A god-level alchemist, starting by manually crafting forbidden pills.

A moment later, the ancient seal script reappeared.

"With the Five Elements Elixir complete, the path of alchemy can be realized. You will be granted entry into the secret realm and bestowed with the complete true explanation of the Five Elements Elixir Path."

The jade slip flew up automatically and hovered in front of Luo Fan.

This time, the jade slip shone even brighter, and the information within it surged into Luo Fan's sea of ​​consciousness like a tidal wave.

It not only includes the complete theory of Five Elements alchemy, but also a formula for condensing Five Elements elixir.

This technique can help alchemists condense pills using the power of the five elements, greatly improving the success rate and quality of the pills.

"This is what a complete inheritance looks like."

The value of this alchemical formula is no less than that of the true explanation of the Five Elements Alchemy.

At the same time, the vortex portal in the center of the stone platform was completely stabilized, transforming into a gate of light.

Behind the door, the outline of a palace could be vaguely seen, its spiritual energy so dense it was almost tangible.

"Senior sister, let's go in."

As the two stepped inside, they heard a rustling sound and were met with a dark, surging tide!

Those were tens of thousands of black ants, each the size of a fist, completely black, with sharp mouthparts and a scarlet, ferocious glint in their eyes.

"Gold-eating ants!"

Bai Jie frowned slightly.

These demonic beasts feed on metal spirit stones, their shells are as hard as iron, and ordinary magical artifacts cannot harm them. They also travel in large groups, leaving nothing but desolation in their wake.

"retreat!"

Luo Fan pulled Bai Jie back hastily.

But the gold-eating ants were faster, and in the blink of an eye, they had surrounded the two.

Instead of rushing to attack, they formed a huge encirclement and gradually tightened it.

"This is troublesome."

Luo Fan smiled wryly, clenching Bai Jie's palm tightly, which was sweating slightly.

Among the Gold-Eating Ants, there are at least three queen ants, each with an aura no weaker than that of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Even ordinary gold-devouring ants possess the strength of the late-stage Qi Refining Realm.

Tens of thousands of late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, plus three mid-stage Foundation Establishment ant queens.

This display was enough to make even a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator's scalp tingle.

"Senior sister, stay close to me."

Luo Fan took out a handful of crimson pills from his storage bag; they were the Fire Essence Pills he had refined earlier.

"Gold-devouring ants fear fire. I'll use Fire Essence Pills to clear the way, and you protect my sides."

"Um."

Bai Jie nodded, holding the ice crystal longsword in her hand, her sword intent chilling.

Without further hesitation, Luo Fan threw out ten Fire Essence Pills at the same time.

"burst!"

Boom boom boom boom—!

The elixir landed and transformed into ten raging seas of fire.

As expected, the gold-eating ants feared fire, and a gap appeared in their encirclement.

"Walk!"

The two moved like lightning, bursting out of the gap.

The ant colony reacted extremely quickly, immediately splitting into several groups to flank the ant colony from both sides.

"A thousand miles frozen over!"

Bai Jie sang, her sword flashing, a chilling aura spreading, freezing the pursuing ant swarm.

However, there were simply too many gold-eating ants; as soon as one batch was frozen, another batch would arrive.

What's more troublesome is that the three queen ants have moved.

They took flight, emitting sharp hissing sounds, and directed the ant swarm to attack in a coordinated and methodical manner.

"This won't do; we can't afford to waste our spiritual energy."

Luo Fan's mind raced as he scanned his surroundings.

This is a plaza in front of a main hall, surrounded by several passageways, the destinations of which are unknown.

"Senior sister, rush towards the left passage, there's a breeze there!"

Luo Fan saw air currents surging in the left passage, indicating that there was an exit.

"good!"

Bai Jie cleared the way with her sword light, while he used his Fire Essence Pill to cover their retreat. The two fought and retreated, rushing into the left passage.

The narrow passage prevented the ant colony from fully expanding, thus slightly reducing the pressure.

But the three queen ants had caught up.

"Xiao Fan, you go first, I'll cover your retreat!"

Bai Jie turned around, her sword intent rising to its peak.

Luo Fan naturally refused, grabbing her and taking out a small black bottle from his storage bag.

He poured out three jet-black pills with strange patterns on their surfaces and flicked them at the three queen ants.

The queen ant neither flinched nor dodged, but opened her mouth and swallowed it.

then…

The three queen ants froze simultaneously, their eyes flashing crimson light wildly, seemingly caught in some kind of chaos.

Instead of attacking Luo Fan and his companion, they turned around and let out sharp hissing at the ant swarm behind them.

The ant colony stirred and began to fight amongst themselves!

"What was that just now?"

Bai Jie was stunned.

"A product of combining the Bone-Softening and Tendon-Replenishing Pill with the Fire Essence Pill."

He quickly explained, "The Guilt Pill is ineffective against mindless monsters, but when mixed with the volatile properties of the Fire Element Pill, it can transfer anger."

It made them especially dislike their companions, but the medicine only lasted for thirty breaths, so hurry up!

He grabbed Bai Jie and rushed towards the depths of the passage.

Thirty breaths later.

Behind them came the queen ant's angry hiss, and even more ferocious sounds of pursuit.

But the two had already reached the end of the passage.

There was a tightly closed stone door.

Ancient array patterns were carved on the door, with a faint flow of spiritual energy.

"It's a restriction!"

