Most of the cultivators teleported into the grand hall this time were Huaxian Gate's Nascent Soul cultivators. Xian Feng and Xian Qi exchanged a glance, flashed out of the Hong Energy Shield, and raised their swords to meet the new wave of evil spirits. Because the spirits' strength had risen again, even combining two squads, it still took them two full hours to wipe every spirit out.
When the battle ended, injured cultivators finally appeared. Inside the Hong Energy Shield, the hearts of the other Nascent Soul cultivators sank. Two consecutive engagements already proved Ran Xi's deduction was correct. The evil spirits besieging them would only grow stronger and stronger. If Divine Transformation spirits appeared, none of them dared imagine the outcome.
Yunxi paid them no attention. She raised an isolation barrier around herself and focused on refining pills. Every moment counted now. The spirits would only become more powerful later, and she would have to join the fighting. There would be no time for alchemy or potion-making then. Although she lacked neither pills nor spirit stones, she still needed a plausible source. Unless there was no other choice, she would not expose her spatial storage.
After finishing the day's commissions, Yunxi put away the Ziyu Panlong Cauldron and Zi Yan, sorted the newly refined pills into their respective storage pouches, then swept her sleeve to disperse the isolation barrier. She lifted a hand, sending each pouch back to its owner.
Upon checking the contents, the Nascent Soul cultivators' eyes flashed with gratitude. They cupped their hands to thank Yunxi, and via sound transmission promised that if they got out safely, they would all owe Ran Xi a favor.
Ran Xi accepted their thanks with a smile. She had earned it. She had given every pill from each successful batch to the cultivators who provided the spiritual herbs.
In the cultivation world, when you hired an alchemist, you typically provided three sets of herbs. A high-rank alchemist only guaranteed one successful batch, regardless of grade. The remaining two sets were considered the alchemist's fee. As for what grade the finished pills would be, the requesting cultivator did not meddle. That level of alchemist was considered a master, and at worst would still deliver a batch of mid-grade pills.
Yunxi, however, handed over top-grade pills, and a full nine pills per furnace. However many sets of herbs were provided, that was how many furnaces she refined. This was not the time to hide her talent or skimp on pills.
She understood perfectly. If they ended up fighting to the end with the evil spirits, everyone's resources would eventually be exhausted. If hers remained plentiful, there would only be two outcomes, voluntary or forced contribution. She would not plant a hidden danger for herself. Better to extend goodwill first. Judging by the results, it was working.
When Yunxi dropped her barrier, Wei Yunqing caught the familiar scent of pills and bit her lip. She regretted joining Spirit Beast Peak back then just to raise her cultivation. If she had stayed on Pill Peak, perhaps she would be the one in the spotlight now.
But this was no time for jealousy. She edged over to Yunxi and handed over a storage pouch."Ran Daoyou, these are the herbs I have saved up. Please refine some pills for me to carry for protection."
Yunxi did not refuse. She decided to follow standard rules when refining for Wei Yunqing. She would deliver only one successful batch and keep the rest of the herbs as payment. Accepting the pouch, she answered crisply, "Fine, as long as you dare to swallow pills refined by me."
Wei Yunqing suddenly regretted her impulsiveness. But she had offered the herbs and Yunxi had accepted. It was too late to take them back. With powerful enemies before them, Yunxi likely had no time to bicker with her anyway. Comforting herself, Wei Yunqing returned to meditation.
Lin Keyang and Zhang Lingrui approached when they saw Yunxi put away her furnace. Zhang Lingrui flexed his wrist. "Senior Sister Ran Xi, the evil spirits that appeared this time were at late-stage Golden Core peak and early Nascent Soul. Stronger again than before. Your prediction keeps proving true."
Lin Keyang added, "This batch of cultivators teleported in should be the last. The headcount matches the registrants for the Nascent Soul duels. Most are Huaxian Gate's Nascent Soul cultivators. They seem to have discovered something. I noticed Xian Feng and Xian Qi looked rather grim."
Yunxi nodded. "I know. I will ask them later what they found."
Then she asked, "Are you two still stocked on pills? If you need anything refined, hand me the herbs now. I am afraid I will not have time to refine later."
Zhang Lingrui sighed. "Senior Sister Ran Xi, you know I cultivate only the sword. I usually exchange collected herbs for sect contribution points. This time, thanks to Keyang's reminder that I might be injured during the duels, I prepared some healing pills. Otherwise I am short on other types. I still have some high-grade herbs I never exchanged, but I do not know what pills they can become. I am probably missing many auxiliary ingredients."
He gathered the best of his herbs into a storage pouch and passed it to Yunxi.
Beside him, Lin Keyang shook his head and produced another pouch. "Senior Sister Ran Xi, I am a body cultivator. Soaking in tempering potions is routine. I have plenty of herbs. These are the ones I used when breaking through with body-tempering medicine. Added to Lingrui's, please refine pills that restore spiritual power and push limits. We two will each take one share, and Senior Sister keeps one share for yourself."
Neither intended to take advantage of her.
Yunxi accepted both pouches without fuss. "All right. I will match and refine as appropriate. If a formulation is better as a potion, I will not limit myself to pills."
Both of them nodded neatly.
Everyone knew Ran Xi carried the inheritance of Yixian Gate and had significant attainments in medicinal arts. Within Haoran Sect, they could exchange contribution points for the potions they wanted.
Though those potions came from Pill Peak, everyone knew whose handiwork they were. Potions acted faster than pills and had fewer impurities. Whenever they appeared at the Disciples' Hall, they were snapped up. High-rank potions were rarer still. Rumor had it most were refined by Ran Xi.
To receive potions refined by Ran Xi herself put both of them at ease. The effects were guaranteed.
Just as the atmosphere by Yunxi's side had settled, Xian Yao arrived with Xian Xu and Xian Feng to seek her out.
Yunxi had expanded the Hong Energy Shield again moments earlier, creating room for those teleported in afterward, so she was not surprised to see people from Huaxian Gate.
Xian Yao managed to keep calm, but Xian Xu beside her was a little pale. When the three reached the circle where the Western Region cultivators sat, they cupped their hands. "Ran Daoyou, pardon the intrusion. I have something to discuss with you."
Yunxi returned the gesture courteously and pointed to the cushion at her side. "Sit. We still have time now."
Once seated, Xian Yao went straight to the point. "Senior Brother Xian Feng told us of Ran Daoyou's deduction. I can now confirm you are correct. A powerful evil cultivator forcibly contracted the Shanhe Scroll, then controlled the artifact spirit to send us into a place where evil cultivators were sealed."