Chapter 153: Cheers in Celebration — The Tavern Master’s Hidden Intentions

Seeing the pill successfully enter the furnace, Yu Xian’s expression finally relaxed a little.

He had believed in his timing, but if it had failed, it still would have been a major regret.

After all, even if Jiang Xiaolong’s calculation had been off, he would have shared the blame. It was he who had pushed the timing to the extreme, trying to reach perfection—and that in itself could’ve backfired.

But now that the Huangchen Pill had entered the furnace safely, the next part was entirely up to Jiang Xiaolong.

If the pill failed to refine now, it would be on Jiang—not him.

At that moment, Jiang Xiaolong’s face was full of concentration, his forehead damp with sweat.

Even with assistance, even with a properly refined Tier-4 mid-grade pill ready, his burden was immense.

Because this was a Tier-5 pill—far more complex and volatile.

Merging two pills into one—one slight mistake, and all would be lost!

Yu Xian watched calmly. Whether it succeeded or not didn’t worry him too much. Worst case, they would try again. He wasn’t satisfied with the Huangchen Pill’s quality anyway.

But for Jiang Xiaolong, this was a full-throttle effort. He wanted success on the first attempt, not a second.

“Pill—Form!”

With a sharp cry, Jiang Xiaolong raised a finger and injected spiritual energy into the furnace, initiating the final fusion step!

Boom!

The furnace lid blew open, and a pill the size of a walnut, wreathed in multicolored mist and giving off a rich, intoxicating fragrance, shot out!

Jiang Xiaolong’s expression shifted instantly—from intense focus to unrestrained joy.

Without another word, he raised his hand, caught the pill, and swiftly stored it in a gourd.

A Tier-5 low-grade Huanglong Blooddust Pill—complete!

Yu Xian also smiled and said, “Congratulations, Senior Brother, on a successful refinement.”

“Hahahaha!”

Jiang Xiaolong burst out laughing, the gourd still in his grip. Turning to Yu Xian with genuine joy, he said, “Nonsense! The thanks is all to you, Junior Brother! Your Huangchen Pill was of high quality, and your timing—absolutely flawless! You saved most of the pill’s medicinal power from dissipating! A masterful assist!”

Yu Xian chuckled modestly. “I was merely supporting—nothing more than a bit of help. The real skill lies with you, Senior Brother.”

“Nonsense,” Jiang waved it off, still grinning. “That wasn’t just a cherry on top. That was coal in the snow, Junior Brother—timely and essential! Come, come, today’s a great day. Let’s drink a few cups! I’ll message the others too. Tomorrow we’ll head for that secret realm.”

Yu Xian’s brows twitched slightly.

Tomorrow?

Why not today?

He really didn’t like wasting time.

But this wasn’t his domain. Jiang Xiaolong had just refined a pill and was likely fatigued. Plus, gathering everyone would take time. One day’s delay was acceptable.

So Yu Xian simply nodded. “Very well.”

With that, he put away his Lian Grass Furnace.

Jiang Xiaolong also stored his own pill furnace. Who knew if they might need to refine pills in the secret realm tomorrow? Better to carry it along.

The alchemy chamber’s door opened slowly, and the two men walked out, smiling.

Outside, Luo Yingmei had been waiting.

When she saw them exit, a flicker of surprise crossed her face.

She was also an alchemist—still learning, particularly in spirit beast pills—but she understood what a Tier-5 pill entailed.

And these two… came out this quickly?

Judging by their expressions, the pill seemed to have already been refined?

She’d assumed they’d be working all day or even into tomorrow.

Luo Yingmei immediately stepped forward, face full of joy. “Congratulations, Master, Senior Brother Yu! Perfect cooperation! The pill succeeded!”

“Hahaha!”

Jiang Xiaolong was always pleased with his disciple’s cleverness. He waved a hand and laughed. “Yingmei, go prepare some spirit wine and beast meat. I must drink with my Junior Brother tonight!”

“Yes, Master! Senior Brother! Wait here, I’ll cook personally!”

Beaming with pride, Luo Yingmei nodded and rushed off.

“Junior Brother,” Jiang Xiaolong said with a grin, watching her go, “my disciple is quite the chef. Even a fasting cultivator like me wants to indulge after a few days. It’s one of life’s few pleasures.”

Yu Xian nodded. “Cultivators are still human. It’s only natural to crave human things.”

Jiang Xiaolong smiled meaningfully, then turned to glance at Yu Xian, sighing, “What a shame, though. Her looks are average at best. Only once she forms her Core and is tempered by heaven and earth will she gain that jade-skin, golden-bone beauty. Pity.”

