The internal alchemy mission posted by Danxia Pavilion was only part of Xiaoqi's recent alchemy career. As news spread among certain disciple circles that the pills Xiaoqi refined maintained stable high-turn quality and his formation rate far exceeded ordinary alchemy disciples, some fellow disciples he was on good terms with, or who had heard of his name, began privately coming to ask if he could help them refine specific pills.
At first, it was just a few well-meaning senior brothers and sisters from Cloud Hidden Peak. They brought some precious medicinal materials they had accumulated—materials insufficient to invite senior alchemy masters yet important for their own cultivation—and approached somewhat shyly to inquire.
"Little Brother Xiaoqi, I heard your alchemy techniques have improved rapidly. Could you help me refine a furnace of 'Bone Tempering Pills'? I have the medicinal materials ready. I understand the rules: regardless of how many pills are formed, I'll give you three portions as remuneration. How about it?" A mid-Foundation Establishment senior brother who had always taken good care of Xiaoqi asked with anticipation.
Xiaoqi looked at the quite precious "Iron Bone Flowers" and "Stone Marrow Liquid" in the other's hand. He did not immediately agree but carefully examined the age and quality of the medicinal materials, then asked about the senior brother's specific requirements for the pills.
"Brother is too kind. Mutual aid among fellow disciples is only natural. I looked at the medicinal materials; their quality is acceptable, and refining Bone Tempering Pills shouldn't be a problem. For remuneration, following Danxia Pavilion's convention, just two portions after pill formation is fine. If the refinement fails, I'll compensate at material price." After contemplating briefly, Xiaoqi gave conditions more generous than market rates. He understood well how hard these senior brothers and sisters had worked to accumulate resources.
The senior brother was overjoyed upon hearing this, profusely thanking him: "Then thank you so much, Brother! I'll give you three portions—can't let you work for nothing!"
Xiaoqi insisted on only two portions. The senior brother could not prevail against him and had to gratefully agree, his goodwill toward Xiaoqi greatly increasing.
Several days later, Xiaoqi handed the refined Bone Tempering Pills to that senior brother. One furnace of pills formed five, and two were even third-turn quality with powerful medicinal effects, far exceeding expectations. When the senior brother received the pills, his hands trembled slightly, his excitement overflowing. He thanked Xiaoqi profusely.
Once this matter spread, more and more fellow disciples came to ask Xiaoqi to refine pills. Not only Foundation Establishment senior brothers and sisters, but even some inner disciples with decent family backgrounds and urgent need for specific pills to break through bottlenecks dared to seek help.
Xiaoqi accepted all, as long as the medicinal materials were complete and the requirements reasonable. But he also set rules: First, no refining of prohibited pills or pills clearly intended for evil use. Second, must wait in line and refine in order of arrival. Third, remuneration uniformly calculated at two portions of formed pills; if there are special requirements for pill quality, it must be stated in advance and remuneration proportion adjusted accordingly. Fourth, if refinement fails, compensate at material price.
His place for refining pills remained his transformed cave dwelling meditation room. The Departing Fire Cauldron sat steadily at the center, with the Mysterious Golden Guardian Pan suspended below it, drawing on a wisp of Southern Ming Li Fire to create a stable, even fire blanket. Xiaoqi's expression was focused; his spiritual consciousness completely immersed within the alchemy cauldron, precisely controlling every change in fire intensity, guiding the merging and sublimation of medicinal powers.
He refined a high-difficulty "Beauty Pill" for a senior sister, helping her stabilize her appearance. He refined "Spirit Cleansing Pills" for a talisman-skilled senior brother that could briefly enhance spiritual consciousness acuity. He even attempted to refine "Blood Burst Pills" for a body-cultivating senior brother, which required precise control of fierce fire intensity.
Every time he refined pills, he gave his all, not only pursuing successful pill formation but also viewing this process as tempering his own fire control ability, spiritual consciousness application, and his use of the "Basic Purification Technique" to remove impurities from medicinal powers. Therefore, the quality of the pills he refined was often better than the client's expectations, and the pills themselves were exceptionally pure with minimal side effects.
Gradually, "Brother Tang's alchemy skills are superb, his character is upright, and his fees are reasonable" spread among the low and mid-level disciples of Qingxu Temple. Even some inner sect deacons began privately seeking his help refining pills needed for official business.
