123: How cruel is Heaven to me?

Before long.

Led by the Guard Commander, the three arrived at the entrance of a courtyard atop the massive peak.

"Lord Pill Emperor, the people have arrived," the Guard Commander reported respectfully toward the interior of the courtyard.

With a creak, the courtyard gate slowly opened.

That cold female voice from before rang out again: "The three of you, come in."

The three exchanged glances and walked into the courtyard.

As soon as they entered, the gate behind them closed automatically, cutting off the aura of the outside world.

After passing the Screen Wall in the courtyard, their vision suddenly opened up.

In the courtyard bathed in sky light, an ebony tea table sat in the center, with two figures seated on either side.

One of them wore a black dress with pill patterns, a gilded belt cinching her slender waist, which could be spanned by a single hand; even while seated, one could sense the hidden, startling power within her.

Her oval face was snowy white and lustrous, and the lapel of her robe traced a beautiful curve across her chest.

The way she raised her hand to pour tea carried a majesty that looked down upon all living beings; she was breathtakingly beautiful, yet her presence deterred anyone from approaching lightly.

Cao Bu looked at her, his breath hitching slightly.

Why is it that every woman I fall for is someone else's wife?

Truly, oh vast heaven, why have you treated me so poorly?

As for the other person, she could only be described in four words: absolutely love her.

"Ruyan, why are you here too?" Leng Yue snapped back to her senses, her tone filled with surprise.

Liu Ruyan glanced at Cao Bu first, then revealed a faint smile: "Coming to see the Pill Emperor is naturally to request a pill. Are you all not here for the same?"

Leng Yue finally reacted and led Cao Bu and Yan Ruyu over.

"I just didn't expect that you would also need Medicinal Pills."

As the three approached, the Pill Emperor raised her hand and said in a gentle voice: "Please, have some tea."

There happened to be three chairs left by the tea table, clearly prepared in advance.

Leng Yue naturally sat next to Liu Ruyan, Cao Bu sat down beside Leng Yue, and Yan Ruyu sat on the outermost side.

As soon as they were settled, Liu Ruyan couldn't hold back and turned to look at Cao Bu: "Cao Bu, do you have any ideas for the poem I asked for earlier?"

Hearing this, the Pill Emperor looked at Cao Bu in surprise, her eyes filled with curiosity: "You are Cao Bu? You can write poetry?!"

Cao Bu said modestly: "I only know a little bit."

The Pill Emperor didn't believe him. Who was Liu Ruyan? A poem that she would keep in mind was definitely no ordinary work.

It seemed this Adopted Son of Gu Qingtian truly possessed some genuine talent.

"Empress, I have some ideas for that poem. Please be patient for a few more days," Cao Bu casually brushed Liu Ruyan off.

Liu Ruyan nodded and didn't dwell on the matter.

As a powerhouse of the Immortal Domain, she knew better than anyone that composing a satisfying poem was no easy feat.

At this point, the Pill Emperor took the initiative to start the conversation: "What kind of Medicinal Pill have the three of you come for today?"

"nine revolutions emperor bone rebuilding pill," Leng Yue said, emphasizing each word.

The Pill Emperor's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and her brows furrowed instantly.

She had studied thousands of Pill Formulas, but she had never heard of this nine revolutions emperor bone rebuilding pill.

On the other hand, Liu Ruyan's expression changed, and a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.

She looked at Cao Bu surreptitiously.

The illusory sound limitless token she had given Cao Bu earlier contained a hidden promise: even if Cao Bu asked for her help to restore his Dantian, she had a way to do it.

It was just that she had waited for a long time without receiving any message from him.

It made sense; no one knew she was the Reincarnation of an Upper Realm powerhouse, so naturally, no one knew she had the ability to restore a Dantian.

But she never expected that Leng Yue would actually be able to obtain such a rare Pill Formula.

"I have read countless Pill Formulas, yet this is the first time I've heard of such a pill."

The Pill Emperor put down her teacup, the implication being that she couldn't refine it.

Leng Yue was prepared and immediately reassured her: "Pill Emperor, rest assured, we have brought the Pill Formula with us."

