Third Floor, Inner Court
A rich medicinal fragrance filled the spacious room, so potent that a deep breath brought a refreshing clarity to the mind.
"Crystal Frost Essence Fruit, Golden Thread Fire Lotus, Flowing Cloud Jade Marrow, sixth-tier magic core…"
A graceful woman in a white dress moved about like a joyful butterfly, her clear, autumn-water eyes sparkling with delight. Her delicate hands sorted rare herbs, her rosy lips softly murmuring their names.
Xiao Bai sat cross-legged nearby, his gaze warm and amused as he watched Xian'er bustle about.
After Elder Su left, Xiao Bai mentioned he'd be studying pill refinement over the next few days. Xian'er eagerly volunteered to assist, expressing her desire to observe the process. Seeing her rare enthusiasm, Xiao Bai happily agreed.
"Report, Master Xiao!" Xian'er announced, stepping lightly to his side after finishing her task, her lovely face beaming with a playful smile. "Your humble apprentice has sorted all the ingredients. Nine sets, not one missing!"
"Well done, Apprentice Xian'er!" Xiao Bai chuckled, patting her head. "Stand by and watch as this master works his magic!"
"Mm-hmm! You've got this, Xiao Bai! I know you can do it!" Xian'er clenched her small fists, waving them encouragingly.
"Just a sixth-grade pill, nothing more!" Xiao Bai said with a confident grin. "Watch your husband seize victory with ease!" With a wave of his hand, a towering black cauldron landed heavily before him.
The cauldron gleamed with a dark luster, adorned with intricate flame patterns. It was a gift from Elder Huo during the selection tournament, given when he noticed Xiao Bai lacked a proper cauldron. While not a rare treasure, it far surpassed his old blackwood cauldron, which was fine for low-grade pills but risked exploding under the strain of a sixth-tier magic core—an impact equivalent to a Dou Huang's strike. Not just any cauldron could withstand that.
The playful glint in Xiao Bai's eyes faded, replaced by a solemn focus. Though he spoke lightly, a sixth-grade pill was a different beast from a fifth-grade one. Elder Huo of Jia Nan Academy and Fa Ma, the president of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Guild, were both stuck at the fifth grade for years, unable to break through to the sixth. Beyond the fifth grade, every alchemist rank was a formidable barrier. Starting at the sixth grade, pills began to possess a trace of spirituality—a qualitative leap in their essence, no matter how faint.
Xiao Bai extended a pale hand, and a crimson flame laced with crackling lightning appeared out of thin air. As it materialized, Xian'er felt the room's temperature spike, her skin tingling with a mix of numbness and slight pain.
The crimson flame surged into the cauldron like a streak of light. In an instant, roaring flames, accompanied by faint thunderclaps, erupted within, filling the cauldron's interior.
Xiao Bai's expression remained calm as he observed the rapidly rising flames. His soul force swept over the nearby herbs, and once the cauldron's temperature reached the optimal range, he flicked his wrist. A Golden Thread Fire Lotus, fiery red with faint golden veins, floated up and was cast into the black cauldron.
The moment the lotus entered, the crimson flames engulfed it like a ravenous wolf. It withered rapidly, but instead of turning to ash, droplets of golden-red liquid seeped from its surface amid flashes of lightning. These droplets slid down, hovering in the fiery thunderstorm, tumbling and refining.
As time passed, the lotus itself dissolved into ash, leaving only a small mass of initially murky golden-red liquid in the cauldron. Gradually, it grew clearer, becoming a dazzling, crystalline fluid.
"No wonder alchemists are so revered," Xian'er murmured, her eyes fixed on the cauldron. "Compared to their precision in extracting medicinal essence, physicians' methods are far too crude."
Since practicing the Heavenly Heart Resonance Chapter that Xiao Bai had given her, her soul force had grown rapidly. Watching him refine pills, she could now sense the changes within the cauldron, unlike before.
