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

A faint medicinal fragrance permeated the pill hall. The bronze pill furnace had been cleaned again, and the array patterns engraved on its body shimmered under the influence of spiritual energy.

Jiang Nianwei stood in front of the alchemy furnace, pointing to the medicinal herbs arranged on the table beside her, and introduced them one by one: "This is the Thousand-Year Ice Soul Grass, this is Jade Marrow Liquid, this is the stamen of the Flaming Sun Flower... These are all auxiliary materials for refining the Jade Dew Melting Snow Pill. The main ingredient, the Jade Bone Flower, that I picked in the Monster Beast Mountain Range last time is still here, but it was almost destroyed when the furnace exploded last night, so only the last one is left."

Her tone carried a mixture of relief and nervousness. The last Jade Bone Flower meant there was only one chance.

Li Hanshan walked to the alchemy furnace, glanced at the medicinal herbs, and then turned to Jiang Nianwei: "Elder Jiang, I will explain as I refine the medicine. If you have any questions, you may interrupt me at any time."

Jiang Nian nodded slightly and stood beside him, the distance between them no more than an arm's length. Li Hanshan raised his hand to activate the Earth Lung Fire, and the furnace temperature slowly rose. He put the first medicinal herb into the furnace and began to explain.

"The biggest difference between the step of condensing the elixir and ordinary alchemy lies in the change of the fire. Ordinary alchemy uses 'alternating between gentle and strong fire,' with a strong fire attacking and a gentle fire simmering; but ancient alchemy emphasizes 'the fire moves with the will,' meaning the fire should follow the properties of the medicine, rather than following a fixed method."

His voice was calm and unhurried as he spoke, adjusting the size of the flames. Jiang Nianwei watched intently, seeing the flames fluctuate under his control, sometimes fierce like a fire dragon, sometimes gentle as a feather. She was captivated, unconsciously moving closer to him.

"Look, this step requires a gentle, slow burn," Li Hanshan said, adjusting the flames with his right hand while habitually raising his left hand to point out the changes in the furnace to Jiang Nianwei. Just then, Jiang Nianwei also moved closer to get a better look, her movements a little hasty, and her shoulder lightly bumped into his left arm.

Both of them were taken aback.

Li Hanshan felt a soft, delicate touch brush against the back of his hand, and could feel the warmth of the body even through the thin fabric. Jiang Nianwei paused slightly, a faint blush rising on her usually calm and aloof face, only to vanish in an instant. She coughed lightly and casually took half a step to the side.

"Slowly simmer, I've got it." Her voice remained calm, though her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her gaze deliberately avoided his, landing on the alchemy furnace.

Li Hanshan withdrew his hand and continued explaining without changing his expression: "This step is the most crucial—the ancient alchemy method has a special technique when condensing the pill, using water-based spiritual power to envelop fire-based medicinal power, allowing the two to briefly merge and then separate. In this way, water and fire complement each other, and the pill patterns can be connected."

As he spoke, he began to demonstrate this step. A wisp of pure yang energy flowed from his fingertips into the alchemy furnace, gently touching the water-based medicinal power transformed from the jade marrow liquid. The liquid trembled gently within the furnace, its surface rippling with delicate waves before slowly subsiding. At this moment, the intermittent alchemical patterns finally began to connect. Jiang Nianwei's clear, cold eyes brightened slightly, and she couldn't help but lean closer.

"Water and fire in harmony, so that's how it is..." she murmured, her voice filled with amazement and sudden realization. She had seen a few words about this technique in ancient alchemical texts, but had never witnessed it in person. Now, Li Hanshan was demonstrating it to her, as if a completely new door had been opened before her.

Flames leaped within the alchemy furnace, medicinal power flowing freely, and before they knew it, they had reached the final stage of pill condensation. This was also the most crucial step—using divine sense to guide the medicinal liquid, dividing it into several portions, each condensing into a single pill. This step required complete concentration; the slightest mistake would render all previous efforts futile. Li Hanshan said, "You try."

Jiang Nian hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and reached out to activate her spiritual power. Her movements were cautious as she probed the alchemy furnace with her divine sense. However, her technique was clumsy when guiding the medicinal liquid, causing the liquid, which should have been divided into six equal portions, to tremble, with one portion almost disintegrating.

Seeing this, Li Hanshan subconsciously reached out and placed his hand on the back of her hand, guiding her spiritual energy slowly into the furnace. His palm was dry and warm, and when he placed it on the slightly cool back of her hand, he could clearly feel her hand tremble slightly for a moment.

"Don't rush, stay calm." His voice was very low, almost close to her ear, and his breath gently brushed against her hair. "When you release your consciousness, don't use too much force. Follow the flow of the medicine, instead of forcibly pulling it."

Jiang Nian froze for a moment, but did not pull her hand away. Under his guidance, her fingers slowly turned the hand seals, and the medicinal liquid in the furnace gradually stabilized, transforming into six clumps, each taking shape. She could hear her own heartbeat, thump, thump, thump, each beat faster than the last.

As the fire in the furnace gradually died down, six emerald-green pills floated quietly in the center of the furnace. Their patterns were interconnected, and they were crystal clear, clearly all of superior quality. A refreshing medicinal fragrance filled the air; just one whiff was enough to invigorate the mind and spirit.

