Wanting to Owe a Favor

Sizzle...

Flames roared fiercely within the room, the only sound breaking the silence. The two alchemists standing to the side had their eyes wide open, bloodshot from sheer tension and excitement. Despite being genuine Qi Refining cultivators, their current state spoke volumes about how nervous and thrilled they were.

At the center, Su Min manipulated the flames with leisurely precision. Her cultivation was far beyond theirs, and her spiritual power rivaled even Golden Core experts. Since she wasn't in a hurry, she took her time refining.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Su Min paused. A chilling, ghostly presence had appeared in the corner of the room without warning. The two alchemists shivered uncontrollably. This room was saturated with Nanming Lihuo—a heavenly flame not to be trifled with. Yet this woman stood there unaffected, her aura suppressing the fire's intensity effortlessly.

"Good thing you didn't get any closer. Otherwise, you'd be compensating me for this batch of pills."

"I'm well aware of my physique's limitations," Xie Yingying replied, rolling her eyes. "But you—refining third-tier mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pills with such ease? Seems your soul power has improved since reaching mid-stage Foundation Establishment."

"Huh? Why is she being so much nicer to me now? What's she been up to?"

Su Min was inwardly puzzled. Previously, the two had been wary of each other, but now, Xie Yingying's demeanor had softened noticeably. She hadn't said it outright, but the change was undeniable.

What Su Min didn't know was that Xie Yingying had done some digging on her—and the findings had been unexpected. Though she couldn't take everything at face value, Su Min had been hailed as a saint by many. This had intrigued Xie Yingying.

~Edit and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~

She had interacted with Su Min enough to know that while the woman could put on a facade, it was more for self-preservation than some self-righteous act of holiness. That alone spoke volumes about Su Min's character. And so, Xie Yingying had relaxed around her, her tone naturally gentler.

Besides, Su Min was an alchemist. When the time came for the Golden Core Avenue, having her as an ally would be invaluable. And the Nanming Lihuo?

A true heavenly flame—one that didn't accept just anyone.

The Blazing Sun Body might be mediocre in Xie Yingying's eyes, but paired with the flame, it became a force to reckon with.

"A shame, though. If she had the Sacred Flame Heavenly Body or the Solar Sovereign Body, it'd be even better. But the Solar Sovereign Body on a woman? Tsk..." Xie Yingying rubbed her temples at the thought. That would've been awkward.

Unaware of Xie Yingying's musings, Su Min focused on her task.

Though she had enough spare attention to monitor her surroundings, she wasn't idle enough to analyze someone's mood swings. Besides, the Foundation Establishment Pills were at their final stage—all ingredients extracted, leaving only the most challenging step: pill formation.

"Gulp..."

The two alchemists swallowed hard. Every time they failed in alchemy, it was always at this step. Now, witnessing the greatest alchemist in the land refine high-tier pills like these was an invaluable lesson.

"..."

Xie Yingying, meanwhile, subconsciously scanned the room, her instincts sharper than the other two. She knew how perilous this moment was—any disturbance could ruin everything. At best, the pills would be destroyed. At worst, the alchemist could perish.

(Of course, she didn't know that with Su Min's current skill, refining Foundation Establishment Pills would only result in failed pills at worst—no real danger to her.)

Otherwise, Su Min would've secluded herself rather than refining in front of two juniors. Almost immediately, a rich, tangible medicinal fragrance filled the room. Everyone present stiffened in shock—especially Xie Yingying.

"She's probably reached third-tier high-grade alchemy—just hasn't tried refining high-tier pills yet. But this level of condensation… even some fourth-tier alchemists can't achieve it. No matter what, I must secure her goodwill. When the Golden Core Avenue opens, her favor will be priceless. If necessary, I can even give her a sealing crystal—so she doesn't waste her lifespan."

Narrowing her eyes, Xie Yingying's mind raced. She had been sealed in this realm for a reason—one tied to the inheritance she sought on the Golden Core Path. And Su Min's future potential made her worth investing in.

"FIVE!!!"

A collective gasp erupted as five gleaming pills were retrieved from the charcoal-black furnace.

(The furnace, being only Yellow-tier low-grade, had suffered greatly from Su Min's escalating demands.)

But no one laughed at its sorry state. Even Xie Yingying stared at the pills, dumbfounded by the efficiency.

"Alright, we're done here. All the weapons and pills you requested have been refined."

Su Min smiled, dividing the pills—two for herself, the remaining three handed to Prince Yong Mansion. Now that all three of them had reached Foundation Establishment, they could safeguard the pills themselves.

As for her, it was time to plan the Corpse Immortal's demise—the sooner, the better.

"Let's go. Prince Yong has gathered plenty of intel. As for your pill… we'll refine it after this matter is settled. I assume it's for your Golden Core breakthrough?"

She was now confident in refining third-tier high-grade pills—though a few failed batches were inevitable. Her efficiency, of course, was thanks to the Nanming Lihuo In terms of alchemy assistance, only the Six Ding Divine Fire could surpass it.

"Agreed." Xie Yingying didn't argue.

Su Min was right—that pill was for her Golden Core breakthrough. While the Golden Spirit Pill was the standard choice, those with unique techniques or physiques—like her—needed alternatives.