Fox Demon: The villain at the beginning

Chapter 457 Promise, Pain

Using the Spirit Gathering Grass to neutralize the violent energy in the demon core, a pale blue pure energy was slowly poured into the nascent pill.

After the last drop of blue energy entered the pill, the somewhat pitted and uneven pill shape was instantly repaired and became smooth and round. A faint blue luster appeared on the surface of the pill, making it look beautiful!

"Success?"

Upon seeing this, Jin Renfeng was overjoyed, and his soul power unconsciously fluctuated.

The next moment, the originally brilliant blue luster quickly dimmed, turning into a grayish-blue pill.

Upon seeing this, Jin Renfeng was dumbfounded.

According to the prescription, after the Qi Gathering Pill is formed, it still needs to be nurtured in flames for a period of time before it can be considered fully formed.

The slight fluctuation in his soul power just now affected the pill, causing at least half of its medicinal power to leak out.

"You're celebrating too soon!"

"Fortunately, it still has half its medicinal potency, so even if it's a low-quality pill, it can still be sold!"

Jin Renfeng murmured to himself, put the grayish-blue pill into the jade bottle, and began the refining process again.

Two hours later!
The blue-green pills floated in the flames, their surfaces gleaming with a smooth luster.

It looks like a precious gemstone.

"Having exhausted all the materials I had, I finally managed to refine one pill."

Jin Renfeng slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

The third time, due to his improper control of the heat, the medicinal herbs were ultimately reduced to ashes.

It wasn't until the fourth time, with the experience gained from the previous attempts, that he finally succeeded in refining it.

"Four sets of materials, enough to refine two Qi Gathering Pills, one superior and one inferior, is enough to satisfy Consort Ya."

Jin Renfeng held the pill in his hand, released his soul power, and examined it carefully.

"The potency is slightly less than that of the one from Guhe, but it is still usable."

Jin Renfeng commented.

When evaluating the pills he had refined, he never showed any favoritism and always sought the truth from facts.

"With this Qi Gathering Pill, I can now be considered to have officially entered the realm of a fourth-grade alchemist."

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on the boy's face.

Just as the boy inside the house was overjoyed, a figure hidden in the night on the rooftop was also secretly surprised.

"I didn't expect this kid to actually produce a fourth-grade pill!"

"To be able to refine high-grade pills at the age of fifteen, it seems that even in this remote and impoverished region of the Jia Ma Empire, a truly exceptional talent is about to emerge."

. . . . . . .

Xiao Family Back Mountain —

Xiao Yan knelt on the ground and performed the formal apprenticeship ceremony.

Opposite him, a transparent, aged figure sat cross-legged on a large rock, gazing at him with earnest eyes.

Although there were some unexpected incidents, after the two spent time alone together, Yao Lao took the initiative to appear, meet with Xiao Yan, and confess everything.

After learning that this soul was an unparalleled powerhouse, Xiao Yan ultimately could not resist the temptation and chose to become his apprentice, sacrificing the three years of Dou Qi he had absorbed in the past.

"Teacher, now that I'm your disciple, please give me a Heaven-rank fire-attribute cultivation technique to practice!"

After completing the formalities, Xiao Yan looked at the soul entity in front of him and reached out to ask for it.

"Nonsense! Do you think Heavenly Rank cultivation techniques are like wild potatoes? How dare you even ask such a question!"

Upon hearing this, the old doctor's face twitched, and he cursed, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"Old man, now that I've become your disciple, you can't expect me to go searching for cultivation techniques elsewhere, can you? The best fire-attribute cultivation technique in our family, as far as I remember, is only at the advanced Yellow Rank. That's too pathetic!"

Xiao Yan said dejectedly.

"Little brat, he's a teacher, not an old man!"

Annoyed by Xiao Yan's way of addressing him, Yao Lao rolled his eyes and muttered,

"Hmph, since you've joined my sect, I naturally won't humiliate you. I don't have any Heaven-rank cultivation techniques! But I do have a cultivation technique that's even more bizarre than a Heaven-rank technique. Do you want to learn it?"

Xiao Yan swallowed hard, his eyes secretly burning with desire: "What level of cultivation technique is that?"

"Low-level Yellow Rank." Yao Lao's smiling voice made Xiao Yan's face stiffen instantly.

"Old man, are you playing me?"

. . . .

The morning sunlight streamed in through the window, casting trapezoidal windowpanes on the floor.

After tidying up, Jin Renfeng pushed open the door and walked out of the room.

Today he needs to deliver the pills he refined yesterday to Consort Ya, so he still needs to go out early.

Turning into the corridor and passing through the side gate, Jin Renfeng arrived at the gate of the Xiao family manor.

Just then, two figures walked towards them.

"Brother Jin, you're out so early!"

Xiao Yan led Xun'er forward and greeted her with a smile.

