14: From servant to steward! Elder Situ's "gift of gratitude" is a bit too much!

The pill pattern phenomenon that descended upon the Qingyun Sect was like a giant boulder thrown into a calm lake, the ripples refusing to fade for a long time.

For several days, the entire Sect had been crazily discussing that mysterious and fleeting "saint hand of the dao of alchemy."

The Waste Slag Pit behind the mountain was listed as a Forbidden Ground, with several Elders personally stationed there, researching the remaining Law fragments and traces of pill qi day and night, attempting to catch a glimpse of the supreme principles of the Dao of Alchemy.

Elder Situ had become a hot commodity, visited in turns by Elders from various peaks every day, pestering him for details until he was annoyed beyond measure.

However, as one of the "parties involved" at the center of this storm, Jiang Linfeng's life was exceptionally calm.

In the small house in the Cold Plum Courtyard, under the dual nourishment of the Source Spirit Body and the mutated qi nurturing pill, Luo Yan's body recovered extremely quickly. Her complexion was rosy, and even the slight discomfort of early pregnancy had vanished without a trace.

After being baptized by the Great Dao pill patterns, the life force of the fetus in her womb grew increasingly vigorous and stable. Its potential was firmly at Low Grade, and the natural affinity of its Ice Wood Spirit Root was constantly improving, showing faint signs of Fusion and evolution.

Every day, besides chopping wood and fetching water, Jiang Linfeng would stay by Luo Yan's side. His Source Spirit Body would silently circulate to nourish his wife and child, while simultaneously tempering the damaged earth fire flame heart fragment.

【Ding! earth fire flame heart (fragment) repair progress: 65%! Estimated remaining time: 3 days!】

【Origin Spirit Power recovery: 95%! Realm restored to Innate Middle Stage!】

Everything was moving in a good direction. Elder Situ and Old Man Zhong seemed to have forgotten them, never stepping foot in the Cold Plum Courtyard again.

The Sect's upper echelons were busy researching the pill pattern ruins, and it seemed no one was paying attention to a "lucky" Menial Worker and an Outer Sect female Disciple who had "escaped unscathed."

But this calm felt more like the stillness before a storm.

That morning, just after Jiang Linfeng had finished serving Luo Yan breakfast and was preparing to go to the Firewood Courtyard to report in, an unusual commotion sounded outside the courtyard gate.

"Where is Jiang Linfeng?" A resonant, somewhat majestic voice rang out.

Jiang Linfeng raised his eyebrows slightly and pushed the door open to step out. He saw a middle-aged man with a square face, dressed in the attire of an Inner Sect Deacon, standing outside the gate, followed by two Disciples with steady auras.

Jiang Linfeng recognized this Deacon; it was Deacon Liu, who was in charge of miscellaneous affairs in the Pill Room.

"This humble one, Jiang Linfeng, greets Deacon Liu." Jiang Linfeng bowed, his face wearing a perfectly appropriate look of "fear" and "bewilderment."

Deacon Liu's gaze swept sharply over Jiang Linfeng, his eyes carrying a trace of imperceptible scrutiny and... complexity?

He cleared his throat and said loudly, "By the decree of Elder Situ! Menial Worker Jiang Linfeng, at a time of crisis for the Sect, showed no fear and rendered meritorious service in protecting the master. Although your status is lowly, your loyalty is commendable! You are hereby promoted to an Outer Sect Deacon Disciple of the Pill Room! Proceed to the Pill Room immediately to report and await orders!"

What?!

Jiang Linfeng's heart jumped violently! Elder Situ? Promoting him to a Pill Room Deacon Disciple?!

This old fox... what kind of medicine is he selling in his gourd?!

"De... Deacon Disciple?" Jiang Linfeng lifted his head in "shock," his face written with "disbelief" and "being overwhelmed by favor." "Dea... Deacon Liu... you... you aren't joking, are you? This humble one... this humble one is just a Menial Worker! Chopping wood and fetching water is fine, but a Pill Room Deacon... this humble one... I don't know Alchemy!"

