It had already been five full days since Xiao Feng had entered his closed-door training, and within the completely sealed cultivation chamber where no sound from the outside world could penetrate, the only things that continued without pause were the steady burning of flames, the faint drifting of medicinal fragrance, and the quiet, unshakable focus within his eyes as he sat before the cauldron like a statue that had not moved for days.
During these five days, Xiao Feng had not attempted anything flashy or ambitious, nor had he pursued high-tier refinement, but instead chose to completely suppress his previous habits and return to the very basics, meticulously going through every single 1st-tier medicinal pill recorded in the four alchemy manuals he possessed—manuals inherited from his two masters, as well as the ancient knowledge he had obtained from the cave of the two alchemists, each containing subtle differences in technique and understanding that most people would never even notice.
He did not skip a single step.
He did not rush a single process.
Each herb was examined as though it were being seen for the first time.
Each flame adjustment was controlled as if the slightest deviation would result in total failure.
Each refinement was treated not as repetition—
But as rediscovery.
And because of this almost obsessive level of precision and patience, something began to change within him, as the vague understanding he once had slowly transformed into something solid, something complete, something that no longer relied on instinct alone but instead rested upon absolute control.
It was under such a state—
That a new creation was born.
Inside the cauldron, after a long and steady process of refinement, a soft and gentle glow slowly gathered, neither violent nor dazzling, but calm and warm, like a quiet stream flowing under moonlight, before finally condensing into a perfectly round pill that rose slowly into the air.
Xiao Feng extended his hand without hurry, catching the pill lightly between his fingers, his gaze settling upon it with a depth that seemed to pierce through its very structure.
"The Tranquility Pill…" he murmured softly, his voice low yet filled with certainty.
This was a peak 1st-tier medicinal pill, yet unlike the majority of pills that focused on cultivation or strength, this one carried a completely different purpose, as its energy was gentle, balanced, and nourishing, designed not to break through limits, but to restore and preserve the body itself.
"This pill… is meant for healing," Xiao Feng thought slowly, turning the pill slightly as he observed the faint flow of energy within it, "not just treating injuries, but stabilizing the body and easing internal strain."
A brief pause followed as his thoughts deepened.
"If dissolved into water… even a single pill should be enough to spread its effect across an entire container, alleviating common conditions such as dizziness, fever, fatigue, and internal discomfort…"
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"But this is only theoretical."
"The true effect… still requires testing."
There was no trace of arrogance in his conclusion, only the calm caution of someone who understood that true mastery required verification, not assumption.
Not long after—
Another pill was formed.
This time, however, the aura was completely different, carrying a faint wildness within it, as though it resonated not with humans, but with something more primal.
It was a healing pill designed specifically for Magical Beasts, capable of accelerating their recovery and stabilizing injuries that would otherwise take weeks to heal naturally.
Xiao Feng observed it briefly before storing it away without much thought.
"For now… it serves no purpose."
And just like that—
He continued.
Time lost its meaning within the chamber as days blended seamlessly into one another, with no distinction between morning and night, as Xiao Feng immersed himself completely in the cycle of refining, analyzing, correcting, and refining again, breaking down every technique he had ever used and rebuilding it piece by piece with far greater precision.
Two weeks later—
The chamber, once silent, was now filled with a subtle yet rich medicinal fragrance that lingered in the air, a silent testament to the countless refinements that had taken place within.
Xiao Feng slowly opened his eyes.
At this point—
He had successfully completed the full revision of all 3rd-tier medicinal pills, but more importantly, he had corrected countless small imperfections that he had never noticed before, flaws that would have remained hidden had he not forced himself to start from the very beginning.
And within these two weeks—
He achieved a remarkable improvement.
The Azure Purple Body Strengthening Liquid, which previously had an absorption efficiency of around 30%, had now been refined and optimized to nearly 60%, effectively doubling its effectiveness and drastically improving the results for anyone who used it.
At the same time—
He created another new pill.
A Peak 3rd-Tier Calming Pill.
This pill was not meant for combat or breakthrough, but rather for something far more subtle yet equally important—
The state of mind.
When consumed before alchemy, it allowed the user to enter a state of extreme clarity and calm, removing distractions, stabilizing thoughts, and significantly increasing the chances of successful refinement, especially for higher-tier pills where even the slightest mental fluctuation could lead to failure.
Such a creation—
Though not flashy—
Was invaluable to any serious alchemist.
And just like that—
Time continued to flow unnoticed.
Nearly two full months passed within the sealed chamber.
During this period, although Xiao Feng did not focus on creating new pills specifically for human cultivators beyond refining and improving existing ones, his progress in another field reached an entirely new level.
Magical Beast Pills.
Drawing upon his understanding of beast physiology and combining it with alchemy, he successfully created multiple 4th and 5th-tier medicinal pills designed exclusively for Magical Beasts, each tailored to enhance their natural abilities rather than simply forcing growth.
These pills could:
Heal severe internal injuries that would normally cripple a beast for life,
Accelerate their cultivation speed beyond natural limits,
And even improve their innate aptitude and bloodline quality over time.
Among all of these—
One particular creation stood above the rest.
Using a 5th-tier breakthrough pill left behind by his master, the Beast Venerable, as a foundation—a pill originally designed to help a 4th-tier Magical Beast break through into the 5th tier—
Xiao Feng carefully analyzed, dismantled, and reconstructed its formula.
He lowered its requirements.
He adjusted its energy flow.
He rebalanced its structure.
And in the end—
He successfully created a modified version.
A pill capable of allowing 3rd-tier Magical Beasts to advance into the 4th tier with significantly higher success rates.
This pill—
Was perfectly suited for the Lightning Cloud Eagles.
Not only that—
He also created supporting pills that could continuously enhance their growth, increase their speed, and strengthen their bodies, ensuring that their future potential would not be limited by early-stage weaknesses.
