26: The Starry Sky Spirit Pill! Old Man Zhong... he's about to lose control?!

Inside the Cold Plum Courtyard, Restrictions flowed, isolating the clamor and prying eyes of the outside world.

Jiang Linfeng sat cross-legged, eyes tightly closed, his spiritual sense completely submerged deep into his Sea of Consciousness.

That vast, star-sea-like, ancient and vicissitudinous "source spirit medicine canon" (fragment) slowly unfolded in his heart. Every character seemed to be outlined by stars, containing the supreme mystery of the Laws of Heaven and Earth and the Origin of life.

His Source Spirit Body operated spontaneously, resonating with the medicine canon! An indescribable sense of enlightenment, like a sudden epiphany, washed over his Soul!

【 Elementary Source Spirit Planting Art 】: Use Origin Spirit Power to communicate with spiritual plants of Heaven and Earth, perceive their Origin requirements, draw upon Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to nourish them, and accelerate growth, improve medicinal properties, and stimulate potential! Even... transform ordinary grass into Spirit Medicine!

【 Elementary Source Spirit Refining Art 】: Use Origin Spirit Power as a guide to strip away Impurities from medicinal Materials and extract the purest essence of medicinal properties! Turn decay into magic! The degree of refinement depends on the strength of the Origin Spirit Power and the quality of the medicinal Materials!

【 Introductory Source Spirit Pill Refining Art 】: Use Origin Spirit Power as the furnace fire, use the Laws of Heaven and Earth as a guide, fuse the essence of medicinal properties, draw upon the power of the Origin, and refine Medicinal Pills containing the power of life's creation! When the pill is formed, Heaven and Earth resonate!

"So that's how it is!" Jiang Linfeng's heart suddenly cleared!

This "source spirit medicine canon" was simply a supreme technique tailor-made for him!

The Source Spirit Body was the Foundation, and the medicine canon was the key! The combination of the two was enough to let him embark on an unprecedented path to the Peak of the Pill Refining Art!

He opened his eyes abruptly! Deep within his pupils, stars seemed to flicker and fade, and the light of the Source Spirit flowed ceaselessly! An unprecedented sense of confidence and urgency filled his heart!

Become stronger! Refine pills! Protect Yaner and the child! It was urgent!

"Yaner, rest easy. Your husband is going to the Medicine Garden." Jiang Linfeng gently held Luo Yan's cold little hand, channeling a stream of warm Origin Spirit Power to soothe her frightened mind.

"Husband... be careful..." Luo Yan nestled in his arms, her small face still pale, but her eyes were full of trust.

Jiang Linfeng nodded. With a flash, he appeared deep in the Medicine Garden. The purple bronze pill furnace stood quietly, emitting a cold luster under the moonlight. His gaze swept across the vibrant medicine field, and his Source Spirit Eye opened!

Hum!

The whole world changed in his eyes! It was no longer simple plants, but clusters of flowing, colorful life energy!

The ice heart lotus seedling emitted a pure ice-blue halo, with a faint trace of Ice Soul Origin gestating at its core; the blazing sun grass was like a beating crimson flame, its fire Qi pure but slightly violent; the gathering origin flower breathed out verdant wood Spiritual Qi, full of vitality...

"Source Spirit Planting Art!" Jiang Linfeng's mind moved! Pure Origin Spirit Power, like invisible spring rain, sprinkled onto the medicine field in strands!

Hum! Hum! Hum!

The spiritual plants nourished by the Origin Spirit Power instantly erupted with astonishing vitality!

The ice heart lotus seedling stretched its leaves at a speed visible to the naked eye, and its Ice Soul Origin grew a fraction stronger!

The violent fire Qi of the blazing sun grass was smoothed by the Origin Spirit Power, becoming docile and condensed!

The flowers of the gathering origin flower became fuller, and the wood Spiritual Qi they emitted was several times thicker! The concentration of Spiritual Qi in the entire Medicine Garden increased again!

