In the courtyard of the secluded garden.
The alchemy furnace was surrounded by a blackened circle of scorch marks.
By the time Elder Xue and Senior Brother Xiaobao arrived, Li Mo had prepared all the medicinal herbs needed for the day, including a portion for Elder Xue.
Even with Senior Brother Xiaobao lending a hand, the external alchemy technique was significantly more exhausting than refining regular pills.
“Elder Xue, you’ve been working hard these past few days.”
Li Mo noticed a hint of fatigue in the elder’s brow.
“This external alchemy was originally my brainchild,” Elder Xue responded, organizing the herbs, his frustration barely concealed. “But if I have to keep refining this external elixir, I’m really going to wear myself out.”
“This will be the last time… for now.”
“Last time? Seven elixirs isn’t enough?”
Elder Xue raised an eyebrow.
Though our external alchemy technique is temporarily effective, and Li Mo is covering the costs, you can’t play around like this!
After a moment’s thought, Elder Xue remarked, “The Xuan Dan can only be controlled properly to complement one another; otherwise, they’ll affect each other, leading to losses. You need to grasp the balance yourself.”
“You make a valid point.”
Before Li Mo, a glowing, complex Xuan Dan appeared, its colors contrasting with one another.
Each Xuan Dan’s aura relied on the Consciousness Soul to maintain normal operations without clashing. If it weren’t for his keen observation ability, even reaching seven elixirs residing together would be no easy feat.
Seven Xuan Dans were likely the limit within the Observation Realm.
The “Zhou Tian Xingshou Xuan Dan Classic” was definitely not designed for his current level.
“Focus your energy.”
Elder Xue became considerably more serious, sitting to the side, eyes closed as he adjusted his state.
As for Li Mo, amidst the swirling Xuan Dans, a strand of clear brilliance gradually solidified, calming and soothing the chaotic thoughts within his heart.
The moonlight intertwined beautifully.
As his mind sank deeper, he noticed that the inscriptions on the miniature person in his Dantian appeared even more intricate and mysterious compared to its original childlike form, hinting that it had grown a bit.
This was definitely the result of some heavenly treasures…
But it certainly involved a bit of work with dual cultivation from the Phoenix as well…
He was now pushing toward the third level of Observation Realm.
Once he got there, sketching the unique stones in Hengyun Sword City would be a walk in the park.
…
An hour later.
The raging flames in the alchemy furnace swirled like a maelstrom, as Li Mo’s seven Xuan Dans floated around, transmitting profound fluctuations like the flow of constellations.
Not far away, Tang Xiaobao transformed into a swirling golden pill, spinning without pause.
With Senior Brother Xiaobao’s help, that azure Xuan Dan was on the verge of taking shape.
It was time to test Little Li’s mettle.
Seven Xuan Dans were currently a complete load for him; this was the limit of his Consciousness Soul.
The balance within this was incredibly delicate.
This also meant that to condense the Xuan Dan formed from “Raging Waves,” consolidating it into the trajectory of the Seven Star Movement required utmost caution.
A bead of sweat even formed on Li Mo’s forehead, only to evaporate in an instant.
“Concentrate!”
Elder Xue’s voice echoed from outside the furnace.
Li Mo fixed his gaze on the Xuan Dan, not letting distraction creep in at all.
Three minutes passed.
An overwhelming fatigue swept over him like a tidal wave, and everything before Li Mo darkened momentarily.
But he managed to see it clearly.
That Raging Waves Xuan Dan had been incorporated into the cycle…
Boom—
The lid of the furnace flew off exceptionally high this time.
Yet the flames within the furnace showed no signs of stopping.
Through the fierce flames, Elder Xue’s somewhat anxious voice came through again:
“Xiaobao, why isn’t he saying anything? What’s wrong?”
Suddenly coming to his senses, Tang Xiaobao looked dazed:
“Master, Li Shidi has fallen asleep.”
“…. Let’s find the lid first.”
…
It was hard to tell how long it was.
“Wow, that nap felt like I got my head bashed in.”
Li Mo stirred awake, the storm outside obscuring the time.
He felt a bit uncomfortable, though his spirit was still fatigued, too lazy to contemplate the cause any further.
So he decided to treat his internal and external injuries with the six-pattern pill for the Consciousness Soul all at once.
An impressive effect came to light.
After a quick check, he saw that the seven Xuan Dans were smoothly circulating in his body, drawing in and expelling large amounts of heaven and earth’s vital energy.
His Consciousness Soul had hit the third level too.
“Wow, I’m way stronger than before…”
“And I’ve got a secret backup life-saving trick now.”
Li Mo got up and did a few stretching exercises to shake off the grogginess.
He was itching to try out his newfound abilities outside.
But then again, one good punch might knock him out again…
Maybe not.
This heavenly hammer wasn’t just meant to move the star power; it was designed to harness the strength of the world’s seeds to the maximum.
…….
Li Mo stepped out of his room and received some disappointing news— it was not mealtime.
Chu Long was tidying up the main hall, organizing useful items.
Ying Bing was unusually preoccupied, her brow slightly furrowed.
Gurgle—
Just as Little Li was settling in for a sip of tea, his stomach audibly protested.
And thus, he received more bad news.
“Are you hungry?” Ying Bing inquired.
Li Mo replied: “……”
Saying he wasn’t hungry would be a lie.
Admitting he was, however, made him worry that Ying Bing would respond with a “I’ll whip something up for you.”
He really wasn’t sure where this Ice Chunk discovered her culinary interests…
“Ahem… I’m really craving donkey meat buns, there’s a place across the street.”
Little Li struck an idea in a moment of desperation.
“I… I’ll go buy some…”
Jiang Chulong dashed out of the hall and headed toward Yulong Street.
Li Mo released a sigh of relief, glancing at Ying Bing.
The girl didn’t seem to be in great shape today… she hadn’t visited the sword city to preach or practiced at all…
Suddenly, he remembered.
It was the end of the month.
This time of the month was usually when the Ice Chunk was feeling a bit off; it might also be when her relatives came to visit…
“If it’s possible you’re really not feeling well, I might have a solution.”
“Hmm?”
Ying Bing set her tea cup down, a faint hint of confusion in her eyes.
She had just been checking the system countdown.
Today was the last day for system rankings, hence her absence from Hengyun Sword City.
Not feeling well?
“What’s the solution?” she casually asked.
“Massage therapy, to soothe muscles and promote circulation. Would you like to give it a try, big sis?”
Li Mo maintained a serious expression.
The assorted techniques from “Nian Hua Zhi” could be better applied than just sitting idle, slightly less effective perhaps.
But even incomplete, this was indeed a supreme skill.
It had points that could alleviate menstrual pain…
At this moment, Ying Bing’s eyelashes fluttered gently.
He…
Was he bringing this up again?
Did he have an obsession with this or something?
Or was it just today…
“Today… isn’t a good time. Let’s talk about it later.”
“Alright then.”
Li Mo was even preparing to set up a few massage therapy rooms in the tavern upstairs.
After all, it was a supreme skill; he couldn’t let it go to waste! He might as well recruit some people to pass on a move or two.
Plus, this tavern could serve as a base for the Qingyuan Sect in Yunzhou, which was quite necessary to develop properly.
When he opened up, the tavern could be a one-stop shop for food, drinks, and entertainment. Wouldn’t that be splendid?
So with that idea in mind, he called Xu Yi to join him as they headed upstairs.
……
ps: I’ll correct any typos later.
Please charge up some support for our audience, old man (weak).
