With the jade slip safely stored away, Lin Ran finally turned his attention to the spatial ring offered by Lü Yi. As his soul force swept through it, every item within became clear in his mind.
The materials stored inside would be sufficient to refine three doses of the Yaohua Dan (Demonic Transformation Pill). Clearly, Lü Yi had already accounted for the possibility of failure and provided extra.
But apart from the medicinal ingredients, Lin Ran also noticed a few special items—several jade bottles containing high-grade magical beast blood. Most of them belonged to fifth-rank beasts, but there were also two from sixth-rank ones.
Apparently, this was the price Lü Yi was willing to pay for the refining.
Naturally, this was far from enough to warrant a sixth-tier alchemist's personal effort. But Lin Ran was well aware that her earlier offer—five million gold coins, a sixth-rank magic core, and the blood essence of a seventh-rank magical beast—was her true show of sincerity.
After putting away the spatial ring, Lin Ran's tone eased slightly, and a rare, warm smile appeared on his face.
"These three sets of materials should be sufficient for me to refine at least one Yaohua Dan. When would you like me to begin?"
"As soon as you're ready, Senior!"
Lü Yi's beautiful face showed a flicker of excitement, and she bowed respectfully in response.
"In that case, let's start now," Lin Ran replied calmly. "I'll be leaving Black Rock City tomorrow, and there's no need to delay."
He turned his gaze toward Otto, Frank, and Gu Te. "Since the three of you came to observe the refining process, I'll let you choose the venue for the refinement. How about that?"
"No problem!"
Gu Te immediately waved his hand and stepped forward. "Senior, please rest assured. My residence is quiet and secure, and no outsiders will disturb you. You can refine the pill at my place without worry."
"Rubbish!" Otto scoffed. "The Alchemist Guild has specialized refinement chambers. If Senior refines the pill at our guild, it'll be far easier and more comfortable!"
"Indeed," Frank chimed in with a nod. "Senior is a certified sixth-grade alchemist of the Pill Tower. Naturally, you should refine the pill at our Alchemist Guild."
"Hmph! You old fogeys think I don't know what's what?" Gu Te growled, arms crossed. "Refining a sixth-grade pill requires a calm environment. Your Alchemist Guild is full of nosy people! If someone interrupts Senior's refinement, can you bear the consequences?!"
He snorted coldly and lifted his chin. "Besides, my younger brother, Gu He, is a sixth-tier alchemist. I've watched him refine pills often—I know how to prepare the best environment!"
Hearing this, Otto and Frank were rendered speechless. Though they wanted to argue, they knew Gu Te wasn't wrong. Having a sixth-grade alchemist for a younger brother gave him plenty of credibility in this matter.
Lin Ran waved his hand. "Let's go, then."
Gu Te grinned triumphantly, shooting a smug look at Otto and Frank as he turned and led the way.
A group of nearly ten people moved through Black Rock City in a grand procession. As they walked, countless residents stopped to stare in awe.
The city lord of Black Rock City, the only two fourth-tier alchemists in the city, the rumored brother of the Pill King Gu He—and all of them following one mysterious young man.
Such a lineup was simply shocking.
After navigating through over a dozen winding alleys, they arrived at a peculiar-looking structure tucked away in a secluded corner of the southern district.
Lin Ran stopped and looked up at the unusual building. Gu Te scratched his head and offered an awkward smile.
"Please, Senior, come in."
Lin Ran gave a faint nod and stepped inside. Xiao Yixian and Lü Yi followed, but when Otto and Frank moved to enter, they were abruptly blocked by Gu Te.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Otto snapped, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"I know you have Senior's permission, but you both know how messy my place is. Watch yourselves," Gu Te warned. "Or I'll toss you both out."
"You old bastard!" Otto fumed, but in the end, he grumbled and pushed the door open, dragging Lin Fei in behind him. Frank sighed and led Xue Mei inside as well.
"I'll wait outside," said the city lord, shaking his head. "I know nothing about alchemy, and it's better I don't interfere. However, Gu Te, you and I must report the presence of a sixth-grade alchemist to the imperial capital."
"Understood." Gu Te handed over a special medal containing his personal soul imprint. "Give this to my brother. He'll know what to do."
"Thank you, Master Gu Te."
As the city lord departed, Gu Te returned to the others inside his strange home.
His residence looked less like a house and more like a museum. Glass displays lined the walls, each showcasing rare and exotic ingredients.
"Fire-Heart Seven-Leaf Flower… Blood Crystal Grass… Is that Blue Rock Heartstone?!"
Xiao Yixian gasped in amazement. Lin Fei and Xue Mei looked around in awe—this was their first time here too.
"Master Gu Te certainly lives up to his title," Lü Yi commented, genuinely impressed. "Such an impressive collection…"
Indeed, although these items were not earth-shattering treasures, their rarity was undeniable. The entire room was like a condensed treasury of rare herbs and materials.
"Senior, these are my personal collections over the years," Gu Te said with a smile. "If any of them catch your eye, feel free to take a few."
Lin Ran nodded and gestured to Xiao Yixian. "Choose three items."
"Thanks, Young Master~!" Xiao Yixian chirped gleefully and immediately selected two items known for their extreme toxicity.
Even Gu Te winced slightly. "Senior… your maidservant chose some of the most dangerous poisons in my collection. Should I—?"
"No need to worry."
Lin Ran waved a hand dismissively. He had absolute confidence in Xiao Yixian's poison resistance and training.
After choosing two items, Xiao Yixian hesitated, then looked at Lin Ran expectantly.
"What is it?"
"Young Master, I want something cold and icy… but this place doesn't seem to have it…"
Gu Te frowned thoughtfully, then suddenly turned and knocked on a certain section of the wall. With a dull rumble, a hidden compartment opened.
He disappeared inside briefly, then returned carrying a large white jade box, its surface completely sealed.
Even with the jade barrier, a deep, bone-chilling cold radiated from within. Gu Te hesitated, then opened the box. A frosty mist immediately flooded the room, lowering the temperature drastically.
Gasps filled the room as everyone turned toward the strange object inside.
Within the box lay a small jade vial, encased in layers of frost. The chill it emitted was enough to freeze the air.
"Here," Gu Te said, carefully handing it to Xiao Yixian. "You can have it."
"This is… Ice Spirit Cold Spring?!" Otto exclaimed, eyes wide.
He looked at Gu Te with disbelief. That man had just given away something on par with an imperial treasure!
But before he could say anything else, Frank stepped forward and retrieved a dark-blue crystal from his ring.
"Senior, perhaps this will be of use to you as well."
Otto's expression instantly froze.
'Are you serious right now, bro? You're gonna play it like that too?!'
(End of Chapter)