Scene 1 — The Mysterious Qi Within Xiao Jian
Lin Xian sat cross-legged in his courtyard. Morning mist coiled around the bamboo fence, carrying the faint scent of dew and herbs. Xiao Jin lay on a warm stone nearby, tail flicking lazily as it dozed again — as if breaking through realms was no more tiring than taking a nap.
Lin Xian's gaze was fixed on the kitten. A faint golden aura still lingered around its small body, pulsing with rhythm — quiet, steady, ancient.
He extended a thread of his spiritual sense. The moment his Qi touched that golden light, a deep vibration ran through his body.
"Primordial resonance…" Lin Xian murmured. "No mistake."
He remembered the Cave of Whispers — the Void Beast, and that strange moment when its black essence dissolved into his meridians.
But this… this was purer. Older.
His hand subconsciously clenched.
"Back then, not even in my previous life did I encounter such a clean strand of Primordial Qi. Could it be… this world's foundation is starting to change?"
The kitten stirred, sensing his gaze. It opened one golden eye and let out a questioning mew?
Lin Xian sighed and flicked its forehead lightly. "Don't look at me like that. You're the one glowing like a divine relic."
Xiao Jin blinked, puffed up its fur indignantly, and turned away with a huff.
He chuckled quietly, but his expression soon turned serious.
If Xiao Jian could unconsciously draw in Primordial Qi, it meant something beyond the mortal realm's natural cycle was seeping through. A breach between worlds, perhaps… or an awakening of something older than both Void and Heaven.
"Whatever the cause," he said softly, "I'll find the source. The lower realm should not hold power like this."
He reached out and rubbed Xiao Jin's tiny head. "For now, stay quiet about your breakthrough. The less others know, the better."
The kitten nodded… and promptly yawned.
Lin Xian stared for a moment, then sighed. "Right. I'm talking strategy with a cat."
Still, he couldn't help but smile faintly. The peaceful morning wouldn't last — he could feel it in his bones.
Scene 2
He sat up, stretched lazily, and sighed.
"Money, money, money… cultivation drains more resources than feeding an entire city," he muttered.
He had used most of his spirit stones already. Without a steady income, he'd soon have to choose between pursuing the heavens and scraping for his next meal. . And that was not a choice he planned to make.
He leaned back against the chair, eyes half-closed.
"Back then, a few hundred saint-grade pills could buy me a mountain… now I can't even afford breakfast."
Xiao Jin, curled beside him, meowed softly — or maybe it was a snore.
Lin Xian glanced at the lazy furball. "Look at you. You break through in your sleep while I have to worry about bills. Truly unfair."
Then, as his gaze drifted to the small furnace in the corner, an idea sparked.
He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. The market's recovery pills are trash. Restore only thirty percent of qi, take half a day to absorb, and It cost a fortune that could feed a small family for a year.. No wonder only idiots buy them."
His lips curved into a faint smile. "But… if I make one that restores fifty percent, and more affordable too…"
He leaned forward, grabbed a blank bamboo scroll, and began scribbling.
'Qi Recovery Pill — simplified formula.'
He chuckled to himself. "Let's see, just the basics should do."
He wrote casually:
Spirit Grass — to nourish qi
Silverleaf — helps absorption
Earth Flame Root — warms the meridians
A pinch of powdered beast bone — for structure
He looked at the list and nodded. "Simple, cheap, and effective. No need for divine flames or rare treasures. All it takes is flawless execution."
He smirked. "In my old realm, this would be considered trash-grade… but here? I'll be hailed as a genius."
The kitten raised its head and yawned loudly.
Lin Xian pointed at it with mock seriousness. "You laugh now, but you'll see. This 'trash' will feed both of us for months."
Xiao Jin just blinked lazily.
"Fine, be that way. I'll make you the mascot of my future pill shop. 'Golden Cat Remedies' has a nice ring to it, no?"
He rolled up the bamboo scroll and slipped it into his sleeve.
"Alright. Step one — ingredients. Step two — make the pill. Step three — sell and get rich."
As he stood, his stomach growled.
"…Or maybe step one is breakfast first."
He stretched, then headed toward the city market with his usual calm confidence.
His plan was simple — buy the herbs, refine a few batches, and quietly release them through the smaller stalls first. No need for grand announcements. When the other alchemists realized someone was selling a stronger, cheaper pill, it'd already be too late.
He smiled faintly to himself. "Let's see if this realm's alchemists can handle a little competition."
Xiao Jin leapt to his shoulder, tail flicking proudly as if declaring himself supervisor.
"Fine," Lin Xian said with a grin. "You can come too, business partner. But no glowing in public this time. We don't need more attention."
The two walked out together, the morning sunlight spilling across their backs — a pale young man with a calm smile, and a golden kitten perched like a tiny king.
A new day, a new scheme, and a soon-to-be famous little pill.
Scene 3-
Azurecloud City's marketplace buzzed with morning energy. Merchants shouted, spices and herbs filled the air, and the scent of roasted meat tempted every passerby.
Lin Xian walked through the crowd calmly, scanning the stalls. His eyes soon landed on the grand signboard of Bai He Pharmacy, one of the Bai Clan's flagship stores.
Inside, the shelves gleamed with jars of neatly arranged herbs. The attendants, dressed in white and blue robes, moved gracefully between customers.
As Lin Xian stepped in, a familiar, gentle voice called out.
"Lin Xian?"
He turned slightly — and saw Bai Yu Sheng, the Bai Clan's youngest daughter. Her long hair was tied with a jade ribbon, her smile bright enough to outshine the morning sun.
Lin Xian blinked. "Miss Bai?"
She laughed softly. "It really is you. I almost didn't recognize you. You've… changed a lot since the pill competition."
Lin Xian smiled faintly. "Ah, that. The day I made Xu Tian faint from shame?"
She covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. "Yes. That one. You were amazing. My father even mentioned you afterward — said the Lin family still has hidden talent."
Her gaze flicked to the scroll in his hand. "Buying ingredients again? Another pill project?"
"Just a simple one," Lin Xian said casually. "Something to help restore qi."
Her eyes brightened. "Oh? A recovery pill? The market ones are so useless. Are you trying to make a better version?"
"Trying," he said with a shrug. "Something modest, nothing fancy."
Bai Yu Sheng looked intrigued. "Could I… maybe watch you refine it sometime?"
Lin Xian raised an eyebrow. "You want to watch someone burn herbs and mutter to himself for two hours?"
She chuckled. "Maybe I just want to see how the 'mysterious genius' from the Lin Clan works."
He sighed softly. "You're persistent."
"Curious," she corrected, smiling. "Purely curious."
He finally gave in. "Fine. Once I finish gathering everything, you can drop by. But don't blame me if it gets boring."
"Deal."
Her smile lingered as she turned to instruct the attendant to prepare his herbs.
When she handed him the neatly packed bundle, her fingers brushed his for a brief moment. "Good luck, Lin Xian. I look forward to seeing what you make."
Lin Xian nodded slightly, then turned to leave, Xiao Jin yawning lazily on his shoulder.
As he stepped out into the sunlight, he muttered under his breath, "And here I thought today would be simple."
The kitten meowed in agreement.