"Hmph! The Elder's decree, how can it be questioned!" Deacon Liu pulled a long face, his tone admitting no argument. "Go if you are told to go! The Pill Room has its own arrangements! As for whether you know Alchemy..." He looked at Jiang Linfeng meaningfully, "You will know once you go! Pack up and follow me immediately!"

After speaking, he ignored Jiang Linfeng's reaction and turned around with his hands behind his back, looking entirely official.

Thoughts raced through Jiang Linfeng's mind.

Elder Situ's move was definitely not well-intentioned!

Transferring him, a "Menial Worker" suspected of having a connection to the mysterious saint hand of the dao of alchemy, directly into the core area of the Pill Room?

Was this to keep him under his nose for surveillance? Or... to test if he really knew Alchemy?

Either way, it was big trouble!

"Husband..." Hearing the commotion, Luo Yan walked out. Hearing Deacon Liu's words, her small face was full of worry.

Jiang Linfeng gave her a reassuring look and whispered, "Yaner, don't worry. I'll be back soon. Just wait for me at home."

He turned back into the house, symbolically grabbed a small bundle, and left the Cold Plum Courtyard with Deacon Liu.

Along the way, Deacon Liu remained silent, and the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive. Jiang Linfeng was happy to play the fool, keeping his head down with an "anxious and uneasy" look.

The Pill Room was located on the mountainside where the Spiritual Qi of the Qingyun Sect was the densest, with continuous halls and the fragrance of medicine permeating the air.

Stepping into the Pill Room area, a heatwave mixed with the scents of various Spirit Medicines rushed toward them.

Disciples came and went in a hurry, looking focused, and a tense and solemn atmosphere filled the air.

Deacon Liu led Jiang Linfeng directly to a side hall deep in the Pill Room.

The furnishings in the hall were simple, with only a few tables and chairs, and a faint smell of sulfur and metal permeated the air.

Elder Situ was not there; only Old Man Zhong was hunched over, clutching his purple clay teapot, dozing in the corner.

"Old Zhong, I've brought him." Deacon Liu bowed respectfully to Old Man Zhong.

Old Man Zhong didn't even lift his eyelids, just gave a vague "Hmm."

Deacon Liu didn't mind, turned to Jiang Linfeng, and said, "Jiang Linfeng, from today on, you will be on duty here. Your duties..." He paused, a strange expression appearing on his face, "are to clean up the pill ash and medicine dregs remaining near the 'Earth Fire Cave' Waste Slag Pit! Three times a day! No mistakes allowed!"

Clean the Waste Slag Pit?! Pill ash and medicine dregs?!

Jiang Linfeng almost thought he had misheard! Moving him from the Utility Section to the Pill Room just to let him continue cleaning trash?! And it was that Waste Slag Pit that had just erupted with Devilish Qi and was listed as a Forbidden Ground?!

This Elder Situ... is he playing with me?!

"Deacon Liu... this... isn't the Waste Slag Pit a Forbidden Ground? This humble one... is it appropriate for me to go clean it...?" Jiang Linfeng asked "cautiously."

"Hmph! Go if you are told to go! Why so much nonsense!"

Deacon Liu's face darkened. "The Forbidden Ground is for outsiders! You are now a Pill Room Deacon Disciple! It is only right and proper for you to be responsible for cleaning up Alchemy residues! Remember! Only clean the outer perimeter! Do not approach the core area! And do not touch anything left behind! Otherwise... hmph!"

He snorted coldly, the threat self-evident.

"Yes... yes! This humble one understands!"

Jiang Linfeng lowered his head in "fear," but sneered inwardly.

Clean the outer perimeter? Do not approach the core? This was clearly asking him to be a "human mine detector"!

