Chapter Fifteen: I’m About to Begin Refining Pills

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Gu Xuan hurried back and gently pushed open the door. The room was filled with the lingering fragrance of tea, and Yao Qianqian was leisurely savoring her cup.

“Senior Sister, I’m back. I’ve got all the herbs,” Gu Xuan said, his face showing some weariness but mostly the joy of having completed his task.

Yao Qianqian glanced up and cast him a quick look.

“You brat, how come it took you so long just to buy some herbs?”

Gu Xuan scratched the back of his head, revealing an embarrassed smile.

“There were some unexpected events on the way. Senior Sister, the three herbs you mentioned are all available at the New Universe Merchant Guild. I bought three portions of each, just as you instructed.”

He hurriedly pulled out a delicate wooden box from his bosom and opened it carefully. Inside, the three herbs were arranged neatly.

Yao Qianqian set down her teacup and leaned in, casting a sideways glance at the box.

“Not bad, kid. You didn’t mess up; these are exactly the ones.”

Gu Xuan’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled.

A faint, teasing smile curved Yao Qianqian’s lips as she slowly circled around Gu Xuan.

“Boy, your charm with the ladies is impressive. That girl who came back with you yesterday has already visited twice this morning, calling you ‘Brother Xuan’ with such warmth. Tsk tsk, I didn’t expect your cultivation to be so-so, but you sure have a knack for courting girls.”

Gu Xuan hurriedly shook his head, looking helpless as he explained.

“Senior Sister, please don’t tease me. That’s Gu Ling’er, the goddaughter of the clan’s Third Elder. We’re just good friends. You know my situation—since childhood, my cultivation was low, and I was often bullied by peers. Ling’er helped me a lot.”

“Oh? A warm-hearted girl, huh? How old is she? What’s her cultivation level?”

Yao Qianqian’s curiosity was piqued.

“She’s about the same as me, almost sixteen, and her cultivation is roughly at the seventh stage of Profound Qi,” Gu Xuan answered truthfully.

“Not bad. She’s definitely a promising talent. Back in the day, even with cultivation methods and profound pills, most of our Yao clan at sixteen only reached the seventh or eighth stage of Profound Qi. For her to reach this level, she’s truly gifted.”

Yao Qianqian’s eyes gleamed with admiration. Suddenly, a mischievous smile spread across her face.

“Kid, I just thought of a good idea.”

Gu Xuan was baffled, looking at Yao Qianqian’s playful expression and wondering silently but dared not ask further.

“Do you know any quiet place nearby where even if there’s some noise, it won’t be easily noticed? I’m ready to start refining the Profound Spirit Pills.”

Yao Qianqian suddenly became serious.

Gu Xuan’s face lit up instantly.

“Yes, yes, Senior Sister, there’s a spot in the clan’s back mountain that’s perfect. Ling’er and I usually practice there.”

“Good, then that’s where we’ll go.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Yao Qianqian instantly transformed into a small azure dragon, her scales shimmering with a strange luster, her dragon eyes bright and piercing.

“Lead the way, kid. Once the pills are refined, you’ll be able to advance immediately.”

Before long, the two arrived at the back mountain.

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A gentle breeze stirred through the dense forest where branches and leaves intertwined. Sunlight filtered through the gaps, casting mottled patches of light on the ground.

In the middle of the woods was a natural clearing. Though it was afternoon, the shade kept the air cool and refreshing.

“This place is nice,” Yao Qianqian reverted to her human form and nodded with satisfaction.

Her expression turned serious as she faced Gu Xuan.

“Kid, from now on, I will formally teach you as your master. Remember, as a descendant of the Yao clan, your vision must never be limited to this small new city.”

“I understand, Senior Sister,” Gu Xuan replied resolutely, even before she finished speaking.

“Since I met you, I realized how vast the Tianxuan Continent truly is, and how shallow my previous knowledge was. My origins and my mother’s story hold many mysteries waiting to be unraveled. As long as I can become stronger, I’m willing to venture into even the most dangerous places.”

Gu Xuan’s gaze was burning with determination, his tone unwavering.

“Good boy, you’re exactly my type!” Yao Qianqian laughed heartily, her eyes filled with pride.

She quickly formed hand seals, and a gentle light flickered as a pill cauldron materialized between them.

The cauldron gleamed like polished jade, shaped like a blooming lotus. Each petal seemed vivid, slightly trembling, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.

