Chapter 71: Terrifying Talent
When Xiao Tian went out, he didn't just hunt; he also searched for high-grade medicinal herbs. Currently, with what he already had, Xiao Tian had gathered enough ingredients to refine a batch of Emperor Extreme Pills.
"Duang!" Xiao Tian summoned the Black Demon Cauldron and began refining the Emperor Extreme Pill. This wasn't his first time making this pill, and with the help of the stone talisman and the Black Demon Cauldron, his success rate was high.
As time passed, a rich medicinal fragrance began to fill the cave, like a lingering mist.
"Hmm? A substantial medicinal fragrance?" Yun Yun murmured upon sensing it. "This phenomenon only occurs with fourth-grade or higher pills. Could it be that Xiao Tian's alchemy skills have surpassed the fourth grade?"
"This level of alchemy talent is even more terrifying than Alchemist King Gu He!" she thought. When Gu He participated in the alchemy tournament, he was already a fourth-grade alchemist, but he was nearly thirty years old. In contrast, Xiao Tian wasn't even twenty and already a fourth-grade alchemist. Such talent was simply extraordinary.
Realizing this, Yun Yun couldn't help but feel awe. "With exceptional Dou Qi talent and such terrifying alchemy skills, Xiao Tian is destined to become a renowned figure on the Dou Qi Continent. He might even surpass the fame of the Yun Lan Sect's ancestor."
In her knowledge, the Yun Lan Sect's ancestor, Yun Potian, was the highest achiever in the Jia Ma Empire. As it stood, only Xiao Tian could potentially match him.
"Buzz buzz!" Soon, waves of energy rippled from the cauldron.
"Something's wrong!" Yun Yun's expression changed dramatically. "This isn't just a fourth-grade pill, but something higher."
She had already thought highly of Xiao Tian but realized she had still underestimated him. As the pill continued to form, the energy waves grew increasingly terrifying.
Now, Yun Yun was sure Xiao Tian was refining a sixth-grade pill, a level even Alchemist King Gu He couldn't achieve. "No wonder he looks down on Alchemist King Gu He," she thought with a bitter smile. "He's already a sixth-grade alchemist, far surpassing Gu He."
"A seventeen-year-old Dou Wang and a sixth-grade alchemist, what kind of monster is this!" Yun Yun thought, her view of Xiao Tian's potential now surpassing that of Yun Potian.
"Ah, it seems Yanran is destined to lose this time," Yun Yun thought of her disciple, Nalan Yanran. "It's good for her to face setbacks. She's become too arrogant and dismissive of others."
Shaking her head, Yun Yun glanced at Xiao Tian, engrossed in alchemy. "Looks like I'll have to cook lunch today," she thought. She went to the river and caught some fat fish.
Having observed Xiao Tian cooking before, Yun Yun knew how to clean the fish, removing the innards, scales, and gills before washing them. However, she wasn't sure about the amount of seasoning, so she used all the bottles and jars available.
"Phew!" After finishing, Yun Yun smiled, "It doesn't seem that difficult."
Noticing her elegant figure by the stone table, Xiao Tian asked, "What are you doing?"
"I'm making grilled fish. You'll be the first to taste my cooking!" Yun Yun said, bringing some dry branches to Xiao Tian. "Light the fire for me."
Xiao Tian summoned a wisp of flame and, noticing the assortment of bottles, paused before focusing back on the pill refinement.
Yun Yun started grilling the fish, but being her first time, she was a bit clumsy.
"Boom!" A pillar of energy shot up, accompanied by a strong medicinal fragrance. Fortunately, the cauldron contained most of the energy, preventing it from damaging the cave. Without the cauldron, the cave might have collapsed from the energy burst.
Xiao Tian opened the lid, and a light orb shot out, trying to escape. Xiao Tian grabbed it mid-air, pulling it back.
"Congratulations on your success," Yun Yun turned around, smiling despite the sweat on her face.
"Just a lucky success," Xiao Tian replied modestly. "Is your grilled fish ready?"
"Yes," Yun Yun nodded, handing him a skewer. "Eat up!"
"Wait," Xiao Tian pointed at the charred fish, "This is your grilled fish?"
Seeing his reaction, Yun Yun felt a bit embarrassed. "It's my first time grilling fish. It's normal if it doesn't look good," she said, taking a bite and chewing. "Tastes just like yours."
Xiao Tian took a bite and immediately stuck out his tongue. "Are you kidding me? It's not even close!"
Yun Yun wanted to laugh but kept a straight face. "This is my heartfelt effort. Even if it doesn't taste good, you must eat it all. Otherwise, when I recover..." Her voice held a threatening tone.
"Alright, alright. I'll eat it," Xiao Tian said, taking big bites. Seeing him comply, Yun Yun ate several bites herself.
As she ate, Yun Yun noticed something strange. She looked at Xiao Tian, her face turning red. "Xiao Tian, do you feel something's wrong?"
Xiao Tian looked at her, seeing her face flushed and her eyes hazy. He knew what had happened but pretended to ponder. "Did you mix up the seasonings?"
Yun Yun pointed at the bottles and jars. "Aren't these seasonings?"
"Some are, some aren't," Xiao Tian said.
"What are the others?" Yun Yun asked urgently.
"Medicines for winter," Xiao Tian replied.
"What?" Yun Yun's face turned even redder. "Why do you, at such a young age, make these things?"
"Is it my fault? You used them as seasonings," Xiao Tian said, feeling wronged.
Yun Yun, flustered, asked, "What should we do?"
Xiao Tian, eyes blazing, said, "There's no antidote. The only way is..."
"Xiao Tian, if you touch me, I'll kill you!" Yun Yun warned, biting her lip.
"If we don't, we'll explode and die. Better to live and deal with the consequences later," Xiao Tian said, stepping forward to embrace her.
(End of Chapter)