90: Chapter 90 Refining the Foundation Establishment Pill!

Early the next morning, Ye Changge followed his memories from several years ago and headed towards the location of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.

After passing through a few somewhat busy streets and turning into a quiet alley, the familiar little shop with the simple plaque reading "Hundred Herbs Pavilion" came into view.

The shop door was half-open, and the inside looked much quieter than he remembered.

Ye Changge pushed the door open, and the door hinges emitted a faint "creak."

The light inside the shop was soft, and a faint, refreshing scent of medicinal herbs permeated the air.

Various medicinal herbs and finished Medicinal Pills were neatly arranged on the shelves, but there were no customers at the moment, making it appear very quiet.

Behind the counter, a young girl dressed in a goose-yellow dress was resting her chin on her hand, staring blankly outside the door.

She had a petite figure and was sitting on a high wooden stool. Because her legs couldn't reach the ground, they were swinging lightly in the air in boredom.

Sunlight spilled onto her through the window lattice, making the goose-yellow color look even brighter and highlighting her small, fair, and cute face.

Years later, Xiao Zhi had indeed grown up.

Her once childish features had opened up; her brows and eyes were delicate, with a small nose and mouth. Although she still retained a girl's naive charm, her figure had begun to develop exquisite curves, and she was no longer the little girl who hadn't fully grown up.

Hearing the door sound, Xiao Zhi looked up instinctively, her large, clear eyes blinking. When she saw the face of the person who had entered, she was startled at first, then her eyes widened in disbelief, and a look of joyful surprise instantly burst forth on her small face.

"Guest... Senior Ye!"

She exclaimed, nearly using both hands and feet to jump down from the high stool, her goose-yellow skirt blooming like a small flower.

She hurried over to Ye Changge, looking up with undisguised happiness on her face.

"Senior! Why are you here!"

Her voice was crisp and cheerful, filled with the joy of a long-awaited reunion.

Ye Changge looked at the graceful yet still lively young girl before him, and a gentle smile appeared in his eyes. He reached out and habitually rubbed the top of Xiao Zhi's soft hair.

"I was passing by and decided to stop by to take a look. It's been a few years, and Xiao Zhi has grown quite a bit."

Xiao Zhi, like a kitten being petted, comfortably narrowed her eyes and rubbed against Ye Changge's palm, enjoying this familiar, intimate gesture.

"Senior hasn't changed at all!" She said with a giggle, then remembering something, she quickly asked, "What did you come here for, Senior?"

"I came to find your Master," Ye Changge withdrew his hand and nodded. "Is Shopkeeper Xiao not here? I have some matters I would like to consult her about."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhi pouted slightly, showing a hint of grievance and helplessness on her face.

"Revered Master is not here," she shook her head. "For this past year, Revered Master has been running around, saying she is looking for some kind of Pill Formula. But she has been to many places and asked many people, and still hasn't found it."

"A Pill Formula?" Ye Changge's heart stirred.

The System Legacy he had obtained was all-encompassing, with a complete set of Pill Formulas from the first to the second rank, and even some obscure ancient formulas; perhaps he really did have what she needed.

"Yes, that kind of very rare Pill Formula... I can't remember the specifics, but I only heard Master mention it a few times, saying it can harmonize Yin and Yang."

Xiao Zhi furrowed her small brows, trying hard to recall.

Ye Changge secretly made a note of it, intending to search through his vast sea of inherited memories later.

"No matter, since Shopkeeper Xiao is not here, I will come again next time," Ye Changge said gently. "Xiao Zhi, I also came this time to borrow the Earth Fire Chamber to refine some Medicinal Pills. Would that be convenient?"

"Convenient! Of course it's convenient!" Xiao Zhi nodded like a pounding mortar, her face breaking into a smile again. "Senior, follow me! You can use the Earth Fire Chamber as you please. Moreover, the best Earth Fire Chamber that Master uses herself has been empty. I will take you there; it is much better than the public Earth Fire Chamber you used to rent!"

The little girl had a cheerful expression, as if to say "I have something good to show Senior," and turned to lead the way. Her goose-yellow figure nimbly passed through the back hall of the shop and headed towards the backyard.

Ye Changge followed with a smile, feeling a slight warmth in his heart.

It seemed that his small act of kindness back then had truly left a lasting impression on this simple-minded little girl, and she trusted him without reservation.

Passing through a short corridor, they arrived in front of an independent stone room in the backyard.

Xiao Zhi took out a jade slip to open the heavy stone door, and a surge of pure Spiritual Qi of fire, several times more concentrated than outside but cleverly constrained by a Formation, rushed towards them.

"Senior, please enter! This is the Earth Fire Chamber that Master uses exclusively!"

Ye Changge stepped inside and swept his gaze across the room. This Earth Fire Chamber was indeed extraordinary; the space was spacious, the stone walls were polished smooth, and runes for stabilizing temperature and gathering Spiritual Qi were engraved upon them.

In the center was a crimson stone Pill Furnace deeply embedded in the ground. The furnace body was carved with intricate cloud patterns and beast heads, with a faint spiritual light circulating, indicating excellent quality—it was at least a Medium Grade, second-rank Pill Furnace.

Ye Changge had always wanted to purchase a suitable Pill Furnace, but due to Family expenses and the lack of a stable and safe environment for Alchemy, he had never been able to fulfill that wish.

The design of the Earth Fire vent was also more exquisite, and the Formation Plate for adjusting the fire's intensity was located right at hand, making it simple to operate.

In the corner of the stone room, there were even a few heat-loving, drought-resistant Red Flame Lingzhi, adding a touch of vitality and spirituality to this fire-filled room.

Moreover, perhaps it was just an illusion, but Ye Changge always felt that a very faint, almost imperceptible fragrance permeated the stone room. It wasn't the scent of medicine, but rather like the elegant fragrance on a woman's body, perhaps because of the aura left behind by Xiao Yurou, who had been refining pills here for years.

Xiao Zhi ran to the side of the Pill Furnace, pointed to an inconspicuous gray cloth bag nearby, and introduced it earnestly: "Senior, this bag contains fragments of 'Blazing Sun Star Sand.' If you feel that the Earth Fire's intensity is occasionally unstable or not fierce enough, you can sprinkle a little bit in, and it can immediately make the flames rise. It's very useful! However, Master said it shouldn't be used too much, as it causes wear and tear on the furnace."

Ye Changge listened attentively and nodded.

Although he possessed the complete skills and knowledge of a Second-Rank Alchemist directly instilled by the System, these small practical tips and experiences were not detailed in the Legacy.

Xiao Zhi's explanation happened to make up for this.

"Alright, I have noted it. Thank you, Xiao Zhi," Ye Changge smiled.

"You're welcome!" Xiao Zhi gave a sweet smile, then pointed to the stone door. "Then Senior, you go ahead and get busy; I still have to go to the front to watch the shop. If you need anything or don't understand something, call me anytime; I'll be in the front!"

"Alright, go ahead, and be careful," Ye Changge nodded.

Xiao Zhi obediently acknowledged, stepped out quietly, closed the heavy stone door, and activated the soundproofing and protective Restrictions.

The stone room became completely quiet, with only the low hum of the Earth Fire burning quietly in the furnace, and the faint spiritual light emitted by those few Red Flame Lingzhi.