Chapter 51: The Furnace (Part 6)

Upon realizing she had reached the foundation establishment, the first thing Xu Qianyu did was to dash through the trees, pick a golden lotus, write her name on it, and send the flower floating across the water with a swift flick.
In the pavilion at the center of the lake, an elder in white robes sat holding a fishing rod. He quickly reeled in the golden lotus and, placing it in a box, looked over with a distant gaze. “Young friend Xu, are you registering for the Water Moon Flower Realm? Have you established your foundation?”
Xu Qianyu quickly replied, “I reached the foundation establishment last night!”
The elder chuckled. “You have good timing—this group is just about to fill up.”
Xu Qianyu smiled faintly.

She had to enter the Water Moon Flower Realm; in her past life, her stellar performance there had propelled her into the inner sect.
Suddenly remembering something, she picked another golden lotus, wrote down Yu Chu’s name, and sent it out. “Is there really such a large crowd? I’ll register for someone else as well.”
“Indeed, the place is full of hidden talents. The Sect Master announced that this time, there will be an inner sect selection.” The elder looked at the golden lotus. “Have you prepared your magical tools? Others are probably almost done, so be sure to hurry.”
Thus, her second task was to buy a wrist-mounted dart launcher she had long admired from the market. She also chose a vertical flute to use as a sword and wanted a few higher-grade artifacts. Xu Qianyu poured a large amount of spirit stones into the furnace to refine a weapon called the “Ten Thousand Crow Pitcher.”

This pitcher was an offensive weapon that could release many firecrows.
She read the alchemy manual carefully, being meticulous with her materials. She even slept by the furnace at night, but when it was time to open the furnace, she removed a silver mesh from the crucible and frowned.
The mesh was made up of countless tiny silver rings, shimmering as if inlaid with jewels—quite exquisite, but if she wasn’t mistaken, this was just a sword sheath.
Superficial and impractical.
She asked a senior nearby, “I was clearly refining a pitcher, so why did I end up with something like this?”
The senior carefully checked her steps and materials, then smiled. “There don’t seem to be any errors, but with artifact refining, sometimes a bit of bad luck can lead to unexpected results.”
Xu Qianyu looked at the sword sheath she had worked so hard to create with her precious spirit stones. Though disappointed, she steadied herself: No worries; there’s still a way to make up for it.
That evening, Ruan Zhuqing came to the Mingtang Pavilion and, seeing that the inscription on her jade plaque had changed to “Shark,” became anxious. “Hey, you haven’t sold all your purple jade yet—why change the theme?”
He still hadn’t collected all the purple jade hairpins.
Xu Qianyu folded her arms. “The theme changes according to my mood. Why do you care?”
Then Ruan Zhuqing drew the sword sheath.
Holding it, he frowned and examined it for a while, then relaxed and slowly admired it. “How beautiful. It truly is like mist, like lightning, like a shark’s silver scales.”
Xu Qianyu nodded. “Glad you like it.” She then sold him three shark pearls with a straight face and finally gave him a lotus-shaped hairpin made of purple jade and shark pearls.
Surprisingly, Ruan Zhuqing drew the purple jade hairpin, his eyes widening in delight, and he left overjoyed.

Both of them were quite satisfied. Xu Qianyu quickly poured her earnings back into the refining furnace, tending to it carefully.
However, when she opened the furnace again, she saw a silver hair crown inside, which worsened her mood.

That day, as Yu Chu was leaving, she heard someone calling her. Surprised by who it was, she said, “Miss Lu.”
Lu You looked at her, her smile slightly stiffening, and appeared even more surprised than Yu Chu.
After dealing with her troubles, Lu You had only just realized that Yu Chu hadn’t come to her for comfort in quite some time, which made her worried. If Yu Chu had no one to confide in and something went wrong, it would disrupt her role.
Yet after all this time, the girl before her looked anything but haggard; she appeared even more radiant. She wore the pure white robes of a disciple, her hair arranged high with purple crystal hairpins, and her eyes gleamed with an ethereal brightness she hadn’t had before.
Lu You sized her up and, for some reason, felt a bit downcast. Smiling, she said, “You look beautiful today. Do you have something important to take care of?”
Yu Chu smiled back, “I’m going to get some pastries for Miss. Once I have them, I’ll bring some for you as well.”
“Miss?”
“Yes… Xu Qianyu, do you know her?”
Lu You was thunderstruck. She never would’ve imagined that her target of influence had gone over to Xu Qianyu. She immediately took Yu Chu’s hand, whispering, “Has she been bullying or forcing you?”
Xu Qianyu had a domineering nature. It wasn’t just Yu Chu; even Lu You found herself constantly oppressed and ridiculed. But no matter how easygoing Yu Chu might be, it wasn’t right for a fellow disciple to treat her like a servant.
“No… no, she hasn’t.” Yu Chu’s expression was nuanced, and as Lu You watched, her heart sank; there wasn’t any sign of grievance, maybe even a hint of secret delight.
Was Yu Chu okay? Why couldn’t she understand her reaction? Had Xu Qianyu brainwashed her?
Hurriedly, she advised, “Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of. If she truly respected you as a friend, she wouldn’t humiliate you by treating you as a servant.”
Just then, an impatient call came from outside, “Yu Chu?”
Lu You’s heart skipped upon hearing that familiar voice. Yu Chu’s eyes widened, and she leaped up to leave. “I have to go; Miss is calling me. See you later, Miss Lu!”
Lu You couldn’t hold her back. She watched as Yu Chu ran off, barely able to hold her expression together.
What was going on with people in this lifetime?
Chen Duo had holed up indoors after his accident, refusing to see anyone. To help him remember her, she’d sent him notes and meals, only for him to toss them all out, shattered to pieces. Lu You felt apprehensive; she’d managed to get someone to carve her name in the Water Moon Flower Realm. But if Chen Duo didn’t show up, who would help her seize the treasure?
“Do you think Yu Chu is holding a grudge against me for not standing up for her?”
When Lu You returned to the rear courtyard, her face expressionless, she picked a flower bud and began rubbing it in her hands. “And as for Chen Duo, he just doesn’t appreciate kindness. Seems like I need to rethink my approach.”

