116: The elixir is in hand! Han Li presents a gift! He refines the Beast Essence Replenishing Pill!

Chapter 116: Spirit Medicines Obtained! Han Li's Gift! Refining the beast essence spirit replenishing pill!

After the Auction ended, Lu Qiu did not leave the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower immediately.

He went to the hall on the first floor, found Steward Liu, and purchased a batch of auxiliary medicines needed to refine the "beast essence spirit replenishing pill."

Although the main ingredient, the "thousand-year crimson blood essence vine," was not yet in his hands, auxiliary medicines of several hundred years of age, such as "earth spirit reishi" and "dewdrop grass," as well as some spiritual materials to help harmonize the medicinal properties, could still be found in the market.

Spending over a thousand Spirit Stones, he basically gathered all the necessary auxiliary medicines. Only then did Lu Qiu leave the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower with satisfaction, taking to his escape light and quietly returning to Chixiao Cave.

Inside the Immortal Cave, Xin Ruyin was studying the "profound mechanism array canon" in the newly established Quiet Room, while Xiao Mei was tending to the spirit plants Lu Qiu had planted by the spirit field... Time passed quietly in peaceful Cultivation and the study of the Dao of Formations, and in the blink of an eye, the half-month period agreed upon with Han Li arrived.

On this morning, the protective Formation outside Chixiao Cave transmitted familiar knocking ripples, the rhythm cautious and clear.

Lu Qiu was in the front hall discussing the nested principles of a composite illusion formation with Xin Ruyin. Sensing the ripples, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "He's here."

He waved his hand to open the Formation passage.

Before long, a figure dressed in the Yellow Maple Valley Cultivator's robes, with an ordinary face and calm eyes, appeared at the entrance of the Immortal Cave. It was Han Li.

Standing at the cave entrance, Han Li's gaze quickly and covertly swept across the interior of the Immortal Cave.

When he saw the elegant layout of the hall and felt the misty Spiritual Qi within the Immortal Cave, a flash of surprise couldn't help but cross his eyes.

This Senior Brother Lu's Immortal Cave was much more grand than his small valley, and the Spiritual Qi was also much denser.

"Junior Brother Han, please come in," Lu Qiu's voice came from the hall.

Han Li composed himself, stepped inside, and cupped his hands, saying, "Senior Brother Lu, I have come as promised."

His gaze naturally fell on Xin Ruyin beside Lu Qiu, and he was slightly taken aback.

He saw a woman dressed in a simple and elegant moon-white long dress, her face clear and beautiful, her temperament gentle yet radiating intelligence. Although her cultivation was only at the Qi Refining Stage, her eyes were clear and transparent, leaving a deep impression.

"Junior Brother Han, let me introduce you."

Lu Qiu smiled and took Xin Ruyin's hand. "This is my Dao Companion, Xin Ruyin."

Then he said softly to Xin Ruyin, "Ruyin, this is the Junior Brother Han Li I often mention."

Xin Ruyin gave a graceful bow, her voice gentle: "Ruyin greets Fellow Daoist Han."

Han Li hurriedly returned the greeting: "I wouldn't dare. Han Li greets... Sister-in-law."

He hesitated for a moment but followed Lu Qiu's form of address.

His heart was shaken, however. He hadn't expected this unfathomable Senior Brother Lu to already have a Dao Companion, and they seemed to have a very deep bond.

Lu Qiu invited Han Li to sit down, and Xin Ruyin took the initiative to brew spirit tea.

Han Li couldn't help but look again at the faint spiritual light of the Formations circulating within the Immortal Cave. The aura was harmonious and profound, far exceeding the simple Formation outside his own cave. He couldn't help but praise, "Senior Brother's Immortal Cave has truly strict and mysterious Formation protection, which is very reassuring."

Hearing this, Lu Qiu smiled and said casually, "I have your sister-in-law to thank for that. The 'Inverting Five Elements Array' outside the cave, as well as some of the protective Restrictions inside, were mostly created by her."

"What?"

Han Li suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with unbelievable shock, and his gaze turned once again to Xin Ruyin, who was skillfully brewing tea.

