Battle Through the Heavens: Even without the Burning Flame Technique, I, Xiao Yan, still became an e

Chapter 73 Pinky Promise, No Change for a Year

Before the black medicine cauldron, Xiao Yan concentrated intently, using blood-red flames to compress a single pill to its maximum.

"The Qi-restoring pill is complete!"

Xiao Yan moved swiftly, grabbing a pill that flew out of the cauldron and holding it in his hand.

"Teacher Sheng'er, how's my practice going?"

Time flies, and before he knew it, Xiao Yan had been staying in this bamboo hut for three months.

And this seemingly precocious little girl, Sheng'er, also displayed superb alchemy skills that were completely inconsistent with her appearance.

During these three months, she taught Xiao Yan many alchemy techniques and greatly broadened his horizons.

In just three months, Xiao Yan grew from a novice alchemist who could only exhaustively list ideas to someone who could attempt to refine third-grade pills.

However, this teacher seemed to be stricter than she had imagined, or rather, she always felt that Xiao Yan was stupid.

However, given her petite and youthful appearance, even when she's angry, she still looks incredibly cute.

Sheng'er took the pills handed to her by Xiao Yan, and after just a slight weighing, she understood the quality of the pills.

"Not bad, not bad. These past few days, you've basically learned everything except for two parts that you didn't get right."

Xiao Yan was secretly delighted. Usually, he was usually told things like "You're so stupid" or "Oh, it's not from refining." Today, he was surprised to receive praise from Teacher Sheng'er.

"Teacher Sheng'er, which two parts are incorrect?"

Seeing Xiao Yan's grinning face, Sheng'er calmly replied, "Of course it's neither right nor wrong. You think you can fool me with this broken pill?"

Sheng'er squeezed hard, and the seemingly perfect pill cracked open, spilling a pile of ash inside. Clearly, the inside of this pill was completely burnt out, and apart from looking like a pill, it was basically no different from charcoal.

"Hehe, Teacher Sheng'er, I've only been learning from you for three months, how could I possibly be able to refine a third-grade pill?"

The fact that I can become a second-grade alchemist in just three months is already faster than many people in the outside world.

Although she only had to discard a hundred or so medicinal herbs along the way.

However, my teacher Sheng'er is really capable. No matter how many medicinal herbs there are, she can always take them out immediately. Even some large herbs that require a hundred years to grow can be obtained in just a few days.

As for how these medicinal herbs came about, Sheng'er never mentioned it to Xiao Yan, only telling him to focus on his practice.

"Alright, alright, you've actually done quite well. I originally thought it might take you a few more months to reach the second-grade level, so you're just so-so."

This time, Sheng'er actually praised Xiao Yan for the first time ever, but Xiao Yan saw a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"Teacher Sheng'er, what's wrong?"

Xiao Yan noticed her worries and quickly asked her what was on her mind.

"Well, it's nothing really. It's just that Grandpa's business is done, and we're leaving here."

Sheng'er is very simple-minded and can't keep secrets.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan understood what was happening; it meant they were about to part ways.

"Don't worry, Teacher Sheng'er. All good things must come to an end. Besides, you've taught me a lot in these three months. I've also memorized the method for transitioning to a different kind of fire. Although I can't do it now, I'm sure I'll be able to one day."

Xiao Yan laughed and instead comforted the little girl in front of him.

Sheng'er was silent for a moment, then took out a roll of emerald green and handed it to Xiao Yan: "This is a medicine manual that I spent three days copying for you. The formulas recorded at the back are the pill formulas that I plan to teach you in the future. The Nether Crystal Pill is the last one."

I left a wisp of my soul power within this medicinal manual. If one day you are able to refine the Nether Crystal Pill, that wisp of soul power will guide you to find me.

Xiao Yan accepted the medicine manual, his heart filled with emotion. In the past three months, he had become incredibly close to the little girl in front of him. Their relationship was that of master and disciple, and also like that of brother and sister.

"Don't worry, as the saying goes, the master leads you to the door, but the cultivation is up to you. I will keep Teacher Sheng'er's teachings in mind. Now I just need time to slowly settle down. Once I've mastered refining all the pills on this list, I will definitely come to find you!"

Xiao Yan kept smiling, which added a touch of joy to Sheng'er's forlorn expression: "No cheating, let's pinky swear."

"Okay, let's pinky swear."

"Pinky promise, a hundred years from now."

Xiao Yan and Sheng'er linked their little fingers together, making a promise to each other in the most childlike and innocent way.

"Girl, it's about time we went."

The old man's voice came from inside the bamboo hut. Xiao Yan hadn't expected him to arrive so quickly.

Sheng'er bit her lip, wanting to say something but ultimately not saying it, so as not to put too much pressure on Xiao Yan.

"Here, take this."

Finally, Sheng'er took out a small green bottle and handed it to Xiao Yan.

"What is this?"

"Yes, this is a graduation gift left to you by your master. It contains ten drops... the essence of life."

The splendor of life?

Xiao Yan had never heard of this thing before, nor had Sheng'er mentioned it.

"Teacher Sheng'er, what is this for?"

Looking at the small green bottle in his hand, Xiao Yan knew that its value was extremely high.

"Its effects are twofold: if dripped onto medicinal herbs, a single drop can allow the herbs to grow for a hundred years; and if ingested by living beings, a single drop can extend their lifespan by a hundred years."

Can it extend lifespan by a hundred years?

Xiao Yan's eyes widened upon hearing this. He knew that even Dou Huang experts did not have significantly longer lifespans, and were generally under two hundred years old.

If something that can extend one's lifespan by a hundred years were to be transformed into a pill, it would at least be a super pill of grade seven or higher.

But now, a single drop of liquid in this little green bottle, without any refining process, can have the effect of extending lifespan by a hundred years, which is truly unbelievable.

"Shh, this is something I prepared for you privately. Don't tell anyone except you and the most important person in your life, so you don't get targeted by people with ill intentions."

Sheng'er looks only about ten years old, but she has experienced countless years. A hundred years is just a blink of an eye. She gave this little green bottle to Xiao Yan because she was afraid that he would die before he could learn how to refine the Nether Crystal Pill.

Looking at the small green bottle in his hand, Xiao Yan understood Sheng'er's heartfelt intentions. He knelt down on one knee again and performed a disciple-acceptance ceremony for Sheng'er.

"Student Xiao Yan expresses his sincere gratitude to Teacher Sheng'er!"

Seeing Xiao Yan's serious expression, Sheng'er couldn't help but laugh: "Live well, okay? I'll be waiting for the day you come to find me."

When Xiao Yan looked up, the entire bamboo hut had disappeared, and he was back next to the pit where he had fallen earlier.

Everything seemed like a dream, with only the lingering medicinal fragrance of Sheng'er in the air.