Chapter 47: The Yin Yang Twin Flames
The Nine Revolution Qi Circulation Pill is, as the name suggests, a pill designed to regulate energy flow. Specifically, it enhances the digestive system's strength to cleanse the user's body and expel toxins.
Simply put, it's a laxative.
Unlike ordinary laxatives, which can damage the stomach and intestines, the Nine Revolution Qi Circulation Pill protects and even strengthens the user's digestive tract. This makes it invaluable for those with low Dou Qi cultivation, who cannot yet use their energy to control their internal organs.
"Shi Hao, your naming sense is... admirable, but don't you think calling a mere second tier pill something as grandiose as Nine Revolution Golden Pill might be a bit excessive?" Elder Li asked, trying to maintain a kindly demeanor.
"Teacher, I think it sounds great!" Shi Hao replied innocently.
"Well... very well. You may call it that, though I doubt the name would pass official registration," Elder Li muttered, rubbing his temples.
He proceeded to guide Shi Hao: "The primary ingredient for the Nine Revolution Qi Circulation Pill is the intestine of a second tier magical beast. Your task is to use nine different herbs to cleanse the impurities from the intestine while preserving its essential energy. Understood?"
"I understand, Teacher! Don't worry; I'll succeed!" Shi Hao nodded earnestly.
"You can choose from herbs like Clearwater Grass, Purple Leaf Mint, and others from a list of suitable options. Matching the herbs correctly will determine your success," Elder Li explained.
As he continued instructing, a faint vibration came from the communication jade in his storage ring.
"Class, carry on with your experiments. I need to attend a meeting but will return shortly." With a flash, Elder Li disappeared, leaving the students to their work.
Shi Hao replayed the instructions in his mind and then retrieved a small bottle of beast milk from his ring.
"Gulp, gulp!" After downing the milk, he wiped the white residue from his lips and exhaled a puff of blue flames from his mouth.
This was the Blue Scaled Eagle Flame, a beast flame of the sixth tier.
Shi Hao then tossed a half meter long section of intestines from a Red Cloud Pig, a second tier magical beast, into the furnace.
Whoosh!
The azure flames surged, engulfing the intestines.
"Preserve the essence," Shi Hao muttered to himself, focusing intently.
Under the relentless heat of the flames, the intestines began to shrink rapidly.
"Not enough yet. I haven't extracted the core essence," Shi Hao murmured, continuing the process.
After a stick of incense had burned, the intestines had shriveled significantly, with powdery residue forming. Normally, this powder would be used to refine the Nine Revolution Qi Circulation Pill.
But Shi Hao, determined to achieve a higher standard, persisted in his efforts. Given how inexpensive these materials were, he was willing to experiment boldly.
Ten more minutes passed, and the shriveled intestines, now reduced to the size of a finger, suddenly burst apart with a pop. Shi Hao's expression fell momentarily.
After all, he was only twelve years old and lacked the composure to remain entirely unaffected.
As he prepared to start again, a faint glimmer of golden powder appeared in the furnace.
"Huh?" Shi Hao's eyes lit up with excitement.
"This must be the core essence of the intestines! I did it!" he exclaimed, quickly extracting the golden powder and placing it in a jade vial.
"Why does it smell... odd?" he muttered, wrinkling his nose. But he quickly brushed the thought aside.
After all, the intestines of a Red Cloud Pig naturally carried a foul odor, so it wasn't unusual for their essence to retain some of it. In the world of alchemy, not all pills exuded fragrant aromas; some had strange, even unpleasant scents.
Regaining his composure, Shi Hao resumed refining the supplementary ingredients.
In the plaza, flames danced across the furnaces as the students immersed themselves in crafting and refining their new pill formulas.
Meanwhile, in one of the grand halls of the Pill Tower, a meeting of titans was underway. The room was filled with high ranking alchemists, including Yao Lao.
"Is everyone here?" Xuan Kongzi asked, scanning the gathering.
"They're all present," the Grand Elder replied. "Aside from those in closed door cultivation, everyone has arrived. But... there's one extra person here."
His gaze fell on Yao Lao, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure.
"Old Lin, must you be so petty? Keep this up, and you'll embarrass yourself again," Yao Lao said with a mischievous smile.
"You !" The Grand Elder's face flushed with anger.
"Enough," Xuan Kongzi interjected, raising a hand. "The matter at hand isn't confidential. Even if Yao Lao weren't here, he'd hear about it soon enough."
He paused briefly before continuing, "Everyone, the reason for this gathering is to share some news. In the western region of Central Plains, an Heavenly Flame has appeared!"
"A Heavenly Flame?!"
The announcement sent ripples of excitement through the gathered alchemists.
For alchemists, a Heavenly Flame was an unparalleled treasure. Possessing one could significantly elevate their alchemical skills, not to mention its combat benefits.
Even the inherent danger of refining such flames was a risk most alchemists were more than willing to take.
After all, wasn't Yao Lao's dominance in the field partly due to his possession of the 11th ranked Bone Chilling Flame?
"What flame is it?" a senior alchemist asked eagerly.
"This time," Xuan Kongzi replied, "the flame is the 21st ranked Yin Yang Twin Flames."
At first, some alchemists showed disappointment, as the Yin Yang Twin Flames were ranked lower than the Bone Chilling Flame. However, this was quickly replaced by relief.
Compared to more powerful flames, the Yin Yang Twin Flames might be easier to refine and control.
But as the room buzzed with discussion, Xuan Kongzi's expression turned oddly amused.
"Don't get ahead of yourselves," he said.
"This Heavenly Flame... may not be for us old fogeys."
"What do you mean by that?"
"The Yin Yang Twin Flames have appeared in a relic on the Fertile Plains in the western region. This relic a suspended ancient city descended from the heavens after a spatial rift opened."
Xuan Kongzi's words silenced the room.
"To conceal an entire city within a separate space is undoubtedly the work of a Dou Saint," he continued. "However, before their death, this Dou Saint placed a restriction on the relic: no one above the Dou Zong level can enter.
"And if anyone with excessive strength attempts to force their way in... the ancient city, along with the Dou Saint's remaining power and the Yin Yang Twin Flames, will self destruct."
The alchemists' excitement turned to dismay.
Only Yao Lao, seated quietly among them, allowed a faint smile to form on his lips.
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