After coming to his senses, Elder Shi took a deep look at Han Feng.
"I never thought that Elder Han would possess such a wondrous object as a Heavenly Flame."
Han Feng put away the Sea Heart Flame and nodded. "With a Heavenly Flame, the demonic qi is easy to dispel. But there is still one problem, and that is that your life source, Elder Shi, is severely depleted."
The life source of a Dou Ancestor should be very strong, but in Elder Shi's current condition, even if the demonic qi was dispelled, he could at most live for about ten more years.
Elder Shi laughed heartily. "This poor monk has endured this demonic qi for many years and has long felt that life is worse than death. If I can recover, even if I can only live for one day, it would be good."
"Miaoyin, bring me my storage ring."
Elder Shi's withered fingers could no longer wear a storage ring, so it was placed in his room.
"Master."
Qin Miaoyin quickly brought Shi Yuan's storage ring.
Shi Yuan took it and placed it in front of Han Feng.
"Elder Han, this poor monk has nothing of value, only some meager savings. I hope it can be exchanged for the opportunity of you taking action."
Han Feng didn't even look at what was in the storage ring. After accepting Shi Yuan's sentiment, he agreed, "Alright. Today, I will first prepare some medicinal liquid for you, Elder Shi. We will begin to dispel the demonic qi tomorrow."
With that said, Han Feng took out a few medicinal ingredients on the spot and began to prepare them.
Elder Shi's body was severely depleted, so he needed to be temporarily supplemented with some potent life-force-enhancing medicinal liquid as support, lest he be unable to endure the pain when dispelling the demonic qi tomorrow and die suddenly.
Han Feng displayed his exquisite pharmacological skills, using a sixth-tier Purple Flowing Jade Fruit as the main ingredient to concoct a life potion.
"Elder Shi's current body is no longer suitable for refining pills. This potion is a substitute. Take it once now, once at night, and once again tomorrow morning."
Han Feng divided the medicinal liquid into three portions and explained the details of its consumption.
Elder Shi listened attentively, took a portion of the potion, and drank it in one gulp.
Elder Shi had taken life-source-replenishing treasures before, but their effects, when compared to the medicinal liquid Han Feng had prepared today, were like heaven and earth.
As soon as the cool medicinal liquid entered his mouth, he felt a rich life force drilling into his body.
His withered skin visibly improved. Although it was still wrinkled, it was a tremendous change.
Shi Yuan felt a comfort he had never felt before. Ever since his body was severely injured by the demonic qi, he had been in agony day and night. Now, he finally saw a glimmer of hope.
Han Feng reminded him, "Elder Shi must be prepared. Dispelling demonic qi with a Heavenly Flame is a very painful ordeal."
Shi Yuan laughed loudly. "Come at me, Elder Han. If this poor monk cries out in pain even once, it would be a disrespect to the decades of torture."
Han Feng smiled politely, stood up, and took his leave.
———
After leaving the private courtyard, Han Feng took out the storage ring and weighed it.
The more valuable items were: three sixth-tier treasure herbs, one seventh-tier treasure herb, and a seventh-tier monster core that had been "polished" until it was round.
Han Feng had some knowledge of this. This was a unique skill of the Buddhist sects on the Eastern Xuan Continent. After being converted, the monster core lost its ferocious beastly will, and one could absorb the energy inside as a supplement.
However, the threshold for this skill was very high, so it could not be popularized. Only some powerful monks could perform it.
Han Feng took out this round, smooth seventh-tier monster core and played with it with great interest all the way.
For an alchemist, this thing was a bit of a chicken rib.
But for those cultivators who were not qualified to become alchemists, this could be considered a path they had figured out, which could maximize the utilization value of a monster core.
Returning to his private courtyard, Han Feng took out the broken sword fragment he had gotten from the Six-Armed Demonic Ape's body before.
After undoing the Heavenly Flame seal on it, the strange demonic qi once again seeped out.
Han Feng studied it carefully for a while.
The energies of the world were divided by attributes, but good and evil were concepts endowed by humans.
In Han Feng's opinion, demonic qi was nothing more than a mutated "Dou Qi." Perhaps compared to ordinary Dou Qi, demonic qi was a bit more difficult to deal with.
But that was all.
If the dark races were really that powerful, they wouldn't just be hiding in a corner of the Eastern Xuan Continent.
Han Feng had never set foot in the Black Abyss. In his previous life, he had not heard of any turmoil there even before his death, so he did not take it seriously.
In comparison, Hun Tiandi's plan was the first thing that needed to be faced.
Sealing the fragment again, Han Feng began to think about the matter of the "Fallen Heart Flame."
Elder Shi was a good man. Not only did he help Han Feng confirm the news of a Heavenly Flame in the Inner Academy, but he also took the initiative to say its name.
The Fallen Heart Flame, formless and colorless, ranked fourteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, possessed the title of "cultivation cheat device."
