Refining a Sixth-Grade Pill

Xiao Yan watched her expression shift unpredictably-one moment moved, the next bashful, then gnashing her teeth in anger. He was just as baffled.

He shook his head, greeted Xiao Yu, then turned and left.

Since he had promised Xiao Yu, he naturally had to keep his word.

Although he didn't have any Qi Gathering Powder ready on hand, he did have all the medicinal herbs.

Since he was firing up the pill furnace anyway, he might as well refine a few extra and let the clan's disciples who were stuck at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi break through without worry.

With Xiao Yan's current Dou Qi cultivation and Soul Power, along with the Tiger Talisman's balancing effect, refining a few Fourth-Grade Qi Gathering Powders was a breeze.

After just one night's work, he had refined several flawless Qi Gathering Powders and packed them away.

Xiao Yan stood up and stretched his limbs before opening the door and stepping outside.

It was already bright out. The morning light was faint, and the air still carried a crisp hint of plants and trees.

He simply started doing the Eighth Set of Radio Calisthenics in the courtyard: chest stretches, kicks, twists. Every movement was meticulous.

Yao Lao, inside the ring, watched his strange routine. He looked it over from every angle but couldn't make head or tail of it, and muttered to himself, Could this be some long-lost, mysterious Body Refining Dou Technique?

On the principle that it was better to believe it than to dismiss it, he quietly memorized Xiao Yan's movements one by one, planning to try them himself later.

He had barely finished the routine when a knock sounded at the door.

Xiao Yan lowered his arms, walked over, and opened it.

Standing outside was Xiao Yu, who had come to pick up the medicine as promised.

He instinctively looked her up and down, and his eyes immediately lit up.

Xiao Yu had clearly dressed up carefully today. Her black hair was combed perfectly, and she had chosen her clothes just right.

Most eye-catching of all were her long, straight, dazzlingly pale legs, fully exposed in the morning light like fine white jade.

"I... I came to get the Qi Gathering Powder." Xiao Yu's cheeks burned under his undisguised gaze, and she stammered as she spoke.

"Ahem, sorry." Xiao Yan coughed twice and looked away, then took out the Qi Gathering Powder he had prepared earlier from his Storage Ring and handed it to her.

Xiao Yu took the pill, her face lighting up with joy, and carefully put it away.

But after putting the pill away, she didn't leave at once. Instead, like a thief, she blushed and peeked outside the courtyard twice, then quickly shut the courtyard gate behind her.

Xiao Yan was completely baffled by her string of furtive actions.

He was about to ask her what was going on when Xiao Yu seemed to make an incredibly difficult decision and took a deep breath.

With her eyes closed, she stretched the long leg she was so proud of out in front of him. Her face was so red it looked ready to drip blood, and she trembled with both embarrassment and anger as she said:

"Go on! Touch it!"

Looking at the pale, delicate leg right in front of him, Xiao Yan's eyelid twitched violently.

Was this a test of his resolve?

After a brief struggle, his expression suddenly turned utterly solemn. "Cousin Xiao Yu, do you think I'm that kind of person? Hurry up and pull it back!"

As he spoke with righteous indignation, his large hand very discreetly gave her long legs a hard stroke.

They felt tender and smooth beneath his touch—a truly rare treasure.

When she felt the touch of that warm, large hand caressing her jade-like leg, the blush on Xiao Yu's face deepened.

Xiao Yan's complete hypocrisy gave Xiao Yu a firsthand look at what shamelessness really meant.

She quickly pulled her leg back, angrily called him a "Little Pervert," then ran off without looking back.

Along the way, she ran into other Xiao Clan disciples. Her flushed face and panicked escape drew everyone's attention, leaving them thoroughly confused.

Why was Cousin Xiao Yu, usually so carefree and ready to beat someone up at the slightest disagreement, acting like a shy little girl today?

Watching Xiao Yu's wretched figure flee, Xiao Yan couldn't help the slight upward curl of his lips. A nameless sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.

Over the following days, Xiao Yan settled into a very regular routine in the Xiao Clan: cultivating, refining pills, teasing Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian, and occasionally visiting the Mittel Auction House. Life couldn't have been more comfortable.

Hai Bodong also handled the Mittel Family's affairs in the Imperial Capital perfectly.

At his personal instruction, Ya Fei received unprecedented special attention from the family, and every position and privilege was opened up to her.

She was now in charge of all dealings with Xiao Yan. Whenever he needed anything, Ya Fei only had to give the word, and the entire Mittel Family's resources would be made available to him first.

As for Hai Bodong, he relied on the Mittel Auction House's extensive network of connections to collect every medicinal herb listed on Xiao Yan's list and bring them all back to Wutan City.

With the medicinal herbs in hand, Xiao Yan could finally start refining some higher-grade pills.

The list he had given Hai Bodong included not only all the herbs needed to refine the Emperor's Extreme Pill, but also the primary and auxiliary ingredients for pills such as the Sect Breaking Pill.

The Sect Breaking Pill was naturally meant for Little Purple.

Only if Little Purple successfully broke through, and the Xiao Clan had a Dou Zong-level fighter to defend it, could he truly put his mind at ease after setting out for Jia Nan Academy.

With Xiao Yan's current Alchemy skills, refining Sixth-Grade Pills was no problem.

The night he received the medicinal herbs, he announced that he would enter seclusion.

Several days later, the door that had remained tightly shut for so long finally opened again.

Xiao Yan now held several Jade Boxes, and he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"Teacher, how is my Alchemy now?" He toyed with the smooth, warm Jade Box in his hand, his expression carrying a rare touch of youthful pride.

A thirteen-year-old Sixth-Grade Alchemist-even Xiao Yan, usually so composed, couldn't help feeling a little proud.

"Truly worthy of being my disciple." Yao Lao also joined in the bragging for once.

After spending so long with Xiao Yan, he had unknowingly caught the boy's habit and now felt like showing off every so often.

Xiao Yan only smiled at that.

He took the pill to Hai Bodong and solemnly placed the Emperor's Extreme Pill in his hands.

Hai Bodong's entire hand trembled slightly as he took the pill.

After that, Xiao Yan went alone to the man-made cave specially carved out in the Xiao Clan Back Mountain.

Since Little Purple was accustomed to living in a cave and didn't much care for human houses, Xiao Zhan had specifically ordered people to carve out a spacious Cave Abode for her in the Back Mountain.

Xiao Yan had barely reached the Cave Abode when Little Purple sensed his presence. Before he could even call out, she darted out of the cave.

The moment she landed in front of Xiao Yan, her full, mature-woman's figure gave a gentle tremble.

"Master!" Little Purple bowed respectfully to Xiao Yan, her voice filled with sincere reverence.

After spending this time among humans, she had become increasingly skilled at all kinds of human etiquette.

Xiao Yan nodded in satisfaction, then flipped his hand and produced a Jade Box, holding it out to her. "This is the Sect Breaking Pill. With your talent, taking it should make breaking through to Dou Zong a sure thing."