Love Burning Amidst the Ashes. - Chapter 23 - The Alchemy Disciple Examination

The Alchemy Chamber No. 13 of the Yi character rank still carried the lingering scent of blood, not yet fully dispersed, now overlaid by a strange new fragrance—one that blended the bitter clarity of herbs with an eerie, bone-deep chill.
Xu Qing Xuan sat cross-legged on the cold meditation cushion. His face had the pale, lifeless hue of drained gold paper, lips cracked and dry. Yet his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, like frozen flames burning in the depths of an icy abyss.
The jade pendant pressed against his chest, cold and silent. A faint new crack upon its surface spoke wordlessly of the brutal cost of forced deduction.
Three days. Only two and a half remained.
Before him stood a half-human-tall bronze alchemy furnace, already cleaned. The runes carved into its walls glowed with a steady, warm crimson light under the tempering fire.
From the furnace mouth no longer rose a sharp, chilling fragrance, but instead a strange mist—like spring water evaporating beneath warm sunlight. Within it lingered surging vitality, tempered with a faint, restrained trace of cold intent.
On the stone table beside it lay the remaining medicinal materials. Most notable among them was a small pile of grayish-white powder—remnants of the previous day’s furnace explosion, containing the chaotic essence of fractured cold jade marrow.

This was the entirety of his desperate gamble.
“Qingfeng… wait for me…”
The hoarse whisper dissipated within the alchemy chamber, carrying an unwavering resolve.
Xu Qingxuan slowly closed his eyes, forcibly suppressing the image of his younger brother struggling within the Thunder Prison Demonic Cavern. His consciousness sank into a state of ice-like clarity.
His photographic memory allowed him to recall every detail from Hundred Herbs: Microscopic Analysis, especially the entries concerning Cold Jade Marrow, Snow Lotus Core, and even furnace explosion residues. Every subtle reaction was etched into his sea of consciousness like an unerasable imprint.
He raised his pale, slender fingers. At the fingertips, a faint thread of wood elemental energy lingered—so subtle it was almost invisible, yet as steady as a mountain.
The first step: ignite and stabilize the furnace.
The low hum of earth fire licking the furnace chamber was precisely controlled. The runes on the bronze walls flowed with a uniform crimson glow as the temperature was stabilized at an exquisitely delicate threshold—just enough to awaken the icy essence within the Cold Jade Marrow, yet not so intense as to instantly destroy the fragile vitality of the Snow Lotus Core.
The Cold Jade Marrow was introduced into the furnace.
Under the heat, the luminous white jade did not melt. Instead, it released an even denser wave of icy white mist, coiling and gathering within the furnace as if it were alive.
Xu Qing Xuan’s spiritual sense extended like the finest strands of silk, carefully guiding the frigid energy. He steered it away from the furnace walls and their searing runes, shaping it at the very center of the furnace into a miniature, ever-rotating vortex of ice crystals.

The originally violent pulsation within the furnace suddenly turned restrained and steady.
The gray-white powder acted like the finest binding agent, firmly adhering and fusing the previously incompatible sources of icy essence and herbal vitality. Within the luminous sphere, a single point of pure radiance—like the very first dewdrop formed between heaven and earth—began to take shape at the chaotic core, slowly condensing and solidifying.
The overwhelming life force was locked tightly by the cold energy. It no longer leaked outward in frenzy, instead forming an endless internal circulation of birth and renewal.
It was done—the core liquid of the Condensed Dew Pill.
Xu Qingxuan’s forehead was covered in fine beads of cold sweat, which slid down his pale cheeks. The old injury in his dantian felt like it was being repeatedly pierced by invisible drills. His sea of consciousness felt as though it was being crushed under immense weight, the pain so intense that his vision blurred.
Yet his expression did not waver in the slightest.
His spiritual sense remained locked tightly onto the gradually forming droplet of pill liquid. His fingers shifted again, forming the Condensation Pill Seal, guiding the residual heat of the earth fire for final refinement.
Time passed slowly under the extremes of focus and pain.
Inside the furnace, the swirling mist gradually clarified. Chaos gave way to purity, eventually transforming into a soft, immaculate layer of ice-blue vapor that wrapped around the central droplet—now as brilliant as a star.
A dense but not overpowering medicinal fragrance spread outward, carrying the cold clarity of snow and the fresh vitality of vegetation. It instantly filled the entire alchemy chamber, seeping through cracks in the stone door and drifting into the surrounding halls.

