CHAPTER 93: CHAPTER 93: FIFTH RANK ALCHEMY MASTER YUE MENG

For the Beast Breeding Competition, Chen Jiuge had spent nearly a hundred years painstakingly nurturing the Silver Iron Eagle. This meant he paid far less attention to the other Spiritual Beasts by his side.

Most Spiritual Beasts didn’t actually mind this century of neglect. However, one was different. Not only was it furious, but it also channeled that rage into a source of motivation.

That was Yue Meng.

When Yue Meng discovered that the Fourth Rank elixirs she refined had significant flaws, she had locked herself in a small, dark cave, refining elixirs day and night without rest. Later, Chen Jiuge found her. She had hoped her master would comfort her, but he didn’t. Instead, he had her refine those Low Rank Spiritual Beast Pills and look after those little troublemakers.

So, after refining a century’s supply of elixirs for the Silver Iron Eagle, Yue Meng entered seclusion. To prevent other Spiritual Beasts from disturbing her and to enhance her alchemy efficiency, Yue Meng specifically excavated a cave mansion in the Moonlight Giant Frogs’ habitat.

After nearly sixty years of seclusion, she succeeded. She not only eliminated the side effects of the Fourth Rank elixirs but had even, just today, managed to concoct a Fifth Rank elixir, albeit of mediocre quality.

Gazing at the Fifth Rank elixir shimmering under the sun, two rows of large white teeth flashed on Yue Meng’s pitch-black face as she loudly declared, "I, Yue Meng, am the invincible Alchemy Master!"

CROAK! CROAK! CROAK!

A napping Moonlight Giant Frog was startled awake by the noise. It turned its head, saw who it was, and thought, Oh, it’s the great Demon. Never mind then, I can’t afford to provoke her.

"You, come here," Yue Meng commanded, pointing a small hand at the first Moonlight Giant Frog that had turned around.

CROAK!

The targeted Moonlight Giant Frog wore an expression of utter despair. Is this where my frog life ends?

The Fifth Rank Nourishing Essence Pill possessed a potent effect of Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Origin, greatly benefiting one’s physical body and vital energy.

The green pill, flecked with white ash, disappeared into the Moonlight Giant Frog’s large mouth. Yue Meng watched with keen anticipation for any changes in the frog.

An hour later, this Moonlight Giant Frog had completely digested the pill. It felt its body become a fraction stronger. After patting itself down, it was delighted to find that nothing was amiss. Huh? I seem to be fine! This is wonderful!

"Hahaha, I truly am a genius!" Yue Meng cackled, watching the Moonlight Giant Frog, which exhibited no side effects whatsoever.

Clutching the few remaining Fifth Rank Nourishing Essence Pills, Yue Meng marched towards the small courtyard with an arrogant swagger.

Black Eye, who was out herding his kin, spotted an arrogant figure approaching from afar. That flamboyant gait, that exaggerated smile... Has Sister Yue Meng lost her mind?!

"Yo, Black Eye! Out herding with your wife, huh? Notice anything different about me?" Yue Meng deliberately held the Nourishing Essence Pill in her hand, subtly twirling it.

Unfortunately, the straightforward Black Eye didn’t understand the hint. He only asked in a muffled voice, "Sister Yue Meng, did you sprain your hip?"

Yue Meng’s rabbit face flushed crimson. "What sprained hip?!" she retorted, annoyed. "Look at this pill! It’s a Fifth Rank Nourishing Essence Pill! Want some? If you do, I’ll let you try it!"

Seemingly recalling the side effects of her previous elixirs, Black Eye recoiled a few steps in alarm. "Sister Yue Meng, perhaps it’s better to let other beasts try it. We had a really rough time last time."

An angered Yue Meng turned and stormed off, as if she had made a firm decision.

Leaving Black Eye behind, Yue Meng soon spotted a muscular rabbit wrestling with a Giant Rhinoceros. Isn’t that Yue Li, all brawn and little brain?

Yue Meng, adopting the air of an elder, slowly approached Yue Li, who was resting after having just flipped a Giant Rhinoceros. She drawled, "Ah Li, this training must be quite tiring, eh?"

"Ah, Sister Yue Meng! Yes, it’s pretty tiring," Yue Li replied, scratching his head honestly.

