62: A second-tier alchemist returns to the Pure Origin Realm.

Since the promotion of the Spiritual Vein within the grotto-heaven, Yu Xuzi felt that his compatibility with the treasure bead was growing higher and higher; occasionally, he was even able to manipulate the weather changes within the grotto-heaven.

It was somewhat like manifesting reality through speech.

The degree of refinement had advanced another step.

Thus, Yu Xuzi simply gave the huang tian treasure bead a new name: Yuxu Grotto-Heaven.

In the western part of the grotto-heaven, there was originally a palace area dedicated to Alchemy and Artifact Refining, which was connected to a fire vein Formation specially laid out beneath the grotto-heaven.

Previously, the fire vein here was extinguished.

However, once Yuxu Mountain's Spiritual Vein returned to the third rank, the underground fire vein reignited and could be used for Alchemy again.

In the very center of the palace complex, the largest hall, measuring a full hundred feet in length and width, was named the "Yunbao Hall."

This was the name Yu Xuzi had given to this hall.

In the center of the Yunbao Hall, a three-zhang-wide searing red fire vein surged and tumbled, emitting a dull roar like the breathing of a giant beast.

Above the fire vein, a cauldron was suspended.

The cauldron was ten zhang high, its entire body a deep cyan color; it was neither metal nor jade, appearing like stone yet also like iron.

It was precisely the Medium Grade Rank Two Magical Artifact, the hunyuan cauldron.

Once the sect-protecting treasure of the Hunyuan Sect.

At this moment, this giant cauldron floated steadily above the earth fire, yet its body showed no sign of red heat; instead, it exuded a deep, cold aura that seemed to swallow light and heat.

Yu Xuzi sat cross-legged on a cold jade platform in front of the cauldron, preparing for Alchemy.

A Low Grade Rank Two Medicinal Pill—[Fayuan Spirit Pill].

Used for the daily cultivation of Dao Foundation Cultivators, it could significantly increase magic power and shorten cultivation time.

This was currently the only Rank Two Spirit Pill for which he had both the Pill Formula and enough medicinal ingredients gathered.

He had already attempted to refine it four times in a row.

All of them ended in furnace explosions... today was the final batch.

If it exploded again, the medicinal materials would have to be collected all over again.

"Rise."

Yu Xuzi formed hand seals, and the hunyuan cauldron emitted a low, thick resonance.

"Buzz—"

The cauldron lid did not open, but the ancient patterns on the cauldron's body lit up one by one, and the speed at which it swallowed the earth fire suddenly intensified, causing the searing red fire vein to dim slightly.

The fire vein simulated by the underground Formation had just recovered, and its firepower was still somewhat insufficient, but he had two helpers by his side.

"Fan harder!!!"

Upon hearing the command, Embracing Star and Soaring immediately let out a long cry. To his left and right, they each spread their eight-to-nine-zhang-wide golden wings and began to flap them vigorously.

"Whoosh~ Whoosh~ Whoosh—"

A monstrous storm was born, and the fire vein surged rapidly!

"The first ingredient, Heavenly Star Flower!"

Yu Xuzi flicked his sleeve.

A spirit flower as thick as a finger and emerald in color, containing boundless vitality and pure wood spirit essence, was thrown into the cauldron, silently enveloped and decomposed by the heat.

A moment later, the second Spirit Medicine, "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon Grass," was thrown into the cauldron. Under the roasting of the high temperature, it gradually melted into a silver liquid, starting to slowly blend and rotate with the juice of the Heavenly Star Flower, forming a subtle balance.

"Yellow-Green Vine"

"Thousand-Year White Jade Spirit Ginseng"

"Star-Patterned Fruit"

"..."

One by one, the Rank Two Spirit Medicines were methodically thrown into the cauldron by Yu Xuzi.

With every ingredient added, his expression grew more solemn.

Controlling and harmonizing various Spirit Medicines with completely different or even conflicting attributes was a test for any Alchemist.

But his technique was stable and his magic power was vast; his entire mind was now fixed on the liquid mass in the cauldron, which was gradually becoming colorful and alluring in scent.

Everything was under control.

Three days' time.

