Maybe She'll Be Her Sister Someday?

Two hours later.

The mist in the Alchemy Chamber had mostly dissipated, and the air was filled with the unique aroma of roasted medicinal herbs, a mixture of bitterness and sweetness.

The lamp overhead emitted a soft halo, enveloping the entire room in a warm yellow glow.

Lin Ying flicked her fingers, forming a condensation Method Formula.

This is the method of condensing elixir recorded in the "Essential Techniques of the Nine Revolutions of Qinghua Elixir".

As the last wisp of spiritual energy was injected into the Pill Furnace, a deep hum resounded from within, marking the completion of the final step.

She let out a long breath, her forehead already covered with fine beads of sweat, and a few strands of hair clung damply to her cheeks.

She had exhausted most of her Spiritual Qi, but her gentle, watery eyes remained exceptionally bright.

That feeling of perfect clarity of mind I just experienced was truly wonderful!

During that short period of time, she seemed to become one with the Pill Furnace, the medicinal herbs, and the flames.

He knew every step by heart, and his control over the heat was incredibly precise!

Combined with the alchemy methods in the Nine Revolutions of Azure Flower Elixir Essentials, the Purple Cloud Pill-Nurturing Robe, and the Crimson Cloud Pill-Heart Furnace's enhancements to Dao of Alchemy...

She had a vague premonition: the quality of the Yellow Dragon Pill she refined this time would definitely not be low.

Guan Qiu stood with his hands at his sides beside the Pill Furnace, having recovered from his previous shock.

Thinking about it carefully, that makes sense.

It's only natural that a woman chosen as dao companion by someone like the young master must possess extraordinary talent.

A gentle smile appeared on her face, and she bowed slightly, saying, "Young Mistress, would you like me to open the furnace and check the pills for you?"

Lin Ying raised her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead and gently shook her head.

Her gaze fell on the Crimson Cloud Pill-Heart Furnace, her eyes filled with anticipation. "I want to see the elixirs I refined myself."

Guan Qiu nodded, said nothing more, and quietly stepped aside.

Lin Ying took a deep breath and waved her hand.

As the Spiritual Qi surged, the lid of the Pill Furnace popped open, and a rich, almost viscous medicinal fragrance instantly burst forth, filling the entire room.

The aroma is not pungent like that of low-quality pills; instead, it has a calm, mellow sweetness that invigorates the spirit with just one whiff.

She took two steps forward and leaned down to look into the furnace.

A thin layer of medicinal ash, light gray in color and as fine as dust, covered the bottom of the furnace.

On the ashes, two round pills lay quietly, their bodies yellowish-brown and translucent like beads made of amber.

The surface of the pill was covered with fine, intricate patterns, which shimmered with a warm, lustrous sheen under the light of the spirit lamp.

Although Lin Ying had a premonition that the quality of the pills she had refined this time should be quite high, her breath still caught in her throat for a moment when she actually saw the two pills.

An irrepressible look of excitement appeared on that usually gentle and demure face.

Top-grade elixirs!

She had refined Yellow Dragon Pills many times before, but the quality was always mediocre, with the best one being only of medium grade.

Unexpectedly, this time, they actually refined Supreme-Grade Yellow Dragon Pill!

Lin Ying understood that such a result was the result of a combination of factors.

Senior Guan's patient and detailed explanations, the exquisite alchemy techniques in "The Essential Techniques of the Nine Revolutions of the Azure Flower Elixir," and the blessing of the Crimson Cloud Pill-Heart Furnace, a top-grade Pill Furnace with exceptional Spiritual Qi, etc...

These contributions are all indispensable.

However, in Lin Ying's view, the most important thing was the few flashes of intuition she had when adjusting the dosage of auxiliary medicines, and the special state of mind she had when refining pills, which was as clear as a mirror!

Especially that state of mind!

This was a feeling she had never experienced before!

Lin Ying's eyes flickered slightly, her mind filled with confusion.

She has been practicing alchemy for over ten years and has a good understanding of her own abilities and talents.

Not dull-witted, but certainly not a brilliant genius.

How come everything has changed so much all of a sudden?

