Once a person has been deceived by their closest kin, they will be filled with suspicion towards the whole world.
Yao Lao was no exception. He had even doubted his close friend Feng Xian. Now, facing the enigmatic Yao Yan, he couldn't help but feel many doubts. However, after a moment, he suppressed these doubts, because he had nothing left for Yao Yan to covet.
He had once been the undisputed number one alchemist in Zhongzhou, known as the Medicine Venerable, enjoying immense prestige and countless people fawning over him.
But now, he was nothing but a remnant soul. Almost everything of value on him had been taken by Yao Yan, or traded with him. The only things of value he still possessed were the pill formulas he knew and his soul essence, but the former was already agreed upon with Yao Yan.
As for the latter, unless Yao Yan was a member of the Soul Palace, it was useless to him. After all, the secret technique that could absorb the soul essence of others was rare even in the entire Dou Qi Continent.
If Yao Yan truly possessed such a technique, he wouldn't have waited until today.
He was becoming increasingly suspicious… The old apothecary lowered his gaze, sighed inwardly, and then his expression returned to calm. He felt that Yao Yan meant him no harm; otherwise, he, an old man, wouldn't have survived to this day. The other party had countless opportunities to kill him, yet he hadn't.
It couldn't be that this kid was deliberately toying with him; if that were the case, he was actually somewhat looking forward to it.
After all, for the old apothecary now, there was nothing left to look forward to in the future. Seeing how far Yao Yan could grow was one of his few remaining interests.
Not far away, Yao Yan, who was refining medicinal herbs, was naturally unaware of the old apothecary's complex emotions. His attention was completely drawn to the medicine cauldron. Refining a seventh-grade pill was still quite a challenge for him at his current level, especially since the seventh-grade Ice Heart Pill was among the very best of the seventh-grade pills, and its refining difficulty was not low, requiring immense mental effort.
"The Ice Heart Pill, ranked seventh grade, possesses a rather domineering medicinal effect. It contains an extreme yin and cold power that can instantly freeze the body, making it difficult for even the power of strange fire to melt. Its most valuable aspect is that after consuming it, the mind will be in an absolutely calm state, unaffected by external influences, and even has the effect of resisting inner demons. A total of one hundred and twenty-six kinds of medicinal herbs are required..."
During the extraction of the medicinal essence, the method for refining the Ice Heart Pill slowly emerged in Yao Yan's mind. Some key points were repeatedly reviewed, and he dared not be careless in the slightest. After all, this was his first time refining the Ice Heart Pill, and he didn't have absolute confidence. Fortunately, the quantity of Earth Core Tempering Milk was considerable, providing a certain margin of error, so there wasn't too much pressure.
It was simply a matter of refining it a few more times.
Various thoughts flashed through his mind, but Yao Yan quickly suppressed them all. He looked at the extracted essence liquid in the cauldron, his gaze slightly narrowed, and his fingers pressed down slightly. The surging green flames burning within the Black Demon Cauldron instantly weakened.
After pondering for a moment, he took out a jade bottle containing the Earth Core Tempering Milk from his Bone Flame Ring. He used his soul power to open the bottle, and six drops of crystal-clear, gem-like stalactites dripped out. The pure energy contained within them could be clearly felt even by Cai Lin and Yao Lao, who were standing at a distance.
"Let's begin!"
Yao Yan said slowly in his heart, then his gaze sharpened. He controlled the six drops of stalactites to fly into the Black Demon Cauldron. The Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame within it was like a ferocious beast, swallowing it all in one gulp. At the same time, the suppressed heat instantly erupted, and the terrifying fire wave was like a volcanic eruption.
As he unleashed his full power, the drops of medicinal liquid within instantly became crystal clear, any impurities being instantly incinerated. Under Yao Yan's control, this refined liquid, refined to its limit, flowed drop by drop into the six drops of Earth Core Tempering Milk in a unique sequence, causing its original color to become much more complex and its aura to gradually change, acquiring a chilling power.
This scene was extremely bizarre; despite being roasted in scorching flames, its aura grew increasingly cold.
With over a hundred drops of medicinal liquid merging into the six drops of Earth Core Tempering Milk, six clumps of cold liquid appeared before Yao Yan's eyes. They were now almost solidified, like physical entities, emitting waves of chilling energy, resisting the surrounding strange fire power.