"It's done." Li Hanshan released his grip.

Jiang Nianwei withdrew her hand and silently took a half step back. Her gaze fell on the six Jade Dew Melting Snow Pills, a flash of surprise in her eyes, which was then replaced by another, more complex emotion. Her lips moved as if she were about to speak, when the door of the Pill Hall was suddenly pushed open from the outside.

"Master! I heard that Grandpa Li is..." Xu Lingxi stepped across the threshold, her voice clear and melodious. Halfway through her sentence, she saw the scene in the hall: Grandpa Li and her master stood side by side in front of the alchemy furnace, very close to each other. Her master was slightly turned to the side, and there seemed to be a trace of blush still lingering on his face.

Xu Lingxi's mouth opened into a small circle.

"...Excuse me!" She retreated even faster than she had come, closing the door behind her. Her footsteps pattered away, and you could faintly hear her calling from outside, "Senior sisters, please don't go in yet, Master is inside on business!"

A moment of silence fell over the hall. Jiang Nianwei's face flushed crimson. The blush spread from her neck to her ears, a stark contrast to her usual aloof and indifferent demeanor.

She took a deep breath, seemingly trying to return to her usual self, but the blush on her exquisite face wouldn't fade completely. She raised her hand to cover her lips and coughed lightly.

That's all for today.

She took out a jade bottle from her storage bag and handed it to Li Hanshan, speaking a few steps faster than usual: "This is a thank-you gift. You can go back now, and I'll come to thank you again another day." After saying that, she turned and walked towards the alchemy furnace, pretending to organize the medicinal herbs, looking like she was "very busy."

Li Hanshan carefully put away the jade bottle and tactfully took his leave. Just as he reached the door, Jiang Nianwei's voice came from behind him: "Wait." He turned around, but she didn't look at him. Instead, she was fiddling with the medicine box on the table, her voice a few decibels lower than before, "That girl Lingxi just now... don't take it to heart."

"I know," Li Hanshan nodded.

Just as he was about to push open the door and leave, a series of heavy footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall. The footsteps were neither hurried nor slow, but they carried a chilling pressure, each step feeling as if it were stepping on one's heart. The door of the Pill Hall was pushed open again, and an old but upright figure walked in.

Third Elder.

He remained as unfathomable as ever, his golden robes fluttering in the wind. His gaze swept across the hall, first landing on Jiang Nianwei, then lingering for a moment on Li Hanshan. Li Hanshan clasped his hands in a salute, and the Third Elder merely nodded slightly before turning to Jiang Nianwei.

"Elder Jiang, what's your decision regarding that matter?"

Jiang Nianwei's expression returned to its usual coldness, her tone calm yet tinged with distance: "Third Elder, I have said many times that I am devoted to the Dao of Alchemy and have no interest in matters of men and women. Please find another suitable match for me."

The Third Elder showed no sign of leaving. Instead, he took a step forward: "Elder Jiang, you should know that I have been stuck at the peak of the Golden Core stage for decades. If I could cultivate with a female cultivator with a pure spiritual body, I would have a great chance of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. I promise you that once you break through to the Nascent Soul stage, I will do everything in my power to help you reach that realm as well. At that time, you and I, husband and wife, would both be great Nascent Soul cultivators. Wouldn't that be a wonderful story?"

Jiang Nianwei frowned slightly, her tone growing colder: "I appreciate the Third Elder's kindness. However, I have relied on elixirs and arduous cultivation to this day, never resorting to dual cultivation methods. Whether it's breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage or the Deity Transformation stage, I have my own path. There's no need to mention this matter again."

The Third Elder stared at her for a long time, a hint of malice flashing in his deep-set eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. He snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, turned around, and strode towards the outside of the hall. As he passed Li Hanshan, he paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over him with a hint of scrutiny and displeasure.

"What are you still doing here?"

"This disciple is about to take his leave." Li Hanshan bowed and clasped his hands in a fist salute. The Third Elder did not speak again, and strode away, his footsteps gradually disappearing on the mountain path outside the hall.

Silence fell over the main hall.

"Has the Third Elder been harassing Elder Jiang lately?" he asked.

Jiang Nianwei rubbed her temples, a hint of weariness and helplessness appearing on her beautiful face: "It's been several months. His lifespan is nearing its end, and he's eager to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, so he's set his sights on me."

Li Hanshan understood. He had heard about the Third Elder's situation before. At the peak of the Golden Core stage, the lifespan was only a little over five hundred years. The Third Elder was already old, and if he didn't break through soon, he would only have the path of passing away. No wonder he disregarded his status as an elder and came to pester Jiang Nianwei time and time again.

"What does Elder Jiang plan to do?" he asked.

Jiang Nianwei raised her head, a hint of coldness flashing in her clear, aloof eyes: "No need to worry. Although I am not good at fighting, as an elder, the Third Elder would not dare to force me. The Hehuan Sect has its own rules, and elders must not harm each other, otherwise the sect leader will definitely come out of seclusion to investigate and hold them accountable."

She paused, her tone softening slightly, and turned to Li Hanshan, "Thank you so much today. With the Jade Dew Melting Snow Pill successfully refined, my old friend's fire poison can be cured."

Li Hanshan shook his head: "Elder Jiang, you're too kind. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."