Just as she was lost in thought, Guan Qiu slowly walked forward.

Seeing the two Supreme-Grade Yellow Dragon Pills with flowing patterns at the bottom of the furnace, Guan Qiu's eyes flickered, and a deep shock flashed across his aged face.

Guan Qiu had already anticipated this when Lin Ying revealed her state of Alchemical Heart of Clarity.

However, when Guan Qiu saw with his own eyes that Lin Ying had actually refined the Supreme-Grade Yellow Dragon Pill in such a short time, he still felt extremely disappointed.

Back then, how much hardship did she endure, how many sleepless nights did she spend trying to refine the finest elixir?

The girl in front of me was only at the Qi Refining Realm stage, yet she had accomplished this with just one lesson from me!

This is the power of Alchemical Heart of Clarity.

Guan Qiu felt incredibly envious. She sighed silently, then composed herself, cupped her hands respectfully to Lin Ying, and said, "Young Master's wife's talent in Dao of Alchemy is truly astonishing, making this old woman feel ashamed."

Guan Qiu's praise pulled Lin Ying back from her thoughts.

Her red lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to explain something.

But when the words reached her lips, she realized that even she herself didn't understand what was going on, so how could she explain it to others?

In the end, she could only lower her eyes shyly and say softly, "Senior Guan, you're too kind. My talent is actually just average..."

Upon hearing this, Guan Qiu's lips twitched violently.

Average talent?!

To Alchemical Heart of Clarity Qi Refining Realm —is that considered average talent?

Then what about my old bones?

Pure waste?

Guan Qiu felt a mix of indescribable emotions churning within him, forcing a dry laugh onto his face.

The young master's wife is indeed talented, but the things she says are really infuriating.

She cleared her throat, changing the subject, and said gently, "Young Mistress, you've worked hard refining the pills. Please rest for a moment. Once you've recovered a bit, I'll explain to you in detail what aspects of the pill-refining process could be improved."

Lin Ying nodded. "Okay, thank you, Senior Guan."

She was indeed tired.

Yellow Dragon Pill is considered one of the more difficult first-tier pills to refine.

Even though she had taken the Marrow-Washing Profound-Penetrating Fruit and her cultivation had reached the Peak Qi Refining Realm, she still found this batch somewhat strenuous.

I definitely need to rest.

Lin Ying pushed open the heavy wooden door of the Alchemy Chamber and walked out into the outer room.

Jiang Shiqing had been waiting outside the door for quite some time.

Upon seeing Lin Ying emerge, she hurried forward, carrying a tray with several plates of delicate pastries and a cup of steaming spiritual tea.

The tea has a delicate fragrance, and the pastries are sweet and delicious.

"Madam, you've come out." Jiang Shiqing bowed respectfully. "I've prepared some refreshments for you, and the spiritual tea is ready as well."

Not long after Lu Yang returned yesterday, Jiang Feng personally escorted Jiang Shiqing to the Lin Household.

From then on, Jiang Shiqing stayed by Lin Ying's side, serving her.

Lin Ying was still somewhat unaccustomed to the respectful and attentive attitude of this eldest daughter of a Golden Core family.

After all, Jiang Shiqing is the direct descendant of a family of Golden Core cultivators!

Even after Jiang Feng dies of old age, the Jiang Household family will still have more than a dozen Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators.

This strength far surpasses that of the Lin Household.

Lin Ying felt a little flustered by Jiang Shiqing's respectful treatment.

Let's wait until Junior Brother Lu returns and see how he plans to settle Jiang Shiqing.

But...

Given Junior Brother Lu's lecherous and wicked nature, Jiang Shiqing probably won't be able to escape.

Who knows... maybe she'll become her sister someday?

Thinking about it that way isn't so bad; otherwise, I really wouldn't be able to handle it all by myself.

Lin Ying's thoughts drifted, and before she knew it, her pretty face flushed slightly.

Green Creek Market.

Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve, and the market is packed with people.

Red lanterns were hung on the shops on both sides of the street, and vermilion talismans and couplets were pasted on the doors. Although it was a place where cultivators gathered, the festive atmosphere was no less than that of ordinary towns.

