Chapter 9: You Are Not Worthy!
Chu Xingchen supported Li Xingtian onto his wooden bed.
Circulating his own spiritual power, he scanned the condition of Li Xingtian's body and frowned slightly. The situation was indeed grim.
After all, the Qingfeng Sect Elder was at the Golden Core Realm. Even though he had held back, intending only to capture Li Xingtian for punishment, a Qi Refining cultivator could never endure such an attack. Li Xingtian's internal organs had been gravely damaged.
His meridians were worse—riddled with holes after being struck by that immense spiritual force.
Yet when Chu Xingchen looked at Li Xingtian's expression, there was no trace of pain.
As expected of a reincarnator—a true tough one.
Still, his condition was far too severe to recover naturally. He would need a carefully refined healing elixir.
"Not bad, kid. You can take a hit," Chu Xingchen praised lightly, then turned to Li Yingling. "Disciple, prepare the pot—we're refining pills."
Li Yingling's eyes lit up. Though she despised drinking her master's concoctions, she certainly enjoyed watching others do it.
She responded eagerly, "Yes, Master!" and happily ran to light the fire beneath the pot.
Chu Xingchen rummaged through the remaining spirit herbs, checking which could still be used for healing.
Inside his spatial ring, he found just enough medicinal plants suitable for recovery.
He would refine a batch for his future disciple—afterward, the boy would surely be so grateful that he'd bow on the spot!
Removing the roots from the herbs, Chu Xingchen began his usual crude refining process.
The clear water in the pot turned murky green as the herbs were tossed in, filling the temple with a strong medicinal stench.
Li Yingling didn't mind in the least—in fact, she looked quite delighted, since she wasn't the one drinking it this time.
When the liquid had reduced by half, Chu Xingchen added the final ingredient—a Blue Moon Flower.
As the bright blue petals touched the boiling mixture, dark green bubbles rose violently from the pot.
Nodding with satisfaction, Chu Xingchen increased the flame, concentrating the essence. Finally, he extracted a glowing drop of deep-green liquid, wrapping it carefully in spiritual power.
Li Yingling stared at it, relieved that it looked even more terrifying than what she had once been forced to drink.
At that moment, she realized her master hadn't been tormenting her before—this was simply how "Iron Pot Alchemy" worked.
Her master was right—those mortal novels were full of lies. Only by experiencing cultivation firsthand could one understand it!
Meanwhile, Li Xingtian, enduring his injuries, propped himself up weakly.
When he saw the murky drop of green liquid encased in spiritual light, an ominous premonition arose within him.
That couldn't be meant for him to swallow… right?
Chu Xingchen guided the liquid toward his mouth with a smile. "Come, open up. My pill-refining skills aren't bad. Swallow this, and you'll be safe and sound."
Even Li Xingtian—who had faced pain without flinching—finally showed fear.
That thing wasn't a pill—it was a glob of green sludge!
And since when did alchemists use a cooking pot instead of a cauldron?
A real man could endure blood and pain—but not… this.
He hesitated, conflicted, words stuck in his throat.
If not for the fact that this senior had saved his life, he might have shoved that abominable drop right back down the man's throat.
But seeing Chu Xingchen's confident, righteous expression, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
Closing his eyes, he put on the look of one ready to face death and opened his mouth.
At worst, he'd just return this life as repayment.
As expected, the taste of the medicine perfectly matched its horrific color.
A rotten stench mixed with unbearable bitterness spread from his tongue straight to his soul.
Li Xingtian's face contorted in agony.
Yet, to his surprise, as the burning sensation coursed down his throat, the liquid's medicinal power began repairing his meridians and internal organs.
The pain rapidly subsided.
Still, he felt worse than before—his entire mouth filled with bitterness, and every part of his body seemed to reject the substance.
Chu Xingchen, aware of how foul it tasted, coughed lightly and said, "Ahem… bitter medicine works best. Endure it a little longer."
Li Yingling, speaking from experience, added sincerely, "Master… this isn't something you can just 'endure a little longer.'"
Chu Xingchen turned and cast a long look at his eldest disciple.
Sensing their master's gaze, Li Yingling decisively thought through the mindlink: "The taste is actually quite acceptable! No need to endure it."
Chu Xingchen would not belabor such a small matter; this whole ruse had succeeded largely thanks to his eldest disciple. After confirming Li Xingtian was not in immediate danger, he asked Li Yingling, "It seems you have already glimpsed the technique's entry—how does it feel?"
Li Yingling paused, recalling how many days it had taken her to reach the threshold. Expecting her master's usual teasing tone but unable to retort, she nervously smoothed her black hair and reddened slightly, then admitted, "It's powerful, but rather difficult."
Chu Xingchen was momentarily taken aback—she had mastered it in only a few days? Truly a disciple with a golden talent trait, showing off modestly before his face. Clearing his throat, he adopted a stern teacher's tone: "Practice diligently."
"Yes, Master."
—————
That night before the bonfire outside the ruined temple, Chu Xingchen handed the roast rabbit head—the day's spoils—to his greatest contributor, Li Yingling, and gave half a rabbit to Li Xingtian.
Li Xingtian was largely recovered and could sit up. Aside from tasting awful, the elixir's effect had been excellent—better than ordinary healing pills.
He looked at the steaming half rabbit on the plate and then at Li Yingling happily gnawing the rabbit head. He had to admit: a fair-faced immortal nibbling a rabbit head left a strong impression.
He did not move to eat; it was not that he lacked appetite, but he felt he had no justification to take this rabbit.
"Eat," Chu Xingchen said softly to the silent Li Xingtian. "This rabbit doesn't come with an indenture."
Li Xingtian understood the implication but, at this moment, had no thoughts along those lines and hurried to explain, "No, senior, it's just that I have yet to repay your life-saving grace…"
Chu Xingchen nodded with a smile as if placating him, but beneath the table his hand was wildly signaling toward Li Yingling.
"Beloved disciple! Come and lend support!"
Li Yingling, still merrily biting the rabbit head, noticed the frantic gestures and immediately grasped her master's intent. Ever eager to be her master's dutiful little favorite, she would never undermine him at a crucial moment.
She set down the rabbit head and replied in a cold tone, "Enough. No need to explain. You are penniless and friendless; not only did my master save your life, but the opportunity you cling to was also given to you by my master."
"You seem convinced that our proud Heavenly Dao Alliance of Central State intends to trick you, but ask your heart: are you worthy?"
"My master granting you a chance is an honor. I cannot fathom why my master chose you, but personally," she paused and looked him up and down, "with your talent, you are not worthy of entering our Heavenly Dao Alliance."