Once the second flame medicinal cauldron took form, Xiao Hua lightly flicked his finger. Flames surged forth, igniting within both cauldrons.
Puff!
With a soft sound, the flame twisted and danced, transforming into a fire phoenix that gracefully circled within the cauldrons, its wings trailing arcs of crimson light.
As the fire phoenix fully formed, Xiao Hua slowly closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath to steady his spirit and invigorate his body. Several breaths later, his eyes snapped open, calm and focused.
He slowly spread his fingers.
Two radiant glows appeared—one bright orange, the other a dazzling blue—each concealing an extremely rare medicinal ingredient within.
A moment later, the orange glow dissipated, revealing a deep brown seed etched with crimson lines. It pulsed with a fiery aura so intense that the temperature around it instantly surged.
At the same time, the blue glow faded, unveiling a sky-blue leaf adorned with golden veins that formed cloud-like patterns across its surface. Though ethereal in appearance, it radiated a scorching flame energy no weaker than the deep brown seed next to it.
"That is... the Blazing Earth Seed and the Golden-Veins Fire Cloud Leaf!"
Those with keen eyes and deep knowledge of rare medicinal ingredients instantly recognized the items resting in Xiao Hua's hands. A wave of shock rippled through their hearts—it was one thing to have heard of these legendary materials, but to witness them with their own eyes was another matter entirely.
Not only were these ingredients exceedingly rare, but even if one managed to obtain them, storing them was another daunting task. Without the correct preservation method, and if delayed even a day beyond five, both would lose their efficacy entirely—or worse, self-ignite.
"For the Blazing Earth Seed, I can already guess his intent. He must be preparing to refine the Earth Spirit Pill..." the First Elder narrowed his eyes, his voice barely a whisper. "But as for the Golden-Veins Fire Cloud Leaf... what could he possibly be using it for?"
With his decades of alchemical experience, the First Elder could deduce Xiao Hua's intent behind the use of the Blazing Earth Seed—after all, it was a key ingredient used to resolve the lingering internal injuries within Ancestor Huo Yun.
However, the Golden-Veins Fire Cloud Leaf puzzled even him.
The leaf's effect was known only to a few: it specialized in tempering and purifying the body. Upon consumption, one's physique would undergo a transformation, gaining extraordinary strength and resilience. But this miraculous effect only manifested fully in those who practiced fire-affinity methods.
Anyone lacking strong fire affinity would, at best, absorb a mere tenth of its potential. At worst, they would be reduced to ashes under its blazing might.
The First Elder could tell that the pill was meant for refining the physical body, yet he remained utterly puzzled—there seemed to be no clear reason for Xiao Hua to concoct such a pill at this moment.
Despite the murmurs and speculations around him, Xiao Hua's gaze remained fixed on the Blazing Earth Seed and Golden-Veins Fire Cloud Leaf. He was well aware of the reactions from those present, but he paid them no mind.
Swoosh!
With a faint smile, Xiao Hua waved his hand through the air before him. In that instant, after withdrawing the two rare ingredients, countless medicinal materials began to pour out of his Storage Ring like a tide.
In the blink of an eye, they floated in midair above his head, neatly suspended as if answering his silent command.
A single glance was enough to see—there were no less than a thousand types of medicinal ingredients gathered.
The sheer quantity left the surrounding alchemists and disciples of Burning Flame Valley speechless.
What shocked them even more was the quality—most of these were rare and high-grade medicinal ingredients, the kind that even high-ranking elders might not easily acquire.
Such extravagance made many doubt their own eyes. Just how vast was Xiao Hua's wealth?
"Master, just what kind of pill is he refining that requires such an absurd number of extremely rare and high-grade medicinal ingredients?" Cao Ying murmured, her gaze fixed on the countless ingredients suspended in the air.
Some of them she recognized, and others she had only seen mentioned in ancient texts or heard of in passing from alchemists. But most… were utterly unfamiliar—ingredients she had neither seen nor even heard named before.
"…I do not know." Xuan Kong Zi's eyes narrowed as he observed the scene. After a long moment of contemplation, he finally shook his head with a helpless sigh. Even he, with all his knowledge and experience, was startled by the overwhelming display of Xiao Hua's wealth.
"Xiao Hua's pill refinement skills and his alchemical experience have already surpassed mine…" he admitted with a soft, amazed sigh.
