Chapter Sixty-Eight: Purging the Fire Poison

The pills to be refined this time were called Blood-Melting Pill and Poison-Breaking Pill, both high-grade Harmony-level elixirs. The recipes had been transmitted into his mind by Jade, and these were rather special types of pills, rarely of use except in treating ailments such as fire poison. The method of refinement was not particularly complicated. Chu Han extended his right hand over the medicine cauldron, and immediately, the power of thunderfire surged forth, causing the cauldron to glow a fiery red. Gazing at the patterns etched onto the cauldron, his heart became tranquil as still waters. He closed his eyes, taking a moment to restore his own state.

This was his habit: before refining pills, he always ensured he reached his peak condition, for only then could the chances of success be maximized. Moreover, he had just triggered the defensive ability of the jade pendant to withstand Toma’s attack, not realizing how much true energy would be consumed. In only a brief moment, he felt as if his body had been hollowed out, with more than half his true energy depleted. It seemed that in the future, he must think twice before using the pendant’s powers.

Two hours later, his body had recovered to its optimal state, and his true energy was replenished. He opened his eyes and began tossing the medicinal ingredients one by one into the cauldron. As the temperature of the cauldron steadily climbed, each ingredient was refined into pure medicinal essence. Had there been another alchemist present, they would have been astounded—for at this moment, Chu Han’s speed in refining pills rivaled that of a true master.

In his previous life, Chu Han had been a grandmaster alchemist, with countless people lining up at his door every day seeking his medicine. Alchemy was, after all, a craft of experience, and though his strength was lacking now, his knowledge and skill remained undiminished. Thus, his mastery was in no way inferior to any other grandmaster.

When all the ingredients had been refined to pure essence, the powers merged together, coalescing into two perfectly round pills—one a deep crimson, the other a vivid green—spinning ceaselessly within the flames. He then took out two jade bottles and placed the pills inside them. Calculating the time, he realized this round of pill refinement had taken only half an hour—a marked improvement, given that his strength was steadily increasing.

He continued in the same manner, preparing over a dozen of each type of pill, stopping only once he judged the quantity sufficient. Stowing the cauldron back into his ring, he exhaled a long breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Although he had failed twice, he had successfully produced all the required pills.

“Tos, Toma, you may come in now. Everything is ready here,” Chu Han called loudly. At his words, two figures rushed into the cave, their faces filled with anxious anticipation.

Sensing their urgency, they both gave an awkward laugh, rubbing their hands as they looked at Chu Han.

Seeing their comical expressions, Chu Han couldn’t help but chuckle aloud—these two were truly endearing.

He handed the two jade bottles to Toma. “The crimson one is the Blood-Melting Pill, the green one is the Poison-Breaking Pill. Starting tonight, take one of each every day. You must not miss a dose, or all previous efforts will be wasted. Once you finish these, the fire poison and cold poison in your body should be largely eradicated.”

Hearing Chu Han’s words, Toma cried out joyfully and swallowed both pills at once. Red and blue vapors began to appear visibly on his body, and the red line at his chest slowly receded. Only then did he realize how effective Chu Han’s pills truly were.

“Thank you, Master Alchemist, truly, thank you! If you ever need anything in the future, just call upon us. No matter the danger, we will not hesitate,” Toma exclaimed.

Tos, having witnessed the change in Toma, quickly bowed to Chu Han, now addressing him as Master Alchemist with utmost respect.

Chu Han waved his hand dismissively. “There’s no need for such formality. We’ve fought and come to know each other—it’s only fitting we become friends. And as for this woman, leave her to me. My purpose in coming to Mount Mangdang was to find her. If I return without her, I’ll have no way to account for myself.”

Hearing this, Tos and Toma dared not object, nodding in quick agreement. They had only captured the princess to trade her for the cold poison block. Now that both fire and cold poisons were being cured, there was no more use for her—the best course was to hand her over to Chu Han.

“By the way, where did you say the cold poison block came from?” Chu Han asked with curiosity. Their opponent must also have been a magical beast—one devious enough to devise such a sinister method against Tos and Toma, certainly no simple foe.

Having been with them for some time, Chu Han had already learned the reason they could assume semi-human forms: they were only fifth-rank magical beasts, equivalent to human experts at the peak of the Inscription Realm. It was only after consuming a divine herb that they gained the ability to take on semi-human shapes. However, Chu Han had no idea what this so-called divine herb was, and neither could Tos or Toma explain it—so they simply called it the divine herb and let the matter rest.

“It was traded from Matt, a Northern Plains Bear of great strength, likely at the very peak of sixth-rank magical beasts. He rules a mountain covered in rare and exotic herbs, and no other beast dares intrude on his territory. I acquired it from him,” Tos replied, his eyes flashing with intense killing intent at the mention of Matt. It was understandable, as Matt had truly wanted Toma dead. Cold poison killed far faster than fire poison.

“Damn it, I’ll never let that old brute off! Tos, tomorrow we’ll go and kill him. I’d like to see just how strong he really is!” Toma cursed, fuming with rage, while Chu Han frowned slightly.

A peak sixth-rank magical beast could rival a human expert at the zenith of the Path Severing Realm. Chu Han was also familiar with the Northern Plains Bear—born with immense strength and innate mastery over ice powers, making it a formidable opponent. Even a human peak Path Severing expert might not be able to defeat a peak sixth-rank bear.

“Are you sure the two of you can handle him? Need any help?” Chu Han asked with a faint smile. Hearing Tos mention the mountain replete with rare herbs had piqued his interest.

If he could help Tos and Toma deal with the Northern Plains Bear, all the rare herbs on that mountain would be his for the taking. Though he didn’t know exactly what was there, anything guarded by a peak sixth-rank beast was bound to be extraordinary.

“Chu Han, your strength is too weak. You probably wouldn’t be able to break through the bear’s defenses—it’s far too dangerous. Tomorrow, the two of us will go alone,” Tos replied, shaking his head. He now regarded Chu Han as a true friend and could not bear to let him take such a risk. Besides, he could tell that Chu Han’s power was only at the peak of the Celestial Palace stage—far too great a gap to threaten a Northern Plains Bear.

Realizing he was being underestimated, Chu Han’s expression changed. He raised his right hand, blue lightning crackling and snapping around his fist. With a resounding boom, he struck the nearby stone wall, leaving a massive hole in the rock. Seeing this, Tos and Toma’s faces turned pale—they could tell that to make such a hole required strength exceeding 130,000 jin, an impossible feat for an ordinary human.

“Do you still think my attacks would be useless against the Northern Plains Bear?” Chu Han snorted coldly. As an honored Celestial Sovereign, to be mocked by two fifth-rank magical beasts was intolerable. He had to reveal his power without delay.