【 Ding! Source Spirit Planting Art effective! Target "ice heart lotus seedling" growth speed +50%! Ice Soul Origin potential +10%! 】

【 Target "blazing sun grass" fire Qi purity +15%! Medicinal properties improved! 】

【 Target "gathering origin flower" wood Spiritual Qi concentration +20%! Vitality improved! 】

...

It worked! The effect was immediate! Jiang Linfeng was overjoyed! This was only Elementary! If he practiced to a deeper level... it was unimaginable!

He did not hesitate! He immediately began to prepare to refine the spirit nurturing pill! This time, he would use the Source Spirit Pill Refining Art from the "source spirit medicine canon"!

Refine an unprecedented star conception spirit pill! Not only to stabilize the Foundation of Yaner and the child, but also to stimulate the talent of that "Child of Nature"!

Materials: ice heart lotus essence (purified by Source Spirit Refining Art), gathering origin flower pistil (forced growth to High Grade by Source Spirit Planting Art), qi condensing grass king (best growth in the Medicine Garden), supplemented by star shine grass (found in the corner of the Medicine Garden, containing weak Star Power), jade marrow dew ("borrowed" from the Pill Room medicine warehouse)!

"Source Spirit Refining Art!" Origin Spirit Power gathered at Jiang Linfeng's fingertips, turning into an invisible carving knife!

Under his precise control, the Impurities in the ice heart lotus essence, gathering origin flower pistil, and qi condensing grass king were instantly stripped away!

The remaining medicinal essence was pure and flawless, emitting an intoxicating spiritual light!

Especially the ice heart lotus essence; after refinement, that trace of Ice Soul Origin was more condensed, as clear as ice crystals!

"earth fire flame heart! Rise!" Jiang Linfeng shouted in a low voice! The earth fire flame heart fragment with 99% restoration floated up! Crimson flames rose! The purple bronze pill furnace was instantly burned red!

He did not immediately put in the medicinal Materials! Instead, he formed seals with both hands! The Source Spirit Body operated at full power! Source Spirit Pill Refining Art — Activate!

Hum —!

An invisible, vast power of the Origin Spirit, with Jiang Linfeng as the center, communicated with Heaven and Earth!

Above the Medicine Garden, the originally clear night sky seemed to have Star Power subtly drawn in!

Wisps of starlight, invisible to the naked eye, penetrated the clouds and quietly gathered!

"Use stars as a guide! Use the Origin as a furnace! Fuse!" Jiang Linfeng recited silently in his heart! His hand seals changed! The weak starlight that had been drawn in, mixed with the majestic Origin Spirit Power, turned into an invisible pill formula and was injected into the purple bronze pill furnace!

Hum!

The Pill Furnace shook violently! Runes on the furnace wall flowed, and it faintly emitted a faint starlight luster!

"Add medicine!" Jiang Linfeng's eyes narrowed! The refined ice heart lotus essence, gathering origin flower pistil, qi condensing grass king, star shine grass, and jade marrow dew were put into the furnace in a specific order and ratio!

Chi —!

The medicinal Materials entered the furnace! Enveloped by the Origin Spirit Power mixed with starlight, they melted instantly! There was no violent conflict! No intense boiling!

There was only a harmony like water and milk blending! Ice blue, emerald green, crimson, silver white, jade color... various medicinal essences, under the guidance of Origin Spirit Power, were like the most obedient children, perfectly fused together!

An indescribable pill fragrance, containing vigorous vitality and Star Dao Rhyme, quietly permeated the air!

【 Fusion degree: 95%... 97%... 99%... 100%! Perfect Fusion! 】

【 Medicinal purity: Ultimate! Contains weak star Origin! 】

【 Pill condensation begins! Pill light is condensing... 】

Inside the furnace, a mass of medicinal liquid with dots of starlight flowing in the emerald green slowly rotated and compressed!

In the center, a soft and brilliant pill light, as if containing a miniature starry sky, slowly lit up! It became brighter and brighter! More and more brilliant!

It succeeded! star conception spirit pill! About to take shape!

Jiang Linfeng's mind was highly focused! He dared not relax in the slightest! Pill condensation was the last step!

