Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

In half a day, the outline of Lingxiancao Valley came into view in the distance.

The Valley of Spiritual Herbs was a stark contrast to the tranquility he had left behind. Now, the valley was bustling with unprecedented activity, brimming with vitality. Disciples from the three sects moved about, each cultivator in their respective sect's attire performing their duties: some were wielding spirit shovels to excavate the spiritual veins, others were transporting the extracted spiritual crystal ore, and still others were guarding various points in the valley. Shouts, the clinking of magical artifacts, and the cries of spirit birds mingled together, showcasing the grand scale of the three sects' joint mining operation.

The Hidden Crystal Spirit Vein has been fully opened, and rich earth-elemental spiritual energy, mixed with the unique shimmering white light of the crystals, continuously overflows from the mine, enveloping the entire valley. Around the mine, a protective array jointly set up by the three sects shimmers with light, layers of spiritual light interwoven into a dense protective shield, shielding the entire Spirit Immortal Herb Valley. The array patterns flow in sequence, exuding an indestructible and powerful aura. Not to mention ordinary demonic intrusions, even a full-force attack from a Golden Core cultivator would be difficult to harm it in the slightest; it is truly as solid as a rock.

Lin Yan and his entourage landed outside the temporary shelter. His gaze swept over the tight security around them, and he understood the situation. Previously, the Blood Fiend Sect, coveting the Hidden Crystal Spirit Vein, had brazenly led an attack, clashing fiercely with the cultivators of the three sects. Ultimately, they suffered heavy losses and a crushing defeat. This battle severely weakened the Blood Fiend Sect, forcing them to temporarily hide and lie low, daring not to cause trouble again.

"We will first return to Taiqing Palace and report to the sect leader about the events of this trip."

The others nodded in agreement and followed closely behind Lin Yan, riding on their spiritual light as they sped towards the main peak of Laoshan Mountain.

After piercing through clouds and mist, the outline of Laoshan's main peak soon came into view. The upturned eaves of Taiqing Palace were hidden among the sea of ​​clouds, and the vermilion palace walls were solemn and majestic, showing the majesty of a major Taoist sect.

As soon as Lin Yan and his entourage landed, they went straight into the council hall.

The hall was quiet and solemn. Master Xuan Yang, the head of Laoshan Sect, dressed in a plain white Taoist robe, sat upright in the main seat. His face was lean and refined, and his aura was profound and deep, exuding an air of quiet authority. The elders on both sides stood silently, their gazes all fixed on the returning group, their expressions filled with anticipation.

As Lin Yan entered the hall, Xuan Yang Zhenren's originally calm eyes instantly revealed undisguised praise. His eyes, which had been filled with the Daoist heart for a hundred years, were full of recognition and approval for Lin Yan.

"Disciple greets the Sect Leader and all Elders."

Lin Yan bowed first, and the others in his entourage followed suit.

"Very well, disciples, there's no need for such formalities."

Before everyone could finish their greetings, Master Xuanyang spoke slowly, his tone gentle yet solemn: "The journey to Crimson Fire Reef was extremely dangerous. You were able to escape unscathed and even bring back the Sea Spirit Core, such an opportunity. You have already made a great contribution."

He slightly raised his hand, gesturing for everyone to rise and stand. His gaze first slowly swept over the elders below the hall, then settled on Lin Yan again, his tone becoming increasingly resolute: "The Hidden Crystal Spirit Vein is now well-defended and its mining is proceeding in an orderly manner, thanks to your previous preparations around the vein and your timely warning before the Blood Fiend Sect's attack. This time, upon your return from the secret realm, you not only obtained unparalleled opportunities, but also single-handedly suppressed the Northern Mang evil cultivators amidst the chaos of multiple forces, protecting your fellow disciples and companions. This courage, composure, and combat prowess far surpasses that of your peers from Laoshan."

Upon hearing this, all the elders in the hall nodded in agreement, and their gazes toward Lin Yan were filled with genuine recognition and praise.

