Chapter 8: The Birth of a Young Alchemy Prodigy

Li Tianming woke up with the first light of dawn, his body still feeling the lingering effects of the Herb Spirit Deer's flesh. A sense of newfound power pulsed within him, but his mind was consumed by a single thought—he needed more. More flesh of the myriad races, more strength, more power. The desire burned within him, but a harsh reality struck him the moment he sat up.

Money.

His savings had been completely depleted after purchasing the Herb Spirit Deer. He turned his gaze around the small, dilapidated hut he called home. The wooden walls were aged and cracked, barely holding together against the passage of time. The uneven stone floor was cold under his bare feet, and the roof, patched with layers of straw, let in tiny beams of morning sunlight through its gaps. It was a place that had endured much, just like the woman who lived within it.

His aunt deserved better.

A wave of frustration welled up in him. She had raised him despite her disability, given him everything she could, yet he had been powerless to change her circumstances. But now, with the knowledge he had stolen from the seven-colored Herb Spirit Deer, a path to wealth had finally presented itself.

Alchemy.

Tianming's mind raced through the countless recipes and techniques that had been etched into his soul. He wasn't just capable of refining pills—he was a prodigy among alchemists. He decided to start with the Marrow Cleansing Pill, a second-grade pill renowned for helping cultivators break through from Body Tempering to Qi Refinement. It was a pill he needed for himself, but more importantly, the ingredients were cheap and could be found in Penglai Forest.

As he sat deep in thought, a gentle voice pulled him back to reality.

"Tianming, breakfast is ready."

His aunt, Li Yuyan, was already placing a wooden bowl of rice porridge on the small table in the center of the hut. The warm aroma of steamed vegetables mixed with the faint, lingering scent of medicinal herbs filled the air.

Tianming sat across from her, picking up his spoon. "Aunt, this smells amazing. You really don't need to cook every morning."

"Nonsense," she chuckled softly, her delicate hands placing some side dishes onto his plate. "What kind of aunt would I be if I let my nephew go hungry? Besides, I enjoy it."

He smiled but said nothing. His heart ached knowing how much effort she put in despite her frail body.

As he ate, he casually brought up, "I'm going to Penglai Forest today. I need to gather some herbs."

His aunt raised an eyebrow. "Herbs? Are you trying to start practicing alchemy?"

"Something like that." He grinned, trying not to reveal too much. "I have a good feeling about it."

Yuyan sighed. "Just be careful, alright? There are beasts in that forest."

Tianming reassured her before finishing his meal and heading out, determination burning in his eyes.

---

Penglai Forest was vast and teeming with life. Towering trees stretched toward the heavens, their massive leaves forming an emerald canopy that cast shifting shadows across the forest floor. The air was rich with spiritual energy, and the distant roars of hidden beasts echoed through the dense foliage.

Tianming moved swiftly, his eyes sharp as he identified the herbs needed for the Marrow Cleansing Pill. He plucked Skyroot Grass from a shaded grove, harvested Spirit-Nourishing Lotus near a tranquil stream, and carefully dug out Earth Essence Root from beneath a gnarled tree. It took him hours, but eventually, he had everything he needed.

Now came the real challenge—refining the pill.

Seated in a secluded clearing, Tianming frowned at the biggest obstacle in his path.

He had no pill furnace.

Most alchemists relied on specially crafted cauldrons to refine pills, using controlled flames and precise techniques. But Tianming had inherited the knowledge of the Seven-Colored Herb Spirit Deer, a race that used a method far beyond the common practices of the human realm.

He would refine the pill using the Qi of Heaven and Earth as his furnace.

Closing his eyes, he summoned his spiritual energy. The herbs before him slowly rose into the air, suspended in a faint, golden glow. With a steady breath, he began extracting their essence, guiding the pure medicinal energy into an invisible vortex.

Sweat beaded his forehead as he struggled to maintain control. The natural Qi of the world resisted him, chaotic and unruly. A lesser alchemist would have failed within moments. But Tianming was no ordinary alchemist.

He focused, manipulating the elements as if he had done this for centuries. The golden energy condensed, swirling together until, at last—a pill took shape.

As it solidified in his palm, he opened his eyes, breathless.

The pill was perfect.

A faint, ethereal fragrance wafted through the air—a sign of its high purity. Even Tianming was shocked. He had expected to succeed, but to create such a high-quality product on his first attempt…

He smirked. "Not bad."

Determined to make the most of his time, he refined pill after pill. The process drained him, but his efficiency grew with each attempt. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, he had successfully created twenty Marrow Cleansing Pills.

Exhausted, he pulled off his shirt, tossing it aside as he leaned against a tree to catch his breath. The moonlight bathed his chiseled physique, sweat glistening on his defined chest and sculpted abs. His long black hair, slightly damp, clung to his skin as beads of sweat rolled down his sharp jawline.

He exhaled deeply, his muscles aching from the strain, but his gaze was sharp. Today had been a success.

Tianming wiped the sweat from his body and put his shirt back on before heading home.

---

His aunt greeted him with a warm smile as he stepped inside. "You were out for a long time. Did you find what you needed?"

He nodded. "Yeah, and more."

She gave him a curious look but didn't press further. "Good. Now sit down and eat before you collapse."

They shared a quiet meal, and for a brief moment, Tianming felt at peace. But his mind was already focused on the next step.

Tomorrow, he would visit the Hundred Treasures Pavilion—the grandest auction house in the city.

And tonight…

He sat on his bed, staring at the small, exquisite Marrow Cleansing Pill resting in his palm.

He had reached the peak of Body Tempering. This pill would push him into the Qi Refinement Realm.

The moment he ate it, his journey into true cultivation would begin.

Tonight, he would take the next step.

Tianming closed his fingers around the pill, feeling its potent energy pulse against his skin. He had spent years trapped at the peak of Body Tempering, but no longer.

He exhaled slowly, his gaze sharp with determination.

Tonight, he would step into the Qi Refinement Realm.