Wang Fanming

Wang Fanming is the East Pill Furnace Lord who investigates Fang Mu's false identity, accepts his loyalty to alchemy, and creates the first formal route for his promotion.

Biography

Investigation of Fang Mu

Wang appears in Fang Mu's courtyard after discovering that the newcomer's exceptional plant knowledge has no matching background in the State of Eastern Emergence. Under Core Formation pressure, Meng Hao admits that he is an outsider who used deception to enter the East Pill Division but withholds his original identity. Wang treats the Bridge of Truth result and Meng Hao's promise not to forsake the division as the decisive evidence, accepts “Fang Mu,” and grants an otherwise unavailable place in the promotion examination. (Chapters 215–216)

Master-alchemist examination

As one of eight administrators, Wang watches Fang Mu continue through plant-identification realms after every competitor fails. In the catalysis final he explains the rules and responds when candidates object that Fang Mu's Flying Ash seed is too easy. The administrators issue harder Crimson Spirit seeds to everyone; Fang Mu alone catalyzes one all the way to fruit. Wang then announces his promotion throughout the East Pill Division. (Chapters 217–220)

Appearance and personality

Wang is a white-haired old man who first uses his cultivation to create a deliberately intimidating interrogation. His caution is institutional rather than cruel: once satisfied that Fang Mu will not betray the East Pill Division, he bends eligibility rules to recognize genuine talent. During the exam he remains procedural and answers fairness complaints with a harder common standard. (Chapters 215–220)

Abilities and cultivation

Core Formation pressure

Wang's cultivation can weigh down and test an apprentice-level alchemist without requiring physical attack. He uses the pressure to make the identity inquiry serious, then withdraws it when the answers satisfy him. The scene does not present the pressure as mind reading or proof against every lie. (Chapters 215–216)

Furnace Lord alchemy

His rank implies mastery beyond ordinary master alchemists in plant identification, catalysis, and pill refinement. In the examination his role is evaluation rather than demonstration: he recognizes extreme identification depth and can judge whether a seed has been catalyzed through the required stages. (Chapters 217–220)

Examination authority

Wang can investigate recruits, waive normal access restrictions, set replacement materials, and proclaim promotion across the division. This authority is constrained by East Pill rules and the other administrators, which is why he tests Fang Mu's loyalty and uses a common Crimson Spirit challenge rather than simply declaring him gifted. (Chapters 215–220)

Relationships

• Meng Hao: Investigates, accepts, tests, and promotes him under the Fang Mu identity.
• Grandmaster Pill Demon: Leads the inclusive East Pill tradition under which Wang judges devotion to alchemy above birthplace.

Items

• Crimson Spirit seeds: Harder common examination material used after competitors challenge the Flying Ash seed. (Chapters 219–220)