To suppress the terrifying cold poison within a Half Saint, even ordinary 8th-Tier pills were powerless. After all, a pill recipe was not something that could simply be invented out of thin air—each one was a masterpiece born of an alchemist's painstaking effort. The higher the grade, the more so.
But Liu Xi wasn't trying to create a new pill recipe. He intended to use the mutual cycle of restraint and reinforcement among medicinal properties, leveraging their combined and overwhelming medicinal power to aid his Heavenly Flame in purging the cold poison.
A faint flick of his finger ignited a strand of azure flame. It rose gently into the air like a candle's glow, bringing boundless warmth to the cold, oppressive hall.
He flicked again, and the flame drifted toward the frozen pool, hovering above it and blooming into a massive lotus of pure azure fire.
With a wave of his hands, one of the jade boxes quivered before flying toward him. He opened it, revealing a fiery fruit that burned like a living ember.
Casting a glance at the Flame Heart Fruit, Liu Xi plucked it from the box and tossed it into the floating lotus. A tongue of azure fire lashed out, swallowing the fruit whole.
The flame surged. Waves of heat roiled outward.
In moments, the Flame Heart Fruit melted within the fire lotus. Wisps of vapor rose and condensed above it into molten, blood-red medicinal liquid that shimmered like magma.
Gradually, the fruit withered to ash, leaving behind a single orb of glowing scarlet liquid about the size of a fist.
Liu Xi twitched his fingers, and the viscous liquid flowed downward, dripping into the icy pool below. A hiss filled the air as the frozen layer began to melt, the medicine merging into the water.
Without rest, Liu Xi continued to refine the next herb—a brilliant flower as radiant as the sun itself.
The Sunflower, which followed the sun's path each day, was a plant of pure yang energy, capable of dispelling all evil and cold.
Before long, the petals disintegrated. The flower's essence condensed into a palmful of golden powder, which Liu Xi scattered into the pool.
The essence merged into the liquid, melting the ice even faster and dyeing the water with resplendent hues.
One herb after another, Liu Xi refined tirelessly. Each yielded either liquid or powder, which he cast into the pool below.
By now, half the herbs in the air had been used. The once-frozen basin was now a vivid pool bubbling like a hot spring. Dense medicinal fragrance filled the air, while mist drifted above the surface, lingering without dispersing—a mystical sight.
At the edge of the pool, Valley Master Luo knelt, dipping a hand into the warm liquid. A faint smile touched her lips as she savored a warmth she hadn't felt in years.
Three days passed. For three full days and nights, Liu Xi did not rest. Only when all nearly one thousand ingredients were refined did the last drop of potent medicinal essence merge into the pool.
Now, the pool seethed like molten lava. Bubbles rose and burst, and the liquid glowed a deep, vivid crimson. A shroud of blood-colored mist floated above, thick and unmoving.
Exhaling a long breath, Liu Xi drew a vial of Restorative Pills from his ring and swallowed one, replenishing his depleted Dou Qi.
Valley Master Luo withdrew her hand, sensing the cold still raging within her body. Her brows furrowed as she shook her head inwardly.
'This medicinal bath can only ease the pain temporarily. It can't remove the cold poison from my body… could this Liu Xi merely be one who seeks fame through theatrics?'
When Liu Xi finally opened his eyes, Valley Master Luo asked quietly, "Master Liu, this bath does help somewhat, but it treats only the surface. Please, speak plainly."
Liu Xi smiled, lowering his gaze to the glowing "Blood Pool."
"To completely purge the cold poison within you, Valley Master Luo, my Heavenly Flame must burn and extract it bit by bit. No medicinal bath alone could accomplish that—otherwise, Miss Yinzhu wouldn't have needed to seek me out."
"The true purpose of this Blood Pool is to assist me in that process, to help my Heavenly Flame extract the poison more efficiently."
He rose, stepped to the edge, and plunged his hand into the pool. The azure fire flared, surging outward from his palm.
In an instant, the Heavenly Flame spread across the surface like a sea of molten fire. The temperature of the entire hall soared.
Standing upright, Liu Xi inhaled deeply, then sat cross-legged with his back to the pool. His tone grew steady and grave. "Valley Master Luo, you may enter the pool now. The bath will serve two purposes—first, to catalyze the Heavenly Flame and drive out the cold poison; and second, to repair your decaying body."
Valley Master Luo narrowed her long, elegant eyes. She looked at the blazing pool, then at Liu Xi's back, and suddenly let out a soft, teasing laugh.
"So Master Liu means for me to endure the baptism of your Heavenly Flame? If you harbor any ill intent, wouldn't my life rest entirely in your hands?"
Liu Xi replied evenly, "Our strengths are worlds apart. This is the only viable path—rebirth through fire. If Valley Master does not trust me, I can leave at once."
Valley Master Luo chuckled again, her voice turning sweet and sultry. "Still, I feel uneasy. Why not join me in the bath, so I can truly trust the one holding my life in his hands?"
'Old woman's dreaming. Your daughter's already grown, yet you still think of testing your charms on me…'
Liu Xi kept his back turned, hiding the exasperation in his eyes. Who knew what tricks a Half Saint might play? Right now, he couldn't afford to provoke her.
His voice, however, was steady and cold. "Valley Master Luo, please refrain from such words. I am a healer. Since I've agreed to expel your poison, I'll see it through. If you persist in jesting, I will take my leave."
Hearing the firmness in his tone, Valley Master Luo's eyes flickered with guilt. "It was I who judged a gentleman with a woman's heart. Forgive me, Master Liu. I trust in your integrity."
A rustle of fabric followed. Then came a soft splash as she entered the pool.
"Master Liu," her voice trembled slightly, "the cold within me clashes with the heat outside… what should I do?"
Seated cross-legged, Liu Xi faced away, his mind calm and clear. "You must endure the pain. The cold poison has reached your very bones—purging it will feel like scraping flesh from bone. This won't be easy."
"I'm beginning."
As his hands formed seals, the Heavenly Flame above the Blood Pool flared wildly, surging toward Valley Master Luo in waves.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on P4 treon, For those who want to read 2 chapters ahead for free, you can find me on P4 treon by searching for my username: Fallen_Archangel_.
Your support helps keep the stories coming! Please remember to leave a 5-star Review and a Power Stone to help the book grow