Refining Dou Ling Pills

"Teacher, when shall we take action?"

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian asked Yao Chen impatiently.

"No rush. That rebellious disciple has his own power base, so he won't be running off. While gathering information earlier, I discovered that an auction is being held here soon. Let us go take a look first."

Upon hearing about the auction, the two were quite curious. Xiao Yan had heard of them back in the Jia Ma Empire but had never attended one himself, while Xiao Yi Xian had never left Green Mountain Town since she was young and had certainly never seen an auction before.

"Teacher, what kind of items will be at this auction?"

"I hear this auction is held once every three years, and the finale item is a scroll of ancient Soul Skill."

Yao Chen stroked his beard and explained slowly to the two of them.

Xiao Yan was very curious about what a Soul Skill was, so he continued to ask Yao Chen.

"What exactly is an ancient Soul Skill?"

"Such skills only existed in the ancient era; almost none have been passed down to the present day."

"Cultivating a Soul Skill allows one to temper their soul power and unleash techniques using that power. In a battle between those of equal cultivation, the one who can use a Soul Skill can often crush their opponent."

"For those with powerful soul strength, such as alchemists, the benefits of learning a Soul Skill are the greatest."

When they heard that Soul Skills could temper soul power, Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan's eyes widened, and they wanted one very much.

"Teacher, let's go attend this auction right now!"

Xiao Yi Xian said to Yao Chen eagerly.

"Little girl, don't be impatient. That auction won't be held for another five days. Let us prepare for now. I refined quite a few medicinal pills back in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, but most are only Tier 4; there is little hope of winning that Soul Skill with them."

"Then what should we do, Teacher?"

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's bewildered expression, Yao Chen looked at her with a kind smile, then a flash of ruthlessness appeared in his eyes as he said:

"It is fine, little girl. This is the Black Corner Region. If we truly cannot win the bid, we shall simply take action and snatch it."

Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan were startled; they rarely saw their teacher act so viciously, so they fell silent.

Seeing that the two little ones had stopped talking, Yao Chen instructed:

"You two go get some rest. Over these next few days, Little Yanzi, try refining a Tier 5 pill, and little girl, you stay by his side to observe and learn."

"Understood, Teacher!"

Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan each returned to their own rooms.

Early the next morning, Xiao Yan prepared to start refining a peak Tier 5 pill—the Dou Ling Pill. Xiao Yi Xian also came to Xiao Yan's room early to watch and learn the art of alchemy.

After half a year of being together, they had developed quite a tacit understanding.

Xiao Yan stood in the center of the room, his expression focused and solemn.

He took a deep breath and summoned the mysterious and beautiful blue flame, the Ice Lotus Blazing Flame, from within his body.

The moment the Ice Lotus Blazing Flame appeared, the temperature in the room plummeted. The ghostly blue flame danced slowly on his palm like a blooming ice flower, emitting wisps of chill.

Xiao Yi Xian stood quietly to the side, her beautiful eyes filled with anticipation and nervousness.

She knew that the chances of Xiao Yan successfully refining a peak Tier 5 Dou Ling Pill were not high.

Xiao Yan took out the black medicine cauldron, Black Demon, which his teacher had bestowed upon him, from his storage ring.

Xiao Yan carefully guided the Ice Lotus Blazing Flame to the bottom of the black cauldron, and the cauldron was instantly covered in a thin layer of frost.

He quickly picked up the medicinal herbs one by one and methodically tossed them into the black cauldron.

As the herbs were added, a faint "hissing" sound emanated from within the black cauldron.

The low temperature of the Ice Lotus Blazing Flame caused the herbs to solidify rapidly, but under Xiao Yan's exquisite control, they began to melt slowly, and the various medicinal liquids gradually merged together.

Xiao Yi Xian stared unblinkingly at the black cauldron. She saw Xiao Yan's hands rapidly forming complex seals, injecting streams of soul power into the furnace to precisely control the temperature of the flame and the progress of the alchemy.

Time ticked by second by second. The medicinal liquid inside the black cauldron began to churn and boil, emitting a multicolored glow.

Fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on Xiao Yan's forehead, but his gaze remained firm and focused; he dared not slacken in the slightest.

Xiao Yi Xian clenched her hands tightly to the side, silently cheering for Xiao Yan in her heart.

She could feel that the alchemy had reached a critical stage; the slightest mistake would result in all their previous efforts being wasted.

Suddenly, the black cauldron began to tremble violently, and a burst of wild energy fluctuations surged from within the furnace.

Xiao Yi Xian's heart instantly jumped to her throat, and she exclaimed, "Senior Brother Xiao Yan, be careful!"

Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and increased the output of the blue flame, using all his strength to stabilize the situation inside the black cauldron.

His clothes fluttered wildly under the agitation of the blue flame, and a strained expression appeared on his face.

After a thrilling and nerve-wracking effort, the black cauldron finally gradually returned to calm.

Xiao Yan let out a long sigh of relief and continued to control the flame with full concentration, performing the final condensation of the medicinal liquid.

At this moment, the room was filled with a rich medicinal fragrance that made one feel refreshed and relaxed.

Xiao Yi Xian knew that the pill was about to take form.

Finally, Xiao Yan let out a loud shout and waved his hands abruptly, withdrawing the Ice Lotus Blazing Flame from the bottom of the black cauldron. The lid of the black cauldron rose slowly, and a round

A medicinal pill radiating five-colored light slowly ascended.

Xiao Yan reached out with a beckoning motion, and the pill fell into his palm.

He carefully observed the luster and patterns on the pill, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

"Success, Junior Sister, this is a peak fifth-tier Dou Ling Pill!"

Xiao Yan shouted excitedly toward Xiao Yi Xian.

Xiao Yi Xian stepped forward, looking at the pill in Xiao Yan's hand, her eyes filled with joy and admiration: "Senior Brother Xiao Yan, you really did it!"

Xiao Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead and said: "This is all thanks to the formidable power of the Ice Lotus Blazing Flame, as well as Teacher's guidance during this period."

Yao Chen was meditating in his own room, and he simultaneously sensed that Xiao Yan had successfully refined the fifth-tier Dou Ling Pill.

This brat truly has talent. This fifth-tier Dou Ling Pill could even rival an ordinary sixth-tier pill.

Time passed in this manner for four days as Xiao Yan refined pills, and tomorrow was the day the auction would begin.

During this time, Xiao Yan had attempted to refine the Dou Ling Pill four times, succeeding twice and failing twice; overall, the results were quite good.

That evening, Yao Chen called Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian to his room.

"Little Yanzi, your refinement of the Dou Ling Pill these past few days has been quite good; you are already touching the threshold of a sixth-tier alchemist."

Xiao Yan immediately bowed to Yao Chen and said modestly.

"It is all thanks to Teacher's excellent guidance."

"Hahaha, do not be modest, Little Yanzi. We have all witnessed your growth. To be able to refine a peak fifth-tier Dou Ling Pill in just over half a year—even this teacher must look at you with new eyes."

Yao Chen looked at Xiao Yan with gratification and praised him highly.

"The auction starts tomorrow, so get some good rest tonight; you have worked hard refining pills during this time."