"Let's begin…" Lian murmured to himself as he lit the furnace.
He placed the spirit herbs inside.
This time, his movements were far smoother than before, but still rough compared to the master from before.
As the herbs touched the cauldron, the room filled with a rich, layered aroma. Medicinal Qi surged, washing over the chamber.
Lian's hands began to move.
Though unrefined, they carried resolve.
He roared—
"Twenty-Four Palms of Buddha Refinement!"
Qi swirled around him, and his hands pulsed lightly with bronze Qi.
His palm struck the cauldron.
PAMMMMMMM!
The cauldron reverberated violently.
He struck again.
A second palm landed, and his hands immediately began to tremble.
"Even mimicking this technique consumes an absurd amount of Qi," Lian gritted his teeth.
"If I'm not careful, I'll ruin the pill."
The third palm fell.
At that moment, he felt it clearly—more than half of his Qi was already gone.
"I can… I can reach at least five palms."
He steadied his breathing, forcefully calming his mind.
The fourth palm descended.
The cauldron rumbled, its jade surface glowing faintly.
Then—
The fifth palm.
Lian condensed every last shred of remaining Qi, shaping the pill while stripping away its impurities. The cauldron shook violently, its energy spiralling out of control.
Suddenly—
The pill burst free, launching into the air.
Lian squeezed out the final trace of his strength, guiding it with Wind Qi. The pill drifted gently, trembling, until it settled into his open palm.
"Hah… hahaha…"
His body gave out.
"I finally did it… I fi—"
His vision darkened.
Lian collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted, consciousness slipping away.
The pill was fragrant, its scent spreading like blooming life-flowers.
A soft hum of Qi pulsed from it, subtly drawing the surrounding energy inward.
"Hahaha… he did it."
The old master's laughter echoed faintly through the chamber as he gazed down at Lian.
"I suppose this truly will be the last time I see him."
He paused, then glanced toward the unseen presence beside him.
"What do you think, elder brothers? There is no need for him to undergo the other trials, is there?"
A moment of silence followed.
"Mm… I understand."
The old master nodded slowly.
"It truly is strange. A treasure originating from High Heaven appearing in a place like this…"
He chuckled softly.
"I do wonder who brought it here. But still, that no longer matters."
His eyes returned to Lian.
"I have already placed my intent upon you earlier. Refining this spirit book will be much easier for you."
As his words fell—
The room erupted.
Qi screamed as turbulence filled the chamber. The air twisted violently, and everything within began to move, drawn toward a single point.
At the centre of the room, a book appeared.
It was pitch-black, its surface absorbing all light, while its pages shimmered silver like flowing moonlight. A terrifying vacuum force erupted from it, swallowing everything in the room—the cauldron, the remaining herbs, even the lingering medicinal Qi—devouring them completely.
When it was done, the chamber fell silent.
The book drifted slowly through the air and came to rest upon Lian's chest.
At the same time, ancient inscriptions formed upon his forehead, written in glowing golden script. They pulsed briefly, then faded, sinking into his flesh as though they had never existed.