The Eternal Saint of Alchemy

After a full incense stick's time, a refreshing medicinal fragrance wafted from Xiao Fan's alchemy furnace. The fragrance was not strong, but rather gave people a warm feeling, making them feel comfortable all over.

After another half incense stick's time, the medicinal fragrance slowly disappeared, and the flames inside the cauldron gradually went out.

As soon as the pills were produced, three round, red pills flew out and landed in Xiao Fan's hand. The surface of the pills was as smooth as jade, with five crisscrossing pill patterns on them.

A series of low gasps came from all around.

On the judges' stand, the three elderly men stood up at the same time, walked to the jade plate, and examined it carefully.

"The Five-Patterned Crimson Blood Refining Pill possesses near-perfect control over flames. In my fifty years of experience, only a handful of people have been able to refine such a pill. Young man, who is your master?"

Xiao Fan cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I have benefited greatly from the guidance of Senior Jiang Yuanji of the Pill Tower."

"Dan Tower?" The old man's eyes lit up. "I see. Master Jiang's disciple is truly an extraordinary figure."

He paused, seemingly deep in thought, then pulled a red token from his sleeve and handed it to Xiao Fan: "I am Liu Changgeng, the Hidden Elder of Crimson Cloud Mountain. Please accept this token. After the Pill Gathering, I have some matters to discuss with you."

Xiao Fan held the token in his hand; it was warm to the touch, and a flame-like pattern ran across it. He glanced at Liu Changgeng; the man's eyes were earnest, not feigned. He nodded slightly and said, "I will definitely pay him a visit tomorrow."

Without a doubt, Xiao Fan won first place in the final results of the alchemy competition, obtaining a thousand-year-old Crimson Flame Ganoderma and the qualification to enter the secret realm to collect herbs.

However, he was more interested in Liu Changgeng's invitation than the outcome.

That evening, Gu Yuan spent some time gathering information.

He picked up his teacup, sat down opposite Xiao Fan, and said in a low voice, "Thirty years ago, Liu Changgeng was a guest elder of the Pill Tower. Later, for some unknown reason, he left the Pill Tower and went into seclusion on Mount Chixia. Now, I don't know what he's thinking."

This person is highly accomplished in alchemy; back in the Pill Tower, he was even comparable to Tower Master Jiang. He must have something important to tell you.

Xiao Fan touched the plaque in his hand and pondered for a long time.

The next morning, in a cave on the eastern side of the Crimson Cloud Mountains.

The cave was hidden by vines, and there was an old plum tree at the entrance. The plum branches were strong and vigorous, and a few small white flowers were still blooming in the hot southern weather.

Inside the cave, Liu Changgeng had already prepared tea. Upon seeing Xiao Fan arrive, he didn't exchange pleasantries but went straight to the point: "The reason I invited you here today is because three days ago, I discovered a fiery cave deep within the Crimson Cloud Mountains."

Inside the cave was an ancient altar, on which was inscribed a prescription for an elixir. My knowledge is too limited; I cannot decipher what the prescription contained or its effects.

At this point, he looked at Xiao Fan, a glint of fervor flashing in his eyes: "However, your fire control techniques yesterday were somewhat similar to the aura on the altar. I suspect that you have a significant connection to this altar."

Xiao Fan felt a chill. The Creation Flame within his sea of ​​consciousness was left behind by the Grandmaster of the Void Pill. If the Grandmaster of the Void Pill's legacy was present in Crimson Cloud Mountain, then it was no coincidence.

"Senior Liu, could you please show me around?"

Liu Changgeng nodded, stood up, and said, "That's what I thought too. However, there's a restriction deep inside that cave. I've tried several times but haven't been able to break it. Your fire control technique might be able to help."

Without hesitation, Xiao Fan followed Liu Changgeng out of the cave and headed along a path into the depths of Crimson Cloud Mountain.

The interior of Chixia Mountain is much deeper than it appears from the outside.

The further in you go, the darker the color of the rocks become, from red to deep red, and then to dark brown. A faint smell of sulfur permeates the air.

Liu Changgeng walked at the front, holding a luminous spirit pearl in his hand to illuminate the road ahead. He walked steadily, clearly familiar with the route.

"It's just ahead." He pointed to the cave entrance that was half-hidden by the giant rock.

The entrance was very small, only allowing one person to squeeze in sideways, but once inside, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a natural cave.

The cave walls are covered with stalactites, which emit colorful light under the illumination of the lights, making them look beautiful.

At the end of the cave, a stone altar stands.

The altar was small, about three feet square, and smooth as a mirror. It was engraved with an extremely complex diagram.

This prescription, composed of dozens of different medicinal herb symbols and the temperature of the flame, is completely different from ordinary prescriptions. It seems to have been written in an ancient secretarial style.

Xiao Fan walked to the altar, squatted down, and examined it carefully. Although he couldn't understand the runes, the flame symbols on them were exactly the same as those in the Fire Control chapter of the alchemy manual.

He stretched out his palm and gently placed it on the altar.

Within his sea of ​​consciousness, the Creation Fire began to throb violently, as if it had been stimulated in some way.

A warm, comforting energy emanated from the altar, traveled upwards along the meridians, and finally converged in the dantian.

Just then, the patterns on the altar glowed with a faint red light, like a flame that had been dormant for many years being rekindled.

Liu Changgeng, standing to the side, watched intently, his breathing becoming rapid. "I knew long ago that you had a connection to this place."

Xiao Fan withdrew his hand, gazing at the faint light in his palm, lost in thought. This altar must have been left behind by the Grandmaster of the Void, but not for sealing; rather, it was for… recording.

He closed his eyes and probed his consciousness into the warm current.

Information from the depths of the altar flowed into his sea of ​​consciousness like a gentle stream, sketching a fragmented picture in his mind—this was left by the Grandmaster of Alchemy in his later years, the handwriting hurried yet vigorous:

"I have traveled throughout the Nine Realms and seen countless spiritual flames. This altar is for passing on the art of fire control to future generations. If a successor is found, they can use their inner fire as a catalyst to unlock the secrets within the altar."

Xiao Fan opened his eyes and suddenly realized. This altar contained the secret of fire control passed down by the Grandmaster of the Void Pill, not for sealing or suppressing, but simply for teaching.

He placed his palm on the altar once more, slowly channeling his true essence into it.

The red light on the altar grew brighter and brighter, and the runes on it lit up one after another, finally forming a fist-sized red sphere of light in the center of the altar.

The ball of light shattered silently, transforming into a stream of light that entered Xiao Fan's brow.