Overlord of Heaven and Earth

In this untamed wilderness continent, source beasts are veritable treasures from head to toe. A mere one percent of the source energy within their bodies can be absorbed by humans. Their pelts can be crafted into highly protective leather goods, and the blood of certain source beasts is regarded as a precious elixir ingredient by alchemists. Hunting down a single source beast can yield an astonishing amount of source energy. This allure drives Benli warriors to risk their lives without hesitation, constantly flocking to the perilous task of hunting these beasts.

Conversely, for source beasts, humans are also a crucial source of source energy and a means to extend their lifespan. As a result, humans and source beasts have become implacable foes, locked in a life - or - death struggle. On this continent, countless Benli warriors lose their lives daily in battles against source beasts. However, the number of those who perish due to internal strife among humans is equally staggering. Human greed knows no bounds. In human - inhabited areas such as the Ziyun Kingdom, acts of arson, murder, looting, and plundering of others' property are severely punished, deterring most from even attempting such heinous deeds. But in the desolate wilds, the rules are entirely different.

After all, just as hunting source beasts can provide source energy, killing humans can also grant one percent of the victim's source energy. Thus, in the wilderness, everyone must remain perpetually vigilant. The slightest lapse in concentration could lead to a swift and tragic end, either torn apart by a source beast or felled by a fellow human's blade.

"Source energy duration," Gu Feng calculated silently in his mind. "I never anticipated that I've been trapped in this 'Ten - Thousand Medicine Space' for nearly an entire day!" He vividly recalled that the day he activated the source energy duration on his sixteenth birthday was precisely the day following his body - building level test. Hence, it was easy for him to calculate the time elapsed. "If I don't make my way out soon, I'll be hard - pressed to account for my absence to the Gu family. I must hasten to pass this trial." Gu Feng deliberated for a moment and resolved in his heart, responding inwardly.

As expected, the aged voice of Tian Yisheng resonated within Gu Feng's mind: "Very well. Since you've completed these preliminary steps, it's time to commence my test! Behold the medicine cauldron within the bamboo hut. It is called the Hundred - Flower Cauldron, a replica of my renowned Ten - Thousand Medicine Cauldron. Now, initiate the process of refining medicine. Whether it be pills or liquid elixirs, both must simultaneously reach the first - grade intermediate level to pass this test. Bear in mind, you are allotted only ten attempts! Should you fail all ten times, it will be clear that you are utterly unworthy of being my Tian Yisheng's successor!"

Gu Feng was left dumbfounded. He had vaguely suspected that Tian Yisheng's test might revolve around medicine refining, as this was a common practice in alchemist talent assessments. However, he never imagined that he would be given only ten chances, and that he would have to work with a first - grade intermediate - level formula, with both pills and elixirs required to meet the exacting first - grade intermediate standard simultaneously!

It was common knowledge that in the alchemist talent tests outside this space, the preparatory phase alone could span an entire month. In contrast, he had merely one day, perhaps even less. Although Tian Yisheng had not imposed a time limit for completion, Gu Feng had no clue how to exit this 'Ten - Thousand Medicine Space'. He couldn't possibly remain here indefinitely, preparing for the test. Not only would he face difficulties explaining his absence to the Gu family, but hunger alone could prove fatal. Moreover, in external alchemist talent tests, each candidate was afforded a thousand opportunities to refine medicine. If all thousand attempts ended in failure, they would be forever barred from the alchemist profession. Additionally, with those thousand attempts, candidates only needed to refine either pills or elixirs, and they were using an ordinary first - grade elementary formula. But here he was, with a mere ten chances, confronted with a first - grade intermediate - level formula, and the daunting task of achieving the required standard for both pills and elixirs simultaneously!

"Ten attempts, first - grade intermediate level, and both requirements met simultaneously?" Gu Feng felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. He suddenly realized that this was no fortuitous opportunity but rather an excruciating ordeal. The space was replete with countless precious elixir ingredients and, presumably, numerous invaluable formulas. Yet, he could only gaze longingly, unable to utilize them. This feeling was almost enough to drive him mad.

In the wild continent, those who managed to pass the test on the thousandth attempt were already one - in - a - million exceptional individuals. Those who triumphed between the nine - hundredth and five - hundredth attempts were certain to attain a high rank in alchemy in the future. Across the entire wild continent, perhaps only a handful of such individuals emerged each year. The wild continent boasted a vast population. Although no one had ever precisely tallied the numbers, tens of millions of people perished each day. Those who passed the test between the five - hundredth and two - hundredth attempts were undoubtedly genius - level figures, highly sought - after by all major forces. As for those who passed between the two - hundredth and one - hundredth attempts, they were considered monstrous geniuses in the wild continent. The moment they emerged, they would trigger a huge sensation. Major forces would stop at nothing, even turning against each other and engaging in fierce battles, to secure their services. However, such monstrous geniuses had not been seen for nearly a hundred years. And from ancient times to the present, no one had ever passed the test within a hundred attempts!

