However, she couldn't grip onto this saving grace of a thought for long, because a moment later, Dyon soul qi swept forth. It was so powerful that the old woman and several of the other fringe alchemists froze.
Numerous miniature arrays appeared around the five pills in Dyon's palms. They bombarded them, deconstructing them to a fine level and remolding them.
The process took all of five minutes, yet what came out were four beautiful sparkling pills. Not a single hint of fragrance leaked out, but they only needed their eyes and senses to see exactly what this mortal boy had accomplished.
No fragrance… Only the legendary top grade pills could reach such a state!
[Author's Note: Remember that reinforced pills regain their fragrance, but 90-100% pills (top grade) either have a very small amount (at 90%) or none at all (at 100%)]
"I could only manage to salvage four top grade pills from your hatchet job. This is what a true Immortal Essence Gathering pill looks like."
Dyon tossed the pills back into the jade bottle and threw it back toward the old woman.
She was caught so off guard that she only reacted last minute, putting her hand up frantically to catch it.
Not expecting the speed or power, her forearm broke beneath the impact, her weak greying bones piercing through her sagging skin.
Still, when she shrieked out in terror, it wasn't due to her pain, but rather because the pill bottle and pills themselves shattered under the impact, falling in a rain of dust.
Like a mad woman, she scrambled, trying to pick the remnants of the pill off of the ground, completely forgetting the state her arm was in.
In that moment, it was impossible to tell who was the true mortal.
Dyon shook his head at the pathetic sight.
The truth was that he hadn't exactly tried to injure the old woman, it was just that she was so frail and close to death to begin with that without the protection of her qi, any immortal level strength could do that to her.
Dyon knew that his concoctions would be incredibly expensive. Top grade pills of any kind were fought over everywhere. That much, Dyon had long since learned on the mortal plane. However, it seemed that concocting immortal grade pills was even more difficult.
This made sense, though. The common to star grade was only foundational. Only half-immortal grade pills began to truly use techniques and could be considered the start of true alchemy.
"… He… He has an innate aurora…"
One of the long robed older alchemists trembled, waves rippling through his wrinkles. He nearly fainted under the agitation.
Had it not been for the old man's words, Dyon would have nearly forgotten that his innate aurora was most definitely not a normal thing. He had practically been surrounded by many soul path geniuses on the mortal plane, so it hadn't clicked for him that his existence was shocking to many.
'… Hm, that could be useful.'
Just as Dyon was thinking this, the heavy clinking of armor emitted from the alchemy guild. Tall double doors slid open to reveal a small squad of five guards, each covered in glistening bronze plates of armor that sizzled under the high sunlight.
Scanning the area, their gazes landed on the madly scrambling hook-nosed lady. In unison, they acted as one, marching to her side and lifting her up.
"No… No… My pills… I'm sorry… my pills… They're mine! They're mine!"
It seemed there was a reason she was too scared to make any noise. However, her madness over Dyon's pills had dulled her judgement. She was likely the closest to death in this place, so she was aware that she didn't have much time left.
In reality, for Immortals, advancing in cultivation didn't extend their lives. What it did do was give them a stronger connection to the Heavens that would allow them to deeper their comprehension. Once they did this, they could strengthen their Dao Hearts and thus live for longer.
So, even though advancing to a new realm didn't guarantee living longer, it definitely increased the chances.
The hook-nosed woman had once been a top tier beauty who stepped into the Peak Immortal Essence Realm. Yet, after being stuck there for tens of millions of years, she turned to alchemy, hoping to find a way to break through. After investing tens of millions of years more, she had barely managed to consistently concoct low grade lower venerable pills.
However, such pills had no ability to help her progress to become an Immortal Saint. For that, she would need at least higher venerable pills. But… She had no time to reach such a level.
The guards took her away, kicking and screaming.
Dyon found it odd they didn't directly kill her, but he thought nothing of it. Maybe this city killed mortals on sight, but immortals who had committed 'crimes' got a fair trial.
"I always thought that one would grow tired of living for so long after a certain point…" Saru said softly. "… But it seems that even immortals fear death."
Dyon remained silent for a moment. He didn't feel any pity for the hook-nosed old woman, but Saru's words still resonated with him.
"… Then I'll make sure we just don't die."
Dyon's words were simple, but they filled the hearts of the two women with a reverberating shudder. They knew things Dyon didn't, and they could also feel his undying conviction nonetheless.
The bronze armored guards hadn't even sent a glance toward Dyon, while the remaining older alchemists looked toward him like fiendish, hungry hounds.
Dyon smirked. It seemed they were all eager to capture him to either refine pills for them or were competing to see who could snatch and refine his soul first.
The mortal plane might not have had the ability to do it, but Dyon didn't underestimate the immortal plane. There were definitely individuals here who could snatch his soul in an attempt to take his Innate Aurora for themselves. The soul arts of this plane were far better than those of the mortal plane.
"Good luck." Dyon said casually.
