The shock across the gray-clothed man’s face lingered for many moments before gradually fading away. He cast Xiao Yan a cold stare, asking, “Why should I believe you have such ability? Many elites from the Alchemy Division have tried examining the fire toxicity within me, but all of them concluded with failure—so on what grounds do you boast confidence otherwise?”
“The depth of fire toxicity within you indeed astonishes even a first encounter,” replied Xiao Yan, his gaze steady upon the now fuming demeanor of the gray-clad warrior. “Yet do you have any better options now? Perhaps you already suspect it yourself—one cannot ignore the quiet destruction of reason brought on by such fire toxin indefinitely. Persist along this line, and eventually, you may become no better than a powder keg, ready to explode.”
A subtle pallor crossed his visage, for these words indeed touched at the deepest recesses of Lin Yan’s inner fears. A hesitation overtook him as his tightly clenched fists slowly eased away. He murmured, his voice thick with gravity, “Then, tell me—you must be well known if indeed you’re capable of eradicating this poison. Who exactly are you?”
Xiao Yan merely grinned as he bowed slightly before responding with casual calm, “Xiao Yan, from新生.”
Lin Yan blinked in recognition at mention of Xiao Yan—his role as leader of Pan Sect rang familiar. As expected, these words quickly sent ripples across the surrounding crowd, for Xiao Yan’s deeds, particularly those within the interior academy, had long been common talk, and Pan Sect’s reputation no stranger either.
“Xiao Yan? Wasn’t he that name echoing after singlehandedly crushing nearly every senior during the ‘Flame Gathering Chase’?” Lin Yan’s expression, after brief contemplation, soon carried a gleam of surprised contemplation upon it.
Unfazed by glances and murmurs from all around, young Xiao Yan affirmed with his usual quiet smile.
“Those in that chase,” Lin spat with disdain, “mainly served merely as impotent wastes—an unimpressive challenge defeated at best. And so are you a fellow herbal alchemist still, then?”
His tone reflected little favor upon fellow seniors from the chase yet couldn’t fully shun the undercurrent doubt within himself.
“Perhaps,” said Xiao Yan, his fingertips snapping as a faint green fire materialized before him with a whoosh. A subtle, scalding heat radiated outwards.
“You possess quite a superior flame compared to those from the Alchemy Division…” Lin grudging admitted while keeping sharp eyes on the fire curling upward, his suspicions not entirely vanished yet.
“To proceed, I may show off my alchemism robe if proof remains required?” offered Xiao Yan matter-of-factly, his smile unchanged.
A trace of awe flickered momentarily over Lin Yan’s gaze as he measured the warmth given by that azure blaze curling above Xiao Yan’s fingertips; this fire was indeed no common spark.
Sighing, Lin Yan soon proposed instead, with a small crafty smirk emerging, “Fine—I’ll bet faith in exchange though: if you really succeed in cleansing me fully of these toxins, I will surrender the vine and throw in one hundred Flame Energies more to sweeten your efforts. Deal?” Though he chuckled, he awaited response expectantly.
Raising one brow nonchalantly, a corner of Xiao Yan’s mouth turned upwards—never expecting this hot-tempered individual displayed a subtle flair for negotiation.
“No extra,” he replied simply, shaking his head gently next.
“This is a deal with flexibility: feel no obligation should you refuse—I might need the green vine desperately, no doubt, though immediate delivery bears no urgency,” his calm words continued. “Yet delay is a luxury afforded more comfortably by others—for as that toxic build-up grows unchecked in your system with every day, even the finest apothecaries among sages couldn’t save you further.”
“I suggest you not overnegotiate, because clearly, the weaker side holds little ground. Naturally, should one welcome death head-on rather than strike such bargain, that’d be unfortunate, and then again—judging you, I’d wager that’s not your disposition anyway…” He let this linger with a subtle mirth coloring his tone—half-provocatory in flavor, half-amazed how even a temperamental fellow like Lin Yan might yet reveal this shrewd nature hidden somewhere.
“You!” growled the other momentarily caught off-balance; teeth gritting in frustration Lin eventually snapped. “Fine—it works if fully rid of all toxicity as demanded! Heed this—if residual remnants of poison yet linger within me following treatment, don’t expect even a sniff near acquisition, not before tasting the wrath of retribution too.”
Xiao Yan merely smiled once more before rising; he brushed a gentle ripple down his robes and, spinning lightly, exited toward an open corridor—where an attentive crowd hastily split apart to allow him safe passage through amidst the market’s maze.
Back amidst shifting bodies, gray-clad fingers gathered carelessly discarded wares into storage rings. Without much ado, Lin Yan briskly trailed in Xiao Yan’s wake.
Within a silent chamber secluded for privacy now seated Lin opposite the observing Xiao Yan. The former’s gaze held some weight of curiosity and concern.
“Toxins accumulated within my system stretch about a year and half…” grudgingly admitted Lin at length upon sensing expectation forming. “A desperate race to amplify spiritual energy during such period drove me constantly into months-long isolation within Tian Feng’s Alchemy Tower—a few weeks at a time.”
“The fire toxins piled steadily into the bloodstream unchecked by time—I only caught its trail too late, yet at this stage, it entwines deeply together with Qi force, almost inseparable now.”
