Overlord of Heaven and Earth

Despite the overwhelming difficulties that loomed as insurmountable as scaling the heavens, the problem simply demanded a solution. Gu Feng took a deep, steadying breath, striving to compose himself and quell the storm of thoughts swirling within his mind. He reached out and picked up a medicinal herb from the bamboo table, holding it aloft before his eyes. His brow furrowed in concentration as he delved deep into his memory, recalling the detailed annotations of these herbs in the prescription.

"Xia Lin Hua, with its resplendent hues of gold and pink, possesses a warm and gentle nature."

"Blood Ginseng, bearing the vivid color of fresh blood, leans towards a yang - dominant essence."

"Dog Tail Fruit, shimmering in a silvery sheen, has a nature that inclines towards yin."

Gu Feng muttered these descriptions under his breath, his voice a low, pensive murmur. In an instant, a glimmer of understanding seemed to flicker within his mind, but upon closer examination, it dissipated, leaving him with a sense of grasping at straws.

"A warm nature, a yang - leaning essence, and a yin - leaning quality." Gu Feng's mind churned as he sought to find a common thread among these three herbs. Suddenly, a sentence from "The Basics of Alchemy" flashed across his mental landscape: "When yin and yang collide, a warm element acts as a reconciler, achieving the harmonious balance of yin and yang. This balance, in turn, fortifies the body and enriches one's physical prowess."

As this profound wisdom echoed in his mind, a sudden epiphany dawned on Gu Feng. The Dog Tail Fruit, with its yin - leaning nature, and the Blood Ginseng, embodying yang, were the very embodiment of the "yin - yang clash." And Xia Lin Hua, with its warm essence, was the perfect reconciler, aptly corresponding to "reconciliation by warmth." Together, these three formed a harmonious whole, achieving the long - sought "yin - yang complementarity"!

"So, the sequence should be: the yin - leaning Dog Tail Fruit first, followed by the yang - leaning Blood Ginseng, and finally, the warm Xia Lin Hua." A triumphant smile spread across Gu Feng's face. "Haha! I never imagined that Tian Yisheng had been so meticulous in his design. While testing one's talent, he also gauged the tester's familiarity with 'The Basics of Alchemy'!

"If it weren't for my years of dedicated study of alchemist - related tomes in the Gu family, having memorized the contents of 'The Basics of Alchemy' by heart, I'd still be floundering, no matter how hard I racked my brains to figure out this order." The excitement of his newfound insight was palpable as Gu Feng jumped up from the ground, his laughter ringing out in the quiet room, a hint of pride coloring his tone.

It was no wonder he was so elated. After all, without this familiarity with "The Basics of Alchemy," he might have remained trapped, never able to pass the test, let alone cast off his menial status and pursue his lofty dreams.

However, Gu Feng's moment of jubilation was short - lived. A wave of dizziness washed over him, a clear sign of the excessive mental strain he had endured during the alchemical process without proper rest. With a sigh of resignation, he settled back into a cross - legged position, closing his eyes to regain his equilibrium and rejuvenate his spirit.

Clearly, the recent revelation of the herb sequence had left his mind in a state of turmoil. It took a considerable amount of time for him to gradually calm the tempest within, slipping into a state of serene tranquility, where his mind was as clear as a still lake, reflecting the world around him with perfect clarity.

Approximately two hours later, Gu Feng slowly opened his eyes, his irises shining like stars in the night sky. He exhaled a long, deep breath, expelling the lingering fatigue from his body. Rising gracefully to his feet, he stretched his limbs, eliciting a series of satisfying cracks as his joints realigned.

After a brief period of stretching, once his blood was flowing freely once more, Gu Feng once again assumed a cross - legged position. Taking several deep, centering breaths, he retrieved the ten blue source coins that had lost their former luster. With a focused intent, he channeled his source power into the coins. In an instant, a soft, dark blue glow emanated from them, signifying their renewed vitality.

Eyeing the revitalized source coins with a sense of satisfaction, Gu Feng casually placed them into the designated inlay of the Hundred Flowers Cauldron, covering them with his right hand. In an instant, a vibrant blue flame, pulsating with the very essence of life, erupted from the cauldron, casting a warm, ethereal glow throughout the room.

After allowing the source fire to burn steadily for a while, Gu Feng reached for the yin - leaning Dog Tail Fruit. Without a moment's hesitation, he tossed it into the inferno of the Hundred Flowers Cauldron. Simultaneously, he increased the flow of his source power, causing the flames to roar even more fiercely, hungrily consuming the herb.

Two arduous hours passed, and Gu Feng, ignoring the sweat that stung his eyes, swiftly snatched up the yang - leaning Blood Ginseng. As soon as the opportune moment presented itself, he hurled it into the searing flames.

This time, the alchemy process unfolded exactly as Gu Feng had deduced. The order was correct! The blue source fire continued to dance and crackle, and the herbs neither disintegrated into a useless mess with a hiss nor transmuted into a deadly poison. The progress was smooth, and Gu Feng couldn't help but allow a faint, satisfied smile to grace his lips.

But just as he was beginning to relax, a sudden wave of mental fatigue crashed over him. His nerves, which had been taut as a bowstring, now frayed under the strain. The brilliance in his eyes dimmed, and his body swayed slightly as he fought to maintain his focus.

No! I cannot succumb to this. I will not give up! There are precious few chances left. If I fail now, my dreams will recede even further into the distance. Gu Feng clenched his teeth, his jaw set in determination. He shook his head vigorously, trying to clear the fog of exhaustion that threatened to cloud his mind. His eyes, now bloodshot, burned with an unwavering resolve.