As she marveled, the cauldron suddenly trembled, emitting crisp metallic clinks from within.
"Xiao Bai, what's happening? Is it…?" Xian'er's face paled. She sensed that the golden-red liquid in the cauldron was sprouting fine golden-red threads, pulsing with powerful energy that slammed against the cauldron's inner walls. Her eyes widened with worry.
"No need to fret, Xian'er," Xiao Bai said calmly, his expression unchanged. "Sixth-grade ingredients are different from lower-grade ones. They contain immense energy and can resist refinement. That's why high-grade pill refinement demands both strong Dou Qi cultivation and sharp soul perception. Without them, an alchemist can't even handle the ingredient's backlash, let alone refine a pill."
As he explained softly to Xian'er, he waved his hand. The crimson lightning flames in the cauldron surged, coating the inner walls. The rebellious threads recoiled as if startled, retreating swiftly.
"I see!" Xian'er stuck out her tongue, amazed at the power of sixth-grade ingredients. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Xiao Bai.
"Moreover, the quality of the flame is critical for high-grade pills," Xiao Bai continued. "For something like the Golden Thread Fire Lotus, ordinary flames struggle to fully extract its essence. Even if they succeed, it takes far longer, and the result is riddled with impurities, unfit for a sixth-grade pill."
"That's why Heavenly Flames are so irresistible to alchemists. They not only boost efficiency but also elevate the quality of the refinement."
While monitoring the cauldron, he shared his knowledge freely with Xian'er. For her, he held nothing back, teaching her anything she showed interest in.
The waiting was tedious, but Xian'er never felt bored. Listening to Xiao Bai's warm, steady voice as he explained alchemy, her eyes shone with gratitude and joy.
This man has spoiled me beyond measure, she thought. Knowing her Calamity Poison Body, he didn't distance himself but sought solutions. At Jia Nan Academy, fearing her condition might flare painfully, he found her a cultivation technique. When that required strong soul force, he shared a precious soul technique. Aware of her dream to become an alchemist, he tirelessly sought ways to make it possible, now teaching her alchemy without reservation.
"Xiao Bai, why are you so good to me?" Xian'er asked softly, resting her chin in her hands, her eyes gazing at him with tender devotion.
Xiao Bai froze, caught off guard by her sudden question. Am I good to her? Initially, his actions were influenced by the novel, feeling almost obligatory. But after spending so much time together, this gentle, independent girl had quietly carved a place in his heart, and his care for her felt natural.
"Do you remember that night in the Beast Mountain Range, in the little valley?" Xiao Bai asked, meeting her gaze. "After you told me a story, you asked me something. Do you recall what it was?"
"What? I don't know!" Xian'er's eyes flickered with shyness, her cheeks flushing as she averted her gaze.
Xiao Bai saw through her act—she was still playing coy, refusing to admit it even now. With a tender smile, he recited softly:
"When your hair reaches your waist,
Yet I fear the years will rush by.
May the heavens not betray us,
And may you live in tranquil times."
Each word struck Xian'er's heart like a hammer. Her chest tightened, then warmed, a flood of emotions surging within. Her eyes glistened with barely concealed tears, and she turned away, trying to hide them.
Tranquil times… she whispered inwardly, her thoughts drifting to the grim fate of her Calamity Poison Body. A trace of sorrow crossed her face, her long lashes trembling with unshed tears, like dew clinging to a lotus, reluctant to fall.
Xiao Bai's keen senses caught her shift in mood. Without a word, he flicked his fingers, guiding the refined liquid from the cauldron, wrapped in a wisp of crimson flame. He retrieved a porcelain vial from his storage ring, poured the liquid inside, sealed it with a thin layer of flame, and set it aside.
Beckoning to Xian'er, he pulled her into his arms as she let out a soft yelp, her delicate frame settling against him.
Gazing at her tear-streaked face, Xiao Bai gently wiped her cheeks with his thumb, his voice soft. "No more tears. I know you've been haunted by your condition, terrified that one day you'll lose yourself, becoming a poison-wielding monster shunned and hunted by all."
