In the living room of Medicine King Valley, a cup of clear tea.
Lin Zhao recounted everything about his friend Xu Ming'an refining pills, and the setup by Sun Tingxuan and the Lu family of Yunzhou to steal the pill formula. However, he omitted the part about Old Daoist Wang.
"All because of that unfilial descendant!"
Old Master Sun Qinghe was furious, smashing a coffee table with one palm. He stood up and said, "Guards, go summon Sun Tingxuan to see me!"
A cultivator from Medicine King Valley entered with a solemn expression and whispered a few words into the old master's ear.
Lin Zhao frowned, "If I'm not mistaken, Sun Tingxuan and Su Zhe have escaped in the chaos, haven't they?"
"That's right."
Sun Qinghe gritted his teeth, "It infuriates me."
"Don't be angry, it was expected."
Lin Zhao took a deep breath, realizing he had overlooked this. Otherwise, he would never have let Sun Tingxuan and Su Zhe escape.
"Does this mean the pill formula might be problematic?" Xiao Muchan's greatest concern was still the life and death of his father.
"Perhaps."
Lin Zhao said, "I don't understand alchemy, nor can I read pill formulas. How about this, get a pill formula from Medicine King Valley, and then find Xu Ming'an to cross-reference it. We'll know what went wrong. Now, there's still one important matter, Sect Master Xiao, how is your father's condition?"
"His Great Dao is unstable. After taking the poisoned pill, his vital energy backlashed, and he's on the brink of death." Xiao Muchan's expression was extremely grave.
"There's no time to delay."
Sun Qinghe immediately took out a box of immortal pills from his storage bag. "This is a Nine Revolutions Returning Soul Pill, which can extend life. Sect Master Xiao, immediately send someone back to Azure Phoenix Sect for your father to take. It can at least sustain his life for a while."
"Ah?"
Xiao Muchan was taken aback, immediately stood up to accept the pill, bowed, and said, "Thank you, Old Master. I will send someone back to Azure Phoenix Sect immediately."
Lin Zhao stood up, "I'm heading to Danxia Mountain to question Xu Ming'an. Do you want to come along?"
"Together."
Sun Qinghe smiled, "I also want to meet this genius alchemist."
Xiao Muchan said, "My father's life is at stake, so I must go as well."
...
Danxia Mountain, as night fell.
Streams of sword light descended. First, Lin Zhao, along with Huang Tingyu, Wu Zhi, Tang Guangjun, and others, landed in front of the Taoist temple. Following them were Sun Qinghe, Xiao Muchan, and others from Medicine King Valley and Azure Phoenix Sect. Lin Zhao whispered a few words and then pulled Xu Ming'an to a spot under the trees behind the mountain, with Sun Qinghe and Xiao Muchan beside them.
Lin Zhao took out the pill formula from Medicine King Valley and said, "The Zhenyuan Pill from Medicine King Valley almost killed someone. Can you help me check if this formula is correct and where the problem lies?"
"Oh!"
Xu Ming'an hurried to examine the formula under the moonlight, frowning. "The formulas are correct. Did you bring the refined pills?"
"Yes!"
Sun Qinghe produced a Zhenyuan Pill refined by Medicine King Valley.
Xu Ming'an held the pill in his palm and frowned. "No, no... the heat control is completely wrong. Zhenyuan Pill emphasizes the principle of water and fire fusion. The fire element in this pill completely surpasses the water element. I think this is why the Zhenyuan Pill from Medicine King Valley is harmful."
"Why is that?" Lin Zhao asked in surprise. "The formulas are exactly the same."
"Alchemy mental cultivation techniques!"
Xu Ming'an scratched his head. "I cultivated the alchemy mental cultivation techniques myself. They are not written on the pill formula. Therefore, even though Sun Tingxuan stole the formula, the pills he refined are not the true Zhenyuan Pills."
"Ah!"
Sun Qinghe slapped his thigh, a mixture of shame and annoyance. Medicine King Valley had truly lost face this time.
"So that's how it is..."
Xiao Muchan frowned. "After my father took the Zhenyuan Pill, his meridians became completely chaotic. Not only did he fail to enter the Thirteenth Realm, but he almost lost his Twelfth Realm cultivation."
"Zhenyuan Pill is not meant for those in the upper five realms at all."
Xu Ming'an added, "Those in the upper five realms need to take Guiyuan Pills to break through, not Zhenyuan Pills. It's another mistake."
"What?!"
Xiao Muchan felt a prickle of dread. He had spent a fortune seeking medicine for his father, only to harm him due to his own ignorance. How could he face his father?
"Too many misunderstandings."
Lin Zhao frowned. "There are still many things to do as a priority. Old Master, Medicine King Valley has the most issues. Your Medicine King Valley must immediately notify all sects and individuals who purchased Zhenyuan Pills, telling them not to consume it. Furthermore, Medicine King Valley should repurchase these defective products, even at double or triple the price, to salvage Medicine King Valley's reputation. This is not only for Medicine King Valley's reputation but also to prevent great losses to the strength of the cultivators on the mountains of the human realm."
"Understood."
Sun Qinghe said solemnly, "As soon as I return to Medicine King Valley, I will do as you say!"
Xiao Muchan then looked at Xu Ming'an with great respect. "Immortal Master Xu... this Guiyuan Pill... can you refine it? If you can, can you... sell it to our Azure Phoenix Sect first? My father truly... truly needs this medicine... I will pay any price, only for the pill..."
"Guiyuan Pill is currently being refined."
Xu Ming'an said, "Ultimately, the pill formula and the alchemy mental cultivation techniques were not combined. The reason for refining poisoned pills lies with me, and I, Xu Ming'an, bear the responsibility. Therefore... once this batch genuinely refines Guiyuan Pills, please have the Azure Phoenix Sect send someone to collect them. They will be free of charge."
