Ice Heart Pill

In the dormitory, Xiao Yun sat cross-legged on his bed, studying the scroll in his hand. It was the Ten Thousand Thunders Body Tempering he had brought out from the Library Pavilion.

Unlike conventional Dou Techniques, this body-tempering technique had no detailed tier classification. It was an exceptionally unusual technique with extremely high requirements for the cultivator's physical constitution. Otherwise, one could very well perish beneath the thunder.

As its name implied, Ten Thousand Thunders Body Tempering involved borrowing the power of lightning between heaven and earth to constantly temper one's body and absorb the lightning energy within it. When first cultivating it, one needed to consume a Golden Thunder Flower during a thunderstorm, thereby drawing down lightning to temper oneself.

However, the Golden Thunder Flower was an exceptionally rare spiritual plant with extremely demanding growing conditions. It only grew in places where lightning crisscrossed between heaven and earth. Its appearance was distinctive, with golden-yellow petals that emanated an aura of lightning.

"This is somewhat similar to the Heavenly Demon Puppet Thunder-Tempering Method from the original story. The difference is that one tempers a puppet while the other tempers the body itself. And if I want to cultivate this technique, first, I need to find a place where lightning gathers; second, I need a Golden Thunder Flower."

Xiao Yun sat on the bed, muttering to himself in frustration.

Neither would be easy to find. In the Northwestern Region, Xiao Yun had never heard of a place where lightning gathered, while the Golden Thunder Flower was one of the medicinal ingredients for the Sixth-Tier Pill Wind-Thunder Pill. Such an item commanded an astronomical price even outside and was extraordinarily difficult to find.

"I wonder whether Teacher knows any information about these two things." After thinking for a while without finding any solution, Xiao Yun could only seek his teacher's help, hoping Fire Elder's extensive knowledge might provide some clues.

No sooner said than done, Xiao Yun immediately rose to his feet. With a light tap of his toes, he landed on the floor, pushed open the door, and went to find Fire Elder.

As the head of the Alchemy Department, Fire Elder's residence was not luxurious. It was merely a small courtyard built entirely from lush green bamboo.

Looking at the tranquil courtyard before him, Xiao Yun pushed open the gate and slowly approached the room. Before he could knock, an aged voice came from within.

"Good disciple, come in directly. The door isn't locked."

Hearing his teacher's words, Xiao Yun pushed open the door and entered.

The room was furnished very simply. If not for the precious medicinal herbs hanging on the wall behind the desk, no one would have imagined that this was the residence of a Fifth-Tier Alchemist.

Fire Elder was lying in a rocking chair, holding an ancient book and reading it with great interest.

"You came to see me as soon as you returned from the Library Pavilion. Did you run into some difficulty?"

Fire Elder raised his head, set the book aside, and asked with a smile.

"Teacher guessed correctly. I came because I've encountered a few problems."

"Teacher, do you know where there is a place where lightning gathers? Also, I need a Golden Thunder Flower."

"A Golden Thunder Flower? That's a high-grade Sixth Order medicinal ingredient. It doesn't improve one's strength either; it can only serve as the catalyst for a Wind-Thunder Pill. What, can you already refine Wind-Thunder Pills at your age?"

Fire Elder looked at Xiao Yun suspiciously. A nine-year-old Sixth-Tier Alchemist—how could that be possible? If Xiao Yun truly could refine Wind-Thunder Pills, then he might as well stop teaching Xiao Yun alchemy and smash his head into a block of tofu.

"No, Teacher. I obtained a body-tempering cultivation technique that requires a Golden Thunder Flower."

Seeing his teacher's expression, several black lines seemed to cross Xiao Yun's forehead, and he hurriedly explained.

"I knew it. So it's for body tempering. As it happens, I acquired several Golden Thunder Flowers years ago. I originally intended to refine a Wind-Thunder Pill as proof of my breakthrough to Sixth-Tier Alchemist, but I never made any progress over the years. I happen to have one left, so I'll let you have it, brat."

