Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 484 First Trial of the Alchemy Furnace
Upon hearing this, Lu Xingzhou and Dugu Qingli subconsciously exchanged a glance, both inexplicably feeling as if they were having an affair right in front of each other.

You actually let the two of us go out alone... How much do you trust us?

Ye Tinglan never doubted for a moment that his cold-hearted, clueless, and foolish disciple was truly involved in a romantic relationship. Even if a love tribulation were to occur one day, it wouldn't involve his master, right? Qingli wasn't that kind of person.

Moreover, although Lu Xingzhou was lecherous, he still had some bottom line and wouldn't go so far as to lay a hand on his own disciple.

Both sides can rest assured.

Just as Dugu Qingli has been in the capital for some time now, she has never been seen visiting Lu Xingzhou alone, and Lu Xingzhou has also never visited Dugu Qingli alone. It seems that their relationship is just ordinary, like that of ordinary friends.

Qingli often disliked Lu Xingzhou, not only speaking coldly to him but also once drawing her sword to attack him. This was mostly because that damned man had fallen for her master; what child wants a stepfather? Understandable.

Why not let the two of them go out for a walk together and ease the tension between them?
The disciple has always disliked this master and was quite opposed to him, which is one of the important reasons why Ye Tinglan couldn't let go. She should try to resolve this.

Dugu Qingli knew what her master was thinking, and she really had a lot of complaints she wanted to vent.

This foolish master still doesn't know that the disciple arrived first. When you were being jostled around in your wheelchair, you were nowhere to be seen. As for sticking out your tongue, I, Dugu Qingli, am the best in the world, even earlier than Shen Tang. Later, you inexplicably got together with him first, which caused this relationship to end without a trace.

Do you know the real reason why I'm so against you two? It's not that I'm against stepfathers, but that nobody wants the boy who was pursuing them yesterday to become their stepfather in the blink of an eye.

Are you leaving us alone?

But she did want to go out and gain experience instead of staying in the capital. This was a good opportunity, so she didn't say anything. Her cold face was almost red with suppressed anger.

It's not that I'm embarrassed, it's that I really wanted to complain but I held it in.

Anyway, times have changed, and things are different now. I won't pay any attention to him now; it's good enough if I don't kill him.

Lu Xingzhou's expression also turned strange, and after a long while he finally said, "Don't worry, I will take good care of Qingli."

Ye Tinglan nodded with satisfaction: "Is there a patrol order arranged?"

"Yes. In a few days, when Tangtang returns to Xiazhou, I will appoint Yuanyao as the General Who Guards the West, and he will also be stationed in the western border, supporting Tangtang. The practical significance is twofold: first, to bring the entire western region under our sphere of influence, and second, to suppress the Ten Thousand Mountains with our army."

Ye Tinglan quickly understood the meaning: "You want to eliminate the future threat to Xuan Nu?"

"Yes. It's impossible to let her recover in peace; we'll take advantage of her illness and kill her."

"She knows that Chu Yun knows the location of the sect, so she probably won't continue to hide in the Hehuan Sect. She might just find nothing there."

"Then we have to flatten her stronghold first."

"Do you need my help?"

“If a Xuan Nu who is seriously injured still needs your help, then what are we for… Right now, you should be keeping an eye on Gu Yiheng more.”

Ye Tinglan finally nodded and said to his disciple, "Since we have such important business, listen to your master on the way and don't be stubborn, understand?"

Dugu Qingli: "...Not your aunt anymore? Could you perform it again? I want to see that one."

The little white cat was coiled into a ball and left on the observatory.

Around the same time, the Jiang family's door opened, and several pieces of luggage were thrown out.

Jiang Duxu's voice came from inside the room: "Get out of here! If you stay in the capital any longer, I'll teach you a lesson!"

Jiang Yuan picked up her luggage and slunk out of the capital.

Ye Tinglan, standing on the observatory, suddenly felt a sense of impending doom and the rise of dragons and snakes, and habitually cast a divination using her fingers.

The hexagram was also Ming Yi, which surprised Ye Tinglan.

On the ninth day, the hexagram Mingyi appears in the hexagram "Flying."