It was also the most critical step! Having drawn upon the Star Power, the quality and commotion of this Medicinal Pill would likely far exceed the past!

His hand seals changed even faster! The Origin Spirit Power, mixed with wisps of starlight, was like the most skillful weaver, weaving the pill embryo! Guiding the perfect Fusion of the star Origin and the life Origin!

【 Pill condensation progress: 80%... 85%... 90%... 】

The pill light became more and more brilliant! Inside the furnace, it seemed to be gestating a miniature star!

The emitted pill fragrance became thicker, carrying a holy aura that washed the Soul and nourished all things!

All the spiritual plants in the Medicine Garden seemed to have been nourished, their leaves stretching, flowers swaying, emitting a richer vitality!

However!

Just at the final moment when pill condensation was about to be completed —

Hum —!!!

An extremely weak, yet coldly probing spiritual sense fluctuation, like an invisible tentacle, swept across the Medicine Garden silently! It accurately locked onto the purple bronze pill furnace!

Tianyan Dynasty! Returned after leaving?!

Jiang Linfeng's heart sank suddenly! The concealment effect of the medicine king token (fragment), in the face of such pure star Origin Medicinal Pill aura, seemed to be somewhat inadequate!

"Hmph! Sure enough, you are here!" A cold, indifferent voice with a hint of greed rang directly in Jiang Linfeng's mind! It was that Tianyan Inspector! He actually hadn't gone far! He had been spying in the dark all along!

"Hand over the Medicinal Pill! Hand over the medicine king token! Otherwise... die!"

Hum!

A terrifying pressure, more obscure than before but even more fatal, like an invisible shackle, descended instantly! It attempted to forcibly interrupt the pill condensation! To seize the Medicinal Pill!

"Don't even think about it!" Jiang Linfeng's eyes were splitting with rage!

The Source Spirit Body roared wildly! He desperately mobilized his Origin Spirit Power! Forcibly stabilizing the pill embryo about to take shape in the furnace!

At the same time, the Invincible Domain instantly shrank! Protecting himself and the Pill Furnace! Resisting that terrifying pressure head-on!

Pfft!

Jiang Linfeng spat out another mouthful of blood! His body shook violently! But his eyes were crazy! He guarded the Pill Furnace firmly! Yaner! Child! This Medicinal Pill... must not be lost!

"Stubborn!" The Inspector's voice carried a hint of anger! Obviously, he hadn't expected this ant to be so tenacious! He no longer hid!

A beam of starlight finger energy, condensed as if substantial and carrying the aura of annihilating stars, tore through space silently! It pointed at the center of Jiang Linfeng's eyebrows! The speed was extreme! There was nowhere to hide!

It was over! Jiang Linfeng felt a chill in his heart! This finger... he could not block it!

Just at this critical moment—

"Tsk... never-ending, are you?"

Old Man Zhong's slow, deeply impatient voice rang out like the sound of heaven!

He was seen appearing in the corner of the Medicine Garden at some point, holding his teapot, yawning. His cloudy eyes glanced at that lethal Star Power finger beam, then looked at the deadlocked Jiang Linfeng and the Pill Furnace.

He slowly raised the hand holding the teapot, seemingly wanting to scratch his head? As a result, his hand slipped—clatter!

The lid of the purple clay teapot "accidentally" fell off, rolling exactly onto a protruding stone by his feet.

Ding—! A crisp sound, like a jade chime!

The sound wasn't loud, but it carried a strange penetrative power! It seemed to contain a certain Dao rhythm!

Hum—!!!

That Star Power finger beam, capable of annihilating stars, was struck by an invisible sound wave less than three inches from the center of Jiang Linfeng's brows, shuddering violently! Then... it shattered inch by inch! Dissipating into nothingness!

"..." Jiang Linfeng: "..."

"..." The hidden Patrol Envoy: "..."

Old Man Zhong slowly bent down, picked up the teapot lid, blew off the dust, and put it back on. He took a sip from his teapot, his cloudy eyes sweeping over a certain spot in the Void Realm, and said slowly:

"This old man... is getting old... my hands shake..."

