After finishing the plundering, Lin Yuan left the Mulan Valley. After reuniting with Medusa, the two of them flew toward Qing Lin's location.
Along the way, Lin Yuan took stock of the gains from this operation.
"This harvest is substantial. Mulan Valley truly deserves its reputation as a force that dominated the Mulan Empire for decades. With this many medicinal ingredients, their reserves are no weaker than those of the Snake-People Tribe. This way, aside from the materials consumed in pill refinement, the remaining medicinal herbs will be more than enough to support Zi Yan until the late Sixth-Grade. After returning to Jia Nan Academy, Zi Yan will surely be very happy when she sees these herbs."
At this thought, a smile could not help but appear on Lin Yuan's face.
'This fellow can actually smile like that? Who is it for?' Medusa Queen, flying beside him, raised her brows slightly when she saw this.
"Your Majesty," Lin Yuan called out. He tossed her a small bottle containing several pills and explained, upon seeing her slightly puzzled gaze, "This is the antidote to the poison I used on the Mulan Valley Master. How you choose to make use of it is up to you."
"Consider it one share of the spoils from this operation."
Hearing this, Medusa Queen put the item away, thinking to herself, 'After the evolution succeeds, if we really need to discuss migration with Mulan Valley, this item will indeed be very useful.'
Before long, Lin Yuan arrived at Qing Lin's location—a temporary underground base situated more than ten meters below the surface. To ensure Qing Lin's safety, Lin Yuan had constructed this base deep underground at a concealed location.
"Using Dou Qi for production and construction really is efficient," Lin Yuan could not help but sigh as he looked at the base before him, one he had built in only an hour. "If only there were an array to conceal one's aura, it would be even better."
"Young Master! Mission accomplished!" Seeing Lin Yuan, Qing Lin jogged over to him, her expression brimming with excitement as her eyes sparkled while looking at him. This was the first time she had played a role in a confrontation involving Dou Ancestor–level power, and she had completed her task beautifully.
'That look, she's clearly asking for praise. This girl is still as easy to read as ever,' Lin Yuan immediately understood her thoughts upon seeing her expression.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat twice, straightened his posture, and said solemnly, "Qing'er, you performed very well in this mission. You've worked hard. I hope you'll continue to do even better next time."
"I am willing to serve Young Master with my life!" Qing Lin straightened up and replied seriously.
"Haha!"
"Haha!"
The two exchanged smiles.
'It seems these two are not quite master and servant,' Medusa Queen thought silently as she watched their interaction, a strange feeling stirring in her heart.
Afterward, Lin Yuan turned to Medusa Queen with a smile and said, "After adjusting myself for two days, I will be able to refine the pill for Your Majesty. You can also begin preparing in advance. I have examined the environment of the Ice-Fire Valley, it is indeed a suitable place to perform the secret technique. Your Majesty may wish to take a look as well and determine the final location."
"This Queen will go."
Ten days later.
In a valley within the Mulan Empire where energy was exceptionally abundant, Medusa Queen and Qing Lin stood quietly, watching Lin Yuan ahead of them and the pill furnace before him, around which green flames flickered.
At this moment, Lin Yuan had already entered a state of Void clarity. His eyes were filled with extreme indifference and loftiness. After studying the inheritance of an Eighth-Grade alchemist for some time, he had made significant progress in the use of soul power, and the second form of the Purifying Spirit Art had been further refined. This allowed him to maintain the state of clarity for longer periods, delicately controlling the flames so that the medicinal properties within the pill could merge perfectly.
When the last trace of medicinal essence fused together, the seals in Lin Yuan's hands changed rapidly. The Green Lotus Core Flame enveloping the pill furnace surged inward, compressing and condensing into a green flame lotus that wrapped tightly around the pill inside the furnace. Heaven and earth energy poured into it frantically, nourishing the pill within.
As the final wisp of medicinal essence merged flawlessly, the hand seals in Lin Yuan's hands shifted swiftly once more.
The Green Lotus Core Flame moved like a nimble green serpent, rushing into the pill furnace, compressing and condensing into a green flame lotus that tightly enveloped the pill inside. Heaven and earth energy surged wildly into it, nourishing the pill within.
Not long after, a soft shout rang out.
"Heavenly Soul Pill—complete!"
Inside the pill furnace, a pill of intertwined green and red slowly took shape. A powerful energy fluctuation spread out from the furnace, and energy ripples expanded outward in all directions with the furnace at the center.
A streak of green-red light shot into the sky, piercing the heavens.