Only one drop.
A single droplet—about the size of a thumb—pure, crystalline, and so transparent it seemed carved from the essence of flawless crystal itself. It floated quietly within the lingering ice-blue mist at the furnace’s core.
Deep within its center, a faint amber speck slowly rotated, as if containing a miniature world of ice and snow intertwined with boundless life force.
The dense medicinal fragrance emanating from it was instantly refreshing to the spirit. Even the lingering dull pain in the dantian seemed to ease ever so slightly upon inhalation.
A Supreme-grade Condensed Dew Pill.
It had surpassed the “upper grade” category recorded in Hundred Herbs: Microscopic Analysis, refined to the extreme—returning to simplicity, transforming pill into liquid.
However, before Xu Qingxuan could even breathe in relief—
A sudden change erupted!
“BZZZ—!”
The Yin-Yang jade pendant at his waist, long silent, began to tremble violently without warning.
The faint crack on its dull surface suddenly expanded.
A cold, chaotic, and ominous surge of violent energy—like a dormant beast abruptly awakening—rushed through the spiritual link between jade and mind, crashing straight into Xu Qingxuan’s already fragile sea of consciousness.
“Pfft—!”
Caught completely off guard, Xu Qing Xuan coughed out a mouthful of blood. His vision was instantly swallowed by darkness.
Pain erupted like countless burning steel needles piercing his skull—far more violent than any backlash from alchemical deduction.
Chaotic fragments exploded within his sea of consciousness:
A blurry battlefield of blood and slave warriors.
A scorched figure screaming in agony within dark purple demonic aura.
Crimson rune markings erupting violently along a right arm.
The jade pendant’s trembling grew even more intense, as if it would shatter in the next instant.
“Qing…feng…”
Xu Qing Xuan’s bloodstained fingers clawed desperately at the cold stone floor. His nails snapped instantly under the force.
His younger brother.
The corruption of the Thunder Fiend Art had intensified, triggering a bloodline resonance through the jade pendant.
The violent mental assault threatened to tear apart his last thread of clarity.
And then—
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Heavy knocking thundered against the thick stone door of the alchemy chamber like muffled lightning.
A cold, flat, emotionless voice pierced through the stone barrier and clearly entered the room:

The voice struck like a splash of icy water, instantly pulling Xu Qing Xuan back from the brink of his collapsing sea of consciousness.
The assessment.
He couldn’t fall here.
Xu Qingxuan clenched his teeth so hard that blood seeped from his gums once more. With sheer willpower, he forcibly suppressed the violent chaos surging from the jade pendant within his mind.
The trembling of the pendant gradually subsided.
But the crack upon its surface had widened into something far more vicious, its luster fading into a deeper, duller gray.
He staggered to his feet, vision still flickering with darkness at the edges.
There was no time to regulate his breathing. No time to clean the blood at the corner of his lips or from his fingertips.
He swiftly retrieved a pre-prepared jade vial carved from century-old Cold Jade Marrow fragments, carefully guiding the floating droplet of supreme Condensed Dew Pill liquid from the furnace into it.
The moment it entered the vial, a bone-chilling cold spread through his palm, barely stabilizing the turbulent qi within his body.
He pushed open the heavy stone door.
Blinding daylight poured in, forcing him to narrow his eyes.
Outside stood two outer enforcement disciples of the Tianji Pavilion. Their expressions were blank as they swept a cold glance over his deathly pale face and bloodstained lips.
The faint medicinal scent in the air could not conceal the heavy aura of blood and exhaustion clinging to him.
“Follow.”
The leading disciple spoke only two words, his tone flat and devoid of emotion, before turning and walking away.
The other remained close at Xu Qing Xuan’s side, escorting him like a prisoner.
They passed through the familiar medicinal herb paths. The rich fragrance of spiritual plants mixed with the earthy scent of soil, yet none of it could dispel the heaviness pressing on Xu Qing Xuan’s chest or the stabbing pain within his sea of consciousness.
After forcibly suppressing the jade pendant’s backlash, the hidden injuries within his dantian began to stir restlessly.
Each step felt like tearing flesh apart from within.
He tightened his grip on the Cold Jade vial until his knuckles turned white, as though it were the only anchor keeping him from sinking completely.