Ye Tinglan frowned slightly. This divination was neutral, neither particularly auspicious nor inauspicious, and it was quite fitting for the situation of leaving the capital...

However, Gu Yiheng is known as Di Huo Ming Yi, while his side is Ming Yi Yu Fei. It's quite interesting who is the host and who is the guest.

To put this hexagram in a different context, it signifies a time when a foolish ruler is on the throne, and the wise are harmed.

Leaving was actually the best solution, and Lu Xingzhou's decision was perfectly in line with the will of Heaven.

Ye Tinglan pondered for a moment, lost in thought. Although the divination was somewhat interesting, there didn't seem to be anything that required special treatment. She should first help Xingzhou get the ring and alchemy materials and make preparations for the trip.

…………

When Lu Xingzhou returned home, the three brides had all styled their hair in the manner of married women and were sitting in the backyard with Anuo, counting the materials and herbs.

Everyone was planning to leave the capital, so naturally they needed to bring some useful items. The Huo family had amassed far too much wealth over the years; it had taken Ah Nuo several days to take stock of it before. This time, they had picked out the good, useful items and filled the courtyard to the brim.

At first glance, the dazzling array of spiritual energy was overwhelming. Only first-grade items were worthy of being placed here, and there were also plenty of super-grade items. Anuo was overjoyed, like a Maitreya Buddha: "Master, Master, has Old Man Jiang returned the alchemy furnace? Take it out and refine a pill to try it out."

Lu Xingzhou took out the alchemy furnace and said with a smile, "Then let's give it a try. Let's refine a second-grade breakthrough pill for your sister Yao to test our skills first."

The laughter and chatter suddenly stopped as the alchemy furnace was taken out. Ah Nuo stared blankly at the furnace, then got up and walked over, somewhat bewildered.

Lu Xingzhou: “?”

Ah Nuo touched the alchemy furnace and circled around several times as if in a dream: "Master..." "Hmm?"

Can I sleep inside?

Lu Xingzhou rubbed his forehead.

"No, no..." Ah Nuo suddenly snapped out of her daze and took several steps back in alarm: "Take it further away..."

This reaction was incredibly powerful; it was both the "womb" of her birth and the painful past that had been shattered and merged—both intimate and terrifying. But those were memories from before her spiritual awakening, hazy and confused, which she herself couldn't recall.

Lu Xingzhou met the puzzled looks of his three wives, unsure how to explain.

There's another matter. Long Qinghuang initially suspected the alchemy furnace's materials contained elements related to the Kui Niu, and now that she has the furnace, analysis confirms this, proving her suspicions. However, this also means there might be other related elements, and whether other life forms might also have a restraining effect on Anuo requires further analysis.

"Don't be afraid, Ah Nuo, your master's wife is here." Shen Tang hugged Ah Nuo and comforted her, "Shall we put the alchemy furnace away first?"

Lu Xingzhou shook his head: "There's no need. This is just an inanimate object. A'nuo should use it to overcome some of her innate fears. Besides, the best owner of this alchemy furnace should be A'nuo."

Ah Nuo scratched her head: "So I'm really sleeping inside?"

Lu Xingzhou was both amused and exasperated: "Well then, you can take the alchemy furnace with you. When you go out, others can pitch tents, and you can sleep in the alchemy furnace."

Ah Nuo's mouth twitched, but she couldn't manage a smile.

"Alright, let's test the pill refining first." Lu Xingzhou selected several ingredients for refining a second-grade breakthrough pill, which had unique properties tailored to Sheng Yuanyao's Wind and Thunder Physique. After preparing the ingredients, he put them into the pill furnace for testing.

Then it was discovered that the furnace had its own fire source at the bottom, so the alchemist didn't need any fire ability; the furnace solved the problem itself.

No wonder Huo Liancheng, who wasn't a Daoist cultivator at all, could still go into seclusion and refine pills while holding a pill furnace.

The flames were purple, somewhat similar to Shen Tang's Imperial Supreme Scripture, and even their auras were somewhat similar.

The family huddled around the stove, studying it with great curiosity for a long time, and all said, "Is that the purple aura of the emperor?"

Shen Tang was certain: "Yes, it is of the same nature as the concept of the Huangji Jingshi Jing."

