As soon as Xiao Ling finished speaking, a glimmer of curiosity flashed in the eyes of Venerable Tianhuo. He raised his eyebrows slightly, as if he was very interested in the person Xiao Ling was going to introduce.
However, Xiao Ling did not immediately respond to the inquiring look of Venerable Tianhuo. Instead, he turned around and said to Xiao Yixian and Qinglin,
"Refining the elixir may take some time. You don't have to wait here. You can walk around or take care of your own things. I'll come to you after I finish the things here."
Xiao Yixian nodded gently and responded with understanding: "Okay, Xiao Ling, you concentrate on refining the elixir, we won't disturb you."
Qinglin also smiled and added: "Yes, Young Master Xiao Ling, we can just prepare some refreshments. When you finish refining, we can enjoy them while listening to you talk about your adventures in seclusion."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling's eyes flashed with anticipation: "Haha, Qinglin's snacks, I've been thinking about them."
Then, he turned to Venerable Tianhuo and said softly: "Senior, please follow me."
After that, Xiao Ling took Venerable Tianhuo to the depths of the courtyard, passed through patches of emerald green bamboo forests, and came to an exquisitely decorated alchemy room.
In the dimly lit alchemy room, all the necessary tools for refining were present. Precious medicinal herbs hung on the walls, and the air was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance.
In a corner, the spirit form of a man slowly emerged. His body was transparent and slightly ethereal, as if it could be blown away by the wind at any moment. He
sat at an old wooden table, the pages of his book shimmering in his hands, his deep eyes fixed intently on the text.
The surrounding light seemed to filter through his body, casting a faint shadow, making his presence both mysterious and ethereal, like a ghost reader in a quiet, ancient painting.
Noticing movement within the room, Yao Chen raised his head from his book and, drawing his attention, saw Xiao Ling and Yao Tianhuo.
Having been so engrossed in his reading, Yao Chen hadn't activated his spiritual senses to survey his surroundings.
Since they were unlikely to encounter any danger within Canaan Academy, he didn't feel the need to constantly activate his spiritual senses.
"Well, Xiao Ling, it seems you've successfully integrated the Fallen Heart Flame. You've reaped a bounty of rewards." Yao Chen smiled gently, a hint of approval in his eyes. He then turned his gaze to Skyfire Venerable, his brows raised slightly, a hint of curiosity visible. "Who is this friend?"
With Yao Chen's experienced eyes, a single glance gave him a rough idea of the depth of the soul form beside Xiao Ling.
Although the soul form's aura was now extremely weak, seemingly unable to withstand even the most ordinary Dou Wang, it was clear that its soul power had suffered severe depletion.
However, Yao Chen could still sense that even if this person hadn't reached the peak of his Dou Zun realm in his lifetime, he was no ordinary individual, his strength likely being at the level of Dou Zun four or five stars.
A faint and polite smile appeared on Xiao Ling's face. He first turned to Yao Chen and introduced gently: "Yao Lao, this is Senior Yao Tianhuo. I had the honor of meeting him in the depths of the Tianfen Qi Training Tower. He was a powerful Dou Zun who was feared by all. He was also the previous host of the Fallen Heart Flame."
After briefly introducing Yao Tianhuo's identity, Xiao Ling turned to Yao Tianhuo and said: "Senior Tianhuo, this is Senior Yao Chen. He was not only a powerful Dou Zun in his lifetime, but also an eighth-grade alchemist. His guidance and help are indispensable on my path of practicing alchemy."
A hint of subtle surprise flashed across Senior Tianhuo's eyes, and he thought to himself: "It's really unexpected! I never expected Xiao Ling to have such a distinguished former powerhouse by his side, an eighth-grade alchemist at the peak of Dou Zun—this status is truly remarkable."
He didn't stop what he was doing, but politely bowed to Yao Chen and said with a smile, "Brother Yao Chen, nice to meet you."
Yao Chen smiled back and bowed as well, "Brother Tianhuo, it's a treat. You're welcome."
Amidst the pleasantries, Yao Chen pondered silently, "Did Xiao Ling unexpectedly encounter such a soul being on this journey deep underground? However, I need to further observe and understand this person's true character."
However, the two men were in similar situations, and when their eyes met, a hint of shared sympathy slipped through their lips.
