Myriad Realms Gatekeeper

```

That is to say, he got a bye.

Strange.

Soul Demons generally do not interfere in anything.

Why give oneself a blank peach blossom?

The male cultivator beside Shen Ye suddenly stood up, holding a peach blossom and said,

"My question concerns the technique of weapon forging, in which I have some insights. Today, I will share a bit with you all, and I hope you won't stint your advice."

The male cultivator then began to speak loudly.

However, he was quickly interrupted by a petite and delicate female cultivator who posed a rather difficult question.

The male cultivator pondered briefly before providing an answer.

The female cultivator covered her mouth and giggled, flicking her hand, and a talisman flew in front of the male cultivator.

"This is my communication talisman. If you don't disdain it, I hope you will accept it so we can contact each other in the future," said the female cultivator.

"Alright, alright," the male cultivator's face flushed, and he accepted the talisman and continued speaking.

Shen Ye noticed something.

Out of fifteen people, twelve were to discuss the Dharma.

By the time all twelve had finished, it was already very late.

It was uncertain whether there would be a second round.

Having received a blank petal implied he got a bye.

There was no chance to perform.

Naturally, it was not easy to catch the female cultivator's attention.

Could it be that the Soul Demon did not want him to receive the favor of the female cultivators?

Shen Ye found this both amusing and baffling.

Did the Sect Master Saint intend to keep him in the sect by such means, continuing to contribute money?

How despicable.

...Well, finding a partner was just a pretext.

By acting this way, the Sect Master Saint had unwitting–

Shen Ye simply squinted his eyes, sat there, and quietly listened to the various cultivators discuss the Dharma.

The topics covered Talismans, Elixirs, Artifact Refining, Formations, close combat, Five Elements Technique, terms, Dharma Aspects, and other aspects.

And everyone's explanations were quite profound.

Listening to them, Shen Ye also gained some insights.

—After all, those who participated in tonight's discussion were among the elite of the younger generation.

He was just listening to a female cultivator discussing the Technique of the Five Elements when Dantai Mingyue stood up and said with a smile,

"Tonight, I have prepared spiritual pills and exotic fruits, as well as Immortal Liquor for everyone. I'd like to ask the three of you who got byes to lend a hand and come with me to fetch them."

Shen Ye stood up with the other two and followed her out of the pavilion.

They arrived at a cavern dwelling.

Dantai Mingyue skillfully opened several gourds, extracted various elixirs and spirit fruits, filled two large plates, then filled several pots of beverages and had the two men carry them back.

Now only she and Shen Ye were left.

—Along with four Soul Demons, watching intently around the two.

Finally, Dantai Mingyue spoke up,

"Fellow Nangong, I won't hide it from you. I urgently need a large batch of Superior Grade Tranquil Spirit Pills, I wonder if you could lend a hand?"

"I already said I can only make Mid-grade Calming Pills," replied Shen Ye.

Dantai Mingyue raised her hand, revealing a jade slip.

She announced,

"This is the technique for refining Superior Grade Tranquil Spirit Pills, priceless indeed. Sadly, I was not born with the talent for alchemy and have failed to meet my family's expectations."

"If you really can refine a batch of Mid-grade Calming Pills, I would then gift this technique to you."

Shen Ye stared at her blankly.

Delving into alchemy was just a temporary strategy for him.

However,

Even the sect no longer had stocks of Superior Grade Tranquil Spirit Pills.

This elixir, capable of treating both the spirit soul and the physical injuries while expelling evil and calming spirits, is an advanced elixir and truly difficult to make.

Learning to refine Superior Grade Tranquil Spirit Pills would not only greatly improve a cultivator's status but also bring considerable income.

So she took out the secret technique for the superior grade—

Did she want to invest in him? To collaborate with him?

...Alright then.

"I indeed can refine Mid-grade Calming Pills. I'll refine a batch later to show you," said Shen Ye.

"No day like today," Dantai Mingyue smiled.

She slapped her storage bag.

A small alchemy furnace quietly appeared in the room.

The materials needed for refining the Tranquil Spirit Pills were placed on the table.

Everything was ready.

Shen Ye didn't mind, he said, "Fine then," and formed the technique, igniting the Alchemy Fire Formation inside the furnace.

"How about I just make three to five pills to speed up the process?" he asked.

"As long as it's successful," said Dantai Mingyue.

"Okay."

If he was just making a small amount of Mid-grade Calming Pills, the needed materials weren't much, and it wouldn't take long.

Shen Ye skillfully controlled the pill furnace, adding materials, and started the refining process step by step.

A quarter of an hour later.

Shen Ye's expression turned solemn, and his hand gestures changed again.

A roar of wind and fire came from the pill furnace—

—The pills were about to be formed!

Just then, the four Soul Demons, who had been silently observing them, acted.

They suddenly approached and observed around the furnace, then stopped.

Shen Ye's heart skipped a beat.

Soul Demons always just watched, never actively did anything,

—What were they intending to do?

Regardless, the pills were about to be ready.

Make the pills first and address the rest later.

"Rise!"

Shen Ye uttered lightly, his techniques shifting once more.

The flames in the furnace grew even fiercer.

However, at the same moment, the four Soul Demons stretched out their hands, forming hand gestures.

Suddenly...

The fire in the furnace was extinguished.

Shen Ye's expression changed.

At this critical moment of pill formation, they extinguished the fire!

Damn it!

Only a "clang" was heard as the furnace shook violently, resounding with bursting sounds.

The furnace had exploded!

Several blackened pills flew out, landing in Shen Ye's hands.

—These were ruined pills!

The final step was disrupted, causing all the pills to spoil!

Shen Ye was furious, but his face showed only surprise as he exclaimed,

"How could this happen!"

—These Soul Demons did not allow him to successfully refine the Mid-grade Calming Pills!

```