The Marrow Cleansing Pill

In a secluded room of the Fang Clan's Pill Pavilion, spiritual energy surged like a tide, funnelling rapidly into the crimson pill cauldron. A unique and potent fragrance, characteristic of high-grade elixirs, permeated the air, signalling that this batch of pills was nearing its completion.

Master Fang, one of only three alchemists in Qingcheng, maintained a solemn expression. His ten fingers moved with breathtaking speed, forming intricate alchemy seals to execute the crucial final steps.

"Collect the pills!"

The rich pill fragrance climaxed, and the spiritual energy swirled violently. Thirty-six purple pills, each the size of a longan, flew out of the cauldron. They hovered suspended in mid-air, emitting a refreshing and invigorating aura.

Master Fang swept his sleeve, collecting the pills into his storage ring. A look of genuine relief spread across his slightly weary old face, followed by a relaxed smile.

This pill was the Marrow Cleansing Pill, one of the most difficult Rank Nine pills to refine. Successfully refining it was no easy feat, even with his proficiency, but its completion meant he was now just one step away from the coveted Rank Eight Alchemy Realm.

This was the source of Master Fang's profound joy. He had begun studying alchemy at eighteen, entered the ranks of Rank Nine alchemists at thirty, but had since stagnated for twenty long years, a lingering regret. The successful refinement of the Marrow Cleansing Pill now offered a glimmer of hope; the door to the Rank Eight Alchemy Realm was slowly, finally opening for him.

"Ling Xian, the successful refinement of the Marrow Cleansing Pill is due in no small part to your dedicated assistance. I sincerely thank you," Master Fang said with a warm smile, looking toward the linen-clothed youth standing beside him.

The youth was about fourteen years old, with handsome features and a tall, straight physique. Though dressed in coarse linen, he naturally exuded an air of calm and tranquillity.

"Master Fang is too kind. I am merely an alchemy apprentice, and my role was simply to assist," Ling Xian replied with an indifferent smile, his maturity and composure far exceeding his age.

Master Fang waved his hand and offered genuine praise, "Stop being so modest. You've been my apprentice for six years; don't I know your abilities? This time, if it weren't for the spiritual herbs you meticulously prepared and your precise assistance, I truly doubt I could have completed the Marrow Cleansing Pill alone."

"It is what I should do. Besides, even without me, with Master Fang's alchemy proficiency, refining the Marrow Cleansing Pill would not have been truly difficult," Ling Xian said softly.

"Haha, don't flatter me, kid. I know my own limitations," Master Fang stroked his beard with a laugh. Although he knew Ling Xian was offering polite praise, he couldn't help but look pleased, acknowledging the effectiveness of the youth's words.

Ling Xian merely smiled without speaking. He was a collateral descendant of the Ling family. His parents had died young, and until the age of eight, he had relied entirely on the family's charity. His life only improved six years ago when he came here to serve as an alchemy apprentice, assisting Master Fang.

Ling Xian was deeply grateful to Master Fang for taking him in and teaching him alchemy; therefore, he would naturally never take undue credit or act in a presumptuous or annoying way.

"Alas, in terms of understanding pills alone, you are no less knowledgeable than I am. Unfortunately, if only you could cultivate, you would have become a Rank Nine alchemist three years ago," Master Fang said with a look of deep regret, sighing as he looked at the promising youth before him.

"Master Fang, you have said that thirty-seven times already," Ling Xian said with a wry smile. For as long as he could remember, the phrase he heard most often was, 'It's a pity, if only you could cultivate.'

Unfortunately, he truly could not cultivate.

"If saying it more times could make you an alchemist, then I would gladly say it all day," Master Fang stroked his greying beard, his regret only deepening.

If Ling Xian hadn't been unable to cultivate, he would have taken him in as a formal disciple long ago and passed down his complete legacy. Prolonged contact had allowed him to deeply appreciate the youth's excellence, and he was truly shocked by it. Among all the alchemy apprentices who had worked for him over the years, none possessed talent comparable to Ling Xian's. He possessed not only an extraordinary memory and a calm, steady temperament but also a rare and astonishing comprehension of all things alchemical.

However, if one cannot draw spiritual energy into the body, even the best talent is rendered useless.

"This is fate, an irreversible fate," Ling Xian sighed softly.

For ten years, he had racked his brain, yet he could never find a solution. Any spiritual energy that entered his body would instantly vanish without a trace, as if it had never existed.

According to ancient records, the reasons for being unable to cultivate are generally divided into two types: those born unable to guide spiritual energy into the body, known as mortals, and those with damage to the dantian or meridians, preventing absorbed spiritual energy from gathering, known as cripples.

Ling Xian was neither a mortal nor a cripple. Yet, no matter how diligently he tried to cultivate or how many pills he consumed, he could never gather qi and become a cultivator. This left him feeling utterly helpless.

Since childhood, he harboured a dream: to reach the peak of the Nine Heavens and look down upon all the heroes of the world. But if he couldn't even cultivate, how could he possibly reach that peak?

"Cultivators seek longevity, pursue the Great Dao, and defy fate itself. Ling Xian, you must not give up. Though your situation is unique, I believe a solution will always exist," Master Fang shook his head and offered comfort.

Ling Xian nodded, his expression solemn. "I have never considered giving up. However, I no longer plan to consume pills and do useless work. I am going to buy an Eye Opening Pill and make one final attempt."

"An Eye-Opening Pill?" Master Fang frowned. "Ling Xian, while the Eye Opening Pill can slightly increase the chance of awakening the Heavenly Eye, you and I both know that chance is extremely slim. The Eye Opening Pill has existed for tens of thousands of years, yet there have been only three recorded cases of successful Heavenly Eye awakening after consumption in the entire cultivation world. It's a chance of one in hundreds of millions."

