C14 Purified the Lifeblood

The resolve on the young face brought a touch of relief to the weathered features of the elder. While some might dismiss the youth's bold words as a fleeting outburst of anger, they deeply moved the old man.

He harbored no grand illusions about Lin Yu seeking vengeance on his behalf, nor did he hold any expectations. Well aware of the perils from years of travel, his sole wish was to keep on living.

What truly touched him was the young man's bravery. Unrelated to the matter at hand, yet fully aware of the dangers, Lin Yu had willingly stepped forward to shoulder the burden. His unfazed demeanor in the face of such adversity was not common.

The old man lifted Lin Yu up, his voice tinged with bitterness and compassion, "It seems I've inadvertently drawn you in. Though we bear the titles of master and disciple, I've taught you little. Now, I've placed this heavy burden upon you, and for that, I am truly sorry. Had I known, perhaps I wouldn't have been so fixated on concocting the pill. Maybe I could've held on a bit longer, given you time to prepare. But without striving, how could I rest easy? Life is unpredictable, and its mysteries are often unfathomable."

Tears welled up in Lin Yu's eyes once more. "I don't mind being involved, nor do I fear what lies ahead. I had nothing to begin with. If not for you, Master, I might no longer be here. I am more than willing to do anything for you. My only fear is disappointing you by failing to safeguard the seal and breaking the lineage."

"You've already done so well. I couldn't say for certain that I would be able to bear such responsibility myself. Having you as my disciple leaves me with no regrets in this life. It's just unfortunate that with my severe injuries, I can no longer protect you..."

Mid-sentence, the old man felt a tightness in his chest. His once ruddy complexion faded to a ghastly pallor. Suppressing the taste of blood, he quickly retrieved a pill and popped it into his mouth.

"Master!" Lin Yu exclaimed.

With a weak wave of his hand and a faint smile, the old man replied, "I've pushed myself too far. My injuries are grave, and calamity has come early. Misfortune never comes alone, does it? But let it be. Whether it arrives a day sooner or later makes little difference."

With a flick of his wrist, a jade box materialized in his grasp, which he then handed to Lin Yu. "Take this pill; it might cause some discomfort, but you'll be fine once you get through it."

Lin Yu accepted the jade box with curiosity and opened it to find a palm-sized black object inside. It was the Dragonfire Elixir the old Taoist had previously attempted to refine.

"Master, what is this?"

"This is a pill I had refined earlier. Though it lost most of its spiritual energy due to a failed refinement, diminishing its potency, it still offers significant benefits to one's lifeblood," the old Taoist explained calmly as he stroked his beard.

Lin Yu, holding the item, had a flash of excitement. "Master, you should take it quickly. It could give you more time to recover and get through this ordeal. Wouldn't that solve everything?"

The old Taoist shook his head. "The pill is most potent upon first use; its effectiveness greatly diminishes thereafter. Besides, as a failed pill, it won't have any substantial effect on me or solve any problems. But for you, it's different. Your mortal body and unrefined lifeblood will be purified by taking it, greatly aiding your future cultivation."

Lin Yu gazed down at the dark pill in his hand, his last bit of hope fading. How he wished the pill were perfect, so his master wouldn't be in danger. How he wished his master wasn't bound by a seal and could freely pursue the path to enlightenment. His master often spoke of a predestined heavenly will—what was it, and why was it so merciless? Given the chance, he would defy fate. Clenching his fists so tightly that his nails pierced his skin and drew blood, he was oblivious to the pain as he swallowed the pill in one gulp.

Time marches on relentlessly, its passage meaning different things at different moments. Some count every second, while others feel each day stretch on endlessly.

For half a day since ingesting the pill, Lin Yu's body had been wracked with a burning agony. Despite the intense pain, he remained silent, his cheeks slick with sweat. Filled with resentment and defiance, he vowed to never forget this torment, the harsh reality of so-called destiny, and how it stripped away the little he had.

The old Taoist had been observing Lin Yu's transformation with keen interest. He was well aware of the agony caused by the Dragonfire Elixir. The process of purifying the lifeblood was excruciating, penetrating deep into the marrow and nearly unbearable. Yet, he couldn't help but admire Lin Yu's fortitude; with such character, he was destined for greatness with the proper guidance.

"It's almost time; I need to start preparing," the old Taoist murmured to himself as he used his spiritual sense to monitor the progress of the medicinal power refining Lin Yu's lifeblood. He stroked his beard thoughtfully.

"Crack!"

The power of the pill was nearly spent. Amidst the throes of pain, Lin Yu thought he heard a crisp sound from within, like the shattering of porcelain. The pain began to fade, replaced by a warm flow that spread throughout his body, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake.

He expelled a breath of stale air and slowly opened his eyes. Realizing he was soaked through, he changed into a fresh, dry set of clothes and stretched, feeling a satisfying series of pops in his joints. The relief was indescribable.

Reflecting on the recent torment, Lin Yu clenched his fist, noting the marks where his nails had dug into his palm, and whispered to himself, "Maybe pain is the most authentic thing in this world."

Observing Lin Yu's contemplative state, the old Taoist could see the young man's rapid maturation and resilience. He nodded in approval and asked, "How are you feeling now?"

Lin Yu took a deep breath, tuning into his body's alterations. He frowned slightly and replied, "My body feels much lighter, and there's a pleasant warmth. I haven't noticed any other changes yet."

"Hehe..." The old Taoist chuckled. "You might not fully grasp the benefits at this moment. As your realm advances, the advantages will become clear."

Lin Yu nodded in agreement, "As the pill worked its way into my system, I could feel my lifeblood being scorched and enhanced. The medicinal power merged with the lifeblood, and despite the pain being nearly intolerable, I trust the effects are significant."

The old Taoist chuckled dryly and said, "It's rare to see someone like you who can endure such pain without relying on spiritual energy to suppress it. I must admit, I'm not your equal in that regard. I can no longer treat you as a child."

Lin Yu touched his nose sheepishly and mumbled, "I'm not a child anyway..."

Watching Lin Yu's embarrassed smile, the old Taoist gave another dry laugh before shifting the conversation. "The efficacy of this pill is limited; it can't significantly enhance your lifeblood. Given the current circumstances, it can maintain the seal for a little over a decade. While I could use external forces to open your meridians and infuse you with spiritual energy to forcibly advance your cultivation, it would leave your foundation unstable, making future progress extremely difficult. I believe that in ten years, you'll have grown enough to safeguard the seal with your own strength."

"I'll give it my all!" Lin Yu vowed.

"Over ten years..." Lin Yu whispered to himself, pondering the weight of the time ahead.

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