Three-Vein Pill Complete: Fourth-Rank Origin-Stabilizing Pill! Becoming a Fourth-Rank Alchemist! / Xiao Zhan's Anxiety and Unease; A Mysterious Figure Delivers Pills

The Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame burned quietly, yet the terrifying pressure it radiated—a mingling of icy cold and blazing heat—was in no way inferior to the main body of the Bone Chilling Flame in Old Yao's hand.

It even faintly surpassed it in the purity and liveliness of its energy, thanks to the trace of Xiao Qing's [Law of Fire] contained within it!

"Teacher, under the nourishment and enhancement of my constitution, your Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame seems to have undergone some kind of transformation and improved tremendously!" Xiao Qing said to Old Yao as he deftly controlled the pale white flame in his palm, shaping it into all kinds of forms.

Moreover, Old Yao could clearly sense that the essence of the Sub-flame in Xiao Qing's hand had seemingly begun to surpass the scope of an ordinary Bone Chilling Flame.

If it continued to be nurtured within Xiao Qing's body for a long time and constantly infused with the [Law of Fire], it was highly likely to transform into an unprecedented, entirely new, powerful Heavenly flame unique to him!

"This is... unbelievable!" Old Yao finally could not hold back any longer and voiced the enormous doubt in his heart. "Qing'er, just what kind of special constitution do you have? Not only can it innately suppress Heavenly flames, but it can even empower and transform a Heavenly flame's offspring to such an extent?!"

Innate Fire Spirit Body!

After a brief moment of thought, Xiao Qing decided to give it a name that could explain most of the abnormalities without exposing the core secret of the book.

"Your disciple calls it—the Innate Fire Spirit Body."

That was not entirely a lie. [Innate Spirit Body] combined with [Law of Fire] could indeed be called an "Innate Fire Spirit Body."

"Innate Fire Spirit Body..." Old Yao murmured the name, falling silent for a moment as if searching through his memories for related records...

Suddenly, Old Yao snapped his head up. His eyes flashed with sudden realization as he shouted, "Good!"

"What a fine 'Innate Fire Spirit Body'! Innately close to all flames, capable of wielding fire as easily as one's own limbs, and even able to promote the evolution of fire seeds! Such a heaven-defying constitution truly deserves the words 'Fire Spirit'!" Old Yao clapped his hands in admiration, seeming to have found a reasonable explanation for his disciple's extraordinary nature—one enough to shock the world.

Old Yao naturally thought of the phenomenon of Heavenly Flames developing intelligence. Some powerful Heavenly Flames could eventually undergo Form Transformation, becoming human and possessing wisdom no weaker than that of humans.

Looking at Xiao Qing's figure, faintly resonating with the energy of heaven and earth, Old Yao's illusory body gently rippled in the air, and his heart was filled with emotion.

His disciple's constitution seemed as though it had been born to be the sovereign spirit of all flames!

Had I not personally confirmed that he is a flesh-and-blood human with a complete soul, I would truly suspect that my disciple was some primordial Heavenly flame born at the dawn of the world, which underwent Form Transformation after endless years...

Old Yao pondered silently, still finding it difficult to believe.

After all, being able to suppress all flames from birth was simply too inconceivable. Such status and traits completely defied common sense.

Perhaps only a special constitution like Xiao Qing's, born bearing the fortune of heaven and earth, can explain all this. His very existence may represent some form of favor and manifestation of the path of 'fire' within heaven and earth.

Old Yao tried to use his vast knowledge to understand this phenomenon.

Ordinary special constitutions may be powerful, but they could hardly possess such absolute suppressive force. The status of his 'Innate Fire Spirit Body' likely points directly to the origin itself...

A thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind. Could this be the 'Son of Heaven' occasionally mentioned in ancient texts, born bearing the fortune of heaven and earth? Born in response to destiny, burdened with some kind of heavenly mandate?

Thinking of this, Old Yao's feelings became even more complicated. He was overjoyed to have accepted such an outstanding disciple, yet he also felt a faint sense of awe and a heavy responsibility.

Teaching such a disciple might not merely be a matter of master-disciple fate. It might also be a karmic bond that would draw him into the tide of great events.

