Chapter 99: Good News

The alchemy book records that the Scarlet Flame Phoenix Feather is born alongside a phoenix. It is gold on the outside and red on the inside, possessing great spirituality. More importantly, its core is shaped like a fallen feather.

This specimen matches the shape and characteristics, though its power is far inferior.

It should be considered part of the same broad category.

Cupping the flame in his right hand, Junior Brother Bai Ming began to refine it with all his might, his mind intertwined with the fire.

The flame flickered between tangible and intangible, its shape gradually resembling a bird's feather. It withdrew the sharp edge of its outer blaze and slowly stabilized.

Wiping the fine sweat from his forehead, Junior Brother Bai Ming waved his hand, using his thoughts to manipulate the flaming feather, playing with it in his palm.

The flaming feather danced between his fingers, warmth spreading across his palm. Even when it touched his skin, it caused no burning pain.

During the refining process, Junior Brother Bai Ming made another discovery: this flame had not been weakened; rather, a portion of its power had been sealed.

Once the seal was lifted, it would return to the power of a Golden Core.

He could sense that the master of this seal was none other than the Giant Lizard beside him.

How truly… thoughtful.

Holding the flaming feather, Junior Brother Bai Ming lowered his eyes and smiled. He felt that perhaps he wasn't the Giant Lizard's emergency ration after all, but rather a… chef worth valuing?

Regardless, the fact that it had saved his life would not change.

Junior Brother Bai Ming looked up, meeting those golden pupils. "Let's go, I'll take you for a late-night snack! It's all-you-can-eat tonight."

The Giant Lizard understood and a smile appeared on its mouth, though due to its jaw shape, it looked somewhat terrifying.

Under the silent starry night, the forest swayed incessantly, carrying the distant, mournful howls of various spirit beasts.

The cyan giant beast carried the youth as it galloped, heading straight for the scattered spirit beasts.

… The weather cleared.

Inside a slightly dark cave.

Dozens of herbs emitted a faint green light, floating in the air as if waiting to be used.

The massive square cauldron in the center opened, and the herbs entered the boiling broth one by one.

Aurora Flower. Black Loquat Fruit. Purple Mist Bamboo. …

Plop, plop. Following a certain pattern, the herbs were added in an orderly fashion.

Once all the herbs were inside, Elder Xuancao released his spiritual energy to cover the furnace lid, meticulously controlling the flames.

Without blinking, Junior Brother Bai Ming stared intently at Elder Xuancao's steps, not letting a single detail slip by.

Thanks to Senior Sister Tao Yu's guidance over these past days and the knowledge from the alchemy book, he could now identify all kinds of common medicinal herbs, and even knew their related properties and processing methods.

Therefore, seeing this now, he understood in his heart that this was definitely a toxic pill being refined.

Black Loquat Fruit and Purple Mist Bamboo could both cause harm to cultivators under certain circumstances.

This old bastard was using him to test medicine again! If not for the limitation of his cultivation level, he would have turned against him long ago.

A Golden Core is truly an unbridgeable chasm. Watching the pill take shape step by step, Junior Brother Bai Ming sighed.

Over these past few days, he had more or less figured out his own constitution. He wouldn't go so far as to say he was immune to all poisons, but he did possess high resistance.

Only the first time he took a pill was an exception; for the first dose, his resistance was very weak, almost non-existent.

But as the number of times he took it increased, his resistance would increase dramatically. Especially for toxic pills with the same mechanism, it applied equally, and he didn't need to develop resistance all over again.

According to his deduction, this should be an effect brought about by the Yanqing Spiritual Root, a type of bodily protection mechanism.

Originally, this should have been a good thing, but it had made him the best experimental subject for Elder Xuancao.

Elder Xuancao seemed to be stubborn, insisting on innovating with toxic pills of the same mechanism, wanting to make him suffer injuries worse than before, exceeding the protection brought by his resistance.

The medicinal properties of the toxic pills were getting stronger, and their mechanisms more complex. Resistance was not omnipotent; Junior Brother Bai Ming hadn't missed a single one of those "first-dose kills" he was supposed to eat.

This physical pain was almost driving him mad. However, thinking that victory was right before his eyes, he was able to endure it.

