A final frenzy before parting!

Inside the secret chamber, the residual warmth had not yet dissipated.

Xue Linglong's entire demeanor underwent a subtle qualitative change; the cold sharpness that kept people thousands of miles away was sheathed, replaced by a delicate charm and seductiveness emanating from her very core. As her Qi flowed, a natural allure manifested.

She was lying on her side languidly, her pair of beautiful eyes, capable of captivating all beings, now shimmered with moisture.

"I came to find you, besides Cultivation, actually... I mainly wanted to see you."

"What? Why are you saying such disheartening things?" Lin Yuan hooked a strand of her dark hair with his fingertip and chuckled softly.

Xue Linglong's eyes dimmed slightly.

"The war between us and the Misty Immortal Sect has reached a fever pitch."

"The Blood River Frontline has already collapsed."

"Elder Gu, the most promising member of the Sect to break through to the Nascent Soul stage within a century, was besieged by three Cultivators of the same rank. She ultimately detonated her Golden Core, destroying both body and Divine Soul. Several Core Formation Stage Cultivators perished alongside her, and the severely wounded are countless."

"Now, the vanguard of the Misty Immortal Sect has advanced from the Yan Kingdom and invaded the territory of the Zhao Kingdom."

"The Yan Yang Kingdom to the west is also stirring, gathering its great army. Should we show any sign of defeat, they will pounce without hesitation, tearing at our flesh and blood and seizing territory."

Lin Yuan's movements stopped.

Since returning from the Demon Falling Valley, he had either been attempting Foundation Establishment breakthroughs or practicing Alchemy and Cultivation, completely oblivious to external affairs. He hadn't realized the situation outside had deteriorated to such an extent.

"Therefore," Xue Linglong sighed faintly, "the Old Ancestor has ordered the mobilization of all fighting forces within the Sect to meet the enemy."

She looked up, her gaze complex as she watched Lin Yuan.

"You are an Alchemist. Medicinal Pills are extremely scarce during wartime, so you will likely be conscripted to follow the army to the front line, refining Medicinal Pills to treat the wounded disciples."

She changed the subject, a hint of inexplicable meaning in her tone.

"However, if the Yan Yang Kingdom really sends troops, perhaps you might even run into your Princess Ji Hanyou!"

"Oh, right, our relationship with the Five Poisons Sect is quite good. The Five Poisons Sect might send troops to assist. If that happens, the fate you and Lan Caier left unfinished in the Demon Falling Valley might just be rekindled."

As she spoke, the sourness almost solidified into substance.

Lin Yuan frowned slightly.

"You have to go too?"

"I leave today." Xue Linglong's voice dropped. "That's why I said I came to see you. Going to the front lines, swords and blades have no eyes. Perhaps... we won't get a chance to meet again."

Lin Yuan rubbed his chin and asked, "Are you fully prepared then?"

"Mostly prepared. To boost morale, the Sect distributed quite a few healing qi replenishing pills and spiritual power restoring qi supplementing pills."

"What quality?"

"I received five of each. Three Low Grade and two Medium Grade. They should be enough for critical moments."

Lin Yuan threw off the blanket and flipped directly out of the messy, heart-shaped large bed.

With a casual wave, an ancient, simple Pill Furnace appeared out of thin air and settled steadily onto the ground.

Xue Linglong's beautiful eyes widened as she watched Lin Yuan, shirtless, start a fire and begin Alchemy in the secret chamber.

The Earth Core Nether Fire roared upwards, the deep blue flames illuminating the contours of his muscular back.

A rich medicinal fragrance instantly wafted out.

Xue Linglong knew Lin Yuan could perform Alchemy, but the scene before her—the smooth and flowing Fire Control Technique, the precise, minute deployment of Spiritual Materials... She had seen Lin Yuan perform Alchemy in the Demon Falling Valley, but compared to now, he seemed to have advanced significantly.

Approximately half an hour later.

Lin Yuan gave a low shout.

"Open!"

The furnace lid popped open in response, and nine streaks of spiritual light shot out, which he steadily captured into his palm.

Nine qi replenishing pills, spiritual light contained within, and without exception, all were supreme grade!

Xue Linglong's breathing hitched.

She stared intently at the nine Medicinal Pills, her mind deeply shaken.

