Martin Kee noticed that Joe Di's attention was focused on the wooden pill furnace in front of him and explained again, "Although this pill furnace has been passed down for countless generations, it is merely symbolic. Its pill-forming rate is extremely low, and rarely can it refine spirit pills above the seventh grade. The furnace I truly use for alchemy is a treasure that surpasses top-grade spiritual artifacts, called the Essence Furnace. That furnace has already been taken by Wayne Verne."
"Joe Di, do you know what the greatest treasure of Cauldron Pill Mountain is?"
"Isn't it the Genesis Cauldron?" Joe Di answered instinctively, as he had already inquired about this matter before.
Martin Kee gave another self-deprecating laugh. "The Genesis Cauldron was originally a wooden pill furnace. The cauldron before you is it."
"This is the Genesis Cauldron?" Joe Di stared blankly at the wooden cauldron before him, unable to believe that this was the culprit behind the destruction of such a great sect as Cauldron Pill Mountain.
"That's right, this is the true Genesis Cauldron. Cauldron Pill Mountain is so renowned because there is also a counterfeit Genesis Cauldron. Ironically, that fake cauldron is actually a semi-immortal artifact, far superior in grade to the original. Many believe that Cauldron Pill Mountain produced so many top Pill Kings because of the Genesis Cauldron, but that's not the case—the real reason is that Cauldron Pill Mountain's alchemy legacy is unmatched in the cultivation world. Sadly, ignorant people attacked Cauldron Pill Mountain over a fake cauldron." Even as his soul was about to perish, Martin Kee spoke with pride when mentioning Cauldron Pill Mountain's alchemy heritage.
"Senior, do you want me to pass on the legacy of Cauldron Pill Mountain to someone else in the future, and also hand over this Genesis Cauldron to the inheritor?" Joe Di asked. If that was the case, he could help. Last time, Dong Youjian made a similar request, though he wasn't sure if Dong Youjian was still alive.
With a hint of desolation in his voice, Martin Kee replied, "No need. I am the last disciple striving to revive Cauldron Pill Mountain. Since I am about to perish, let Cauldron Pill Mountain end here. All these things are yours now. After I fall, just bury me at Cauldron Pill Mountain."
......
Reed Isle was just one of countless small islands in the Great Wild Sea. The island was covered in reeds devoid of any spiritual energy, and aside from the sound of waves, there wasn't even a blade of grass with the slightest hint of spirit aura.
Others can join sects, but Joe told her she cannot.
Miles Phantom said solemnly, "Even if they come after me, I must go to Central Realm to help Joe Di. If I do not go, Joe will be in greater danger alone. Kun Sect is likely to target him and prevent him from entering the Central Realm."
Besides Kun Sect, there was another sect Miles Phantom did not mention: the Immortal Watch Sect. When the Central Realm opens, its leader Edward Carter will surely arrive.
Debbie Di quickly knelt down, "Senior Miles, please send a message to Joe and tell him not to go to Central Realm..."
Miles Phantom lifted Debbie Di up and sighed, "The communication pearl I used to contact Joe has been destroyed. Otherwise, they could use it to find Joe's location. As for Joe, he must go to Central Realm. If he does not, he will lose an opportunity and fall behind the other prodigies. A genius who is left behind by others is no longer a genius."
Debbie Di and Frank Fields followed Miles Phantom inside and immediately discovered it was a spacious cultivation cave. There were training rooms to the left and right, and a large central chamber.
Martin Kee was stunned by Joe Di's alchemy talent. Under his guidance, in just over two months, Joe advanced from a third-grade alchemist to a sixth-grade grand alchemist, able to refine sixth-grade spirit pills. It was less guidance and more occasional pointers.
What shocked Martin Kee even more was that, besides his alchemy talent, Joe Di possessed a top-tier Dao Flame.
A Dao Flame—since the founding of Cauldron Pill Mountain, no one had ever possessed one. What a pity, the sect master had already fallen; otherwise, seeing Joe Di, he would surely have made him the first Alchemy Saint of Cauldron Pill Mountain.
When the first batch of sixth-grade spirit pills was successfully refined, Joe Di was just as excited. Back when he studied alchemy for so long, he could barely manage to refine third-grade spirit pills.
After following Martin Kee for more than two months, he could refine sixth-grade spirit pills—such was the difference. He never saw Martin Kee actually refine pills, but sometimes a single remark from him could save months of effort.
Without Martin Kee, he could still become a sixth-grade grand alchemist, but it would require much more time and a huge amount of top-grade spirit herbs.
With the few spirit herbs in his small world, it would be a dream to reach sixth-grade grand alchemist by relying on himself alone.
Joe Di, your alchemy path has already taken shape. I can teach you no more; if I continue, you would only copy my path. When I became a ninth-grade Pill King, I understood that every great alchemist has their own unique road. If you want to succeed, you must walk your own path.
As for me, I am content that before I leave, I can pass on some of my insights into alchemy." Martin Kee felt, for the first time, that he had nothing left to worry about.
Reviving Cauldron Pill Mountain was beyond his ability, but he had taught a powerful alchemist like Joe Di. He was certain that Joe Di would surpass him and forge his own alchemy path.
Joe Di bowed deeply, "Thank you for your guidance, teacher. Without you, I don't know how long it would have taken to reach this point."
In Joe Di's heart, even if Martin Kee was not his formal master, he regarded him as a teacher, with a status equal to Qian Fenghua.
Martin Kee passed away without a sound; Joe Di knew he was gone. When Martin Kee's soul dissipated, he truly had no regrets. He could even let go of the hope of reviving Cauldron Pill Mountain, and Wayne Verne's betrayal no longer troubled him.
This was a profound wisdom in life. Joe Di could not achieve it himself, but he deeply respected Martin Kee.
He crafted a jade coffin and buried Martin Kee at the highest point of Cauldron Pill Mountain, erecting a tombstone inscribed: "Tomb of Teacher Martin Kee, erected by student Joe Di."
After burying Martin Kee, Joe Di did not leave. He returned to the main hall where Martin Kee had stayed and continued refining pills.
Joe Di did not have many spirit herbs of grades three to six, only those he had planted in his small world. Yet, with Martin Kee's guidance, he became a sixth-grade grand alchemist.
Now, Joe Di actually had more spirit herbs of grade seven and above, all obtained from the Mojian Forbidden Zone. With his mastery of alchemy and these seventh-grade spirit herbs, refining seventh-grade spirit pills should not be a problem.
To break through to seventh-grade Pill King, Joe Di chose the Ningbi Pill. He had enough spirit herbs for three batches and the Ningbi Pill was the entry-level seventh-grade spirit pill, suitable for cultivators at the Cauldron Lord Stage.