Cao Ying remained silent. She had always taken pride in her talent, believing herself one of the geniuses in alchemy in her generation. But hearing such words from her master—one of the Pill Tower's highest authorities—even she began to question whether she could still call herself such.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hua paid no attention to the shock and disbelief around him. His palm pressed gently through the air, and a large number of medicinal ingredients separated from the floating pile above. Then, as if guided by invisible threads, two distinct streams of ingredients began to flow into the two flame medicinal cauldrons.
The fire phoenix within each cauldron let out a silent cry, opening its beak to devour the incoming materials.
Under Xiao Hua's precise control, the remaining ingredients in the sky formed into an orderly line, flowing ceaselessly into the cauldrons like an endless river.
Within mere moments, a terrifying surge of energy pulsed from the cauldrons. The wave distorted the surrounding space, causing the air itself to ripple faintly as though unable to bear the pressure.
Everyone who witnessed the scene could only sigh inwardly—none could truly discern Xiao Hua's intentions.
A few, however, couldn't resist mocking him in silence, believing he was simply being greedy. Refining a single Tier 9 Treasure Pill is already an impossible feat for most—yet he dares to attempt two at once?
Though no one openly voiced agreement, many secretly shared the same thought. Still, they chose to remain silent and watch, waiting for the outcome.
Amid the quiet murmurs of disbelief, two figures remained unmoved—Xun Er and the Little Fairy Doctor.
Though even they were stunned by Xiao Hua's decision to refine two Tier 9 Treasure Pills simultaneously, their belief in him never wavered.
They had witnessed firsthand the countless tribulations he endured, and the brutal pill refinement training imposed by Lady Azure. That training alone was enough to break the spirit of most so-called alchemy geniuses.
But Xiao Hua endured it all—and more. Not only did he persevere, but he also overcame each ordeal with unwavering determination.
For that reason, their faith in him was absolute.
He would succeed in refining both Tier 9 Treasure Pills. Of that, they had no doubt.
…
Pill refinement—especially at the high tiers—often required an extended period of time. For alchemists of Xiao Hua's level, it was not uncommon to spend ten days to half a month refining a single pill.
The surrounding alchemists and spectators were well aware of this. As such, none showed any signs of impatience. On the contrary, their gazes remained fixed upon the two blazing cauldrons, their expressions filled with interest and anticipation.
To the average onlooker, it was nothing more than an impressive spectacle. But to those within the field of alchemy, every movement, every fluctuation of flame, and every shift in medicinal essence was a lesson—a rare opportunity to observe a true master at work.
Others might grow restless during a long pill refinement session, but to seasoned alchemists, such moments were deeply fascinating.
Time flowed quietly, and in the blink of an eye, twelve days had already passed.
By then, a wave of shock had already swept through the crowd—because in all this time, Xiao Hua had only experienced a single failure.
One must understand—he was simultaneously refining two completely different Tier 9 Treasure Pills. Even the most seasoned alchemists would find such a feat maddening.
Yet Xiao Hua, dividing his focus between two cauldrons, continued with a calmness and control that left even the old demons that had honed their pill refinement for over hundreds of years—feeling inferior.
His insight was deep. His experience, profound.
And in this moment, everyone saw clearly: Xiao Hua stood on a level far beyond their imagination.
…
Dawn broke over the horizon of the Roasting Fire Mountain Range, casting golden light across the peaks and heralding the thirteenth day since Xiao Hua began his pill refinement.
All eyes remained fixed on the lean, black-robed figure seated motionless in the center of the square. Aside from a single failed attempt, he had barely moved throughout the entire process.
By this point, most alchemists would have displayed some sign of progress—perhaps the faint emergence of a pill embryo, or fluctuations indicating the nearing completion of a high-tier pill.
But from Xiao Hua... nothing.
The two flame medicinal cauldrons remained sealed, and not the slightest fluctuation of medicinal energy could be sensed. Only the twin fire phoenixes danced silently within, their forms flickering within the cauldron flames—beautiful, but devoid of any tangible sign that a pill was being formed.
Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.
"Is he just putting on a show?"
"Perhaps that earlier failure was staged, just to trick us into thinking he's refining something incredible…"
"Hah, typical of arrogant youths these days—flashy but hollow."
"What a waste of time. I'm leaving."
"Me too. This journey was pointless…"
Ridicule, doubt, and disdain spread quickly among the spectators. Some mocked Xiao Hua outright, while others simply shook their heads, their disappointment plain to see.
To many, this so-called Mansion Master had proven himself to be nothing more than an empty braggart.
"It's about to be completed…"
Just as the crowd began to lose patience—some already rising from their seats, convinced Xiao Hua was merely posturing—a soft voice drifted through the air.
