Chapter 259: The Furnace Explodes

"The furnace explodes?"

Hall Master Feng and the others clenched their fists involuntarily.

A furnace explosion was the most terrifying event in alchemy, caused by the alchemist losing control over the power of the medicinal ingredients, making the alchemy situation uncontrollable.

Once it exploded, the entire batch of medicinal ingredients would be destroyed, and failing to form pills was the least of it; the most important thing was that the entire furnace would be ruined, and the alchemist themselves might even be injured.

The higher the grade of the pill, the more violent the energy within it, and the more likely it was to explode.

If Miss Mo Yu were a two-star alchemist with a cultivation at the Grandmaster realm, she might have been able to turn the tide with her own strength and control over the ingredients, forcibly suppressing the boiling power. But now, the furnace was shaking, on the verge of collapse at any moment. Without a second thought, it was clear that an explosion was imminent and irreparable.

"Failed?" Hall Master Feng's face darkened.

He knew that this Blazing Sun Pill was crucial for the Iron-Toothed Sky-Barking Beast. If it could be successfully refined and given to the beast, it would enhance its Yang attribute power, potentially allowing it to complete its bloodline advancement and surge in strength.

If it failed, the beast would never wake again, and death was the only path.

Earlier, he had held a glimmer of hope for Beastmaster Zhang's guidance and Miss Mo Yu's alchemy, but now, seeing the constantly boiling furnace, he knew that hope had likely become very slim.

A furnace explosion and the destruction of the pill were inevitable.

No one could change that.

"It's over..."

Yun Tao hadn't expected this outcome either, and his face turned pale.

Though he hadn't spent much time with this young man, the other's omnipotence and ever-confident smile had already been deeply etched into his heart.

Could it be that this Senior Zhang Xuan, who seemed unstoppable, would capsize in alchemy and fail completely?

"You were showing off, and now you're done for!"

Unlike the tension of the others, Zhu Jinhuan and Zhou Xuan exchanged glances and sneered coldly.

Weren't you acting all high and mighty just now, saying you'd guide me in alchemy and guarantee success...

Pfft!

Now the furnace has exploded; let's see what you have to say.

Not old, but acting like you know everything—we'll see how we mock you later.

...

Ignoring everyone's tension, Zhang Xuan also frowned.

This Mo Yu was too unreliable, actually losing focus at a critical moment.

How did she even pass the assessment to become an alchemist?

Although she had only been half a breath late in adding the ingredients, it had broken the balance he had painstakingly maintained.

A miss is as good as a mile.

A skilled alchemist could forcibly suppress the explosive medicinal properties with their own strength, but Mo Yu was only a one-star alchemist and couldn't do that. She could only rely on the balance between various ingredients. Now that an error had occurred, if it wasn't remedied in time, all previous efforts would be wasted.

"Steady your mind, don't panic, don't retreat!"

Seeing that the furnace could explode at any moment, Mo Yu instinctively wanted to step back. Zhang Xuan's face darkened as he scolded.

At this moment, she absolutely could not retreat. Once she did, the furnace would lose control, and an explosion would be inevitable.

"I..."

Mo Yu's face flushed red.

"What? Scared? I shouldn't have asked you; even an apprentice wouldn't have caused this situation!" Zhang Xuan snorted.

"You..." Mo Yu bristled.

She had a proud personality and never admitted defeat. That was why she could juggle multiple professions alone and was called a genius by others.

Originally hesitant at the prospect of an imminent furnace explosion, hearing him say that asking her to refine the pill was a mistake and that an apprentice would have been better ignited her anger.

If she backed down now, wouldn't she be ridiculed to death later?

Gritting her teeth, she forced her retreating steps to stop: "What should I do next?"

Knowing his provocation had worked, Zhang Xuan continued to instruct: "Throw in the remaining White Sun Leaves and Mixed Sun Vines all at once!"

"All at once?"

Mo Yu was stunned. The power was already out of control, and adding more Yang attribute ingredients would only make the explosion more complete, wouldn't it?

That's not how alchemy is done...

If the furnace exploded, at most the furnace would break. But if she threw in these two ingredients, not only would the furnace explode, but the violent heat bursting out would likely injure her severely!

Was this guy settling a personal grudge and deliberately trying to harm her?

"Hurry!" Zhang Xuan raised his eyebrows.

"Fine!"

Unexpectedly scolded by him, her face darkened, and she gritted her silver teeth.

Death be it!

Even severe injury was better than being mocked by this guy!

Agreeing, she turned her wrist, flicked it lightly, and the last two Yang attribute ingredients entered the furnace.

Boom!

As expected, with the addition of the two pure Yang ingredients, the entire furnace shook even more violently.

If earlier it seemed like it might explode, now it was one hundred percent certain to explode.

Because the furnace had clearly reached its limit, and cracks had already appeared on its walls.

"Everyone, fall back..."

Hall Master Feng's face was solemn as he channeled a surge of true energy from his body to shield the front.

Knowing the danger of a furnace explosion, everyone retreated in unison.

All were on high alert, ready for anything.

Creak, creak!

The cracks on the furnace walls grew larger, and the violent energy became more intense, as if it could no longer hold.