"I am fighting for that tiny chance," Ling Xian’s eyes are firm. He stated, "Other than awakening the Heavenly Eye, I can’t think of any other way to change my fate."

The Heavenly Eye is one of the most powerful and wondrous innate abilities in the cultivation world. There are 108 known types of Heavenly Eyes, and each one possesses immense power capable of seizing the creation of heaven and earth and embodying the mysteries of the universe. Cultivators who can awaken a Heavenly Eye are all profoundly favoured by fortune and considered prodigies. Even if the awakened Heavenly Eye is not directly for combat, they are sought after by major sects and rise rapidly.

For example, the Qi Observing Eye, ranked 99th. This Heavenly Eye allows one to see the unique spiritual light of all treasures. Even treasures that have been sealed and appear ordinary can be seen through instantly. It can also be used to search for spiritual pulses, ancient ruins, and other hidden wonders across the world. Its uses are truly boundless. According to ancient records, thirty thousand years ago, a rogue cultivator accidentally awakened the Qi Observing Eye. In just a few years, he used it to find several spiritual veins and hundreds of thousands of hidden treasures. Relying on endless resources, he eventually became a renowned expert in the cultivation world, known as True Monarch Multibao.

"Since you've made up your mind, I won't try to dissuade you. Here are five hundred spirit stones; consider them your reward for assisting with this alchemy." Master Fang waved his hand, and a pile of strange stones containing pure spiritual energy appeared seemingly out of thin air.

"This..."

Ling Xian's heart warmed. In the past, assisting with alchemy would earn him at most five spirit stones. This time, it was clear that Master Fang was increasing the reward to help him purchase the Eye Opening Pill.

Master Fang saw his hesitation and chuckled, "There's no need for sentimentality. Even if I'm funding you, with your talent, once you open the Heavenly Eye or embark on the path of cultivation, you will surely become famous far and wide in the future. Consider this an early investment."

Ling Xian remained silent for a moment. He had been lonely and helpless since childhood, and his inability to cultivate had made him accustomed to the indifference and ridicule of others. However, one of the only three alchemists in Qingcheng, a prominent figure, not only favoured him but was also willing to provide funds for him to strive for that slim and ethereal chance. This deeply moved him.

After a moment of silence, Ling Xian carefully placed the five hundred spirit stones into his storage bag. Then, he bowed deeply to the kind-smiling old man before him and said solemnly, "If I can reach the clouds in this life, I will go through fire and water to repay this kindness."

"Good, having your words is enough. I don't expect you to repay me for anything. I just don't want a good seedling like you to be destroyed by a storm, so I'm simply lending a hand," Master Fang smiled with satisfaction. "Go now, it's already noon. I know you have to go work for Old Wang later, so I won't keep you for tea."

Ling Xian nodded and turned to leave the secret room, his heart filled with both excitement and gratitude. Master Fang had given him not just five hundred spirit stones, but also an opportunity—an opportunity to soar to the Nine Heavens if successful!

"It will definitely succeed," Ling Xian silently vowed to himself, then walked toward the Pavilion of Wonders.

Although the Eye Opening Pill is considered one of the most useless pills in the entire cultivation world, it is still a genuine Rank Seven pill. In Qingcheng, only the Pavilion of Wonders, which specialises in selling rare treasures from around the world, would have it in stock.

Priced at seven hundred spirit stones, this amount was not much for cultivators with strength and background, but for someone like Ling Xian, who could not cultivate, it was an astronomical figure. Fortunately, he had always been frugal and had saved nearly three hundred spirit stones from working over the years. With the spirit stones gifted by Master Fang, the total was enough.

Before long, Ling Xian arrived in front of an antique three-story building—the Pavilion of Wonders, a commercial power that spanned the entire world.

However, just as he was about to step inside, an old voice suddenly echoed in his mind, sounding both incredibly distant and right next to his ear.

"Eh, someone bearing the Heavenly Restriction? In such a small place, how can there be such a peerless genius?"

Who?

Ling Xian was startled. He could distinctly feel a pair of deep, knowing eyes watching him.

"I didn't expect that after sleeping for tens of thousands of years, as soon as I awoke, I would encounter such a talented young seedling. This is truly a great fortune," the voice murmured to itself, lamenting the passage of time and marvelling at its own luck.

"May I ask which senior is passing by? Please do not make fun of me. I am naturally a cripple; how can I be the peerless genius that senior speaks of?" Ling Xian was cautiously on guard. While a hint of tension crossed his expression, there was no panic. Fourteen years of hardship, cold shoulders, and ridicule had forged his resilient and mature temperament.

"Cripple?" The voice paused, then burst into laughter. "This is the funniest joke I've heard in thirty thousand years. If you are a cripple, then the Nine Great Holy Bodies of the Human Race and the Three Great Divine Bodies of the Spirit Race are all but trash."

Ling Xian frowned. He knew of the Nine Great Holy Bodies of the Human Race; they were hailed as Darlings of Heaven, each possessing astonishing talent and immense power. And yet, this old voice implied that his crippled aptitude was even stronger than theirs?

"I know you don't believe it, but that's alright. You will believe it later," the voice sounded again.

The next moment, Ling Xian saw a painting fly out of the Pavilion of Wonders. It shimmered with a dazzling, nine-colored divine light, flowing with a desolate, ancient aura. The painting enveloped him, and he instantly vanished, as if he had been transported to another world.