“Oh, and the name’sLin Yan—feel free addressing directly,” adding this almost after an afterthought, perhaps hoping a gesture of familiarity might ease mutual tensions somewhat.
Noden slowly in absorption, Xiao Yan held his gaze for moments—eyes lingering over that fiery-hued pupils now under the healer’s critical view—before withdrawing. After seven minutes in contemplation, Xiao spoke.
“Let that sinking in—it proves more grave than expected. If you cherish life remotely, sit down and remain mute; no need to flaring yet.”
Predicting Lin leaping at him mid-sentence, Xiao Yan intercepted that with stern warning—an ungraceful temper indeed! Xiao Yan’s lips curved ever so slightly at a minor satisfaction while suppressing rising inner irritation.
“I care not,” retorted Lin, now seated but not wholly disarmed. “Once my poison dissolves, this green vine’s yours as previously vowed.”
Despite protests, resignation crept through—Lin muttered, still scowling.
Clenching teeth in a mild laugh to mask frustration, Xiao Yan continued, “Considering depth involved—it’s impossible achieving instantaneous elimination all toxins; expect multiple steps involved. Thus—”
From hidden sleeve arose a small vial.
“First—these ‘Ice Soul Pills’ help contain internal flame poisoning momentarily from spreading further into judgment centers. Important: take one a day—these fifteen offer half a moon’s protection; keep steady discipline in dosage.”
Grabs the item greedily—Lin emptied a single pill from the vial, noting how it radiated with slight chilling fragrance, its form pale, smooth, icy in texture. At such sign alone relief briefly touched features; no hesitation ensued: the pill vanished beyond parted lips. As cooling sensation unfurled within the fire-struck man’s core, his eye’s crimson tone visibly dulled. The sensation wasn’t just imaginary—its effectiveness tangible within. In that moment a touch more trust flared briefly behind his once-skeptical glare toward Xiao Yan.
Naturally, ice suppression merely delayed the inevitable—actual toxin remained. Xiao Yan now traced a line across his jaw in calculation.
With a flick a large cauldron materialized onto the table.
“A bit extra craft necessary here,” murmured Xiao aloud, preparing ingredients, each precisely chosen from hidden store within his storage ring—ending with placing an icy beast core into the assembly.
A flicker of regret flickered through his gaze at recalling the original price—the 3-star Frost Beast Core purchased earlier during a market search expedition had drained considerable coin reserves: nearly fifteen-thousand gold pieces. Yet for青木仙女藤—the legendary Green Life Vine coveted beyond all—was justification enough, painful price though it surely posed.
Though an assembly of over ten diverse ingredients formed the base matrix of formula, no delicate skill beyond mastery required meant the alchemy itself wasn’t arduous for one of Xiao Yan’s fourth-stage mastery level—one hour spent in fire manipulation and herb refining.
A pale silvery fluid drifted into formation within verdant flames rising steadily—whispers of frost ascending with bubbling from cauldron core, mingling with fire in swirling vapor clouds forming ghostly ribbons rising outward beyond chamber.
Unwaveringly attentive, Xiao monitored every shift and twist inside the cauldron’s volatile inner dynamics; as cooling extraction neared its pinnacle, a final tweak with flame calibrated for last few minutes, Xiao’s lips slightly relaxed.
With a gentle snap of fingers, cauldron lid rose aside—flicking a wrist, a gentle suction summoned forth that glacial fluid. The liquid drifted out gracefully, arcing in an elegant curve, descending precisely into prepared vessel upon nearby work bench.
Exhaled deeply: satisfaction gleamed softly at completed task. Tidy actions gathered gear once more into folds of garment folds—as call rose softly: “Now enter.”
Lin Yan had been impatient waiting beyond. He barged in excitedly upon cue.
Eager eyes leaped immediately towards Xiao.
“You… you’ve succeeded?”
Xiao Yan responded by passing Lin the vial—an action eagerly followed by hands reaching out.
“This—‘Frost Marrow Purifying Dew.’ Dilute a single drop within water basin, assume cultivation immersion for a half hour, daily for 1 month; this should largely resolve the remaining toxicity in one phase.”
“But heed: no visit into TianFenAlchemical Pagoda allowed again for duration—that’d render this formula’s benefits useless instantly.”
“You’ve got it,” breathed Lin with a mix of gratitude and wonder while receiving with both hands.
“Should this prove effective at last… I do owe you my favor now, Xiao Yan.”
“A favor isn’t something I’d value over a vine—merely hold to the agreement and hand the green plant to me when we are done—” said Xiao Yan flippantly. Standing up, he headed for the entrance.
“I must isolate myself again—for the Alchemist’s Tower, and quite possibly for quite long a while. Until then, refrain from seeking me out.”
“Fine,” nodded his counterpart briefly; but an odd smile soon crept on again. “Listen… as you disappear into deep practice, I’ll ensure Pan Sect remains intact. With little Lin present? Not a harem led by a hundred clans—not even Lin Xiu Ya’s dreaded『Wolf Fang』, shall even glance sideways at that establishment with mischief on mind!”
Xiao Yan merely paused.
For a flicking shadow of gratitude and amusement crossed the corners of his smiling lips.
“Thanks, Senior Lin!”
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