Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Jiang Zhuochen recited the required medicinal ingredients from memory as he passed through layers of corridors and halls. The few materials he had firmly memorized just moments ago now scattered like mist and refused to coalesce. The moment he crossed the threshold of the medicine room, he forgot them completely.

He looked up at the revolving cabinet compartments overhead, inwardly regretting his laziness in not bringing the book. Just a few ingredients, and he had forgotten them all after walking a short distance.

As he leaned against a wooden ladder, Mo Xiangli, who had come along, fetched what he needed and walked over to pat his shoulder. "Why are you spacing out here?"

Jiang Zhuochen frowned and sighed. "I forgot what I needed to get."

"Ha ha ha." Mo Xiangli laughed at him, the tassels on his hair ribbon swaying with the motion. "We just got here! Little Junior Brother, your memory is worse than the cranes out back. Here, I brought the book. You can take a look."

Jiang Zhuochen scratched his head, following with a couple of sheepish chuckles, and took the alchemy book without much thought. The pages rustled as he flipped through them. Facing the densely packed medicine compartments on the wall, he fetched the items one by one.

By the time dusk approached, Jiang Zhuochen finally had all the materials neatly arranged beside the alchemy furnace. The true fire within the bronze furnace slowly ignited, its flickering light casting alternating shadows on his handsome features.

He rolled up his sleeves, lost in thought, and was about to follow the steps written in the book to add the herbs into the furnace when a sudden sharp pain shot through his palm.

He looked down and discovered he had unknowingly clenched a perilla stem so tightly that his nails dug deep into it, squeezing out a bitter green sap.

Something's off, Jiang Zhuochen frowned.

He had clearly reviewed this step just before starting. Yet, as he held the herb and raised his hand mid-air, his mind went completely blank. The rising heat from the furnace stung his eyes, and wisps of smoke seeped into his skin, wrapping around his heart.

Jiang Zhuochen took a deep breath; the bitter scent of herbs and the charred smell of the furnace fire flooded his chest. Strangely enough, that inexplicable blankness suddenly receded like a tide, as if it were merely dizziness from staying too long in an enclosed space.

He shook his head and, as usual, added the herbs into the furnace one by one, waiting for them to refine in the true fire and gradually coalesce into pills.

Quite pleased with himself, Jiang Zhuochen picked up a golden-yellow, perfectly round pill about three fingers wide. Although it seemed a bit early to take it out, bigger is better, bigger is more nourishing. Remembering the two crane chicks inside the cliff, he excitedly ran over there.

In the nest, the two chicks opened their pale yellow beaks wide. Being so small, their bite force was practically nonexistent. Jiang Zhuochen teased them playfully before carefully feeding them the pill.

But he forgot that the chicks' throats were still narrow, unable to swallow the pill on their own. It got stuck. The chicks flapped their downy, underdeveloped wings anxiously, emitting shrill cries.

Flustered, Jiang Zhuochen was about to step forward to help when a shadow fell over him from above. The mother crane, having returned to the nest, glared furiously, its long beak darting forward like lightning. The gale stirred by its wings sent him stumbling backward.

"Master, save me!" he shouted while dodging, but Xu Xing, who usually arrived promptly at the slightest trouble, was nowhere to be seen.

Only after being pecked a few times by the crane did he realize. These cranes had probably been disciplined by someone—they only pecked him on fleshy spots like his buttocks, thighs, and arms, causing little pain, before retreating to tend to their chicks.

Jiang Zhuochen could pretty much guess who that "someone" was, but still—he had been scared!

The corners of his eyes drooped into a pitiful curve as he rushed headlong into his master's quarters and threw himself onto the desk in front of Xu Xing. "Master, why did you ignore me earlier?"

His voice carried an unmistakable tone of wheedling, seeking comfort. The flickering candlelight illuminated the smudges of ash on his cheeks that he hadn't yet wiped off.

That faint, almost imperceptible laughter echoed in Jiang Zhuochen's heart, nearly capsizing his boat and flooding the fields.