That complete version of the "Inverting Five Elements Array" that he had dreamed of and hadn't hesitated to exchange a thousand-year spirit herb for was actually refined by this gentle and beautiful Qi Refining Stage female Cultivator?

This... was this possible?

He had heard a little about the complexity and profundity of the Inverting Five Elements Array.

Those who could independently refine a complete set of Formation tools were all Formation Masters who had immersed themselves in the Dao of Formations for decades or even centuries!

This Miss Xin Ruyin was so young and her cultivation was still shallow, yet she possessed such world-shaking attainments in the Dao of Formations?

Xin Ruyin happened to come over with the teacups. Hearing Lu Qiu's words and seeing him reveal her secret, she only smiled slightly, placed the teacup gently in front of Han Li, and said modestly, "I have only enjoyed playing with these things since I was a child and have a superficial understanding. It was also a stroke of luck that the Inverting Five Elements Array could catch Fellow Daoist's eye."

A superficial understanding?

A stroke of luck?

The corner of Han Li's mouth twitched imperceptibly.

If refining the complete Inverting Five Elements Array was only a superficial understanding, then ninety-nine percent of the Formation Masters in the cultivation world would probably have to die of shame.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the shock in his heart, and the gaze he directed at Xin Ruyin changed from initial surprise to heartfelt admiration. His tone became increasingly solemn: "Sister-in-law is too modest. To be able to refine the Inverting Five Elements Array is already the method of a Formation Grandmaster. Han Li is impressed!"

He now somewhat understood why Senior Brother Lu cherished this woman so much.

Such stunning talent in the Dao of Formations was indeed of inestimable value.

"Junior Brother Han, have some tea," Lu Qiu interrupted at the right time, raising his cup in a gesture.

Han Li hurriedly picked up his teacup and took a small sip. He only felt that the tea fragrance was crisp and the Spiritual Qi it contained was quite pure; it was clearly no ordinary product.

He put down the teacup, no longer hesitating, and took out two jade boxes with Seal Talismans attached from his robes, placing them on the stone table.

"Senior Brother Lu, these are the two Spirit Medicines you wanted. Please inspect them."

Lu Qiu opened the first jade box. Inside was a section of vine about half a foot long, entirely scarlet-red like blood, crystal clear as if carved from red jade, with natural blood-colored patterns on the surface. It emitted a dense aura of blood and plant essence; it was indeed the thousand-year crimson blood essence vine.

The medicinal fragrance hit his nose, and the age was sufficient.

In the second jade box was a reishi-like spirit herb that was entirely translucent white, its leaves like ice crystals, with faint frost condensed at the stamens—the thousand-year ice crystal reishi.

The ice-attribute Spiritual Qi was pure and restrained, of superior quality.

"Not bad, exactly what I need." Lu Qiu nodded with satisfaction, put away the two jade boxes, and at the same time pushed the Jade Slip containing the first two layers of the "Great Evolution Art" and the complete set of Inverting Five Elements Array Formation Plates and Formation Flags toward Han Li.

The transaction was complete, and a heavy stone fell from Han Li's heart, his expression relaxing significantly.

He looked at the gentle Xin Ruyin beside him, and after a brief deliberation, took out a green jade bottle from his Storage Pouch and handed it to Xin Ruyin with both hands.

"As this is our first meeting and I have nothing of great value, this bottle of 'peiyuan pills' is somewhat helpful for stabilizing cultivation and nourishing the Meridians. I hope Sister-in-law won't mind it."

Xin Ruyin was slightly stunned and looked at Lu Qiu.

Lu Qiu glanced at the jade bottle. Although it was separated by the bottle itself, his Divine Sense was powerful, and he could sense that there were ten peiyuan pills of good quality inside, which were indeed fine items for a Qi Refining Stage Cultivator.

But he deliberately showed a look of disdain and teased, "Junior Brother Han, aren't you being too stingy? Just one bottle of peiyuan pills to brush off your sister-in-law?"

Hearing this, Han Li was suddenly a bit embarrassed.

He was frugal by nature, and although he had many good things on him, most of them could not be shown in public.

This bottle of peiyuan pills was a gift he felt was appropriate and wouldn't arouse suspicion.