Using his Divine Sense as a guide and the hunyuan cauldron as the furnace, he needed to harmonize nine Rank Two main ingredients and forty-eight Rank One auxiliary ingredients, passing through the four major Alchemy stages: "Liquefaction," "Embryo Condensation," "Pill Partitioning," and "Essence Nourishing."

Only then could a true Rank Two Spirit Pill be refined.

The earth fire roared, and the Golden Eagles screeched.

Within the hunyuan cauldron, the flames surged, and the dull thunderous sounds caused by the conflict of medicinal powers echoed continuously inside the cauldron's belly, sometimes sharp like tearing silk, sometimes heavy like an earthquake.

Yu Xuzi's body was gradually soaked in sweat, but his back remained as straight as ever, and the hand seals he formed changed faster and faster.

He could not stop.

If Alchemy is stopped halfway, all previous efforts are wasted.

Three days later.

The medicinal liquid mass inside the cauldron had shrunk to the size of a millstone, its color becoming restrained and turning into a deep dark gold, and its rotation speed slowed down.

The most critical moment had arrived.

"Pill Partitioning" and "Essence Nourishing."

This was where the furnace had exploded last time.

Yu Xuzi took a deep breath, and the hand seal in his grasp changed!

"Divide!"

The dark gold medicinal liquid mass suddenly shuddered and split apart, turning into five slightly smaller, pigeon-egg-sized golden light orbs, bobbing up and down in the cauldron.

On the surface of the light orbs, countless extremely fine, naturally formed pill patterns were rapidly flowing and solidifying.

At that moment, a sudden change occurred!

Among the five nascent pills, the golden glow of the two on the far left suddenly flickered, and the pill patterns flowing on their surface instantly became chaotic.

"Bang—Bang!"

They exploded.

And two of them exploded in succession.

But there were still three left!

Yu Xuzi's mind was strained to the limit; his hand seals changed repeatedly as he controlled the hunyuan cauldron to stabilize the remaining three nascent pills, protecting them from being affected.

Finally, half an hour later.

Three pigeon-egg-sized, perfectly round, golden-glowing pills slowly stopped rotating and hung quietly in the center of the cauldron.

It was a success!

Yu Xuzi let out a breath, a slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

Three Fayuan Pills hung quietly inside the cauldron.

He slowly stood up and gave a gentle beckon; the cauldron lid slid open silently, and three streaks of golden light fell into his palm.

"The quality is decent; although not the top grade, it's not inferior either."

Yu Xuzi carefully examined the three Spirit Pills emitting an alluring scent and nodded with satisfaction.

Considering this was the first batch of Rank Two Spirit Pills he had refined, and he had only used five sets of ingredients, it was already quite Heaven-Defying.

From this day forward, he was a Low Grade Rank Two Alchemist.

"Caw—Caw—"

Embracing Star and Soaring lay on the ground, calling out weakly, looking as if they had lost all hope in life.

They had fanned the earth vein fire with all their might for three days.

Even as Yao Beasts, they couldn't take it anymore.

"Well done."

"In a while, I will refine Blood-Purifying Spirit Pills for you that can purify your Bloodlines."

Rewards still had to be given.

Otherwise, these two fellows wouldn't be so enthusiastic next time... The Qingyuan Realm.

Southwest region of the continent, Cangqing Mountain.

A bronze glow flashed and vanished in an instant.

Yu Xuzi's figure appeared inside the familiar Taoist temple.

"In the blink of an eye, two years have passed!"

"I am back."

Yu Xuzi first looked around vigilantly, then his Divine Sense immediately surged out, enveloping the entire Cangqing Mountain.

There was no abnormality at all.

It was just as it had been.

"I wonder if True Person Yanling is dead yet; I'll go down the mountain and find a Cultivator to ask."

This was his purpose for returning this time.

If True Person Yanling really was dead, he would no longer need to hide away so cautiously in the Qingyuan Realm.

After all, there had once been an era when Daoist arts flourished; there were surely many legacies worth excavating for Yu Xuzi, unlike the Thousand Islands Realm where not even a ghost could be seen.

He hadn't spoken to or seen anyone for two years.

No matter how cold his temperament was, he still needed to adjust and get in touch with human society.

If True Person Yanling wasn't dead, then he would still have to keep a low profile.