Chapter 33 [VIP]

Jiang Zhuochen reviewed the required medicinal herbs in the book, traversing through layers of corridors and halls. The ingredients he had just memorized had now turned into a thin mist, impossible to gather into a coherent form. He had completely forgotten them the moment he stepped into the pharmacy.

He glanced at the rotating shelves above him, secretly regretting that he hadn't been so lazy and brought the books along. He'd forgotten all about those few medicinal herbs after just a few steps.

He leaned against the wooden ladder. Mo Xiangli, who had come with him, finished collecting the necessary items and walked over to him, patting him on the shoulder. "What are you standing there for?"

Jiang Zhuochen frowned and sighed, "I forgot what I was supposed to bring."

"Hahaha." Mo Xiangli mocked him, the tassels of his hair ribbon swaying from side to side with the movement. "How long has it been since you got here? Junior brother, your memory is worse than those cranes on the back mountain. Here, your senior brother brought a book, you can borrow it."

Jiang Zhuochen scratched his head, chuckled twice, and casually took the book on medicinal pills. The pages rustled as he turned them, and he picked up the medicine shelves on the wall one by one.

As dusk approached, Jiang Zhuochen finally arranged all the materials neatly beside the alchemy furnace. The true fire in the bronze furnace slowly ignited, casting alternating light and shadow on his handsome features.

He rolled up his sleeves, deep in thought, and was about to put the herbs into the furnace according to the steps written in the book when a sharp pain suddenly came from his palm.

He looked down and realized that he had been gripping a perilla stem so tightly that his fingernails dug into the stalk, from which a green sap oozed.

Something's not right," Jiang Zhuochen frowned.

He had clearly gone through this process just before starting, but when he held the herbs in mid-air, his mind went completely blank. The heat rising from the furnace stung his eyes, and the wisps of smoke seeped into his skin, enveloping his heart.

Jiang Zhuochen took a deep breath, the bitter taste of herbs and the acrid smell of the stove fire filling his chest. Strangely enough, the inexplicable blankness suddenly receded like the tide, as if it were just dizziness caused by staying in a confined space for too long.

He shook his head and, as usual, put the medicinal herbs into the furnace one by one, waiting for them to be refined in the true fire and gradually condense into pills.

Jiang Zhuochen proudly picked up a round, golden pill about three fingers wide. Although it seemed he had taken it out a little early, a big one was better, and a big one was more nourishing. Remembering the two baby cranes inside the cliff, he excitedly ran towards them.

The two baby birds in the nest had their tender yellow beaks wide open. Because they were so small, their bite force was practically nonexistent. Jiang Zhuochen teased them playfully before carefully feeding them the pills.

But he forgot that the fledgling's throat was still too narrow to swallow the medicine on its own; it would only get stuck inside. The fledgling frantically flapped its still-developing downy wings, letting out a pitiful cry.

Jiang Zhuochen was so frightened that he was flustered and about to step forward to help when a shadow fell over his head. The mother crane returning to the nest opened her eyes wide in anger, and her long beak struck like lightning, the gust of wind whipped up by her wings forcing him to retreat repeatedly.

"Master, save me!" he cried as he dodged, but Xu Xing, who was usually quick to arrive at the slightest trouble, remained silent.

He didn't realize it until the cranes pecked at him a few times. The cranes had probably been deliberately disturbed; they only pecked him lightly on his buttocks, thighs, and arms—areas with fleshy parts—before retreating back to their chicks.

Jiang Zhuochen could roughly guess who this person was, but no, he was terrified.

Jiang Zhuochen's eyes drooped into a wronged smile as he rushed into the mountains and threw himself onto the table in front of Xu Xing. "Why didn't Master pay attention to me just now?"

Her voice carried an obvious hint of wanting a hug. The candlelight flickered, illuminating the ash stains on his cheeks that he hadn't had time to wipe away.

Xu Xing put down the book in his hand, his gaze lingered on the robes stained with crane feathers, and gently wiped the dust from the man's face before chuckling softly.

