Ling Li’s brow furrowed as she meticulously combined the azure bone, ruby coral, and ice lotus that Otako had sent with some of her rarest herbs and potions. Each ingredient held immense power and potential, and she knew that only Four Eyes and Shun had broken through to level four, while the rest needed enhancement pills and breakthrough elixirs. Her hands moved with practiced precision, a ballet of alchemical mastery. The upcoming family competition added another layer of urgency to Ling Li’s task, especially since Shi Min had been stuck at a bottleneck for many years, unable to break through to Immortal Ascension.
Ling Li’s heart ached with concern as she thought of Shi Min. The memory of her own heavenly tribulation flashed before her eyes—the relentless lightning strikes that had tested her strength and resilience. She remembered the twenty lightning strikes she endured, each more ferocious than the last. The fear and pain of that ordeal still lingered in her mind, thinking that Four Eyes and the rest of her family members would all undergo the same fate in the future. She glanced at the elixirs in progress, a mixture of hope and anxiety swirling within her. The weight of the past pressed heavily upon her, but the hope for the future spurred her on.
"Otako and I can protect Shi Min and the rest," Ling Li silently vowed to herself, her determination unwavering. She couldn’t bear the thought of them suffering the way she had, facing the heavenly tribulation alone.
With each precise movement, Ling Li poured all her skill and knowledge into the delicate process. Each drop of powder and liquid glistened with potential, a testament to her dedication and love for her family and friends. Her mind was a whirlwind of memories, fears, and hopes, all coalescing into a single purpose—preparing for the trials ahead.
As the hours passed, the alchemy room became a haven of concentration and purpose. Ling Li’s hands moved with practiced precision, guided by her deep understanding of the ingredients and their interactions. The soft hum of flames from the kiln and furnaces filled the air, creating a harmonious rhythm that resonated with the energy in the room.
Outside, Pharsa maintained her vigilant watch. She understood the importance of this task and the immense pressure on Ling Li. Her resolve to protect and support her friend was unwavering. The quiet night was filled with the subtle sounds of nature, a stark contrast to the intense activity within the alchemy room. Pharsa’s eyes darted to every shadow, her senses attuned to the slightest disturbance. She knew that any threat could jeopardize Ling Li’s work and their entire mission.
Ling Li’s mind raced with thoughts of the upcoming family competition and the opening of the ‘Eye.’ She envisioned her family and friends entering the Hidden Valley, ready to seize the opportunity to elevate their cultivation techniques. She imagined Shi Min finally breaking through his bottleneck, his aura radiating with newfound power and confidence.
But the lingering fear of the lightning tribulation gnawed at her. She knew that each cultivator’s ability to withstand the tribulation of lightning was crucial, and the power of the tribulation adjusted to the circumstances of the martial artist. Ling Li’s heart clenched at the thought of Shi Min enduring such a trial soon.
Ling Li’s hands trembled slightly as she added the final ingredient, the elixir glowing with a vibrant light. She took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. "I won’t let you suffer alone, Shi Min. I’ll protect you, just as you’ve always protected me."
As the elixir bubbled and settled, Ling Li’s heart swelled with a mix of pride and determination. She carefully poured the elixir into a vial, the liquid shimmering with a promise of power and transformation.
With the elixirs ready for the next process, Ling Li felt a renewed sense of purpose. The opening of the ‘Eye’ and the family competition were just the beginning. She knew that the journey ahead would be filled with trials and tribulations, but she was ready to face them head-on with her family and friends by her side.
The last stage of the process is the refinement of the pill, which requires the utmost concentration and focus from Ling Li. Before proceeding, she went out to look for Pharsa.
“Pharsa, I will be refining important elixirs; it will take me five days to finish them. I don’t want any disruption during this time. Also, call Mushu’s group to guard the whole place,” Ling Li instructed, her voice carrying a tone of urgency and resolve.
Pharsa was stunned, thinking that the surprise proposal that Four Eyes planned was five days from now. “Ling Li! How could you think of refining pills now that you are carrying three babies in your womb?! No matter what, if you can live without eating for months, your babies can’t!” Pharsa exclaimed, her voice laced with concern. She couldn’t think of any other excuse to reason with Ling Li. Pharsa knew that the refining process was very intricate, and it couldn’t be said that it would truly be finished in five days. Ling Li would be in seclusion during these days, and no one could bring her out without destroying the pills under refinement. Original content can be found at n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
Ling Li was amused by Pharsa’s reaction and flicked her forehead with her fingers, “How could you be more concerned than me? The mother of the babies?” Ling Li said with a chuckle, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Pharsa panicked and had to think of another reason, “How sure are you that you will be finished in five days?” she anxiously asked, her eyes wide with worry.
“Pharsa, tell me, are you hiding something from me? You seem to be stopping me from refining these important pills. Enlighten me, and maybe I would consider,” Ling Li said as she gazed suspiciously at Pharsa, her eyes narrowing.
Pharsa opened her mouth, but nothing came out; if only her brain waves could be seen, they were all crisscrossing at high speed. Finally, like a thunderbolt, she was able to think of the best alibi, “Um, five days from now.... Um... Murphy and I have some important announcements to make.” Pharsa said.