Elder Situ wanted to see if he would "bump into" some "great fortune" again if he approached the Waste Slag Pit? Or... would he show any flaws?

"Also!" Deacon Liu added, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible mockery, "Elder Situ considers your meritorious service in protecting the master and has specifically bestowed a 'thank-you gift'! I hope you know what's good for you!"

As he spoke, he took out a palm-sized, vermilion-red jade box that radiated a scorching aura from his sleeve and casually tossed it to Jiang Linfeng.

Jiang Linfeng caught it instinctively; it was burning hot to the touch! The surface of the jade box was engraved with profound runes, which seemed to be suppressing the violent energy inside.

【Ding! Rare material detected: xuan yang fruit core (immature)!】

【Quality: Profound Rank Low Grade!】

【Characteristics: Contains pure xuan yang fire qi, can assist in the cultivation of fire-type Cultivation Techniques, and refine fire-attribute Medicinal Pills! However, the energy is violent and unstable, requiring special techniques to handle!】

【Tip: This item has miraculous effects for stabilizing fire-type Spiritual Roots and tempering the Physical Body! But if handled improperly, it can easily trigger an energy rampage!】

xuan yang fruit core?! Elder Situ's "thank-you gift"?!

Jiang Linfeng's heart shook! Isn't this thing... one of the main Materials for refining the "blazing sun bone forging pill" that was detected in the medicine dregs earlier?!

Elder Situ is testing him! Seeing if he recognizes this thing! Seeing if he can resist using it to refine pills!

Old fox! What deep schemes!

"Tha... thank you for the Elder's reward!" Jiang Linfeng squeezed an expression of "being overwhelmed with gratitude," but the hand holding the jade box trembled slightly.

"Hmm." Deacon Liu nodded expressionlessly, "Your residence will be in the Menial Worker area on the outskirts of the Pill Room, Room 3, C-Block. Go! Start your duty today!" After saying this, he didn't stay any longer and turned to leave.

Only Jiang Linfeng and Old Man Zhong, who was "dozing" in the corner, were left in the side hall.

Jiang Linfeng held the burning hot jade box, standing in place, thoughts racing through his mind.

Elder Situ's series of operations were pressing step by step! Transferring him into the Pill Room, making him clean the Waste Slag Pit (Forbidden Ground), and even giving him a hot xuan yang fruit core! This was clearly putting him on a fire to roast!

"Kid..." Old Man Zhong's slow, leisurely voice echoed from the corner, tinged with a hint of mockery. "The 'thank you gift' from Elder Situ... it's a bit too hot to handle, isn't it?"

Jiang Linfeng's heart skipped a beat. He immediately put on a "bitter face" and said, "Elder Zhong... this little one... this little one doesn't even know what kind of treasure this is... it feels strangely hot to the touch... and given the Elder's great kindness... this little one... this little one is unworthy of such a gift!"

"Heh..." Old Man Zhong scoffed. He opened his cloudy eyes just a slit and glanced at Jiang Linfeng. "It's hot for a reason! It's a xuan yang fruit core, extremely yang and fierce! Without any skill, holding onto it is just asking for death! Elder Situ... he is setting a difficult problem for you!"

He paused, took a sip from his teapot, and said slowly, "However... this old man thinks you, kid... have always had pretty good luck? Perhaps... you might be able to turn this 'hot potato'... into a 'prized possession'?"

After saying that, he spoke no more and closed his eyes again, as if he had fallen asleep once more.

Jiang Linfeng's eyes flickered slightly. Was Old Man Zhong implying something? Or was it just pure teasing?

He did not dwell on it further. He bowed to Old Man Zhong, cradled the scalding jade box, and turned to leave the side hall.

In the Menial Worker area on the outskirts of the Pill Room, Room 3 of the Bing block.

It was a single room, better than the large dormitory in the Firewood Courtyard. Although still simple, it was much cleaner and even had a small window.

Jiang Linfeng placed the jade box on the table. Feeling the scorching aura continuously radiating from it, he furrowed his brows tightly.

