Fantasy, starting with a treasure bowl

...

Underground secret room

"The water temperature is just right, now it's time to serve the main course...!"

With his expression focused, Lu Feng controlled the fire at the bottom of the furnace to a suitable temperature. He then flicked his hand to the side and threw a demon core, shaped like a red date and about the size of a palm, into the Dragon Pattern Cloud Swallowing Cauldron.

Click!

The moment the demon core entered the cauldron, it shattered and evaporated, turning into a thick, blood-red jelly that then slowly dissolved into water.

Swish!Swish!Swish!

Seeing this, Lu Feng nodded secretly. He then poured a large amount of medicinal herbs and monster flesh that he had prepared into the Dragon Pattern Cloud-Swallowing Cauldron, just like a cook carrying a pot to stew a big dish, his movements were very skillful.

"Gurgle gurgle..."

Under Lu Feng's tireless stirring, after about half an hour, a faint sound like the chirping of insects came from inside the Dragon Pattern Cloud Swallowing Cauldron. At the same time, a cloud of red mist and steam slowly floated out of the furnace mouth and lingered there.

"The tiger bone wine seems to be almost ready...!"

As he watched wisps of crimson steam rise from the opening of the Dragon Pattern Cloud-Swallowing Cauldron, Lu Feng wiped his sweat, a look of satisfaction on his face.

The demon blood medicinal wine he is currently refining is called "Tiger Bone Wine". The raw materials are the demon core of the white-browed tiger, a low-level Xuan-rank demon beast, medicinal herbs that are over fifty years old and can nourish blood and qi, and a portion of demon beast flesh and blood that have been cleaned of impurities.

If you drink this huge cauldron of tiger bone wine in one go, it will not only counteract the side effects of burning your essence and blood, but also increase the duration of "Dragon's Fury" by at least three times!

Conversely, without the help of the Demon Blood Wine, Lu Feng would not only lose lifespan and his life every time he used "Dragon's Fury," but the process would also be short-lived, lasting at most the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before he withered away!

"receive!"

After waiting for a few minutes, seeing that the tiger bone wine inside the furnace was almost finished, Lu Feng immediately took out a large wooden barrel, about half the height of a person, from his storage ring. He then used his Yuan Power to suck out all the tiger bone wine and sealed it properly!

"Phew, keep going...!"

After the tiger bone wine was brewed, Lu Feng simply exhaled a breath of turbid air. Instead of resting, he simply cleaned the Dragon Pattern Cloud-Swallowing Cauldron in front of him and then continued to brew the demon blood medicinal wine!

After all, he still had some demon cores and medicinal resources left over, and it would be a waste to leave them unused.

Besides, the Demon Blood Wine is also a life-saving trump card for Lu Feng, so naturally the more the better right now!

"This is the core of a high-level Xuan-rank demon beast, the Purple Feathered Spirit Lion. If combined with century-old blood-replenishing herbs, it can be brewed into an even higher-quality Lionheart Wine..."

"If I remember correctly, this should be the demon core of a low-level Earth-rank demon beast, the Great Macaque."

"This demon core is not only more valuable and rarer, but it can also be mixed with some spiritual plants to brew a magical girl sake that not only tastes better, but is also several times more potent than Lionheart Sake...!"

"Miss Song truly lives up to her reputation as a disciple of the Central Continent Pill Alliance. She gives away these Earth-grade demon cores and spirit plant seeds so readily, without a hint of regret. The life of the rich is indeed wonderful..."

Lu Feng silently sighed as he carefully poured various materials around him into the Dragon Pattern Cloud-Swallowing Cauldron. Clearly, he wouldn't be leaving seclusion anytime soon, as he was focused on refining pills and making wine.

...

Meanwhile, in the southern barbarians, Lingtai Mountain

At the foot of the mountain, all was quiet, surrounded by dense forests. Apart from the occasional rustling of the wind, there was a huge, gray stone tablet standing in place, on which the eight large black characters "Tai Chi Returns to One, Sword Breaks All Demons" were clearly visible. It seemed to be the mountain gate of a major immortal cultivation sect.

"Hey, Senior Brother Guo, when will this miserable life ever end...!"

Before the stone tablet, a young sword cultivator dressed in a black and white Taoist robe sighed slightly, then turned to look at his companion beside him, clearly dissatisfied with his post.

"Xiao Gao, this has always been the rule of our Tai Chi Sword Sect. Outer disciples have to take turns going out on guard duty every month. It is indeed a bit boring, but once you get through a month, it will be over. So, kid, stop complaining..."

Guo Dajin glanced at the young swordsman in Taoist robes beside him and offered some helpless advice.

The other party's name was Gao Wang, who was his junior brother. However, the former had only been in the Taiji Sword Sect for less than half a month. Because his cultivation talent was just average, he was usually assigned to odd jobs such as cleaning the sword pavilion, guarding the herb garden, and standing guard and patrolling.

Seeing Gao Wang complaining again, Guo Dajin felt a little helpless, but he did not criticize him.