Old Yao composed himself and stopped dwelling on it. No matter what, Xiao Qing was his disciple. That would not change. Whatever storms lay ahead, master and disciple would face them together.

"Alright."

Old Yao suppressed the excitement in his heart. Looking at the darkening sky, he said to Xiao Qing, "You have already gained greatly today. Do not be greedy for more. It is getting dark. Go back and rest properly, then stabilize your realm."

"Starting tomorrow, I will formally begin teaching you profound combat techniques, as well as... how to become a true alchemist!"

Old Yao needed some time to digest the successive shocks of the day and carefully plan the future path for this monstrous disciple.

"Alright, Teacher!" Xiao Qing nodded.

He had broken through repeatedly, changed cultivation techniques, and Devoured a Heavenly flame. His mind had remained under intense focus the entire time, and now that he relaxed, he truly felt a trace of fatigue.

Xiao Qing withdrew the Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame into his body, bowed to Old Yao, then turned and headed in the direction of the Xiao Family.

Old Yao's soul body also transformed into a streak of light and reentered the black ring on Xiao Qing's finger.

The mountain forest returned to silence. Only the lingering energy ripples in the air, not yet fully calmed, spoke of how extraordinary the events that had just taken place were.

The Pill Forms Three Patterns, Grade 4 Foundation Solidifying Pill! Becoming a Tier 4 Alchemist!

Xiao Family Back Mountain, in a secluded corner rarely visited by anyone.

Xiao Qing stood tall and straight atop a smooth boulder.

Before him stood a dark red medicine cauldron with an ancient appearance, yet it gave off a faint medicinal fragrance. Several medicinal herbs overflowing with medicinal scent lay beside it, along with a Magical Core radiating green light. Most conspicuous of all was a spread-out pill formula.

All of these had naturally been taken from the Bone Flame Ring, the little treasury of Xiao Qing's "wealthy" teacher, Old Yao.

After two months of alchemy practice, Old Yao had finally witnessed Xiao Qing's monstrous comprehension and his almost absurd fire-control ability. He no longer kept his collection tightly guarded and generously provided all the medicinal resources needed for practice, sparing Xiao Qing from having to run everywhere for herbs like Xiao Yan did in the early stages of the original story.

[Pill Formula: Grade 4 Foundation Solidifying Pill]

[Main Ingredients: One Century Blood Ginseng, three Life Spirit Grasses]

[Supplementary Ingredients: One Jade Marrow Ganoderma, three drops of Millennium Stone Milk, one Tier 3 wood-element Magical Core]

[Effect: Stabilizes one's foundational vitality. It gently and effectively replenishes and restores deficits in life vitality caused by severe injuries, overexertion, secret technique backlash, or damaged foundations. Its medicinal nature is mild, focusing on nourishing the origin and silently moisturizing the foundation of life.]

[Suitable For: Physical weakness after recovering from severe injuries, vitality damage caused by cultivation deviation or qi deviation, depleted life force after using forbidden combat techniques, and congenital or acquired vitality damage.]

[Refinement Requirements: Requires a Tier 4 Alchemist or above. Soul realm must reach the peak of the Mortal Realm Early Stage. Demands extremely precise control of heat and the ability to nourish medicinal power with real fire and Dou Qi for extended periods...]

[Refinement Method:...]

Xiao Qing's gaze swiftly swept across the pill formula. Every word on it had long since been etched into his mind.

After two months of Old Yao's wholehearted instruction and strict teaching, combined with Xiao Qing's own formidable Soul Power at the peak of the Mortal Realm Mid-Stage and his masterful control over flames, his progress in alchemy had advanced by leaps and bounds. By now, he could already proficiently refine most Grade 4 medicinal pills!

Today, Xiao Qing was refining the Grade 4 Foundation Solidifying Pill, which was crucial to his aunt Yan Qian!

Taking a deep breath and suppressing the distractions in his heart, Xiao Qing's eyes instantly became sharp and focused.

Xiao Qing extended his right hand and casually waved it—

Puff!

A pale white flame rose at once, instantly enveloping the Tier 3 wood-element Magical Core and suspending it in midair.

Under the Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame's unique characteristics of intertwining icy cold and scorching heat, Xiao Qing's extremely precise control acted perfectly upon the Magical Core.

