I'll make you the furnace and the cauldron, so you can refine Yin and Yang and prove the Great

three days later.

The main peak of the Hehuan Sect, even higher up.

Li Hanshan stood at the entrance of the cave, looking around at Hua Nongying's new residence.

Unlike the previous secluded courtyard, the spiritual energy here was several times richer. The cave dwelling was carved into the mountainside, with a flat stone platform in front of it, planted with several spiritual bamboos. The mountain breeze rustled the bamboo leaves. Looking out, the sea of ​​clouds surged, and four mountain peaks in the distance stood like giant pillars, majestic and imposing.

"Hanlang, this place is quite nice, isn't it?"

Hua Nongying walked over. After she established her foundation, her entire demeanor underwent a subtle change. Her already alluring eyes gained a touch of composure, and her every move became more natural.

When no one was around, she addressed Li Hanshan as "Hanlang," which was at Li Hanshan's request.

Too many people are paying attention to them now. If an elder above the Golden Core stage were to secretly investigate with their divine sense, Hua Nongying's address could expose their true relationship.

Li Hanshan nodded: "It's indeed very good."

Hua Nongying pointed to the distant mountain peaks: "Hanlang, look, the Hehuan Sect has a total of five mountain peaks. We are on the main peak. The stronger you are, the higher you can live. As a core disciple who has just broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, I can only live at this height."

She moved her finger and pointed to a verdant mountain peak in the east: "That's Jade Peak, a place specifically for cultivating spiritual herbs, managed by Elder Jiang."

Jiang Nianwei?

So, Xu Lingxi also lives on this mountain peak.

"That's Crimson Fire Peak, where alchemy and weapon crafting take place. To the south is Literary Treasury Peak, where the sect's treasure vault and scripture pavilion are located..."

Hua Nongying continued her introduction.

After listening, Li Hanshan asked, "By the way, what's the current situation with Xu Lingxi? Does she need to participate in the sect's assessment?"

Hua Nongying said, "She is considered Elder Jiang's personal disciple and is not included in the sect's overall assessment."

Li Hanshan raised an eyebrow: "Personal disciples don't need to undergo assessments?"

"Of course." Hua Nongying nodded. "Personal disciples are taught by the elders themselves. They have a superior status and are not bound by the sect's regular assessments. However, each elder can only take on a limited number of personal disciples. Even a Golden Core cultivator like Elder Jiang can only take on three to five at most."

She paused, her tone becoming serious: "But Hanlang, you must be careful. Elders often have ulterior motives when they take on personal disciples."

Li Hanshan looked at her.

Hua Nongying rarely showed her playful side: "Some elders treat their personal disciples like furnaces to fatten them up before devouring them; some covet certain special physiques and want to possess them; and some are even more outrageous, turning their personal disciples into puppets to be used by them."

"Then Jiang Nianwei..."

"Elder Jiang is quite good," Hua Nongying said. "She is focused on alchemy and holds a prominent position in the sect. Her cultivation level is improved through elixirs, and she has little interest in matters of men and women. When accepting disciples, she considers their aptitude and temperament. Xu Lingxi is fortunate to be with her."

Li Hanshan nodded, feeling relieved for Xu Lingxi.

Hua Nongying suddenly remembered something, took out the Blood Jade Ganoderma from her storage bag, and said, "Master, if this Blood Jade Ganoderma is used directly, only about 50% of its medicinal power can be absorbed. If we can ask Elder Jiang to help refine it into a Blood Jade Body Tempering Pill, the medicinal effect can be at least three times greater."

Li Hanshan's heart stirred.

Three times the efficacy? That's a significant difference.

Hua Nongying continued, "Elder Jiang is one of the most skilled alchemists in the Hehuan Sect, her alchemy skills are unparalleled. If someone else were to ask her for help, she would most likely ignore them. But it's different for you, Master. Don't you have that girl Xu Lingxi?"

Li Hanshan understood her meaning: "You mean, ask Elder Jiang for help through Lingxi?"

"Exactly," Hua Nongying said. "That girl is devoted to her master. She will definitely help him if he asks. Elder Jiang will most likely not refuse because of her."

Li Hanshan pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, I'll give it a try."