"Senior Brother Guo, please forgive my bluntness, but looking across the entire Southern Barbarian Land, let alone those isolated tribes and barbarians, even the martial artists from the four kingdoms of Lingnan outside the region, very few dare to come and cause trouble at our Lingtai Mountain. Is it really necessary to stand guard every day..."

Gao Wang continued his endless rant, while Guo Dajin, though silent, nodded quietly.

After all, what the other party said was not unfounded. Lingtai Mountain was not only isolated in the southern barbarian lands and rarely visited by people, but it was also the location of their Taiji Sword Sect's mountain gate. Basically, no one dared to cause trouble here unless they were tired of living and wanted to die.

"By the way, Senior Brother Guo, I've heard a rumor recently, I wonder if you've heard it..."

"snort...!"

As if remembering something, Gao Wang was about to gossip again, but was interrupted by a cold snort in a gloomy tone.

Swish!

A gust of sword wind swept in, then slowly transformed into a handsome figure. The newcomer had a slightly dark complexion, but wore a white robe and carried a three-foot-long sword on his back. At the same time, his whole body exuded a chilling aura of sword intent, clearly indicating that he was also a sword cultivator with considerable strength!

"Outer disciples Guo Dajin and Gao Wang... greet our senior brother!"

Upon seeing the white-robed man gracefully land, Gao Wang and Guo Dajin's expressions changed slightly, as if they had seen their natural enemy. They immediately knelt down on one knee to pay their respects, their expressions respectful and not daring to be negligent in the slightest!

Because the visitor was none other than Gongsun Jian, the number one genius of the Tai Chi Sword Sect and the senior disciple of the inner sect!

In addition, Gongsun Jian is also the eighteenth generation successor of the Taiji Sword Sect and the only direct disciple of the current sect leader Yin Xuanxing. If he does not die young, he will most likely inherit the position of the next sect leader. He is not someone that Guo Dajin and other outer disciples can afford to offend!

"Not only have you been slacking off on guard duty, but you have also been speaking recklessly about the sect rules in private. Your sect salary for the next three months will be deducted, and starting today, you will be confined to the Cliff of Repentance for half a month."

Gongsun Jian merely glanced at the two men as they knelt and bowed, then spoke expressionlessly.

"Senior Brother, but..."

"Thank you for your leniency, Senior Brother. I know I was wrong!"

Faced with Gongsun Jian's sudden punishment, Gao Wang was about to speak up in defense when Guo Dajin grabbed him tightly and forced him to kowtow and admit his mistake.

Swish!

Seeing the two men kowtow and admit their mistakes, unable to look him in the eye, Gongsun Jian remained expressionless. Then, he transformed into a gust of sword wind and drifted away once more.

"Senior Brother Guo, Senior Brother's punishment is too harsh! We only chatted a little while on guard duty, and now we're going to lose three months' worth of sect salary and be confined to the Cliff of Repentance for half a month...!"

Seeing that Gongsun Jian had left, Gao Wang breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got up from the ground. However, his tone was somewhat indignant, as if he felt that the former's punishment was too harsh.

"You brat, what time is it? How dare you spout nonsense!"

Seeing Gao Wang still rambling on, Guo Dajin's face darkened, and he unusually lost his temper, saying, "You didn't know that our senior brother has been in a bad mood lately?"

"Right now, we're lucky to have been fined a few months' salary. If we offend our senior brother, forget about losing a mere few months' salary; we might even lose our lives!"

"Yes, Senior Brother Guo...!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Wang couldn't help but look flustered and unusually fell silent. "However, Senior Brother Guo, there's still something I don't understand. Why has Senior Brother been in such a bad mood lately...?"

"Hey, isn't it all because of that woman named Lin Xiaoyu from half a year ago..."

"Ever since this woman joined our Taiji Sword Sect, our senior brother seems to have become a completely different person. Not only has he neglected his cultivation, but he also goes to Wanglu Peak every few days, and even the elders in the sect can't persuade him to stop...!"

With a deep sigh, Guo Dajin said helplessly, while Gao Wang beside him stared blankly, looking incredulous.

After all, he had only recently joined the Taiji Sword Sect, and his impression of the senior disciple Gongsun Jian was that he was powerful, arrogant and aloof. He never expected that the other party would have such an unusual side.

...

Lingtai Mountain, Wanglu Peak, in front of a cave entrance

"call...!"

As he landed slowly, Gongsun Jian took deep breaths and straightened his robes while looking around at the familiar surroundings. His expression was gentle, without a trace of cold arrogance, but rather he appeared somewhat nervous.

"Junior Sister Lin, are you inside?"

Gongsun Jian hesitated slightly, but finally mustered his courage and whispered tentatively into the cave.

"Senior Brother Gongsun, I haven't been feeling well lately, please leave..."

The next moment, a soft and melodious female voice slowly emanated from inside the cave.

"Junior Sister Lin, are you perhaps ill? This won't do; it would be terrible if you became ill!"

"Senior brother will go find Elder Luo right away and have him take your pulse..."

Although Lin Xiaoyu's tone was very cold and she rejected him, Gongsun Jian showed no anger on his face. Instead, he looked nervous, clearly very worried about her health.