Chapter 44
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Chapter 44: Preparing for Alchemy
Mao Mao couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Fang Lie felt utterly embarrassed. He hastily grabbed some spirit stones, borrowed Mao Mao’s Sumeru Bag, and flew off in a hurry.
After leaving the sacred mountain, Fang Lie didn’t head directly to Gentle Breeze Tower. Instead, he flew toward the Ancestral Hall first.
The Mo Ancestor’s Pill Scripture remained there, and he needed to retrieve it.
As the master of the Cycle of Fire, Fang Lie no longer needed to endure the three trials of defiance. He could now enter any area near the Ancestral Hall freely.
The Cycle of Fire—a mystical Secret Realm born from the Divine Phoenix Nirvana—had no physical gates yet allowed entry anywhere. By focusing his intent and taking a single step, Fang Lie instantly vanished into it.
Upon seeing the old bird again, Fang Lie urgently demanded, "Where’s the Mo Ancestor’s Pill Scripture? Hand it over!"
"Is this how you receive an ancestor’s legacy?" the old bird chided.
"Ah, my apologies!" Fang Lie flushed, hastily bowing. "I forgot the proper rites in my haste. How shameful!"
He knocked his forehead once before kneeling solemnly before the Benevolence Token. After performing three bows and nine kowtows, he declared, "This disciple Fang Lie humbly requests the ancestor’s teachings!"
This formal ceremony had been absent when Fang Lie inherited his family’s techniques—his father had simply handed him scrolls. The old bird understood this oversight and withheld further reproach.
Nodding gravely, the old bird intoned, "Fang Lie, outer disciple of the Mo Sect—righteous, perseverant, and blessed by fortune—having mastered the Divine Phoenix Nirvana Scripture through trials, is hereby granted the Mo Ancestor’s Pill Scripture inheritance per ancestral decree!"
A rainbow beam erupted from the old bird’s eyes, striking Fang Lie’s forehead. Instantly, profound alchemical secrets branded themselves into his soul—unforgettable truths of the Dao.
The Mo Sect’s supreme inheritances resided not in texts, but within the five great Ancestor Tokens. Though most sect techniques were publicly available, these tokens safeguarded the true core arts.
Four tokens had long contained mechanical arts legacies. Only the Benevolence Token’s inheritance remained vacant until now. The Pill Scripture formed but one part—more secrets awaited Fang Lie’s future cultivation.
The scripture’s immensity staggered the mind—millions of herb properties, cultivation methods, and pill formulas interwoven with Nirvana fire techniques. Even without the sacred flames, its contents could revolutionize alchemy.
Wisely, the inheritance only unlocked what Fang Lie’s soul could currently hold, sealing the rest. Mastering such a text normally required millennia, but Fang Lie focused on digesting accessible fragments.
Three days later, he awoke transformed. Though not yet a master, his newfound knowledge combined with Nirvana fire’s power made him rival decades-seasoned Mo Sect alchemists.
His palms tingled with anticipation. Earning coins mattered less than testing his skills—what did it feel like to be a true pill artisan?
Bidding the old bird farewell, Fang Lie soared toward Baibao Zhai on Divine Phoenix Wings, Gentle Breeze Tower soon appearing below.
Although Fang Lie encountered family clan experts along the way who glared at him with cold hostility and murderous intent, none dared to act in the end.
The previous two incidents had been too gruesome – first the deaths of dozens of Red-Robed Immortals, then the complete annihilation of the Yuan family. Even the Great Heaven Fierce Fire Formation couldn’t kill Fang Lie. Who would be foolish enough to court death now?
Though they seethed with hatred, the experts could only grind their teeth and shoot venomous looks, not daring to lift a finger against him.
Fang Lie showed no courtesy in return. He sneered repeatedly throughout the journey, even deliberately provoking them until many renowned masters trembled with rage, yet remained helpless.
Watching these usually arrogant scoundrels fume with anger gave Fang Lie a peculiar sense of satisfaction.
Thus under the collective glares of the crowd, Fang Lie safely reached Gentle Breeze Tower and proceeded directly to Baibao Zhai where he’d purchased treasures before.
The same Young Girl guarded the entrance, though much bolder now. Instead of screaming at Fang Lie’s approach, she planted hands on hips and demanded, "What are you doing here again?"
"Obviously to shop!" Fang Lie retorted, eyebrows knitting. "Why do you always scowl at me? Have I ever wronged you?"
"You did!" The girl pouted. "Last time you scared me into screaming! Master teased me for days! So embarrassing – all your fault!"
"How’s that my fault?" Fang Lie spread his hands helplessly. "I didn’t try to scare you!"
"Yes it is! Entirely your fault!" The girl stamped her foot stubbornly.
The Baibao Zhai Shopkeeper’s voice interrupted sharply: "Stop fooling around! Attend our guest properly!"
"Yes Master!" The girl answered quickly, though she shot Fang Lie a venomous look and hissed, "You made me look bad again! How hateful!"
"Let’s be clear," Fang Lie said with mock seriousness, "You brought this on yourself."
"Mean jerk!" She glared but reluctantly led him inside, not daring to disobey.
The Shopkeeper greeted them with clasped hands. "My foolish disciple has embarrassed us. Please forgive her antics, young friend."
"Getting used to it," Fang Lie shrugged dramatically.
"You’re awful!" The girl’s face flushed crimson.
"Hahaha!" The Shopkeeper boomed with laughter. "Familiarity breeds understanding. Though mischievous, she’s not unreasonable. You’ll see with time." Gesturing to seats, he ordered, "Serve our best tea!"
The girl departed reluctantly, shooting Fang Lie a final glare.
As the Shopkeeper smiled and changed topics: "You don’t visit without purpose. What brings you today?"
"Sharp as ever!" Fang Lie grinned. "Here to make purchases again."
"Name your needs! Not to boast, but Baibao Zhai stocks everything – righteous sect treasures, demonic sect curiosities. If you have spirit stones, we have the goods!"
Fang Lie chuckled wryly. "You know my finances. I seek nothing exotic – just alchemy supplies. Herbs and a Pill Furnace."
"You? Practicing alchemy?" The Shopkeeper’s eyes widened. "Young friend, your family’s Fierce Fire Flame Dragon Technique excels in raw power but lacks control! You’d explode every batch!"
"True enough," Fang Lie admitted. "But recent… developments have altered my techniques. Worth attempting, no?"
"I see." The Shopkeeper stroked his chin. "What spirit pills do you intend? Need formulas? What furnace quality?"
Fang Lie hesitated. "Actually… which pills bring highest profits nowadays?"
The Shopkeeper blinked in surprise. Before he could respond, the returning girl snorted:
"Five Elements Detoxification Pills, obviously! Each sells over a hundred thousand spirit stones! Our order backlog stretches years ahead!" She smirked. "But only century-experienced alchemists can make them. Mo Sect has maybe a dozen. You? Maybe when sun rises westwards!"