Outside Xiaoqi's cave dwelling, disciples waiting in line could often be seen. They exchanged cultivation insights with each other or softly discussed stories about Brother Tang's alchemy. The atmosphere was quite harmonious. Xiaoqi did not become arrogant because of his rising reputation. He remained calm and patient with every fellow disciple seeking help.
The benefits of refining pills for fellow disciples were obvious.
First was the rapid accumulation of sect contribution points. Although he only charged two portions of pills as remuneration, there were so many orders, and his formation rate and quality were high. Whether he kept these pills for personal use or exchanged them to the sect, he could obtain considerable contribution points. The contribution point amount in his identity token grew at an unprecedented speed, sufficient to support him exchanging for many cultivation resources he previously wouldn't have dared to hope for.
Second was the invisible accumulation of extensive connections and prestige. Disciples who received his kindness naturally felt grateful. Many disciples, after obtaining pills exceeding their expectations and breaking through bottlenecks or improving their strength, would remember this favor. Xiaoqi's prestige and influence among Qingxu Temple's disciple class grew in a gentle yet solid way. Now, in the eyes of low-level disciples, he was a respectable and trustworthy senior brother. Among his peers, he had become a highly skilled cultivator worth befriending.
Even some disciples who had previously held slight reservations about him as a "connection user" or "lucky fellow," after witnessing or personally experiencing his alchemy skills and character, mostly changed their views, turning to approval or even admiration.
On this day, Xiaoqi had just seen off a junior sister who came to pick up pills and was about to rest for a moment when Third Senior Sister breezed in with a food container.
"Well done, Xiaoqi!" Third Senior Sister set the food container on the table, plopped down unceremoniously, and teased, "Your cave dwelling now is almost like a Danxia Pavilion branch. The threshold is nearly worn out from people stepping over it. It seems your alchemy skills have truly been perfected."
Xiaoqi smiled and poured Third Senior Sister a cup of water. "Senior Sister jokes. It's just practice makes perfect, barely enough to get by."
"Don't give me that fake modesty." Third Senior Sister rolled her eyes at him, then opened the food container. Inside were several delicate pastries she had made herself. "Here, a reward for you. Now to get you to help refine some pills, one has to wait in line. I'm taking a shortcut by bringing you some benefits first."
Xiaoqi laughed despite himself. He picked up a pastry and tasted it, praising, "Senior Sister's craftsmanship is still this good." He knew Third Senior Sister was joking; if she needed pills, she wouldn't need to do this at all.
"Getting serious now," Third Senior Sister's smile faded and she became earnest, "Your reputation among the disciples is rising day by day. That's a good thing. But a tall tree attracts the wind, so also be careful of those who are jealous, or... those with ill intentions mixing in." She glanced meaningfully outside the cave dwelling.
Xiaoqi's expression became grave. He nodded: "Senior Sister can rest easy. I keep a mental note on all fellow disciples who come for alchemy, and I carefully inspect all medicinal materials. The sect has also heightened vigilance. I'll be careful."
"Just be mindful and you'll be fine." Third Senior Sister patted his shoulder. "Keep up the good work. Senior Sister believes in you. Maybe one day, our Qingxu Temple will truly produce an extraordinary alchemy grand master!"
After seeing Third Senior Sister off, Xiaoqi looked at the box of delicate pastries on the table and the silhouettes of several fellow disciples still patiently waiting outside the cave dwelling. His heart was full of emotion.
Refining pills for fellow disciples might initially have been just to complete sect tasks and accumulate resources, but in this process, he gained far more than expected—solidly improved alchemy skills, generous contribution points, extensive connections, stable prestige, and the warmth and trust from his fellow disciples.
This made him feel more clearly that his fate was linked with Qingxu Temple, sharing weal and woe. The sect sheltered his growth; he in turn repaid the sect with everything he could offer.
He finished the last pastry, took a deep breath, and his eyes became focused and firm again. Rest time was over; time to continue refining pills. The furnace fire reignited, medicinal fragrance filled the air. In this seemingly ordinary daily life, he was, in his own unique way, bit by bit consolidating his foundation, weaving a web of connections, and quietly changing his position and influence within Qingxu Temple.
External bounties and killing intent still existed, but within the sect, he was constructing for himself a barrier made of skills, reputation, and human kindness. This path, he walked very steadily.