"I named this pill the Rebirth Pill," Yang Fan explained. "It restores Dou Qi… I mean, soul power."
The elder Huo nodded eagerly. "Excellent effect!"
He recalled his youth—how even a team of soul masters would exhaust their soul power hunting soul rings, nearly getting killed by beasts.
With such a pill, their success rate would've soared.
"Come with me."
Led by the elder, Yang Fan entered a spacious room in the Huo estate.
The door creaked open—shelves lined with soul master supplies filled the space.
Clearly, it was the Huo family's warehouse.
The elder's eyes fixed on a dusty cauldron in the corner.
His expression turned wistful—as if reuniting with an old friend.
Yang Fan's eyes lit up at the sight.
Having broken dozens of cauldrons, he instantly recognized its quality.
This one was heavy, ancient, profound—smaller than his previous cauldrons, yet radiating boundless mystery.
The elder wiped away decades of dust with trembling hands, revealing the cauldron's true form: crimson-red with black arcane patterns etched into its surface.
"This is the Crimson Flame Cauldron," the elder said softly. "I gift it to you today."
No regret shadowed his eyes—only relief.
He was old. Alchemy was lost to him forever. But the Crimson Flame Cauldron deserved better than gathering dust in his grave.
"Thank you," Yang Fan said, offering the Rebirth Pill. "Please take this as thanks."
He'd never take without giving—but the elder shook his head.
"A relic like this? Keep it, child. An old man like me has no use for treasures."
As they exited the warehouse, they met Huo Wu searching frantically.
Her eyes widened at the cauldron in Yang Fan's arms.
Outside the mansion, she bombarded him: "How did you steal Great-Grandfather's treasure?!"
Yang Fan just smiled.
This was the romance between alchemists.
…
Back at his residence, Yang Fan eagerly pulled out the Crimson Flame Cauldron from his soul tool.
Though smaller than his previous cauldrons (about the size of a cooking pot), its weight was substantial.
"Remarkable!" Yao Lao floated nearby, impressed. "To find such a cauldron in Douluo Continent—a world barren of alchemy—is luck spanning half a lifetime."
(It wasn't Black Demon Cauldron-tier, but still exceptional.)
"Master, I'm ready to start alchemy!" Yang Fan declared, eager to test Yao Lao's claim: A superior cauldron boosts pill quality and success rates.
"You fool—you'll just start like this?" Yao Lao flicked his forehead. "First, you must 'awaken' the cauldron."
"'Awaken'?"
New terms for Yang Fan.
He understood why Yao Lao never mentioned them—Douluo Continent's cauldrons were too crude to warrant such rituals.
"Watch closely."
Yao Lao summoned Bone Chilling Cold Flame. His personal involvement proved this step's importance.
He heated the entire cauldron. At a certain temperature, the black patterns stirred—as if alive.
Truly a masterpiece!
The "awakening" was simple: refine a pill.
But the pill's essence had to nourish the cauldron's body.
Soon—
The Crimson Flame Cauldron, dormant for decades, produced its first pill. The cauldron itself seemed to glow anew.
"Your turn," Yao Lao handed it back.
Yang Fan placed his hands on Crimson Flame Cauldron, whispering mentally:
Laugh all you want! It's better to create legendary pills with me than sleep in that dusty warehouse.
No hesitation.
Left palm ignited orange-red divine flame; right hand tossed in herbs.
He refined his familiar Tier-3 Rebirth Pill.
Ignition. Preheating. Adding ingredients…
The first three steps felt ordinary. But during quenching—his eyes blazed.
Too good!
Yao Lao's words echoed: "An alchemist and cauldron are symbiotic."
Now Yang Fan understood.
Past cauldrons were mere tools. The Crimson Flame Cauldron was a partner—a true collaboration.
Half an hour later, a Rebirth Pill rose from the cauldron.
Success!
Though their first time together, Yang Fan felt a connection.
Holding the pill, he saw:
Best quality. Best luster. His finest work yet.
"Not bad," Yao Lao approved. Such progress—though cauldron-aided—was part of an alchemist's skill. (Why else did the Dou Qi Continent have a "Cauldron Ranking"?)
"Master, can I try Tier-4 pills now?" Yang Fan dared.
Yao Lao snorted. "Dream on! Don't think the Crimson Flame Cauldron makes you invincible. Your soul strength can't even control Tier-4 quenching, let alone pill formation."
Yang Fan wasn't discouraged.
He knew his limits.
But with the the Crimson Flame Cauldron in hand? Heh.
Tier-4 alchemist—he'd get there sooner than expected.
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