After all, the Lunar New Year is a peak season for businesses in the market.

However, upon closer inspection, one will notice that although there are many pedestrians, their expressions all carry a hint of tension.

Their gazes would occasionally sweep over the enormous flying ship in the sky outside the market, then quickly shift away.

The hundred-foot-long flying boat hovered in mid-air, casting a large shadow, like a silent mountain pressing down on everyone's heads.

On the main street, Lu Yang, Lu Bai, and Lu Cheng strolled leisurely with Lu Hongdou.

Lu Hongdou straddled Lu Yang's neck, her little hands tightly gripping Lu Yang hair, her round little face flushed with excitement.

Her big, dark eyes darted around, finding everything new and interesting.

"Fourth Brother! Fourth Brother! I want to eat that jujube cake!"

The little girl suddenly stretched out her chubby finger and pointed to a steaming hot stall on the side of the street.

"Okay, I'll buy it!"

Lu Yang chuckled in response and strode toward the stall.

The stall sells light red jujube cakes, made by steaming jujubes and jujube flour.

Although it can be considered Spirit Cuisine, the ingredients used are of low quality and contain very limited Spiritual Qi, making it not much better than ordinary snacks.

However, for a child like Lu Hongdou who hasn't even started cultivating yet, this is already considered quite nourishing.

The stall owner was an elderly man with white hair, a face full of deep wrinkles, and skin that was tanned dark and shiny by the sun.

He was wearing an old gray robe with frayed edges on the cuffs.

Seeing Lu Yang and his group walk straight towards his stall, the old man froze, then hurriedly bowed, repeatedly nodding and scraping. "Young master... these pastries aren't worth many Spirit Stones, I'm offering them to you as a token of my respect, please take them, please take them..."

Though he spoke respectfully, the old man's heart was bleeding.

But he dared not hesitate for even a moment.

Are you kidding me? That giant flying ship is still hovering above the market!

In the morning, everything was actually fine.

But when the flying boat arrived, everyone was quite frightened.

Those Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators who were usually elusive in the market rushed forward to greet them like madmen.

Everyone saw a noble young man, as beautiful as an immortal, descend from the flying boat.

This is the person right in front of me.

Although the young nobleman appeared to have a gentle smile, the old man dared not gamble at all.

Lu Yang glanced at the old man's nervous expression, then at the neatly arranged spirit date cakes on the stall, and chuckled, "Senior, you're too kind. You can keep these Spirit Stones, but I'll take all the cakes."

Lu Yang took out twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones and placed them on the stall.

He then raised his hand and waved it away, taking all the spirit jujube cakes with him.

The old man was clearly stunned.

He stared blankly at the Low-Grade Spirit Stones for a long time before snapping out of his daze. He then frantically cried out, "Young Master, Young Master! There are too many! There are far too many!"

The price of these spirit date cakes is at most a dozen or so Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

How could he dare accept so much?

Lu Yang turned and left, casually waving his hand as he said, "The rest of you seniors can keep yourselves and have a good New Year."

He took out a piece of jujube cake and handed it to Lu Hongdou, saying gently, "Here, little Hongdou, have a piece."

Holding the pale pink pastries in her two chubby little hands, Lu Hongdou's eyes curved into crescents as she cheered, "Fourth Brother is the best! Much better than Second and Third Brothers! They never buy me delicious spirit jujube cakes!"

Lu Cheng and Lu Bai behind him turned pale.

Spirit jujube cake is Spirit Cuisine!

What an expensive item!

Lu Hongdou hasn't even started cultivating yet, so she can't refine the Spirit Cuisine she eats; it's just a waste of Spiritual Qi.

Besides, they themselves don't have much money, so where would they find the spare cash to buy this little guy?

"That little sycophant!"

"Fourth brother, you're just spoiling her!"

Behind him, in front of the stall, the old man held the twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones, watching Lu Yang and the others gradually disappear into the distance, his eyes suddenly reddening.

He shakily put away the Spirit Stones, bowed deeply in the direction Lu Yang had left, performed several deep bows, then picked up his stall and quickly turned to leave.