As he got hold of the Medicinal Cauldron, a gleaming artifact with intricate patterns etched onto its surface, his mind raced with possibilities. The first thing he wanted to do was refine the Dou Spirit Pill—a pill that could significantly enhance his cultivation. He already had the necessary ingredients for it, which meant the process should be relatively straightforward. Even for a peak 7th-tier pill, the cauldron's unique properties would make refining it much easier. For a peak 5th-tier pill like the Dou Spirit Pill, it should be effortless.
Yet, his thinking extended beyond just refining the pill. He was curious about the cauldron's true capabilities, particularly whether it could withstand the devastating force of pill lightning—something only triggered during the refinement of a 7th-tier pill or higher. The cauldron's resilience against such celestial phenomena would determine its value as an artifact.
To his dismay, however, he lacked the ingredients for even a single 7th-tier pill. A deep sigh escaped his lips as he muttered to himself, "I should refine the main pill first. Then I'll think about refining a 7th-tier pill."
Resolving to make the most of what he had, he immediately sat cross-legged on the ground, his posture steady and firm. Closing his eyes, he extended his spiritual senses outward, scanning his surroundings with precision. His spiritual strength flowed like a serene yet potent river, spreading into every corner of the space around him.
Thanks to the faint trace of wood element within his body, his control over both spiritual strength and flame was unparalleled in the Mortal Soul Realm. While the Mortal Soul Realm was merely a foundational stage in the grand hierarchy of cultivation, this mastery gave him an undeniable edge as an alchemist. Few could match his precision and finesse.
Summoning his fire, a vibrant golden flame danced at his fingertips. It radiated a warmth that was both soothing and commanding, as though it had a life of its own. The Medicinal Cauldron responded immediately, humming softly as he channeled his energy into it. The ancient artifact seemed to resonate with his intent, and he could sense its latent power stirring.
He began by arranging the ingredients for the Dou Spirit Pill: Azure Lotus Seeds, Frosted Serpent Grass, and the Crimson Nectar of a Fireflower. Each ingredient was rare, and their combination required absolute precision. Channeling his flame, he heated the cauldron gradually, ensuring the temperature was just right.
As the first ingredient entered the cauldron, the air around him grew heavy with spiritual energy. The cauldron's hum deepened, amplifying his focus. His spiritual strength wrapped around the ingredients, guiding them to merge seamlessly. The process demanded a delicate balance of control—too much force, and the ingredients would burn; too little, and they wouldn't merge properly.
Time passed unnoticed as he worked, every step executed with meticulous care. When the final ingredient was added, the cauldron emitted a sharp vibration, signaling the pill's nearing completion. His heart quickened. This was the critical moment.
Channeling even more spiritual energy, he guided the merging process to perfection. The cauldron glowed brightly, emitting waves of energy that rippled outward. He could feel the pill forming inside, its essence becoming denser with each passing moment.
Finally, with a resounding hum, the process was complete. The lid of the cauldron lifted slightly, and the aroma of a perfectly refined Dou Spirit Pill filled the air. He opened his eyes, a satisfied smile on his face. The pill was flawless—a testament to his skill and the cauldron's exceptional capabilities.
Still, a thought lingered in his mind. If this cauldron can refine a peak 5th-tier pill so effortlessly, what would it be like for a higher-tier pill? His gaze fell back on the cauldron.
"I need those ingredients," he murmured. Determined, he resolved to seek out what he needed to test the cauldron's limits. For now, though, he had achieved a significant milestone, and the possibilities ahead were endless.
___
Shen Yuan sat cross-legged under the shaded canopy of trees, his usual lazy demeanor masking the intensity of his thoughts. In the quiet of his rest, he was once again consumed by the task that had become routine—analyzing the divergences in the timeline he now inhabited.
The ripple effects were inevitable, of course, a natural result of his intervention in this world. Yet, he couldn't help but marvel at how the threads of destiny seemed to twist unpredictably, especially around key figures like Xiao Yi Xian.
It was around this time, if the original story held true, that the Woeful Poison Body would awaken. The trigger was her rigorous practice of the Rainbow Poison Sutra—a delicate art that nurtured her control over poison yet pushed her fragile constitution to its limits. His mind wandered to her, to the days they'd spent together.
A strange ache tugged at his chest as the realization hit him. While his understanding of the timeline had always been detached, clinical, even calculating, the thought of Xiao Yi Xian suffering through the awakening made him tremble. It was a rare and unwelcome emotion—fear, laced with something deeper.
His usual smirk faded, replaced by a grim determination. For once, Shen Yuan felt the weight of urgency. Casting aside his typical languor, he stood in a fluid motion, his mind set. He summoned his Golden Eagle Wings, their radiant, metallic sheen spreading wide behind him. An upgraded version of the standard technique, they glimmered with an aura of speed and power as he launched himself into the sky.
---
The landscape below blurred into obscurity as he raced against time. His thoughts were a chaotic swirl of guilt, dread, and something dangerously close to hope. The breeze that usually brought him comfort felt biting against his skin.
"Damn it," he muttered, clenching his teeth. "Why now?"
The memory of Xiao Yi Xian's gentle smile surfaced in his mind, unbidden. It was a smile that hid pain and perseverance, a smile that had always intrigued him. She wasn't just another character anymore—she was someone he had grown to care for in a way he hadn't anticipated.
---
Meanwhile, back at the secluded hut, Xiao Yi Xian sat quietly, her hands resting on her lap as she meditated. Her body had been feeling strange lately, a subtle yet unmistakable shift in her energy. It wasn't just her cultivation advancing—it was something deeper, darker, and infinitely more dangerous.
A faint mist began to gather around her, tinged with hues of purple. She opened her eyes in alarm, only to see the vapor swirling around her like a living entity. Her breathing quickened, and an unbearable heat surged through her veins.
"No... not now," she whispered, clutching her chest.
Pain shot through her body, sharp and unrelenting. Her hair, dark as midnight, began to lose its color, strands turning pale as if drained of life. Her skin glowed faintly, veins pulsing with a dark, iridescent hue as the transformation took hold.
The Woeful Poison Body was awakening.
Xiao Yi Xian gasped, her hands trembling as she tried to steady herself. She had read about this moment, had prepared for it as much as she could. But nothing could have braced her for the overwhelming tide of power and agony surging through her.
---
The sight of the hut coming into view was both a relief and a source of dread for Shen Yuan. The ominous purple mist rising from its perimeter confirmed his worst fears. He landed with a thud, the ground cracking slightly under his force.