Elder Xuancao finished refining, took out the pill, and waved his sleeve to send it before Junior Brother Bai Ming. "Consume it."

"Yes." Taking the pill, Junior Brother Bai Ming frowned. Forced by the pressure, he endured and swallowed it. The pill dissolved and began to take effect within his body.

Sitting cross-legged to regulate his breathing, he tried his best to steady himself, but his face grew paler by the moment.

Elder Xuancao flashed before Junior Brother Bai Ming, examining him with a pair of old, sharp, eagle-like eyes.

"Even though I added so many poisons at the same time, you can still detect the old poison within it and resist it. This is truly interesting." Elder Xuancao stroked his white beard lightly.

He turned and left, his tone flat. "Alright, you may go."

Endure it. Just a few more days, and I will never have to see this face again. But, I am just so annoyed.

Gritting his teeth, Junior Brother Bai Ming's expression was ferocious as he forced himself to stand up and left with a flick of his sleeves.

The day was still early, and the sun was bright. Leaving the cave, Junior Brother Bai Ming arrived at a mountain peak. Before he even got close, a scent of herbs drifted into his nose.

Looking from afar, a petite young girl sat cross-legged on a huge rock.

Junior Brother Bai Ming clutched his chest and handed over an object. "Senior Sister, this is the undying phoenix feather flower."

Senior Sister Tao Yu's eyes brightened, her tone unreadable. "I didn't expect you to obtain this so quickly."

She looked up, noticing Junior Brother Bai Ming's pale complexion. "It seems he has made you take some potent medicine again."

"Are you feeling hot inside and cold outside right now?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming nodded. "Senior Sister is absolutely correct. Please, save me, Senior Sister."

Senior Sister Tao Yu waved her hand, signaling him to come over. "This time it's a bit troublesome; take these first to ease it."

Taking the pill, Junior Brother Bai Ming swallowed it in one gulp, and the strange sensations in his body faded a little.

He sat cross-legged beside Senior Sister Tao Yu, observing some of the details of the alchemy.

Senior Sister Tao Yu noticed Junior Brother Bai Ming watching and guided him softly. During key steps, she even deliberately slowed down so that Junior Brother Bai Ming could learn.

The fire at the bottom of the furnace went from weak to strong, then weakened again until it extinguished.

"That's about it. Take this antidote first." Senior Sister Tao Yu held the pill with her small hand and handed it over.

Junior Brother Bai Ming hurriedly took it and consumed it immediately before the residual warmth of the pill had dissipated; he could still feel the warmth in his throat.

Senior Sister Tao Yu turned her head and smiled gently. "Just endure it for a few more days. Just a few more days, and once all the medicinal herbs are collected, you will be able to leave."

"Mm." Junior Brother Bai Ming felt it was strange, but only nodded.

After absorbing the antidote, the medicinal toxins in Junior Brother Bai Ming's body had almost completely dissipated, and his body felt much better.

He cupped his hands in a salute, intending to bid farewell to Senior Sister Tao Yu.

"Are you going to find Senior Brother Wei for treatment?" Senior Sister Tao Yu reached out.

Junior Brother Bai Ming turned slightly. "Yes, are you coming along today, Senior Sister?"

"No, not today." Senior Sister Tao Yu's eyes narrowed slightly, with a meaningful look.

Ever since Senior Sister Tao Yu came to find Junior Brother Bai Ming last time, she had been present almost every time he went to Senior Brother Wei Yu for treatment.

Occasionally there were a few times she wasn't there, and he didn't feel it was strange.

After bidding farewell to Senior Sister Tao Yu, Junior Brother Bai Ming headed straight for Senior Brother Wei Yu's residence.

Today, Senior Sister Tao Yu was not there, so he could share his joy with Senior Brother Wei Yu and further refine their plan.

In his delight, his speed increased a little more.

Knock, knock. Arriving at Senior Brother Wei Yu's residence, Junior Brother Bai Ming gently knocked on the door. He waited for a while before a familiar voice came from inside.

"Come in, Junior Brother." Senior Brother Wei Yu said softly.

Junior Brother Bai Ming pushed open the door, smiling. "Senior Brother, I am almost about to obtain the map."