He raised a finger to silence her instinctive denial. "I've given you a solution, but the records show no successful cases, so you've held little hope."
"And as your cultivation grows, your fear intensifies. These past few days, you've smiled as always when we're together, but the worry in your eyes has grown more evident."
"Was it that obvious?" Xian'er's eyes dimmed, her voice a murmur as her face fell. She'd thought she'd hidden it well, but Xiao Bai, despite seeming carefree, had seen through her with heartbreaking clarity.
"How could it not be?" Xiao Bai said gently. "You try to mask it, but when you're alone, you stare into space, your eyes brimming with unspoken fears."
"What puzzles me, though, is your spirit. Even if you doubted the poison pill method, you shouldn't be this shaken. Can you tell me why?"
Xian'er gazed at him, tears falling like a soft rain, brushing her cheeks with tender emotion. Her hand reached up, tracing his sharp features as she whispered, "Because… Xian'er can't bear to leave you."
Xiao Bai felt as if struck by lightning, his eyes locked on the girl in his arms. "So that's it… that's it," he murmured, his doubts dissolving.
In the novel, she'd reached Dou Zong without such fears, but now she was gripped by uncertainty. It was all because of him.
His heart churned with a mix of emotions—moved, joyful, guilty. He pulled her close, as if to meld her into himself, his chin resting on her head, his lips trembling as he held back his feelings.
"Xiao Bai… you're holding too tight… I can't breathe," Xian'er's faint voice broke the silence after a long moment.
"Sorry!" Xiao Bai loosened his grip, scanning her anxiously. "Xian'er, are you okay?"
Seeing his nervous expression, Xian'er giggled. He was usually so wise and composed, but when it came to her or Xun'er, he became an anxious boy. Shaking her head, she smiled. "I'm fine."
"Good," Xiao Bai exhaled, relieved. His emotions had surged, and he'd forgotten to mind his strength, which could easily harm her fragile frame.
"No more worrying about your condition," he said firmly, his eyes locked on hers. "We have leads on the materials. The Sky Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast is in Zhongzhou's Fallen God Gorge. I've got some intel on the Bodhi Body-Transforming Saliva. As for the three Heavenly Flames, you know about the lightning seed I have—it can substitute. So no more overthinking, got it?"
"Is this… true?" Xian'er's eyes widened, gleaming with disbelief as she covered her mouth. Solutions to what seemed insurmountable problems suddenly felt within reach.
"Have I ever lied to you?" Xiao Bai said, amused by her shock. He tapped her nose playfully. "Would I joke about something like this?"
Her joy, free of the faint melancholy that had lingered, warmed his heart. "Xiao Bai, thank you," she said, her eyes shimmering with affection. She didn't know how he'd uncovered these leads, but it must have cost him immense time and effort. Previous Calamity Poison Body bearers had spent lifetimes fruitlessly searching for these materials, yet he'd found clues so quickly—an astonishing feat.
"Thank you?" Xiao Bai tapped her head lightly. "We're one and the same. No need for thanks. If I were in trouble, I know you'd do the same."
"Pah, pah, pah!" Xian'er spat lightly, glaring at him. "Don't jinx yourself! You'll be fine forever!"
"Anyone who dares harm you, Xian'er will make them regret being born!" she declared, her teeth gritted with fierce determination.
"Xian'er mighty!" Xiao Bai gave her a thumbs-up, grinning. This girl, gentle as she was, had the makings of a sect leader, her occasional fierceness utterly captivating.
"Alright," he said, patting her back with a smile. "Now that we've cleared things up, let go of your worries. Focus on cultivating and growing stronger. When the time comes, I'll take you to deal with that Sky Scorpion Poison Dragon Beast and get its magic core. For now, your husband has a pill to refine!"
____
If you want to support me and read advanced 20+ chapters and other stories join: patreon.com/Caluem