Inside the dimly lit chamber, an ancient cauldron stood half as tall as a man, its surface etched with intricate cloud patterns that shimmered in the reflection of the blazing ground fire. The faint runes seemed to come alive, flowing like liquid gold across the bronze.
Before the cauldron sat a small, delicate figure—cross-legged, motionless, and utterly focused.
At first glance, she looked no older than seven or eight—a porcelain doll of a girl, her skin like carved jade, her lips rosy, and her eyes large and dark, glimmering with concentration.
She was Liu Thirteen, Liu Ming's newest summoned avatar.
Her appearance had surprised Liu Ming, but her talent had astonished him even more.
With her tiny hands weaving through the air, she conjured one complex hand seal after another, each perfectly formed, each precisely delivered into the cauldron.
The flames inside flared and subsided in response to her will—sometimes roaring fiercely, sometimes gentling to a simmer—tempering the melted essences of spirit herbs into a smooth, glowing elixir.
The entire process was seamless, fluid—without a trace of hesitation or error. She did not seem like a novice at all, but rather a master alchemist who had spent centuries perfecting her craft.
Time passed quietly until the first wisp of rich medicinal fragrance escaped from the cracks in the cauldron lid. At that moment, Liu Thirteen's bright eyes flickered with resolve.
It's ready.
"Open!" she cried softly.
With a sharp crack, the heavy lid flew open. A wave of dense, tangible pill fragrance burst forth, filling the chamber with a brilliance that made even the air shimmer.
Liu Thirteen leaned forward and peered inside.
There, neatly arranged at the bottom of the cauldron, were ten perfectly round pills, each glowing faintly with a soft radiance.
On the surface of every pill were two distinct pill marks—a sign of extraordinary quality.
Eighth-grade Nourishing Qi Pills.
Liu Thirteen let out a long breath of relief, her small, tender face finally breaking into a satisfied smile.
This was her fifth successful batch.
Though they were merely low-level Qi Nourishing Pills, she had managed to refine five furnaces in a row—without a single failure.
That alone spoke volumes. Her gift for alchemy far surpassed that of Liu Meng—and even compared to ordinary cultivators, she was a once-in-a-century prodigy.
Even Liu Nine's remarkable talent for talisman-making could hardly compare.
After all, Liu Ming had come to realize how extraordinarily difficult alchemy truly was.
Even crafting the simplest of spirit pills required a natural gift—precision, intuition, and delicate control over fire and essence.
For Liu Thirteen to achieve such flawless success from the start, and to reach eighth-grade quality so quickly, was proof enough of her extraordinary talent.
From now on, Liu Ming thought with satisfaction, the more complex and demanding recipes could be safely left in her hands.
Just then—
Knock, knock, knock.
The muffled sound of someone rapping on stone echoed through the cave.
Liu Meng, who had been meditating nearby to protect the process, immediately opened her eyes.
Extending her divine sense, she sensed the visitor—and her expression changed slightly in surprise.
Without hesitation, she rose and turned into a streak of light, heading swiftly toward the entrance.
When she opened the heavy stone gate, she bowed respectfully before the visitor.
"Master, what brings you here?" she asked.
Standing at the threshold was none other than Su Meier.
She smiled sweetly, her gaze sweeping over Liu Meng with amusement. Without answering, she reached into her robes and drew out a small, ornate wooden box, offering it to her disciple.
Liu Meng accepted it curiously. When she lifted the lid, her pupils contracted sharply.
Inside rested a crimson pill, glowing faintly with inner heat—the very pill she had been longing for.
The Foundation-Stabilizing and Essence-Consolidating Pill.
Her eyes flicked up to her master in astonishment. Why would Su Meier suddenly gift her something so precious?
Su Meier rolled her eyes in mock irritation. "What's that look for? Have you really forgotten who your teacher is?"
"You can't afford it—sure. But that doesn't mean I can't."
"You're my favorite disciple. You think I'd hesitate to buy you a single pill?"
A flush of embarrassment crept across Liu Meng's cheeks.
In truth, she had never once expected this kind of genuine gesture.
Somewhere deep inside, she had always assumed that their relationship as master and disciple was built purely on mutual benefit—a convenient pretense rather than a bond of care.
Surely someone like Su Meier wouldn't truly mean well for her?
But perhaps, she thought now, she had underestimated her teacher.
Even if Su Meier wasn't what one would call "kind," their fates were intertwined.
Liu Meng's growth could only benefit her master—there was no downside.
So of course Su Meier would lend her a helping hand.
Liu Meng bowed her head gratefully, tucking the pill away. She was just about to bid farewell when she realized Su Meier hadn't left.
Instead, the woman leaned casually against the doorway, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"What's this?" she said teasingly. "After all this time, and you're still a maiden?"
Her tone was half-joking, half-reproachful. "You know, while the Xuanbei Art doesn't require physical dual cultivation, a little intimacy between yin and yang can greatly enhance your progress. You should understand that, shouldn't you?"
Liu Meng coughed lightly and shook her head. "There isn't a man I find worthy, so I'll pass."
Su Meier burst out laughing. "Oh, I understand, I understand. But funny you say that—because I've recently taken a liking to a rather fine young man myself. New disciple from Blood Feast Valley. Handsome as sin. Even I find myself tempted to invite him to my cave for… some joint cultivation."
Her lips curled wickedly. "Once I've had my fun, perhaps I'll call you over, too. You should experience the joys of womanhood—and we can let him enjoy the… pleasures of a master and disciple pairing."
Liu Meng froze in disbelief.
Then realization struck her like lightning.
The man Su Meier was referring to—wasn't that Qin Yi?
So the reason she was interested in him… was simply because he was good-looking?
And she even wanted to involve her disciple?
Liu Meng could only give an awkward, stiff smile. "Master… that won't be necessary. I'm really not interested in that sort of thing."
Su Meier's expression hardened instantly. "Liu Meng! This is cultivation! Do you think your teacher does this for pleasure?"
Liu Meng coughed again, scrambling for an excuse. "I heard he's about to enter that secret realm, so… perhaps it's best not to disturb him right now."
Su Meier seemed to buy that explanation. After all, the matter between Qin Yi and Feng Wuya had become a well-known story across the sects—even many cultivators in Luoshan City had heard it.
She sighed softly. "Ah, that lunatic Zhou Hairui… sending a fresh disciple who's barely reached fourth-level Qi Refinement into that secret realm. Every other sect is sending disciples at peak Qi Refinement—and he sends that boy? How pitiful."
At that, Liu Meng's heart skipped a beat. She immediately asked, "You mean… all the other sects are sending disciples at the peak of Qi Refinement? None at Foundation Establishment level?"
Su Meier smiled. "Of course not. It's the End-of-Dharma Secret Realm. Even a Golden Core cultivator's power would be suppressed to Qi Refinement inside. Why would they bother entering?"
"So yes, most of those going in are Qi Refinement disciples. Though, I wouldn't be surprised if a few madmen decided to go anyway, even knowing they'd be suppressed."
"Let's just hope," she murmured, "that he makes it out alive."
Hearing those words, Liu Meng finally felt a quiet wave of relief wash over her.
If the strongest within the secret realm were merely peak Qi Refinement cultivators, then Qin Yi and Wen Shan might still stand a fighting chance.
Perhaps, she thought, this dangerous journey into the secret realm…might not be as hopeless as she had feared.