“You’re so slow.” Xu Qianyu crossed her arms, having grown impatient waiting for Yu Chu to return, and instead followed her directly into her room.
Yu Chu’s attempts to dissuade her failed, so she hurried in first, scooping up scattered clothing, hairbands, and bedding, quickly bundling them into the cabinet, and tidying up the bed to avoid any complaints from her mistress.
Xu Qianyu picked up a plate from the table, examining it. Yu Chu hurriedly rearranged the dishes scattered around, discreetly disposing of the failed, burnt attempts.
Once she finished, she retrieved the pastries baking in her magical furnace, carefully arranging them in a wooden box.

“All set, Miss.” When she came out, Yu Chu saw Xu Qianyu studying her oven.
Having such a large furnace in a small resting chamber was indeed unusual. The celadon furnace bore an eight-petaled lotus design, with a fire chamber below and a ring of light above.
“Do you bake pastries here?”
Yu Chu replied, “Yes.”
“Why not use an open flame for cooking? This furnace wall is thick; you can’t even see inside.” Xu Qianyu remarked, “How do you know if it’s done?”
“I don’t need to look. I can tell by the sounds.” Yu Chu set the box down, opened the fire slot, and demonstrated by putting a batch of dough inside, casting a spell to ignite the flame, and gently fanning it with an Eight Immortals fan. “Listen carefully: the sound of fermentation, drying, and expansion is different. It’s like the pastries are speaking; I know what’s happening inside by the sounds.”
Xu Qianyu, though she’d reached the Foundation Establishment stage, could pick up the sound of the fan but couldn’t hear the pastries “talking.”

Yu Chu passionately explained, then noticed Xu Qianyu staring at her with a thoughtful expression. She grew timid. “Miss, did I… say something wrong?”
In the next moment, Xu Qianyu grabbed her collar.
Together, they stood before a tall refining furnace, and Yu Chu trembled, retreating in fear. “No, I can’t…”
Xu Qianyu blocked her path. “Of course you can. Didn’t you just explain it so well?”
“But that’s for pastries, Miss!” Yu Chu was flustered. “I’ve never refined anything.”
Xu Qianyu forcefully handed her a refining manual. She had to give it a try, no matter the odds.
“It’s not hard. Just follow the instructions in the manual. I’ve already placed the materials and spirit stones inside. All you have to do is tend the fire and watch the furnace.”
She was determined; if even another person couldn’t succeed, maybe it was fate that she was incompatible with this furnace.
Yu Chu clutched the manual, trembling. She knew that refining was an expensive endeavor. Her lessons only allowed her to carve wood. “Miss, how many spirit stones did you put in?”
“Ten thousand.”
“Ten… ten thousand…”
“Don’t worry,” Xu Qianyu reassured. “If we lose it, it’s on me.”
If even a different person couldn’t change her luck, she’d accept that her fortune simply didn’t align with this furnace.
“Does my presence make you nervous?” Xu Qianyu noted Yu Chu’s sweating forehead. “I’ll leave, then. Once it’s done, bring it to me.”
The moment Xu Qianyu left, Yu Chu’s legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor.
She couldn’t help it; the weight of those ten thousand spirit stones was too much. She held the manual, shivering, and started inching her way to the furnace.
“What’s wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?” Ruan Zhuqing, who entered, was startled to see her crawling on the floor, tending the fire.

