The alchemy pills of the Immortal cultivation world are classified similarly to those on the Dou Qi Continent.
There are pills for healing, auxiliary effects, breakthroughs, and strength enhancement, along with some that delve into unorthodox techniques. However, the variety and complexity of pills in the cultivation world far surpass those of the Dou Qi Continent.
For example, the Demon-Slaying Pill, specifically used to combat inner demons, has no counterpart on the Dou Qi Continent. Pills such as the Nine-Turn Golden Pill, Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill, and Taiyi Immortal Pill—which can even help mortals ascend to immortality—are also absent from the Dou Qi Continent.
Of course, Gu Changqing didn't have these pills either, but he knew how to refine them.
With the medicinal herbs in the small valley and Gu Changqing's current abilities, it was impossible for him to refine immortal-grade pills. Thus, he focused on crafting more basic ones.
In the quiet valley, Gu Changqing was refining pills using Yao Chen's Black Demon Cauldron. Ranked eighth on the Heavenly Cauldron List, the Black Demon Cauldron had a pitch-black body, robust and imposing, with vivid flame totems etched on its surface. When refining pills, these totems seemed to come to life, assisting the alchemist in the process.
"This brat actually knows how to refine pills? But why is his technique so different from that of ordinary alchemists?" Yao Chen had come out, eager to mock Gu Changqing. After all, his Black Demon Cauldron wasn't something a regular alchemist could handle. Without being at least a sixth-tier alchemist, attempting to use it would be an act of self-destruction.
However, instead of witnessing a disaster, Yao Chen found himself astonished by Gu Changqing's method.
He could see that Gu Changqing's alchemy technique was highly unconventional—unlike the rigid methods of ordinary alchemists on the Dou Qi Continent. Gu Changqing's techniques were varied and fluid, mesmerizing to watch, yet they had an effortless grace to them, as if everything flowed naturally.
What shocked Yao Chen even more was the strength of Gu Changqing's soul force, which was no weaker than his own before his downfall.
Before Yao Chen had fallen, he had been a peak eighth-tier alchemist, with his soul realm at the pinnacle of the Spirit Realm, just one step away from advancing to the Heavenly Soul Realm.
But Gu Changqing, still so young—barely in his teens—already possessed a soul force in the Spirit Realm. Even in the Dou Qi Continent's Central Plains, where geniuses and prodigies from the Alchemy Tower abounded, such a soul force was rare.
"This kid must be from one of the ancient clans, and not just any ordinary member either. To reach the Spirit Realm in terms of soul strength at such a young age, his status within the clan must be extraordinary," Yao Chen mused, his suspicions about Gu Changqing's origins growing stronger. He was well aware of the ancient eight clans' deep foundations. Some of their treasures were capable of boosting a person's soul to the Spirit Realm.
For Gu Changqing to have obtained such an item, it was clear his position within the clan was far from ordinary. Perhaps he was even the illegitimate son of the clan leader.
Wait... illegitimate son?
Yao Chen's old eyes widened as if he had stumbled upon a significant secret.
Why else would Gu Changqing, a member of an ancient clan, be in such a remote place like the Northwestern Continent? It must be because he was an illegitimate child! To compensate him, the clan leader likely spared no expense in raising his soul force to the Spirit Realm. And, to avoid drawing too much attention, they only sent a Dou Emperor expert to protect him.
The more Yao Chen thought about it, the more scenarios he concocted. In his mind, he had already envisioned a grand tale of a forbidden love affair between a common woman and a Dou Saint, filled with tragedy and intrigue.
"Changqing is amazing!" Xiao Yi Xian gazed at Gu Changqing, her eyes filled with admiration and awe.
The cauldron itself was clearly no ordinary artifact; a regular alchemist wouldn't even be able to control it. Yet, Gu Changqing not only handled it but did so with finesse and ease. His movements were smooth, controlled—just like the rascal she had grown fond of.
"Nine-Turn Marrow Cleansing Pill, complete!" Gu Changqing exclaimed after some time. With a light shout, five radiant beams of light shot out from the Black Demon Cauldron, piercing the sky and painting the heavens in a spectrum of colors.
Five shining pills soared out of the cauldron and landed in Gu Changqing's palm.
"Let me see!" Yao Chen had already been waiting impatiently. He rushed forward, snatching one of the Nine-Turn Marrow Cleansing Pills and examining it with intense focus. His study was accompanied by continuous exclamations of wonder.
"It's a sixth-tier pill, and there are nine pill lines on it. Could this be the true meaning behind 'Nine-Turn'?"
"To think you could elevate a regular third or fourth-tier Marrow Cleansing Pill to a sixth-tier pill—this technique is unheard of!" Yao Chen's shock was beyond words. He was familiar with this kind of Marrow Cleansing Pill; at most, it was a fourth-tier pill used by Dou Spirit expert or lower cultivators to cleanse their meridians and improve their chances of breaking through to Dou Spirit.
But to witness such an ordinary pill being elevated to the sixth tier in Gu Changqing's hands, even drawing forth a heavenly phenomenon, was nothing short of miraculous.
"Sixth-tier pill... Changqing is this powerful?" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes widened in astonishment. Her chest rose and fell in excitement, her gaze filled with awe as she looked at Gu Changqing.
To Xiao Yi Xian, even a first-tier alchemist was a distant existence, someone she could only dream of becoming. Yet the mischievous youth by her side turned out to be a sixth-tier alchemist. It was as if she had stumbled upon a priceless treasure.
"Xian'er, isn't your man impressive?" Gu Changqing stepped up to Xiao Yi Xian, wrapping his arm around her soft waist, pulling her gently into his embrace, and teasing her with a grin.
"Pfft! Who's your woman? You're not my man!" Xiao Yi Xian flushed red and spat at him, but her heart was filled with joy as she nestled obediently in his arms.
"Well, maybe not yet. But don't worry, Xian'er, it won't be long before I truly become your man," Gu Changqing said with a mischievous smile as he lightly bumped against her.
Xiao Yi Xian froze, her face turning crimson before she began playfully hitting Gu Changqing. "You rascal! How dare you…"
Though they were already a couple and both were adults, Xiao Yi Xian still couldn't handle Gu Changqing's antics. Her small fists thumped harmlessly against his chest, a mix of embarrassment and frustration evident in her flushed cheeks.
Gu Changqing chuckled and, without warning, popped a Nine-Turn Marrow Cleansing Pill into his mouth before gently feeding it to Xiao Yi Xian.
"Mmm..."
Xiao Yi Xian instinctively swallowed the pill but glared at him, ready to continue her protest. However, the surge of medicinal energy rushing through her body halted her, forcing her to sit down cross-legged to refine the potent pill.
"I'll deal with you later, you scoundrel!" Xiao Yi Xian shot him one last glare before focusing on absorbing the immense power of the pill.
Screech!
A giant eagle soared down, landing beside Xiao Yi Xian, its sharp eyes curiously observing her as she refined the medicinal energy.
"Come, Xiao Lan, open wide," Gu Changqing flicked his finger, sending another Nine-Turn Marrow Cleansing Pill into the bird's beak.
Gu Changqing remained nearby, guarding Xiao Yi Xian while she refined the pill.