“This cauldron is called the Azure Lotus, a gift personally bestowed by my master,” Yao Qianqian said softly, caressing the cauldron with reverence and pride.

“To refine the Profound Pills, one must first have a good flame. Nowadays on Tianxuan Continent, most alchemists use beast fire—the flames tamed from magical beasts above the third stage. But controlling such flames is no easy feat, so alchemists of the same rank often have spiritual and soul power far surpassing ordinary Profound Qi cultivators.”

Yao Qianqian spoke with a slight confident smile.

“As for my flame…”

Before she could finish, a thunderous explosion roared as a massive flame erupted outside the cauldron.

The fire shimmered with interwoven golden and crimson hues, dragon motifs swirling on its surface. It surged wildly, dancing like a violent storm, shifting shapes endlessly.

Gu Xuan, caught off guard, nearly stumbled backward from the overwhelming aura.

Yao Qianqian then calmly produced four herbs: Fire Spirit Flower, Ice Heart Lotus, Profound Spirit Grass, and Moonshadow Herb.

“I’m starting to refine the Profound Spirit Pills!” she declared solemnly, voice firm and resolute.

Gu Xuan respectfully sat opposite her, nodding earnestly, eyes fixed on every move she made.

“Kid, watch carefully!” Yao Qianqian’s voice was clear and melodious, carrying an irresistible power that demanded focus.

She first tossed the Fire Spirit Flower into the furnace. Instantly, it burst into roaring flames that seemed alive, engulfing the entire cauldron as the internal temperature soared rapidly.

“The Fire Spirit Flower is fierce like fire; it can awaken the latent potential in herbs,” she explained while working.

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“But pure fierce fire easily burns away the herbs’ medicinal properties, so balance is crucial.”

Then she gently placed the Ice Heart Lotus inside.

The moment it touched the blaze, a thick layer of frost formed, intertwining with the fire. Water and fire fused, creating a wondrous equilibrium.

The clashing of ice and flame generated immense energy, raising the furnace temperature steadily while maintaining a delicate balance.

“This is the fusion of ice and fire. Though seemingly contradictory, they complement each other perfectly.”

Yao Qianqian smiled softly, her gaze focused.

“The way of refining pills is just like this.”

Next, she added the Profound Spirit Grass, a herb with potent medicinal power that required abundant energy to activate.

Under the combined force of ice and fire, the herb’s power gradually released, casting a faint glow throughout the furnace, as if containing boundless medicinal energy.

“Now comes the most critical step.”

A trace of tension crept into Yao Qianqian’s voice.

“The Moonshadow Herb has a mild nature; it harmonizes the medicinal properties of the other herbs, achieving perfect balance.”

She carefully placed the Moonshadow Herb into the furnace. It slowly unfurled inside, its gentle energy permeating the other herbs, blending their powers just right.

As time passed, the glow from the furnace intensified, and a rich medicinal fragrance filled the air.

Gu Xuan couldn’t help but breathe deeply, feeling refreshed, as if his meridians had been cleared by the aroma.

Finally, with a crisp “ding,” three third-stage Profound Pills—the Profound Spirit Pills—were successfully refined.

They emitted a soft radiance, like three brilliant stars, each brimming with endless vitality.

“Gu Xuan, do you see it?” Yao Qianqian turned to him with a smile.

“The art of pill refining requires not only patience, care, and perseverance but also tremendous spiritual and soul power. Only by truly grasping its mysteries can one forge genuine miraculous pills.”

Having said that, she put away the pill cauldron and handed the three Profound Spirit Pills to Gu Xuan.

Suddenly, Yao Qianqian’s complexion paled slightly. Her form flickered, instantly transforming back into the small azure dragon, weakly collapsing into Gu Xuan’s arms.

“Senior Sister, are you alright? Are you hurt?” Gu Xuan asked anxiously, concern etched on his face.

“It’s nothing serious, don’t worry… just came out of the barrier; my Profound Qi hasn’t fully recovered yet… I didn’t expect that after so long, my pill refining skills are still this poor. Take me back, and be sure to keep the Profound Spirit Pills safe. I’ll tell you how to use them tomorrow.”

Her voice was weak and faint.

Gu Xuan gave a heavy “mhmm,” gazing at the pills in his hand, then at the fragile Yao Qianqian in his arms, a surge of gratitude swelling in his heart.

He carefully secured the pills, cradled Yao Qianqian, and briskly left the back mountain, their figures soon vanishing into the forest…