"Then this servant awaits good news from master."

Hua Nongying handed him the Blood Jade Lingzhi.

Li Hanshan put the Ganoderma lucidum into his storage bag, summoned his flying sword, and flew towards Jade Peak.

Among the five peaks of the Hehuan Sect, Biyu Peak is the most secluded and tranquil.

From the air, the entire mountain peak was shrouded in a thin, pale green mist, formed from the condensed medicinal vapors emanating from the spiritual herbs. Below the mountainside, neatly cultivated spiritual fields had been set up, planted with various spiritual herbs and plants, where many outer disciples were working. Above the mountainside were independent courtyards and alchemy rooms, becoming increasingly tranquil as one ascended.

The spiritual energy here becomes gentle and mild, and a faint medicinal fragrance permeates the air. Taking a deep breath makes one feel refreshed.

"It really is a pure land."

After approaching Jade Peak, Li Hanshan sensed the presence of the anti-flight restriction, so he landed at the foot of the mountain and explained his purpose to the disciples guarding the peak.

"Grandpa Li!"

Not long after, Xu Lingxi flew down from the mountain, her little face full of surprise: "Why are you here!"

Li Hanshan explained his purpose.

"Blood Jade Lingzhi? Refined into an elixir?"

After hearing this, Xu Lingxi patted her chest and said, "Grandpa Li, don't worry, I've got it covered! My master loves me the most, I'll take you to see her right now!"

"Now?"

"Of course! Master happens to be in the Pill Hall these days, come with me!"

Without saying a word, Xu Lingxi pulled Li Hanshan up the mountain.

The higher one climbs on Jade Peak, the denser the spiritual energy becomes, and the richer the medicinal fragrance in the air grows. Most of the people encountered along the way are female disciples, who all bow their heads in respect upon seeing Xu Lingxi, addressing her as "Senior Sister Xu" with reverence.

"Grandpa Li, Master is such a kind person. He has taken in many disciples with good character, otherwise they would all have become furnace cauldrons."

When Xu Lingxi spoke of Jiang Nianwei, her tone was full of respect.

For this girl to genuinely respect her, either Jiang Nianwei is too good at pretending, or she is a truly kind person.

Based on what he had seen and heard along the way, Li Hanshan felt it was the latter.

These female disciples were probably not Jiang Nianwei's personal disciples; they were just people who stayed on Jade Peak to cultivate spiritual herbs and medicines and do odd jobs. Although they were doing menial work, it was much better than becoming a furnace cauldron.

Before long, the two arrived at a grand hall near the mountain peak.

Above the palace gate hangs a plaque with the words "Dan Dian" (丹殿, meaning "Dan Palace"). The main hall is made entirely of green jade, with dense array patterns engraved on its surface, emitting a faint spiritual light.

However, before the two could even get close...

"Boom~~"

A muffled, loud bang came from the Dan Hall, followed by a thick plume of smoke billowing out from the cracks in the hall's doors, accompanied by a burnt smell.

Xu Lingxi stuck out her tongue and whispered, "Master's alchemy furnace exploded again. She's always in a bad mood when it explodes. How about... we try again later?"

Li Hanshan was astonished. Wasn't Jiang Nianwei supposed to be a master alchemist? Yet she could still cause a furnace to explode. He wondered what kind of pill she was refining.

He nodded: "Okay..."

Before she could finish speaking, a clear, cold female voice came from inside the pill hall: "Lingxi, are you outside?"

Xu Lingxi's face stiffened, and she shrank back like a frightened little rabbit. But since she had been discovered, she dared not run away, and could only bite the bullet and say, "Master, it's me, Lingxi."

"Come in."

Xu Lingxi gave Li Hanshan a wink, and the two of them entered the Pill Hall one after the other.

The interior of the hall appears more spacious than the exterior.

In the very center stood a bronze alchemy furnace, about half a person's height. The lid was half-open, and wisps of smoke were still rising from it, with charred medicinal residue scattered around. The shelves on the four walls were filled with various bottles and jars, and the air was filled with a complex aroma of medicine—fragrant, bitter, and with a lingering burnt smell.

