Chapter 47

The area outside the scripture pavilion was as bustling as ever. No one knew that demons had once tried to steal a tower there, only to be caught and wiped out in one swift operation. No one realized that, for a time, demon spies had lived right among them—perhaps as a friend, a cultivation partner, a close companion… or even the person sitting directly across from them.

It was on the third day of Han Luo’s alchemy studies that the strange event occurred. The sky was particularly gloomy that day. He had started the morning with a hearty meal: Wellington steak paired with a bottle of Laobaigan. After arriving at the scripture pavilion, he carefully settled into his usual remote corner and focused on reading The Revised Guide to Basic Alchemy, authored by none other than Elder Yunding .

His seat was tucked away, not meant to attract attention. Yet for some reason, a thin girl insisted on sitting right across from him. At first, Han Luo didn’t think much of it—after all, he was protected by five third-grade defensive formations, plus the combined concealment of his bronze mirror and ring. Unless someone at the Core Formation stage launched a surprise attack, his life wasn’t in any real danger.

But then… he noticed her breathing.

Ordinary people breathe in rhythm—inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. But this girl’s breath was uneven: sometimes short and rapid, sometimes long and drawn out—erratic like a flustered maiden or a man in poor health. She was clearly a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the fourth stage of Qi Refinement. Her breath shouldn’t be that unstable.

Han Luo, as always, chose caution. He immediately sent a message to Lei Jiu, claiming he had detected the remnants of demonic aura and requesting urgent assistance. Within moments, Lei Jiu arrived with a team. As they surrounded the girl, she shrieked and ranted like a madwoman, insisting she had just been reading quietly and demanding to know why she was being arrested. Her overreaction only confirmed Han Luo’s suspicion—something was off.

After Lei Jiu took her away, Han Luo got up and checked the spot she’d been sitting. On the table lay a book titled Complete Analysis of Spirit-Tempering Pills. Without hesitation, he snatched it up. “Tch, three days and you still hadn’t finished it. So slow.”

He relocated to a quieter corner and began studying the book. He found that alchemy, much like formation arts, was about combining materials into something greater. There was enough overlap in principles that learning the basics wasn’t too difficult. After grasping the fundamentals, Han Luo set his sights on refining Spirit-Tempering Pills.

Spiritual energy comes in many elemental types—fire, water, lightning, etc. Normally, the energy absorbed through cultivation is a chaotic mix. Spirit tempering is the process of filtering out the mismatched types and retaining only the energies that align with one’s spiritual roots. The process can be repeated up to seven times.

Generally, three to four rounds of tempering is common. Five to six is already considered exceptional. But seven? Only one person in the entire Luoxian Sect had ever achieved it: Elder Hongniang. Rumor had it that after seven temperings, spiritual energy undergoes a qualitative transformation and could even enhance the grade of one's spiritual roots.

Han Luo’s goal was to achieve seven refinements.

After three days of studying the pill’s refining process and taking thorough notes, he left the pavilion and headed to the market to buy ingredients from Senior Sister Lin Xiaolou. Having grown accustomed to cutting corners, Han Luo smoothly took the back entrance, and Xiaolou, in turn, was already used to accommodating him. She led him to a private storage room where no one would disturb them.

“Let’s get started quickly before someone finds us,” she said with a faint smile.

Lin Xiaolou was grateful to Han Luo. Without his past advice, she might still be drifting through life aimlessly. So now, if Han Luo ever needed anything, she was more than happy to help.

“Thank you, Senior Sister Xiaolou,” he said politely, grateful for how much trouble she helped him avoid. But as he adjusted his enchanted glasses, he suddenly noticed that Xiaolou… seemed different.

Her tall figure, perfectly proportioned, created a surprisingly pleasant visual impact. While her facial features weren’t extraordinary, she radiated an almost impossible warmth. Dressed in sleek black work stockings, her waist cinched tightly by a red sash, the top of her robe looked like it might explode at any moment from the strain.

Wait a minute—Han Luo felt a chill run down his spine. She’s in her thirties… how is she still developing?! Out of caution, he tweaked his enchanted lenses to get a better look.

Indeed—she had definitely grown since last time.

Could she be sick?

That must be it.

Even immortals don't just grow again in their thirties. That has to be a sign of illness.

“Junior Brother~” Xiaolou caught him staring, and instead of being upset, she looked rather pleased. She straightened up intentionally, causing her robe to creak ominously.

Han Luo, not flustered in the slightest, met her gaze head-on. Since she might be ill, it was only right to be concerned. After all, if she couldn’t continue managing the backroom inventory, he’d lose a valuable connection.

“Senior Sister, have you… been feeling unwell lately?” he asked, meaning obvious.

Xiaolou looked at him curiously. He wasn’t joking.

“Junior Brother, how did you know I wasn’t feeling well? Do you… have a solution?” she asked, smiling coyly, giving her back another seductive stretch.

Han Luo stared seriously for a full ten minutes before replying, “I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I’m not trained in medicine, so I can’t help.”

“Pfft!” Xiaolou burst out laughing at his serious face. “I was just teasing you, silly! I’ve been hanging out with some friends . They taught me a few… modern techniques. So? Obvious improvement, right?” She did a little twirl, flaunting her curves.

Han Luo rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. “Senior Sister, if you ask me… your target area is too big. You’re just asking to be hit in a fight.”

“PFFT—” Xiaolou almost coughed up blood. “You brat! Are you mocking me?!”

Hands on hips, she struck a fake angry pose. Han Luo raised both hands in surrender. Of course, he didn’t say what he was thinking: I’m just being honest. That thing’s a liability. Not to mention you’d need bigger hidden compartments just to smuggle yourself out.

He quickly got back to business, meticulously gathering all the ingredients he needed. Then, as he prepared to leave, Xiaolou looked at him playfully.

“Junior Brother, when will you invite me to your cave residence for a visit?”

She had long been fond of Han Luo’s mild-mannered, upright personality. Even if she was twenty years older, age was hardly an issue in the cultivation world. At the Foundation Establishment stage, her lifespan was over five hundred years. They had plenty of time.

Han Luo gave it some thought. “When my cultivation surpasses yours, I’ll invite you to my cave.” Luoxian Mountain was his personal base. Not even Shen Xian’er or Xiaobai were allowed to visit without swearing oaths. You could never truly know someone’s intentions—it was always better to be cautious.

Xiaolou was pleased with his answer. She stepped closer, her bright eyes locking onto his. “Then you’d better work hard and train that body well. I’ll be waiting~”

Han Luo remained calm. “Senior Sister, your drool is showing.”

Becoming cultivation partners with her wasn’t out of the question. Who doesn’t like a beautiful woman? But to feel safe, his strength needed to be absolutely superior. He would even have to find a chance to soul-search her later—just in case.

“Annoying!” Xiaolou playfully rolled her eyes and wiped the corner of her mouth.

After leaving the exchange room, Han Luo returned to Luoxian Mountain and began preparing for closed-door cultivation.

But just before he could begin—his master, Wudao, unexpectedly paid him a visit.