Deep within the back mountains of the Inner Academy—
In a serene valley where mountains and waters intertwined, a crimson cauldron stood tall. Within it, a cyan flame blazed fiercely, and amid the fire, multicolored medicinal liquids slowly merged together.
The pill Liu Xi was refining was called the Spirit Recovery Purple Pill—a 5th Tier Pill. Its effect was remarkable: it could completely restore the strength of one whose power had waned due to seals or lingering injuries.
It was a pill specially prepared for Hai Bodong. The pill recipe had come from the Nether Sea Ring, and since Liu Xi had gathered all the required ingredients this time, he decided to refine one in passing. When he would give it to Hai Bodong, however, would depend entirely on the man's performance.
Standing before the cauldron, Liu Xi concentrated intently on the fusion of the liquid medicines. A white, spectral figure drifted lazily around the cauldron, eyes gleaming with amazement as he praised,
"Little friend, your control over flame truly leaves one in awe! Though your technique differs from the Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique, your ability to manipulate multiple Heavenly Flames is extraordinary. Meeting you is fate itself! My technique will surely shine brilliantly in your hands!"
Catching sight of Yao Tianhuo's fluttering figure from the corner of his eye, Liu Xi felt a bit speechless. Ever since Yao Tianhuo's soul essence had recovered, he'd become far too lively—flitting about, poking his nose into everything, even marveling at bugs. He refused to return to the Storage Ring.
"Mn."
Suddenly, a faint rainbow-hued poison mist began to spread through the air, dense and unmoving. The moment Liu Xi's gaze landed on it, his expression changed drastically.
"Xian'er?"
Bang!
That brief distraction caused the pill inside the cauldron—at the critical stage of condensation—to explode into ashes. The medicinal energy within erupted outward, spreading as rippling waves that battered against the cauldron walls before dissipating into nothingness.
Glancing once at the charred remnants inside, Liu Xi ignored the wasted materials—the Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron had blocked the backlash—and immediately shot toward the source of the poison mist.
Yao Tianhuo followed, chuckling.
"No need to worry, little friend. Your little lady is fine. That poisonous talent of hers… it's in no way inferior to your talent in alchemy."
Liu Xi's expression eased slightly. Upon approaching, he saw Xiao Yixian kneeling on the grass, a small cauldron before her. Wisps of rainbow mist floated around her, coiling like ethereal smoke. The vegetation around her had withered completely, showing the potency of her toxin.
Yet, the mist remained confined to a fixed range—within that area, death reigned supreme. Only Xiao Yixian sat alive in the center.
"This poison fog is formidable," Yao Tianhuo murmured in awe. "Even you, little friend—if you inhaled it without immediate detoxification—you'd suffer greatly before expelling it."
"Mn."
Liu Xi released his Spiritual Perception, sweeping through the poison mist. He saw Xiao Yixian holding a Serpent-Tumor Fruit, gray-black Dou Qi swirling in her jade-like hand as it slowly seeped into the fruit, softening its flesh.
When the fruit's surface became veined with dark patterns, she began slicing and grinding it with precise tools. Throughout the process, not a trace of the toxin leaked out. 'Poison Masters may not rival Alchemists,' Liu Xi thought, 'but their methods truly have their own uniqueness.'
Once the fruit had been ground into a viscous paste, she scooped it up with a jade spoon and poured it into her cauldron, stirring three times clockwise. Then she lifted the spoon to her lips and lightly tasted it with her tongue, smiling with satisfaction.
"Condense!"
Her delicate voice rang out as she formed a hand seal. In an instant, gray-black light erupted from the cauldron, followed by a surge of suction. The swirling rainbow mist was pulled inward, funneling rapidly into the cauldron.
The energy fluctuations within grew stronger and stronger. As all the poisonous mist was absorbed, the cauldron shone with a dazzling emerald light and released a sweet, alluring fragrance.
Moments later, the light faded—leaving only a thin layer of translucent green liquid at the bottom of the cauldron, pure and gleaming like jade.
Seeing her refinement succeed, Xiao Yixian finally exhaled in relief. Though tired, her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"This was quite the scene," Liu Xi said with a smile as he walked over. "No wonder you needed to come this deep into the mountains. That poison mist just now could've half-killed even a Dou Wang."
"Young Master…"
Hearing his voice, Xiao Yixian turned—and upon spotting Yao Tianhuo's spirit form floating beside him, her pupils shrank.
"Young Master! There's a ghost beside you!"
Liu Xi glanced at Yao Tianhuo's speechless face and chuckled. "Don't worry, Xian'er. Elder Yao lost his body and now exists as a soul. He means no harm."
"Oh…"
Xiao Yixian relaxed. "I've been stuck at 9-Star Da Dou Shi for over ten days with no progress, so I decided to refine this poison—Nine-Death Jade Scale Venom, ranked second in the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture. Even a Dou Wang who inhales it will be left between life and death!"
She said it with clear pride, her eyes gleaming mischievously toward Liu Xi.
'Stuck for ten days and she makes this kind of thing… This Woeful Poison Body truly defies reason…'
Seeing she was fine, Liu Xi returned to his own cauldron to redo the refinement. This time, uninterrupted, he completed the Spirit Recovery Purple Pill smoothly.
After eleven hours, a round violet pill floated within the blue flames. Intricate pill patterns glowed faintly upon its surface—a sign of perfection.
With a flick of his hand, the pill shot into his palm, releasing a rich fragrance. He placed it gently into a jade bottle and sealed it.
Just then, Yao Tianhuo floated over with a grin.
"Little friend, your little lady made soup and is waiting for you!"
Liu Xi eyed him suspiciously. That grin looked far too mischievous. Still, he replied, "Got it, Elder Yao."
He turned and walked toward Xiao Yixian's spot.
She was crouched beside a small cauldron, watching the simmering heat carefully. Judging by the smell, she was making wild mushroom soup. Liu Xi sat down beside her, gazing at the cauldron with a complex expression.
Seeing him approach, Xiao Yixian beamed. She ladled a bowl of the steaming soup and handed it to him. "Young Master, it's time to eat."
Liu Xi hesitated slightly and sighed. "Xian'er… this soup looks great, but isn't that the same cauldron you used this morning to refine poison?"
"Yes, Young Master. It's the only pot I have with me!" she said sweetly.
"..."
Staring at her expectant smile, Liu Xi burst out laughing. Taking the bowl, he drank a large mouthful without hesitation.
"Rich and savory. Delicious!"
Hearing his praise, Xiao Yixian smiled like a crescent moon. "If it's good, have more! Elder Yao, would you like to join us too?" she asked politely, glancing behind Liu Xi.
"Elder Yao doesn't have a body—he can only smell it while we eat," Liu Xi replied dryly.
"Oh, that's true," she nodded.
Yao Tianhuo's face darkened in silent despair. He suddenly felt incredibly out of place—painfully visible yet completely unnecessary.
'Hmph… might as well return to the ring!'
He turned into a streak of white light and shot straight back into the Storage Ring.
(End of Chapter)
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