Mei Ling's quiet words entered everyone's ears like a gentle breeze, yet they struck with unexpected weight, halting those who were preparing to leave. Instinctively, all eyes were drawn once more to the twin flame medicinal cauldrons before Xiao Hua.
At that very moment, Xiao Hua, who had remained seated with his eyes closed for days, slowly opened them.
Then, under the gaze of countless people watching, he stood up.
Buzz—!
As his body rose, a faint, vibrating hum rang out from the two flame medicinal cauldrons before him.
"…This is…"
Surprise flickered across many faces. Even those who had doubted him moments ago could not hide their astonishment.
"There's… a faint medicinal ripple emerging from the cauldrons," the First Elder of the Small Pill Tower finally spoke, his hoarse voice breaking the silence. Though calm, his eyes were sharp—filled with rare seriousness.
Ancestor Huo Yun, Xuan Kong Zi, and Valley Chief Tang Zhen unconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva upon hearing the First Elder's words. Without hesitation, the three of them rose to their feet, their gazes locking onto the lean, black-robed young man with solemn eyes filled with anticipation.
Wei Jie and Mei Ling stared at their little brother, their eyes shimmering with barely contained excitement. Standing beside them, Xun Er and the Little Fairy Doctor exchanged a soft glance, faint smiles blooming on their faces—gentle, affectionate, and filled with quiet warmth as they looked at Xiao Hua.
Not far behind them, Tang Huo Er and Cao Ying also watched silently. Their expressions were complicated, a mix of awe and disbelief. From the First Elder's solemn tone, it was clear—Xiao Hua's pill refinement was nearing completion.
Though the final result had yet to be revealed, both women could sense it—Xiao Hua would succeed.
Refining two Tier 9 Treasure Pills simultaneously… If word of this feat spread, it would shake the Central Plains to its core.
And when that happened, the name Xiao Hua would echo far and wide.
…
Xiao Hua paid no heed to the voices and murmurs around him. His expression remained calm as he slowly raised his hand, extending it toward the two flame medicinal cauldrons from a distance. Then, without warning, he clenched his fist.
Ao—!
A clear and resonant cry rang out the moment his fingers closed. Within the twin cauldrons, the elegant fire phoenixes let out simultaneous calls, their majestic forms abruptly expanding before countless stunned gazes.
Siu—!
As the phoenixes swelled with sizes, Xiao Hua's sleeves fluttered with a graceful motion. At that instant, both cauldrons suddenly collapsed and disintegrated into motes of light.
With their containment gone, the immense heat sealed within the cauldrons burst forth in a terrifying wave, erupting across the mountaintop like a blazing tide.
In that instant, the temperature surged dramatically. The mountain peak felt as though it had been thrown into the heart of a volcano.
Fortunately, Ancestor Huo Yun acted without hesitation. With a wave of his sleeve, a protective barrier surged up around the viewing gallery, shielding the spectators from the scorching blast.
Had it not been for his swift intervention, many among the crowd would have suffered grievous burns—or worse.
Ao—!
Following the scattering of the two flame medicinal cauldrons, the twin fire phoenixes shot into the sky with a piercing cry. As they ascended, their bodies expanded rapidly, growing to thousands of feet in length.
Suspended high above, their majestic forms radiated a terrifying pressure that swept across the entire mountain peak like a rolling storm.
Below, Xiao Hua's expression remained calm. His hands moved with practiced grace, forming a series of hand seals so swiftly that only afterimages remained.
"Fire Phoenixes Agglomerating Pills!"
With the final seal completed, the two phoenixes hovering in the sky let out thunderous cries that echoed through the heavens. In the next instant, a shocking energy fluctuation burst forth from within their fiery forms.
"That's… a medicinal pill fluctuation?"
A wave of stunned disbelief swept through the crowd of alchemists. For nearly two weeks, they had sensed nothing—no hint of pill energy, no embryonic fluctuation.
Yet now, at the final moment, that hidden tide erupted like a volcanic flame—powerful, refined, and undeniable.
"To use fire to shape a form… and conceal the pill within… I never imagined I'd witness such a method," Xuan Kong Zi exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief and shock. As the pill fluctuations slowly radiated from the two fire phoenixes high in the sky, his gaze remained fixed upon Xiao Hua. "To forge a vessel of flame and hide the pill within its heart... where did Xiao Hua learn such a technique?"
"Ke ke..." The First Elder of the Small Pill Tower chuckled softly as he stroked his beard, amusement flickering in his ancient eyes. "Even Yao Chen… that youngster… never displayed such a technique. This younger generation truly is full of surprises."
