C17 Refining the Adoptive Pill

"You've managed a passable success. Yet, you haven't unleashed the full potential of the Mountain Splitting Palm. Remember, this technique must carry the force of cleaving a mountain. Engage your feet and waist together, channeling the spirit energy from your Dantian Sea of Qi with all your might. That's the only way to tap into its most formidable power," Uncle Nan, the old servant, instructed.

"Understood, Uncle Nan," Lu Shaoyou acknowledged with a nod.

"Now, let's move on to pill refining," Uncle Nan continued. With a gentle flick of his sleeve, a three-legged Great Cauldron nearly a meter tall materialized from nowhere.

The cauldron was adorned with hues of green and red, exuding a rich fragrance of spiritual herbs. Intricate patterns were etched all over its surface, including a spiraling fire dragon motif.

Atop the dragon's mouth was a bowl-sized opening, and the cauldron was capped with a circular lid. It radiated an ancient charm and felt incredibly substantial.

"This is the Fire Dragon Cauldron. I'll bequeath it to you, but keep it hidden from prying eyes. If the Spirit General or Spirit Marshal were to see it, they wouldn't hesitate to slay you. This cauldron holds secrets that will aid a novice like you in quickly mastering the art of pill refinement," Uncle Nan explained.

"Thank you, Uncle Nan," Lu Shaoyou replied, his joy evident. Gifts from Uncle Nan were always invaluable. He even considered asking for more treasures, knowing each one could bring endless benefits in the future, or fetch a handsome price if sold.

But Lu Shaoyou kept these thoughts to himself, well aware that revealing them might cost him Uncle Nan's generosity.

"Uncle Nan, I can't possibly carry this cauldron with me. How did you bring it out earlier?" Lu Shaoyou asked, a hint of frustration in his voice. He eagerly approached the Fire Dragon Cauldron, bent down, and attempted to lift it, feeling its weight of at least two hundred kilograms.

"I expected as much," Uncle Nan said, giving Lu Shaoyou a stern look. He then produced a black ring and handed it to him. "This is a Storage Ring. Just add a drop of your blood, and it will integrate with your body. Summon it with your spirit or Spirit Qi when needed. It has ample space for your use."

Uncle Nan cautioned further, "Keep this ring hidden from others. It could put you at risk if it catches the eye of someone with malicious intent. There are only three such rings in the world. Though not exceedingly valuable, its ability to merge with one's body is unique. Not even the entire Lu family could obtain one."

"That valuable?" Lu Shaoyou exclaimed, astonished by the ring's worth. Uncle Nan's collection of treasures was truly vast. Lu Shaoyou accepted the Storage Ring, biting his finger to let a drop of blood fall onto it. He then slipped the ring onto his left ring finger, where it seamlessly integrated.

"You can inspect the contents of the Storage Ring with your spirit energy. From now on, you can store anything you need inside, except for living creatures," Uncle Nan advised.

Lu Shaoyou channeled his spirit energy, and instantly, the Storage Ring on his left ring finger materialized. Within the ring, a space nearly a hundred square meters unfolded in his mind.

"This is truly a treasure. I've struck it rich," Lu Shaoyou silently celebrated. He was incredibly fortunate. Without Uncle Nan's guidance, he would never have had the opportunity to acquire such a valuable item.

The Storage Ring was worth an entire Lu family fortune. The thought that the ring on his finger equaled the value of his entire family lineage left Lu Shaoyou with a mix of trepidation and exhilaration. It all seemed to be happening too fast.

"What's with the daydreaming? You think this is worth a fortune? Aim higher," Uncle Nan, the old servant, chided Lu Shaoyou with a glance. "The Lu family might be something in Qingyun Town, but it's insignificant on the grand scale of the Spirit Martial Continent. You're not my disciple, but you'd best set some long-term goals and not bring me shame."

"I understand, Uncle Nan." Lu Shaoyou's pride was swiftly checked by Uncle Nan's rebuke. Clearly, he had a long way to go to match Uncle Nan's stature. He resolved to explore the wider world when the opportunity arose.

"Now, get to know this Fire Dragon Cauldron. We'll soon start refining pills," Uncle Nan instructed, motioning for Lu Shaoyou to acquaint himself with the cauldron.

Approaching the Fire Dragon Cauldron, Lu Shaoyou inspected its craftsmanship, which was nothing short of exquisite. It resembled an ancient relic, humming softly under his gentle touch.

"Channel your spirit energy into the mouth of the Fire Dragon, and flames will emerge. Give it a try," Uncle Nan encouraged.

Lu Shaoyou focused, and a surge of spirit energy flowed from his mind into the mouth of the Fire Dragon.

Instantly, a green-red flame roared to life within the cauldron.

"Take it easy. We're in the process of pill refining. A careless move and you could ruin the ingredients," Uncle Nan warned, then added, "For a first attempt at flame conjuring, not bad. Now, pay close attention as I teach you the art of pill refining."

Lu Shaoyou was surprised by the intensity of his initial attempt. He nodded attentively as Uncle Nan continued, "The pill we're making is a low-grade, first-class Adoptive Pill, which can enhance the cultivation level of a Martial Disciple. Start by opening the lid and placing the Three-star Grass and Five Leaf Lotus inside the cauldron. Be mindful of your spirit energy control—the flame should be gentle but not too weak. Too little fire won't refine the ingredients, while too much will damage their essence. At this stage, our goal is to purify the ingredients, retaining only their most potent elements."

"Stay calm, steady your spirit energy. If you deplete it, you won't succeed in crafting the pill."

"Now, add a stalk of Vitality Grass and a portion of Consolidating Dew Powder."

"You can't see inside the cauldron, so you must use your spirit energy to sense what's happening. This requires intuition, something that can't be taught," Uncle Nan explained.

Lu Shaoyou began to probe the interior of the Fire Dragon Cauldron with his spirit energy. The process of pill refining stirred a mix of excitement and anxiety within him, leaving his emotions in a complex swirl.

Under Uncle Nan's tutelage, Lu Shaoyou gradually found his rhythm, earning occasional approving nods from his mentor.

"Be careful, steady your spirit," Uncle Nan suddenly cautioned.

Lu Shaoyou felt a pang of anxiety as his control over his spiritual energy wavered, causing the flames within the Fire Dragon Cauldron to surge. He quickly reined them in, his heart skipping a beat. While manipulating spiritual energy might appear straightforward, in practice, it proved to be a formidable challenge.

"Feel it out, stabilize on your own," Uncle Nan advised from the sidelines.

The secret chamber was alive with the dance of flames from the Fire Dragon Cauldron, casting a flickering light across the stone walls. As the temperature steadily rose, Lu Shaoyou was drenched in sweat.

Two hours in, Lu Shaoyou could sense his spiritual energy depleting rapidly. Pill refining was indeed a task that demanded an immense amount of spirit.

Having only managed to transform the materials into a spiritual liquid, Lu Shaoyou felt he was at his limit.

"Just hold on, you can take a break now," Uncle Nan's voice reached him, just as Lu Shaoyou was about to confess his exhaustion.

With that, Lu Shaoyou ceased channeling spiritual energy into the cauldron. His divine powers seemed to drain from him, and he collapsed limply onto the floor of the secret chamber, gasping for air. He lay there, too spent to move, as if he had just crossed the finish line of a marathon.