51: Flower in the Mirror

Hearing Pang Hu's words, Hong Yu's curiosity was piqued, and he hurriedly asked, "Senior Brother, what is this 'great fortune' you're talking about?"

"Wait until you reach the Sixth Level of Qi Refining," Pang Hu said irritably.

In his view, he hadn't seen Hong Yu for only a month. Hong Yu had only just promoted to the Fifth Level of Qi Refining before; there was no way he could Cultivate to the Sixth Level of Qi Refining so quickly in such a short time.

He only said this because it would be a pity for an Alchemist to miss this Opportunity; he didn't actually have any expectations for Hong Yu.

"But I'm already at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining," Hong Yu said with a silly grin.

What?

Pang Hu's face was full of disbelief, and he then seriously probed Hong Yu's cultivation level.

After discovering that the other party was indeed a Sixth Level of Qi Refining Cultivator, Pang Hu's gaze froze slightly.

"What kind of natural talent is this? It's one thing to be gifted in Alchemy, but even his cultivation speed is this miraculous. If a Prodigy like this hadn't come from the Outer Sect, his achievements would definitely not be as simple as they are now," Pang Hu thought to himself. "Speaking of which, the Saintess's insight is even more startling; she actually picked out such a fine piece of jade from the vast sea of people at a single glance."

Pang Hu stared intently at Hong Yu with piercing eyes, not speaking for a long time.

Just as Hong Yu was beginning to feel restless, wondering if he had chosen the wrong backer, Pang Hu spoke.

"You know about pill fire, right?"

pill fire?

After thinking carefully, Hong Yu remembered that the Alchemists lecturing at Pill Mountain had mentioned it, but he didn't understand it particularly well, so he said, "I know of it, but I don't really understand it."

Pang Hu composed himself and spoke slowly, "pill fire is an indispensable thing for an Alchemist. Not only can it improve the quality of a Medicinal Pill, but because pill fire can be used as easily as one's own limbs after long-term refinement, one can achieve absolute control over the flames during Alchemy.

Based on quality, pill fire is divided from Grade Nine all the way up to Grade One.

But even a Grade Nine pill fire is a treasure that an Alchemist can only hope for but rarely find. That Talisman I just gave you is a Sub-flame of a Grade Nine pill fire."

Hong Yu nodded as if he understood. Could the great fortune Pang Hu mentioned be related to pill fire?

Sure enough, Pang Hu continued, "And the great Opportunity I'm talking about is a Grade Nine pill fire named 'flower in the mirror'."

Hearing this, Hong Yu was also somewhat excited. One should know that pill fire can not only assist in Alchemy, but also has many other wonderful uses for Cultivators. Many Cultivators even choose to practice Alchemy as a secondary profession just to refine a wisp of pill fire.

So Hong Yu hurriedly said, "If it is truly as Senior Brother says, then it indeed deserves to be called a great Opportunity. Senior Brother's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain; I really don't know how to repay you."

Pang Hu gave a playful smile and continued, "You are a candidate the Saintess values; it's only right that I look after you. However, this pill fire is not something that can be obtained so easily."

"I beg for Senior Brother's guidance," Hong Yu said solemnly.

"Even for a Grade Nine pill fire, it is still very difficult for a Qi Refining Cultivator to subdue it. This is why I only told you once your cultivation reached the Sixth Level of Qi Refining. This process is extremely dangerous; the consequence of failing to refine it is being incinerated by the pill fire, becoming its nourishment.

Secondly, the 'flower in the mirror' pill fire is quite famous among Grade Nine pill fires. You could say it's at the very top tier of Grade Nine fires. Not to mention the difficulty of refining it, just finding it is no simple matter."

Hearing this, Hong Yu's mood became a bit heavy. He couldn't help but ask tentatively, "Since it's so difficult, how about we just give up?"

Indeed, as soon as he heard how dangerous the process was, Hong Yu felt like retreating. In his view, with the System's help, rising to the top and standing out would be far too easy; there was no need for him to risk his life.

But Pang Hu didn't think that way. He slapped Hong Yu's shoulder with a 'disappointed in him' look, shaking his frame. Then he said with frustration, "We Cultivators emphasize the word 'struggle'—struggling against heaven, struggling against earth, and struggling against people. If you give up such a great Opportunity in the face of a little danger, what kind of immortal are you seeking to become? What kind of Dao are you pursuing?"

Pang Hu added, "Before you even entered the Inner Sect, you dared to go to the Laiyi Courtyard to steal my Medicinal Pills and dared to ask the Saintess for a reward. Where has that 'unafraid of death' spirit gone? I didn't expect that after only a few days in the Inner Sect, you'd become so timid and afraid of dying?"

Unafraid of death? Was that my idea? Wasn't that all the retarded System's reckless operations?

Hong Yu had grievances he couldn't voice and could only explain with a bitter smile, "Senior Brother, it's not that I'm afraid of death, but I haven't paid the Law Enforcement Hall's fine yet. Time is running out, so I don't have the heart to consider other things.

Besides, that pill fire is such an important item; surely Senior Brother needs it more than I do. Even if you don't use it yourself, it would be an excellent choice for nurturing your subordinates."

Pang Hu stared at Hong Yu with bright eyes, a look of gratification appearing in the depths of his gaze. He then said in a soft tone, "Junior Brother, you truly are a man of honor and loyalty. I didn't misjudge you. It's settled then; this time I will definitely do my best to help you seize the 'flower in the mirror'. Only such a treasure is worthy of you, Junior Brother."

Hearing Pang Hu's righteous words, Hong Yu felt a bit suspicious.

He came looking for a backer, and before he'd even handed over his 'allegiance gift,' he was about to receive a massive present?

Could Pang Hu be trying to set him up? But as a Mountain Lord, if he really wanted to move against him, he wouldn't need to use such methods.

So Hong Yu also pretended to be excited and said, "Since Senior Brother thinks so highly of me, then I'll give it my all this once. Senior Brother is right; in the struggle for the Great Dao, one either advances or retreats. Please explain the details of this Opportunity, Senior Brother, so that I can be fully prepared to face this challenge."

Pang Hu laughed and said, "I said it's an Opportunity, so it depends on whether you have the luck. This pill fire is inside a Secret Realm recently discovered by the Xuan Yun Residence. Other Opportunities in the Secret Realm have already been taken by those Inside the Mansion, but only this 'flower in the mirror' has remained. Moreover, the Secret Realm will remain open for at most one more month before being permanently exiled into the Void Realm's turbulence. Who knows when it could be found again."

Hong Yu asked curiously, "The Mansion is full of experts; why is this 'flower in the mirror' so hard to take?"

Pang Hu explained, "Only Qi Refining Cultivators can enter this Secret Realm. For a Qi Refining Cultivator to take the 'flower in the mirror' is difficult beyond measure."

"Why is that?" Hong Yu asked, puzzled.

"Do you know why it's called 'flower in the mirror'?" Pang Hu said with a smile. "It's because there are thousands upon thousands of these pill fires inside the Secret Realm, but only one is real. All the others are illusions, like a flower in a mirror or the Moon in the water. Those without enough luck cannot find its true body."

"If one refines them one by one, the true body will eventually be found, right?"

Pang Hu sneered and said patiently, "Do you know what happens if you refine a false fire?"

"What happens?"

"Bang! You explode into a firework!"