Elder Situ's test had to be dealt with! And he couldn't show any weakness!

Refine it directly? No! Too risky! Elder Situ was definitely watching him!

Not use it? Also not an option! It would look like he was feeling guilty!

He had to think of a way... to appear "ignorant" while still being able to "use" this thing...

Just then—

【Ding! Detected xuan yang fruit core (unripe) with violent energy! The Source Spirit Body can attempt to guide and absorb a portion of the fire energy to nourish and repair the earth fire flame heart fragment!】

【Tip: The absorption process requires caution; excessive absorption may cause the fruit core's energy to go berserk!】

Guide and absorb? Nourish the earth fire flame heart?!

Jiang Linfeng's eyes lit up! Brilliant!

He immediately sat cross-legged and placed the earth fire flame heart fragment (repair progress 65%) and the xuan yang fruit core jade box side by side.

He fully activated his Source Spirit Body. A gentle and pure strand of Origin Spirit Power carefully probed into the jade box, like the most dexterous probe, and began to guide the violent xuan yang fire energy!

Sss! Sss!

The xuan yang fruit core inside the jade box seemed to be triggered and shook violently! An even more scorching fire energy gushed out! The temperature of the entire room rose sharply!

Jiang Linfeng had been prepared! His Origin Spirit Power transformed into an invisible vortex, precisely capturing the escaping fire energy, and like taming a wild horse, forcibly guided it toward the earth fire flame heart fragment beside it!

Hum—!

The earth fire flame heart fragment came into contact with the pure xuan yang fire energy and, like a long-awaited rain after a drought, instantly burst into joyful humming!

Its dim light began to brighten at a speed visible to the naked eye! The repair progress bar began to jump frantically!

【earth fire flame heart (fragment) repair progress: 66%... 67%... 68%...】

It worked! Jiang Linfeng felt a surge of joy in his heart! The fire energy from this xuan yang fruit core was simply the best supplement for the earth fire flame heart!

He carefully controlled the speed and intensity of the absorption, ensuring the xuan yang fruit core's energy wouldn't go berserk while maximizing the nourishment of the earth fire flame heart fragment.

Inside the room, the scorching aura permeated the air, but it was all kept contained within a small area by him.

An hour later.

【Ding! earth fire flame heart (fragment) repair progress: 80%!】

【xuan yang fruit core energy consumption: 15%! Status: Stable!】

Jiang Linfeng slowly finished his cultivation. The earth fire flame heart fragment's light was stable, and the repair progress had increased significantly!

Although the xuan yang fruit core had consumed some energy, it remained stable, and its violent aura seemed to have been smoothed out and made more docile by the Origin Spirit Power.

He put the two items away with satisfaction. Elder Situ's "hot potato" had been cleverly neutralized, and he had even gained benefits!

In the afternoon, Jiang Linfeng took the token given by Deacon Liu and a specially made fireproof broom to go to the Waste Slag Pit to "perform his duties".

The Waste Slag Pit was still listed as a Forbidden Ground, with Disciples guarding the perimeter. Jiang Linfeng showed his token and entered smoothly.

The valley was still filled with the smell of sulfur and faint remnants of Devilish Qi, but it was much calmer than before.

Following the requirements, he only swept the scattered pill ash and medicinal slag fragments in the outer area symbolically.

His movements were "clumsy". He "accidentally" kicked stones from time to time, or "stumbled", causing the Disciples observing from the shadows in the distance to frown.

"This kid... is really lucky! He survived running into a saint hand of the dao of alchemy refining pills, and not only that, he even became a deacon Disciple!"

"Look at how clumsy he is! He can't even sweep the floor properly! What is the Elder thinking?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! I heard the Elder wants to see if he will 'stumble' upon something else again..."

"..."

Jiang Linfeng turned a deaf ear to it all, concentrating on playing the role of an "honest and simple Menial Worker".