"Add Green Frog Grass and Purple Wei Flowers..."

Still without panic, Zhang Xuan continued to instruct.

Knowing she had no choice but to obey, Miss Mo Yu, with no retreat left, turned and grabbed the neutralizing ingredients he mentioned and threw them in.

At this point, all the ingredients had been added.

With the ingredients added, the furnace boiled even more, the heat distorting the air. Everyone watching couldn't help but wipe cold sweat, their hearts tensing involuntarily.

"Double the firepower!" Zhang Xuan continued to instruct.

"Double the firepower?"

Miss Mo Yu clenched her delicate fists.

It was already at its limit, and increasing the firepower was like pouring oil on a fire.

But having made up her mind, regardless of the outcome, she madly channeled true energy from her palm.

Whoosh!

Stimulated by the true energy, the flames instantly doubled, and the scorching fire immediately enveloped the entire furnace.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The furnace was already under immense pressure from the medicinal power within, and with the increased flames, it couldn't hold. A series of crackling sounds, and the previously fine cracks suddenly widened...

"It's exploding!"

A cry came from the crowd, and they saw the cracked furnace could no longer bear it. With a loud "Boom!"

A scorching wave of air shot up into the sky. The originally sturdy and thick furnace shattered into pieces, flying in all directions.

"It's over..."

Miss Mo Yu, who was channeling true energy, hadn't expected the explosion to be so sudden. Before she could react or even flee, she felt a massive pressure bearing down on her.

The pressure contained fragments of the furnace. If hit, even with her considerable strength, she would be severely injured.

"It's over, I've been done in by this guy..."

Her heart tightened, knowing she couldn't escape, she had to circulate her true energy to protect her vital points.

Whoosh!

Just as she thought she would be severely injured, a figure suddenly appeared before her.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The violent wave of air exploded completely. The figure stood motionless in front of her, like a great mountain, taking all the attacks upon himself.

"Zhang Xuan..."

At that moment, she recognized him—it was the guy she found annoying!

At the moment of the explosion, he stood in front of her, blocking all the impact...

Her eyes reddened slightly.

She hadn't expected that although this guy spoke harshly, his actions were unambiguous.

Earlier, Zhu Jinhuan, Zhou Xuan, and Yun Tao all claimed they would do anything for her, but when the critical moment came, they were nowhere to be seen. Instead, it was this harsh-talking guy who stood in front.

Whoosh!

The smoke and dust cleared. The furnace that had stood there was now reduced to pieces of scrap metal, and the charcoal was scattered everywhere.

Zhang Xuan stood in front of the exploded furnace, having blocked all the attacks for Miss Mo Yu. He was a mess—his clothes torn, his face blackened.

"Are you alright?" Hall Master Feng and the others came over.

"I'm fine." Zhang Xuan shook his head.

His Heavenly Dao Golden Body, combined with Heavenly Dao true energy, had long made his defense comparable to steel. Although the furnace explosion was powerful, it only caused superficial injuries and didn't harm his foundation.

"Good that you're fine... If you really can't refine it, I'll send someone to the Northern Void Kingdom to ask Alchemist Wang Xing to step in." Hall Master Feng comforted him.

Alchemist Wang Xing was the president of the Northern Void Kingdom Alchemist Association, a peak two-star alchemist.

It was hard for others to get him to act, but Hall Master Feng had some personal friendship with him and was of equal status, so it wasn't too difficult to ask for his help.

"No need..."

Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan was about to speak when he saw Zhu Jinhuan and Zhou Xuan rush over, hurriedly helping Miss Mo Yu up, their faces full of concern.

"Miss Mo Yu, are you injured?"

Seeing them come over only now, Mo Yu showed a look of disappointment and shook her head.

The impact of the furnace explosion had all been blocked by that young man; she was only frightened and had no injuries.

"It's all this guy's fault. He was 'guiding' alchemy, acting all impressive. And what's the result? Not only did the furnace explode, but he almost hurt Miss Mo Yu. If something had happened to her, could you bear the responsibility?"

"Alchemy is no child's play. Just giving guidance—do you think you're a master teacher? Even a master teacher wouldn't dare to guide a one-star alchemist in refining a second-grade pill. How reckless!"

Seeing their goddess silent, the two became even angrier. They turned to Zhang Xuan and snorted.

"Shut up!"

Already disappointed in them, seeing them chatter on made her even angrier. Miss Mo Yu's face darkened.

"Miss Mo Yu..."

Unexpectedly, their attempt to defend her backfired. Just as they were about to explain, they saw the goddess walk over to Zhang Xuan, her face full of apology: "The pill wasn't refined; it was my fault. If it's not possible, let's try again. This time, I promise I won't lose focus!"

"It's fine." Zhang Xuan waved his hand, unconcerned.

"Thank you for standing in front of me just now, blocking the force of the furnace explosion. No man has ever done that for me. I understand your feelings..." Seeing him so indifferent, Miss Mo Yu felt even more guilty and couldn't help saying.

"Ahem, stop right there! You're overthinking it... I wasn't blocking the furnace explosion for you!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head, extended his hand, and in his palm appeared several round pills: "I was collecting the pills that had just been refined!"