Shen He was already very familiar with the process of refining Qi Gathering Pills.
He and Pang Sanxian had recently been refining this kind of pill.
No other reason—it sold well and made money.
Pang Sanxian had been handling the materials for Qi Gathering Pills beforehand, so Shen He took over the unfinished work.
He removed the roots, washed them, tempered them with Demonic Qi, preheated the Spiritual Fire, soaked them in sour spring water… The movements of the fourteen- or fifteen-year-old youth had a strong sense of rhythm, and the ponytail at the back of his head bobbed up and down, like a nimble little crane dancing.
As Shen He devoted his full attention to pill refining, he gradually forgot about the death stare from the Kill Matt Ground Chicken and focused entirely on the task.
Shen He’s pill refining technique was the standard method taught by the Sect.
However, when Xie Linlang had previously manipulated Shen He’s body to refine pills, he hadn’t said a single word or taught any specific techniques. Yet he had already imparted the most important knowledge to Shen He—how to control the heat, how to release Demonic Qi, when to add materials, when to perform Magic Formulas…
Shen He had learned the essence of pill refining from Xie Linlang: Gather the spiritual essence of all things, cycle through life and death, to create miracles of creation.
Based on this core principle, Shen He could already discern the speed at which the pill released its aura on his own. He adjusted the Spiritual Fire according to changes in the pill’s potency and fragrance, maximizing the integration of Xie Linlang’s teachings with the Sect’s standard methods.
Pei Jiye watched quietly.
He had seen many alchemists refine pills.
But none were as elegant and perfect as Xie Linlang when refining pills.
Watching Xie Linlang refine pills was like watching a man in green robes dance. Every arc traced by his light sleeves through the air was like the invisible hand of heaven and earth, sketching out traces of life.
Only Xie Linlang could infuse ordinary Magic Formulas with the profound intent of creating worlds and endless vitality. It was such an exhilarating, cathartic surge of emotion and enlightenment.
A faint white mist gradually rose in Pei Jiye’s scarlet eyes.
He seemed to be looking at Shen He, yet searching for the person in his memories.
After an unknown amount of time, a mind-intoxicating pill fragrance wafted out.
Pei Jiye snapped back to his senses and noticed Shen He carefully holding a Medicine Bottle, standing three steps away from him.
“Night Senior, these are the Qi Gathering Pills I just refined. Would you like to try one?”
The Kill Matt Bird suddenly flapped its fleshy wings and landed on Shen He’s arm.
Shen He’s arm sank. Oh heavens, he never expected such a small, palm-sized bird to be so heavy! His Foundation Establishment arm strength immediately felt sore?
The Kill Matt Bird stretched out its neck and pecked directly into the jade bottle with its beak, swallowing a Qi Gathering Pill.
The moment it entered his mouth, Pei Jiye froze.
This taste…
Demonic Qi was always more volatile and harder to tame than spiritual qi, but the Demonic Qi in this Qi Gathering Pill was gentle, like a hurricane suddenly lowering its head, turning into a mild breeze.
Then, a faint sourness spread between his lips and teeth. As it flowed into his mouth, a coolness refreshed his lungs, making the entire bird feel clean and comfortable. Afterward, an elegant sweetness overflowed from his throat, leaving a lingering fragrance.
The tiny bird lowered its head slightly. The few Kill Matt gray feathers on its head trembled, and a hint of moisture glistened at the corner of its closed eyes.
In a daze, he seemed to hear a gentle voice by his ear.
“Senior Brother, try this one. It shouldn’t be bitter anymore.” The soft tone carried an unquestionable firmness, as if stating a universal truth. “It won’t be bitter anymore.”
Xie Linlang could alter the pill’s flavor without changing its effects, ensuring that no matter how much pain or injury Pei Ji suffered, the pills he ate always carried a thread of sweetness.
The flood of past memories stirred infinite hope in Pei Jiye’s heart. He suddenly flew off Shen He’s arm and landed on the Crimson Tree Branch, pecking out the Medicine Bottle that Lin Yu had given Shen He from the small pouch at the edge of the branch.
Pei Jiye swallowed a Bone Transformation Pill in one gulp.
He finally spoke in human language, his voice hoarse and low. “What did you add?”
Shen He was shocked. Oh heavens, a Foundation Establishment Stage demon beast was speaking human words!?
He answered instinctively, “I followed the normal Pill Formula… Uh, oh, you mean the taste? I specially added Waterlight Grass. I dried the Waterlight Grass and pickled it with Sour Jujube. It adds an extra step, but the resulting Qi Gathering Pill has a lingering sweetness compared to others—slightly sour at first, then a bit astringent, finally blooming into a faint sweetness. What do you think of my improvement?”
Perhaps it was Shen He’s imagination, but the Kill Matt Bird’s gaze toward him seemed exceptionally gentle, even shimmering with teary sparkles.
