Detoxification Pills and Poison Crafting

Having achieved such remarkable results in his first attempt at alchemy, Yang Fan felt a sense of deep satisfaction. His journey into the realms of fire control and experience still had ample room for improvement. Out of eighteen Rejuvenation Pills, fourteen had succeeded—a success rate that far exceeded that of typical low-ranking cultivators.

Now, Yang Fan set his sights on creating Detoxification Pills, a form of spirit medicine capable of counteracting common poisons. Yet he intended to enhance their efficacy, aiming for a remedy potent enough to combat ordinary toxins and venoms. This ambition had first taken root in his mind while tending to Liu Manxiang's ailment.

With determination, Yang Fan withdrew several ingredients from his storage pouch, ultimately producing a unique component: a centipede, its body shimmering with a faint bluish hue. The iridescent gleam from its many legs betrayed the potent toxicity contained within.

This was the **Blue Moon Centipede**, renowned for its lethal properties. When combined with the roots of the Purple Scale Flower, it could yield a most fearsome venom. Yang Fan had previously collected these roots while foraging for herbs with Luo Shui in the remote **Yi River Village**. The elusive Blue Moon Centipede, however, had been acquired during a perilous venture into a region shrouded in darkness.

At present, the Blue Moon Centipede lay confined within a specially crafted black vial, its venomous legs thrashing weakly. Yang Fan needed its legs as auxiliary materials for the creation of the Detoxification Pills. He calmly extracted the creature from the vial, deftly capturing it without the typical trepidation associated with handling such venomous beings. 

During that fateful day when he had inadvertently been bitten by the Blue Moon Centipede, Yang Fan's skin had swelled briefly before healing completely. Possessing the **Sacred Farmer's Body**, he had become a natural enemy to toxins.

The process of concocting the Detoxification Pills unfolded smoothly, as he diligently incorporated the necessary materials. After hours of work, he had removed nearly half of the centipede's legs, which now lay exhausted on the table. 

After two or three hours had passed, a pale glow emanated from the alchemical furnace, prompting Yang Fan to extinguish the flames beneath it. Inside the furnace lay a batch of pure white pills, each roughly the size of a pinky finger. Upon counting, he found thirty-seven pills in total: thirty-four were successful, with only three failing to form.

**What an impressive yield!** He quickly retrieved a white jade bottle, carefully storing the thirty-four Detoxification Pills within his storage pouch. After completing this stage, Yang Fan glanced at the waning Blue Moon Centipede and murmured, "Since I've crafted the Detoxification Pills, how can I not turn to the art of poison crafting?"

Moreover, he could see that the centipede was on the verge of death. 

Thus, for the next day, Yang Fan immersed himself in a series of intricate procedures. The process of crafting poison required meticulous attention, as many of the ingredients demanded special treatment. For instance, the venom within the Blue Moon Centipede needed to be meticulously extracted.

The task was daunting, yet Yang Fan knew he must proceed methodically and without haste. Fortunately, as the nemesis of poisonous creatures, he could work without fear. In contrast, most ordinary alchemists would find such a venture too perilous, with even a slight misstep potentially leading to grave consequences.

Finally, late into the following evening, Yang Fan successfully produced a small vial of venom, storing it within a specially designed transparent bottle, reinforced with a protective barrier to prevent leakage. The liquid glimmered a mesmerizing blue within the confines of the vial, a beauty that belied its deadly nature. 

This vial contained a concentrated toxin that had required tremendous effort and dedication to refine, using the poison-making secrets derived from the **Celestial Wings** techniques.

"This is merely a concentrated toxin," Yang Fan exhaled softly, contemplating the means necessary to wield it effectively against his foes. He became engrossed in his work, shutting himself off from the world around him.

Only when the eve of the medical competition dawned did he finally emerge from his subterranean workshop.

"Big Brother…" 

Upon catching sight of him, Yang Hui Xin couldn't help but stifle a giggle, covering her mouth in amusement.

Looking into a mirror, Yang Fan saw his hair was a tangled mess resembling dry grass, his face speckled with fragments of material and dust, and his clothing tattered and torn. He realized that some of his materials were particularly hazardous—though he remained unaffected, his clothes did not share the same resilience.

"Ha! I should go take a bath first," he chuckled, feeling refreshed. After washing up, he donned a clean outfit.

Thoughtful as always, Yang Hui Xin prepared a small spread of home-cooked dishes and even procured a fine bottle of wine. After several days of relentless work, Yang Fan found his appetite rekindled at the sight of the hearty meal.

With the enthusiasm of a girl in her late teens, Yang Hui Xin asked, "How do you find the dishes I made, Big Brother?"

"Mmm, quite good, really…" he praised, but the memory of Luo Shui from **Yi River Village** flickered in his mind. That girl, with her pure beauty and charming naïveté, had left an indelible impression on him. Her culinary skills were nothing short of extraordinary, and he fondly recalled their time together in that quaint village.

"Ha! You're clearly lying!" Yang Hui Xin teased, her initial delight quickly transforming into mock indignation.

"Little sister, what are you talking about?" Yang Fan exclaimed, taken aback.

"Big Brother clearly doesn't like my cooking, and you're just pretending! My instincts never fail me." 

Her expression hinted at genuine annoyance.

In surprise, Yang Fan couldn't help but chuckle, sharing the fond memories of his time in **Yi River Village**, while carefully avoiding any mention of its name, instead describing it as a secluded little hamlet.

Yang Hui Xin listened with rapt attention, unable to contain her curiosity. "Big Brother, was Luo Shui really that good a cook? I bet she's beautiful, too, isn't she?"

Yang Fan nodded. "Indeed, why would I ever lie to you?"

"Then you must like her a lot, right?" Yang Hui Xin's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

*Pfft!*

Yang Fan spat out his food in surprise, feeling somewhat exasperated. "Sister, where on earth do you get such wild notions?"

Yang Hui Xin giggled, covering her mouth with both hands. "You're not so young anymore, Big Brother, yet you still call me out for my imagination…"

The brother and sister exchanged light-hearted banter as the night deepened around them. Just then, a voice echoed from outside, "Is the young master at home?"

"Come in." 

Yang Fan recognized the voice as belonging to Lin Zhong.

Hurrying to open the door, Yang Hui Xin was greeted by the sight of Lin Zhong, his face haggard, and his eyes sunken.

"Lin Zhong, what happened to you?" Yang Fan exclaimed in surprise.

"Master, tomorrow is the day of the medical competition, and I have made my decision," Lin Zhong declared as he collapsed into the seat across from Yang Fan, taking a swig of wine as though it were water.

"Speak. Do you seek immortality or the warmth of love?" Yang Fan inquired, amusement dancing in his eyes as he motioned for Yang Hui Xin to set another pair of chopsticks.

"Master, I've finally decided. I'm truly sorry…" Lin Zhong's voice faltered as he coughed after taking a hearty gulp, the depth of his remorse evident in his eyes.

Yang Fan's expression shifted dramatically, disappointment settling in his heart at the implications of Lin Zhong's words.