As Fire Elder spoke, his Storage Ring flashed. A strange golden flower, its petals streaked with flickering lightning, appeared in his palm. He tossed it to Xiao Yun.

"As for a place where lightning gathers..." Fire Elder frowned and lowered his head in thought.

A moment later, Fire Elder raised his head and looked at the expectant Xiao Yun. "I only know of one such place, but it is extremely dangerous. Even I would not dare set foot there lightly. You must think this through carefully."

"I hope Teacher will tell me." Hope shone in Xiao Yun's eyes as he bowed to Fire Elder.

"Very well. Since your mind is made up, I cannot stop you as your teacher. That place is called Falling Thunder Valley, and it is located within the Inner Academy. Once you enter the Inner Academy, take my token and find an elder named Su Qian. He is the First Elder of the Inner Academy. Since you are my disciple, the First Elder will take you to Falling Thunder Valley."

"The terrain of Falling Thunder Valley was not naturally formed. Back when the Dean cultivated in the Inner Academy, his profound cultivation caused him to draw down lightning from heaven and earth every time he practiced. Over time, a place where lightning gathered formed at the site of the Dean's cultivation."

Recalling the past, Fire Elder spoke earnestly to Xiao Yun.

"I will not stop you from cultivating there, but you must begin tempering your body from the outermost area. If you cannot endure it, do not force yourself to the point of death. Leave the area immediately. Can you do that?"

Looking at the old man before him, Xiao Yun nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Teacher. Your disciple is not so reckless. I will not treat my own life as a joke."

"Good. I know you enjoy cultivating and growing stronger, and you usually understand how to temper yourself. But cultivation is not accomplished overnight. With your talent, there is no need to rush."

"Sigh, sometimes you're simply too opinionated and competitive. Sometimes, I truly envy Old Hu. His little granddaughter is so adorable."

Fire Elder, who had remained single all his life, had no way to deal with his disciple. Like an elder of the family, he worried about a younger generation member about to venture out into the world, hoping he would make something of himself while fearing he would suffer too much.

Xiao Yun understood his teacher's feelings well, but he was not really a child. If he had to act cute with Fire Elder like Hu Gan did... well, forget it. That was far too embarrassing. He did not have Xiao Huohuo's thick skin.

"Teacher, I'm going to the Inner Academy to cultivate tomorrow. Why don't you tell me about the Inner Academy's unique cultivation resources?"

Looking at the sentimental old man before him, Xiao Yun did not know what to say for a moment, so he asked about the Inner Academy to change the subject.

"The Inner Academy is a place where the strong prey upon the weak. There, even my reputation will be useless. Don't think you can act recklessly just because I have your back."

"Its unique cultivation resource is the miraculous Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. Cultivating inside it produces twice the results with half the effort. However, you cannot cultivate there for too long, or the Heart Flame will burn you and produce Fire Poison, causing irreversible damage to your body."

"Is there any way to suppress the Heart Flame?" Xiao Yun asked, pretending not to understand.

"Yes. With your current strength, you can try refining some Ice Heart Pills when the time comes. It is a Fourth-Tier Pill. After taking it, a strand of ice-attributed energy will protect the mind, reducing the sensation of burning."

"Then, Teacher, can you give me the formula for the Ice Heart Pill?" Hearing of the Ice Heart Pill's effects, Xiao Yun's eyes lit up. He asked Fire Elder somewhat sheepishly.

Seeing Xiao Yun's awkward grin, Fire Elder said irritably, "You little brat, so this is what you were after. The moment you heard about a formula, you wanted it. Sooner or later, you'll empty out all my savings for my coffin. But I was going to give you this formula anyway. When your pill success rate is higher, you can sell these pills in the Inner Academy in exchange for resources."

Xiao Yun scratched his head awkwardly. He had not expected his teacher to share the same idea. He wanted the Ice Heart Pills for no other reason than to exchange them with others in the Inner Academy for Fire Energy cultivation later on.

After putting away the formula Fire Elder had given him in his Storage Ring, Xiao Yun continued chatting with Fire Elder.