Inside the secret chamber beneath the ancient map store.
Looking at the herbs on the stone platform in the center of the chamber, Xiao Se leaned casually against the table, sitting atop the stone platform. He picked up one of the herbs, tossed it in his hand, and glanced at Hai Bodong with a teasing smile, "Where's the recipe?"
"Sigh, I really envy you alchemists. Back when I went through so much hardship to obtain the recipe for the 'Breaking Adversity Pill,' and now it just changes hands with a glance from you," Hai Bodong said with a tinge of reluctance, pulling out a roll of parchment from his ring. His heart felt like it was being torn apart as if by a knife.
Hearing this, Xiao Se kept a calm expression, but his heart was filled with excitement. Not only could he get a free pill recipe for the Breaking Adversity Pill, but he could also pocket a full set of six-grade medicinal herbs for free—what a great deal!
"Alright, you can leave now. Alchemists cannot afford the slightest disturbance when refining pills. If something goes wrong and the refinement fails, don't say I didn't warn you. In that case, I'd have to call off this deal," Xiao Se said with a grin, taking the parchment and casually checking it. Feeling the intense soul energy contained within it, he put it away and glanced at Hai Bodong, giving him a reminder.
"Of course," Hai Bodong nodded, turned, and left the chamber. As much as he was curious about how a sixth-grade pill was refined, he'd waited far too long for this day and couldn't let his curiosity ruin everything.
The stone door closed, and once Xiao Se's soul sensed that Hai Bodong had moved away, he chuckled to himself. He stored the pill recipe and herbs in his ring, then activated his Sea Shield Barrier. From his robe, he took out the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python. "Your Majesty, can you hear me?"
The little python blinked its light purple eyes in response to Xiao Se's question. Its enchanting eyes were filled with curiosity, and it affectionately nuzzled against his palm.
Seeing that Medusa wasn't responding to his question, Xiao Se placed the python on the stone platform and retrieved a bottle of Violet Crystal Essence from his ring, placing it in front of the python.
Recognizing its familiar food, the little creature lit up with excitement. Its slender tail swayed as it coiled around the jade bottle, licking its contents. Even as it ate, it didn't forget to nuzzle Xiao Se's hand again in gratitude.
Xiao Se's lips curled into a slight smile as he turned and said, "Long Kui, merge with me. It's such a pity. I wanted to tell the Queen about a pill that could fuse the soul with the body, rapidly restore soul energy, and even heal soul injuries. But since the Queen isn't interested, I guess we'll just have to make the Breaking Adversity Pill ourselves."
"Alright, brother," Long Kui said with a light smile. Emerging from the sword tattoo on Xiao Se's right hand, she floated gracefully. After spending a year together, Long Kui knew her brother well—he was sly and cunning. The way he spoke was certainly another ploy to trick someone.
Sure enough, just as their conversation ended, the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python emitted a dazzling red light. As the light dissipated, the figure of Medusa, clad in a red dress, slowly materialized before them.
"Human, are your words true?" Medusa's seductive red lips parted slightly, her voice alluring enough to make one's bones tingle.
At this moment, Medusa wasn't wearing a veil, and for the first time, her breathtaking beauty appeared before Xiao Se's eyes, leaving him momentarily entranced.
"Brother, you're embarrassing me," Long Kui pouted, tugging at Xiao Se's arm, displeased by his gawking at Medusa.
"Uh..." Xiao Se quickly snapped out of his daze at her words, clearing his throat awkwardly. "This pill is called the Spirit Fusion Pill, a sixth-grade pill."
"Give it to me," Medusa demanded, stretching out her hand with the same domineering attitude as before.
"I don't have the recipe," Xiao Se shrugged with an awkward smile.
"Are you playing with me?" Medusa's eyes darkened as her eyebrows furrowed in anger, a cold, dangerous light flickering in her bright eyes.
"Is that necessary? Just because you can't get it now doesn't mean you won't get it later. As far as I know, the Alchemist Association headquarters in the Jia Ma Empire holds such a pill recipe. In less than a year, they will host an alchemist tournament, and not only the empire but surrounding nations will send their best to compete. The champion's prize will surely be a sixth-grade pill recipe. With my current abilities, even without Long Kui's help, I should have no problem refining a fourth-grade pill with the aid of my Heavenly Flame. Winning the championship would be a piece of cake. And even if the champion's prize isn't the Spirit Fusion Pill recipe, I can always exchange the reward with the association for it," Xiao Se explained, rolling his eyes in exasperation at Medusa's sudden anger.
"So, what's your plan?" Medusa's expression softened slightly as she pondered the possibility of obtaining the pill recipe through the tournament.
"Heh, let's make a deal. I'll help you get the Spirit Fusion Pill recipe and refine it for you. In return, you help me with a small, insignificant task and protect me until the Spirit Fusion Pill is complete and if my life is ever in danger," Xiao Se said with a sly grin.
"You already have this girl by your side, don't you? Her strength doesn't seem to be much weaker than mine at this stage. If even she can't handle something, I'm afraid I wouldn't be of much help either," Medusa remarked, casting a glance at Long Kui.
"Due to certain reasons, I won't and can't reveal Long Kui to others. I hadn't expected you to awaken early, or you wouldn't have known about her either. So, what's your answer?" Xiao Se explained.
"What is this insignificant task of yours?" Medusa asked cautiously. She coveted the Spirit Fusion Pill, but she wouldn't agree to anything without understanding the situation first.
For a moment, Medusa felt like Xiao Se had her completely under his thumb.
When she first agreed to the deal, she had planned to kill him after her evolution was complete. Although he later gave her a Blood Lotus Pill, causing her to reconsider killing him, that was another matter altogether.
But now, she couldn't kill him even if she wanted to. Moreover, the newly born Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python had recognized Xiao Se as its master. When Xiao Se was about to leave the Serpent People's Holy City, the python had suppressed Medusa's soul and forced her to follow him.
Medusa's heart was now full of frustration. She realized she was sinking deeper into Xiao Se's traps.
Xiao Se smiled faintly and said, "Relax, it's truly a minor task. Old Hai, the man who you sealed, still has the seal on him, right? I assume you also have the power to break that seal. I'll refine a pill that's similar to the Breaking Adversity Pill, and you can simply infuse it with the power to break the seal."
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