Heavenly Evolution ~ Medicine Refining

The next day. Noon.

Qian Renxue walked to the door, reached back to pull it shut, and locked it.

She turned around and retrieved medicinal herbs from the Soul Tool at her waist. Countless herbs poured out like a flowing stream, quickly piling into a small mound on the floor.

Over two thousand types of herbs were spread out, their sheer variety dazzling to the eye.

There was the "Condensing Qi Grass," the size of a palm with golden-edged leaves; the age of each plant determined the intensity of that golden hue.

There was the "Blood Vine," entirely crimson and shaped like a small snake; they ranged from an inch to a yard in length, the patterns on their skin becoming more distinct with age.

There were "Iron Armor Fruits," the size of a fist and wrapped in layers of scales, with colors ranging from light gray to ink black.

There was also the fragrant "Purple Heart Orchid," the "Earth Vein Root" dripping with viscous sap, and the shimmering "Stardust Flower"...

Whether roots, stems, flowers, leaves, or fruits, they came in all shapes and sizes, ranging from a few years to several centuries old, each carrying a faint trace of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Qian Renxue looked at the pile of herbs. She crouched down, touched the bark of a long-aged "Dragon Blood Tree," and asked Chen Qingxuan in her mind, "Master, does refining body-tempering medicinal liquid really require so many herbs?"

"Feel it well, and watch closely." Chen Qingxuan's voice echoed in her mind. The next moment, Qian Renxue felt her hands rise uncontrollably, her fingertips dancing as they wove complex and profound hand seals.

Those seals flowed with a faint golden light, containing certain fundamental truths of the universe; they were so fast they dazzled the eye, yet they possessed a strange, rhythmic cadence.

Qian Renxue held her breath, staring intently at her own shifting hand gestures. She clearly felt the qi and blood within her body being drawn by an invisible force, flowing along her arms and merging into the seals at her fingertips.

Each completed seal was accompanied by a violent consumption of her qi and blood, leaving her feeling faintly exhausted, yet she was driven by an even stronger curiosity, unwilling to look away.

"An Immortal-grade divine ability: the Heavenly Evolution Technique." Chen Qingxuan's voice carried a hint of majesty.

As the words fell, an invisible formation expanded from Qian Renxue as the center, shrouding all the herbs on the floor.

Countless profound runes flowed across the light curtain of the formation, moving and flickering as if they had come to life.

In an instant, the name, growth environment, pharmacological properties, potency, and even the effects or potential conflicts when combined with other herbs...

All this information flooded into Chen Qingxuan's mind.

Although the herbs of this world were similar to those of Chen Qingxuan's original world, there were subtle differences. Without such deduction, even he would not dare to refine medicine rashly.

The time it takes for a stick of incense to burn passed quietly. The formation's light curtain gradually dissipated, and the information that had flooded his mind settled, transforming into Chen Qingxuan's knowledge.

Qian Renxue went limp, drenched in sweat. The perspiration soaked the stray hairs on her forehead, trickling down her cheeks and dripping onto her collar.

She felt as if her body had been hollowed out; she didn't even have the strength to lift her hands. She stumbled backward, sat heavily on the bed, and gasped for air, asking weakly, "Master, what did you just do? Why does it feel like my body has been wrung dry?"

"You possess no soul power, so I had to use your qi and blood as a contract and your spiritual power as a guide to execute this 'Heavenly Evolution Technique'," Chen Qingxuan explained.

He did not mention that his own remnant soul had only just stabilized in this world and was being repelled by the world's laws, unable to directly absorb the energy of heaven and earth; every time he used his power, he was consuming his own essence.

By possessing Qian Renxue, he had already absorbed most of her destiny and planted a cause-and-effect bond. Now, he could not only directly absorb the energy within her to recover himself but also slowly siphon her destiny.

Compared to the meager energy Qian Renxue possessed at this moment, the destiny gathered upon her by Martial Soul Hall was the fastest path to restoring his remnant soul.

The total amount of destiny in this world was constant; it would neither increase nor decrease unless the world itself ascended.

Destiny could be transferred and consumed. When destiny was consumed, heaven and earth would naturally replenish it. As Chen Qingxuan absorbed it, the destiny would vanish, and the world, sensing the loss, would generate new destiny until it reached saturation.

The portion he took would slowly be replenished by the flow of destiny from Martial Soul Hall, causing no real harm to Qian Renxue.

"So that's how it is." Qian Renxue suddenly understood. She raised a hand to wipe the sweat from her brow, a flash of realization in her golden pupils, though she soon frowned, looking somewhat puzzled.

"But Master, can't you use this divine ability directly? Why did you have to use my qi, blood, and spiritual power?"

"I can naturally use it directly," Chen Qingxuan said indifferently.

"But if you wish to learn my skills, you must use your own qi, blood, and spiritual power as a foundation to feel and comprehend the way the divine ability operates. This consumption today is crucial for your future comprehension of such arts."

Hearing this, Qian Renxue nodded vigorously, a fighting spirit igniting in her golden pupils.

She stood up and brushed the dust off her clothes. Although her body remained exhausted, her gaze became exceptionally firm. "Master, I understand! I will definitely learn it well!"

No sooner had she spoken than her hands were once again controlled by a force, rising to point at the floor.

Among the herbs on the ground, over a hundred selected specimens suddenly floated into the air, arranging themselves in neat rows.

Qian Renxue's hand clenched sharply, and those herbs, as if pulled by an invisible force, instantly converged and hovered in mid-air.

"Refine."

At Chen Qingxuan's command, a ball of golden flame appeared out of thin air beneath the herbs. The temperature of the flame was extremely high, yet it was controlled with such exquisite precision that not a trace of heat leaked out.

The herbs melted and evaporated in the flames at a speed visible to the naked eye. Black impurities were continuously refined and stripped away, turning into wisps of green smoke that dissipated.

The remaining pure medicinal liquid was guided by an invisible force, slowly flowing into several jade containers prepared beforehand. The liquids were of various colors—golden, emerald, or crimson—and emitted a rich medicinal fragrance that was mentally invigorating.

In just a moment, the medicinal liquid was refined.

Chen Qingxuan controlled Qian Renxue's hand to wave, and the remaining herbs on the floor flew back into the Soul Tool like tired birds returning to their nests, where they were properly stored.

After finishing all this, Chen Qingxuan released his control over Qian Renxue's body and returned to the Sea of Consciousness, leaving behind a voice: "Xiao Xue, use this liquid in three doses, one medicinal bath per day."

"Here is a list of the herbs and their required ages for the subsequent refinements. Have your subordinates prepare more of them."

Qian Renxue flexed her hands, which had regained their freedom, feeling the lingering exhaustion in her body and the clear knowledge of the herbs now in her mind. "Thank you, Master! I will go arrange it immediately!"

She walked to the door, opened it, and instructed Snake Lance Douluo, who was guarding outside, "Uncle Snake Lance, I wish to bathe. Please arrange for a few reliable maids to prepare it. Also, collect more of these herbs according to this list."

As she spoke, she copied the list Chen Qingxuan had left in her mind and handed it to Snake Lance Douluo.

Snake Lance Douluo took the list and glanced at the dense names of herbs and their age requirements. Though surprised, he still bowed respectfully and replied, "Yes, Young Mistress. This subordinate will arrange it at once." With that, he turned and left.

Qian Renxue watched his retreating figure and gently closed the door...