Yao Yan closed his eyes, maintaining the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame at a balanced temperature, continuously roasting the six clumps of medicinal liquid, thoroughly fusing their medicinal properties. This process severely tests the alchemist's endurance; an ordinary Dou Wang would definitely not be able to withstand it. However, for Yao Yan, this freak, what he feared least was a prolonged battle. What
a man needs is sustained fighting power!
"This step is the most difficult step in refining the seventh-grade Ice Heart Pill. It requires completely refining the medicinal properties of the six clumps of medicinal liquid. After they solidify, the medicinal properties contained within will be completely fused. Then, it needs to be extracted and fused a second time. Finally, the pill can be condensed. The refining process severely tests the alchemist's control over their own soul power and their understanding of hundreds of medicinal herbs... However, this kid's soul realm has already reached the Spirit Realm, so it shouldn't be difficult for him!"
Old Yao stroked his beard, watching Yao Yan's alchemy process with a solemn gaze, and slowly said.
Upon hearing this, Cai Lin, her exquisitely beautiful red lips pursed, a hint of worry appearing in her eyes. She asked in a low voice, "Will this process take a long time?" "
It depends on his control over the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame. If all goes smoothly, it should only take a day or two,"
Yao Lao said slowly, his eyes flickering slightly.
It must be said that Yao Lao's eyesight was extremely accurate. His judgment of the timing was almost exactly the same as the time it took for Yao Yan to refine the pills. About two days later, as night fell and the moonlight faded, the Black Demon Cauldron, which had been calm for so long, finally changed. The six solidified lumps inside cracked open, and at the same time, a powerful energy wave surged out from within, striking the cauldron and producing a crisp sound.
This also startled Cai Lin and Yao Lao, who were sitting cross-legged to the side.
"This is..."
Cai Lin looked at the spot where Yao Yan was refining pills with some surprise. At this moment, the Black Demon Cauldron was constantly emitting loud booming sounds, as if something inside was constantly exploding.
"The next step is the most crucial one. If we can suppress these energies, we can continue refining. If not..." Old Yao's expression grew more solemn as he slowly spoke. No one could help Yao Yan now; this step had to be taken by him alone.
Yao Yan calmly watched the energy within the cauldron gradually surging, his expression unwavering. A slight smile even appeared on his lips as he said with interest, "This is more interesting~"
Refining pills is indeed a very interesting thing, especially refining high-grade pills. These pills already possess sentience, and those above the ninth grade possess sentience no different from humans, even possessing considerable power from birth. While his seventh-grade pills hadn't reached that level, he had at least begun to enter that realm, and their refining process was naturally different from that of low-grade pills.
He silently watched the turbulent medicinal essence. The six pills had shattered, revealing six crystal-clear essences. Unlike ordinary medicinal liquids, these possessed a spiritual quality, even releasing energy on their own, seemingly resisting the refining power of the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame.
However, this resistance was clearly too weak to change their fate.
After about half an hour, the restless energy gradually subsided. At the same time, Yao Yan's powerful soul force, as if spotting prey, instantly surged into them, suppressing the six spiritual essences. He then forcefully kneaded them together, his technique bold and brutal, leaving Elder Yao stunned and somewhat astonished.
He considered himself to have seen many seventh-grade alchemists' techniques, including some elite disciples of the Pill Tower, but he had never seen anything like Yao Yan's method before.
And yet, he had successfully kneaded them together!
Within the azure flames, a pill resembling an ice crystal floated, its body shimmering with faint starlight, extremely mystical, even possessing a certain sentience as it absorbed and released energy from its surroundings. Perhaps born from a strange fire, it now exhibited remarkable resistance to the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, remaining unaffected by its scorching heat.
"It really worked..." Old Yao was somewhat doubtful of life; when had pill refining become so brutal? The path this opponent was taking was clearly different from his own.
Upon hearing this, Cai Lin couldn't help but ask, "Successful?"