"If next time... I accidentally... drop the teapot again..."

"And it hits the flowers and plants... that wouldn't be good..."

He paused, his voice suddenly turning cold, carrying a hint of unquestionable warning:

"Scram!"

From deep within the Void Realm came a suppressed grunt! Immediately, that cold pressure retreated rapidly like a receding tide! Vanishing without a trace!

The Tianyan Inspector... was once again scared off by Old Man Zhong's "hand slip"!

Old Man Zhong didn't even look at Jiang Linfeng, holding his teapot, swaying with every step as he walked to the large stone beside the Pill Furnace and sat down, turning his back to him, slowly sipping from the teapot as if he had really just come out for a walk.

"..." Jiang Linfeng looked at Old Man Zhong's hunched back, his heart filled with unspeakable gratitude and... a hint of bitterness. This old man... had saved him again at a critical moment! But his words "getting old... my hands shake"... made Jiang Linfeng's heart heavy! Old Man Zhong... seemed to be truly unable to suppress it much longer!

He forcibly suppressed his churning Qi and blood, no longer distracted! He poured all his energy into the final pill coagulation!

"Coagulate!"

Jiang Linfeng roared inwardly! His hands slammed together in a seal!

Hum—!!! The purple bronze pill furnace vibrated violently! The furnace lid was blown open by a majestic force! A dazzling beam of light, as if formed by the condensation of countless stars, shot up into the sky! Piercing straight through the clouds!

Rumble—!!! In the night sky! The wind and clouds changed color!

Countless stars seemed to be drawn in! Their light flared brilliantly! Dropping beams of star radiance! Reflecting and shining with the sky-piercing column of pill Qi!

Above the entire Qingyun Sect! A magnificent and dreamlike star vortex formed! Vast Star Power mixed with the pure aura of life Origin, spreading out like a tide! Washing over the entire Sect!

"Heavens! A star phenomenon?!"

"Is it the Pill Room direction again?! This time... it's even more terrifying than last time!"

"Is it Chief Zhong?! Or... that Jiang Linfeng?!"

The Qingyun Sect was alarmed once again! Countless people looked up at the starry sky, shocked and speechless!

Inside the Pill Furnace!

Three Medicinal Pills, the size of dragon eyes, jade-green throughout, but with countless fine silver star patterns flowing on their surface, floated quietly!

Exuding an extremely rich aura of life and vast Star Dao Rhyme!

Each Medicinal Pill seemed to contain a miniature starry sky! Brilliant! Mysterious! Sacred!

star conception spirit pill! Success!

【Ding! Congratulations to the host! Successfully refined "star conception spirit pill (black rank high-grade · Perfect)" ×3!】

【Medicinal Pill effect: Extremely nourish the mother's Origin! Stabilize the fetus's Foundation! Significantly increase Innate Spiritual Root affinity (Ice Wood Spirit Root + star affinity)! Trigger "Child of Nature" talent potential!】

【Offspring benefits: Foundation stability + 30%! Ice Wood Spirit Root Fusion significantly increased! Potential Grade A Low Grade → Stabilized (star affinity)! Innate Dao Body affinity + 2%! Special talent "Child of Nature" activation: 5%!】

【Pill Refining Art proficiency + 2000! Pill Refining Art Rank: Great Master (3800 / 5000) → Grandmaster (800 / 10000)!】

【Obtained special insight: Star Pill Refining Art (Elementary)! Can invoke weak Star Power to assist in Alchemy!】

It was done! black rank high-grade! Perfect quality! star conception spirit pill!

Jiang Linfeng was overjoyed! Ignoring his fatigue and injuries, he carefully put the three star-patterned Medicinal Pills into a jade bottle!

The Medicinal Pills felt warm and smooth in his hand, star radiance flowing, exuding a captivating aura!

He turned around and bowed deeply to Old Man Zhong, who was still sitting with his back to him, slowly sipping from his teapot!

"Thank you, Protector Old Man Zhong, for your kindness!"