“Ignore me,” Yu Chu said, clutching the manual to her chest and carefully fanning with the Eight Immortals fan while shaking. “I’m fine, just… too nervous.”
“Nervous? About what?”
“Ten thousand… ten thousand spirit stones.”
Ruan Zhuqing chuckled, “Is this your first time refining? What are you making?”
“I can’t say.” Yu Chu shook her head resolutely. “They say if you say it out loud, it won’t turn out well. Sincerity brings success.”
Ruan Zhuqing glanced sideways at the booklet, thinking it was just a practice session for the “Thousand Crows Pot.” What was there to be so superstitious about?
“Kneeling like this, aren’t your legs sore? Get up,” Ruan Zhuqing said softly, amused at her trembling. “It’s only ten thousand spirit stones. Could it be that you borrowed them?”
“I’m watching the furnace for someone else,” Yu Chu replied, eyes fixed on the furnace. “If I lose ten thousand, I won’t see the sun tomorrow.”
“Oh? Who’s that terrifying?” Ruan Zhuqing, known for his popularity in the sect due to his sweet talk and generosity, responded boldly, “Don’t worry. If you fail, I’ll give you another ten thousand so you can try again.”
Yu Chu couldn’t help but glance at him, though her hands remained steady as she controlled the fire. The young man, looking dashing and approachable, wore the inner-sect disciple’s robes. “Are you Brother Ruan, Elder Lin’s disciple?”
“That’s me,” Ruan Zhuqing replied, picking up an Eight Immortals fan to help fan the flames. “You’ve got a fire spirit root and can even control Phoenix Fire.”
Yu Chu quickly snatched the fan back, carefully controlling the fire. Ruan Zhuqing noticed her side profile, with her hair styled similarly to Xu Qianyu’s but carrying a distinctly different air—quite interesting. Just then, the furnace emitted a sharp crack, and Yu Chu’s face went pale as she collapsed to the ground.
Ruan Zhuqing opened the furnace hatch for her and laughed when he saw inside. “Isn’t it perfect?”
Yu Chu scrambled over in joy, bowed to him twice, then packed up the Thousand Crows Pot and left.
Xu Qianyu accepted the gleaming pot, lifted the lid slightly, and, seeing a cluster of black-red sparks burst out, closed it with satisfaction. She thought, So it really was the operator’s problem. She patted Yu Chu on the shoulder, her beautiful eyes gazing at her. “From now on, my furnace is yours to manage.”
Yu Chu seemed to sway weakly.
“By the way,” Xu Qianyu added, “I registered you for the Water Moon Flower Realm. Will you go?

Yu Chu let out a surprised “Ah” and promptly fainted. Xu Qianyu hurried to support her. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. No need for this reaction.”

Xu Qianyu remembered that the person who guided her at night was her senior brother, but recalled little else. She couldn’t resist looking for him, though it seemed he hadn’t wanted her to know. Seeing him might be awkward, but since he helped her establish her foundation, he deserved some thanks.
But the boy guarding the entrance stopped her, saying that Brother Shen was in seclusion with no return date, though he left something for her.
Disappointed, Xu Qianyu took back a stack of books.
Previously, Shen Suwei had mentioned that although he couldn’t clarify her doubts immediately, he would write notes for her when he had time. She opened one book and, sure enough, found numerous slips of paper tucked inside, all neatly trimmed and concealed within the pages.
She took the slips out, lining them up on the table one by one.
It seemed he had written a little every day in his spare time to complete this extensive project. The ink shades varied slightly.
Shen Suwei’s handwriting was like his character—neither bold nor rigid, quiet yet elegant, with an underlying strength. His answers were concise; if two words would suffice, he wouldn’t use three.
Every question she had marked with a circle had been addressed, each response accumulating to quite a lot.

Xu Qianyu looked at the entire table full of notes.
In her previous life, her senior brother had rarely left her notes. He was never one for excessive words, coming and going silently, rarely explaining anything. They had often been together, so he’d usually speak directly. Consequently, she had little impression of his handwriting.
The slips contained nothing but casual answers, yet they were all written by Shen Suwei for her. She could keep them; she could possess them. This gave her an odd sense of attachment. After staring at them for a long time and touching them repeatedly, she finally placed them back into the books one by one and began reading.
As she turned to the final page of the last book, she was startled to find a golden butterfly lying flat within.
When she turned to that page, the butterfly seemed to come to life, fluttering and flying out to circle before her.
She reached out to catch it, and the butterfly transformed into a slip of paper—a message butterfly.
However, the paper was blank, with space left for her to write. If she had any further questions, she could leave a message here for him.
Xu Qianyu thought for a long while, unable to find the right words, and, not wanting to waste it, released the slip. It turned back into a butterfly, flitting playfully in front of her nose. Smiling, she watched it for a while, then opened the book with a soft “snap” and slipped it back inside.
She closed the book and arranged it neatly. After a moment’s thought, she placed an inkstone, a jade paperweight, and a jade bowl on top, just in case the butterfly might fly away.
In a stone cave, Shen Suwei sat cross-legged, his wide sleeves cascading like clouds, his hem white as snow. After completing a cycle of cultivation, he turned his head, face lightly beaded with sweat, looking towards the light.
All was silent around him, save for the swirling white snow outside.