Chapter 295: The Alchemy Begins
"Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations?"
Upon hearing Xiao Yuan's request, both Tang Zhen and his daughter Tang Huo'er were momentarily stunned, then their brows furrowed slightly. The Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations was one of the Burning Flame Valley's core treasures. Though some might find this technique useless, to those who possessed strange flames within their bodies, it was nothing short of a divine weapon.
The Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations allowed one to circulate hidden flames in the body through a unique technique, unleashing tremendous power in a short burst. Each transformation drew out the power of a flame. With all three combined, the power increase was astonishing. However, the unleashed energy was extremely violent. If the user's physical strength was insufficient, it would lead to devastating backlash.
Because of this, even within the Burning Flame Valley, the technique was kept under strict guard. Only true core disciples were granted access to the first transformation. The other two required proven contributions and exceptional talent. In reality, the number of disciples in the entire sect who had mastered all three was extremely limited. That alone showed how much importance the Valley placed on this technique.
Xiao Yuan, smiling, looked calmly at Tang Zhen. He was determined to obtain the full version of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations. If Tang Zhen refused, then he'd have to show what he was capable of.
Everyone in the main hall was shocked by Xiao Yuan's bold request. To openly ask for one of the Valley's secret techniques—he really had a big appetite.
Tang Zhen remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head. He looked at Xiao Yuan and said, "That technique is one of our sect's core treasures. By rule, it cannot be passed on to outsiders. Even as the Valley Master, I cannot break this rule. Please, choose another reward."
"Valley Master Tang, this technique is extremely important to me. And I believe I'm worth making an exception for," Xiao Yuan replied calmly, then glanced toward Tang Huo'er before sending Tang Zhen a voice transmission: "If I'm not mistaken, the young lady beside you is your daughter. How much time does she have left? A year? Half?"
Tang Zhen's pupils shrank. In the next instant, he shattered space and appeared before Xiao Yuan.
"You can see my daughter's condition?"
With a wave, he twisted the surrounding space, shielding their conversation from others.
"It's flame backlash, isn't it? The Nine Dragon Lightning Flame is your sect's inherited Heavenly Flame. Passed down through generations, it's grown extremely powerful. Even at peak Dou Zong level, subduing it would be difficult. But your daughter tried to fuse it too early, hoping to tame it, and was wounded in return."
Xiao Yuan looked toward Tang Huo'er on the high platform and sighed.
"If it weren't for the fact that this flame is a legacy of the sect, she'd already be ashes. Still, her life force has been suppressed. I'd guess she has no more than half a year. I'm assuming this pill we're making is her last hope?"
Tang Zhen was shocked and nodded solemnly.
"Yes… only half a year. I pampered her too much. She attempted to fuse the flame right after breaking through to Dou Zong. She failed—and paid the price."
He looked at Xiao Yuan with hope. "Since you could tell at a glance, you must have significant alchemy experience. May I ask how skilled you truly are?"
Xiao Yuan smiled. "I haven't tried making a high-tier seventh-grade pill yet—mostly due to a lack of rare materials—but I've already mastered low and mid-tier seventh-grade ones. I'm actually quite good at treating flame backlash. Even if this pill fails, give me two months and I'll break through to high-tier seventh-grade. Once I do, as long as you keep supplying the materials, I'll make enough pills for her to take them like candy."
The youthful glow of confidence spread across Xiao Yuan's face.
In truth, he had just changed his mind.
The Burning Flame Valley was wealthy—resources weren't a problem. If he could mooch some materials for a while and evolve his puppets through thunder tribulation, it'd be a huge gain.
Even better, he could use this time to refine the Life Bone Fusion Pill and bring a Dou Zun-level powerhouse to his side.
The Heavenly Flame Venerable, at his peak, had been a five-star Dou Zun. If all went well, he might even rise to six-star. That was elite-tier power in any of the Three Valleys.
No matter how talented Xiao Yuan was, he couldn't fight someone like that head-on yet.
"You're confident you'll break through to high-tier seventh grade in just two months?" Tang Zhen was astonished.
This level of talent would place Xiao Yuan among the greatest prodigies of the Pill Tower.
