Lin Xuan stood before the severed arm of the Eclipse Sky Dragon, his mind swirling with questions.
> "How could a divine beast fall…?"
He knew the truth well. Beings like the Eclipse Sky Dragon stood at the apex of existence. Even the strongest beings of the mortal realms—only the Human Emperor, or perhaps two ancient Emperors working together, could hope to match such a creature.
But even that theory seemed implausible.
> "The Human Emperor has no enmity with the divine beasts…" Lin Xuan muttered, eyes narrowing.
He stared at the massive celestial arm again, its divine aura still lingering like a sleeping storm. The thought crossed his mind—what if he tried to attach the arm to his own body? The power he would gain would be unimaginable. He could crush any opponent below the Profound Realm with ease.
But he shook his head.
> "No… my body wouldn't survive the pressure," he thought. "Not yet."
He turned away. Before leaving the cave, Lin Xuan drew a formation in the air, ancient runes flowing like water beneath his fingers. It shimmered briefly, cloaking the entrance in concealment.
> "No one would dare enter… but still, some things must remain buried."
With one last glance at the cave's depths, Lin Xuan vanished into the trees.
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Chapter 22 – The Alchemist's Return
Once more in the thick woods of the Mist Forest, Lin Xuan moved silently between the trees. He scanned the area with sharp eyes, searching for herbs strong enough to support his coming breakthroughs and stabilize Liu Yue's cultivation.
Time passed.
Eventually, his satchel was filled with rare herbs—Spirit Bone Grass, Moon-Crystal Roots, and a few scattered Soul Lotus Petals. Satisfied, he turned back and made his way toward the inn, careful to avoid any high-ranked beasts.
By dusk, Lin Xuan had returned to his room at the inn. Without resting, he lit the alchemy furnace and began his work.
The herbs sizzled and boiled. The furnace pulsed with controlled heat, as glowing spiritual mist began to fill the room.
One by one, three different types of pills were formed. He picked them up, studying them closely.
Two violet-gold pills—to stabilize and improve cultivation. One for himself. One for Liu Yue.
A dark bronze pill, humming with strength—a body refinement pill, drawn from the principles in the Scriptures of Severed Unity.
And lastly, a cold, translucent pill, infused with ice qi—a rare ice-type pill, perfect for an ice-attribute cultivator.
Lin Xuan took the body refinement pill and the cultivation pill for himself. His breathing calmed, and as the pills dissolved inside him, a wave of strength and warmth washed through his body. His muscles tensed. His meridians cleared. He could feel his cultivation solidify, inching ever closer to the Second Layer of Qi Transformation.
He exhaled slowly.
> "Now, Liu Yue."
Lin Xuan stood up, walked to her door, and knocked gently.
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