Soul Hunting Town.
For soul masters who spent years roaming the soul beast forests, such a town was the perfect resupply point.
Here, they could buy everything—from food and lodging to healing salves—and rest in an inn after exhausting battles.
The only downside? Exorbitant prices!
But for those receiving supplies from the Spirit Hall, these costs were perfectly acceptable.
"Master… I'm a Nine-Star Dou Zhe?!"
A brutal bloodbath in the forest two days ago had unexpectedly pushed him to break through.
Yao Lao's words proved true:
Real combat silently forged true strength.
"Not bad!" Yao Lao beamed. Barring surprises, Yang Fan would challenge Dou Shi within three months.
"Master, have you decided what pill to refine from this 5,000-year head soul bone?" Yang Fan asked eagerly.
"Always relying on your master? This time, you refine it yourself!"
Yang Fan initially thought Yao Lao was joking—until he saw his stern expression.
"Master… you're serious?"
"Of course!" Yao Lao snapped. "To become an elite alchemist, you can't keep refining Tier-1 and Tier-2 trash."
This was the step Yang Fan had to take.
Even Yao Lao had wasted mountains of precious herbs during his first high-grade refinements.
Every great alchemist was literally fed by medicinal ingredients.
"Master… can I substitute the soul bone with a soul beast corpse?" Yang Fan's voice trembled.
This was a soul bone—a treasure that sparked wars in Douluo, coveted by every soul master.
"Do you think this is Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid? Not everything can be replaced with beast parts!" Yao Lao scoffed. "Do you even want to become an elite alchemist?"
Yang Fan nodded firmly.
"Then stop whining! Gather the herbs on this formula."
[Spirit-Awakening Pill]
Effect: Enhances the user's sensitivity to ambient energy during cultivation, accelerating energy absorption.
Ingredients: 30-year Clear-Mind Three-Leaf Grass, mature Buddha-Heart Fruit, 10-year Spirit-Absorbing Tree, one Tier-3 demon core.
He'd already harvested the 30-year Clear-Mind Grass in Sunset Forest. The Tier-3 demon core was clearly the 5,000-year head soul bone in his soul tool…
"Master, what are Buddha-Heart Fruit and Spirit-Absorbing Tree?" Yang Fan asked.
Some Dou Qi Continent herbs existed in Douluo under different names.
For example, Clear-Mind Three-Leaf Grass was called Three-Leaf Azure Ganoderma here.
"Both plants awaken the mind and refresh the spirit. If unavailable, find substitutes with similar effects," Yao Lao said, yawning before retreating into Yang Fan's body.
Substituting herbs was common—but the Tier-3 demon core was irreplaceable.
"Accelerate energy absorption?" Yang Fan mused. "Does that mean my soul power cultivation speed increases too?"
The possibility thrilled him.
If Yao Lao refined this pill for him, he'd be overjoyed.
But refining it himself?
The raw materials were too damn rare.
If he ruined the soul bone, who knew when he'd find another?
Still, Yao Lao's confidence confirmed Yang Fan now possessed the soul strength to refine Tier-3 pills.
Whether this came from his second soul ring, devouring the Infernal Delicate Apricot, or reaching Nine-Star Dou Zhe—he wasn't sure.
…
That afternoon
Yang Fan gathered all ingredients.
No mature Buddha-Heart Fruit? He used Thousand-Spirit Grass instead.
The 10-year Spirit-Absorbing Tree became Night-Spirit Leaves.
"The herbs are fine… refine," Yao Lao declared, sealing the room with Dou Qi.
Yang Fan glanced at his master—no tips, no warnings about pitfalls in refining Spirit-Awakening Pills.
He touched the soul bone, squeezed the substitute fruit, and eyed the best cauldron the town offered…
Suddenly, he realized: he'd never refined a pill alone.
Every Tier-1 Blood-Clotting Powder and Tier-2 Meridian Protecting Pill had been guided by Yao Lao's hands.
Now, he understood his master's intent.
Hss—!
Yang Fan took a deep breath and pulled out two Dragon Ganoderma Leaves—divine herbs from the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well. They healed, restored soul power, and temporarily boosted soul perception.
Ignite flame!
This time, he used Infernal Delicate Apricot—orange-red flames dancing in his palm.
Alchemy rule:
Higher flame quality + better cauldron = higher success rate.
Today, he stacked every buff possible!
First, he let the flame and cauldron "acquaint" themselves—gentle heat, then deeper fusion…
Preheating complete!
Next, the soul bone—making his heart race—plunged into the cauldron, followed by market-bought herbs.
Now came quenching—the longest, most grueling phase.
Refining Blood-Clotting Powder had cost him countless cauldrons during quenching.
The challenge? Maintaining perfect flame temperature, ensuring even heat distribution, and using soul perception to monitor internal changes.
This was why alchemy demanded both Dou Qi and soul strength.
Without knowing how long quenching would take, Yang Fan conserved energy for emergencies.
Time ticked by…
The Spirit-Awakening Pill progressed as expected.
Yet Yao Lao, hovering in the room, frowned slightly—his eyes brightening with pride, yet tinged with disappointment.
His conflicted expression left Yang Fan utterly baffled.
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read the completed exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect' + get up to 30 Chapters ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)