That faint laughter echoed in Jiang Zhuochen's heart, almost causing him to sink and flood the land.

"Still laughing!" Jiang Zhuochen was furious and embarrassed, pushing the other's hand away with his head. Without further ado, he kicked off his shoes and socks, climbed onto Xu Xing's bed, and pulled the quilt over his head.

"I'll sleep here tonight. If Master thinks it's dirty, then you can sleep in my room."

Jiang Zhuochen heard unhurried footsteps coming from outside the blanket. He thought the other person was going to drag him to take a bath as usual, so he turned over.

Unexpectedly, Xu Xing tucked him in and then lay down on top of him without a care in the world. The candlelight outside suddenly went out, leaving only moonlight streaming through the gauze window, casting a beautiful glow on the floor.

Jiang Zhuochen was short of breath from being suffocated under the covers. He peeked his head up and made a small opening. As he struggled, he bumped into something on his back, and then Xu Xing's hand encircled him. He immediately calmed down. He opened his mouth slightly as if to say something, but a wave of drowsiness washed over him, and he fell asleep without realizing it.

As dawn broke, Jiang Zhuochen opened his eyes and stared blankly at the intricate embroidery on the bed curtains. He remained lost in thought for a while until Xu Xing approached and sat on the edge of the bed, gently tidying his disheveled hair.

“You’ve been lost in thought a lot lately.” Xu Xing’s voice was even gentler than usual.

"Really?" Jiang Zhuochen tilted his head and thought for a moment, sunlight dancing on his still sleepy eyes. He couldn't think of anything and said nonchalantly, "I sometimes space out when I'm bored."

Xu Xing remained silent for a moment, then asked no further questions. "Get up and have your meal."

Jiang Zhuochen sat up lazily, and when he looked up, he noticed that his master's jade crown, which tied his hair up today, looked exceptionally beautiful. He lingered for a while before slowly walking towards the outer room. He didn't turn around, so he missed Xu Xing's gaze falling on him.

Calm, yet carrying a worry deeper than the morning mist.

After finishing breakfast, Jiang Zhuochen thought Xu Xing had already left, but the other party was waiting for him inside. Seeing him come over, he waved to him.

"What's wrong, Master?"

Xu Xing caught the figure rushing towards him and asked, "Do you still want the Demon Phoenix Pearl?"

Jiang Zhuochen immediately perked up, his eyes sparkling, and he couldn't stop smiling. "Does Master have time to keep me company?"

"Hmm." Xu Xing had always been free, but he was just mindful that Jiang Zhuochen was still recovering. He never expected that this person couldn't stay still for a moment.

Qingrun's gaze met the other's expectant eyes, and a very faint smile appeared on his lips. "Go back and pack first."

"good!"

The two walked up a secluded path, with clouds swirling on both sides and a gentle breeze on their faces. Then, as if abruptly cut in half, a crimson valley shrouded in a scorching heat came into view.

The valley was shrouded in mist, filled with the scent of damp earth and a strange aroma. From afar came a deep, rhythmic hum, not like a bird, but more like the breath of some enormous creature.

"Master, is the Demon Phoenix Pearl here?" Jiang Zhuochen looked around, this was completely different from the place where the treasure was born that he had imagined.

Xu Xing responded and swept aside the branches blocking his path. "The Gu Diao is an ancient ferocious beast that prefers shade and often hides in secluded places."

Jiang Zhuochen understood.

After passing through a rock wall covered with hanging dark red vines, a huge natural cave suddenly appears before you.

In the center of the grotto was a deep pool, its water as black as ink, yet its surface remained still and undisturbed. In the center of the pool, there was a faint light. Jiang Zhuochen peered out and saw a perfectly round, orange-red bead, about the size of a pigeon's egg, floating quietly a few inches below the surface.

That is the Demon Phoenix Pearl.

Beside the pool, a terrifyingly large beast lay dozing. It resembled a giant eagle, but possessed a single, pale horn on its head, and its feathers were a rocky, bluish-gray. With each breath, the demonic phoenix pearl rose and fell.