The front hall of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion was solemn and oppressive.
Several apprentice alchemists awaiting assessment stood respectfully along both sides of the hall, their faces filled with nervous anticipation.
At the head of the chamber sat three alchemists whose auras were deep and restrained.
In the center was Elder Li, the elder responsible for the outer sect’s alchemy affairs. His face was lean and refined, three long strands of beard hanging to his chest. His gaze appeared calm, yet carried an invisible pressure that filled the room.
To his left sat Alchemist Liu, a pale, beardless man whose eyes carried a hint of sharpness and disdain.
To the right sat Alchemist Zhao—the very same alchemist who had spoken on Xu Qingxuan’s behalf during the medicinal garden incident.
The moment Xu Qing Xuan entered under the “escort” of the enforcement disciples, carrying the heavy scent of blood and obvious weakness, every gaze in the hall immediately focused on him.
Shock.
Contempt.
Schadenfreude.
And beneath it all, a trace of curiosity.
“Xu Qingxuan?”
Alchemist Liu frowned deeply as he looked at Xu Qing Xuan’s disheveled state.
“This is a place of assessment. To appear in such disorder—what kind of conduct is this?”
His voice was sharp and reproachful.
“What pill have you refined? Present it immediately!”
Xu Qingxuan took a slow breath, suppressing the metallic taste rising in his throat.
Ignoring the surrounding stares, he stepped forward steadily and respectfully placed the Cold Jade vial upon the jade desk before Elder Li.
“Disciple Xu Qing Xuan greets the Elder and the honored alchemists.”
His voice was hoarse, yet strangely steady.
“The medicinal pill I have refined… is within.”
Alchemist Liu snorted coldly.
Before anyone else could move, he raised a finger and gathered spiritual energy at its tip. With a casual gesture, he sought to draw the contents from the vial for inspection.
Yet the instant his spiritual energy touched the surface of the jade bottle—
Bzzzz—!
A low vibration suddenly echoed through the hall.

A surge of pure and majestic energy—carrying both the chill of ice and snow and the vibrant pulse of life—suddenly escaped from the mouth of the vial.
In an instant, it spread throughout the entire hall.
The rich medicinal fragrance seemed almost tangible, brushing across every face like cool silk. As it entered their lungs, spirits were lifted at once, and even the exhaustion accumulated from days of alchemy seemed to fade.
“Hm?”
Elder Li, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.
The calmness in his gaze vanished, replaced by a sharp brilliance like lightning.
His eyes locked firmly onto the Cold Jade vial.
Even Alchemist Liu’s spiritual energy faltered slightly upon contact with the astonishingly pure aura.
Xu Qing Xuan slowly removed the stopper.
There was no dazzling radiance.
No spectacular phenomenon.
Only a single droplet.
A crystal-clear bead, as pure as the finest crystal, floated quietly an inch above the mouth of the vial.
It was flawless.
At its core, a tiny amber point slowly revolved, radiating a refreshing fragrance alongside boundless vitality.
The purity of its form.
The concentration of its medicinal power.
Both far surpassed those of ordinary pills.
“Condensed Dew Pill Essence?!” someone exclaimed.
The words struck the hall like a thunderclap.
Several apprentice alchemists widened their eyes in disbelief.
Pill essence.
Not a pill, but liquid essence.
In alchemical theory, this represented a state where the medicinal properties had been refined to an extraordinary degree, approaching perfect integration. Such results were exceedingly rare even among experienced alchemists.
Alchemist Liu’s expression changed dramatically.
The disdain on his face froze instantly.
He stared at the floating droplet, unable to conceal the shock in his eyes.
Even Alchemist Zhao straightened in his seat, his gaze fixed upon the crystal-like essence.
For a brief moment, the entire hall fell silent.
Only the faint fragrance of the pill essence lingered in the air.
At the center of the room, Xu Qing Xuan stood pale and bloodstained, appearing as though a gust of wind could topple him.
Yet in that moment, no one dared underestimate him.

“Returning to simplicity… This… could this be a Supreme Grade product?!”

“Impossible! His furnace exploded just two days ago! And he’s clearly on the verge of collapse—how could he possibly refine something of this level?!”

The apprentice alchemists on both sides immediately erupted into an uproar.

Cries of disbelief rang out one after another.

Alchemist Liu’s outstretched finger froze in midair.

The scorn on his face vanished completely, replaced by utter shock. He stared at the crystal droplet as though he had seen a ghost.

Elder Li slowly rose to his feet.

With a single step, he arrived before the jade desk.

Rather than using spiritual energy, he carefully extended two fingers beneath the floating droplet, supporting it through pure control alone.

For the first time, the calm, unreadable expression on his lean face cracked.

Unconcealed amazement and solemnity appeared in his eyes.

He carefully sensed the perfect balance contained within the liquid essence.

