[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal":3,"chapter-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-111":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},596871,846,"Chapter 111: This old fool is muddled, refining the golden elixir of dragon and tiger","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-111",111,"\u003Cp>4,224 years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little beanpole before him was older than the entire history of Great Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And... elixirs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Seven Orifices Dragon-Tiger Elixir that turned into a person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo pondered—everything in existence had a spirit. Even within the seed of the world lay a talking hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So perhaps an elixir transforming into a human wasn’t so hard to believe after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he had plenty of priceless elixirs himself, yet none as miraculous as this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The sect always said I was born with a deficiency. Guess they weren’t wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao rubbed his tiny chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Missing what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Common sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo figured Elder Xue’s assessment might not have been purely physical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two collected their books and, since both were heading to Dan Ding Peak, decided to walk together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, Junior Brother Li, you’ve reached the Jade Liquid Realm now, haven’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao asked along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Junior Brother, you’re terrifying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao said with genuine admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Thanks for the compliment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo chose to take it as one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao sighed in frustration. \"At this rate, the next time I see you and Junior Sister Ying Bing, I’ll have to call you senior brother and sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, martial prowess reigned supreme. Most sects ranked disciples by strength, and Qingyuan Sect was no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So once, he had been the eldest senior brother of Dan Ding Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he was the youngest junior brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry, Senior Brother Xiaobao. You’ll always be my senior brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo thought of the other’s staggering age and made the solemn promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No wonder the sect says Junior Brother Li has the bearing of an ancient noble. You’re oddly kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao grinned cheerfully, then clenched his fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll work hard too—I’ll reach the Mystic Elixir Realm before you two!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speaking of which, Junior Brother Li, want to watch me train later? Master will be there too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he was already planning to see Elder Xue and was curious about Tang Xiaobao’s training, Li Mo agreed without much thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, they arrived at Dan Ding Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the mountain range, this peak was the most lush, its air thick with an exotic fragrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo took a few deep breaths—it smelled oddly pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the summit stood the living quarters of the true disciples and the peak’s presiding elder, Xue Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The setup was simple: a small courtyard with a massive Dragon-Tiger Elixir Furnace at its center, identical to the one Li Mo had once seen in a medical hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the furnace, flames danced fiercely, radiating intense heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing and two true disciples—a man and a woman—were in the midst of refining an elixir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three were wholly focused on the furnace, each with their own role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The male disciple handled new materials, the female disciple cleared residue, while Xue Jing concentrated on controlling the flames and purifying the ingredients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now wasn’t the time to interrupt, so Li Mo and Tang Xiaobao watched quietly from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Add the Yellow Origin Fruit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Xue Jing’s command, the male disciple hurriedly produced a thumb-sized, translucent fruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the Black Malice Wood Oil used to intensify the flames, Li Mo didn’t recognize any of the other materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, Tang Xiaobao was there to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Yellow Origin Fruit has a mild medicinal nature. When blended with other primary ingredients, it enhances their potency.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next, Master will likely add the Dust-Shedding Flower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what does that do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo had no ambition to become an alchemist, but the process fascinated him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d read about it in novels countless times, but seeing it firsthand was a first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Dust-Shedding Flower separates medicinal energies, of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo watched as Xue Jing took out a jade spatula to stir the contents of the furnace, finding the sight strangely familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t quite place why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Xue Jing spoke gravely:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bring the True Elixir Liquid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The male disciple immediately adopted a solemn expression, carefully retrieving a basin filled with a pale golden liquid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clearly a precious material, brimming with vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"True Elixir Liquid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just the name sounded impressive to Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yep. That’s my bathwater.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \".....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some things didn’t need quite so much detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"High heat to reduce!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pouring in the so-called True Elixir Liquid, Xue Jing added more Black Malice Wood Oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Li Mo realized why the scene felt so familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t this just stir-frying?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where’s the grand, mystical alchemy I was promised?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo rubbed his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The two aren’t that different, really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \".....I suppose that’s true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cooking emphasized ingredients; alchemy emphasized materials. Both required precise sequencing and meticulous heat control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only real difference was that alchemy was far more dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A failed dish might burn, but a failed elixir could explode from conflicting energies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the thrilling alchemy session concluded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This batch of Green Snake Blood Spirit Elixir is complete.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing exhaled in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d known Li Mo was there and turned to him with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This elixir aids body refinement, but I’m afraid Foutu paid a hefty price for it. Can’t spare you any this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your consideration, Elder Xue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder and the young man exchanged pleasantries warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Xue had always held this junior disciple in high regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... I don’t even know what to say about you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing studied Li Mo, who had changed dramatically since their last meeting, and chuckled helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did you even sneak into the Endless Trial and take first place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was mostly luck.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo clasped his hands modestly. \"My inner energy is unique—it happened to erase the traces on the Hallfront Swallow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have some tea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing gestured for him to sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo settled onto a nearby rosewood chair and casually brewed two cups of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A habit he’d picked up from the ice block (Ying Bing).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You did well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing took a sip. \"Keeping those Hallfront Swallows means we can monitor the Drizzle Pavilion’s movements in Purple Sun Prefecture in real time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But their Hallfront Swallows are crafted uniquely. Your inner energy can really erase their traces?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Hallfront Swallows were so easily countered, the Drizzle Pavilion wouldn’t be the terror of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands—let alone capable of assassinating kings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See for yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo flicked a finger, releasing a strand of deep crimson inner energy onto the residual dregs from the furnace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiny flames burned quietly, as if eternal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dregs, which even the furnace’s intense heat hadn’t fully refined, began vanishing, consumed by the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing narrowed his eyes, a fierce light gleaming in his pupils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, he sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was a fool...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I should’ve taken you as my disciple back then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With flames like these, Li Mo’s potential in alchemy would have been limitless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why say that, Elder Xue?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo smiled wryly. He’d heard similar regrets from elders many times before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even I can only purify materials to ninety-nine percent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But with practice, you might achieve one hundred percent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were born to refine elixirs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing’s tone was thick with lament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Elder Hanhe were here, he would undoubtedly say that Li Mo was born to be a blacksmith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, forging is also about mastering the fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li even has a hammer capable of crafting mystical weapons...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that you're done refining pills, it's time to refine me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao climbed into the alchemy furnace, his voice echoing dully from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If refining pills was like cooking...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then wasn’t this eerily similar to stewing oneself in a pot? ...Ahem, random thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing paused and glanced at Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On the way here, Senior Brother Xiaobao told me everything,\" Li Mo said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing nodded but didn’t elaborate further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had intentionally kept Li Mo behind to observe the pill-refining process, even dismissing the other two direct disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoosh—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a flick of his finger, he tapped Tang Xiaobao’s forehead from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, a pill fragrance that stirred the soul wafted out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo pondered thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that earlier, Elder Xue had used a special method to seal Tang Xiaobao’s aura and medicinal energy, making him appear no different from an ordinary child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Xue Jing’s expression turned solemn, his hair and beard bristling, making him seem even more transcendent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An intangible force spread through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon and tiger coiled around the alchemy furnace seemed to come alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their jaws—tiger maw and dragon maw—parted, spewing forth raging flames.\u003C\u002Fp>",1456,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.269Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.889Z",1,"novelbin.me","6d4b2f5b26c669321c9e1148852da08de9d5a55592e4c41f3f2b88adcab2f675","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-112","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-110",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]