Yu Xian replied mildly, “Pretty faces are plenty. Inner brilliance is rare. She has the latter—not many can compare.”

“Oh? You think so too?” Jiang Xiaolong chuckled. “Not bad, right?”

“Indeed.” Yu Xian nodded honestly.

Luo Yingmei, despite her age, had already reached the peak of Qi Condensation. Her talent was exceptional. More importantly, she was kind, grateful, and loyal—virtues rare in the cultivation world.

“Good, good!” Jiang Xiaolong laughed and stroked his whiskers, eyes flashing with some hidden excitement.

Yu Xian, unaware of any deeper meanings in the conversation, followed him inside.

Soon, Luo Yingmei came running in, cheerful, and began laying out dishes and wine she’d retrieved from her storage pouch.

“Master, Senior Brother, please enjoy. If there’s anything else you’d like, just let me know—I’ll be right outside!”

She turned to leave—

“Yingmei, stay and eat with us.”

Jiang Xiaolong stopped her with a smile.

Yu Xian had no objections. It was only right—the cook should eat the meal she prepared.

Luo Yingmei froze briefly, looking back at her Master’s smiling eyes, realizing he wasn’t joking.

“Master, you and Senior Brother should chat and drink. I might intrude…”

“You won’t,” Jiang Xiaolong laughed, turning to Yu Xian. “Right, Junior Brother?”

Yu Xian smiled and nodded. “Not at all. You’ve worked hard—of course you should eat with us.”

Luo Yingmei blushed, hesitating. “Then… I’ll sit down?”

“Sit, sit. It’s been too long since we drank together as master and disciple.”

She glanced once at Yu Xian, lips pressing together in a soft smile as she sat down. “Then I’ll pour for Master and Senior Brother.”

She lifted her sleeves and filled their cups with the spirit wine.

“You drink too,” Jiang Xiaolong said as she finished pouring for them. “It won’t get you drunk. Spirit wine enhances cultivation.”

She nodded and poured herself a cup.

“Toast your Senior Brother first,” Jiang Xiaolong added with a chuckle. “He helped me a great deal today.”

Luo Yingmei’s blush deepened, but she lifted her cup and turned to Yu Xian. “S-Senior Brother… I toast you. Thank you for helping my Master refine the Tier-5 spirit beast pill.”

Yu Xian picked up his cup with a smile. “I only assisted—no great merit.”

The two lifted their cups, but—

“Hey now, what kind of toast is that?” Jiang Xiaolong interjected with a grin. “You’ve got to clink the cups!”

Yu Xian paused in surprise.

Luo Yingmei’s face turned crimson. But Master had spoken, so she had no choice but to get up, walk over to Yu Xian, and softly say, “Senior Brother… I… I toast you.”

“Of course.”

Yu Xian blinked, then raised his cup and gently tapped hers. Both downed the drink in one go.

Luo Yingmei’s face flushed like fire. She downed her own drink and quickly retreated to her seat, heart pounding wildly.

Yu Xian…

She still remembered the first time she met him, four years ago.

He had listened silently to her request, nodded without a word, took the herbs she gave him, and entered the alchemy chamber.

Half an hour later, he returned with a perfect Tier-3 Red Spirit Cypress Pill, gave it to her without asking for reward, and said almost nothing—even when she introduced herself.

He had been quiet and cold.

And yet… he left a lasting impression.

Now, that silent seventeen-year-old youth had become a poised, calm, and dignified young man.

The two images—past and present—merged into one in her heart.

Jiang Xiaolong’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He cleared his throat. “Yingmei, refill your Senior Brother’s cup.”

She stood up again and obediently poured another cup for Yu Xian.

Jiang Xiaolong laughed cheerfully. “Now, for this third cup, shouldn’t you toast Yingmei, Junior Brother? If not for her randomly stumbling upon you today, we’d have missed out on this success. We’d have no Tier-5 pill, and no hope of entering the secret realm tomorrow!”

Yu Xian was a bit surprised. He could tell that Jiang Xiaolong’s words were slightly off in tone, but it wasn’t worth arguing. So, he nodded. “Indeed, I should toast her.”

Raising his cup, he said sincerely, “Thank you, Junior Sister.”

Luo Yingmei blushed again and quickly replied, “No need. Please don’t blame me for being too nosy…”

“Now, now, what’s that? Yingmei, step up! Go over and clink your cups again!”

Jiang Xiaolong’s voice cut in once more, gleeful and full of meaning.