The Pill Emperor was stunned at first, but then a flash of undisguisable joy flickered in her eyes.

For her, every encounter with a new emperor Pill Formula was an Opportunity to improve her attainments in the Dao of Alchemy.

If she could successfully refine it, her cultivation, which had been stagnant for a thousand years, might even achieve a Breakthrough.

This was an Opportunity that could be sought but not easily found.

She suppressed the anticipation in her heart and continued to ask: "I wonder what the effect of this pill is?"

Liu Ruyan took over and explained softly: "It is for restoring a damaged Dantian."

"What?!"

Hearing this, the Pill Emperor abruptly stood up from her chair, her not-so-imposing peaks trembling slightly from the movement.

Her eyes were filled with shock, and with a hint of disbelief as if seeking confirmation, she stared intently at Leng Yue.

Meeting her gaze, Leng Yue nodded slowly, her tone certain: "Ruyan is well-informed. Yes, this is indeed a pill that can restore the Dantian."

The Pill Emperor suppressed the storm in her heart and turned her gaze toward Cao Bu.

"Fellow Daoist Leng has gone to such trouble; I presume it is to request a pill for this Adopted Son of yours?"

"Precisely." Leng Yue didn't shy away, her tone carrying a hint of urgency: "I wonder if the Pill Emperor can take action?"

"Rest assured, no matter how much payment is required, my Gu Clan can afford it."

"Even an Emperor Weapon is not out of the question."

She wanted so badly for Cao Bu to Cultivate again.

Currently, Cao Bu only had a Heavenly Bridge Realm cultivation. Such a level was as numerous as the sands of the Ganges in the Spirit Realm; it was truly unremarkable and made it impossible for him to establish himself.

The Pill Emperor pondered for a moment before saying: "Let me see the Pill Formula and Materials."

Leng Yue immediately raised her hand, took out a scroll containing the Pill Formula from her storage ring, and handed it over.

Although this Pill Formula could be called a priceless treasure, the required Materials were so rare that very few people could gather them.

Even if it were leaked, it wouldn't cause much of a stir.

Cao Bu also followed suit and took out a storage ring, handing it to the Pill Emperor as well.

The Pill Emperor took the Pill Formula and the storage ring and impatiently unfurled the formula to examine it closely.

The further she read, the deeper the shock in her eyes became.

Not only did this Pill Formula list the properties of each material in detail, but it also noted the precise ratios for refining. It was so meticulous that even though she had never refined this pill, she felt that as long as she followed the formula, she could succeed on the first try.

When she used her Divine Sense to inspect the Materials in the storage ring, her brows furrowed: "Why is there only one set of Materials in here?"

Leng Yue nodded helplessly: "Since the Pill Emperor has seen the formula, you know how hard these Materials are to come by. Being able to gather this one set is already a massive miracle for us."

The Pill Emperor nodded slowly and put away the formula and Materials: "I can help you refine it, but I have never tried this pill before and cannot guarantee success, so..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was self-evident.

If the refining failed, she would not be held responsible.

Although Leng Yue felt uneasy, she had no other choice.

As the Spirit Realm's number one Alchemist, if she couldn't do it, then no one in the Spirit Realm could.

Regardless of the outcome, this was the only chance; they had to take the gamble.

"Rest assured, the Pill Emperor only needs to do her best."

The Pill Emperor gave a response, and a hint of curiosity arose in her heart. She asked: "Which Senior created this Pill Formula? Or did you obtain it by chance?"

Leng Yue answered truthfully: "It was gifted to Bu'er by Heavenly Emperor Lu."

"Heavenly Emperor Lu!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Pill Emperor looked at Cao Bu, her eyes filled with unbelievable surprise.

No powerhouse in the Spirit Realm was unaware of Heavenly Emperor Lu's name; currently, he was second only to Gu Qingtian.

The reason her husband could focus on his secluded cultivation to strive for the Great Emperor realm was precisely because Heavenly Emperor Lu had killed the previous Fist Emperor.

Otherwise, her husband would have been stuck in place for his entire life, eventually dying when his Lifespan was exhausted.