Bai Jie's expression changed slightly.

Breaking the barrier will take time, and the ant swarm has already caught up to within ten feet!

"Never mind, force our way in!"

The Netherworld Cold Fire erupted with full force in Luo Fan's palm, transforming into a pillar of fire that slammed towards the stone gate.

Bai Jie drew her sword simultaneously, the icy sword energy merging with the flames, doubling its power.

boom--!

The stone gate trembled, and the array patterns flickered, but it did not break.

The ant swarm had already reached within three zhang (approximately 10 meters) of them!

"Again!"

Luo Fan gritted his teeth, preparing to fight to the death.

However, the jade slip containing the true explanation of the Five Elements Alchemy in his arms flew out automatically and stuck to the stone door.

The jade slip shone brightly, the array patterns on the door melted away like ice and snow, and the door slowly opened.

"Is this jade slip a key?"

Luo Fan didn't have time to think and pulled Bai Jie into the door.

The stone gate slammed shut behind them, shutting out the gold-devouring ants.

boom! boom! boom!

The ant colony frantically rammed against the stone gate, but the stone gate remained unmoved.

The two leaned against the stone gate, panting heavily.

At least we're safe for now.

"Where is this place?"

Bai Jie calmed her breathing and looked around.

This is a stone chamber, not large, about ten zhang (approximately 33 meters) in size.

The room was empty except for a stone platform in the center, on which sat a three-legged alchemy furnace.

The alchemy furnace is simple and ancient, with patterns of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, and rivers engraved on its surface, and a spiritual light seems to flow around it.

Beside the alchemy furnace were three jade slips and a jade bottle.

Luo Fan stepped forward and picked up the jade bottle first.

Upon opening the bottle, a refreshing medicinal aroma wafted out.

Inside the bottle were two pills, each the size of a longan, pure white with flowing crimson patterns.

"The Five Elements Creation Elixir!"

Luo Fan's pupils contracted.

The Five Elements Creation Pill can help cultivators condense the five elements spiritual roots or strengthen existing spiritual roots.

For cultivators with a single spiritual root, this pill can complete the five elements and enhance their cultivation speed and potential.

For cultivators with multiple spiritual roots, it can balance the five elements and eliminate conflicts between spiritual roots.

This kind of top-grade Xuan-level elixir, regardless of its effects, is a priceless treasure that is hard to come by!

"Senior sister, there are two pills here, one for each of us."

Luo Fan took out one of the jade pieces and then handed the jade bottle to Bai Jie.

"You are an alchemist, and you need to use your spiritual root to improve your control over the alchemical fire."

Bai Jie resolutely pushed the jade bottle back, saying, "I possess all five spiritual roots, but my main cultivation path is already set on ice."

"It is precisely because you specialize in ice that you need the balance of the five elements. Only when you are strong can you protect me."

Luo Fan winked at her and stuffed the pill back into her mouth. "I'm waiting to live off a woman."

"..."

How soft does he want the rice to be?

At this moment, Luo Fan's attention was focused on those jade slips.

The first one contains the recipe for the Five Elements Creation Pill, along with detailed instructions on its preparation.

The second one records a method of alchemy: the Alchemy Technique of the Sun, Moon, and Stars.

The third one is a map.

The map shows the entirety of this secret realm, as well as the path to leave.

"I see."

Luo Fan suddenly realized.

This secret realm is divided into three levels, and they are currently located on the outermost level.

The middle level contains the alchemy room and the herb garden, which has a large number of rare and precious medicinal herbs.

The final layer is where the true inheritance takes place.

"Let's rest and recover here first, then head to the middle-level herb garden."

Luo Fan shared the contents of the jade slip with Bai Jie.

"it is good."

Bai Jie sat cross-legged, her spiritual energy circulating throughout her body.

Luo Fan then picked up the jade slip that recorded the alchemy techniques for refining the sun, moon, and stars, and probed it with his divine sense.

A moment later, he opened his eyes again, his eyes filled with shock.

"This alchemy technique can actually draw upon the power of the sun, moon, and stars. If I can master it, refining Xuan-grade pills will no longer be a difficult task!"

Luo Fan was overwhelmed with emotion, but he quickly suppressed his excitement and began to regulate his breathing to recover.

An hour later, the two of them were back to their peak condition.

"Let's go to the herb garden."

Luo Fan got up and pushed open the door on the other side of the stone chamber.

Outside the door was a long corridor leading into the depths.

The two walked side by side, wary of their surroundings.

The walls on both sides of the corridor are covered with murals depicting scenes of the flourishing of alchemy sects.

There are alchemists who use the earth's fire to refine elixirs.

Female disciples were picking medicinal herbs.

There were elders who preached and taught.

"This sect must have been extremely prosperous in its heyday."

Bai Jie sighed softly.

"Unfortunately, time is merciless, and it eventually turned to dust."

Luo Fan also sighed.

After walking through the corridor, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

It was a huge medicinal garden, filled with spiritual energy, where all kinds of medicinal herbs thrived.

"This is a thousand-year-old purple ginseng!"

"That's a Lingzhi mushroom from the Earth's core!"

"And there's the Nine-Leaf Mystic Grass!"

Luo Fan stared, completely mesmerized.

Any single herb here would be worth an astronomical price in the outside world.

What's even more remarkable is that many of these miraculous medicines have long since disappeared, existing only in ancient records.