As Little Healer Immortal departed, the lethal poisons concealed within the small valley dissipated like soldiers receiving orders, much to the relief of Xiao Yan, who intended to retreat into seclusion. He understood that the former kind girl was no longer there, and her mastery of poison arts now reached an eerie and unpredictable level. Although he believed she would not truly harm him, those toxins, if touched, could still be a nuisance—something Xiao Yan, who once helped Nalan Jie expel his poison, knew all too well.
After settling in the small valley, Xiao Yan dispatched a messenger bird to the capital, providing a brief hint of his location so that Xiao Ding and others might send someone to find him if needed. With everything arranged, Xiao Yan explored the valley thoroughly. Despite its modest size, the array of rare medicinal herbs thriving within it amazed him. Had news of this bounty spread, it surely would have attracted envious gazes from countless alchemists, for these rare herbs are as enticing to them as potent recipes or cauldrons.
Concerning the beasts within the valley, Xiao Yan initially intended to expel them, but Zi Yan hastily intervened. She knew Xiao Yan was about to enter seclusion, and these beasts might become her playmates during his absence. Since Zi Yan liked them, Xiao Yan did not insist on their removal. Furthermore, the presence of these beasts provided a protective barrier, deterring any intruders. For ordinary people, these beasts were formidable, enough to scare off any unintended visitors.
Once settled in, Xiao Yan constructed a spacious cave in the depths of the valley. After gathering nearly three days’ worth of medicinal herbs, he entered the cave with a heavily laden ring. However, he wasn’t going to meditate; instead, he planned to refine elixirs. The task was substantial, including three Imperial Extreme Pills for the Yin Gu elders and Dou Spirit Pills for Xiao Li and Lin Yan. These were no ordinary pills, requiring intricate processes and considerable time. But none of this deterred Xiao Yan’s determination.
Before entering the cave, Xiao Yan instructed Zi Yan and Medusa to stay within the valley, as the dense energy here was conducive to cultivation, especially with the abundant spiritual herbs. If Zi Yan started to ascend, this place could provide the necessary energy support. Both females, the young and the experienced, nodded in agreement, but their true thoughts were inscrutable. Regardless, Xiao Yan felt reassured knowing Medusa, a Battle Sect, was a match for any danger. Even though powerful beasts roamed the mountain range, they posed little threat to her.
Reassured, Xiao Yan entered the cave and began his monumental alchemy task, which would make most alchemists pale. In the cool, dimly lit cave, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on a green stone, with a mirror-like stone platform by his side. The platform was arrayed with many precious herbs, each in a jade box, their combined fragrances filling the cave with an otherworldly aroma.
With a wave of his hand, a crimson cauldron materialized and landed with a heavy thud, causing the cave to tremble. Weighing his options, Xiao Yan decided to start with the less demanding Dou Spirit Pills, as they offered a higher success rate. The Imperial Extreme Pills, genuine six-grade elixirs, were another matter. Even with his current strength, Xiao Yan had only a fifty percent chance. But with ample resources, both from the Mithril family and the valley, producing three Imperial Extreme Pills should not be overly difficult.
With his mind made up, Xiao Yan chose to start with the Dou Spirit Pills. Preparation complete, he cleared his thoughts, drew a green flame from his fingertips, and fed it into the cauldron, where it roared to life. As the flames grew more intense, the cave’s temperature rose, but Xiao Yan remained unaffected. His gaze fixed on the cauldron, he carefully introduced the first herb, signaling the start of his strenuous alchemical journey.
Back in the valley, after Xiao Yan’s retreat, Zi Yan and Medusa rarely disturbed him. Initially, they kept themselves busy, but as days passed, Zi Yan’s restlessness grew. Her boredom peaked after taming the valley’s beasts. One day, she finally convinced Medusa to sneak out, triggering havoc in the mountains.
With her natural affinity for spotting treasures, Zi Yan targeted areas guarded by powerful beasts. Backed by Medusa’s might, they secured many treasures, but each acquisition sparked furious chases. Under the chaos caused by the two, the formerly quiet mountains teemed with daily roars, brimming with raw vitality.
As more treasures fell into Zi Yan’s hands over two weeks, she devoured them like candy. Eventually, most of the strong beasts in the mountains were victims of her and Medusa’s raids. Such plundering inevitably drew the ire of the beasts, leading to a large coalition. The next day, when Zi Yan and Medusa struck again, the amassed beasts unleashed a torrential fury.
Seeing the overwhelming numbers, even Medusa felt a chill. Grabbing Zi Yan, she fled, drawing a horde across the mountains. The rampage affected everyone, including unlucky mercenaries. The beasts’ counterattack made the mountains tumultuous, but thankfully, Medusa wisely circled the range, ensuring they lost the pursuers before returning to the valley.
Fearing the beasts’ wrath might disrupt Xiao Yan’s work, both women stayed in the valley. However, after a few days, Zi Yan’s condition changed. Her speech became sparse, her face flushed, and her body feverish. Medusa was alarmed but ignorant of the cause. While she considered calling Xiao Yan, Ziyan suddenly fell into a deep sleep, enveloped by a purple light cocoon. Seeing this, Medusa sighed, realizing it was a breakthrough, not a problem.
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