Being told this by Lu Qiu, and seeing Xin Ruyin's smiling but silent appearance, his face rarely turned a bit hot.

Gritting his teeth, Han Li fished out a slightly smaller jade box and handed it over, saying helplessly, "It was my lack of consideration. This five-hundred-year 'jade spirit flower' has mild medicinal properties and can nourish the Divine Soul and moisten the Physical Body. It should also be of some benefit to Sister-in-law's cultivation. Consider it an apology."

Only then did Lu Qiu take the jade box, open it to look, and see a milky-white spirit flower full of Spiritual Qi. He nodded, a smile appearing on his face: "That's more like it."

He turned to Xin Ruyin and laughed, "Take it; it's Junior Brother Han's sincere intention."

Xin Ruyin was a bit embarrassed but still took it as instructed, thanking Han Li again: "Thank you for your generosity, Fellow Daoist Han."

Han Li waved his hands repeatedly, but in his heart, he breathed a sigh of relief, while also feeling quite helpless about Lu Qiu's "extortionist" behavior.

This Senior Brother Lu truly refused to suffer even the slightest loss.

The main business was finished and the gifts given. Han Li did not want to stay longer, fearing that this unfathomable Senior Brother might think of something else to "prod" him with, so he stood up to take his leave: "Senior Brother Lu, Sister-in-law, since the Spirit Medicines have been delivered, I still have some trivial matters in my cave, so I won't disturb you further."

Lu Qiu knew his character and did not urge him to stay, seeing him to the cave entrance with Xin Ruyin.

Once Han Li's escape light disappeared into the horizon, Lu Qiu returned to the cave with a smile on his face.

"This Junior Brother Han is quite honest," Xin Ruyin said with a light laugh. She had a good impression of Han Li, feeling that although he seemed ordinary and cautious, his eyes were clear and he was not a wicked person.

"He has quite a few good things on him, he just keeps them tightly hidden." Lu Qiu shook his head with a smile, then his expression turned serious, "Ruyin, I'm going to start the furnace for Alchemy, it might take a few days. If there's no urgent matter, don't let anyone disturb me."

"Mhm, Husband Lu can rest assured." Xin Ruyin nodded. She knew Lu Qiu was going to refine Medicinal Pills, which was of great importance... Inside the Chixiao Cave Alchemy room.

The earth fire vent had been drawn out by Lu Qiu using Restrictions, and a steady blue-red earth fire burned quietly beneath the Pill Furnace.

The Pill Furnace was a Top-Grade Magical Artifact of good quality that Lu Qiu had obtained in his early years, the "Green Jade Tripod." It radiated a warm green light and had a good storage effect on medicinal power.

Lu Qiu sat cross-legged in front of the Pill Furnace, with several jade boxes and Jade Boxs placed before him. Inside were the various Materials needed to refine the "beast essence spirit replenishing pill": the main medicine thousand-year crimson blood essence vine, five-hundred-year earth spirit reishi, three-hundred-year dewdrop grass, and over a dozen auxiliary medicines.

He first adjusted his state to its peak, then took a deep breath and began processing the medicinal ingredients.

According to the records in the "qingyang elixir analysis" and his own Alchemy experience, he cautiously took a small section of the thousand-year crimson blood essence vine and processed and purified it along with the other main and auxiliary medicines using specific techniques.

The medicinal power of a thousand-year spirit herb was immense. Throwing the whole plant in directly would easily lead to failure due to uneven fire control; refining it in batches was the safe approach.

"Rise!"

Lu Qiu gave a low shout, infused his magic power into the Pill Furnace, and the lid lifted.

His Divine Sense was highly concentrated as he controlled the earth fire temperature, throwing the processed medicinal ingredients into the Pill Furnace one by one according to a specific order and timing.

The medicinal liquid tumbled inside the furnace, and the medicinal powers of different attributes began to fuse and react.

Lu Qiu's hands formed incantations, continuously casting fire-control techniques and pill-condensing spiritual patterns, and fine beads of sweat gradually seeped from his forehead.

Refining this kind of Medicinal Pill, which had extremely high requirements for heat control and used extremely precious medicinal ingredients, was a huge drain on both Divine Sense and magic power.

