Su Yuan glanced at the final batch of Fasting Pills.

Three wisps of divine essence flew out and landed in the Ten Thousand Treasures Heaven-Earth Cauldron.

"What grade have they reached now? What effects do they have?"

"They've reached upper first-grade already. They can simulate various flavors and aromas, while extending the fasting effect to one year." Little Qian hesitated before adding, "But this function seems rather useless!"

"You don't understand. If we ever find ourselves in a place without food or spiritual energy replenishment, this spiritual liquid could sustain us for a very long time! This effect is absolutely necessary—we must prepare for rainy days!" Su Yuan replied calmly.

"You really are..." Little Qian muttered, "exceptionally paranoid."

Tao Yaoyao spoke up: "Su Yuan, I noticed your pill refining technique has reached an extremely profound level. Would you consider participating in the next Alchemy Conference?"

Su Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "What are you talking about, Peak Master Tao? I have no interest in leaving the sect."

"You wouldn't need to go elsewhere—the Alchemy Conference is held within our Seven Extremes Sect. Every five years, we invite alchemists from various sects and factions to participate. Cultivators under a hundred years old are all eligible."

Tao Yaoyao sighed. "Our Seven Extremes Sect often wins the championship, though not every time. This year's conference begins in six months—with your skills, you could easily claim victory by then."

Su Yuan looked puzzled. "What's the significance of winning?"

"Of course there is!" Tao Yaoyao exclaimed. "Fate may seem intangible, but it's crucial for cultivators. The Alchemy Conference gathers the young generation's most talented alchemists. The champion absorbs a portion of alchemical destiny, making future cultivation smoother and enabling higher quality pill refinement!"

Hearing this, Su Yuan fell into thought.

Tao Yaoyao's explanation reminded him of his own fame system. In a way, this was another method of gathering destiny from the masses, albeit more straightforward.

After consideration, he decided experimenting at the conference might be worthwhile. He didn't need to win—just making a name for himself would earn substantial fame points!

Moreover, he'd thought of a brilliant idea: what kind of person gained fame most easily? Naturally, a grassroots alchemist rising from obscurity!

Remembering his previously mastered transformation technique, he suddenly saw its perfect application.

Having decided, Su Yuan sighed and shook his head. "Apologies, Sister Tao. The path of alchemy isn't my true pursuit. I only refined these Fasting Pills out of casual interest—I don't plan to participate in the conference."

Tao Yaoyao persisted: "There's no danger—it's held within our sect!"

"Honestly, I'm not interested. But perhaps you could share some conference materials for me to review first?" Su Yuan countered.

"Very well."

Tao Yaoyao handed him a jade slip.

After examining it, Su Yuan exclaimed in surprise: "There's an Artifact Conference too?"

"Indeed. The Artifact Conference occurs around the same time but starts three months later—also hosted by our sect. Additionally, there are Formation and Talisman Conferences, though those are held by other sects," Tao Yaoyao confirmed.

"Others need to qualify through preliminary rounds, but if you participate, I can arrange direct entry to the main competition!" she added with a smile. "Winning isn't essential—the experience itself would be valuable."

"I'll consider it. Thank you for the suggestion, Sister Tao," Su Yuan replied warmly.

Tao Yaoyao glanced at the surrounding pills. "How should we handle these?"

"Please dispose of them for me," Su Yuan said casually.

"These high-grade flawless Fasting Pills are perfect for Qi Refinement disciples nearing breakthrough—they should avoid impure foods. We could offer them as special provisions for late-stage Qi Refinement disciples to exchange with contribution points, which would transfer directly to you."

Su Yuan hesitated. "For them to consume? Would that be... appropriate?"

"Why not?" Tao Yaoyao asked, puzzled.

"Well... these pills have rather unique flavors."

"Unique? How bad could Fasting Pills taste?"

She casually scraped powder from a pill and licked it.

Su Yuan immediately closed his eyes.

Tao Yaoyao's face contorted violently, her eyes bulging. She tried spitting it out, but the flawless quality ensured instant absorption.

Frantically gulping spiritual water to rinse her mouth proved futile—that minuscule amount had imprinted its indescribably bizarre flavor onto her very soul. Only after considerable time did the sensation fade.

When Su Yuan reopened his eyes, Tao Yaoyao was massaging her twitching facial muscles, gazing at him like he was a demon.

"A-are you alright?" he coughed.

"What in heavens was that flavor? It's... beyond description!" she gasped. "We absolutely cannot give these to disciples!"

Su Yuan's eyes gleamed craftily. "Actually, I intentionally created that taste!"

"Oh?"

"Qi Refinement disciples seeking Foundation Establishment need not just solid foundations, but mental fortitude. These pills train their endurance and mental state, making future breakthroughs smoother!"

"That... makes disturbing sense," Tao Yaoyao mused. "The real test comes during the demonic tribulation at Golden Core breakthrough. These could serve as preparatory training."

"Just don't tell anyone I made them!" Su Yuan hastily added.

"Of course!" Tao Yaoyao beamed with radiant, almost holy benevolence—prompting Su Yuan to retreat a step.

"It's getting late—I should return to farming."

With that, Su Yuan departed, leaving behind flawless Fasting Pills and a contemplative Tao Yaoyao.

Back in his cave dwelling, he resumed farming without urgency—his seven-day pill refining marathon had merely served to stabilize the Ten Thousand Treasures Heaven-Earth Cauldron. Now that it was settled, alchemy could wait.

Seven days later, as Su Yuan neared completion of his spiritual field work:

[Ding! Fame Points +50]

A powerful mental echo accompanied the system notification. Activating [Mind Echo], his consciousness projected to a secluded training site within the sect.

There, he witnessed a familiar figure:

"Old Valley Master?" Su Yuan blinked in surprise.

"Damnable old bastard who crafted this abomination!"

Lan Si clawed at the ground, fingers leaving bloody grooves, his brow furrowed like mountain ridges as he desperately gulped spiritual water to purge the soul-penetrating fusion of sweet-sour-bitter-spicy-salty-astringent-numbing flavors assaulting his senses.

Memories flashed chaotically across his consciousness before shattering against the horrific taste. After fifteen minutes of writhing, he finally collapsed, gasping as the torment subsided.

Staring blankly at the ceiling, he lamented: "This is Pill Extremes Peak's so-called 'flawless pills increasing breakthrough chances by 5%'? I actually believed them!"

His bloated stomach and exhausted body made Golden Core breakthrough seem impossible—if anything, the effect seemed counterproductive!

Cursing the mysterious alchemist responsible, he suddenly resolved: "I can't suffer alone. After sharing this... experience, I'll resume my breakthrough attempt. Otherwise, my thoughts won't find peace!"

Su Yuan only saw Lan Si rise with a sinister grin before departing—the mental projections fading before revealing his internal monologue.

"Could these pills affect cognition? Impossible! Aside from the taste, their efficacy is impeccable—a full month's sustenance!"

Having refined countless batches, Su Yuan knew Fasting Pills better than anyone.

"Old Valley Master has returned? May his Golden Core breakthrough succeed," Su Yuan sincerely wished.

The next day, a strangely cheerful Lan Si re-entered his training chamber with renewed determination.

Outside, several grim-faced disciples clenched their fists, vowing to wait however long necessary—they'd see this through to the end!

After ten days of vigil, Golden Core energy fluctuations finally emanated from the chamber.

The disciples exchanged stunned glances.

"It... actually worked?"