"You're still laughing!" Jiang Zhuochen cried out in mortification, pushing away the other's hand with his head. Deciding to go all in, he kicked off his shoes and socks, climbed onto Xu Xing's bed, and rolled himself up in the blanket, covering his head.

"I'm sleeping here tonight. If Master finds it dirty, you can go sleep in my room."

Unhurried footsteps sounded from outside the blanket. Jiang Zhuochen thought the other was going to drag him off to bathe as usual, so he turned over.

Unexpectedly, Xu Xing tucked the blanket around him and then lay down beside him without a second thought. The candlelight outside suddenly went out, leaving only moonlight filtering through the gauze window, spilling a soft, enchanting glow on the floor.

Feeling stuffy under the covers, Jiang Zhuochen pushed his head up to create a gap. As he fidgeted, his back bumped against an obstruction, and immediately Xu Xing's arm encircled him. He instantly settled down, his mouth slightly open as if to say something, but a wave of drowsiness washed over him, and he drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

In the faint light of dawn, Jiang Zhuochen lay awake, staring blankly at the intricate embroidery on the canopy overhead. He remained in a daze until Xu Xing approached and sat on the edge of the bed, gently smoothing his sleep-tousled hair.

"You've been spacing out frequently lately," Xu Xing's voice was softer than usual.

"Have I?" Jiang Zhuochen tilted his head in thought, sunlight dancing playfully at the corners of his still-sleepy eyes. He couldn't recall and said offhandedly, "I just zone out sometimes when I'm bored."

Xu Xing fell silent for a moment but didn't press further. "Get up and have your meal."

Jiang Zhuochen sat up lazily. As he lifted his head, he noticed the jade crown holding his master's hair looked exceptionally fine today. He gazed at it a while longer before sluggishly making his way to the outer room. He didn't look back, thus missing the look in Xu Xing's eyes as they rested upon him.

Deep, and tinged with a worry heavier than the morning mist.

After breakfast, Jiang Zhuochen thought Xu Xing had already left, but the other was actually waiting for him inside. Seeing him approach, Xu Xing beckoned.

"What is it, Master?"

Xu Xing steadied the figure rushing toward him and asked, "Do you still want the Demon Phoenix Pearl?"

Jiang Zhuochen immediately perked up, his eyes sparkling, a smile spreading uncontrollably across his lips. "Does Master have time to accompany me now?"

"Mn." Xu Xing had always had time; he had merely been concerned about Jiang Zhuochen's health not being fully recovered. He hadn't expected this person to be unable to stay still for a moment.

His clear gaze met the other's expectant one, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the corner of his mouth. "Go back and get ready first."

"Okay!"

The two followed a secluded, winding path upward. Clouds and mist swirled on either side, a gentle breeze brushing their faces. Then, as if abruptly severed at the waist, the path ended, revealing a crimson valley enveloped in scorching heat.

Misty vapors filled the valley, carrying the damp scent of earth and a strange, fragrant aroma. From the distance came a low, rhythmic hum, not like birdsong, but more like the breathing of some colossal creature.

"Master, is the Demon Phoenix Pearl here?" Jiang Zhuochen looked around; this was quite different from what he had imagined a treasure-nurturing place would be like.

Xu Xing acknowledged with a sound, sweeping aside the branches blocking their path. "The Gu Diao is an ancient fierce beast. As it prefers shade, it often hides in deep, secluded places."

Jiang Zhuochen understood.

Passing through a rock face draped with dark red vines, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a massive natural cavern.

In the center of the cavern was a deep pool, its water black as ink, yet the surface was eerily still. At the heart of the pool was a faint glow. Jiang Zhuochen leaned forward to look: it was a pigeon-egg-sized, perfectly round, orange-red pearl, currently suspended just an inch below the water's surface.

That was the Demon Phoenix Pearl.

And beside the pool, a terrifyingly shaped giant beast lay crouched, feigning sleep. It resembled a giant eagle, but a pale, single horn grew from its head. Its feathers were a stone-like bluish-grey. With each breath, the Demon Phoenix Pearl rose and fell accordingly.

