The Pill in Hand (Part One)
The Puppet One slowly descended, standing silently behind Lin Ming like the most loyal guard. Its golden eyes swept over the crowd, causing most of the people present to feel a chill.
Of course, besides that, envy was also evident on their faces. The ability to absorb Pill Lightning alone was enough to make countless high-level Alchemist extremely eager to acquire it. Not to mention its protective properties!
"Buzz--!"
At this moment, an unprecedented, clear, and Spirituality resonant hum drew people's attention away from Puppet One and towards the Mountain Melting Cauldron.
As far as the eye could see, the cauldron's radiance was restrained, as if all the energy had gathered within the Divine Pill about to be born. An indescribable vitality and spiritual aura rippled out from within the cauldron like waves.
Immediately afterward, before Lin Ming or Tang Zhen could make any move, the heavy Cauldron Lid was suddenly forced open from the inside by an invisible force, creating a crack!
A round object, now formed from the combined and absorbed light of the previous blue and red hues, seemed to possess its own life and will. It shot out from the crack with lightning speed, heading straight for the dome of the Pill Refinement Room! Within the two-colored light, a pill the size of a dragon's eye, perfectly round and flawless, with natural Flame Cloud Patterns flowing on its surface, could be vaguely seen. It actually wanted to break through the air and fly away!
"The elixir is sentient and can fly away on its own!" Master Huan's pupils shrank, and he exclaimed in shock, "The quality of this Fire Bodhi Pill has reached such a level that it has already developed Spirituality!"
Seventh Grade Peak Pill possesses Spirituality and, unwilling to be consumed by others, will fly away on its own to find a hidden place! This symbolizes that the elixir has reached its pinnacle of quality, but it also means that if it escapes, all previous efforts will be in vain!
While many were still in shock, Lin Ming, who had been completely focused on this, smiled knowingly. He had poured his heart and soul into refining this pill, and even tempered it with the Heavenly Flame Origin like the Purple Extreme Annihilation Flame. How could he not know that it had Spirituality?
So, at the critical moment when the elixir was about to escape, Lin Ming's vast, ocean-like High-Grade Spirit Realm Soul Power, which had been quietly spreading throughout the Pill Refinement Room, instantly converged!
Like an invisible hand, or a sturdy net, it precisely imprisoned the cyan-red light, along with the Fire Bodhi Pill within it that was trying to escape, in mid-air!
"Still want to leave?" Lin Ming chuckled and reached out to shake hands.
The ball of blue and red light struggled violently, darting left and right, radiating a strong sense of resistance. However, under the binding of Lin Ming's powerful Soul Power, it was like a flying insect trapped in amber, unable to break free no matter how hard it struggled.
Seeing this, Tang Huo'er breathed a long sigh of relief, still shaken, and looked at Lin Ming with even more complicated emotions.
Seeing this, Tang Zhen couldn't help but think that this young man was not only a master of alchemy, but also so meticulous, having already anticipated the possibility of the pills becoming sentient and flying away!
Lin Ming manipulated his Soul Power, slowly drawing down the still slightly trembling blue-red light. He took out the Cold Jade Box he had prepared beforehand. The moment the lid was opened, an extremely cold aura spread out, naturally soothing and restraining the extremely yang Fire Bodhi Pill.
The highly Spirituality Fire Bodhi Pill seemed to realize that it could not escape. Its struggles gradually weakened, and finally, obediently, with a hint of reluctance, it fell into the Cold Jade Box. The moment the pill fell into the box, the Flame Cloud Patterns on its surface could be seen flickering slightly, as if it were a helpless sigh.
Lin Ming slammed the lid shut, completely cutting off its connection with the outside world.
Turning around, he handed the sealed Cold Jade Box to Tang Zhen, who was still somewhat dazed, and said with a slight smile, "Valley Master Tang, I have not failed you. This Fire Bodhi Pill has developed its Spirituality, and its medicinal effects should be even better than expected. It should be more than enough to cure Miss Huo'er's hidden dangers."