The origin of this title was because the Fallen Heart Flame could produce a special "Heart Flame," which could automatically temper the Dou Qi in a cultivator's body and, like a perpetual motion machine, could operate even when the human body was resting.
To refine the Fallen Heart Flame, Han Feng first needed to prepare a matching pill.
This pill not only had to provide the human body with the ability to resist the Heavenly Flame, but also had to specifically strengthen the defense of the heart.
As his thoughts fluctuated, the name of a pill appeared in Han Feng's mind.
The Earth Spirit Heart-Replenishing Pill, a mid-level seventh-grade pill, could greatly increase the body's defense in a short period of time, especially protecting the heart meridians, and at the same time possessed considerable healing effects.
Han Feng decided to refine it in advance to be prepared for future needs.
A spiritual object of heaven and earth like a Heavenly Flame, unless it was raised from a young age and accompanied for hundreds or thousands of years, its wild nature could not be hidden.
If it was locked in a small tower, it would one day break out of the tower.
In his previous life, the Pill Tower's Three Thousand Burning Flame was like this.
Even if it was trapped in a complete "Star Region" space, the Pill Tower was still worried that if it went berserk, it would burn through the Star Region and thus bring disaster to the Pill City.
But they were unwilling to just give up the Heavenly Flame.
So one year, at the Pill Convention, the Pill Tower specifically issued an announcement that the top ten alchemists would be eligible to go and refine the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
That year's Pill Convention was quite lively; even the Hall of Souls was attracted.
Unfortunately, Han Feng had already refined the Mysterious Yellow Flame at that time, so he had no chance with the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
However, he later heard that among the top ten alchemists of that session, no one could refine it, and the Three Thousand Burning Flame was still shelved in the Star Region.
It was not until later when the Pill City was breached by the Hun Clan that Hun Tiandi captured many alchemists and also took away the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
According to the current time estimate, the next Pill Convention would be the one with the "Three Thousand Burning Flame."
At that time, Han Feng would definitely have to make an appearance.
Before that, Han Feng had to at least raise his cultivation to the Dou Venerate level to be able to withstand the various storms that would come with his identity being exposed.
His thoughts returning, Han Feng wrote down the ingredients needed for the Earth Spirit Heart-Replenishing Pill.
One good thing about Jia Nan Academy was that it had a deep foundation. Backed by a treasure land, there was no shortage of high-tier medicinal ingredients.
Putting away the ingredient list, Han Feng planned to find some time to go to the medicine management office to see what ingredients were available.
If they had everything, that would be for the best. If not, he would have to make a trip to Feng City and ask the people from the Thousand Medicines Workshop to help him find them.
The Thousand Medicines Workshop was a chain of medicine shops that could be found all over the Black-Corner Region. The owner behind it was not weak, and its main shop was in Black Emperor City. Its business model was very similar to that of the Miteer family in the Jia Ma Empire.
After sitting quietly in his room for a while, a gust of wind suddenly came from outside.
Medusa, holding a sixth-tier medicinal herb, knocked on Han Feng's door.
"Come in."
As soon as his voice fell, Medusa rushed in impatiently and handed the sixth-tier medicinal herb to Han Feng.
"Here, it's all here."
Han Feng took the medicinal herb, examined it a few times, and put it into his storage ring.
"Where's Cai'er?"
"She's still looking for the underground magma for you. I came back first," Medusa said righteously.
Han Feng shook his head.
"Lie down."
Medusa nodded and lay down on Han Feng's bed.
Han Feng stood up, closed the door, and shut the windows.
The dim environment made Medusa feel relaxed.
However, the next second, a powerful soul power erupted from Han Feng's body, and Medusa instantly became tense.
Under the penetration of his soul power, Medusa felt that all the covering on her body had lost its meaning. Every inch of her skin was carefully inspected by Han Feng.
"Don't be nervous, relax," Han Feng said gently.
Medusa really wanted to refute.
How could she not be nervous!
But she didn't dare. She could only pretend not to be nervous and take a deep breath.
After about a quarter of an hour, Han Feng's soul power retreated.
He opened the curtains, and light streamed in, a little dazzling.
"How is it?"
Medusa got up from the bed and asked expectantly.
Han Feng raised his eyebrows, thinking about how to explain.
In fact, it was not a big problem. Her body was just developing a bit slowly. As long as she ate more high-energy things, she could grow quickly. She could probably become a young girl in a year or two.
But if he really let her understand, wouldn't he lose a little treasure-hunting general?
Han Feng pondered for a moment. Under Medusa's urging gaze, he said, "It's nothing serious. Eat more, exercise more, don't be a picky eater, and get enough sleep, and you'll grow up healthy."
An expression of extreme confusion appeared on Medusa's face, which then turned to fury.
"What are you talking about!"
