The Lin Family members retreated in disarray, and the valley returned to silence, but Yu Yin’s heart was far from settled. Lin Yuan’s final threatening words lingered like a shadow over her mind. She knew the Lin Family’s methods well; they would never give up easily.
“Senior Sister, Elder Leng,” Yu Yin looked at Qing Xue and Leng Wei, her gaze firm, “I don’t want to bring trouble to the Sect because of myself. The Lin Family covets my Pill Dao talent only because they believe I have value. If I can display a value they cannot reach, or even comprehend, perhaps I can make them give up completely, or even… become wary.”
Qing Xue frowned: “What do you plan to do?”
Yu Yin took a deep breath: “I want to publicly concoct pills. Not basic pills like the Qi Recovery Pill, but higher-grade ones that better showcase the uniqueness of the Wood Spirit Sacred Body and the Wood Spirit Heart Fire! Right here in Qingyang City, for everyone to see!”
A hint of approval flashed in Leng Wei’s eyes: “To subdue people with pills, to suppress them with prestige. That is a viable method. What kind of pill do you intend to concoct?”
Yu Yin already had a plan. She took out the Crimson Cloud Grass she had acquired at the Market Town, then looked at the auxiliary herbs in the Spirit Herb Garden that she had carefully tended, which already contained faint spiritual energy, and said in a deep voice, “I want to attempt to concoct—the Azure Wood Marrow Cleansing Pill!”
The Azure Wood Marrow Cleansing Pill! A Second Grade high-rank pill! Its effects were gentle yet long-lasting, capable of cleansing Meridians, removing pill toxins, and stabilizing one’s foundation. It was highly beneficial for cultivators in the Qi Refining Stage and even the Foundation Establishment Stage! Its refinement difficulty was far beyond that of the Qi Recovery Pill, requiring extremely precise control over wood-attribute medicinal properties. A slight mistake could lead to medicinal property conflict, resulting in a furnace explosion and ruined pill! In the entirety of Qingyang City, the number of Alchemists who could stably refine this pill did not exceed five!
Qing Xue was slightly moved. Leng Wei nodded: “Agreed. Whatever you need, just ask.”
“Thank you, Elder!” Yu Yin said gratefully, “I have prepared most of the Medicinal Herbs, I only lack the main ingredient, the Hundred Year Azure Wood Ganoderma, and some auxiliary ‘Rootless Water’.”
“The Azure Wood Ganoderma might be purchasable at the Market Town; I can condense the Rootless Water for you,” Leng Wei said lightly. With a slight lift of her jade hand, the moisture in the sky above the valley rapidly gathered, condensing into crystal-clear dewdrops devoid of any impurities, which fell into the Jade Bottle Yu Yin had prepared. This technique was miraculous.
There was no time to waste. Qing Xue accompanied Yu Yin down the mountain again. This time, their goal was clear—to purchase the Hundred Year Azure Wood Ganoderma.
However, a hundred-year-old Azure Wood Ganoderma was already a relatively rare Medicinal Herb; ordinary stalls would not carry it. After several inquiries, they learned that the largest herb shop in the east of the city, "Hundred Herbs Pavilion," had recently acquired one, but the price was steep, and it was rumored to already be reserved by a buyer.
The two immediately rushed to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion. The shop was decorated in an ancient style, and the medicinal fragrance was rich. The clerk, seeing their extraordinary demeanor, dared not be negligent, but when he heard they wanted to buy that Hundred Year Azure Wood Ganoderma, he showed a troubled expression.
“My two young ladies, I am truly sorry, but that Azure Wood Ganoderma has been reserved by Young Master Murong of the City Lord's Mansion. I cannot make the decision myself,” the clerk said with a forced smile.
Murong Bai again? Qing Xue and Yu Yin exchanged a look.
Just then, a slightly hoarse but powerful young woman’s voice sounded from behind them:
“Hey! Clerk, has the ‘Raging Rhino Horn’ I ordered last time arrived?”
Everyone turned around to see a tall young woman striding in, wearing tight leather armor that accentuated her stunning curves. Her skin was a healthy wheat color, her features bright and bold, and her red hair resembled a burning flame, casually tied behind her head. She carried an exaggerated great-axe nearly as tall as herself on her back. She walked with the imposing gait of a dragon or tiger, carrying an untamable, wild aura. Her Cultivation Level had reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining!