Lu Xingzhou said, "It is the Mountain and River Purple Flame recorded in the alchemy book. It has no special effect when used to refine other pills, that is, it stabilizes the high temperature. However, when used to refine pills related to the Mountain and River Qi Meridians, the effect is multiplied... Gu Zhanting must have taken the relevant pill in the end in order to take the final step."

This is why, in the later stages of refining various high-grade special pills, one often needs flames with special attributes. In fact, even the Soul Banner's Boundless Black Flame is of the same attribute, but the Boundless Black Flame is too destructive, and few pill furnaces can withstand it, except for this one.

A high-level alchemist often needs to be proficient in many types of flames. Lu Xingzhou's fire bones formed the foundation of his flames. They don't have any particularly special attributes, but they are compatible with all types. However, at present, Lu Xingzhou only has two types: Destruction Golden Flame and Crimson Lotus Calamity Flame. The Boundless Black Flame and Netherworld Ghost Flame have been fed to the Soul Banner.

Having witnessed Lu Xingzhou collect the Destruction Golden Flame, Sheng Yuanyao clapped her hands and laughed, "Then you should collect this flame. It's a waste to use it as the fire that comes with your alchemy furnace. Collecting it yourself can also be used to fight enemies."

Lu Xingzhou nodded: "This furnace fire is strong enough to be divided into two flames, and both A'nuo and I can cultivate one. Huo Liancheng is only letting this flame go to waste because he is not a Daoist cultivator. It's actually a good thing for us."

Shen Tang glanced at him but said nothing. This spark carries imperial aura; if Lu Xingzhou were to absorb the calligraphy scrolls Gu Zhanting gave him, his Great Qian Qi would probably be even stronger than Gu Yiheng's.

If she were to use the dual cultivation technique to transfer her own Qi, which belonged to Gu Yitang, to him...

I don't know what Lu Xingzhou thinks about this; let's talk about it later.

As they chatted, the pills inside the furnace gradually took shape. Now, Lu Xingzhou could easily refine a second-grade pill, not to mention that with such a furnace, the success rate was practically 100%.

The furnace was opened, and a pill jumped out, exuding an aura of immortality.

Normally, only top-grade pills of grade one or above would attract pill tribulations, but this pill, which was clearly made from only grade two materials, generated lightning in the void and was struck by heavenly thunder.

—Things that are “not meant to belong to the world” according to the laws of Heaven are destined to suffer calamity, the most typical example being being struck by lightning.

Sheng Yuanyao drew her sword and slashed at it: "My pill!"

"Boom!" A great wind and thunder roared, and Sheng Yuanyao's blade was like thunder, even more astonishing than heavenly lightning. With one strike, the heavenly lightning dissipated.

The sisters all looked at her with some amazement. They couldn't believe how strong Agua was now.
Sheng Yuanyao happily sheathed her sword, took out the pill, glanced at it, and her eyes widened: "First-grade?"

The material, though of grade two, has been revealed to be of grade one quality; its quality is still top-notch.

“I’m afraid we can’t completely regard it as a first-grade pill anymore. It’s highly likely that it has other immortal-grade attributes added to it.” Lu Xingzhou looked at the pill with some caution: “But it certainly won’t do any harm. I’m just afraid you can’t handle it… You take it first, and we’ll protect you.”

With a sense of reverence, Sheng Yuanyao carefully swallowed the pill.

The pill entered my stomach like a thunderclap.

Sheng Yuanyao felt as if her limbs and bones were exploding, but it wasn't pain; instead, it was an extremely comfortable feeling, like being massaged.

Then his aura surged and grew rapidly, breaking through the second rank barrier. It didn't stop there, but continued to soar until it finally stopped at the middle stage of the second rank.

Everyone looked at Sheng Yuanyao as if she were a goddess.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Sheng Yuanyao asked curiously, "Although you've made a significant breakthrough, shouldn't you have had some expectations? This pill is a first-grade one."

"No, no, that's not it..." Anuo stammered, "Sister Yao, you have wings!"

Sheng Yuanyao turned her head in shock and saw that two phantom-like wings had spread out on her back, with the power of wind and thunder flowing on the wings, like a fairy.

(End of this chapter)