Auspicious Snow Peak.
This peak stood far opposite Rosy Dawn Peak. A current of yin energy gathered on its shaded side, born of yang fire reaching its utmost intensity and instead harboring a yin chill. Its spiritual energy was therefore quite rich, while its sunny side displayed an even balance of water and fire.
Halfway up the sunny slope, a woman in a pale purple dress pushed open the door of a small courtyard residence. She inspected the sky, saw that the day was free of wind and rain, and entered the treasure chamber beside it.
At the center of the chamber stood a blue-green, three-legged treasured furnace, with a mass of blue fire burning inside. Zhang Yiwan smoothed her hair, took out a jade slip, and added medicinal ingredients and minerals in the prescribed proportions, concentrating on the heat.
"Water and fire complete one another; medicines and minerals unite their virtues."
Pill refining was meticulous work. One had to observe the heavens and examine the advantages of the terrain, but most important of all was the person doing it.
Zhang Yiwan considered herself patient, yet watching the flames in the furnace still stirred a measure of irritation in her. Only when she thought of what would come after the refining did she regain her calm.
"There is neither wind nor rain today. The sunlight is warm but not fierce, bright but not scorching. Use [Southern Azure Wood] to draw forth the qi of victory gold as the child, then use [Moist Yellow Clay] as the foundation of subduing earth, as the mother."
"Divide the [falling star fire essence] into twelve streams, each connecting to a medicinal property, to ultimately produce [Divine Spirit Breath-Lengthening Powder]."
She checked everything once more and found no errors in the overall process. Yet when