Time passed bit by bit, and the medicinal fragrance inside the Pill Furnace gradually grew stronger.

However, just at the critical moment of pill condensation, the medicinal power that had been fusing steadily inside the furnace suddenly became turbulent!

"Not good!" Lu Qiu's face changed, and he immediately increased his Divine Sense control, trying to stabilize the medicinal power.

But it was too late.

With a soft "poof," a puff of blackish-green charred smoke rose from the Pill Furnace, and the originally dense medicinal fragrance was instantly replaced by a pungent burnt smell.

The first refinement had failed.

Lu Qiu looked at the small pile of charred medicinal dregs at the bottom of the furnace, his brows furrowed.

He carefully recalled every step he had just taken, deducing the reason for the failure.

"The blood aura of the scarlet blood essence vine was too overbearing and had a slight repulsion with the earth-attribute spiritual power of the earth spirit reishi during Fusion... The timing of adding the harmonizing power of the dewdrop grass was half a breath late... There was a slight instability in the true fire during the Middle Stage..."

After a moment, clarity returned to his eyes. Failure was not scary; the key was to learn the lesson.

He cleaned the Pill Furnace, meditated for a moment, and once his state had recovered, he began his second attempt.

This time, he was even more cautious.

When adding the scarlet blood essence vine, he wrapped it with magic power and slowly released its blood aura; after the earth spirit reishi was added, he immediately cast three gentle wood-attribute spiritual patterns to neutralize it; the dewdrop grass was added precisely at the moment the medicinal powers were about to fuse... His fire-control techniques were like flowing water, and his Divine Sense closely monitored every trace of medicinal power change within the Pill Furnace.

Several hours later, a clear humming sound came from the Pill Furnace, and a mellow medicinal fragrance filled with vibrant life force spread out, making one's spirit feel refreshed.

A flash of joy appeared in Lu Qiu's eyes, his hand incantation changed, and he shouted low: "Condense!"

The furnace lid opened, and five dragon-eye-sized Medicinal Pills, showing an interwoven color of dark red and earthy yellow with faint spiritual patterns on the surface and emitting a warm aura, flew out and were steadily caught by him in a jade bottle.

beast essence spirit replenishing pills, five pills formed!

All were of superior quality!

"It's finally done!" Lu Qiu let out a long breath, a gratified smile appearing on his face.

Although only five pills were made, it was enough to alleviate the Bloodline Flood Dragon's injuries.

After taking a short rest, he took the Medicinal Pills and that blood soul fruit and entered the gray spatial bead.

In the center of the spirit eye spring, the mini-sized Bloodline Flood Dragon was still quietly curled up, its aura weak.

Lu Qiu carefully dissolved one beast essence spirit replenishing pill and that blood soul fruit with magic power, mixed them with the spirit spring water, and slowly channeled them into the Bloodline Flood Dragon's mouth.

The Medicinal Pill and spirit fruit dissolved instantly upon entry, turning into a torrent of pure and gentle medicinal power that surged into the Bloodline Flood Dragon's dried-up beast body.

Its dark red scales lit up with an almost imperceptible luster, and its originally nearly stagnant life aura, as if injected with a stream of clear spring water, began to recover and strengthen extremely slowly.

Although it was still in a deep sleep, that deathly aura of impending doom quietly faded by a fraction.

Lu Qiu could clearly feel that the medicinal power was slowly repairing the cracks on its beast core, nourishing its depleted Essence Blood, and warming its damaged Primordial Spirit.

"You've tossed me around for so long; once your injuries are recovered, you'll have to serve your master well." Lu Qiu gently touched the Bloodline Flood Dragon's cold scales, his eyes full of expectation.

A level five peak flood dragon, comparable to the Late Stage of Core Formation in its prime—once it recovered, it would become the undisputed strongest trump card in his hand!

Exiting the spatial pearl, Lu Qiu was in a great mood.

There was hope for the Bloodline Flood Dragon's injuries. The next step was to plan properly how to find that ancient teleportation formation leading to the Chaotic Star Sea, to prepare an escape route for the upcoming chaos of the Demonic Path invasion.