Chapter 33: "Creating Recipes with a Single Thought"

While Qin Lian made her way towards the Ancestral Hall, stepping into the depths of the sect's hidden past, Ye Xiaotian remained seated in his study, completely engrossed in the thick alchemy tome before him.

The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across Ye Xiaotian's study, illuminating the thick tome that lay open before him. He sat hunched over the "Comprehensive Guide to Spiritual Herbs," his brow furrowed in concentration. The book felt heavy in his hands, a physical representation of the immense knowledge contained within its aged pages. Hours had melted away unnoticed as he meticulously devoured the text, his sharp eyes scanning each line with unwavering focus.

Even after reading just this portion, he was already astonished by the sheer number of spiritual herbs that existed in the world. Some were as common as grass, while others could only be found once in a millennium, hidden deep within ancient ruins or atop celestial mountains untouched by time.

Each herb carried its mysteries. Some could extend one's lifespan, others could break cultivation bottlenecks, while certain rare plants possessed the terrifying ability to alter the very soul of a cultivator.

But it wasn't just the sheer variety that captivated him. Something else was happening, something that stirred within him as he read. As he read through each herb's description, he unconsciously began formulating pill recipes in his mind."

If I combine the Crimson Sun Orchid with a trace of Azure Yin Root," he thought, "it might create a synergistic effect, enhancing the potency of fire-attribute pills beyond their normal limits."

Another idea sparked: "The Moonlit Bloom, known for its calming properties, could be paired with Frozen Nether Grass. The resulting elixir might increase soul power without the instability that usually accompanies such enhancements."

The more he read, the more these connections blossomed in his thoughts. It was as if his very being was resonating with the ancient wisdom contained within the book. A frown creased his forehead. This was more than just simple memorization."

Is it just me… or does every alchemist experience this while studying spiritual herbs?" he murmured to himself. Was this instinctive reaction, this creative spark a common experience for all who delved into the art of alchemy, or was it something unique to him? He felt a burning curiosity to understand this phenomenon."

I should ask Master Han Zhen about this after my test," he decided. The thought of the upcoming test brought a small smirk to his lips. Han Zhen, the esteemed elder, had given him a seemingly impossible task: finishing the "Basics of Alchemy" and the "Comprehensive Guide to Spiritual Herbs" within a week. The test that followed wouldn't just be a simple recitation of facts; it was designed to measure mental fortitude and the strength of one's soul crucial attributes for an alchemist.

A normal disciple would require months to master these texts. Even Qin Mei, a prodigy in her own right, had taken two months to fully absorb the knowledge within these two books.

And yet…" I finished one book in a single day," he whispered, a hint of disbelief in his voice. He glanced at the "Basics of Alchemy" lying closed on the corner of his desk. He had devoured it in a single, focused session.

If he continued at this pace, he calculated, he would complete the "Comprehensive Guide" in just three more days. A chuckle escaped his lips. "If Qin Mei finds out… she'll be stunned.

"A surge of determination coursed through him. He reached for the "Comprehensive Guide" once more, the worn leather cover cool beneath his fingertips. Tonight, he would push himself further. He would delve deeper into the mysteries of the herbs and see what other secrets they held. The candle flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls, as Ye Xiaotian immersed himself once more in the world of alchemy.

The massive stone doors of the Ancestral Hall loomed before Qin Lian as she stepped onto the sacred grounds, her every movement slow and deliberate.

Thick spiritual mist coiled around the towering stone pillars engraved with the names of past Sect Masters, their legacies carved into eternity.

This place was not just a hall it was a realm where the past and present converged.

A faint red glow pulsed from the depths of the chamber as she approached.

Then…

Boom!

A deep rumble echoed through the hall, causing the jade lanterns along the walls to flicker. The formation guarding the sacred ground stirred as if recognizing her arrival.

Qin Lian took a steady breath, her golden eyes unwavering.

"I, Qin Lian, current Sect Master of the Vermillion Flame Sect, request an audience… with the ancestors."

Silence.

Then, the air trembled.

A voice, ancient and distant, resounded from the depths of the chamber.

"Step forward, child of the Qin bloodline. "

The temperature in the hall dropped.

Qin Lian tightened her fists.

