For the next two days, Leaf focused on guiding the absorbed spiritual energy to nourish and strengthen various parts of his body.
On the third day, a paper crane flew to his window, speaking in a human voice, "Come to the Alchemy Hall immediately."
When Han Yeyue saw Leaf, her eyes narrowed slightly. She sensed a strong wave of spiritual energy emanating from him.
"Third stage of Qi Accumulation? Impossible!" Han Yeyue couldn't believe it. Even if he was rebuilding his cultivation, advancing this quickly in three days was unheard of unless he had used some rare treasure. Little did she know, Leaf had actually reached the eighth stage of Qi Accumulation, using a special technique to disguise his true level.
Despite her surprise, Han Yeyue didn't show it. She didn't bother to ask questions. For her, Leaf was just an assistant. As long as he could help her with alchemy, she didn't care about his secrets.
"Here's the list of spiritual herbs needed for this alchemy session. Go to the Spirit Herb Garden and get them from Steward Cui. You have two hours." Han Yeyue handed Leaf a long list, with at least a hundred types of spiritual herbs ranging from first to fourth grade.
"Two hours? With just my legs, that's not going to happen." Leaf shrugged.
Han Yeyue snorted, casting a spell on Leaf's legs, "This is the Swift Step technique. One hour to get there, one hour to get the herbs, and the spell will wear off in two hours. If you're not back by then..."
Leaf didn't bother to listen to the rest. In a flash, he sped out of the Alchemy Hall at an incredible speed.
With the Swift Step technique granted by a Golden Core master, Leaf's speed was impressive. Adding his unique Flower Plucking Steps technique made him twice as fast.
When Leaf arrived at the Spirit Herb Garden, the servant disciples were already sweating and busy with their tasks.
"I heard that kid was called by Master Yeyue. Steward Cui really kept his word. Here's a Smoke Spirit Pill from Senior Brother for you. Keep working hard for Senior Brother, and you'll be rewarded." As Leaf approached the small building where Steward Cui resided, he overheard a conversation and decided to eavesdrop.
"Yes, yes, if Senior Brother needs anything, I'll even go through fire and water for him." Steward Cui's obsequious voice came through.
"Good. Make sure to report everything about that kid to Senior Brother. Better yet, find a way to cripple him.""Yes, yes..." Steward Cui stammered, his voice dripping with subservience.
A young man then flew out of the small building, riding a vibrant green bamboo. He quickly vanished into the clouds.
Hidden in the shadows, Leaf's eyes glinted with cold light, and a smirk crept onto his face. So, someone was plotting against him. Well, anyone who tried that was in for a rude awakening.
After waiting a while, Leaf emerged from his hiding spot and swaggered into the small building.
Seeing Leaf, Steward Cui plastered a smile on his face and said, "Leaf Daoist, here to pick up herbs for alchemy?"
Leaf smiled back and handed him Han Yeyue's herb list.
As soon as Steward Cui reached for the list, his fingers suddenly went numb. The numbness spread rapidly from his fingertips to the rest of his body.
In that instant, Leaf's hands moved like lightning, pressing several points on Steward Cui's body. The steward collapsed, paralyzed.
"What...?" Steward Cui's voice was thick with anger and surprise, his tongue numb and sluggish.
"Trying to mess with me, are you? There's always a price to pay for that," Leaf said with a wicked grin, looking at Steward Cui like a cat playing with a mouse.
"What do you want? Think about the consequences of doing this to me," Steward Cui blustered, but he was still paralyzed by Leaf's strange technique.
Leaf's smile grew more sinister. He extended a finger, forming a needle of spiritual energy. With precise movements, he pricked several major acupuncture points on Steward Cui's head.
Steward Cui's eyes glazed over. When he came back to his senses, his gaze toward Leaf was filled with reverence.
Leaf, satisfied, released the restriction on Steward Cui. "This little puppet technique only works on low-level cultivators. I used to think it was useless, but it turns out it has its moments," he thought to himself.
From Steward Cui, Leaf learned about Wang Tong, the senior brother from Mingyue Peak. Wang Tong's background was complicated. His grandfather was a Nascent Soul Daoist of the Yanxia Sect, always in seclusion. His parents, once core disciples, died in a fierce battle against demonic beasts. Because of this, the high-ranking members of Yanxia Sect felt guilty and indulged Wang Tong's every whim.
"Wang Tong, you're in for it now," Leaf thought coldly. After collecting the herbs, he returned to the summit of Wu Yue Peak.
When Han Yeyue saw Leaf, she said nothing and simply waved a hand to close the doors of the Alchemy Hall.
"Moon Sleep Cauldron, manifest!" Han Yeyue's hands formed a series of seals, striking the jade slab in the center of the hall.
The jade slab slid open, revealing a cauldron, ten feet on each side, gleaming with a moonlit sheen.
"This Moon Sleep Cauldron is connected to the Earth Fiend Yin Fire. A slight mistake and the cauldron will explode. The Earth Fiend Yin Fire will backfire, burning even bones to ashes," Han Yeyue said nonchalantly.
"Got it," Leaf replied lazily.
Han Yeyue glanced at Leaf and said, "We're making Smoke Spirit Pills. Follow my instructions precisely when adding the herbs. A slight delay or haste can ruin the pills."
"Yeah, yeah, got it. Let's get started already," Leaf said.
Han Yeyue glared at him but didn't argue.
"Open the cauldron," she commanded, striking several spiritual energies onto the cauldron lid, lifting it.
"Three portions of Dragon Tongue Grass, five portions of Purple Vine Wood, ten portions of Snake Heart Grass…"
Leaf deftly followed her instructions, adding the herbs with precision and speed.
Han Yeyue was surprised at his skill but continued, occasionally adding high-quality herbs and some unknown extracts herself.
"Not bad. Now I'll show you how to control the fire with the command talisman," Han Yeyue said, holding a green talisman engraved with intricate patterns. She demonstrated how to channel spiritual energy into it to control the Earth Fiend Yin Fire.
Leaf, familiar with alchemy, quickly understood.
"Alright, the fire control is up to you. Remember what I taught you. Change the fire's intensity every three hours. We'll open the cauldron in five days. If you ruin this batch, there will be consequences," Han Yeyue warned, tossing the talisman to Leaf before retreating into the inner hall.
Leaf was happy to be left alone. He sat cross-legged in front of the cauldron and began to cultivate.