Master Xuan Yang slowly rose, walked down from the main seat, and stood before Lin Yan. He gently patted Lin Yan's shoulder with a light touch, a gesture that was both a reward and a sign of high expectations: "Our Taiqing Palace of Laoshan never buries those who have not contributed, nor does it fail those with exceptional talent. From now on, the sect's secret scriptures and cultivation resources will be allocated to you first. You must take this as a starting point, uphold your Dao heart, and cultivate steadily. One day, you will surely become a pillar of our Laoshan lineage, supporting the Daoist sect of the East Sea."

Lin Yan bowed again, his expression humble and composed.

"I will go and pay my respects to my master now. You may all leave now."

After bidding farewell to everyone, Lin Yan stepped out of the Taiqing Palace gate and rode his spiritual light alone, flying straight towards the Mingxuan Heavenly Pass.

The moment he stepped into the Mingxuan Tianguan mountain range, a clear and steady voice transmission quietly entered Lin Yan's ears:

"Come to Xuan Shui Cave immediately to see me."

Xuan Shui Cave is Lin Yan's exclusive cultivation cave. His master, Elder Guan Hai, knew long ago that he had returned from the secret realm and was also aware of his desire to devote himself to the Dao of Alchemy.

Lin Yan immediately turned back to pay his respects to his master.

"Disciple greets Master."

Elder Guanhai raised his hand, gesturing for him to step forward.

Lin Yan bowed respectfully and then said, "In this secret realm, besides harvesting Sea Spirit Crystal Marrow, I also found many rare ancient spiritual herbs, as well as a Mysterious Water Pill Cauldron. Now that I have ample spiritual materials, I wish to study the Dao of Alchemy and refine pills myself."

Lin Yan possesses a pure water spiritual root and has already mastered the alchemy techniques of Ling Xuanzi's lineage. He also inherits the ancient water spirit alchemy tradition. The two origins are connected, which makes him yearn for alchemy cultivation even more.

If he can achieve something in alchemy, it will be of great benefit to the sect and his fellow practitioners. Elder Guanhai nodded with a smile: "Very good. Your alchemy and Senior Ling Xuanzi's alchemy originate from the same source, so practicing the Water Cloud Alchemy Method will naturally be twice as effective. You can take whatever you need from the spirit herb garden in Mingxuan Heavenly Pass. All the materials you need for alchemy will be provided. You can just focus on your studies."

After saying that, Elder Guanhai disappeared in a flash.

The Xuan Shui Cave was fully equipped, with a stone table and medicine stand in perfect condition. Lin Yan took out the Xuan Shui Pill Cauldron from his storage ring and gently placed it on the base of the medicine stand.

This alchemy cauldron was a deep blue-green, its surface engraved with ancient water and cloud patterns. It was warm to the touch and exuded a rich aura of water, making it a superior alchemy vessel perfectly suited to the Water Cloud Alchemy method. He took out all sorts of spiritual herbs he had gathered from the secret realm, categorizing and arranging them neatly. Looking at the dazzling array of rare spiritual materials before him, and recalling the complete alchemy principles, the key points of controlling the heat, and the method of condensing the pill in his mind, Lin Yan took a deep breath and officially began his first alchemy practice.

His first choice was the introductory elixir, the Gathering Water Spirit Pill. This pill is made primarily of Water Spirit Grass and Dew-Gathering Flower, supplemented with several auxiliary ingredients. It is specifically designed to condense Water Spirit Qi and is most suitable for his own cultivation. It is also the foundational elixir of the Water Cloud Pill Method.

Following the inherited steps, Lin Yan carefully sorted the spiritual herbs and removed impurities. Then, he circulated his cultivation and used the Golden Finger Technique, condensing spiritual light at his fingertips and giving birth to a wisp of innate pill fire. The pale golden flame slowly rose and landed steadily at the bottom of the Profound Water Pill Cauldron.

