The azure flame and Liu Xi's Spiritual Power erupted together, intertwining into a twin storm of blazing fire and invisible pressure. Within that storm, two remaining droplets of blue-red medicinal liquid trembled, inching closer under immense force.
The violent repulsion between their medicinal properties—normally enough to cause instant detonation—was completely suppressed beneath Liu Xi's overwhelming pressure. Then, in the next heartbeat—
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two droplets collided, rippling outward in waves of violent energy that hammered against the inner walls of the cauldron, shaking the very air with thunderous echoes.
But Liu Xi would never allow such precious energy to be wasted. With a flick of his fingers, the azure flame surged upward, enveloping the mixture and sealing its potency within the fire.
The sudden increase in pressure didn't faze him in the slightest. His face remained calm, his posture unmoving—serene amidst chaos.
Around him, every alchemist stared, entranced. Each of Liu Xi's motions was as precise as a master's painting—no wasted energy, no superfluous movement, perfect in timing and control.
Even Tang Zhen, though not an alchemist himself, could not help but be filled with admiration. His deep familiarity with the art allowed him to recognize mastery when he saw it—and Liu Xi's technique was flawless.
Tang Huo'er, watching with wide eyes, had wanted to find some flaw—something to criticize—but found none. Much as she disliked him, she had to admit: the man truly possessed terrifying skill.
It was then that the keen-eyed noticed the change within the azure flame—the blue-red liquid inside had begun to solidify.
Everyone knew what that meant. It was the final sign of success. The pill was forming.
And no one was more moved than Tang Zhen. To think that bowing his head, setting aside his pride as a Dou Zun and the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley—had all been for this moment.
Under the continuous refinement of the azure flame and the steady suppression of Spiritual Power, the blue-red liquid slowly condensed into a rough, uneven sphere—the embryonic form of the Fire Bodhisattva Pill.
The hardest part was over. Now came the waiting—the delicate warming and nurturing of the pill until its shape was complete.
Tang Zhen exhaled deeply, relief flooding his features. A heavy weight was lifted from his heart as genuine happiness bloomed across his face.
Tang Huo'er's eyes flickered with mixed emotion. The pill that could save her life was finally complete, but the cost… her father's dignity, his bowed head, and the favor owed to Liu Xi—it was far from a simple exchange.
All gazes focused on Liu Xi. His calm demeanor, the fluid motions of his hands weaving seals, and the effortless control he displayed made him seem untouchable. A wave of reverence—almost worship—spread through the watching crowd.
A 7th Tier High-Level Pill, and yet in Liu Xi's hands, it seemed no more difficult than refining a low-tier one.
As the sun fell and night claimed the sky, the plaza trembled—the surrounding Heaven and Earth Energy suddenly stirred. From the cauldron rose a dense medicinal fragrance, so rich that even the winds seemed to pause.
Above the Burning Flame Valley, the heavens darkened as thick clouds rolled in. Thunder boomed, silver lightning flashed across the sky—an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Tang Zhen's eyes gleamed with excitement. Though he had trusted in Liu Xi's success, seeing it with his own eyes filled him with irrepressible joy.
"At last… it's done!" he breathed. "Master Liu, please leave the Pill Lightning to me. There's no need for you to act further."
But Liu Xi's voice cut through the rumbling heavens, calm yet firm. "Valley Master Tang, do not interfere. This Pill Lightning is of great use to me."
Tang Zhen was startled, but before he could respond, Liu Xi had already acted.
With a flick of his hand, a golden puppet appeared before him—its body shimmering faintly under the moonlight. It was Ah Da, the weaker of his Heavenly Demon Puppets, with strength equivalent to a 3-Star Dou Zun.
Tang Zhen's breath caught. So this was the golden puppet that had once fought the Three-Colored Pill Lightning in the skies! The revelation left him deeply curious about Liu Xi's true background.
After all, even his own strength as Valley Master was merely that of a mid-stage Dou Zun—yet Liu Xi's puppet alone possessed comparable might.
Rumble!
A silver bolt of lightning tore through the sky, slamming down toward the cauldron with thunderous might.
In that instant, Liu Xi's eyes flashed. The Heavenly Demon Puppet's hollow gaze flickered with cold light, and with an explosive stomp, it shot upward like a cannonball—straight into the descending thunderbolt.
Bang!
The strike hit squarely—but the Pill Lightning, born of a mere 7th Tier Pill, was utterly powerless before the puppet. The golden figure absorbed it in an instant, its metallic surface rippling with residual light.
As if triggered, the storm above intensified—lightning bolts cascading down one after another, hammering against the puppet in a relentless storm.
For an entire minute, the heavens blazed with thunder and fire. Then, slowly, the dark clouds thinned and dispersed, leaving only faint traces of ozone in the air.
Tang Zhen's astonishment deepened. Not only was the puppet indestructible—it could absorb lightning to strengthen itself.
To an alchemist, this was beyond priceless. The greatest fear in pill refinement was losing a pill to Heavenly Tribulation Lightning—but with this puppet, that fear no longer existed.
Around the plaza, countless alchemists stared with envy—but none dared covet what belonged to Liu Xi. Even among 7th Tier alchemists, few could summon Pill Lightning, let alone withstand it.
As the last trace of thunder faded, the Heavenly Demon Puppet descended silently. Liu Xi didn't even look its way before sweeping it back into his storage ring.
After all, the lightning of a mere 7th Tier Pill could hardly strengthen such a creature.
Within the Mountain Melting Cauldron, the blue-red pill floated gently—round and lustrous, its surface carved with mysterious runes that shimmered faintly with light.
With a flick of his wrist, Liu Xi summoned it forth. The Fire Bodhisattva Pill streaked out of the cauldron and landed neatly in his palm, releasing waves of pure medicinal fragrance.
He took out a jade-white vial, placed the pill inside, and casually tossed it toward Tang Zhen, stretching lazily as he said,
"Valley Master Tang, do not forget today's promise. And next time you ask for my aid… I'll still want the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame."
His tone was mild, yet the meaning was clear. The next time he acted would likely be during the valley's moment of crisis—and then, he would claim the flame without guilt.
Tang Zhen smiled wryly. 'There won't be a next time.' But gratitude still burned in his heart. He retrieved a jade tablet shaped like nine entwined dragons and held it out solemnly.
"Master Liu, your grace today will never be forgotten. Crush this token whenever you are in peril—no matter the danger, I, Tang Zhen, will stand beside you."
Liu Xi accepted the token, a faint smile tugging at his lips. 'The day may come when I'll face the Hun Clan—the so-called dark hand behind the continent. Having Burning Flame Valley as an ally wouldn't be a bad start.'
"I'll remember that," he said softly.
Just then, Tang Huo'er alighted beside them, glaring daggers at Liu Xi. "My father is a man of his word. He doesn't break promises. You don't need to act like he'd go back on it!"
"Tsk, tsk…"
Liu Xi chuckled lightly, the sound infuriatingly casual.
Huo'er's face turned crimson. No one had ever made her so angry before—so effortlessly, so smugly.
(End of Chapter)
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