socalfunplaces 715. Farewell to the Yan Clan
715. Farewell to the Yan Clan
"And your medicine cauldron," Huo Zhen pointed at Xiao Yan, "is also a good cauldron on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking. To overcome your dependence on it, start now and try to use your Dou Qi to condense flames directly to refine medicine, and try to avoid its influence on you. My medicine cauldron is just because someone specially gave it to me, and I've gotten used to using it. It doesn't mean that I have any indispensable dependence on it."
"Your teacher, Yao Chen, probably didn't emphasize these things to you, because they involve the true path to the Ninth Rank, which he himself hadn't truly entered. Moreover, Yao Chen's own path to advancement was likely far more arduous and difficult than yours. With such a good teacher guiding you, you'll naturally take very few detours on your path to becoming an alchemist. But sometimes, certain necessary detours are precisely the true trials needed to reach the peak!"
Huo Zhen looked at Xiao Yan, who was listening attentively, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He paused, then continued to explain the realms beyond the ninth-grade chasm: "Even these ninth grades have their own levels; they are not the final destination. As I mentioned earlier, the Creation Rejuvenation Pill is a ninth-grade treasure pill, but it's just one type. To my knowledge, these ninth-grade pills can be further divided into three tiers: ninth-grade treasure pills, ninth-grade profound pills, and ninth-grade golden pills."
"The Ninth Grade Precious Pill is a symbol of entering the Ninth Grade for the first time. To refine it, the alchemist needs to perfectly control the pill under extreme conditions, bring out the medicinal power to the extreme, condense the essence to form the pill, and finally give birth to a trace of spirituality."
"The core of this step is pushing the limits, achieving the ultimate control over the medicinal properties. But even so, the refining process is not foolproof, and the possibility of failure always exists."
"Failure here often doesn't mean a complete explosion and nothing gained, but rather failing at the crucial breakthrough point. The fusion of medicinal power fails to reach the perfect critical point. Although a pill is eventually formed, the contained energy of heaven and earth fails to transform from mortal to spiritual. What is born is merely a pseudo-ninth-grade pill with the scale of ninth-grade medicinal power but weak or even nonexistent spirituality. It has the form but lacks the spirit, and its efficacy is greatly reduced. It can only be considered a peak-level eighth-grade pill, still lacking that final spiritual transformation before it becomes a true ninth-grade treasure pill."
"As for the ninth-grade Profound Pill and Golden Pill..."
Huo Zhen's words unconsciously carried a hint of respect, as it was a realm he himself had yet to enter. However, when he looked at Xiao Yan, who was currently absorbing and processing a large amount of information, he seemed to harbor a faint sense of anticipation.
"That's the legendary realm..."
"I've said so much, and perhaps you can't fully grasp its weight yet. But I only hope you remember one thing: sometimes, going slow is for running faster later! If you want to reach the ninth rank, then be honest and diligently work on those small details that you might overlook if you go fast, and solidify them one by one! This is the only right path to making a towering building last forever!"
In the small courtyard, bamboo leaves rustled, and the lingering fragrance of herbs made the professional dialogue between master and apprentice quite charming.
"Hoo..." Xiao Yan let out a long breath, as if to expel some kind of restlessness that had been building up in his chest. The confused look in his eyes completely disappeared, replaced by a thorough and clear understanding.
He raised his head, his clear gaze meeting Huo Zhen's worldly-wise eyes. He didn't say anything more about being grateful, but simply stood up and bowed deeply to his teacher, the one he had taught that day. His movements were fluid and powerful, speaking volumes without a sound.
"Little one, if the Yan Clan comes, come visit me more often."
"Yes..."
……
"Young friend Xiao Yan, are you really leaving like that?" Yan Chao looked at Xiao Yan's figure, his tone filled with a sincere desire for him to stay.
Behind him stood most of the Yan Clan members, half out of curiosity and half out of gratitude. After all, Xiao Yan was the last one to be seen refining the ninth-grade pill that day. The Yan Clan had already discussed what had happened in the past two days, but most members remained very curious about Xiao Yan.
Who exactly was this person who could refine that crucial elixir?
Seeing Xiao Yan now, many people feel that he has a mysterious aura.
"I really have something to attend to. If fate allows, we'll meet again next time," Xiao Yan replied with a smile.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yan Chao did not try to persuade Xiao Yan to stay any longer, and solemnly expressed the Yan Clan's gratitude to Xiao Yan. However, due to the current situation, there was not much the Yan Clan could do to truly express their gratitude; they would have to wait until the Yan Clan had recovered from this predicament. This weighty gratitude was, at the moment, tinged with a sense of helplessness and powerlessness.
For a family of Dou Di to adopt such a stance is extremely rare.
In the end, the Yan Clan members, with friendly smiles, stepped back, tacitly leaving this small space and brief moment of tranquility to Huo Zhi and Xiao Yan. After all, Xiao Yan had come here specifically for Huo Zhi.
Before the massacre of their clan, the Yan clan members learned about Xiao Yan through Huo Zhi's words, describing him as a trustworthy person. No one would believe there was nothing between them.
"Xiao Yan...when will you come again?" Huo Zhi's bright eyes gazed at Xiao Yan, with a hint of barely perceptible longing.
The words had barely left her lips when she seemed to realize that her question had been too direct, revealing the reluctance in her heart. Her fair cheeks flushed slightly, and as if to hide something, she quickly added an explanation: "We haven't properly studied how to use the strange fire to create an effect greater than the sum of its parts yet."
"Don't worry, after I finish dealing with the important matters, I've already promised Senior Kama that I'll definitely come again whenever I have time."
After saying this, a brief silence fell between them. A gentle breeze blew by, carrying Huo Zhi's unique, faint fragrance. This quiet wasn't awkward, but rather a subtle air of parting sorrow, tinged with an indescribable longing.
Huo Zhi gently raised her hand, tilted her head slightly, and carefully untied an inconspicuous knot behind her neck. Then, she took off a jade pendant that she always wore close to her body from her slender neck.
It was a jade pendant with a warm, lustrous sheen, carrying the warmth nurtured by body heat.
"This is something I've worn for so many years. Although it's not some rare treasure, I've felt it brings me good luck all these years. You've helped the Yan Clan so much this time, I really can't let you leave empty-handed. Let this jade pendant accompany you. May you be safe and well wherever you go."