At this moment, Tang Huo'er, who was watching from the sidelines, witnessed the shocking scene of the pill seemingly about to fly away, only to be effortlessly captured and brought back by Lin Ming. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense due to worry, finally settled down completely, replaced by an indescribable sense of relief and gratitude. She looked at Lin Ming, her beautiful eyes Radiant Flow with brilliance.
Tang Zhen subconsciously took the Jade Box, feeling the immense vitality and spiritual energy within it that even the seal couldn't completely conceal. His hands trembled slightly again. This was no longer just a pill; it was more like a work of art with life, proof of the pinnacle of alchemy!
When Lin Ming carefully placed the Fire Bodhi Pill, which shone with a bluish -Pill Pattern red light and had faint red patterns, into the Cold Jade Box and handed it to Tang Zhen, the entire Pill Refinement Room fell into an almost devout silence, which was then followed by an uncontrollable burst of cheers and exclamations! Tang Huo'er, in particular, had her beautiful eyes filled with excited tears as she came to Tang Zhen's Tang Zhen and tightly grasped his arm.
Holding the still-warm Jade Box, Tang Zhen felt the immense yet gentle Yang energy within. Even this seasoned Valley Master of Blazing Flame Valley, who had seen countless storms, found his hands trembling slightly.
Tang Zhen raised his head, his gaze fixed on Lin Ming. Looking at the composed young man before him, he was overwhelmed with gratitude and awe. To save the elixir and prevent it from failing—what a timely act of kindness!
"Young friend Lin Ming..." Tang Zhen's voice was filled with unprecedented solemnity, "No, Master Lin Ming Tang Zhen! I am deeply grateful for your life-saving grace and your kindness in giving me a second chance! The reward you promised will be doubled by my Blazing Flame Valley! From this day forward, you will be the most honored guest of my Blazing Flame Valley!"
Success! In a seemingly hopeless situation, they miraculously turned the tide and successfully refined a perfect, Seventh Grade Peak Pill!
At this moment, Lin Ming, with his miraculous alchemy skills and unfathomable knowledge, completely won the utmost respect and friendship from everyone in Blazing Flame Valley, including Valley Master Tang Zhen.
All eyes were on Lin Ming, curious about what kind of request this young master who had created a miracle would make. Would it be rare medicinal herbs? Divine Weapons? Or high-level Dou Technique Cultivation Method treasured by Blazing Flame Valley?
Lin Ming's face still showed a hint of fatigue, but his eyes were clear and firm. He met Tang Zhen's gaze and slowly spoke, his voice carrying clearly throughout the room:
"Valley Master Tang, this junior has no other request but to comprehend your valley's Heavenly Fire Three Xuan Transformations!"
"The Heavenly Fire Three Xuan Transformations?!"
These five words seemed to possess magic, instantly silencing the previously noisy scene completely! You could hear a pin drop!
Almost all the elders and disciples of Blazing Flame Valley changed their expressions. Shock, astonishment, disbelief, and even a hint of instinctive resistance!
The Heavenly Fire Three Xuan Transformations is one of the secret techniques of the Blazing Flame Valley. It cannot be easily passed on to anyone other than a core disciple or someone who has made great contributions. It is one of the valley's Top Secret! Countless powerful figures from the outside world covet it but cannot obtain it!
Tang Zhen's smile froze slightly, and his brows furrowed involuntarily. He never expected Lin Ming to make such a request! It was completely beyond his expected compensation.
"Master Lin Ming ..." Tang Zhen said.
"Valley Master Tang, there's no need to call me Master, just call me Lin Ming!" Lin Ming said when Tang Zhen called him Master again.
Upon hearing this, Tang Zhen pondered for a moment, then nodded. However, his expression towards Lin Ming became extremely solemn. "Lin Ming, you should know what the Heavenly Fire Three Xuan Transformations means to my Blazing Flame Valley. This is the foundation upon which our ancestors established the valley, far beyond any ordinary reward..."
Lin Ming remained calm and said frankly, "This junior knows that this request is difficult for me. However, I possess Heavenly Flames, and this secret technique is tailor-made for me, of extraordinary significance. If the Valley Master finds it difficult, this junior will not insist, nor does he need any reward. This time, Lin Ming has been reckless!"