He swept the ground seemingly at random, but his Source Spirit Body was quietly operating, keenly sensing the Law fragments and pill energy remaining in the surroundings.

To others, these were dangerous items, but to him, they were rare opportunities for insight!

【Ding! Absorbed weak pill dao Law fragments! Alchemy proficiency +1!】

【Ding! Absorbed weak vegetation Origin aura! Source Spirit Body activity increased!】

【Ding! Absorbed weak thunder Law fragments! Meridian toughness slightly increased!】

Even a mosquito is meat no matter how small! Jiang Linfeng felt secretly pleased! This Waste Slag Pit was simply his exclusive cultivation field!

Just as he was "diligently" sweeping the floor, his peripheral vision caught a piece of medicinal slag half-buried in the waste, dark in color and hard in texture.

That aura... it was exactly the same as the "old antique" that Elder Situ had picked up earlier!

His heart skipped a beat. He pretended to trip over a stone, let out an "Ouch", and "stumbled" forward. The broom in his hand "happened" to sweep over that piece of medicinal slag!

Poof!

The medicinal slag was lifted by the broom, rolled a few times, and landed at Jiang Linfeng's feet.

Jiang Linfeng scrambled up "in a panic", muttering about his "bad luck". He casually picked up that piece of medicinal slag and, without even looking at it, threw it into the special fireproof trash bag beside him—provided by the Pill Room specifically for holding refining waste.

The movement was natural and smooth, with no flaws.

The Disciples observing from the shadows in the distance curled their lips: "Tch! Dumb luck! Picked up another piece of trash!"

Jiang Linfeng smiled inwardly. Trash? This was a treasure containing the essence of lost Medicinal Pills! Elder Situ, I will gladly accept your "old antique"!

Deep inside the Pill Room, in a quiet chamber.

Elder Situ sat cross-legged with a water mirror floating in front of him. What the mirror displayed was exactly the scene of Jiang Linfeng "clumsily" sweeping the floor at the Waste Slag Pit.

Watching Jiang Linfeng's flawless "performance", Elder Situ's brows were locked in a frown. Was this kid... truly stupid? Or was he acting too well?

He picked up a jade bottle from the side, which contained a small pinch of powder—it was the very same "old antique" medicinal slag that Jiang Linfeng had just "casually" swept into the trash bag! Under his secret manipulation, it had long been "intercepted" by a Disciple and sent over.

Elder Situ condensed a strand of Sword Qi at his fingertip and carefully probed the powder.

"ice heart lotus... xuan yang fruit... and... a trace of... extremely weak... vegetation Origin aura?!" Elder Situ's pupils contracted sharply! This aura... was it from the same source as the remnants of the pill patterns that fell from the sky?!

He snapped his head up, staring fixedly at the "clumsy" figure sweeping the floor in the water mirror!

Once was a coincidence!

Twice was luck!

Three times...

Four times...

This kid... could "happen" to pick up medicinal slag containing the essence of lost Medicinal Pills every single time?!

Could "stumble" into earth-shattering "great fortune" at critical moments every single time?!

This luck... was far too Heaven-Defying!

A sharp glint shot from Elder Situ's eyes! He suddenly spread his left hand, and a Jade Slip lay quietly in his palm—it was Jiang Linfeng's file for being promoted to a deacon Disciple.

"Jiang Linfeng... Luo family Menial Worker... husband of Yaner..." Elder Situ murmured, his gaze sharp as a knife. "It seems... this old man must investigate thoroughly... where exactly your 'luck' comes from!"

His fingertip Sword Qi flickered as he quickly carved a few words onto the Jade Slip:

"High priority observation! Investigate his entire past in detail! Especially... before the Luo family!"

The candles in the quiet chamber flickered, illuminating Elder Situ's face, which was filled with inquiry and obsession. A secret investigation into Jiang Linfeng's background and "luck" had quietly begun.