With a wave of his hand, Lin Yuan caused the green-red pill to float out of the furnace and gently land in his palm, as the green-red pillar of light dissipated.
Lin Yuan etched the various insights gained during this pill refinement deeply into his mind, then withdrew from the state of Void clarity. His gaze returned from indifference and loftiness to normal. Though a hint of fatigue could be seen deep in his eyes, it was outweighed by excitement.
"In this pill refinement, I integrated the concept of compressing and shaping the Green Lotus Core Flame into the nurturing technique, allowing the nurturing step to be completed even better."
He carefully examined the pill in his hand, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
"The pill's form, color, fragrance, and energy are all excellent—absolutely top-grade. A fine pill indeed."
Lin Yuan lightly sniffed the pill and felt his soul power become noticeably more active. "The effect is already this obvious just from smelling it. As expected of the Heavenly Soul Pill."
Lin Yuan handed the Heavenly Soul Pill to Medusa Queen and said with a smile, "This is a Sixth-Grade High-Tier pill, the Heavenly Soul Pill. After consumption, it can greatly enhance the user's soul power for a period of time. The core of the evolution secret technique lies in the soul. Your Majesty has already completed the other steps in the plan, and during this period you have nurtured your soul very well. This Heavenly Soul Pill is the final step. I believe this pill will certainly increase Your Majesty's chances of success by a few more points."
Medusa Queen took the pill and smelled it. She discovered that her soul power indeed became much more active. Thinking of the records of the evolution secret technique, anticipation could not help but rise within her.
Three days later, at night, moonlight poured down like flowing clear springs, bringing with it a faint chill.
Deep within Ice-Fire Valley, at the center of a small circular mountain valley, the source flame of the Green Lotus Core Flame that Lin Yuan had taken out burned quietly atop a green lotus pedestal.
About a hundred meters away from the Green Lotus Core Flame, Lin Yuan stood beside Medusa Queen, the two of them gazing together toward the center of the valley.
Roughly a hundred meters from the Green Lotus Core Flame, Lin Yuan and Medusa Queen stood shoulder to shoulder, their eyes fixed on that sea of flames.
Medusa Queen looked at Lin Yuan, her gaze carrying a hint of seriousness.
"Alchemist, you have gone to such lengths to help me evolve. What exactly do you seek? And what do you hope to gain from this?"
Lin Yuan raised his head slightly, looking toward the bright moon, and replied calmly,
"Soul power is one of the foundations of an alchemist. Exploring the mysteries of the soul is naturally one of my interests. Witnessing soul evolution and the forging of a body through the soul are opportunities I greatly desire. Rest assured, I will not do anything that would harm Your Majesty."
"Very well. I believe you. I only hope you do not disappoint me."
After speaking, she took out the Heavenly Soul Pill and swallowed it without the slightest hesitation. Then, with resolute steps, she walked toward the Green Lotus Core Flame. When she reached the edge of the flames, she suddenly turned back and gave Lin Yuan a charming smile. Her alluring voice drifted into his ears.
"There is a dance I have performed alone for a very long time. Tonight, I may very well risk my life. If it has never been shown before the world, that would be a pity. Today, I'll let you benefit from it, watch it once."
Under the illumination of the Green Lotus Core Flame, Medusa Queen's figure appeared both mysterious and bewitching.
She stood alone beside the flames. The core flame seemed to resonate with her in a wondrous way, the fire leaping like dancing spirits. She closed her eyes, as though engaging in a deep, soul-level communion with the core flame.
Then, she gently untied the purple ribbon binding her long hair. Her jet-black, smooth locks cascaded down like a waterfall, falling to her waist and adding several degrees of allure and grace.
As the rhythm within her heart arose, she began to dance. Her movements were elegant yet powerful, as if every gesture resonated with the Green Lotus Core Flame. Bathed in firelight, her figure resembled a purple serpent gliding through a sea of flames—dangerous, yet breathtakingly beautiful.
Illuminated by the firelight, her face appeared even colder and more stunning. Within those deep eyes, flames seemed to dance, echoing the core flame itself, forming a scene that struck straight into the soul.
During this dance, the medicinal power of the Heavenly Soul Pill gradually spread, and Medusa Queen's soul power began to surge explosively. At this moment, the Green Lotus Core Flame also seemed to throb in unison with her vast and surging soul power.
In that instant, she appeared to merge with the core flame itself, becoming the most dazzling existence in this world.
Such a peerless scene was witnessed by Lin Yuan alone.
----
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