The sun had not yet risen when a crimson-robed elder arrived at Long Feng's quarters, his presence sharp and refined like a blade sheathed in incense.
He held no weapons—just a scroll sealed with golden wax bearing the emblem of the Pill Pavilion: a flaming lotus encircled by nine stars.
> "Outer Disciple Long Feng," the elder said solemnly, "you are hereby summoned by the Pill Pavilion Elder Council to participate in a private Alchemy Trial. Attendance is mandatory."
A hush fell over the training compound.
The Pill Pavilion—one of the most exclusive inner divisions of the Crimson Flame Sect—only opened its gates to elite alchemists with bloodline affinities or elder recommendations.
For a new outer disciple to be invited?
Unheard of.
---
🏛️ Pill Pavilion – Inner Sect Grounds
By midday, Long Feng passed through the obsidian gates of the Pill Pavilion. The structure resembled a temple carved from fire and jade—its walls radiated heat, and every pillar pulsed with sealed flame inscriptions.
Inside, the scent of rare herbs and burned ash hung thick in the air.
Dozens of pill cauldrons lined the vast inner hall, each surrounded by seated alchemists in flowing robes. The air shimmered with spiritual pressure. Most looked at Long Feng with doubt or mild irritation.
At the center of the room sat Elder Hua Tian, head of the Inner Pill Hall—a sharp-eyed, silver-bearded man whose alchemical techniques were said to revive the dying and kill the living.
He gestured to Long Feng. "So you are the one who awakened a flame the Pavilion could not identify."
Long Feng bowed slightly. "Long Feng greets the Pill Pavilion Elders."
Another elder scoffed. "We've heard rumors—flame bending, flame shielding, dual Dao resonance. Wild stories. We'll see the truth now."
Elder Hua Tian raised a hand.
> "Today, you will undergo the Three-Fold Alchemist Trial. Complete them, and the Pavilion will grant you an honorary alchemist crest and access to our inner furnaces."
The hall buzzed.
Some alchemists looked stunned. Others, jealous.
---
🔥 Trial One: Fire Control
A small cauldron floated before Long Feng, empty and cold. Dozens of flame threads—each of a different spiritual element—hovered above it.
The challenge: control three flame threads at once and maintain stable temperature levels for ten breaths.
Most disciples could barely manage one.
The elder overseeing the trial sneered. "Begin."
Long Feng didn't chant. He didn't pray. He simply raised his right hand and activated the Vermilion Ember.
Golden-red fire coiled from his fingertips like a serpent. With a twitch of his fingers, he drew in three separate flame threads—Wind Flame, Earth Spark, and Purefire.
They twisted wildly—but the Vermilion Ember devoured their chaos, harmonizing them instantly.
The cauldron glowed with stable warmth.
10 breaths passed.
Not a single flicker wavered.
> ✅ Trial Passed: Flame Control Mastery
An alchemist in the corner whispered, "That's… impossible. He used no seals. No formation anchors."
"He's using a spiritual flame," another muttered. "But it's not from this world."
---
⚗️ Trial Two: Pill Memory
Twelve rare herbs were placed before Long Feng.
The task: Identify all of them, their yin-yang balance, elemental nature, spiritual weight, and ideal pairings—without touching them.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Then opened them, and spoke without hesitation.
> "First: Nine-Leaf Soulgrass. Yin-heavy. Restores divine sea. Best paired with Fire Vein Lotus for blood circulation. Second: Thunder Orchid. Neutral element. Stimulates Qi surges. Reacts violently with Beast Tendon Root…"
Each word struck like thunder.
Each pairing flawless.
Each herb described not only by book knowledge—but through the lens of battle refinement and ancient alchemy theory.
The watching elders were stunned.
> ✅ Trial Passed: Full Pill Theory Recognition
Bonus Mark: Knowledge Exceeds Standard Curriculum
---
🔮 Trial Three: Pill Refinement – "Unexpected Path"
This trial was not pre-written.
Elder Hua Tian himself stepped down from his seat and placed a single ringed furnace before Long Feng.
"The final trial," he said, "is invention. You are to craft a pill of your own choosing. No blueprint. No assistance. The materials are yours to pick. You have one hour."
A murmur of protest swept through the room.
"That's unfair!"
"Even inner disciples aren't expected to invent!"
"He's just an outer disciple!"
But Elder Hua Tian only watched Long Feng. Quietly. Like he was testing something no one else understood.
Long Feng walked to the herb shelves and selected four ingredients:
Spirit Rebirth Dust
Soul Warming Root
Minor Flame Mushroom
Trace Silver Ash
A dangerous combination. Overheating it would cause it to explode. Mixing it cold would turn it to paste.
He summoned the Three-Flame Pill Furnace from his ring.
Gasps echoed.
"That's a relic-grade furnace!"
"Where did he get that?!"
Long Feng didn't answer.
He tapped the side of the cauldron. It glowed, then purred like an old friend.
> "Reversal Sutra: Controlled Fusion."
He tossed in each herb in reverse order.
Normally, this would ruin the reaction—but the Reversal Sutra altered the flame's temporal flow, creating a layered fusion technique.
The spiritual fire spiraled inward, compressing.
The furnace trembled.
Most elders stood, unable to look away.
Then—
BOOM!
A perfect golden pill flew into the air, its surface etched with faint flame runes.
Long Feng caught it without looking.
> Pill Name: Fire Soul Renewal Pill
Grade: Spirit-Tier, Reverse Harmonized
Function: Restores Qi and soul essence. Rare fusion effect: calms berserk internal flame backlash.
Notes: Unique invention. Unrecorded in sect archives.
The room went dead silent.
Then Elder Hua Tian stood, walking forward.
He stared at the pill. Then at the furnace. Then at Long Feng.
"…Who taught you this?"
Long Feng's smile was slow, quiet, and cold.
"No one alive."
---
🏮 After the Trial
Later that night, Elder Hua Tian personally handed Long Feng a scroll.
Inside:
The Inner Pavilion Flame Token – granting access to high-grade ingredients
A custom alchemist robe with flame embroidery
And a special note, written in rare fire-ink:
> "The Nine Flame Reversal Sutra… was thought lost to the Upper Heavens. If you truly walk its path… beware. There are gods who remember."