The massive stone doors of the Ancestral Hall loomed before Qin Lian, their imposing presence a stark reminder of the weight of her responsibilities. She stepped onto the sacred grounds, each footfall measured and deliberate, her movements imbued with a reverence that resonated with the very stones beneath her feet.

Thick spiritual mist, swirling and ethereal, clung to the towering stone pillars that lined the path. These pillars were more than just architectural features; they were testaments to the Vermillion Flame Sect's history, each engraved with the names of past Sect Masters, their legacies etched into the very fabric of the hall, destined to remain for eternity. This place was not merely a building; it was a nexus of time, a point where the past and present intertwined, where the echoes of generations past still lingered in the air.

As Qin Lian advanced deeper into the hall, a faint red glow pulsed rhythmically from the chamber's heart, like the beating of an ancient heart. It was a subtle luminescence, a hint of the potent energies that resided within.

Suddenly, a deep, resonant boom echoed through the chamber, shaking the very foundations of the hall. The jade lanterns that lined the walls flickered wildly, casting dancing shadows that seemed to writhe and contort. The protective formation that guarded the sacred ground, a complex array of interwoven energies, stirred and pulsed, reacting to her presence as if recognizing the authority of the one who approached.

Qin Lian paused, taking a slow, steadying breath. Her gaze, sharp and golden, remained unwavering, fixed on the depths of the hall. The weight of her lineage, the burden of her position, rested heavily upon her shoulders, but her resolve remained unshakeable.

"I, Qin Lian," she announced, her voice resonating with a quiet power that belied the tremor in the air, "current Sect Master of the Vermillion Flame Sect, request an audience… with the ancestors."

A heavy silence descended upon the hall, broken only by the crackling of the lanterns and the whisper of the spiritual mist. The silence stretched, thick and pregnant with anticipation.

Then, the very air in the hall seemed to tremble. A low, guttural hum vibrated through the chamber, raising the hairs on the back of Qin Lian's neck.

A voice, ancient and distant, echoed from the deepest recesses of the hall. It was a voice that spoke of ages past, a voice that carried the weight of countless years and the wisdom of generations. "Step forward, child of the Qin bloodline," the voice rumbled, the words resonating with an undeniable power that seemed to penetrate her very soul.

The temperature in the hall plummeted, a sudden chill that seemed to seep into her bones. The red glow from the chamber's depths intensified, casting long, eerie shadows that danced around her.

Qin Lian's hands, hidden within the sleeves of her robes, tightened into fists. The pressure in the hall was immense, a palpable force that pushed against her, testing her resolve. But she stood firm, her golden eyes fixed on the source of the ancient voice, her spirit unyielding.

Qin Lian stepped forward into the dark depths of the Ancestral Hall, her every step echoing through the eerie silence. The deeper she walked, the heavier the pressure around her became, as if the very air was weighing down upon her body. A chilling cold seeped into her bones, sending shivers down her spine. This was no ordinary cold it was the remnant aura of ancient power, a force that had endured for centuries.

As she advanced, the darkness gradually peeled away, revealing the end of the hall. A vast platform loomed before her, adorned with intricate carvings pulsating with a faint, mysterious glow. At the center of the platform, an enormous ancient array was etched into the stone, radiating an unfathomable aura.

Atop the array, four tablets stood tall, each one exuding an ancient presence. Seated before them, cross-legged, were four elders one male and three female draped in solemn black robes. Their presence was overwhelming, a force beyond ordinary comprehension. Even without releasing their full power, the sheer weight of their existence was enough to make weaker cultivators collapse in reverence.

Their faces were aged yet timeless, their expressions indifferent as they observed the world through eyes that had witnessed the passage of centuries.

Qin Lian halted before the platform and immediately bowed deeply."Greetings to the ancestors," she said with the utmost respect.

For a brief moment, silence filled the hall, thick with unspoken authority. Then, the four ancestors stirred. Slowly, their eyes opened piercing, ancient gazes filled with boundless wisdom and an unfathomable depth that seemed to peer directly into Qin Lian's soul.

The immense pressure that followed was suffocating, yet Qin Lian remained firm in her bowing posture, her determination unwavering. She did not tremble, nor did she falter. The weight of the ancestors' gazes bore down upon her like an unmovable mountain, but she endured.