Persevere! Only by gritting my teeth and holding on can I claim victory. Gu Feng knew that if he let go now, he would be consigned to a life of unfulfilled potential. The only way forward was to endure, to push through the pain and fatigue, for it was in the crucible of hardship that true strength was forged.

As the minutes ticked by, Gu Feng was drenched in sweat, his clothes clinging to his body like a second skin. But he was oblivious to his physical discomfort, consumed by a single, all - encompassing sensation: exhaustion. A bone - deep weariness that seeped into his very soul.

If there were a bed within reach at that moment, he was certain he could fall asleep in an instant, such was the depth of his fatigue. This was a testament to the staggering toll the alchemical process had taken on his mind and body.

Another agonizing thirty minutes passed, and finally, Gu Feng's strength gave out. His vision blurred, and then everything went black. He slumped to the ground, unconscious, and the once - promising batch of medicine in the cauldron was reduced to a worthless, charred mess.

From time to time, a delicate, fragrant aroma of medicine wafted in through the cracks of the bamboo door. Perhaps it was the restorative power of this scent that worked its magic on Gu Feng. In less than two hours, he awoke, feeling as refreshed as if he had slept for a full day. His mind was sharp, and his body was brimming with vitality once more.

Blinking the sleep from his eyes, Gu Feng surveyed the ruined contents of the cauldron. A sigh escaped his lips as he realized the magnitude of his loss. Only seven chances remained. He knew he had to redouble his efforts if he hoped to succeed.

Outside, in the sprawling medicine garden, there were still abundant supplies of Dog Tail Grass, Blood Ginseng, and Xia Lin Hua. Gu Feng had fleetingly considered the option of harvesting them for his alchemy, which would have significantly increased his chances. But a moment's reflection was enough to dissuade him. A man of Tian Yisheng's sagacity surely would have anticipated such a move. It was likely that the moment he reached for the herbs, he would be disqualified from the test by the memory - laden inscriptions left by Tian Yisheng. So, despite the temptation, Gu Feng firmly suppressed this thought, determined to abide by the rules.

Undeterred, Gu Feng resumed his alchemical endeavors. On the fourth attempt, he managed to hold on for five hours before succumbing to fatigue and fainting. When he woke, there was no trace of despair on his face. Instead, he meticulously analyzed every possible reason for his failure, committing them to memory as he prepared for the next attempt. The fifth attempt lasted five and a half hours, followed by another fainting spell. The sixth attempt extended to six hours, and the seventh to seven hours. With each passing trial, Gu Feng's mental fortitude grew stronger, like steel being tempered in the fires of adversity.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of struggle, on the eighth attempt, Gu Feng reached the critical moment when the three herbs were on the verge of merging into one. By now, he had been at it for nine long hours, and victory was tantalizingly close.

The merging of the three herbs into a single, harmonious whole was the most crucial and challenging stage of the entire alchemical process. Countless aspiring alchemists had faltered at this very juncture, their dreams of a career in alchemy shattered.

Gu Feng summoned every ounce of his remaining strength, his mind focused like a laser beam. Despite the overwhelming fatigue that threatened to drag him under, he refused to yield. When the pain became almost unbearable, he would bite down hard on his tongue, the sharp sting jolting his mind back into focus.

Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth, a testament to the repeated self - inflicted wounds on his tongue. But Gu Feng paid it no heed. His entire being was consumed by a single, unwavering belief: perseverance.

Under his intense concentration, the essences of the three herbs inched closer, their energies intertwining in a delicate dance. Just as they were on the verge of complete fusion, Gu Feng's body and mind reached their breaking point. A gush of blood erupted from his mouth, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Time seemed to stand still as Gu Feng lay motionless. This time, the fatigue was so profound that it took a full four hours, aided by the soothing fragrance of the medicine, for him to stir. When he finally opened his eyes, he found that his mind and body had been fully restored to their peak condition.

The first thing Gu Feng did upon waking was rush to the cauldron. His heart pounding in his chest, he reached for the lid, his hands trembling with anticipation. As he lifted the lid and peered inside, he froze.

In the left - hand groove of the cauldron lay a dozen or so tiny, green pills, each no larger than a fingernail. They pulsated with a vibrant, life - giving energy. In the right - hand groove, there was a pool of turquoise liquid, also radiating an otherworldly glow. In that instant, Gu Feng knew that he had triumphed.

"Haha, hahaha!" Gu Feng's laughter echoed through the room, a joyous, exultant sound. He held the cauldron lid in his right hand, his eyes fixed on the fruits of his labor. As he laughed, a single tear rolled down his cheek, a mix of relief, joy, and the weight of all the hardships he had endured.

This success was not just a personal victory; it was a gateway to a new life. It meant that he would finally be free from the shackles of his menial status. Once he left the Gu family at the opportune moment, he would be like a dragon emerging from its lair, ready to soar through the boundless skies.

So many nights he had spent tossing and turning, yearning for the day when he could break free from the chains that bound him and spread his wings. So many days he had dedicated to training, honing his skills in pursuit of his dream.

And now, that dream was within his grasp. Even if he failed the remaining two tests of an alchemist's heart and an alchemist's will, his remarkable talent, demonstrated by his successful refinement of a first - grade medium - level prescription on the eighth attempt out of ten, would earn him a place of honor on the Wilderness Continent.

Regardless of the outcome of the remaining tests, he was destined to leave the Gu family and embrace a life of freedom and adventure. Of course, if he could pass the final two trials and become the successor of Tian Yisheng, the ninth - grade high - level alchemy master, it would be the crowning achievement of his life.

Just as these thoughts swirled in his mind, the voice of Tian Yisheng, like a gentle breeze, echoed in his consciousness.