Chapter 52: Third-Grade Hemostatic Pill!

This was a courtyard of the Xiao family. Previously, there had been no buildings here, but with Qian Mo’s arrival and her assistance to the Xiao family, the family had constructed a division of the Alchemist Hall in this very courtyard. The person in charge was an elder of the Xiao family named Xiao Yao.

Xiao Yao was deeply passionate about alchemy; his name alone revealed his devotion—why else would he be called “Yao,” which means “medicine”?

“Wow! This really is quite magnificent—it fits the style of the Alchemist Hall perfectly,” Xiao Yan exclaimed as he arrived at the entrance.

Inside, a class was still in session. Most of the Xiao family’s younger generation had come to learn. Even those who hadn’t cared for alchemy before found themselves falling in love with it as they listened.

Xiao Yan lifted his foot and stepped inside.

Xiao Yao, who was teaching at the moment, paused when he noticed someone at the door. The rest of the students followed his gaze and saw a tall figure standing at the entrance.

“Are you a new student? I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before,” Xiao Yao asked, looking at Xiao Yan.

“You interrupted Elder Xiao Yao’s lesson! You’re really rude, aren’t you? Don’t you know you shouldn’t be late to Elder Xiao Yao’s classes?” a student called out—this was Xiao Ning.

“He’s right!” the others quickly agreed.

“Ah—greetings, Elder Xiao Yao. I’ve just returned from outside. I heard there have been many changes in the Xiao family and wanted to take a look. I didn’t realize you were teaching. My apologies!” Xiao Yan replied respectfully, cupping his fists. Since he was the one at fault, he apologized sincerely, and besides, this was his elder.

“Oh? You just returned? May I ask who you are?” Xiao Yao had a strong suspicion—the person before him was likely the young master Xiao Yan, who had left three years ago and never returned.

“I am Xiao Yan,” the young man replied before Xiao Yao could finish the thought.

“So it is,” Xiao Yao confirmed to himself.

“Xiao Yan?!” The name rippled through the hall, and everyone became restless. Before them stood a talent who, after just half a month of cultivation, had already reached the second stage of Dou Qi! He’d been gone for three years—who knew what level he’d achieved now?

Someone in the hall called out.

“Oh! So it’s Brother Xiao Yan! I didn’t recognize you, and you’ve changed so much—none of us could tell!” Xiao Ning explained awkwardly, realizing this was someone he should not have offended.

“No worries! Even my father didn’t recognize me at first sight, let alone all of you. You were just following the rules,” Xiao Yan waved his hand, signaling that it was nothing.

Everyone sighed in relief.

“Wow, so that’s Xiao Yan? He’s so handsome!” a young woman whispered to her friend.

The other nodded in agreement.

“By the way, Elder, was it you who refined the Hemostatic Pill? It’s been selling extremely well at our Xiao Family Apothecary,” Xiao Yan asked.

“Yes, the clan leader gave me the formula, and I refined it following those instructions, but I can only produce a second-grade pill,” Xiao Yao replied.

“Actually, Elder, the Hemostatic Pill can be refined to the third grade. The efficacy will be much greater, and if a mutation occurs, it could even reach the fourth grade, with effects several times stronger,” Xiao Yan said.

“What?! The Hemostatic Pill can reach the third grade? And a mutation would make it fourth grade?” The crowd was astounded.

“Elder Xiao, why not let me give it a try?” Xiao Yan suggested.

“You know how to refine pills? What grade are you?” Xiao Yao asked, puzzled.

“I just reached the third grade this month—thanks to my master’s guidance,” Xiao Yan answered.

A collective gasp swept through the hall. So young, and already third grade?

Indeed, over the past three years, not only had Xiao Yan endured Qian Mo’s torturous training, but he also learned alchemy. With Qian Mo’s memory and cultivation insights, he managed to break through to third grade.

“Very well, give it a try,” Xiao Yao said decisively.

Xiao Yan stepped forward, took the main seat, and summoned a flame in his hand—it was Qian Mo’s Ancient Spirit Cold Flame, though only a wisp, as he couldn’t yet absorb true flames without the Burning Technique.

“Is that... an Alien Flame?” Xiao Yao exclaimed in shock. Even at his level, he could only use a beast flame from a third-rank magical beast; compared to Xiao Yan’s Alien Flame, it was like heaven and earth.

“It’s just a wisp, not the whole flame,” Xiao Yan explained, then produced an ordinary-looking cauldron, dark with hints of bronze.

Following the proper sequence, Xiao Yan performed the initial steps of refining the Hemostatic Pill, while the crowd watched intently.

Soon it was time for extraction. Xiao Yan deftly manipulated the Ancient Spirit Cold Flame, quickly extracting and liquefying the medicinal ingredients.

Finally, he reached the most critical step. If he failed now, all previous efforts would be in vain. The atmosphere was tense; everyone held their breath.

Xiao Yan raised his hand. The liquid in the cauldron coalesced into droplets, gathering at the top. When all the liquid formed a single bead, he seized the moment: “Now—condense the pill!”

With precise control of the flame’s heat, a single Hemostatic Pill took shape.

“I did not fail. This is a third-grade Hemostatic Pill—its effects are double that of the second grade,” Xiao Yan announced, displaying the pill for all to see.

“So this is a third-grade Hemostatic Pill! It’s truly different from a second-grade one!” Xiao Yao hurried over to examine it.

“Elder Xiao, since you’re so passionate about alchemy, I’ll ask my master to give you some lessons as well. And the next time I travel, I’ll bring you a beast flame from a fifth-rank magical beast—how about that?” Xiao Yan whispered to Xiao Yao.

“Really? Truly?” Xiao Yao was overjoyed. “Young Master Xiao, is there anything you wish me to do?” he asked again.

“You are the Xiao family’s alchemist. The stronger you are, the stronger our family becomes. I’m only helping the Xiao family by helping you,” Xiao Yan replied.

“Yes, yes—if I’m strong, the Xiao family is strong,” Xiao Yao said, instantly understanding.

Xiao Yao could barely contain his happiness. Not only would he be taught by a master alchemist, but he would also receive a fifth-rank beast flame!

Thanks to Qian Mo’s appearance, the Xiao family was gradually rising.

“If we can bring Xiao Xuan back to life, then everything will be perfect,” Qian Mo mused from within the ring. In the original work, Xiao Xuan sacrificed himself to help Xiao Yan strengthen his soul to the Emperor Mirror level, perishing together with the so-called Spirit of the Ancient Tomb.

In the end, Xiao Yan fulfilled his wish, reaching the Emperor Mirror level and even changing his bloodline.

...

Time passed quickly, and it had been nearly a month since Xiao Yan’s return to the Xiao family. In that month, he had restored his body and mind, preparing to break through to the Dou Practitioner rank.

As for Qian Mo, as promised, she lectured Xiao Yao. Under her guidance, his insights improved rapidly, and within a month, he firmly reached third-grade alchemist.

And so, day by day, the Xiao family awaited the arrival of a little girl.