Seeing her resolve, the male elder finally nodded in approval. His voice, deep and resonant, echoed through the hall like the toll of an ancient bell.

"Qin Yue truly bore a fine daughter."

Hearing the male elder's words, the three female elders seated on the other stone tablets nodded in silent agreement, their ancient eyes still fixed on Qin Lian. Their expressions were calm, yet their gazes carried a weight that could make even the strongest of cultivators tremble.

One of the female elders, her presence serene yet commanding, finally spoke. Her voice, though gentle, carried an undeniable authority. "Stand up, child."

Qin Lian, who had remained in her bowing position, slowly straightened her posture. Though the pressure in the hall remained immense, she maintained her composure, her back straight, her eyes steady.

The cold, oppressive air of the Ancestral Hall pressed against her skin like an invisible force, but she did not falter. She had come here with a purpose, and she would not allow herself to appear weak before the ancestors.

One of the female elders, an old woman with piercing silver eyes, observed her intently. A faint smile flickered across her lips as she turned to the others.

"She has a good disposition," the elder commented, her tone filled with approval.

Qin Lian lowered her head slightly in respect. "Ancestor flatters this child. Before your esteemed presence, I am nothing more than a mere disciple, unworthy of such praise." The elders exchanged glances before nodding.

The male elder, who had remained silent for a moment, finally spoke once more. His voice, deep and measured, echoed through the vast chamber.

"Now then, tell us, child. Why have you come? What danger looms over our sect that you seek the guidance of the ancestors?"

His words carried an unspoken truth. They knew that no one would disturb their seclusion unless the matter was of the utmost importance.

Hearing the male elder's words, the other three female elders also turned their sharp gazes toward her, awaiting her response. Their ancient eyes held immeasurable wisdom, and though they showed no emotion, their very presence carried an oppressive weight that would have made any ordinary disciple tremble.

Taking a deep breath, Qin Lian clasped her hands in front of her chest and spoke steadily.

"Ancestors, I have come today to inform you of a truly extraordinary disciple within our sect one who possesses talent beyond anything I have ever witnessed before." The elders remained silent, their piercing gazes locked onto her as she continued.

"His name is Ye Xiaotian," Qin Lian began, her voice steady. She proceeded to tell the elders about Ye Xiaotian how she first met him, his extraordinary talent, and the incredible feat of killing an expert far beyond his cultivation level.

A flicker of intrigue passed through the eyes of the female elder seated on the left, but she did not interrupt.

But when they heard that a mere Foundation Establishment Realm boy had killed a Soul Awakening Realm expert, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly shifted. A cold silence filled the chamber as if the very air had frozen in place.

The three female elders exchanged glances, while the male elder's expression darkened slightly."A Foundation Establishment cultivator… slaying a Soul Awakening Realm expert?" the male elder muttered, his tone carrying a hint of disbelief.

The female elder in the center frowned. "Qin Lian, do you understand the weight of your words? A feat like that is unheard of. Even the most monstrous prodigies in the history of the Desolate Shadow Continent have never achieved such a thing at that stage. Are you certain?"

Qin Lian met their gazes with unwavering conviction. "I witnessed it with my own eyes, Ancestors. It was no accident, no trickery he faced that expert head-on and emerged victorious. After joining our sect, he displayed extraordinary talent, mastering techniques far beyond his cultivation level with unnatural ease. He even defeated all the core disciples at once without moving from his place."

She took a deep breath before continuing. "He's terrifying."A hushed silence settled over the hall as the elders absorbed her words.

Then, suddenly

"HAH! WONDERFUL! HEAVENS HAVE TRULY BLESSED OUR SECT!"

The male elder let out a booming laugh, his voice echoing throughout the vast chamber. His once solemn expression had transformed into one of excitement, his powerful aura trembling slightly with exhilaration.

"A disciple of such caliber within our sect! The ancestors truly smile upon us this day!"The three female elders, however, remained composed. While they, too, were impressed, their expressions did not soften.

One of the female elders, her eyes sharp as a blade, finally spoke. "Then what is the problem with this disciple, Ye Xiaotian?"Qin Lian's face grew serious. "There is no problem with Ye Xiaotian himself. The issue lies with the consequences of his actions."

End of Chapter 33