Chapter 42: A Sixth-Tier Alchemist
After spending a few days in Stone Desert City, Xiao Tian bid farewell to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. Outside the city, he wrapped his arms around Qing Lin and Qing Tan's slender waists and soared into the sky, heading towards Mobei City. Although his cultivation was still low, Hai Bodong could still be of assistance.
Flying with the two girls made Xiao Tian feel a bit tired but also delighted. Despite Qing Lin and Qing Tan being young, their bodies were well-developed, with curves in all the right places. If it weren't for Yao Lao, the old man, being with him, Xiao Tian might have been tempted to do something more.
Reaching the outskirts of Mobei City, Xiao Tian put the girls down and let out a big sigh of relief. The journey had been a tough test of his self-control.
Entering the city, Xiao Tian headed straight for the ancient map shop once again.
"Hey?" Sensing a familiar aura, Hai Bodong looked up. Seeing Xiao Tian, he immediately smiled and said, "Little brother, you're finally back. I've been waiting for ages."
As he spoke, Hai Bodong's gaze swept over Xiao Tian. He noticed that Xiao Tian's strength had increased significantly. Moreover, he sensed a power within Xiao Tian that even made him feel a bit fearful.
"Could it be that he acquired a Heavenly Flame?" Hai Bodong thought, his eyes revealing a complex emotion.
"Old Hai, I've found what you wanted." Xiao Tian flicked his finger, and a light yellow, snake-like plant appeared in his hand.
"The Sand Mandala?" Upon seeing the plant, Hai Bodong was overjoyed. He gave Xiao Tian a meaningful look and said, "Little brother, I didn't expect you to find this."
The Sand Mandala only grew in the heart of the Tagore Desert, a place teeming with powerful snake people. For Xiao Tian to obtain it from such a dangerous place showed that his strength was extraordinary, far beyond what he appeared to be.
Xiao Tian said, "Old Hai, give me the herbs you've prepared. I'll help you recover right now."
"Now? Do you have that ability?" Hai Bodong frowned. Although Xiao Tian's talent in Dou Qi was incredible, alchemy was different. It required a lot of time and experience.
Xiao Tian glanced at him and said, "Stop talking nonsense. Do you want to recover or not? If not, I'll leave."
"Yes, yes, I do. I'll get them for you right away," Hai Bodong quickly nodded and took out an old parchment and the prepared materials from his storage ring. Reluctantly, he handed everything to Xiao Tian.
"You alchemists have it easy. We have to provide the recipe and ingredients for you to refine," Hai Bodong grumbled.
"That's because you can't refine it yourself," Xiao Tian replied, taking the items. "Now, prepare a quiet place for me."
"Follow me," Hai Bodong said, leading Xiao Tian through a side door. Qing Lin and Qing Tan quickly followed.
They walked through a dim corridor and reached a room at the end. Hai Bodong opened the door to reveal a clean and tidy space, clearly well-maintained.
"Will this do?" Hai Bodong asked.
"It's perfect," Xiao Tian nodded. "Now wait outside."
Hai Bodong immediately left and closed the door, standing guard outside.
Xiao Tian took out the alchemy recipe and the herbs, then turned to Yao Lao. "Master, can I borrow your cauldron?"
Although Xiao Tian's alchemy skills had reached the fifth tier, refining a sixth-tier Breaking Evil Pill was still challenging. However, with the addition of a Heavenly Flame and the Black Demon Cauldron, he believed he could succeed. After all, Hai Bodong had prepared three sets of ingredients.
As soon as he spoke, a large, pitch-black cauldron appeared in the room. The cauldron was massive, with a steady aura emanating from it. Intricate flame patterns adorned its surface, rotating slowly and giving off a lifelike appearance. Xiao Tian could feel fire energy gathering around the cauldron.
"As expected of the Black Demon Cauldron, one of the top cauldrons," Xiao Tian admired before using his soul power to study the recipe.
Alchemy recipes were crucial and needed careful analysis. After thoroughly understanding the recipe, Xiao Tian began refining the herbs using the stone talisman. Soon, the essence of all the herbs was extracted.
"Whoo!" Xiao Tian exhaled, then ignited the cauldron with his hands. After adding some wood energy to balance the flame, he started the alchemical process.
After two failed attempts, a thumb-sized, light purple pill began to form within the green flame. A deep purple aroma wafted from the cauldron, filling the room.
"Is it about to succeed?" Hai Bodong's heart raced as he smelled the fragrance outside.
After the final refinement, the green flame extinguished. At the moment the Breaking Evil Pill was successfully created, a surge of fierce energy erupted from it but was contained by the cauldron.
"Come," Xiao Tian summoned the pill, and it flew into his hand.
"Congratulations, little one. You've now become a sixth-tier alchemist," Yao Lao praised after examining the pill. "Although the stone talisman helped with the purification, your talent is exceptional. I believe you'll become a ninth-tier alchemy master one day."
"I aim to be more than a ninth-tier alchemist. I want to reach the Emperor tier, or even surpass it," Xiao Tian declared confidently.
Yao Lao rolled his eyes, "You always aim so high. Becoming a ninth-tier alchemist is already impressive. Don't bite off more than you can chew."
"I'm not overreaching. I'm just stating a fact," Xiao Tian replied calmly. After all, even Yao Lao eventually surpassed the Emperor tier. Wouldn't he be able to do the same?
(End of Chapter)
Friends, if you want to read chapters in advance, subscribe to my patreon.
You can also buy the book if you are only interested in reading the novel.