The innate alchemical fire had a gentle and controllable temperature, which, combined with the Xuan Shui alchemical cauldron's excellent water control power, should have been a perfect start. However, being a first-time alchemist, he was still unfamiliar with controlling the fire and the timing of adding the ingredients. He added the dew-collecting flower too early, and it was burned by the alchemical fire, losing most of its medicinal properties; he was distracted in regulating his spiritual energy, causing the fire to fluctuate in intensity, and the medicinal liquid in the cauldron to boil and become chaotic.

With a soft "bang," the cauldron lid trembled slightly, and a burnt smell slowly spread. The first batch of Water Gathering Elixir had turned into black dregs, marking the failure of the first attempt at alchemy.

Lin Yan took a deep breath, his mind gradually calming down. He knew that the path of alchemy was a gradual one, and even with a peerless inheritance, it still required countless trials and tribulations.

He cleaned the cauldron, calmly reviewed any oversights, and meticulously examined the details of controlling the heat and the combination of spiritual herbs. After making slight adjustments, he once again activated the Golden Finger Technique, drawing upon the innate elixir fire.

This time, he cleared his mind of all distractions, focused his attention entirely on the cauldron, kept a close eye on the changes inside, and added the medicine in the correct order according to the prescribed method.

The spiritual herbs slowly melted, transforming into a clear medicinal liquid that intertwined with them. Lin Yan used pure water to circulate his vital energy, stabilizing the fire and slowly refining the elixir. However, at the crucial moment of completion, the spiritual energy of the elixir fire suddenly became unstable, leaking outwards, and fine cracks appeared in the medicinal liquid within the cauldron. Although not completely destroyed, the resulting elixir was dull in color and covered in cracks, rendering it a useless, ineffective pill.

Despite suffering two consecutive defeats, Lin Yan did not become anxious; instead, he became even more composed.

He perused the scrolls of alchemy transmission, memorizing every detail and key point, and repeatedly practiced the Golden Finger Technique to control the fire, gradually refining his connection with the innate alchemical fire. The spirit tortoise lying beside him slowly raised its head, exhaling a wisp of pure water spirit energy that gently swirled around the cauldron, silently stabilizing the spiritual energy of the cave and protecting him.

From dawn till dusk, Lin Yan worked tirelessly, restarting the furnace after each failed attempt. Waste pills and dregs gradually accumulated, but his understanding of the Water Cloud Pill Method, his control of the heat, and his fusion of medicinal properties all improved rapidly with each trial.

Over time, he mastered the control of fire and the precision of adding medicine. The medicinal liquids in the cauldron blended harmoniously, and the spiritual light became warm and restrained, without any trace of agitation or disorder.

As night deepened, the Xuan Shui Cave became quiet and serene.

Lin Yan focused his mind and calmed his spirit, circulating the Golden Finger Technique at his fingertips to steadily ignite the innate elixir fire. The water elemental essence and the elixir fire merged and generated each other, the ancient water and cloud patterns on the Xuan Shui Dan Ding slowly flowing, warm and radiant. Spiritual herbs were added to the cauldron one by one, refined into juice, blending in an orderly manner, and a mellow and elegant medicinal fragrance slowly spread, filling the entire cave.

Lin Yan held his breath and concentrated, his fingertips forming a hand seal, guiding the medicinal liquid inside the cauldron to slowly condense. Suddenly, a flash of light appeared, and several round, plump, and emerald-green pills quietly sank to the bottom of the cauldron.

The pill is translucent, with flowing spiritual light, carrying pure and long-lasting water-based medicinal power, and has a light and mellow medicinal fragrance. It is a top-quality Water Gathering Pill.

Lin Yan was overjoyed. He carefully took out the pill and held it in his palm, carefully sensing the pure and gentle water elemental energy within. A relieved smile slowly spread across his face.

After numerous setbacks and trials, he finally opened the door to the Dao of Alchemy. With this foundation-building experience, he will naturally become more and more adept at refining high-level pills in the future.