Sensing the presence of intruders, the Gu Diao lifted one heavy eyelid a slit, revealing amber vertical pupils. A flash of alertness passed through them, and a low warning rumble rolled from its throat.

Jiang Zhuochen instinctively flinched, looking at Xu Xing.

"Step back." Xu Xing's expression was calm but carried an undeniable authority as he firmly shielded Jiang Zhuochen behind him.

Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, the Gu Diao transformed into a grey-brown lightning bolt, its sharp claws tearing through the air with a shriek that seemed to split heaven and earth, aiming straight for their faces!

Xu Xing did not dodge. He pointed two fingers like a sword, and in an instant, a clear, transparent barrier of light materialized before them.

Boom!

The Gu Diao's claws slammed violently against the light barrier, producing a deafening crash. The barrier remained unmoved, leaving both men unscathed, while the recoil force caused the beast to let out an angry cry of pain.

It circled and ascended, its horn beginning to gather a dark red glow. A chilling, destructive power rapidly swelled around it.

Xu Xing's gaze sharpened slightly, his robes stirring without wind. His fingers shifted through hand seals, and a sharp, peerless sword energy coalesced from the void, striking with pinpoint accuracy at the dark red energy sphere about to erupt from the Gu Diao's horn.

The sword energy collided with the eerie light, producing a sharp, tearing sound. The condensed destructive force was shattered by the single sword strike, dispersing into scattered points of flowing light.

Struck by this blow, the Gu Diao, a monstrous bird, let out a shrill and mournful cry. Its imposing aura visibly diminished, and it hovered at a much lower altitude, glaring venomously at Xu Xing, no longer daring to attack rashly.

Xu Xing did not press the advantage. He merely stood with his hands clasped behind his back, calmly observing the Gu Diao.

He spoke again, his voice steady and gentle, carrying a power that seemed to soothe all things. "We only wish to borrow the treasure to nurture my beloved disciple. Afterwards, compensation will be provided; we will not take it without giving something in return."

The Gu Diao let out a low growl, as if weighing its options. The frequency of its wingbeats slowed, and it finally descended back to the pool's edge, lowering its body. Though it still emitted low, resentful whimpers, it had clearly acquiesced.

Only then did Xu Xing turn his head to Jiang Zhuochen, who had been watching, utterly captivated. "Go ahead. You may take it now. Be gentle."

Jiang Zhuochen snapped back to attention, once again marveling at how incredibly powerful his master was!

He quickly held his breath and tiptoed to the edge of the pool. He glanced at the ferocious beast feigning death with its eyes closed, then looked at Xu Xing, whose gaze remained steadily upon him.

Receiving a slight nod from the other, Jiang Zhuochen followed the instruction. He opened his hand toward the Demon Phoenix Pearl, grasping it gently as if receiving a priceless treasure. The pearl obediently settled into his palm. A wave of intensely warm spiritual energy instantly flooded into him, invigorating Jiang Zhuochen's spirit.

Holding the pearl carefully, he hurried back to Xu Xing's side. His eyes, looking up at his master, were filled with excitement and joy. "Master, this Demon Phoenix Pearl is even more beautiful than the one my senior brothers brought back."

Xu Xing gave a slight smile. "If you like it, that's good."

The longer a Gu Diao refines a Demon Phoenix Pearl, the rarer its quality becomes. This one, for instance, had red, purple, and gold hues swirling within its orb. Inside, the phantom of a divine beast was nurtured, with karmic fire and true fire coexisting and complementing each other.

He flicked a finger, sending a spirit pill radiating a rich medicinal fragrance flying toward the Gu Diao. It landed in its mouth. Upon swallowing the pill, the Gu Diao's aggrieved whimpers ceased immediately. It even narrowed its eyes contentedly.

"Let's go." Xu Xing tapped Jiang Zhuochen's forehead, drawing his attention back.

"Yes, Master!" Jiang Zhuochen quickly followed, carefully storing the Demon Phoenix Pearl away. He couldn't resist looking back once more at the now docile Gu Diao. His heart swelled with the joy of obtaining his longed-for treasure and boundless admiration for his master's formidable strength.