Lin Ming's words were neither humble nor arrogant; they expressed his strong desire and valid reasons, offered a way out, and even followed up with an apology.
Tang Zhen looked at Lin Ming, his heart torn between two conflicting emotions. Lin Ming had been a benefactor to Blazing Flame Valley, his potential unfathomable, and befriending him would greatly benefit the Blazing Flame Valley's future. However, the valley's rules were strict, and the Heavenly Fire Three Xuan Transformations were of paramount importance...
After a long silence, Tang Zhen took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Lin Ming, what you seek is of extraordinary significance to our Blazing Flame Valley. This matter... cannot be decided by me alone; it must be decided by the Elder Council. Please return to the guest courtyard to rest. Whatever the outcome, we will have an answer tomorrow."
"That's how it should be." Lin Ming cupped his hands in greeting, unsurprised by the outcome.
The following day was quite peaceful for Lin Ming and his companions, who were treated as honored guests and properly settled. However, for the higher-ups of Blazing Flame Valley, it was a day of heated debate. Supporters believed that Lin Ming's kindness was too great and his potential was worth investing in, so making an exception for him was not out of the question; opponents insisted that ancestral rules could not be violated and the valley's secret techniques must never be passed on to outsiders.
The following evening, Tang Huo'er arrived at Lin Ming and the others' residence with a complex smile on her face.
Just as Lin Ming was calmly recuperating in the guest courtyard, recovering from the enormous energy he had expended the previous day, light footsteps sounded outside the gate. A beautiful figure in fiery red appeared at the entrance; it was Tang Huo'er.
After the successful refining of the Fire Bodhi Pill, the young lady of Blazing Flame Valley looked much better. Her pale cheeks gained a healthy rosy glow, and the heroic spirit between her brows became even more vigorous. In her gaze towards Lin Ming, besides gratitude, there was also an indescribable curiosity and admiration.
"Xiao Yi Xian, Zi Yan, Lin Ming." Tang Huo'er's voice was clear and crisp, with a hint of gentleness. "I've come to invite Lin Ming to the Elder Hall. Father and the elders are already waiting Elder Hall. Please follow me."
Lin Ming opened his eyes, nodded, gestured to Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan beside him, and then got up to follow Tang Huo'er.
"Please lead the way Miss Huo'er."
Tang Huo'er smiled faintly, turned around and walked ahead. She seemed to have specially tidied her appearance today; her fiery red outfit outlined her dashing figure, and her steps were light and quick, yet carried a hint of girlish reserve.
As the two traversed the unique landscape of Blazing Flame Valley, where lush greenery and intense heat intertwined, the disciples of Blazing Flame Valley they encountered along the way all bowed respectfully to Tang Huo'er. When their gazes fell upon Lin Ming behind her, they were filled with awe and curiosity. The story of Lin Ming's miraculous feat of refining Seventh Grade Peak Pill the day before had already spread throughout the entire valley.
As Tang Huo'er walked, she softly introduced some important buildings and the scenery of Blazing Flame Valley to Lin Ming. Her tone was no longer distant as when they first met yesterday; instead, it carried a hint of familiarity. Lin Ming occasionally responded, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Soon, the two arrived at a more magnificent and solemn crimson hall located in the central area of Blazing Flame Valley. Above the hall's entrance hung a plaque inscribed with three ancient and powerful characters. "Elder Hall," faintly radiating a chilling energy pressure.
"Lin Ming, this is it. Father and all the elders are inside." Tang Huo'er stopped in front of the hall, turned to look at Lin Ming, and a hint of encouragement flashed in her beautiful eyes. "No matter the outcome, Huo'er is grateful for everything you've done for me, Lin Ming."
Lin Ming could sense the sincerity in her words and smiled slightly, "Thank you Miss Huo'er."
Taking a deep breath, Lin Ming straightened his robes, regained his composure, and stepped into the Elder Hall, where the outcome of whether he could obtain the 'Heavenly Fire Three Xuan Transformations' would be decided.