The Gu Diao sensed the presence of a living person. Its huge, heavy eyelids lifted slightly, revealing amber vertical pupils. A wary glint flashed across its eyes, and a low warning growled from its throat.

Jiang Zhuochen was startled and looked at Xu Xing.

"Step back." Xu Xing's expression was calm, yet carried an unquestionable air, as he steadily protected Jiang Zhuochen behind him.

Almost as soon as the words were spoken, the Gu Diao transformed into a gray-brown lightning bolt, its sharp claws accompanied by a fierce howl that seemed to tear the heavens and earth apart, rushing straight at the two of them!

Xu Xing did not dodge. He pointed his fingers like a sword, and in an instant, a clear and transparent light wall appeared out of thin air.

boom!

The Gu Diao's sharp claws slammed into the light barrier, producing a deafening roar. The light barrier remained unmoved, and the two were unharmed, but the backlash caused the Gu Diao to let out an angry cry of pain.

It spiraled into the air, its horn beginning to gather a ghostly red light, and a chilling destructive power rapidly spread.

Xu Xing's gaze narrowed slightly, his robes fluttering even without wind. His fingertips moved in a series of hand seals, and a sharp, unparalleled sword aura condensed in the void, slashing with pinpoint accuracy towards the crimson orb of light about to erupt from the Gu Diao's horn.

The sword energy collided with the ghostly light, producing a piercing tearing sound. The condensed destructive power was actually shattered by the sword, turning into specks of light and dissipating.

The Gu Diao, struck by this attack, let out a mournful cry, its momentum noticeably weakened, and it hovered at a much lower altitude. It stared at Xu Xing with resentment, no longer daring to attack easily.

Xu Xing did not pursue the attack, but stood calmly with his hands behind his back, looking at the Gu Diao.

He spoke again, his calm and gentle voice carrying a soothing power: "I only borrow this treasure for a short time to nurture my beloved disciple. I will compensate you afterwards; I will never take it for nothing."

The Gu Diao let out a low growl, seemingly weighing its options for a moment. It then slowed down its wing flapping frequency and finally landed slowly back by the pool. It lowered its body and, though still whimpering in resentment, it clearly acquiesced.

Xu Xing then turned his head and said to Jiang Zhuochen, who was watching with great interest, "Go ahead, you can take it now. Be gentle."

Jiang Zhuochen finally came to his senses and once again marveled at how amazing his master was!

He quickly held his breath and tiptoed to the edge of the pool. He glanced at the ferocious beast that was pretending to be dead with its eyes closed, then looked at Xu Xing, whose gaze remained fixed on him.

The other party nodded slightly, and he did as he was told, opening his five fingers towards the Demon Phoenix Pearl and gently pinching it as if it were a priceless treasure. The pearl obediently fell into his palm, and an incomparably warm spiritual energy instantly surged into it, invigorating Jiang Zhuochen.

He carried the bead back to Xu Xing's side, his eyes filled with excitement and joy. "Master, this Phoenix Bead is even more beautiful than the one my senior brothers brought back."

Xu Xing smiled and said, "If you like it, that's good."

The longer the Gu Diao refines the Demon Phoenix Pearl, the rarer its quality becomes. For example, this pearl has a body that flows with red, purple, and gold colors, and contains the phantom of a divine beast, with karmic fire and true fire coexisting and generating each other.

He flicked his finger, and a elixir exuding a rich medicinal fragrance flew towards the Gu Diao, landing in its mouth. The Gu Diao swallowed the elixir, its aggrieved whimpers immediately ceasing, and it even squinted its eyes contentedly.

"Let's go." Xu Xing tapped Jiang Zhuochen's forehead to bring his attention back.

"Yes, Master!" Jiang Zhuochen quickly followed, carefully putting away the Demon Phoenix Pearl, and couldn't help but look back at the now docile Gu Diao. His heart was filled with the joy of obtaining the treasure he had longed for, and boundless admiration for his master's powerful strength.

A note from the author: