[{"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-112":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},596872,846,"Chapter 112: Explosion in the Fryer: Master Chef Lis Brilliant Idea","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-112",112,"\u003Cp>The flames within the Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Furnace were visibly fiercer than when the previous batch of Green Snake Blood Spirit Pills had been refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive furnace now resembled a fiery mountain, radiating an astonishing heat. Inside, it was like a world of flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clouds follow the dragon, winds follow the tiger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Xue Jing's control, the flames within the furnace surged and receded like the breaths of dragons and tigers, creating a scene of ever-shifting winds and clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did it truly embody the grand and lofty aura of \"alchemy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more bizarrely, Tang Xiaobao sat cross-legged inside the furnace, completely unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temperature of these flames would reduce an Inner Breath Realm cultivator to ashes in moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, Tang Xiaobao's body emitted a radiant glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, as time passed and the heat intensified, this glow grew brighter and brighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Time to add the materials. I'm ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This old man has also prepared for a long time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing, a powerhouse of the Inner Landscape Realm, now had beads of sweat faintly glistening on his temples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After more than four thousand years, $2ang Xiaobao had finally awakened to sentience in his generation, transforming from a pill into a human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, he finally had the chance to be reforged in the furnace, to become a true Nine-Orifice Dragon-Tiger Golden Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was merely a chance—a slim hope at best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dan Ding Peak hadn't produced an Alchemy Grandmaster in many years, and even he was still far from reaching that level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Nine-Orifice Dragon-Tiger Golden Pill had once been refined by Great Shang, exhausting their entire national treasury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Dan Ding Peak no longer possessed such resources...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, he had to try.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo couldn't help but hold his breath, feeling a touch of nervousness as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On either side, wooden boxes that had been prepared earlier were now opened one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside were rare treasures, each exuding a pure and potent aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing stretched out his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A peculiar herb landed in his palm, and in an instant, the preliminary preparations were complete—purified and refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the second, the third...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In mere moments, dozens of rare herbs had been processed and simultaneously tossed into the furnace, swiftly distilled to their essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a strict timing requirement for refining the Nine-Orifice Dragon-Tiger Golden Pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Missing the optimal window would only make the process even more arduous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, let me help too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Tang Xiaobao spoke—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump-thump—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange pulsation echoed, as if originating from a heartbeat deep within his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo saw it clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glimpsed what seemed to be a faintly beating \"heart\" within Tang Xiaobao's chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the flames, it was hard to make out—only a flickering golden light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's reaching the critical moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo made his judgment based on experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, his experience in stir-frying, to be precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But by sheer coincidence, he was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fusion of medicinal properties was indeed the most difficult and pivotal stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing had to multitask, meticulously controlling the temperature, resistance, and characteristics of each material, ensuring they merged at the perfect moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alone, he could never accomplish this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the \"pill\" being refined inside the furnace was cooperating with him from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the heartbeat grew louder, vast amounts of medicinal essence adhered to Tang Xiaobao's body, slowly merging into him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The radiance around him intensified further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An intense, exotic fragrance burst forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this is Senior Brother Xiaobao's scent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo finally understood what had been permeating all of Dan Ding Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single whiff of this fragrance made one feel years younger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A glimmer of joy flashed in Xue Jing's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo held his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it really—?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the thought could fully form—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, a violent explosion erupted from Tang Xiaobao's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames spiraled out of control, and the furnace visibly lifted three feet off the ground before crashing back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground shattered, instantly caving in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The furnace lid was blasted skyward by the tremendous pressure, soaring higher and higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The furnace had exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Brother Xiaobao...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo's heart skipped a beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such a massive blast and that small frame at the epicenter—surely nothing serious had happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing, frantic with worry, immediately dispersed the black smoke with his domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small figure, still trailing a few embers, flew out and landed on the open ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao lay there, eyes tightly shut, his entire body pitch-black—as if dug out from a coal pile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xiaobao?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing called out several times, but there was no response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Xue, don't panic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo prepared to first inspect him with his Heavenly Eye of Fate before deciding which pill to use for treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment he activated it, he froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh heh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao suddenly opened his eyes, grinning to reveal a row of white teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gotcha! I was just pretending~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You absolute numbskull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiaobao, for heaven's sake, grow some sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing, who had been deeply disheartened, found his gloom dissipating slightly, replaced instead by exasperated amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shot Tang Xiaobao an unimpressed look before sighing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We've given it our all this time, yet we failed again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems I lack the ability to bring you to perfection in my hands. A pity this old man's skills are insufficient...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sigh carried exhaustion, his weariness laid bare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, what can you do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao smacked his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Master observed the Observation Divine Realm, it was him he saw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even this couldn’t succeed, what else could be done?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe... we could try again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Li Mo, who had been deep in thought, suddenly spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both master and disciple turned to look at him simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This old man no longer has enough rare treasures. The resources Xiaobao needs for his cultivation are all...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud thud thud—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Li Mo’s sleeves, boxes and bottles poured out like a flowing stream—some wooden, some jade—piling up into a small hill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said somewhat sheepishly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See if any of these are useful?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moonlit Grass... Seven-Hearted Blossom... Earth Vein Spirit Milk... Huh? And it’s ten-thousand-year-old?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Xiaobao didn’t even need to open them to know what was inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing: \"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood frozen for a long moment before taking a deep breath and speaking gravely:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo, we mustn’t engage in unlawful activities, you know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did you just rob some sect’s treasure vault or something?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, given his time infiltrating the Misty Rain Pavilion, it wasn’t entirely impossible...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You misunderstand, Elder. You know me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo gave a bashful smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m such an approachable, gentle, and law-abiding person—how could I ever walk the path of crime?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These were just... unexpected gains.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing seemed to accept the explanation, stroking his beard, but still shook his head:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even with the materials, even if Xiaobao and I tried a thousand, ten thousand more times, the result would be the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Both of us have already given our all just now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alchemy has its fluctuations in success rates, but only within the bounds of one’s capability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if... I joined in?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo ventured cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing was genuinely puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Junior Brother Li, though your inner breath is formidable, you don’t know alchemy,\" Tang Xiaobao added, equally confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chef Li cleared his throat solemnly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a bold idea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if Senior Brother Xiaobao and I both entered the cauldron?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, my inner breath would merge with the Dragon-Tiger Cauldron, allowing Elder Xue to harness it to refine impurities from the materials.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And during the process, as long as I absorb the excess medicinal energy leaking from Senior Brother Xiaobao, we can prevent the cauldron from exploding due to instability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, I’d get to cultivate and advance my own realm—I’ve been worrying about how to refine the Golden Crow blood in my kidneys faster anyway!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was killing two birds with one stone!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li couldn’t help but think—damn, I’m a freaking genius!!\u003C\u002Fp>",1357,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.269Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.889Z",1,"novelbin.me","1fb01ff4fdedda9d1be310937f69d5a2e81efe1d45cec03ffca28f74c70ab057","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-113","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-111",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]