Chapter 253 - 192: Mystic Womb Corpse Refining

’The karmic backlash is starting!’

Demonic Essence surged within Qin Xuan’s Dantian as his mind focused.

He forcefully suppressed the strange stirrings of the Golden-Breaking Blood Talisman.

Song Hao had clearly noticed the change in Qin Xuan and tactfully kept quiet.

Qin Xuan took a deep breath, cupped his fists, and said, "Thank you for clearing my doubts, Senior Brother Song. I will surely repay you for today’s matter in the future!"

"You’re too kind, Junior Brother Qin." A glint flashed in the depths of Song Hao’s eyes.

Just then, the Foundation Establishment Ninth Level Incense Master finally arrived with the Spiritual Plants, fashionably late. Qin Xuan took the plants and turned to leave.

But he remained secretly vigilant.

’This Senior Brother Song... he seems a little too kind to me.’

...

There was no such thing as a free lunch.

Back in his Cave Mansion, Qin Xuan immediately summoned the Artifact Spirit of the Eight Desolates Forging Fire Furnace again.

"Senior, could you please see if there are any problems or hidden tricks with these Spiritual Plants?"

The Cyan-robed Little Daoist Child flew over.

"Where’d you get these, kid? Go on another robbing and killing spree?"

The Cyan-robed Little Daoist Child picked through them and commented, "Not bad, not bad at all. There’s nothing wrong with them, and their quality is surprisingly good. Your eye for things is getting better!"

Qin Xuan was speechless.

’What do you mean, "again"? We Demon Cultivators have morals too, you know.’

"Senior, would you mind taking a closer look?" Qin Xuan was still uneasy.

"Bullshit! My—Lord Huang’s—eyes are a measuring stick! If there was a problem with little things like these, I’d see it crystal clear even if your Sect Leader couldn’t."

The Cyan-robed Little Daoist Child, so angry his beard bristled and his eyes went wide, chewed Qin Xuan out before turning and floating back into the Eight Desolates Forging Fire Furnace, ignoring him.

’Strange. There’s really nothing wrong with them.’

Qin Xuan grew even more confused.

’Could it be that this Song Hao needs something from me?’

’Impossible. Everyone in the Holy Sect is a black-hearted maggot. That old fox must have some scheme up his sleeve...’

Qin Xuan was extremely cautious.

After thinking it over and over without finding a reason, he finally added Song Hao’s name to his little black book.

He planned to use Soul Search on him when he got the chance. That way, he would know everything!

...

Time flowed by slowly. For the next few days, Qin Xuan spent a rare and precious period of peace within the Holy Sect.

There were no missions from any Demon Monarchs or Blood Demons, nor were any of his fellow disciples looking for trouble.

As for the Director competition and Demon Child assessment that Song Hao had mentioned, Qin Xuan had long since tossed them to the back of his mind.

’The most urgent task is to raise my Cultivation as quickly as possible. First, I’ll refine the Pills, and then I’ll go to the Blood Pool Sword Tomb to obtain the third Sword Talisman!’

The Golden-Breaking Blood Talisman in his Dantian was growing more and more agitated.

Along with this, Qin Xuan’s comprehension of Sword Talismans grew deeper.

’It seems I can try to nurture a Natal Blood Talisman of my very own!’

Qin Xuan suppressed his excitement.

He poured all his energy into refining the Control Element Soul Nourishing Pill.

...

「One month later.」

Qin Xuan sat cross-legged in the Earth Fire Room, the scorching Earth Lung Fire baking his face red, yet he dared not be the slightest bit careless.

’The Profound Nether Black Water Lotus is cold in nature and must be slowly melted with Earth Lung Yin Fire; the Blood Jade Marrow Mushroom powder is as fierce as blood and can only be activated with Yang Fire...’

Following the detailed Pill Formula given to him by the Cyan-robed Little Daoist Child, Qin Xuan found that the Alchemy process was surprisingly smooth, with a ridiculously high margin for error.

Even when he faltered due to his inexperience during the refining process, it didn’t affect the overall progress.

"Go!"

With a flick of his fingertip, a cluster of eerie green flames flared to life. Inside the Yin Yang Demon Refining Furnace, the black-and-white Tai Chi Diagram began to rotate slowly.

Enveloped by the Earth Lung Yin Fire, the Profound Nether Black Water Lotus seeped out drops of pure medicinal liquid, melting like Ice Crystals.

"Condense!"

Qin Xuan gave a low shout. The Earth Lung Yin Fire in his palm burned fiercely as the pitch-black medicinal liquid divided evenly into twelve portions, its moisture gradually evaporating as they spun within the Pill Cauldron.

They gradually solidified into the shape of Elixir Pills, emitting wisps of a rich, sweet fragrance.

"It’s done!"

A sharp glint flashed in Qin Xuan’s eyes. He withdrew the Earth Lung Yin Fire and slapped his palm on the lid of the furnace.

"Open!"

The lid flew open, and the refreshing, rich, and mysterious fragrance grew even stronger. Just a simple whiff was enough to invigorate one’s Divine Soul.

WHOOSH!

Twelve streaks of dark purple light shot out.

Qin Xuan was overjoyed. His Demonic Essence erupted from his body, forming a large hand that gathered all the streaks of dark purple light into a jade bottle.

Taking a closer look, he saw twelve round, plump, purple Soul Nourishing Pills lying quietly inside the bottle. They were perfectly smooth and full, and faint red patterns could be seen on their surfaces.

’Three-Turn Pill Patterns, with a self-generated Yun Xia...’

Qin Xuan was both shocked and delighted, extremely satisfied.

’I can’t believe I succeeded in refining Perfect Level Spirit Pills on my first attempt at a Tier Three Elixir.’

He carefully tipped out one of the purple Elixir Pills and was about to swallow it when a series of urgent knocks suddenly came from outside his Cave Mansion.

Qin Xuan frowned slightly.

’Who could be so rude? I said not to disturb me!’

With a flip of his hand, Qin Xuan put the jade bottle containing the Control Element Soul Nourishing Pills away and had just deactivated the isolation Array he had set up.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Several multicolored Sound Transmission Talismans shot inside, bumping around the Cave Mansion like headless flies amidst streaks of light.

Qin Xuan was taken aback, then didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

’No wonder it was so quiet. My isolation Array blocked all the Sound Transmission Talismans outside the Cave Mansion.’

His Demonic Essence emerged from his body, and Qin Xuan pulled the Sound Transmission Talismans into his palm one by one.

To his surprise, quite a few people had sent him messages during his month of seclusion.

In chronological order:

The first was from Ji Boying, who had hosted a banquet in the name of his father, the Dark Flame Blood Prison Demon Monarch, saying he hoped to drink and chat with him...

Next was a perfunctory greeting from Song Hao, asking how his Pill refining was going.

Finally, there was even an invitation from Jiang Xiaofeng, the Peak Master of Ten Thousand Poison Peak, to explore a Golden Core Secret Realm. The event was three days ago!

’Damn it. Not a single one of them has good intentions.’