"I have something good here that can boost your strength. Want to try it?" Yue Meng said, her eyes glinting.

"Really?" The simple-minded Yue Li was immediately hooked by Yue Meng’s words and swallowed the Nourishing Essence Pill.

Shortly after consuming it, Yue Li’s eyes widened. "I feel it!" he exclaimed. "I feel my body burning! Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!"

Watching Yue Li, who was now making strange noises as he grappled with the Giant Rhinoceros once more, Yue Meng nodded in satisfaction. Not bad, not bad at all, she thought, quite pleased with herself. As expected of me! Even the elixirs I refine are superior to others’!

On her way, not many Spiritual Beasts were willing to test her elixirs. Besides Yue Li, only Ao Li, whose intellect wasn’t particularly sharp either, agreed. However, both beasts gave the Nourishing Essence Pill rave reviews.

Having tested the elixirs and confirmed they were free of issues, Yue Meng confidently made her way to the small courtyard.

In the small courtyard, Chen Jiuge was planning Eden Garden’s resource allocation. Eden Garden had undergone substantial changes over the past century. Firstly, the ecosystem had largely achieved a self-sustaining resource cycle, no longer requiring significant external food supplies. This led to a large increase in the population of carnivorous Spiritual Beasts, such as Snow Rabbits and Spiritual Chickens.

While these types of Spiritual Beasts weren’t exceptionally valuable, they weren’t worthless. For instance, the eggs laid by the Spiritual Chickens, which were now mostly Second Rank, had a decent market in the Immortal Cities. Eden Garden produced so many Spiritual Chicken eggs daily that they were mostly fed to other Spiritual Beasts as snacks. Even then, there were far too many to consume; the uneaten eggs had piled up into a small mountain.

Then there were the Red Flame Sheep. Their herds had experienced explosive growth, now numbering over a million, with their population increasing by tens of thousands annually.

Chen Jiuge, deep in thought, finally noticed Yue Meng, who had been pacing back and forth before him several times.

Putting down the Jade Scroll in his hand, Chen Jiuge looked at Yue Meng, who was still covered in a fair amount of soot. "What’s wrong?" he asked. "Did you encounter difficulties with your alchemy? Or are you feeling lonely from being by yourself for too long?"

Yue Meng almost burst into tears upon hearing this. Who could understand the suffering of a lone rabbit toiling day and night in a sunless cave, tirelessly refining elixirs for an entire sixty-year cycle?

Suppressing her emotions, Yue Meng said, her voice choked with unshed tears, "This is a Fifth Rank elixir I refined. I’ve already tested it. There are no problems, though the quality is a bit lacking."

Chen Jiuge took the dark green Fifth Rank Nourishing Essence Pill, speckled with white flecks, from Yue Meng’s hand. He said with heartfelt sympathy, "Even if you want to improve, there’s no need to push yourself this hard. You must have been exhausted during this time."

After hugging Yue Meng, Chen Jiuge swallowed the elixir. He carefully savored its effects and praised, "This is an excellent elixir! Congratulations, Yue Meng, you are now a Fifth Rank Alchemist!"

"To celebrate this joyous occasion, let’s have everyone gather for a celebration tonight. You can be the one to inform them."

Yue Meng, her eyes red, nodded vigorously.

As Yue Meng was leaving, Chen Jiuge called out a reminder: "Go wash up first. Your fur has turned completely black!"

"I know!" Yue Meng retorted, a hint of embarrassed anger in her slightly cracking voice.

I didn’t expect Yue Meng to succeed in refining a Fifth Rank elixir in just sixty years. It seems I need to work hard too; I can’t let a Spiritual Beast outdo me! After tonight’s celebration, I’ll start executing my plan, Chen Jiuge thought to himself, silently making his decision.

The main course for the evening feast consisted of roasted lamb, roasted chicken, and roasted rabbit, along with steamed eggs, scrambled eggs, and various other egg dishes.

The Super Chef’s culinary skills were indeed superb, truly befitting a Fourth Rank Spirit Chef. This further solidified Chen Jiuge’s idea. But for now, it was time to eat.

Amidst the praises of all the Spiritual Beasts, Yue Meng finally released her pent-up feelings. Perhaps I won’t have to push myself so desperately in alchemy anymore, she thought. It’s better to be lively, after all.