"Almost there, the most difficult step is over. All that's left is to wait for him to collect the pill. However, the final pill lightning should be very powerful!" Old Yao reminded her. Different pills produce different pill lightning, and the seventh-grade Ice Heart Pill that Yao Yan was refining was no ordinary seventh-grade pill. With its sentience, the pill lightning condensed by heaven and earth would likely be exceptionally powerful, something even an ordinary Dou Zong might not dare to withstand head-on.
As if to verify Yao Lao's words, the once clear night sky gradually became overcast, and a terrifying aura of heaven and earth began to gather in space, directly above the Black Demon Cauldron, seemingly preventing the pills within from being formed.
"
Pill Lightning..." Yao Lao looked at the dark clouds in the sky, feeling the aura of heaven and earth, and was inexplicably lost in thought, as if recalling past events. For an alchemist, Pill Lightning was a symbol of success, a source of pride, representing their achievement.
An eighteen-year-old seventh-grade alchemist—what terrifying alchemy talent... Yao Lao's gaze returned to Yao Yan, now tinged with complexity.
"Should we intervene?!"
Cai Lin raised her snow-white chin, her phoenix eyes coldly fixed on the overcast sky, within which dense bolts of lightning had already emerged, like silver dragons churning, radiating a dangerous aura.
"If he can't hold them off, then we'll intervene," Yao Lao said in a deep voice, taking a deep breath. At the same time, his vast soul power emanated, enveloping the surrounding world. If anything unexpected happened, he would definitely intervene to save Yao Yan.
Cai Lin nodded, a hint of tension in her eyes.
At this moment, heavy dark clouds hung above Yao Yan's head, with silver lightning flashing within. Occasionally, these lightning bolts would collide, unleashing deafening thunderclaps. The sheer power of the heavens was enough to make one tremble with fear.
Yao Yan, however, didn't seem to notice much. He even had the mind to check on the Ice Heart Pill being nurtured within the Black Demon Cauldron. It was currently in its final stages of being refined. Perhaps sensing the danger outside, the little guy even knew to conceal its aura, though its technique was rather crude.
"Refining pills is no different from creating life..." Yao Yan sighed inwardly. Compared to the Instant Qi Pill he had refined last time, this Ice Heart Pill was clearly the culmination of much more effort. It was his masterpiece. At this moment, he suddenly understood Hun Xuzi's feelings. That pursuit and obsession with perfection was common to most true alchemists.
"Boom~"
Accompanied by a silver beam as thick as an arm, it shot out from the dark clouds. The dazzling light illuminated the dark world. Clearly, the aura of the Ice Heart Pill could no longer be concealed, and with its spirituality, it was impossible for the Ice Heart Pill to escape the lock of the pill lightning.
Yao Yan looked up at the thick dark clouds that were almost within reach. The thunderous roar within them seemed to explode right next to his ears, causing a buzzing sensation in his eardrums.
He flexed his wrists and smiled at the old apothecary beside him, "Could you please keep an eye on the Black Demon Cauldron, lest this little fellow escape?"
As soon as he finished speaking, wings of battle qi appeared behind him, transforming into a streak of light as he rushed towards the dark clouds. The first bolt of pill lightning had already begun to form within them, and if he didn't deal with it soon, it would inevitably strike down, interfering with the final step of the Ice Heart Pill's formation.
At the same time, Yao Yan also wanted to try using pill lightning to temper his body. Since pill lightning could temper the Heavenly Demon Puppet in the original story, there was no reason why it couldn't temper his current physical body.
He was quite looking forward to it.
However, this scene seemed a bit excessive to Cai Lin and the old apothecary. Both of them stared at him in astonishment. As Yao Yan flew into the air, his skin rapidly turned silvery-white at a visible speed, and at the same time, a powerful aura no weaker than that of a Dou Zong was emanating from him. It wasn't the pressure of battle qi, but the pressure of the blood and qi of his physical body, a pressure belonging to the life level.
"Boom!"
Almost the instant Yao Yan unleashed his Vajra Indestructible Body, a bolt of lightning as thick as a bucket descended from the swirling dark clouds, crashing down upon him as if to crush this daredevil.
"Come on!"
Yao Yan did not resist, allowing the lightning to strike him. Instantly, he was bathed in lightning, the terrifying power of which tore at his body, while simultaneously unleashing the immense life force within him. Between destruction and regeneration, his flesh underwent a peculiar transformation…