"I have some things to take care of, and I also need to buy some medicinal herbs."

Jin Renfeng responded, his gaze involuntarily sweeping up and down the man.

Compared to before, Xiao Yan's smile now exudes more confidence.

If I'm not mistaken, he should have already become a disciple of the old master.

"That's good too. If I can't break through to the Dou Di level in the future, this world will have a safety net."

"It will not be completely destroyed by the reckless actions of the Soul Emperor."

Jin Renfeng thought to himself,

"Unfortunately, Xiao Yan has not yet broken through to the Dou Zhe level, so he cannot cultivate the Burning Technique, and the Samsara Mirror cannot analyze it."

Although he tried to avoid the dangers of the Burning Technique, Jin Renfeng had to admit that it was extremely powerful in its ability to devour different flames.

Even if one cannot cultivate such miraculous skills and techniques, it would be good to learn from them.

"I was just about to buy some medicinal herbs anyway, why don't we go together?!"

Xiao Yan took the initiative to invite him.

"Alright!"

Jin Renfeng readily agreed.

With Xiao Yan's own abilities, there was absolutely no need to purchase medicinal herbs.

The only place where he might need a spiritual elixir is when the old master medicine refines his unique elixir, the Foundation Establishment Elixir.

People at the Battle Qi stage have weak meridians and cannot withstand the impact of elixirs. They can only rely on their own cultivation.

Although this Foundation Establishment Elixir is only of the second grade, its medicinal power is mild and can help break through to the Dou Qi level, making it very useful for disciples who are just beginning their cultivation.

"I might as well take a look at the recipe."

Jin Renfeng had the idea of ​​secretly learning from him.

This Foundation Establishment Elixir is of little use to him, who is at the peak of the Battle Master level, but it can genuinely enhance the foundation of his power.

For the sake of the sect, he had to find a way to get his hands on it.

The three left the manor and headed to a nearby herbal medicine shop.

After inquiring about the price, Xiao Yan spent over nine hundred gold coins to buy three twenty-year-old Purple Leaf Orchids and two five-year-old Bone Cleansing Flowers from the shop.

"These are the ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Elixir? That's simple!"

Seeing this, Jin Renfeng secretly memorized the types and quantities of the medicinal herbs.

These are all low-grade medicinal materials, readily available in most pharmacies. They are nothing compared to the ingredients used in the Qi-Gathering Powder.

After leaving the pharmacy, the three of them returned to Xiaojiafang Market.

Although herbal medicine shops also supply medicinal materials, they generally only supply low-grade medicinal materials in bulk.

If you want to find materials from even older periods, you'll have to go to markets and auction houses.

The three entered the market, and what they saw upon entering was Galeo, his face bruised and swollen, kneeling upright in the center of the market, his lips pale and his body trembling.

A crowd had gathered around him, mocking him. "What is Galeo doing?"

Xiao Yan was somewhat puzzled.

"Brother Xiao Yan has been focused on cultivation these days, so naturally he doesn't know."

Xun'er covered her mouth and chuckled.

“Yesterday, when Naga Lie’ao came to the market to cause trouble, he did not recognize the identities of Young Master Jin and Miss Nalan.”

"He was dissolute and lecherous, and when he saw that Miss Nalan was beautiful, he immediately made suggestive remarks."

"In a fit of anger, Young Master Jin broke half of his teeth and punished him by making him kneel here for three days and three nights."

"So that's it!"

Xiao Yan's face revealed a gloating expression.

This guy is a lecherous playboy who also has designs on Xun'er.

Xiao Yan usually disliked him quite a bit.

This time, they finally hit a brick wall.

Although Xiao Yan disliked Galeo, he didn't take advantage of his misfortune. Instead, he deliberately avoided the area and searched for medicinal herbs at the nearby stalls.

Bored out of his mind, Jin Renfeng kept an eye on Xiao Yan's movements while also checking out the goods on the surrounding stalls.

"I really have to thank Young Master Jin for helping Brother Xiao Yan recover his talent this time!"

Deliberately falling behind, Xiao Xun'er moved gracefully to stand beside the young man and said.

"I was just going with the flow! After all, I had my own agenda!"

Jin Renfeng stopped in front of a stall, picked up a piece of ore, and said calmly.

"But if it weren't for Young Master Jin's intervention, Brother Xiao Yan wouldn't have regained his confidence so quickly."

Xun'er looked at Xiao Yan's figure in front of her and said softly,
"Seeing Brother Xiao Yan so dejected before broke Xun'er's heart, but she was powerless to help."

"Young Master Jin's help this time has also resolved a knot in my heart."

"Miss Xun'er, you're too kind!"

Jin Renfeng comforted him,

"It was just a small favor!"

"Young Master Jin's assistance this time will be remembered by Xun'er!"

"If Young Master Jin encounters any difficulties in the future, you can come to the Xiao family to find me."