Refining the Magical Core was the first step and also a crucial one. The Heavenly flame had to carefully burn away its impurities and activate its purest wood-element energy.

Old Yao's soul body floated nearby. He nodded as he silently watched everything unfold.

Under the enveloping Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame, the rough exterior of the Magical Core gradually melted away. Strands of gray-black impurities were refined into nothingness, while what remained gradually became crystal-clear.

Once the purification was nearly complete, Xiao Qing began multitasking. His powerful Soul Power surged forth, minutely guiding his own Dou Qi to slowly blend and permeate the refined, pure wood-element energy.

The process did not take long, but it demanded immense patience and precise control.

Eventually, the Magical Core completely transformed into a small mass of viscous emerald-green liquid, emanating rich vitality and a fragrant aroma.

Xiao Qing did not dare delay. He struck the medicine cauldron with his left hand, flipping open its lid, while his right hand controlled the mass of emerald-green liquid and instantly sent it into the cauldron.

Immediately afterward, Xiao Qing picked up the jade bottle containing the Millennium Stone Milk and dripped several drops of the milky white stone milk, which emitted a deep, secluded fragrance, into the medicine cauldron.

Buzz—

The pale white flames instantly surged beneath the medicine cauldron. Under Xiao Qing's mental control, the size and temperature of the flames shifted constantly, delicately extracting the medicinal essence of the Millennium Stone Milk and allowing it to begin merging with the previous wood-element liquid.

Afterward, Xiao Qing added the Century Blood Ginseng and Life Spirit Grass in sequence. The two main ingredients were rapidly refined before the Heavenly flame, their essences perfectly extracted. Under Xiao Qing's masterful fire-control technique, they became two masses of pure, dense botanical essence floating within the medicine cauldron.

Such profound fire-control techniques! This is practically art!

Watching from the side, Old Yao could not help praising him repeatedly in his heart, his eyes filled with admiration.

Xiao Qing's command of flames was no longer merely skill—it was nearly an understanding of flame itself!

The exquisite brilliance of Xiao Qing's refinement techniques was not even inferior to that of some long-famous Tier 6 Alchemists. In terms of fire control alone, he could almost compare with Old Yao at his peak!

Such Talent was truly terrifying!

At this moment, Xiao Qing was completely focused. His Soul Power was like countless tiny feelers, sensing every change in the medicinal power within the cauldron.

Xiao Qing controlled the two masses of botanical essence, slowly bringing them closer to and merging them with the wood-element liquid that had fused with the stone milk... The medicinal liquid within the cauldron gradually took on a jade-brown color and emitted a refreshing fragrance.

Then, he added the final supplementary ingredient—the Jade Marrow Ganoderma.

The Jade Marrow Ganoderma possessed mild medicinal properties and extremely strong fusion and compatibility. With its addition, the previously somewhat "lively" medicinal liquid in the cauldron gradually became viscous and stable.

The most critical moment had arrived!

Xiao Qing's eyes turned solemn. He pushed both his Soul Power and fire-control technique to their limits, delicately controlling the Bone Chilling Flame Sub-flame at just the right temperature as he began the long pill-nurturing process, causing all the medicinal powers within the cauldron to fuse and condense perfectly...

Time quietly passed. Only the faint crackling of flames burning the air and the low hum from the medicine cauldron remained on the Back Mountain.

After a long while—

The medicine cauldron trembled slightly. The rich medicinal fragrance that had previously overflowed from within suddenly drew inward, as though it had been completely absorbed by the pill.

Xiao Qing waved his right hand, and the pale white flames instantly withdrew into his body. He raised his hand and lifted the lid of the medicine cauldron—

At once, an even purer botanical fragrance, containing vast vitality, spread out and instantly filled the entire small valley!

"The pill is complete!"

Xiao Qing cried out softly. He looked into the cauldron, and immense joy instantly filled his face.

At the bottom of the medicine cauldron lay a perfectly round pale green pill. Its surface was smooth as jade, and a dense, endlessly vibrant green glow could faintly be seen within. Even more miraculous, three exceptionally clear dark patterns, brimming with spiritual aura, were visibly present on its surface!

"This is... a pill with three patterns?! A Three-Pattern Foundation Solidifying Pill!!"