Could he be the disciple of one of the Tri-Elders?
"In that case," Tang Zhen finally said, "I can't give you the technique directly, but I'll give you a chance. If you pass the sect's internal trial, you'll earn the right to inherit it. Besides that, I'll personally reward you—but I'll keep that part a secret for now."
Xiao Yuan smiled. "Then I'll be looking forward to it."
"Haha, as long as you can heal Huo'er, anything is possible!" Tang Zhen laughed, then dispelled the spatial barrier and returned to his seat.
Only when she saw Xiao Yuan unharmed did Cai Lin relax and sip her now-lukewarm tea.
Tang Zhen, pleased with Xiao Yuan's responses, addressed the crowd. "Everyone, please return to your rooms and rest. Elder Chi Huo?"
Elder Chi Huo stepped forward. "Everyone, this way please."
Xiao Yuan and the others nodded toward Tang Zhen before exiting the hall.
Once they were gone, Tang Zhen's smile faded.
"Huo'er, do you really think I'd hand over the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations?"
Tang Huo'er turned to him and whispered, "Even if you agree, the Elder Council won't approve it."
"If this works, I'll have him take the test as a core disciple," Tang Zhen said. "As long as he qualifies, the Council won't object. I am the Valley Master, after all."
Tang Huo'er bit her lip. "Still… that guy really asked for a lot."
"Hmph, maybe," Tang Zhen said, "but anyone who can subdue a flame stronger than the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame deserves some arrogance—even with help, it would be nearly suicidal. And if he did it alone… he's terrifying."
"I've never heard of him," Tang Huo'er murmured.
"Well," Tang Zhen chuckled, "the Pill Tower's Tri-Elders are reclusive. He might be their student—or perhaps a disciple of a hidden eighth-tier alchemy grandmaster. I've never seen him make pills, but his insight is extraordinary. I believe in his skill."
"…You really admire him," Tang Huo'er muttered.
Tang Zhen ruffled her hair affectionately. "Time to prepare. We start the pill refinement this afternoon."
—
The central valley was lush and green, dotted with red-leafed trees. In the middle was a vast plaza paved with volcanic rock. At its center stood a ten-meter stone platform. Around it gathered many red-robed Burning Flame Valley disciples.
On a raised observation platform, many of the alchemists from before had gathered, ready to spectate.
A sharp wind broke the air. Four figures landed lightly on the central stage—Tang Zhen, Tang Huo'er, Master Huan, and Xiao Yuan.
The murmuring quieted. Everyone knew today's event was important—none dared to disturb the process.
Tang Zhen swept his gaze over the surroundings, then turned to Xiao Yuan and Master Huan.
"Are you two ready?"
They both nodded.
"The pill we'll refine today is called the Fire Bodhisattva Pill—a high-tier seventh-grade pill. This scroll contains part of the recipe. Study it carefully; each of you will handle half the components."
He tossed them each a scroll. The two quickly absorbed the contents with their soul power.
About ten minutes later, they opened their eyes.
Xiao Yuan frowned slightly. "Even this partial formula is so complex… as expected of a high-tier pill."
Tang Zhen smiled. "You've memorized it?"
They both nodded.
"This won't be quick. Be mentally prepared—and don't make any mistakes," Tang Zhen said gravely.
The two nodded again.
"I'm no alchemist, so I'll handle material extraction. But merging the ingredients will depend on you two."
He gestured to two stone seats. "If there's no issue, take your places."
Xiao Yuan and Master Huan exchanged smiles and sat down.
Tang Zhen also took his seat and turned to Tang Huo'er.
"No one is allowed to interrupt during this process."
"Yes, Father." She nodded, then glanced at Xiao Yuan before leaping down to command the guards.
Once all was arranged, Tang Zhen waved his sleeve. With a thud, a massive object landed at the center of the platform, shaking the ground.
Xiao Yuan and Master Huan stared in awe.
It was a massive red cauldron etched with erupting volcano patterns—a fierce, domineering aura rolling from it.
Xiao Yuan recognized it immediately.
The Mountain Melting Cauldron!
A renowned artifact listed on the Heavenly Cauldron Rankings.
(END CHAPTER)
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