Xun'er said earnestly,
"As long as it is within my power, Xun'er will definitely do her best to help."

Upon hearing this, Jin Renfeng's eyes lit up, and he laughed.

“If that’s what Miss Xun’er says, then I’ll make a note of it.”

"Don't blame me for asking for an exorbitant price later."

"Young Master Jin, please feel free to speak!"

Xun'er smiled and said,

“There aren’t many things in the Gama Empire that can stump Xun’er.”

After saying that, the girl walked gracefully and caught up with Xiao Yan ahead.

Jin Renfeng gazed at the girl's retreating figure, lost in thought.

If others heard these words, they would probably just take them as a girl's joke.

But Jin Renfeng was different. With memories of his past life, he knew Xun'er's true identity perfectly well.

Although she lives in the Xiao family in Wutan City, Xun'er is not a member of the Xiao family. Instead, she is the daughter of the patriarch of the Gu Clan, one of the top powers in the Dou Qi Continent and one of the eight ancient clans, and the little princess of the Dou Di Clan.

For reasons unknown, he was sent to the Xiao family when he was young and spent his childhood there.

In the future, I will still return to my family.

"The promise from the little princess of one of the eight ancient clans is truly an unexpected bonus!"

Jin Renfeng thought to himself.

Given Xun'er's status, this promise is in no way inferior to a low-ranking combat skill.

Even Heaven-Rank Battle Techniques!

"Making such a heavy promise for Xiao Yan, it seems this girl is truly smitten with him."

The story of Xiao Yan and Xun'er's relationship begins when they were three years old.

Seeing that Xun'er was weak, Xiao Yan sneaked into Xun'er's room at night and used his fighting spirit to nourish her meridians and strengthen her body.

He groped the girl all over, but inadvertently captured Xun'er's heart.

Even during the three years when Xiao Yan lost all his fighting spirit and became a cripple, Xun'er remained devoted to him.

"A little bit of fighting spirit is enough to win Xun'er's heart. Xiao Yan is really lucky."

Jin Renfeng sighed inwardly.

In his previous life, many people thought that Xiao Yan's sneaking into Xun'er's room to help her nourish her meridians was a pretense, and that his true intention was to be a womanizer.

But Jin Renfeng never thought that way.

In reality, most people found three-year-old children attractive in their past lives because of the influence of Japanese anime, which made them forget what real three-year-old children look like.

What is a real three-year-old child like?
Some were still wearing open-crotch pants and couldn't even speak clearly; some even had snot running down their noses.

Even with the best foundation, it's impossible to attract talent at this age.

Therefore, in Jin Renfeng's view, Xiao Yan's feelings for Xun'er at that time were more like brotherly and sisterly care, and almost nothing about romantic love.

Of course, over the years, the two developed a deep affection for each other.

Now that the two childhood sweethearts are in love, there is no room for outsiders to interfere.

Although in the original timeline, Xiao Yan eventually married Medusa and Xun'er.

But for Xiao Yan, Xun'er was the one he truly loved.

The two grew up together and have never been apart; their relationship has remained steadfast for decades.

That is the most genuine emotion.

As for Medusa, she was nothing more than an accident, a responsibility.

No matter how much more there is, it will only bring pain and fear.

After all, Medusa had a fearsome reputation in the Gama Empire. Even Xiao Yan, who was at the Great Dou Master level back then, was no match for her.

They could only be slaughtered at will.

Thinking of this, Jin Renfeng looked at Xiao Yan in front of him, a smile appearing on his face.
"So, Brother Xiao Yan, since this accident has caused you so much pain, let me bear it for you!"

. . . . . . . .

Not long after, Xiao Yan found a wood-attribute magic crystal at a stall.

After some haggling, he bought the last piece of material for 450 gold coins.

"Money really doesn't last long. These few medicinal herbs cost me nine hundred gold coins."

After receiving the medicinal herbs and leaving the pharmacy, Xiao Yan couldn't help but give a wry smile.

"In my opinion, Brother Xiao Yan wants these medicinal herbs because he intends to make pills."

Jin Renfeng suggested,

"If you are short of money, you can auction off the finished pills at the auction house and quickly get a large amount of funds back."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes lit up.

"That's right! How come I didn't think of that!"

"I can sell some of the pills first and then use the money to buy medicinal herbs!"

Although he accepted Jin Renfeng's suggestion in his heart, Xiao Yan still pretended that he didn't know anything about alchemy and that these materials were for other purposes.

Knowing that he didn't want Yao Lao to be exposed, Jin Renfeng didn't expose him.

Having memorized all the ingredients for the Foundation Building Elixir, he did not intend to linger in the market any longer.

After bidding farewell to Xiao Yan and the other person, Jin Renfeng went to the Mittel Auction House alone.

(End of this chapter)