiling.
The Strange Alchemist felt as if a stone was pressing on his chest, nearly suffocating him. He couldn’t believe it was real, and finally said angrily, “So you two are in cahoots. Damn it, you tricked me into teaching him pill-refining, and he taught me garbage that blew up my pill furnace and left me like this.”
“He taught you the real thing, but his pill-refining art isn’t something just anyone can learn. So, Strange Alchemist, you might as well rest easy.” Evan Yang chuckled.
“Damn it, I’ll take it out on you today!” The Strange Alchemist raged, but just as he was about to attack, Evan Yang vanished.
All traces were gone, as if Evan Yang had disappeared into thin air. The Strange Alchemist couldn’t believe Evan had just vanished, since his own strength was supposed to be formidable—not someone anyone could defeat.
He spread his Divine Sense everywhere searching for Evan Yang, but couldn’t find him. Finally, he remembered Mu Yi, “Damn it, I can’t let him escape either.”
Then he saw the Strange Alchemist storm angrily toward the sect master’s main hall, but the Left Protector had already appeared, standing in front of him: “Without the sect master’s permission, you may not enter.”
“Get out of the way. This has nothing to do with you.” The Strange Alchemist was furious and didn’t care who was blocking him.
“Strange Alchemist, please show some respect. Without the sect master’s invitation, you may not enter the main hall.” The Left Protector snorted coldly, seeing how abnormal the Strange Alchemist was today.
“Left Protector, I don’t want to fight you. Please step aside.” The Strange Alchemist said.
“What’s wrong with you today? Have you forgotten the rules here?” The Left Protector said, a bit angry.
“I’m not looking for the sect master, I’m looking for someone else. He’s inside. Just let me in and I’ll take him away.” The Strange Alchemist insisted.
The Left Protector knew there was only one person inside—the pill marvel personally summoned by the sect master. He frowned, “There’s only one person inside. If you’re here for him, sorry, he’s the sect master’s protected guest. No one can take him away, especially since he’s got important business today.”
“What business?” The Strange Alchemist was worried Evan Yang might leave, so he asked.
“That’s the sect master’s concern. You don’t need to ask so much.” The Left Protector replied.
The Strange Alchemist didn’t want to waste any more time—if Evan Yang left, he wouldn’t even know it. His aura surged as he prepared to force his way in, planning to explain to the sect master afterwards.
Seeing the Strange Alchemist acting like this, the Left Protector was furious too. His aura flared, and the two began a fierce battle. Both were Heavenly Dao cultivators—a spectacle Evan Yang wouldn’t miss. His Divine Sense had already reached outside.
A battle between Heavenly Dao experts meant attacks multiplied countless times. Evan Yang saw the aftershocks flashing across the sky; if not for the outermost defensive formation, who knew what would happen. The fight quickly drew a crowd—none of the top experts of Fire Summit Mountain would miss such an opportunity.
When they saw the Strange Alchemist fighting the Left Protector, everyone raised their eyebrows, puzzled at what had gotten into the Strange Alchemist today.
At that moment, Gavin White came out of the hall and asked, “What’s going on?”
“No idea,” Evan Yang replied.
Gavin White hurried out of the main hall and saw the two fighting. With a leap, she landed between them, stretching out a hand to stop them—clearly, Gavin White was more formidable than either.
“Stop!” Gavin White shouted angrily.
“Sect master,” the Left Protector withdrew, while the Strange Alchemist frowned, “Sect master.”
“What’s gotten into you today? Why are you fighting outside my hall?” Gavin White asked.
“I’m looking for someone, but he won’t let me in.” The Strange Alchemist explained.
“Inside my hall, it’s just me and the pill marvel. Who else could it be? Are you just looking for trouble?” Gavin White sounded a bit annoyed.
The Strange Alchemist knew Gavin White’s strength—if he forced things, he’d only suffer. So he said, “Sorry, I’m looking for the pill marvel. I was afraid he’d leave, so I wanted to go in and stop him.”
“Afraid he’d leave? He’s coming with me on business. What’s your point?” Gavin White asked.
“He… he…” The Strange Alchemist didn’t know how to explain and could only glare at Evan Yang.
“What about him?” Gavin White asked.
“He colluded with outsiders to trick me out of the Sky-Severing Talisman antidote,” the Strange Alchemist accused.
“Hold on, Strange Alchemist, are you misunderstanding something? When did I ever trick you for the antidote? As for the Sky-Severing Talisman antidote, you exchanged it with me for pill-refining techniques. I taught you pill arts, you taught me how to make the antidote. What, you failed and now it’s my fault?” Evan Yang retorted angrily.
Gavin White saw the two arguing, but she sided with Evan Yang—after all, she still needed his help. So she said, “You heard him. He says it’s just a misunderstanding.”