Then, they settled into a quiet conversation at the side of the alchemy room.
A trace of vicissitudes flashed in the eyes of Venerable Tianhuo, and he sighed: "In this troubled world, surviving in the form of a soul is indeed a difficult experience."
Yao Chen nodded lightly, a faint smile appeared on his face, expressing his deep agreement: "Indeed, if it were not for Xiao Ling's help, my life today would probably not be so comfortable."
There was a trace of depth in the eyes of Venerable Tianhuo, and his voice was filled with the precipitation of time. He said slowly: "Xiao Ling, this child, has reached the realm of Dou Zong at the age of seventeen. His soul power is even stronger. His future achievements are bound to be limitless."
Yao Chen nodded lightly, and the smile on his face became more gentle: "Yes, Brother Tianhuo, Xiao Ling's achievements today are truly remarkable. With his exceptional talent and dedicated diligence, his future achievements are limitless.
Venerable Skyfire smiled faintly and continued, "Haha, of course, Xiao Ling's achievements are certainly not without the careful guidance and assistance of Brother Yao, a former formidable figure."
Upon hearing this, Yao Chen gently stroked his graying beard, a flicker of pride in his eyes, but his tone remained humble. "No, no, this is all due to Xiao Ling's own talent and hard work. I've merely contributed a small part to his growth."
However, deep down, Yao Chen was thinking differently.
He silently pondered the regret of not nurturing Xiao Ling when he was still young.
But Yao Chen firmly believed that with the assistance of a peak-level eighth-grade alchemist like him, Xiao Ling's growth would be catapulted, and his future would soar.
Yao Chen's heart was filled with anticipation, knowing that his experience and knowledge would add a significant dimension to Xiao Ling's cultivation journey.
Xiao Ling's character and conduct further convinced him that he had made the right choice.
Two once-powerful warriors now existed in spirit form. Their conversation was a mixture of reminiscences of past glory and anticipation for the future.
Within the alchemy room, amidst the lingering aroma of medicinal herbs, the two elderly men, now mere spirits, seemed to find a sympathetic connection, their souls finding solace in this silent exchange.
Seeing Yao Tianhuo and Yao Chen chatting animatedly, Xiao Ling's lips curled up with a faint smile.
He didn't approach to interrupt them, but instead walked lightly to the center of the alchemy room.
With a flick of his fingertips, a faint light shone, and a flash of white light flashed from his ring. Immediately, an ancient and mysterious alchemy cauldron slowly descended to the ground.
The Myriad Beasts Cauldron, a treasured possession of Han Feng's old friend, ranked thirteenth on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking, was not only a sacred artifact for alchemy but also held a legendary bond with the myriad beasts.
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The cauldron's body is forged from an unknown rare metal, its surface engraved with lifelike totems of myriad beasts. Each beast statue seems imbued with life force, poised to burst forth at any moment.
Atop the lid, inlaid is a dazzling spirit stone, emitting a subtle glow, adding a touch of mystery to the alchemy room.
Four animal heads are carved into the cauldron's feet: the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermillion Bird, and Black Tortoise. These guardian beasts symbolize the power of the four directions of heaven and earth.
Whenever refining medicine, these four animal heads seem to summon the forces of the four directions, adding a mysterious energy to the process.
Having acquired the Myriad Beasts Cauldron, Xiao Ling returned Yao Chen's Black Demon Cauldron to him.
After all, the Black Demon Cauldron had been with Yao Chen for many years, and now that Xiao Ling possessed a cauldron ranked among the Heavenly Cauldrons, returning the Black Demon Cauldron was a natural choice.
As the Myriad Beasts Cauldron slowly descended, Xiao Ling's expression grew focused.
He removed carefully selected herbs from his ring and gently placed them in a corner of the alchemy room.
The medicinal herbs were of various kinds, each emitting a faint spiritual aura, evidently the finest materials meticulously selected.
Xiao Ling took a deep breath and gently waved his hands, awakening the dormant strange fire within him. A sapphire-blue flame surged from his palms, pouring into the Myriad Beasts Cauldron through the inlet.
The flames shimmered like pearls in the deep sea, emitting a soft and mysterious glow. The surrounding air seemed to be influenced by this power, rippling invisible waves.
