Chapter 228: A Refusal Meaningless—His Name Already on the List

The first pill he needed to refine: the Tier-4 High-Grade Tiger Yang Blood-Forcing Pill.

Yu Xian calmed his mind and focused for half an hour before suddenly opening his eyes and waving his hand.

Four kinds of Tier-4 high-grade medicinal herbs, along with several dozen Tier-3 herbs, flew out at once. A pile of charcoal landed nearby as well.

Without hesitation, Yu Xian pointed with one hand, sending the charcoal under the furnace to ignite it.

To him, refining a Tier-4 high-grade pill wasn’t particularly stressful. The difference was only in grade, not in process. The real challenge would be the Tier-5 Mid-Grade Vajra Body-Forging Pill.

The pill furnace grew hotter, and the faint scent of medicine began to rise. Yet it was blocked completely by the dual barriers of the Eight-Cloud Sealing Array and the courtyard formation—no trace of smell escaped.

Yu Xian refined pills calmly, without the slightest impatience.

Pill refinement was like this: stability above all. A true alchemist’s heart should remain unmoved by outside matters.

But just as he was refining, Yu Xian’s brows suddenly furrowed, though he quickly resumed his calm and continued controlling the flame steadily.

Half an hour later, the pill furnace trembled. The lid flew open, and a single Tier-4 High-Grade Tiger Yang Blood-Forcing Pill shot out and landed in a jade bottle in front of him.

“…What a pity.”

Looking at the pill inside the bottle, Yu Xian sighed inwardly. He had just barely missed crafting a supreme-grade version.

The path of alchemy was vast as the ocean—there was still so much to learn.

Putting the pill away and storing the furnace, Yu Xian stood and walked out.

Outside, two people were waiting.

The formation shimmered, and the courtyard gate opened. Yu Xian stepped out, saying, “Apologies. I was meditating and refining just now. Elder Steward, Xiao Duo, if you’re here to comfort me, that won’t be necessary.”

Standing outside were none other than You Xiaorong and Su Xiaoduo.

They had left the Main Hall earlier, hesitated a while, and then decided to come see Yu Xian.

“It’s fine. I know you’ve been in seclusion. But let’s get to the point,” said You Xiaorong, waving her hand and cutting her sentence short.

She flipped her hand and took out a pill bottle. “This is a Tier-5 Mid-Grade treasure pill—Minor Celestial Spirit Pill. Take it. With some luck, it may help you reach the late Foundation Establishment stage within two months. But it’s a bit of a shortcut—afterward, you’ll have to spend years polishing your foundation.”

Yu Xian froze for a moment.

You Xiaorong, seeing his hesitation, smiled lightly. “Don’t overthink it. Consider it a loan. Once you’ve mastered pill refinement, you’ll return it. Take it. We won’t delay you anymore. Two months pass in a blink—you can’t waste even a moment.”

Yu Xian looked at her with a complicated expression.

He never imagined that You Xiaorong would come just to give him a Tier-5 Mid-Grade spirit pill!

Such a pill should have been used by her to break through to the peak of Foundation Establishment.

As for refining another? Paying her back? Easier said than done.

The materials for such a pill were rare and typically gathered only by Core Formation stage cultivators. Even if they attempted to refine it themselves, both of them lacked the skill level—failure would be likely, and even success would yield only a mid- or low-grade version.

This pill was likely given to her by Chen Manman.

Yet she was giving it to him instead?

If it had come from Su Xiaoduo, he might have accepted. Their relationship, though delicate, was understood—he didn’t want to lead her on.

But with You Xiaorong?

He had killed her biological sister!

That was a knot he could never untangle.

He would never deny it or forget it, even if it had been necessary to survive on the Ascension Island, where it was kill or be killed.

Still—he had killed her. No excuse changed that.

So how could he shamelessly accept her pill?

“You’re still hesitating?” You Xiaorong frowned, displeased. “Take it. You can repay it later—what’s more important than your life?”

“Senior Brother, just take it,” Su Xiaoduo added. “Elder Sister isn’t an outsider.”

Then she turned and entered the hall.

Yu Xian stood quietly, ignoring the murmurs and speculative stares from onlookers.

“Senior Brother!”

A shout rang out moments later. Su Xiaoduo came running, grabbing Yu Xian’s hand and smiling brightly. “You’ve changed your mind? Come with me!”

She pulled him into the inner hall under countless jealous stares.

“…What’s their relationship?”

“Damn it! Why is Su Shimei holding his hand?!”

“He’s only Foundation Mid-Stage! Why does she like him?!”

“…This damn guy…”

The crowd’s outrage slowly quieted. Many hearts were bruised.

Meanwhile, Su Xiaoduo took Yu Xian into a side chamber.

“Elder Sister is currently refining a pill and cannot be disturbed,” she explained as she brought out the jade bottle. “She guessed you’d come to your senses soon, so she gave me the pill in advance to give to you.”

Yu Xian was stunned again. He gave a bitter smile. “Actually… I’m not here to ask for the pill.”

“…Huh?”

Su Xiaoduo blinked. “Then why are you—did… did you just want to see me?”

Yu Xian scratched his head and sighed. “I have a favor to ask.”

“Yes.”

“I haven’t said—”

“I’ll help you.”

Yu Xian looked into her serious eyes and sighed. “I want you to buy a Tier-5 spiritual herb for me—True Yang Golden God Grass—through the Herb Pavilion.”

Su Xiaoduo blinked, confused. “You could buy that yourself…”

Still, she nodded. “Okay.”

“But no one can know,” Yu Xian added. “Not even your master. Say it’s for your own use.”

Though she hesitated briefly, she nodded. “Alright.”

Yu Xian smiled. “Thank you, Xiaoduo.”

“You’re welcome, Senior Brother.”

Meanwhile, the news of the Xuantian Secret Realm Battle had stirred the entire sect.

The reward was incredible: two Tier-5 High-Grade treasures, a Nascent Soul-level cultivation technique, countless pills, spirit stones, and exotic items!

Even those stuck at Foundation Peak for decades were tempted.

Although it was clearly stated that it was a deathmatch—either you die, or your enemy does—it was still worth the risk.

Within three days, over a dozen names were already carved onto the list.

One of them: Yu Xian.

He had been recommended by Li Cexuan, even without his consent.

Only Chen Manman symbolically asked for his opinion, but as he had no Core Formation master to back him, few spoke up for him.

And so, Yu Xian walked toward the Alchemy Hall under countless stares.

“Yu Xian?! That’s him?”

“Wait, he’s only at Mid Foundation Stage! Then why is his name on the list?”

“…Is he mad? Or just terrifyingly bold?”

“If he really defeats a peak Foundation Stage enemy from Blood River Sect, he’ll be famous across the entire Eastern Continent!”

Yu Xian’s eyes flashed.

Famous in Haotian Sect… across the Eastern Continent?

Wasn’t this his goal from the beginning?

He wanted his name to spread across the land—so his master would know where he was and come for him!

In that moment, Yu Xian was no longer angry at Li Cexuan’s malicious setup.

Instead, he was excited. Thrilled.

Let them come! Peak Foundation cultivators? So what?!

His fists clenched tightly with a crack.

Three days later.

In his room, Yu Xian finally refined the last pill needed.

Only the Vajra Body-Forging Pill remained.

The herb was rare—but urgent.

He had to risk exposure and let Su Xiaoduo buy it.

If he entered the secret realm without it, he would die anyway.

And if death was certain, what use was secrecy?

With that, Yu Xian gathered his tools and headed out.

Meanwhile, in the sect, the storm of the Secret Realm Battle only grew stronger…

The bounty had been announced.