Han Feng shrugged, his face calm.
"That's just how it is. There's nothing wrong with your body. You've just returned from a mature stage to a childhood stage, so everything can proceed as normal."
Medusa sat on the bed in a daze, having lost the ability to think.
After a long time, Medusa asked, "How long will it take for me to return to my original form?"
"Maybe... ten years?" Han Feng replied.
"I haven't studied this area very deeply. But returning to youth is something most people would be happy about, right?"
Medusa complained irritably, "Why don't you take a look at my current cultivation level!"
It was one thing for her body to become smaller, but the key was that her cultivation had dropped so much.
"I know. a five-star Dou King realm. Isn't your progress quite fast?"
Han Feng comforted her, "Don't be discouraged. Work hard, and you'll have a great chance of breaking through to the Dou Emperor realm in a year."
Medusa directly ignored the pie Han Feng was drawing in the sky.
"Don't talk to me about this nonsense. What about the sixth-grade pill you promised me? When will you refine it?"
Han Feng sighed lightly.
"Don't be in such a hurry. I have something to do tomorrow. How about in a few days?"
Medusa stared at Han Feng until she was sure that this man was not lying, then she snorted coldly.
"You'd better be quick."
After speaking, she walked towards the door.
"Don't be lazy these days. Remember to look for the Blood Python Branch. If you find it, I can refine a Dou Spirit Pill for you."
"I know!"
Medusa was very suspicious that Han Feng was exploiting her, but she had no choice.
That detestable Han Feng, actually luring me with a Dou Spirit Pill!
Medusa, who had been feeling a bit negative, had to set off again to search for the "Blood Python Branch."
Watching the small figure fly into the forest, Han Feng nodded with satisfaction.
The next day, Han Feng came to Elder Shi's courtyard early in the morning.
Dispelling the demonic qi would take a relatively long time, and it was impossible to do it all in one go. He had to let Elder Shi take a break in the middle.
Shi Yuan had been waiting in the room since early morning. After taking the potion, his mental state was very good.
"Elder Han, you've come."
Shi Yuan's attitude was very humble, and he held a special respect for Han Feng.
Han Feng smiled slightly.
"Are you ready, Elder Shi?"
The Sea Heart Flame ignited, and Han Feng asked in advance.
"I'm ready!"
Seeing this, Han Feng said no more and directly manipulated the Sea Heart Flame into Shi Yuan's body.
Shi Yuan, who had been looking resolute, his expression changed dramatically the moment the Heavenly Flame penetrated his body.
He gritted his teeth, his face contorted.
Pain!
Too painful!
Fortunately, the demonic qi in Shi Yuan's body began to retreat the moment it came into contact with the Sea Heart Flame. Its arrogant momentum was gone, and it was defeated at every turn.
Enduring the pain of the Heavenly Flame burning his body, Shi Yuan quickly recited Buddhist scriptures to divert his attention.
More than half a day passed quietly.
Qin Miaoyin had been waiting outside the house from morning until evening. When she heard her master cry out in pain for the thirteenth time, her heart gradually settled.
Her master's voice was getting stronger and stronger, so he must be getting better.
Finally, inside the room, Han Feng withdrew the Sea Heart Flame. Wisps of demonic qi emanated from his fingers until it was completely forced out of his body and sealed by him in a special container.
Shi Yuan, before him, had collapsed on the ground, on his last breath.
But even in this half-dead state, Shi Yuan let out a hearty laugh with his weak strength.
"Haha, hahaha!"
"This poor monk is finally... free..."
As a Buddhist disciple, he had been tainted by demonic qi, suffering not only physical pain but also mental torment.
Now that all the demonic qi was gone, although his power was greatly damaged, dropping from his original eight-star Dou Ancestor to a three-star Dou Ancestor level, and his life source was also shattered, with only twenty years left to live, he was finally, finally free!
Han Feng opened the door and said to Qin Miaoyin, "Your master is fine. Let him rest well."
"Many thanks, Elder Han!"
Qin Miaoyin gave Han Feng a deep bow.
"There's no need for this."
Han Feng helped the young girl up and suddenly asked, "Are you also a Buddhist disciple?"
Qin Miaoyin was taken aback, then shook her head with a blush. "Master, he... he said that I am a lay disciple now and have not yet been formally initiated."
Han Feng nodded.
He felt that the young girl before him was somewhat special, but out of politeness, he did not probe with his soul power.
"I'll go back first. Please tell Elder Shi for me that I will come again tomorrow."
"Okay, please take care, Elder Han."
Qin Miaoyin saw Han Feng to the main gate.
Tonight's moonlight was a little dim. Han Feng lit a flame to illuminate the road ahead.
The firelight reflected Han Feng's back, all reflected in Qin Miaoyin's pupils. She watched Han Feng go far away, her heart full of gratitude.
"Elder Han is truly a good person."