But strangely, her Spiritual Power Fluctuation was extremely unstable; sometimes surging like a tide, sometimes faint as a firefly, and her complexion carried an unnatural flush.
As soon as this young woman entered, she attracted everyone’s attention. She seemed accustomed to the scrutiny and paid it no mind, walking straight to the counter.
The clerk clearly knew her and quickly said, “Miss Song, the Rhino Horn you requested has arrived, I’ll fetch it for you right away.” As he spoke, he retrieved a section of pitch-black, shiny horn emanating a fierce aura from under the counter.
Miss Song took the horn, weighed it, nodded in satisfaction, and casually tossed a money pouch to the clerk. Then, her gaze was drawn to Qing Xue and Yu Yin, especially the pure and gentle Wood Spirit aura around Yu Yin, which made her feel very comfortable.
“Are you two here to buy medicine too?” Song Jiaojiao asked familiarly, having learned the clerk’s address, her eyes sweeping over Qing Xue’s cold, pretty face and Yu Yin’s gentle countenance, before grinning, “Hey, two pretty girls.”
Qing Xue frowned slightly and did not reply. Yu Yin offered a polite smile: “We wanted to buy that Hundred Year Azure Wood Ganoderma, but unfortunately, it has already been reserved.”
“Azure Wood Ganoderma?” Song Jiaojiao tapped her chin, then suddenly said to the clerk, “Hey, hasn’t that sickly fellow Murong Bai paid for it yet? Since these two ladies want it first, just give it to them! At worst, I’ll go talk to him for you!”
The clerk gave a wry smile: “Miss Song, this… this is against the rules…”
“Rules my foot!” Song Jiaojiao glared, and a burst of savage aura unintentionally leaked out, startling the clerk into a shiver, “If Murong Bai wants to complain, tell him to come find me, Song Jiaojiao!”
She turned to Yu Yin: “Sister, what do you need the Azure Wood Ganoderma for? Looking at your delicate skin, you don’t seem like someone who needs it for body tempering, do you?”
Yu Yin was somewhat flustered by her straightforward nature but still answered truthfully, “I… I want to concoct the Azure Wood Marrow Cleansing Pill.”
“Azure Wood Marrow Cleansing Pill?!” Song Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up fiercely, her voice rising by an octave, “You can refine that thing?! Seriously?!”
She grabbed Yu Yin’s wrist with surprising force, causing Yu Yin a slight sting of pain: “If you can succeed, I’ll take care of this Azure Wood Ganoderma for you! And, I want one of the finished pills! No, even half is fine! I’ll pay the market price!”
Her gaze was burning, filled with an almost frantic desire.
Yu Yin was startled by her intensity. Qing Xue immediately stepped forward, cold Profound Yin Qi spreading out, pushing Song Jiaojiao’s hand away: “Let go!”
Song Jiaojiao felt the bone-chilling cold emanating from Qing Xue’s hand, but instead of getting angry, she became even more excited: “Heh! Ice attribute? Interesting! You two are very interesting!”
She let go of the hand and patted her chest towards Yu Yin, assuring her, “Sister, trust me! The Azure Wood Ganoderma is on me! You go concoct the pill right now! Where do you need to do it? I have a Quiet Room at my place!”
Yu Yin looked at Qing Xue hesitantly. This Song Jiaojiao’s behavior was too erratic to feel entirely trustworthy.
Qing Xue said coldly, “No need to trouble yourself, we have a place.”
Just then, the manager of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion was alerted. He clearly recognized Song Jiaojiao as a ‘celebrity’ and knew she had some connection with Young Master Murong. Under Song Jiaojiao’s ‘coercion’ and guarantee to take responsibility, the manager finally relented and reluctantly sold the Hundred Year Azure Wood Ganoderma, which was stored in a Jade Box, to Yu Yin.
Having obtained the Azure Wood Ganoderma, Yu Yin breathed a sigh of relief and said to Song Jiaojiao, “Thank you for your help, Miss Song. If the pill is successfully concocted, I will certainly offer you one.”