Old Man Zhong didn't turn around, just slowly took a sip from his teapot, his voice carrying a hint of imperceptible fatigue:

"Thanks for nothing... this old man... just came out to get some air..."

"The Medicinal Pill is done... hurry up and scram..."

"Don't... be an eyesore here..."

Jiang Linfeng said no more, gripped the jade bottle tightly, and flashed away, speeding toward the Cold Plum Courtyard! Yaner! Child! We are saved!

Old Man Zhong remained sitting on the large stone, his cloudy gaze watching the gradually dissipating star vortex, then glanced at the direction where Jiang Linfeng disappeared, muttering in a low voice:

"star conception spirit pill... invoking the Star Power of the whole sky..."

"Now... those old undying things... their noses will probably be completely hooked over here..."

"Sigh... troublesome..."

He took a sip from his teapot, his hunched back seeming to bend a bit more, his figure appearing exceptionally desolate under the moonlight.

Cold Plum Courtyard. Luo Yan leaned against the window, watching the sky-piercing star beam in the direction of the Medicine Garden with worry.

When she saw Jiang Linfeng's figure appear, her eyes instantly lit up.

"Husband!"

Jiang Linfeng stepped into the room, handed the jade bottle to Luo Yan, his voice filled with excitement and a hint of fatigue: "Yaner! Quick! Take it!"

Luo Yan looked at the three Medicinal Pills in the jade bottle, flowing with star patterns and exuding a sacred aura, her beautiful eyes widening: "This is..."

"star conception spirit pill!" Jiang Linfeng said softly, "It can completely stabilize your and the child's Foundation! Stimulate the child's talent!"

Luo Yan did not hesitate, took out one Medicinal Pill, and swallowed it.

The Medicinal Pill melted upon entering her mouth! An unspeakable, warm, and vast torrent of life mixed with cool Star Power instantly swept through her entire body!

She felt every cell in her body cheering and leaping! Fatigue was swept away! Her Qi and blood were as full as the sea!

Her Divine Soul was as clear as if washed! Even more wonderfully, the child in her womb radiated unprecedented joy and satisfaction!

A pure stream of Star Power mixed with Ice Wood Origin flowed and fused within the child's body!

That "Child of Nature" talent seemed to be completely awakened! Radiating with vigorous vitality!

【Ding! Partner Luo Yan consumed "star conception spirit pill (black rank high-grade · Perfect)"!】

【Effect: Mother's Origin sublimated! Qi and blood and Divine Soul reached the Peak! Star affinity + 10%!】

【Offspring benefits: Foundation stability MAX! Ice Wood Spirit Root perfectly fused! Potential Grade A High Grade (Star Dao Body prototype)! Innate Dao Body affinity + 5%! Special talent "Child of Nature" activation: 10%!】

【Hint: Offspring potential broke through the critical point! Obtained Innate talent "Star Sensing" (weak)!】

It was done! The effect far exceeded expectations! Jiang Linfeng looked at Luo Yan's rosy face and her lower abdomen emitting a soft star radiance, his heart filled with joy and satisfaction!

However, just at this heartwarming moment—Hum—!!!

A pressure, even more terrifying and vast than before, as if carrying the weight of the entire starry sky, descended without warning! Instantly enveloping the entire Qingyun Sect!

This time, within the pressure, there was an undisguised, cold, and bone-chilling... killing intent!

"Lower Realm ants! Stealing the star Origin! Refining forbidden Dao pills! Your crimes are unforgivable!"

"Hand over the Medicinal Pills! Hand over the medicine king token! Hand over... the Dao Fetus!"

"Otherwise... I will exterminate your nine clans! Remove you from the Star Domain!"

The cold and ruthless voice was like a Heavenly Dao judgment! Resounding through the clouds!

The Tianyan Dynasty! True powerhouses! Have arrived!

Outside the Cold Plum Courtyard, Old Man Zhong held his teapot, his cloudy eyes looking at the night sky solidified by the star pressure, sighing deeply:

"Sigh... I can't suppress it anymore..."

"Kid... this time... this old man... might really have to... move these old bones..."