And of course—
He had not forgotten something important.
Before entering closed-door training—
Two small chicks had just hatched.
At that time, they were fragile, weak, and insignificant.
But now—
Xiao Feng's gaze deepened slightly.
"With enough resources… and proper nurturing…"
"They can grow into something extraordinary."
Because once a Lightning Cloud Eagle reached the peak of 5th tier, or even stepped into the 6th tier, its speed alone would become something terrifying, fast enough to escape from a Dou Emperor, and under certain conditions, even evade a low-level Dou Zong expert.
In times of danger—
They could become the Xiao Family's ultimate safeguard.
Sitting quietly in the dim chamber, surrounded by the faint glow of the cauldron and the lingering scent of countless refined herbs, Xiao Feng slowly exhaled, his breathing steady and controlled as his eyes reflected a newfound clarity.
In these two months—
He had not merely refined pills.
He had rebuilt his foundation from nothing.
He had corrected his flaws.
He had deepened his understanding to a level far beyond before.
And now he was no longer the same person who had entered this chamber.
Now He was ready to step forward once again.
Now only three days remained before Xiao Feng's closed-door training would come to an end.
Inside the quiet cultivation chamber, the air was thick with a rich medicinal fragrance that had accumulated over nearly two months, layers upon layers of refined herbs leaving behind a faint glow that seemed to linger even in the stillness, while Xiao Feng himself sat cross-legged before the cauldron, his breathing slow and even, his mind gradually emptying as he prepared to enter a deep, calm state to begin yet another round of alchemy.
At this point—
His control, his perception, and even his understanding of every minute detail in the refining process had reached an entirely new level, and just as he was about to sink completely into that familiar state of absolute focus—
A faint sound suddenly broke the silence.
A soft… almost imperceptible rustling sound.
Xiao Feng's eyes opened instantly.
His gaze sharpened.
"Who?" he said coldly, his voice calm yet carrying a faint edge of vigilance as his Spiritual Strength spread outward like a ripple, scanning the surroundings with precision.
For a brief moment—
There was no response.
Then—
The window to the side of the chamber was gently pushed open.
A small figure appeared.
Leaning casually on the windowsill was a purple-haired little girl, her long violet hair slightly messy, her delicate nose twitching repeatedly as if she were trying to catch every trace of the scent in the air, while her large, bright eyes were completely locked onto the object in Xiao Feng's hand.
More precisely—
On the 5th-tier Beast Pill he had just refined.
"It smells so good…" the little girl muttered softly, her voice filled with unconcealed desire as she swallowed lightly, her gaze practically glued to the pill, unwilling to move even for a second.
Xiao Feng frowned slightly.
He had not sensed her presence approaching at all.
Which meant—
Either her concealment ability was extraordinary…
Or her strength was far from ordinary.
Still holding the pill between his fingers, Xiao Feng did not lower his guard as he looked at her calmly.
"And you are?" he asked.
The little girl didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
She leaned forward even more, half her body now inside the room, her eyes shining as she stared at the pill.
"That thing…" she said eagerly, pointing at it without hesitation, "can I have a bite? Just a tiny bite! I won't take much!"
Xiao Feng's expression turned strange.
"A bite?" he repeated slowly, glancing at the perfectly refined 5th-tier Beast Pill in his hand, then back at the girl, clearly unsure whether she understood what she was asking.
"This is not food," he said calmly.
"It's a 5th-tier medicinal pill."
"I know!" the little girl replied immediately, nodding her head rapidly as if that only made it more appealing, "That's why I want it! It smells amazing!"
She swallowed again, almost unconsciously.
"Just one bite…" she added, her tone softening slightly, though her eyes still burned with anticipation.
Xiao Feng's lips twitched faintly.
Then—
A trace of amusement flickered through his eyes.
Without warning—
He raised his hand and lifted the pill slightly higher, just out of her reach.
"This," he said in a deliberately serious tone, "is something I refined after quite a bit of effort."
The little girl froze.
Her eyes followed the movement of the pill instantly.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, puffing her cheeks slightly in frustration as she stood on her toes, trying to reach it but falling just short.
"You're doing that on purpose!"
Xiao Feng said nothing.
He simply looked at her.
The little girl hesitated for a moment—
Then suddenly stomped her foot.
"Fine!" she said, clearly unwilling to give up, as she quickly reached into her clothes and began pulling things out in a hurry.
One item after another—
Rare herbs, strange roots, glowing fruits—
All thrown onto the windowsill in a messy pile.
"I'll trade with you!" she said quickly, her voice filled with urgency. "Look! I have a lot of good stuff!"
In an instant—
The air filled with an even stronger medicinal fragrance as dozens of high-quality ingredients appeared, some of which even Xiao Feng recognized as quite rare.
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow slightly.
This little girl…
Was clearly not simple.
He glanced at the pile of materials, then back at her eager expression, her eyes still flickering between him and the pill as if she feared he might suddenly eat it himself.
"You seem quite confident in your offer," Xiao Feng said slowly.
"Of course!" she replied without hesitation, lifting her chin proudly, though her gaze still couldn't leave the pill. "Everything I took out is good stuff! You won't lose out!"
Xiao Feng remained silent for a moment.
Then—
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"It's not impossible to trade…" he said casually, lightly rotating the pill between his fingers.
The little girl's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really?!" she leaned in even closer, almost climbing through the window now. "Then give it to me quickly!"
Xiao Feng, however, did not move.
"Before that," he said calmly, his gaze settling on her with a hint of curiosity, "shouldn't you at least tell me your name?"
The little girl blinked.
Then grinned.
"Zi Yan!" she said proudly.
And then, without even a pause, she pointed at the pill again—
"Now can I eat it?"