"So what if it's only ten attempts! I'm determined to give it my all! This is the inheritance of a ninth - grade high - level master alchemist. Such stringent tests are only to be expected!" Gu Feng suddenly remembered Tian Yisheng's alchemist rank and immediately felt a sense of relief. A ninth - grade high - level master alchemist was a figure unprecedented in the history of the wild continent. At least, Gu Feng had never heard of or encountered one. For such an extraordinary being, it would be rather strange if the tests were not extremely demanding.

"Whoosh!" Gu Feng exhaled a long, deep breath, banishing all distracting thoughts from his mind and plunging into earnest preparation. At this moment, a single unwavering thought consumed his every fiber: I will pass! I must pass! A person of Tian Yisheng's caliber would never set up a test without purpose. Since this trial had been established, there must be someone who could overcome it. If so, why couldn't he be that person? Since no one in the wild continent had ever passed the test within a hundred attempts, he was determined to shatter this record and become the first to pass the alchemist test within ten tries! Gu Feng clenched his teeth tightly, his eyes bloodshot with determination. He refused to accept fate as it was. In his view, fate was meant to be defied and shaped, not passively endured. Since someone could conquer such a harsh test, he was convinced that he could too!

In the art of medicine refining, mental power is of paramount importance. During the refining process, one's concentration must be unwavering, brooking no room for the slightest distraction. The slightest lapse in focus, improper control of the flames, or inaccurate timing in adding the elixir ingredients could render the entire batch of medicine worthless. Therefore, the assessment of medicine - refining talent primarily hinges on an individual's mental prowess. Additionally, precise control of the flames and the dosage of elixir ingredients are equally crucial and must not be overlooked. Adding even a minute amount more of an ingredient could instantaneously transform a life - saving elixir into a deadly poison. Generally speaking, if one's mental power, flame control, and ingredient dosage control all meet the required standards, the medicine - refining talent test is deemed passed.

Furthermore, refining medicine demands an abundance of patience. Brewing a batch of medicine could take several hours, or even longer. Sitting motionless for such an extended period truly requires extraordinary patience. While Gu Feng might not be overly confident in other aspects, he was certain of his patience. Ever since he began working as a menial servant, he had often been assigned to guard the back gate alone. The back gate might not see a single visitor for an entire week, and he would often spend the entire day there, with nothing to do. Thus, as long as he wasn't hungry, he felt entirely capable of remaining still for two or three days without a problem.

Gu Feng tore a strip of cloth from his garment and meticulously wiped the dust off the Hundred - Flower Cauldron in the bamboo hut. Once it was spotless, he crouched down and intently examined the medicine cauldron before him. True to its name, the Hundred - Flower Cauldron was adorned with carvings of no fewer than a hundred different elixir ingredients. Merely by looking at it, one could discern that the engraved ingredients were of a high grade. Supported by three sturdy legs, the cauldron stood firmly on the ground. Its bronze - colored body emitted an ancient and mysterious aura under the light.

"A replica of the Ten - Thousand Medicine Cauldron?" Gu Feng mused. "Could the Ten - Thousand Medicine Cauldron be the self - flying small medicine cauldron I discovered beneath the tree in the martial arts arena? It must be! Only something as miraculous as that small cauldron could explain how I ended up in this 'Ten - Thousand Medicine Space'." "I never thought I'd be so incredibly lucky. Just casually squatting under a large tree, and I stumble upon a treasure like the 'Ten - Thousand Medicine Cauldron'." Gu Feng couldn't help but smile, elated by his stroke of good fortune. However, he quickly composed himself and refocused on the task at hand. Now was not the time to dwell on such thoughts. The immediate priority was to complete the preparations for medicine refining and face the impending test.

He first arranged ten ginseng roots, ten foxtail fruits, and ten Xialin flowers, all picked from outside the hut, on the bamboo table. Then, he carefully separated one portion of each and set them aside. In an instant, ten sets of the body - replenishing elixir ingredients were readied. "Everything is in place, except for the source coins." The flames used by alchemists in refining medicine are not the ordinary wood fires used by common pharmacists for decocting. Instead, they directly utilize source energy as the flame, commonly referred to as "source fire".

Source coins are a form of currency capable of storing source energy. There are eight distinct colors: white, cyan, green, blue, red, purple, orange, and gold. A white source coin can store source energy for one minute, a cyan one for one hour, a green one for one day, a blue one for ten days, a red one for one month, a purple one for one year, an orange one for ten years, and a gold one for a hundred years. In the wild continent, when individuals engage in source energy transactions, they must use source coins as the medium. Otherwise, they cannot obtain the other party's source energy, unless they resort to killing them.

Gu Feng possessed one blue source coin and five green source coins. These were the birthday gifts bestowed upon him by the Gu family each year. Over the past sixteen years, he had amassed a total of fifteen days' worth of source energy in the form of these coins. Since he had just turned sixteen today, he had yet to receive this year's birthday source coin.