“Straightforward!” Song Jiaojiao was overjoyed. “Where are you refining it? Can I come watch? I promise I won’t disturb you!” She was like a curious child, filled with interest in Yu Yin, who could refine the Azure Wood Marrow Cleansing Pill.
After getting Qing Xue’s consent, Yu Yin nodded: “You may, but please remain quiet, Miss Song.”
The three left the Hundred Herbs Pavilion and did not return to the Sect. Instead, they went to a set of ‘Earth Fire Pill Rooms’ managed by the City Lord’s Mansion, specifically rented out to cultivators. The Earth Fire here was stable, and the environment was relatively enclosed, making it suitable for public pill refinement while avoiding exposure of the Sect’s location.
After renting a Grade A Pill Room, Yu Yin stilled her breath and concentrated, taking out the required Medicinal Herbs one by one. Song Jiaojiao, true to her word, sat quietly in the corner holding her massive axe, watching with wide eyes, even softening her breathing.
Qing Xue stood guard at the door, Divine Sense extended outward, watching the surroundings vigilantly.
The pill refinement began!
Yu Yin summoned the Wood Spirit Heart Fire. The emerald-green flame burned quietly beneath the Pill Furnace. She first processed the Hundred Year Azure Wood Ganoderma. The Wood Spirit Heart Fire gently enveloped it, peeling away impurities layer by layer to extract the purest Azure Wood essence. The entire process flowed smoothly, without any violent medicinal property conflicts; instead, it possessed the natural rhythm of growing vegetation.
Next came the Crimson Cloud Grass and the other auxiliary herbs… Under the unique Vitality tempering of the Wood Spirit Heart Fire, the essence of all the Medicinal Herbs was perfectly extracted. Their Medicinal Properties slowly merged within the flames, emitting a refreshing, intoxicating fragrance.
Song Jiaojiao watched, completely mesmerized. She had never seen such a gentle, life-filled method of pill refinement! She felt that the often-uncontrollable, savage power within her own body seemed to calm slightly under this Pill Fragrance!
Time passed bit by bit. Some cultivators and Alchemists, attracted by the unique fragrance, gradually gathered outside the Pill Room. When they learned that someone inside was refining the Azure Wood Marrow Cleansing Pill, and using a green spiritual fire they had never seen before, the discussions grew even more animated.
Finally, the most crucial moment arrived—the pill condensation!
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Yu Yin’s forehead. Her Soul Power was highly concentrated as she manipulated the Wood Spirit Heart Fire, weaving it like thread to slowly compress and condense all the medicinal essence!
The Pill Furnace trembled slightly, and the light seeping from the gap in the furnace lid grew increasingly intense!
Suddenly, a crisp phoenix cry sounded from within the Pill Furnace! Immediately following, three emerald-green pills, glistening and bearing natural wood grain patterns on their surfaces, shot upwards! The Pill Fragrance instantly permeated the entire Pill Room, even leaking out of the room, invigorating everyone outside!
Success! Azure Wood Marrow Cleansing Pills! Moreover, judging by the phoenix cry and the pill patterns, their quality was definitely high-grade, perhaps even touching the level of supreme-grade!
“We succeeded! It really succeeded!” Song Jiaojiao jumped up excitedly, looking at Yu Yin with pure adoration.
Yu Yin let out a long breath and carefully placed the three pills into a Jade Bottle. Given her current Cultivation Level and proficiency, achieving three successful pills was already an extraordinary performance.
She took out one pill and handed it to the eagerly waiting Song Jiaojiao: “Miss Song, here you go.”
Song Jiaojiao held it as if it were a peerless treasure, her hands trembling with excitement: “Thank you, sister! No, thank you, Grandmaster! From now on in Qingyang City, I, Song Jiaojiao, will protect you!”
Just then, a gentle voice came from outside the Pill Room:
“Miss Yu Yin’s Pill Dao is indeed unparalleled, truly breathtaking. I wonder if you would be willing to part with the other two Azure Wood Marrow Cleansing Pills? Murong Bai is willing to pay double the price.”
Murong Bai had arrived outside the door at some point. He looked at Yu Yin, his eyes flashing with undisguised admiration and… determination to obtain them.
Subduing people with pills—the pill was successfully concocted, but it attracted not just admiration, but deeper covetousness.
Chapter Nineteen End