Xiao Ling placed each herb into the cauldron, then concentrated on controlling the strange fire. The sapphire-blue flames danced within the Myriad Beasts Cauldron, like lively spirits dancing joyfully.
Under the fierce heat of the strange fire, the herbs slowly released their essence. Xiao Ling meticulously extracted every precious drop of essence. Tiny particles of pure energy slowly rose, intertwined, and gradually condensed into a brilliant light.
Finally, Xiao Ling skillfully gathered the essences of these herbs into the heart of the cauldron.
As time passed, the essences of the medicinal herbs, catalyzed by the soul, began to fuse, gradually forming the embryonic forms of pills. These embryonic pills slowly rotated under the warming flames, emitting a captivating luster, as if imbued with infinite vitality.
Xiao Ling's expression remained calm, his movements casual yet harmonious, his gaze steady and focused.
He fine-tuned the flame's temperature, carefully nurturing the embryonic pills, ensuring that every bit of energy was evenly integrated and every flaw perfectly healed.
Yao Chen and Yao Tianhuo watched quietly from the side, their eyes revealing admiration and anticipation for Xiao Ling.
The two souls occasionally exchanged quiet words, a faint smile on their faces.
After half a day, finally, after countless rounds of condensation and nurturing, the embryonic pill within the Myriad Beasts Cauldron gradually became more rounded.
A plump, emerald green pill, as translucent as jade, floated in the Myriad Beasts Cauldron. A faint mist lingered on the surface of the pills, resembling the aura of immortality, making the mere sight of them alluring.
These pills, called "Soul Guiding Pills," were sixth-grade elixirs meticulously developed by Xiao Ling based on various recipes and his own alchemy experience.
Their effects were truly unique, significantly restoring soul power and exceptionally effective for damaged souls.
Upon ingestion, soul power surged forth like a spring, nourishing and revitalizing the practitioner's soul.
Although only a sixth-grade elixir, for those with special needs, the "Soul Guiding Pills" were as effective as ordinary seventh-grade elixirs.
Whenever a practitioner's soul was damaged or their soul power was depleted, a single "Soul Guiding Pill" would rapidly restore it, as if their soul had been reborn.
Xiao Ling breathed a sigh of relief, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. He extended his hand, and the "Soul Guiding Pill" fell into his hand.
Xiao Ling turned, his gaze flickering between Yao Chen and Venerable Skyfire. His voice, a gentle confidence intensifying, he said, "Senior Skyfire, the elixir has been successfully refined. I believe this 'Soul Restoration Pill' will be beneficial to the recovery of your soul."
With a flick of his finger, Xiao Ling's emerald-green radiance of the 'Soul Restoration Pill' floated gently toward Venerable Skyfire. Overjoyed, Venerable Skyfire carefully took the elixir in his palm, his eyes filled with impatience.
"Haha, young friend Xiao Ling, I, Skyfire, will always remember this kindness," Venerable Skyfire said in a deep voice, his tone brimming with sincerity.
Xiao Ling smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Senior Tianhuo, you're welcome. This is what I promised. After you recover your soul power, you'll be able to better teach me the 'Five-Whirl Fire Separation Method.'"
Yao Chen, standing nearby, also spoke with a hint of approval, "Xiao Ling, it seems that after this retreat, you've not only made a breakthrough in your Dou Qi, but also gained a considerable understanding of alchemy."
Xiao Ling smiled and humbly replied, "You're too kind, Elder Yao. I'm just constantly learning and practicing."
Yao Chen nodded and continued, "Now that your Dou Zong cultivation is solid, your alchemy skills have also improved. I believe that with your current Dou Qi and soul power, refining seventh-grade elixirs will be a piece of cake. With a little more time to cultivate, you can begin studying eighth-grade elixirs."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling felt an uncontrollable surge of enthusiasm within him.
The eighth-grade alchemist—that's the highest realm countless alchemists on the Dou Qi Continent dream of.
His soul power had already reached this level. What he lacked was only the practice and experience.
However, he quickly suppressed his anxiety and calmed down.
Xiao Ling knew that improving alchemy skills was not a one-day job. It took time and continuous practice to achieve success.
As the saying in his previous life said, "You can't eat hot tofu in a hurry." What he needed was not only talent and hard work, but also patience and persistence.
(End of this chapter)