The six-grade Yaohua Pill.
This pill's surface was pitch-black, perfectly round and gleaming, and if one looked closely, they would see faintly etched, intricate patterns crisscrossing its surface like a profound map of esoteric symbols. Within those patterns, the pill's rich medicinal energy pulsed so strongly that even a Dou Huang expert would find it hard not to be moved.
"This... this is already complete?"
Staring at the pill in Lin Ran's palm, everyone present swallowed a mouthful of saliva in unison, eyes wide with disbelief. Their hearts were still struggling to process the truth.
A six-grade pill. A true six-grade pill!
And just like that, right before their very eyes, it had been refined smoothly and effortlessly, as if it were the most casual act in the world.
'This is just like a dream…'
"Take it."
Lin Ran flicked his wrist, and the pitch-black pill spun through the air, landing in front of Lü Yi with a gentle arc.
Seeing the pill flying toward her, Lü Yi could no longer maintain her composed front. She leapt forward with surprising grace, catching it carefully in both hands.
As she looked down at the pill cupped in her palms, her charming and seductive face flushed red with unrestrained joy and awe.
That joy came, of course, from achieving what she had long desired: with this Yaohua Pill, her long-time magical beast companion could finally begin transforming into human form. Once that happened, the path to breaking through to the seventh tier would be far more accessible. If everything went as planned, she might even surpass Lü Man, her most troublesome rival within the Tian She Fu.
As for her shock…
Even after witnessing the entire process with her own eyes, Lü Yi still couldn't quite believe it. The young man before her—barely seventeen or eighteen—had managed to perfectly refine a six-grade pill that even Dan King Gu He would struggle to produce… all within a short span of time and without any failure.
'Terrifying. Simply terrifying.'
That was Lü Yi's honest assessment of Lin Ran now.
All of her previous doubts had vanished like smoke. She now believed nearly every word that Lin Ran had uttered before—because what could be more convincing than this?
"This is definitely a genuine Yaohua Pill. But…"
Carefully inhaling the unique medicinal scent lingering around the pill, Lü Yi tucked it into her personal storage ring, then turned toward Lin Ran with an apologetic smile. "My lord, please forgive the impertinence… It's not that I doubt your skill, but this is a six-grade pill we're talking about. I must ask—may I test it to verify its effectiveness?"
"You! You still dare to doubt my shaoye?!"
Xiao Yixian immediately flared up, her face full of indignation. She pointed at Lü Yi and snapped, "You watched the whole refinement process! My shaoye refined it strictly according to the pill recipe you provided. How could you still speak such words?"
"And what if there was a problem with your recipe and the resulting pill didn't have the intended effect? Who would shoulder that blame, huh? Where would we go to argue our innocence?"
She paused, then added coldly, "Besides, didn't shaoye say he's leaving Black Rock City tomorrow? We don't have time to entertain your nonsense!"
"Tagor Desert?!"
Hearing this, Lü Yi's eyes lit up with surprise. Then, a touch of awkwardness passed across her stunning face. She coughed softly to mask her discomfort before straightening up and saying seriously, "I do realize my request is overstepping. But with a six-grade pill involved, I must be absolutely sure. So, I'd like to ask—"
"No problem."
Before Xiao Yixian could protest again, Lin Ran waved a hand dismissively. His calm voice rang out, "I'm curious though. Who are you planning to have consume the pill?"
As its name implied, the Yaohua Pill was meant for magical beasts. Only they could consume it and reap the benefits. Since Lü Yi wanted to verify the effects, she would obviously need to let a magical beast try it.
"I actually prepared this pill for one of our Tian She Fu's beast elders," Lü Yi said respectfully. "That elder is currently located in the Tagor Desert. Since I heard from your maid that you're heading there next, might I request… to accompany you on the journey?"
She bent forward in a graceful salute, tone humble and full of reverence. Her fair cheeks were tinged pink, and her enticing figure exuded an irresistible charm. Standing behind her, Xiao Yixian's eyes instantly darkened.
'You vixen! You're clearly coming for my shaoye!'
'We haven't even sorted out my status yet, and now you want to worm your way in?! What if something inappropriate happens on the road? This won't do—absolutely not!'
"No way! There's abso—"
"You may join us."
"...Eh?! Shaoye?!"
Xiao Yixian stood frozen in disbelief.
Meanwhile, Lü Yi's joy was practically spilling out from her eyes. She beamed like a blooming flower.
Being able to travel with such a powerhouse meant an opportunity for close interaction—an opportunity to build rapport. And once that happened, who knew what might follow?
Over the years, Tian She Fu had been slowly weakening. While it was still a dominant force within Tian She Empire, on the wider northwest continent it was no longer the unchallenged hegemon. Their internal hierarchy was unstable, factions were forming, and power struggles were constant.
Although Lü Yi had broken through to the Dou Huang realm, she wasn't the strongest in her sect. If she could earn the goodwill or even backing of someone like Lin Ran, her future would change drastically.
'This isn't just a pill anymore… it's fate!'
While Lü Yi was lost in happy thoughts, the others in the room—Otto, Franke, and Gu Te—were still dazed from Lin Ran's previous display of alchemy.
Especially Otto and Franke, who were both peak fourth-grade alchemists already brushing against the fifth grade. Observing Lin Ran's process firsthand had sparked new insights. With luck, they might be able to break through soon!
When Lin Ran stood up and moved toward the door, the others quickly snapped back to reality.
"My lord… are you really leaving tomorrow?" Otto asked tentatively.
Such a towering existence… to think he would depart after just one refinement.
They desperately wished he would stay. Just having Lin Ran in the city, even for a few more days, would be an invaluable opportunity. But deep down, they knew…
'With his identity, strength, and background… how could Black Rock City possibly contain someone like him?'
Still, Otto and Franke were unwilling to give up so easily.
"My lord, the Tagor Desert is desolate, harsh, and riddled with danger," Franke suddenly spoke up. "You'll need someone to assist with daily matters on the road. If you would allow… perhaps Xue Mei could accompany you?"
As he spoke, he gently nudged Xue Mei forward.
The silver-haired beauty was startled at first, but quickly understood his intent. Blushing faintly, she stepped forward and curtsied deeply to Lin Ran.
"Willing to serve my lord, share your burdens, and ease your journey."
(End of Chapter)