The name Yao Chen—more commonly known as Yao Lao—was legendary across the Central Plains. He had once stood at the pinnacle of pill refinement. Yet, even with all his accomplishments, he had never demonstrated such a precise and profound method of pill refinement.
"This…" Xuan Kong Zi's eyes narrowed before he finally let out a helpless smile and nodded. "You're right. Not even Old Lao could accomplish this. I've witnessed his skills more than anyone… and even he would not dare attempt such a refinement."
To use fire to shape a living construct that housed a pill within it—this was not a mere technique. It demanded a level of flame control and spiritual strength that few alchemists could ever hope to reach. Not even Xuan Kong Zi himself dared to attempt it.
And yet… Xiao Hua had done it. Calmly, without hesitation.
While Xuan Kong Zi stood there in silent awe, more alchemists among the crowd began to grasp what they were seeing. Realization struck, and shocked exclamations began to rise like a wave.
This method was far beyond standard alchemy.
Among the thousands present, the number of individuals capable of executing such a technique… did not exceed five.
"Mansion Master Xiao's pill refinement skill is truly unfathomable..."
"This young man is simply… extraordinary."
A few alchemists exchanged glances, sighing softly with admiration etched in their expressions. There was no envy in their eyes—only awe for a talent that surpassed their understanding.
"Weren't there some who were so eager to leave just now?"
"The path down the mountain is still open—you're free to take it."
Naturally, a few spectators took the opportunity to tease those who had doubted Xiao Hua. Their words, though light, caused visible embarrassment to those who had spoken prematurely. Faces turned red, and many could only cough awkwardly in response, pretending not to hear.
Bang!
Just as the atmosphere began to ease, a deep, resounding boom echoed from above.
The fluctuations surrounding the two fire phoenixes had grown increasingly violent. In the next instant, two deafening rumbles echoed through the sky, shaking the heavens as clouds began to gather from all directions, darkening the mountaintop.
But these were no ordinary storm clouds.
They were pitch black—so deep and heavy that they seemed to devour the light itself.
Two black clouds spread swiftly across the sky, smothering the horizon. Though no thunder rolled, a strange, oppressive force descended. As the crowd looked up into the dark expanse, many felt their souls tremble instinctively.
There was no lightning, no wind.
Yet those clouds seemed alive—drawing in gazes and locking them in place, as if they concealed something terrifying.
"What kind of thunderclouds are those…?"
Many eyes narrowed as a sense of foreboding surged within their hearts. The oppressive darkness swirling in the sky wasn't something they could easily dismiss.
Then, a chilling realization struck them.
Xiao Hua was refining two Tier 9 Treasure Pills simultaneously. Could this be... the descent of Pill Lightning?
But if that were the case—why did it feel so vastly more terrifying than any Pill Lightning they had ever witnessed?
Everyone present was no stranger to Pill Lightning. Though rare, it was not entirely unfamiliar.
Yet the twin black clouds above them now… were unlike anything they had ever witnessed.
The sky darkened further as the clouds churned like a brewing storm of calamity, pressing heavily on every soul present.
A few seasoned alchemists exchanged uneasy glances. Then, some among them recalled an event that had occurred just a few months prior—when Wei Jie and Mei Ling successfully refined Tier 9 Treasure Pills, earning their place among the elites of the Central Plains.
"Black Demon Lightning… I never thought I'd see it again so soon."
The First Elder of the Small Pill Tower lifted his gaze, eyes narrowing as he stared at the twin clouds suspended in the heavens. His voice was low and heavy as he muttered to himself, a rare trace of solemnity in his usually calm expression.
There was a strange aura within the clouds—a destructive stillness that seemed to distort the very air. And the fact that two such storms had descended at once…
Upon hearing the soft, solemn murmur from the First Elder of the Small Pill Tower, the others finally drew in a sharp breath of cold air. It was now clear—these thunderclouds were indeed the same as those that had appeared during Wei Jie and Mei Ling's successful refinement of their Tier 9 Treasure Pills.
A heavy silence fell across the entire Roasting Fire Mountain Range. One by one, expressions darkened as countless gazes locked onto the two swirling black clouds overhead.
Only now did they truly understand why refining a Tier 9 Treasure Pill was said to defy the heavens—because the destructive might contained within these clouds was enough to turn even the land beneath them to ash.
And this time, there were two!
At this moment, even those who had no direct connection to Xiao Hua found themselves silently hoping for his success. If he were to fail, the loss of not one, but two Tier 9 Treasure Pills would leave a bitter sting in the hearts of all present.
Even as spectators, they would feel the weight of such a loss.
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