Extreme cold firmly restrained an immense vitality.

The “inert” properties hidden within the furnace-explosion residue had ingeniously neutralized the conflict between the two forces, creating a self-sustaining cycle of endless renewal.

This was not merely a matter of quality.

It represented an extraordinary understanding of medicinal properties, unparalleled control over alchemical fire, and an indomitable will forged in the face of failure.

Using the remnants of a destroyed furnace as a catalyst.

Turning catastrophe into opportunity.

Refining harmony from opposing forces.

Such insight was far beyond what should have been possible for a mere apprentice.

“Using furnace residue as the key ingredient, reversing the clash between Ice Essence and Life Force, and returning to simplicity through perfection…”

Elder Li’s voice rang through the hall like metal striking stone, instantly suppressing all discussion.

“Excellent.”

“Excellent indeed.”

“A true example of finding life within certain death.”

His gaze settled upon Xu Qing Xuan.

Within it were emotions no one had ever seen directed toward the young man before.

Admiration.

Curiosity.

And buried deep beneath them, a trace of suspicion.

“This creation has already surpassed the category of an ordinary Condensed Dew Pill.”

He paused briefly.

Then announced in a clear voice that echoed throughout the hall:

“From this moment forward, it shall be known as the Ice-Soul Essence Dew.”

“A Supreme Grade refinement.”

The hall fell silent.

Not a single person spoke.

Everyone stared at the pale, bloodstained youth standing before the elders.

Only moments ago, he had seemed like a failed apprentice barely able to remain standing.

Now, he had refined a Supreme Grade medicinal essence and earned the personal recognition of Elder Li himself.

In that instant, Xu Qing Xuan’s name was etched deeply into the minds of everyone present.

Supreme grade!”
Elder Li’s personal verdict struck like thunder, instantly silencing the entire hall.
Elder Liu’s face turned pale and then flushed again; his lips trembled, yet not a single word came out.
Elder Li carefully guided the drop of “Ice Soul Condensed Origin Dew” back into the cold jade vial and sealed it tightly. His gaze swept over Xu Qing Xuan’s pale, blood-stained face and the eye-catching rough leather belt at his waist, finally settling on those clear, exhausted yet still unyielding eyes.
“Xu Qing Xuan,” Elder Li’s voice returned to calm, carrying the authority of final judgment, “from this day forth, your status as a probationary alchemist is revoked.”
At these words, everyone froze. A flash of satisfaction appeared in Elder Liu’s eyes.
However, what Elder Li said next was like an even greater bolt of thunder:
“You are promoted to an official outer-sect alchemist. You are granted the ‘Xuan’ No. 7 pill room. You are permitted entry into the first level of the ‘Hundred Herbs Pavilion’ to study the texts of medicinal herbs and botany…”
A warm jade token was gently placed on the jade table by Elder Li and pushed toward Xu Qingxuan. On its front was the ancient character “Dan” (Alchemy), and on the back, an elegant “Xuan,” both emitting a faint spiritual fluctuation.
“Thank you… for your grace, Elder!” Xu Qing Xuan forced down the surging blood energy and the dizziness in his sea of consciousness, bowing respectfully. When his fingers touched the still-warm “Xuan” jade token, a faint stream of warmth spread through his arm, slightly easing the bone-chilling cold.
The first level of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion! Finally… he had obtained the key!
At that moment, the Yin-Yang jade pendant at his chest, which had been silent, trembled again—this time clearer, colder, and more chaotic, carrying a violent, rampaging aura of demonic energy on the verge of losing control.
Xu Qing Xuan’s body swayed almost imperceptibly. He clenched the jade token tightly, his knuckles turning white. The warm touch of the token contrasted sharply with the icy disturbance from the pendant.
He had to find a way to save his younger brother as soon as possible!
Without looking at anyone else, he gripped the token and, forcing his increasingly unsteady body forward, took his leave from the elders. Under the complex gazes of the disciples—shock, jealousy, and confusion mixed together—he turned and walked step by step toward the gate of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, which symbolized knowledge and hope.
Only his straightened spine remained, like a battered green pine standing in a snowstorm, still stubbornly pointing toward the heavens.
The massive shadow of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion enveloped him, swallowing his blood-stained figure. Behind him, the hall fell into a deathly silence, and on the jade table sat the cold jade vial emitting traces of supreme-grade pill essence, silently telling the story of a low-born cultivator who created a miracle in desperate circumstances—and the deeper, hidden darkness and urgency behind that miracle.