Chapter Thirty-Six: On the Eve of the Breakthrough

Once again, Lin Xiaobao’s soul was squeezed into the farthest corner of his body, a sensation that left him deeply disgruntled. Yet, as Old Mo took control and formed the first hand seal, sending the lid of the Nine Dragons Cauldron flying into the air, all of Lin Xiaobao’s attention was drawn into the art of alchemy.

With each successive hand seal, herbs flew from the storage bracelet into the cauldron. Then, Old Mo altered his seals, and the faint flickers of Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire beneath the cauldron suddenly blazed into a raging inferno, as if drenched with oil, engulfing the entire cauldron in flames.

So hot! Even though his soul cowered in a hidden recess, Lin Xiaobao could still feel the searing heat of the Spirit Fire. He watched as Old Mo, controlling his body, manipulated spiritual power through the shifting hand seals, weaving an invisible force into the cauldron itself, commanding the herbs to roll and tumble under the fire’s relentless roasting.

Timing, dryness, and the effects of each seal—Old Mo explained everything in detail as he worked. He even elaborated on how to adjust the flames depending on the herb’s age to draw out its fullest potency.

Though Lin Xiaobao could not grasp everything at once, he imprinted Old Mo’s every word deep into his mind with the strength of his formidable spirit, so that he might ponder them in the future.

At that moment, Lin Xiaobao was like an eager child, utterly immersed in the world of alchemy, occasionally posing a question or two, which Old Mo answered with precision. Time slipped by unnoticed until, with a muffled boom, two crimson lights shot from within the cauldron. Old Mo flicked his hands, catching two fiery red pills, which hovered above his palm, suspended by a mysterious force. He swiftly retrieved a prepared jade bottle from the storage bracelet and placed the pills inside, then relinquished control of the body back to Lin Xiaobao.

“The pills are complete. Let’s return.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Old Mo!” Sensing the fatigue in Old Mo’s voice, Lin Xiaobao realized how draining it must have been for him to use his soul’s strength to refine the Meridian Shaping Pill. His words of gratitude were heartfelt.

“Are you alright?” No sooner had Lin Xiaobao stepped out of the alchemy chamber than he saw Lin Tian at the door, his face etched with worry. Several disciples of the Pill Tower stood behind him.

“What are you doing here?” Lin Xiaobao asked, puzzled.

“It’s nothing—we’ll talk at home.” Upon seeing Lin Xiaobao again, Lin Tian immediately noticed he had reached the ninth level peak of the Martial Disciple realm, growing even more anxious inside. The only alchemist in the Holy Land, Master Feng, was impervious to pleas, refusing to waste any time helping Lin Tian with pill refinement. Lin Tian had been so infuriated he could have ground his teeth to dust. If he had stood a chance against Feng, he would have forced him to make the pills without hesitation.

Once more, Lin Tian swept Lin Xiaobao into the air, riding the currents of qi. As the scenery rushed beneath his feet, Lin Xiaobao’s longing for strength was reignited.

Riding the wind and sword, banishing evil throughout the land—someday, he would reach such heights himself. No, he would surpass them.

As they flew, Lin Tian explained his presence. Lin Xiaobao had been in the alchemy chamber for nearly a month, and half a month ago, the two Pill Tower disciples, worried by his lengthy absence, had sent for Lin Tian. He had come at once and had kept vigil at the door ever since.

More than once he considered breaking in, but knowing that Lin Xiaobao could open all three pages of the “Snowfall Prologue” and see things hidden from others, he wondered if Lin Xiaobao was perhaps inside refining pills. If he barged in and disrupted the process, it would destroy the fragile bond they had just begun to rebuild—something Lin Tian would regret forever.

Moreover, Lin Tian clung to an almost impossible hope—he knew Lin Xiaobao’s constitution well; if he could unlock the secrets of the “Snowfall Prologue,” perhaps he could even refine the Meridian Shaping Pill. Though he knew it was nothing more than a gambler’s fantasy, holding a ticket with little chance of winning, until the result was revealed, he could not help but dream.

Hearing Lin Tian’s explanation, Lin Xiaobao felt his heart stirred once more. Perhaps Lin Tian had not done much for him, nothing grand or earth-shattering, and yet, from the quiet persistence, Lin Xiaobao felt the true weight of a father’s love.

“I really did refine the Meridian Shaping Pill!” Back on Songyan Peak, Lin Xiaobao drew the jade bottle from his storage bracelet and handed it to Lin Tian.

“What?” At that moment, Lin Tian’s expression was like that of a man clutching a lottery ticket, waiting for the numbers to be drawn—shocked and unbelieving as his number appeared.

He hurriedly uncorked the bottle; the scent of the pill filled his nose. He poured the pill into his palm, supporting it with spiritual power, and turned it over and over, finally bursting into wild laughter. As he laughed, his eyes grew moist. He muttered, “Feng, you refused to make pills for me, so what? Now my own son can refine the Meridian Shaping Pill, and did so at the peak of the ninth level of Martial Disciple…”

Watching Lin Tian’s near-manic joy, Lin Xiaobao could easily imagine the hardship and humiliation his father had endured in seeking this pill. He spoke at once, “Father, from now on, you need not beg anyone for alchemy. I can do it myself.”

“Good… Good…” Lin Tian made no effort to hide the tears at the corners of his eyes. “Xiaobao, take the pill now. I will stand guard for you!” Without waiting for a response, he soared into the sky above Songyan Peak, as though without his protection, the mountain itself would not be safe.

Glancing at Lin Tian overhead, Lin Xiaobao, eager for a breakthrough himself, wasted no time. He was about to swallow the pill when Old Mo’s voice stopped him.

Following Old Mo’s instructions, Lin Xiaobao returned to the backyard, drew a vat of clear water, and took out one of the Meridian Shaping Pills. Once again, Old Mo seized control of his body, formed a series of hand seals, and the pill, suspended in midair, dissolved into countless fine particles, sinking into the water. The entire vat began to boil as if brought to a furious simmer.

“The Spirit Fire from the Pill Tower was barely enough to refine the Meridian Shaping Pill, but the quality is still lacking. That’s why I made two—one to be taken internally, and one I’ll break down with the Pill-Dissolving Seal for you to bathe in. This will ensure there are no lingering side effects,” Old Mo explained as he worked.

Unfortunately, Lin Tian’s attention was wholly fixed on the safety of Songyan Peak. Otherwise, witnessing Lin Xiaobao perform the legendary Pill-Dissolving Seal would surely have left him speechless with amazement.

Then, as per Old Mo’s guidance, Lin Xiaobao began to practice the Dragon-Slaying Sword Technique over and over, exhausting himself to the point of complete fatigue, to maximize the effects of the medicine.

With a clang, his sword slipped from his weakened grasp. Without delay, Lin Xiaobao swallowed the last Meridian Shaping Pill and leapt into the boiling vat…