Chapter 37: Night Deepens
Yao Yan's return to the courtyard caused no stir. He was never someone important—back then, he'd been a quiet nobody. If it hadn't been for the slight commotion when he "apprenticed" under Yao Nong over three years ago, not even the nearby streets would have remembered his name.
Back then, his days were spent cultivating and refining pills—either at home or at the clan school. He rarely interacted with others.
As a transmigrator who knew the future, Yao Yan had always been extremely cautious. He was well aware that the peace of the Realm of Pills was just an illusion, and its collapse was already on a countdown. Especially after learning of Yao Chen's death from pill backlash, he had never dared to slack off for even a day.
It wasn't until these last few days that he finally began to feel a bit of life's warmth again.
…
Inside the kitchen that hadn't been used in years, Yao Yan was cooking. Oil sizzled and smoke curled up, carrying the fragrant aroma of food. As for fire? That was no issue for an alchemist—he could summon flames with a wave of his hand and control the heat with perfect precision.
Before long, he had prepared three dishes and a soup. A pot of rice sat next to them, along with a jug of unnamed wine from a mercenary's storage ring.
"Color, aroma, flavor… all there. I haven't lost my touch."
Yao Yan looked at his dishes and nodded in satisfaction. He sat down at the stone bench beneath the tree.
From the branches above, Ling'er leapt down and landed deftly on his shoulder. She stared curiously at the food. Having lived her whole life in the Shennong Mountains, she had never seen anything like this before. Tilting her head, she let out a soft, playful call: "Ying ying~"
"Want to try it?"
Yao Yan understood her at once. He picked up a piece of braised pork and held it out, his eyes filled with a hint of anticipation.
Ling'er sniffed it, and a trace of hesitation flashed through her green eyes. It didn't contain any plant essence—completely different from the pills she was used to. She hesitated, then looked at Yao Yan. Maybe because she trusted him, she cautiously took a bite. Her eyes immediately lit up, and she quickly gobbled the rest.
The unfamiliar taste—unlike the herbal purity she knew—was novel and addictive. As a little glutton, she found it hard to resist.
"She really ate it…"
Yao Yan couldn't help but laugh. He passed her a pair of chopsticks. "Help yourself. This is how you use these."
Ling'er jumped onto the table and struggled to grip the chopsticks with her tiny paws. She tried to mimic his movements but immediately dropped them. Her clumsy, adorable display made Yao Yan burst into laughter. Amused, he let her figure it out on her own while he poured himself a drink.
It was his first time drinking in this world. The wine had a pleasant kick—spicy but with a faint fruity undertone.
Ling'er's nose twitched. Smelling the wine, she began asking for some: "Ying ying~"
Yao Yan hesitated for a moment, then poured her a cup.
Imitating him, Ling'er held the cup, sniffed it, and, finding it agreeable, downed it in one gulp. She instantly shivered, her furry ears standing tall, her green eyes sparkling as she stared at Yao Yan—clearly fond of the flavor.
She clutched her cup and called out joyfully: "Ying ying~"
"…"
Yao Yan was stunned for a moment—then just handed her the entire jug.
Ling'er didn't hold back. She raised the jug and began chugging it, the sound of gulps loud and clear.
"Drinking from the bottle, huh? Impressive."
Yao Yan laughed, giving her a thumbs-up.
But he clearly underestimated her alcohol tolerance. Like with pills, Ling'er seemed to have a bottomless stomach. After five full bottles, she was still completely sober—more energetic, even. Her eyes were so bright it looked like she was about to pounce on Yao Yan.
"Alright, alright—it's all yours."
Yao Yan was indulgent. He took out all the wine from his storage ring without worry. Even if he died of alcohol poisoning, Ling'er, as a heavenly flame spirit, would be completely fine.
She happily drank bottle after bottle.
Meanwhile, Yao Yan sipped slowly, smiling as he watched her. He was curious whether Ling'er could actually get drunk. For an alchemist, this was an amusing little experiment.
Soon, he got his answer. After dozens of bottles, Ling'er finally collapsed onto the table, curled up with her tail, sound asleep. Her big ears drooped on either side of her head—adorably silly.
"She's really out?"
Yao Yan looked surprised. He scanned her with his soul force and confirmed there were no unusual conditions. Only then did he relax. Still, it was remarkable—a heavenly flame spirit getting drunk from wine. That might be a first.
It also confirmed something else: when she maintained this form, she couldn't use her flame powers.
Yao Yan picked her up and placed her gently into his arms, whispering, "You really are a strange little creature."
Sensing his familiar presence, Ling'er snuggled in closer, resting her head against his chest and settling down.
Whoosh~
The night wind was cool, rustling leaves from the trees above.
The night grew deeper.
Lying on the rooftop with Ling'er in his arms, Yao Yan gently stroked her soft fur and quietly gazed up at the starry sky of the Realm of Pills. It felt as though he were floating in the stars. This view had always been here, but he had never really noticed it before.
Maybe his mindset had changed—letting him appreciate things beyond cultivation.
Maybe he had missed too much over the years.
Swish—
The space beside him rippled like water. Yao Nong's figure appeared within Yao Yan's vision.
Using soul transmission, Yao Nong said, "Young master, Yao Ding will return home tomorrow. I will seal off his estate's surrounding space, but only for the duration of one incense stick. Any longer, and the elders of Dan Ding City will notice and arrive within seconds."
"His strength?" Yao Yan's expression remained calm as he asked the key question.
"When he returns, his parents will surely hold a banquet, inviting friends and relatives—including several who once helped plot against your parents. Most of them are Dou Wangs; the weaker ones are Dou Lings. With your strength, they're no threat. The only one of concern is Yao Ding's former mentor at the clan school—a six-star Dou Huang."
Yao Nong continued via soul transmission, then pulled out a jade bottle from his ring and handed it to Yao Yan.
"This is a Thunderfire Pill, refined from the thunderflame generated during a seventh-tier pill refinement. It carries immense destructive power. Even a Dou Zong could be seriously injured if caught off guard—it's enough to deal with him."
"What about afterward?" Yao Yan asked after receiving the pill, pausing briefly.
Yao Nong's expression didn't change. He said calmly, "To the outside world, I've always claimed to be your teacher. How could I stand by while my disciple avenges his parents? Even if this reaches the clan's punishment hall, I'll at most be reprimanded or dismissed—nothing fatal."
"Thank you, for everything these years."
Yao Yan was quiet for a moment before saying those words sincerely.
Yao Nong shook his head. With a faint smile in his tone, he replied, "No need. I only followed orders. Besides, seeing someone like you rise up, young master, makes it all worth it."
Yao Yan said nothing more—and certainly made no promises about the future.
If he truly reached the peak one day, he would repay every kindness.
If not, then words meant nothing.
(END CHAPTER)
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