Chapter Eighty-Nine: Astonishing Alchemy Skills

Standing to the side, Chen Zhong could clearly sense that Lin Xiaobao had not expended much spiritual power earlier, yet he was now eager to recover it. This revealed just how arduous refining a Yin Pill was for him, and Chen Zhong’s heart swelled with even greater gratitude toward Lin Xiaobao.

At this moment, the Blood Sun Secret Shoot was already in the pill cauldron, being refined by the formation inside. With nothing to do for the time being, Lin Xiaobao did not strike up any conversation with Chen Zhong; after recovering his spiritual power, he focused all his attention on every subtle change within the cauldron. After all, this was, in the truest sense, his first attempt at alchemy.

If Chen Zhong were to discover that Lin Xiaobao was using the materials he had spent over four hundred years preparing as practice for his maiden attempt at pill refining, one could only imagine whether he would be driven to murderous thoughts.

Days passed by in silence. Lin Xiaobao seemed frozen in place, his gaze never once straying from the pill cauldron. He watched every minute transformation, for only by doing so could his comprehension of alchemy deepen.

Finally, after enduring the Netherworld Ghostfire’s tempering for nine days, the Blood Sun Secret Shoot began to soften. Lin Xiaobao immediately flicked his wrist, and the Soul-Returning Herb flew into the cauldron. Following that, he unleashed a series of intricate incantations.

With each change in his hand seals, the ghostfire within the cauldron rose and fell in intensity, while beads of sweat began to form on Lin Xiaobao’s forehead.

Though only two ingredients had been added thus far, this was the most crucial step in refining the Yin Pill.

The Soul-Returning Herb and Blood Sun Secret Shoot had to be refined together in the ghostfire, using the former as a guide to draw the essence of the latter into it, before adding the remaining ingredients.

This might sound simple, yet the two ingredients differed vastly in resilience. To have them both refined at the exact same moment required not only precise control over the ghostfire’s power but also unwavering attention to every change in both herbs.

The strain on spiritual and mental energy was staggering. Barely two hours in, Lin Xiaobao was already drenched in sweat, his whole body on the verge of collapse. Yet by his estimation, it would take at least another hour to fully refine the two herbs.

Fortunately, Lin Xiaobao had come prepared. After casting another incantation, he quickly retrieved a vial of spirit-replenishing powder from his storage bracelet and hastily poured it into his mouth.

His spiritual power thus replenished, Lin Xiaobao’s pallor improved slightly, but his mental exhaustion could not be so easily restored. He dared not relax his spiritual sense for even an instant—any lapse in controlling the flames, and if the two herbs failed to refine simultaneously, the entire batch would be ruined. He could not hope to acquire such rare materials again.

While closely monitoring the herbs, he quietly activated the Mindwave Technique to recover his drained mental energy. Though the rate of recovery was a mere drop in the ocean compared to the consumption, it was better than nothing.

Though Chen Zhong was completely ignorant of alchemy, he was deeply invested in the Yin Pill. Observing Lin Xiaobao’s state, he knew they had reached a critical juncture. Even if he wished to help, he found himself utterly powerless; all he could do was pray in silence.

He also saw Lin Xiaobao’s earnestness and dedication. Even if Lin Xiaobao failed, Chen Zhong would not blame him—after all, the Yin Pill was notoriously difficult to refine. Even a Pill King would only succeed half the time. If failure befell them, it could only be attributed to fate.

An hour quickly slipped by. Standing before the cauldron, Lin Xiaobao’s eyes were now glassy, as though he might collapse at any moment.

Biting down hard on his tongue, Lin Xiaobao continually spurred his own potential. One after another, hand seals danced at his fingertips, and the golden-red Blood Sun Secret Shoot, now almost fully melded under the ghostfire, shone a fiery orange, spinning like a small sphere within the flames.

The refinement of the Soul-Returning Herb was much simpler by comparison. It only required the steady application of ghostfire until it melted in concert with the Blood Sun Secret Shoot.

But to split the Netherworld Ghostfire so precisely, even with the cauldron’s aid, left Lin Xiaobao feeling increasingly drained.

“Melt!” he cried, as he unleashed his final incantation. Unconsciously, his body staggered forward, startling Chen Zhong.

With the last surge of spiritual power, the two clusters of ghostfire burned an even deeper blue. The Blood Sun Secret Shoot and Soul-Returning Herb began to melt simultaneously, their essences merging into rivulets that flowed together within the flames.

Watching as the two streams of liquid slowly fused, excitement flashed in Lin Xiaobao’s eyes. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the remaining Violet Frost Ginseng and Mysterious Ice Bud into the cauldron.

Unlike the tenacious Blood Sun Secret Shoot and Soul-Returning Herb, these new ingredients instantly dissolved into the surging flames, their essences merging into the growing pool of medicinal liquid.

Lin Xiaobao then cast another incantation, causing the liquid within the cauldron to swirl ceaselessly in the ghostfire. Suddenly, his vision went black, and he collapsed.

Seeing Lin Xiaobao fall, Chen Zhong lunged forward, catching him before he hit the ground, and channeled a steady stream of spiritual energy into Lin Xiaobao’s body.

Moments later, Lin Xiaobao slowly opened his eyes. Watching the swirling liquid within the cauldron, he forced a bitter smile. “Thank goodness I managed to unleash the final incantation; otherwise, I’d be remembered as a sinner through the ages!”

“You’ve worked hard,” Chen Zhong said quietly, not daring to disturb Lin Xiaobao’s rest.

Luckily, Lin Xiaobao’s last effort had set the concoction to rotate automatically within the cauldron, allowing him at last a moment’s respite.

Steadying himself, Lin Xiaobao sat cross-legged and began to circulate the Mindwave Technique, restoring his depleted mental energy.

He remained seated like this for three full days. Once his mind recovered, his spirits revived, and he looked completely rejuvenated.

At this stage, purifying the medicinal liquid required little further effort—he merely needed to wait forty-nine days. With time to spare, he began to discuss the art of formations with Chen Zhong.

Chen Zhong, well-versed in the Yin Pill, knew that barring unforeseen accidents, the pills would be ready once time had passed. He shared his many years of insights into formations with Lin Xiaobao—though their exchanges were more like lessons, with Chen Zhong expounding and Lin Xiaobao listening attentively.

During this period, Si Mengling visited twice. Seeing them so engrossed in their discussion, she did not disturb them and instead retreated to one side to cultivate.

In this manner, forty-eight days quickly passed. The final moment of pill formation was at hand. Though the most difficult stage was over, Chen Zhong’s breathing grew rapid as he stared unblinking at the now-viscous liquid in the cauldron.

Lin Xiaobao was equally cautious—every step in this first attempt at pill refinement was crucial.

He watched the cauldron intently, casting each incantation with the utmost care. The ghostfire grew wild, compressing and shaping the medicinal liquid, which in the blink of an eye formed three fist-sized spheres, spinning within the flames.

“You…” Chen Zhong began, but immediately remembered he must not interrupt Lin Xiaobao now, swallowing his questions. Yet the look in his eyes changed dramatically as he gazed at Lin Xiaobao.

Three Yin Pills from one refinement?

Even when Pill King Long Xinghe personally crafted them, the ingredients Chen Zhong provided were only ever sufficient for two.