Jiang Nianwei stood beside the alchemy furnace, wearing a light green dress. Her face was beautiful, but her eyebrows were slightly furrowed, clearly indicating that she was not in a good mood.

Her gaze first fell on Xu Lingxi, tinged with a hint of helplessness: "Where have you been again, you little rascal? Have you finished your homework for today?"

"It's done, it's done!" Xu Lingxi nodded quickly.

Jiang Nianwei then looked at Li Hanshan, her gaze lingering on him for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Is it you?"

She recognized Li Hanshan.

"Eighth level of Qi Refining... no, almost ninth level, huh? An inner disciple's identification token."

Jiang Nianwei raised an eyebrow, her tone tinged with surprise: "You, a mere furnace vessel, not only survived until now, but also became an inner disciple?"

Li Hanshan clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Junior Li Hanshan greets Elder Jiang."

Jiang Nianwei said calmly, "Speak, what brings you to my Jade Peak today?"

Xu Lingxi eagerly said, "Master, Grandpa Li would like to ask you to help him refine pills!"

"Oh?"

Jiang Nianwei looked at Li Hanshan.

Li Hanshan took out the Blood Jade Lingzhi and presented it with both hands: "I was fortunate enough to obtain this Blood Jade Lingzhi in the secret realm. I would like to ask Elder Jiang to help me refine it into a Blood Jade Body Tempering Pill."

Jiang Nianwei's gaze fell on the Ganoderma lucidum. She reached out and took it, examining it for a moment.

"The blood jade lingzhi is over a hundred years old, in good condition, and its medicinal properties are well preserved."

She placed the Ganoderma lucidum back into Li Hanshan's hand and said calmly, "However, are you aware of the rules governing my alchemy?"

Li Hanshan was taken aback.

Xu Lingxi quickly moved closer to Jiang Nianwei, tugging at her sleeve and pleading, "Master~ please help Grandpa Li~ He almost died in the secret realm and barely made it out alive. Please, for my sake, make an exception this once~"

Jiang Nianwei looked down at her spoiled little apprentice, and a hint of relaxation finally appeared on her usually cold face.

She sighed and said, "Fine, for the sake of this girl, this elder will help you this once."

Li Hanshan was overjoyed: "Thank you very much, Elder Jiang!"

"Don't thank me yet." Jiang Nianwei raised her hand. "You'll need to prepare the auxiliary ingredients for the Blood Jade Body Tempering Pill yourself. The main ingredient is Blood Jade Ganoderma, and the auxiliary ingredients also include Blood Jade Ginseng, Dragon Bone Grass, Crimson Sun Flower, and Hundred-Year-Old Sterculia Essence. Although these spiritual herbs aren't rare, they are still quite valuable. You'll have to figure it out yourself."

She took out a jade slip from her sleeve, probed it with her divine sense for a moment to record something, and then tossed it to Li Hanshan: "This is a list of auxiliary materials, take it."

Li Hanshan accepted the jade slip and bowed again to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Elder Jiang. I will go and make the preparations now."

Jiang Nianwei stopped looking at him and turned to Xu Lingxi: "Girl, see the guest out. Come back and do your homework after you're done."

"Yes, Master!"

Xu Lingxi stuck out her tongue and pulled Li Hanshan out of the Pill Hall.

Stepping out of the hall, Xu Lingxi finally breathed a sigh of relief, patting her chest and saying, "That scared me to death! The worst thing is when Master's furnace explodes. Last time, a senior sister got caught in the crossfire and was punished by having to clean the alchemy room for a month."

Li Hanshan smiled and said, "Thanks to you."

"Of course!"

Xu Lingxi raised her chin, beaming with pride: "Grandpa Li, if you need any alchemy in the future, just come to me. I still have some influence with my master!"

The two walked down the mountain path, and Xu Lingxi escorted him all the way to the gate of Jade Peak before stopping.

"Grandpa Li, come find me when the auxiliary materials are ready, and I'll give them to your master for you."

"it is good."

Looking at her smiling face, Li Hanshan felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He glanced again at the Jade Peak behind him, shrouded in a pale green mist, and sighed inwardly—this Jade Peak seemed to be the only pure land within the Joyful Union Sect.