9 Failed?

Zhang Wei followed Vincent and his disciples back to the academy. As they passed through the official entryway, a lot of students were looking at them.

The Headmaster was a hidden figure, and those unimportant people barely saw him.

They noticed that the Headmaster was leading a man towards the southern compound, most probably towards the Refining Division headquarters.

Since the man was personally led by the Headmaster, he should be an important personnel, right?

But they all wondered, why is that man so ugly?

Zhang Wei didn't realize that Vincent is the Headmaster of a prestigious academy. When they arrived at the academy grounds, he never expected that the guards would bow to them.

He never knew he ever despised a man so much as he did with Vincent.

[You're filthy rich, strong and smart? Ptui! A man like you should die so the rest of us can experience the good life.]

They strolled to the Refining Headquarters building as Vincent took the opportunity to introduce the school to Zhang Wei. After arriving at his personal refining room, Vincent took out the White Wolf carcass.

"Sir Zhang Wei asked me what pill I would Refine with the White Wolf carcass. My answer is the Skeletal Strengthening Pill.

As you may imagine by its name, Skeletal Strengthening Pill can strengthen a person's skeletal system. This pill is a Level 3 pill and can increase a person's chances at reaching Level 3 by 50%"

Vincent explained while he was refining. "White Wolf carcass is only one of the ingredients needed for this pill. Even though I could have any of my followers acquire it, I wanted to test Aron's abilities in the wild.

My only miscalculation was that they would be surrounded by a pack of White Wolves, and a White Wolf Alpha would be present. I must thank you again for saving my disciples."

Vincent then focused completely on refining the pill. He threw the ingredients carefully into a big cauldron and controlled the flames. The flames flickered and soared from the cauldron.

Vincent proficiently controlled the flames before concentrating them into the shape of a small sphere. The sphere took shape and the pill was formed. It was a white pill that had black lines resembling the shape of a bone.

Zhang Wei was impressed, Vincent looked extremely cool refining that pill.

[Holy Shit! That was badass! Maybe if I could learn pill refining, I would also look that badass.]

While Zhang Wei was thinking of nonsense, Vincent grab hold of the pill and passed it to Aron,

"Though you did not accomplish my intended task, you did however bravely stood up to protect your junior brother. Thus, I shall award you this pill."

Aron was pleased. Although he was worried that his master would not give him the pill because he failed his task, he was relieved that his master noticed his valor.

He kept the pill inside his bag and was determined to break through Level 3 the next time he cultivate.

Vincent then invited Zhang Wei to the headquarter's courtyard for tea. At this point, Zhang Wei snapped out of his daydream and said, "Could Mr Vincent be so kind as to teach this Humble Man pill refining?"

Vincent clearly did not expect that Zhang Wei would ask that.

[What kind of trick is this? Looks like he is trying to provoke me. Fine I'll play along.]

"Sir Zhang, pill refining is an arduous process. Without sufficient training, it would result in complete failure."

Vincent knew that Zhang Wei is trying to show off his skills to intimidate him. He would not allow Zhang Wei to have the upper hand.

"It's fine Mr Vincent, this Humble Man simply wished to try."

Zhang Wei was truly sincere in his attempt to learn pill refining. Although the source of his determination was questionable, he truly wanted to learn.

Vincent seeing that Zhang Wei insisted, simply gave in. Well at least it can help me understand his abilities better. He started to teach Zhang Wei the fundamentals of pill refining.

From his explanation, Zhang Wei came to understand that the essence of pill refining is the control of the flame. Ingredients may be important, but the flame determines the process of refining.

Vincent also informed Zhang Wei of the various ranks of pill refiners.

Pill Refiners followed the same level system as Martial Practitioners. They even have their very own specialized class, Alchemist.

However, this class can only be reached after one has broken through Level 10 Pill Refiner.

Vincent himself was only at Level 6 Pill Refiner. In the city the only people that have surpassed him are Micheal, the pill refiner for city hall and Syamil, the head of the Refining Division.

Micheal and Syamil are both level 8 pill refiners. Zhang Wei appreciated Vincent's sincerity and developed a better impression of him. He's not so bad I guess. I only hate him a bit now.

After listening to Vincent, Zhang Wei asked to borrow Vincent's pill formula and ingredients. Vincent agreed and after looking through them, Zhang Wei chose a Level 3 pill, Blood Restore Pill.

Vincent studied Zhang Wei's actions carefully. He figured that since Zhang Wei chose a Level 3 pill, he had sufficient ability to do so.

[He must have asked me to teach him to figure out my understanding of pill refining.]

[It was not wrong of me to intentionally hold back, at least he can't figure out my true level. Still though, his way of probing is roundabout and complicated. A powerful man must have a powerful mind.]

Zhang Wei studied the formula carefully. He went through all the ingredients he needed, and started refining.

He threw all the ingredients into the cauldron, and started to micromanage the flames. When he tried to condense the flames…

KABOOM!!!!

The cauldron exploded.

"…."

Vincent frowned, This man must be a genius!!