Lin Zhao nodded and smiled. Xu Ming'an was still the same, his inherent kindness and simplicity unchanged by the harm and deceit he had suffered.
Sun Qinghe frowned, his gaze falling on Lin Zhao. He transmitted his voice, "Xu Ming'an only has this one alchemy furnace, and he can only refine so many pills. Why don't... Mountain Lord Lin discuss with him and seek the alchemy mental cultivation techniques for our Medicine King Valley? If this can be accomplished, it will be a fortune for the cultivators on the mountains of the human realm."
"Understood."
Lin Zhao said, "Old Master, you should return to Medicine King Valley first. After Xu Ming'an and I discuss it, if it's successful, I will visit Medicine King Valley."
"Alright."
...
Under the starlight, Huang Tingyu, Wu Zhi, Tang Guangjun, and others were roasting meat outside the Taoist temple, while Lin Zhao and Xu Ming'an chatted by a stream under the bright moon, naturally discussing pills.
"Danxia Mountain indeed needs to be repaired, and the Danxia Sect should also be established."
Lin Zhao looked towards the mountainside of Danxia Mountain and said with a smile, "Build a mountain gate there, with 'Danxia Sect' written on it. The Taoist temple should also be rebuilt, making it larger and more spacious. Xiao Man, Xiao Han, and you should all have your own rooms, warm in winter and cool in summer, protected from wind and rain. The vegetable garden on the back mountain can also be expanded. If you see any cultivators you fancy, you can recruit more disciples. The incense of Danxia Mountain needs to be passed down, generation after generation, becoming more prosperous."
"Mm-hmm!"
Xu Ming'an nodded repeatedly.
"But all of this requires Jinziqian."
Lin Zhao's tone shifted, and he said with a smile, "With only one alchemy furnace and your personal efforts, how much money can you earn? It's better to... utilize the pill formula and alchemy mental cultivation techniques to cooperate with Medicine King Valley. Medicine King Valley has many alchemists and many alchemy rooms. We can earn a gross profit, accumulating little by little. In one or two months, we should be able to earn the Jinziqian needed to establish a sect."
"Really?"
Xu Ming'an narrowed his eyes and smiled. "It sounds good. I'm not good at business, so I should just listen to you. But the alchemy mental cultivation techniques were ultimately passed down to me by my master. If I pass down the Zhenyuan Pill's alchemy mental cultivation techniques to others without my master's consent, my master will likely be displeased."
"Just the Zhenyuan Pill's alchemy mental cultivation techniques should not be a problem."
Lin Zhao took out a pot of Green Bamboo Wine from his embrace and gently raised it towards the washed starlit sky. "Old Daoist Wang, listen up! Xu Ming'an is your disciple. He lives a hard life on Danxia Mountain, and he and your two grand-disciples are often bullied. We can't stand idly by, right? I plan to offer the Zhenyuan Pill's alchemy mental cultivation techniques in cooperation with Medicine King Valley to accumulate Jinziqian for establishing the Danxia Sect. As for the Guiyuan Pill, Xu Ming'an will have to refine it alone. If you agree, strike a thunderclap as a sign of assent."
"Crack~~~"
In the distance, a faint bolt of lightning streaked across the sky.
"Alright, received!"
Lin Zhao smiled, stood up, clasped his fists towards the sky, and said, "The Natural Dwelling's gourd vines are also growing very vigorously. I thank you for that as well. When I have time, or when I step into the Thirteenth Realm and can ascend, I will invite you for a drink again!"
Xu Ming'an also stood up, bowed towards the sky, and said, "Master, please rest assured. I will definitely carry forward the Danxia Manual and our Danxia Sect!"
...
Medicine King Valley.
Sun Xingchun's courtyard was brightly lit.
At this time, Sun Xingchun and Sun Yunnuan could already walk. They sat together at the table, drinking clear porridge sent from the kitchen. Their Golden Cores had shattered, and now it was a time for good recuperation. Sun Qinghe, dressed in a dark red robe, sat beside them, looking at his two granddaughters who had miraculously survived. He was both happy and emotional.
"What about the marriage contract?" he suddenly asked.
Instantly, the faces of both girls turned crimson.
"Grandpa."
Sister Sun Xingchun spoke first, "Actually, on the day I met him at Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, the resonance of the Fire Spirit Jade was very strong. Lin Zhao... is my destined person..."
"Ah?!"
Sun Qinghe was taken aback and couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh. "Could such a coincidence exist in the world?"
But immediately, he became worried. "What if Lin Zhao doesn't like either of you? You both should know that he is the legendary Lin Baiyi. Although I was in seclusion, I still know some things about the martial world. What kind of women are around Lin Baiyi? There's Fusu's Great Wall Lord, the Thirteenth Realm Grand Sword Immortal Lin Wanhua, the Twelfth Realm Mountain Master Su Qingjiu of Changming Mountain, the Twelfth Realm Sword Immortal Wu Zhi, as well as the apricot girl Dongcang, the sword immortal embryo Tong Yu, and other women. Furthermore, when Lin Baiyi returned to the mountain peak villa last time, it is said he brought back a peerlessly beautiful fan divine maiden named Liu Liying..."
He scratched his head. "Although my two granddaughters are also of breathtaking beauty, the competition is too fierce..."
"Grandpa!"
Sun Xingchun's pretty face flushed. "I didn't say I must marry him. Where in the world is there a reason to force someone to marry another? I just felt that my life was ending and didn't want any regrets. Now that my sister and I are both alive, there's no rush... we can plan carefully..."
"Alright, alright."
The old man laughed. "Everything depends on my Xingchun."