Old Yao, who had been floating in the air and watching closely from beginning to end, could no longer hold himself back. He cried out in shock, his illusory face filled with astonishment!

A Three-Pattern Spirit Pill!

This symbolized that the medicinal power of the pill had been extracted and condensed to the limit of its current grade!

Though this pill was still Grade 4, its actual effect could likely rival some Tier 5 Medicinal Pills!

Its effect in replenishing depleted life vitality would far exceed expectations!

To Old Yao, Xiao Qing had simply been born to shatter the conventional understanding of alchemists!

He truly learned the moment he was taught, understood the moment he was guided, succeeded the moment he refined—and could even exceed expectations!

This allowed Old Yao to thoroughly experience the indescribable sense of achievement and inexplicable exhilaration of teaching a peerless genius. Whenever he recalled the hardships of learning alchemy in his youth, he could not help feeling somewhat ashamed of his own inferiority.

Seeing Old Yao's shocked expression, Xiao Qing could not help laughing.

Then, Xiao Qing carefully used a jade medicine spoon to remove the still-warm Three-Pattern Foundation Solidifying Pill, which contained vast vitality. He quickly placed it into a prepared jade bottle and sealed it tightly to prevent any medicinal power from escaping.

Holding the warm jade bottle in his hand and feeling the tangible existence of the pill within, Xiao Qing's heart was filled with indescribable joy and reassurance.

"With me here this time, Aunt Yan Qian definitely won't pass away so early like she did in her original fate!"

Meanwhile, Old Yao's shock gradually turned into deep comfort and joy.

Seeing the heartfelt smile on his disciple's face because he could save a loved one, Old Yao became even more certain that he truly had not misjudged him this time.

Monstrous Talent was certainly rare, but this sincere filial devotion and kindness were the qualities that were truly precious!

Xiao Zhan's Anxiety and Unease; A Mysterious Figure Delivers a Medicinal Pill

The night was as black as ink, shrouding the Xiao Family.

Deep within the Inner Academy, only a dim oil lamp was lit in the main hall of the patriarch's residence. It cast Xiao Zhan's weary figure into a long shadow against the cold wall.

Xiao Zhan sat alone in a broad chair. His eyes were closed, yet he was not resting. His brows were tightly furrowed.

Compared to three months ago, his face was visibly far more haggard, and the dark circles beneath his eyes were unmistakable.

His wife, Yan Qian, had long since fallen asleep in her room. Yet her breathing was weak and unsteady, and every time he heard it, Xiao Zhan felt as though an invisible hand were clutching his heart, leaving him anxious and unsettled.

As Yan Qian's condition worsened day by day, Xiao Zhan's sense of helplessness and panic grew with each passing day.

On countless nights, Xiao Zhan would come alone to the silent main hall and sit there through the entire night, as though only this silence could barely contain the worries that had nowhere else to go.

Xiao Zhan had nearly gathered all the main and supplementary ingredients needed for the Grade 4 Foundation Solidifying Pill to treat Yan Qian. He had expended enormous wealth and effort, and now only the final supplementary ingredient remained—the Jade Marrow Ganoderma!

He had heard that the Wolf Head Mercenary Group of Green Mountain Town had fortunately found one in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Xiao Zhan had immediately sent someone carrying his personal letter and a large sum of money to purchase it. He estimated that it would be acquired soon.

However, the greatest difficulty lay before him: refining a Grade 4 Foundation Solidifying Pill required at least a Tier 4 Alchemist!

To ensure success, it would be best to invite a Tier 5 Alchemist to act!

Because Xiao Zhan only had one set of ingredients!

Yet the rules for asking an alchemist to refine pills were extremely demanding. One had to provide three sets of ingredients along with an eye-watering reward.

Even after exhausting everything he had, Xiao Zhan had only barely gathered enough for one set of ingredients...

Thinking of this, bitter despair filled Xiao Zhan's face.

Could it be... that he had truly reached the point where he had no choice but to call upon the favor left behind by his father, Xiao Lin—the former Dou Wang and old patriarch of the Xiao Family, once renowned across the land?

But... after so many years, would that esteemed Tier 5 Alchemist still acknowledge the bond of friendship my father had with him back then?