Chapter 105: Departure

Refining the Jade Vine Pill was an arduous task, for the rare and precious herbs required were exceedingly scarce. Even with the years of herb collection amassed by the Xu family, there was barely enough to concoct a single batch.

Thus, this was Liu Pan’s first attempt at refining the Jade Vine Pill—and quite possibly his only chance to do so.

Based on his prior experience with pill refinement, the likelihood of success was slim. Therefore, Liu Pan exercised exceptional care and focus during the purification of the medicinal energy. Now, he had reached the final stage of condensation with nothing more than a thread of uncertainty.

With a shift in his mind, two streams of medicinal power each separated a strand and began attempting to merge. The moment the energies touched, Liu Pan’s spirit tensed sharply.

Having studied the art of pill refining for some time, Liu Pan had gleaned certain insights, even incorporating some unconventional techniques he had observed elsewhere. Though some were clumsy, most attempts had succeeded.

Perhaps, for someone who had traversed from one place to another, memory was the most precious treasure. It allowed one to understand and conceive of things that others in this world could never imagine.

Yet, despite his creative thoughts on pill refining, Liu Pan remained scrupulously disciplined with the Jade Vine Pill. He could not afford failure.

Under the control of his spiritual power, the fusion of the medicinal energy was tumultuous. Unexpectedly, it was only after he injected his “whimsical” idea into the process that the energies finally condensed into a pill.

“Is it done?”

Throughout the refining process, Xu Xiaozhan had refrained from using his spiritual sense to probe inside the cauldron, wary of disturbing Liu Pan. But now, seeing him relax, he couldn’t help but speak.

“I don’t know,” Liu Pan wiped sweat from his brow, his voice tinged with anxiety. He had resorted to techniques never used before in the final condensation phase to achieve success. His greatest worry was whether the pill formed by his added method was still the Jade Vine Pill.

“Don’t know?” Xu Xiaozhan was momentarily stunned, then suddenly understood. Having watched Liu Pan refine pills many times, he knew Liu Pan often incorporated strange, unorthodox methods. This answer spoke volumes.

With a thought, Xu Xiaozhan’s spiritual sense swept over the cauldron. Since Liu Pan had answered so, the refining was clearly complete, and he need not fear disturbing him now.

“Holy—!”

The instant his spiritual sense landed on the cauldron, Xu Xiaozhan froze, then couldn’t help but curse. He stared at Liu Pan with a look of disbelief.

Liu Pan was not surprised by his reaction. His ideas and methods for pill refining were many and varied; this time, though, he had pushed the limits, so Xu Xiaozhan’s strong reaction was only natural.

Without wasting time, Liu Pan lifted the cauldron lid.

Immediately, a faint, refreshing fragrance filled the entire basement. Liu Pan’s spirits lifted, a glint of joy shining in his eyes. He knew the Jade Vine Pill had been successfully refined.

For a top-grade Earth Elemental Pill so close to the Heavenly Grade, the fragrance alone spoke volumes.

Xu Xiaozhan leaned in to inspect the few pills inside the cauldron, then glanced at the thick layer of solid ice lining it. After a long pause, he finally said, “You really dare to mess around.”

Liu Pan smiled but said nothing in reply. After a brief rest, he drew a deep breath, a hint of inscrutable emotion in his eyes. “Pack up. We’re leaving.”

Xu Xiaozhan was momentarily taken aback, then nodded silently.

Having spent so much time with Liu Pan, Xu Xiaozhan’s only impression was that he was a “freak”—a “freak” beyond genius.

As for leaving, Liu Pan had originally planned to depart alone. Xu Xiaozhan was to follow the route laid out in the book, cultivating along the way, eventually joining the Luoyan Sect, entering Fentian City, and then considering business ventures.

However, after discussion, they changed the plan.

The Fentian Sect was recruiting disciples near the southern border of Nan County. While this attracted talented individuals, it would inevitably draw the attention of other sects hoping to pick up stragglers.

After all, those the Fentian Sect rejected might not be overlooked by others; some sects might even compete to recruit them.

Given Xu Xiaozhan’s aptitude, joining Fentian Sect directly was unlikely, but he could seek entry into other sects, advancing step by step toward Fentian City.

After some preparation, Xu Xiaozhan returned to the Xu family to meet Xu Yangfeng, while Liu Pan, carrying some pills, headed back to the Yunliu Sect.

At this time, many sects had flocked to Tianyang City for the Fentian Sect’s recruitment. The Yunliu Sect was no exception, so Liu Pan found the sect strangely quiet upon his return.

Most of the strong cultivators had gone to the Fentian Sect’s recruitment gathering. Liu Pan, unconcerned, took his sword and leisurely toured the peaks of the Yunliu Sect. Naturally, he avoided any particularly strong auras detected by his spiritual sense.

Soon, he found traces of Qin Ling. When Liu Pan first entered the Yunliu Sect, Qin Ling had greatly helped him. Now that he was about to depart, he felt the need to repay that kindness.

Qin Ling’s talent was mediocre. Though he had reached the Warrior realm, his aura was somewhat shallow, likely due to excessive pill consumption. His absence from the Fentian Sect recruitment gathering hinted at his limitations.

Liu Pan’s sudden appearance startled Qin Ling. Several months had passed since Liu Pan entered the Yunliu Sect, and after he moved to Cangyun Peak, the two had not crossed paths. Qin Ling had thought Liu Pan had forgotten him; his unexpected return was truly surprising.

(To be continued.)