The qi replenishing pill can be refined by an Eighth-Grade Alchemist. But nine pills in one furnace, all yielding supreme grade! This level of pill formation rate and quality is simply unthinkable without Alchemy Dao Attainment of Fifth Grade or higher!

Lin Yuan ignored the shock in her eyes, casually placed the Medicinal Pills into a Jade Bottle, then took out a set of Materials for the qi supplementing pill and threw them into the furnace.

Another half hour passed.

Likewise, nine supreme grade pills.

He casually tossed the two Jade Bottles to Xue Linglong.

"Take them."

Xue Linglong subconsciously caught them, then snapped out of her daze, looking at Lin Yuan with an extremely complex expression.

The next moment, she suddenly extended her delicate arms, hooked his neck, and pulled him back onto the bed.

"For Husband to treat me so well, this little woman has no way to repay..."

Her voice was seductive to the bone, carrying a hint of resolute madness.

A wicked curve appeared at the corner of Lin Yuan's mouth.

"Then how do you plan to repay me?"

"What do you think... My dear Husband, lie down..."

...The next day, night fell.

The moon hung high in the sky, scattering silver radiance everywhere.

At the summit of Hundred Herbs Peak, the Peak Masters Residence.

Mu Wanqing sat cross-legged on a cushion in the Quiet Room. Suddenly, her tightly shut eyes snapped open, and irrepressible ecstasy surged onto her face.

Boom!

A powerful aura erupted from within her body, and the Bottleneck shattered immediately!

In just a short while, her Cultivation level steadily advanced from the Foundation Establishment Mid Stage to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage!

However, before she could fully savor the joy, the tightly closed door behind her silently slid open.

A figure identical to her slowly walked out.

That person's temperament was cold, like Profound Ice that had not melted for ten thousand years.

"Sister!" Mu Wanqing was nearly crying tears of joy. "Your Divine Soul... it's finally recovered!"

A long-lost look of relief also appeared on Qing Tan's face.

"Yes, the hidden Divine Soul injury that has plagued me for years is finally healed."

"I can finally continue Cultivating."

"And you..." She looked at Mu Wanqing and said with gratification, "can finally resolve your inner conflict and no longer be burdened by my Dual Soul."

She instantly discerned Mu Wanqing's Cultivation level and was genuinely happy for her.

"Don't say that, Sister." Mu Wanqing was full of apology. "It was my willfulness back then that implicated you, causing your Divine Soul injury and trapping you at the Bottleneck for so many years."

"There is no need to mention the past; it wasn't entirely your fault."

Qing Tan changed the subject. "During the time I was healing, did you manage to find out the identity of Alchemist Huang? What did Father say?"

Just then.

A streak of spiritual light penetrated the Restriction and flew straight into the Quiet Room.

Mu Wanqing grabbed through the air, and a sound transmission talisman obediently landed in her palm.

Spiritual power was injected, and an unremarkable male voice came out of it.

"Refining the violet extreme obstacle breaking pill. The usual place. Waiting for you."

After hearing the transmission, a sharp glint flashed in Mu Wanqing's eyes.

"Father suspects that the Sun Wukong is Wong Fei-hung. This sound transmission was probably intentionally sent to the 'Sun Wukong' just to gauge our reaction. This person truly acts flawlessly."

She looked at her sister and said with concern, "Sister, your Divine Soul has just healed, and your Foundation still needs stabilization. Remember to rest and recuperate well."

As she spoke, she patted the Storage Pouch at her waist, and a delicate small white Jade Bottle appeared in her hand.

She pulled out the stopper, and a wisp of cool, strange, faint fragrance drifted out.

Qing Tan smelled the fragrance and slightly furrowed her beautiful brows.

"This is jade marrow clear heart dew? Taking this liquid can make one's mind clear and focused, purify the Divine Soul, and assist in Cultivation. This item is precious; why are you taking it out?"

Mu Wanqing revealed a cunning smile, like a little fox plotting to steal a chicken.

"Naturally, it's prepared for that Alchemist Huang."

Qing Tan was puzzled. "That person is an existence comparable to a Fourth-Grade Alchemist. Although this jade marrow clear heart dew is good, I doubt it would catch his Dharma Eye, right?"

"Sister, don't worry about it for now. I have my own marvelous use for it!"