On the way to Elder Monkey’s residence, Elder Bear said, “Brother Ye, this time I must thank you on behalf of the demon race.”
“What do you mean by that, Elder Bear?” Ye Qiu was somewhat puzzled.
Elder Bear explained, “Although those anomalous flames were sealed in the valley by the Eternal Azure Heaven Great Emperor, they always remained a hidden danger. I worried every day that they might break free from the seal and bring devastation to the demon race.”
“This time, by subduing all the anomalous flames, you have done us a great favour.”
Ye Qiu smiled and said, “Elder Bear, there is no need for politeness. I obtained so many anomalous flames. If anything, I should thank you all. By the way, how is your injury?”
Elder Bear laughed, “This old bear has thick skin and tough flesh. It is no longer a serious issue. I just need to recuperate quietly for a while.”
Ye Qiu replied, “That is good.”
At that moment, Elder Sheep sidled up to Ye Qiu and smiled, “Brother Ye, I must thank you too.”
“You do not know this, but after you entered the valley, Old Monkey bet with me.”
Another bet?
Ye Qiu asked curiously, “What did you bet on?”
Elder Sheep then told Ye Qiu about the bet. After hearing it, Ye Qiu was both amused and exasperated. He thought inwardly, “This Elder Monkey looks as cunning as they come. Why does he always love making bets?”
Elder Sheep said in a low voice, “Old Monkey lost the bet and gave Rabbit a mid-grade heaven-level Rejuvenation Pill. It made her overjoyed.”
Ye Qiu glanced at Elder Rabbit and noticed that a smile never left her face. From time to time, she cast flirtatious glances at Elder Sheep.
“Elder Sheep, tonight you will probably have to toil hard again,” Ye Qiu joked.
Elder Sheep smiled lewdly, “Brother Ye, how about I arrange a few little demon girls for you? You can toil…”
“You dare!” The little white fox’s voice rang in his ear. “Elder Sheep, if you lead Ye Changsheng astray, beware this Sovereign chops you up.”
Elder Sheep shrank his neck in fright and hurriedly smiled apologetically, “Sovereign, calm your anger. I was just joking with Brother Ye.”
“Hmph,” the little white fox snorted coldly.
Ye Qiu asked the little white fox, “What has the old fellow been up to lately? Why have I not seen him?”
The little white fox said, “The Daoist has been busy gathering divine herbs recently.”
Ye Qiu was taken aback. Before coming to Elder Monkey’s place, the Long-Browed Daoist had already gone to gather divine herbs. How had so much time passed, and he was still at it?
“Has the old fellow encountered some danger?” Ye Qiu asked.
The little white fox replied, “After all, they are divine herbs. Encountering some danger is inevitable. However, you need not worry. Elder Sheep sent experts to protect the Daoist. He has already obtained one divine herb.”
“It’s just that the Daoist wants to gather a few more, so he has not returned yet.”
Ye Qiu said irritably, “That old fellow. At his age, he still cannot cure his greed.”
The little white fox smiled, “Anyway, the demon race has plenty of divine herbs. Since the Daoist wants them, let him be.”
“Thank you,” Ye Qiu said gratefully.
The little white fox pouted coquettishly, “Ye Changsheng, can you stop always saying thank you to me? It makes us seem distant.”
Soon, they arrived at Elder Monkey’s residence.
Upon entering the palace, the various elders looked disgusted and began chattering.
“Old Monkey, how is this place like a dog kennel?”
“So much dust. How long has it been since you cleaned?”
“Too dirty.”
“Though we are demons, can you not tidy this place up a bit? Those who do not know might think we are all as slovenly as you.”
Elder Monkey rolled his eyes, “If you cannot stand it, feel free to leave. It is as if this old man is eager to welcome you.”
“What, not even welcoming me?” the little white fox said.
“I dare not,” Elder Monkey immediately put on a smiling face. “For the Sovereign to grace my humble abode is my honour.”
“You know your place,” the little white fox snorted coldly and said, “Elder Monkey, later order someone to clean this place. A clean environment will make living here more pleasant.”
“Thank you for the Sovereign’s concern. I will order it cleaned later…” Before Elder Monkey could finish, the little white fox continued, “It does not matter if you do not like cleanliness, but do not let Ye Changsheng suffer along with you.”
Damn, I thought she was concerned about me. Turns out it is about Ye Changsheng!
Elder Monkey looked depressed and said no more. He led everyone through the palace to the rear courtyard.
Ye Qiu scanned it and found the rear courtyard immense. More than a hundred pill furnaces were placed there, varying in size and shape, with different materials.
Elder Monkey said proudly, “There are one hundred and eight pill furnaces here in total. I spent a thousand years collecting them. The best pill furnaces in the demon race are all here.”
“Without exaggeration, every single one here is a treasure.”
“Ye Changsheng, choose one.”
Ye Qiu did not stand on ceremony. He pointed at the pill furnace closest to him and said, “This one!”
“You have good taste,” Elder Monkey introduced. “This pill furnace is cast from innate yellow bronze and is called the Primordial Furnace. It has once refined a heaven-level spiritual pill.”
“Ye Changsheng, you have so many spiritual herbs on you, and you have mastered the alchemy methods and anomalous flames. Then refine a Rejuvenation Pill!”
“I give you seven days. As long as you refine one top-grade yellow-level Rejuvenation Pill, you will have thoroughly passed the test. Then I will impart all my alchemy insights to you.”
“Very well,” Ye Qiu agreed readily.
The Rejuvenation Pill is a spiritual pill that enhances cultivation. A top-grade yellow-level Rejuvenation Pill can increase cultivation by fifty years.
“Ye Changsheng, no time like the present. Begin!” Elder Monkey said. “It happens that the Sovereign and the various elders are here. Let them witness your alchemy talent.”
“Ye Changsheng, do not be nervous. Even if you fail, it is no big deal.”
“After all, you have seven days. At worst, start over.”
“Alright,” Ye Qiu walked to the Primordial Furnace. He quickly reviewed the spiritual herbs and steps for refining the Rejuvenation Pill in his mind. Then, one by one, he tossed spiritual herbs into the furnace.
“Azure Body Grass.”
“Thousand-Year Spiritual Vine.”
“Crystal Lotus Seed.”
“Rejuvenation Scarlet Fruit.”
“…”
Elder Monkey watched intently. Each time Ye Qiu tossed a spiritual herb into the furnace, he announced its name.
Twenty-three spiritual herbs in total, no more, no less.
“All spiritual herbs correct. Now use the anomalous flame to refine them into medicinal liquid,” Elder Monkey said.
Ye Qiu extended his palm, and a cluster of azure flames appeared in it.
As soon as this cluster of azure flames appeared, in an instant, heat waves surged within a ten-thousand-metre radius.
Elder Monkey, standing behind Ye Qiu, looked as if he had seen a ghost. He turned and retreated.
“Elder Monkey, I am starting.”
Ye Qiu turned back and saw that, apart from the little white fox and Elder Bear still standing in place, the other elders had somehow slipped ten thousand metres away.
Ye Qiu looked puzzled, “Elder Monkey, why did you run?”
“And the various elders, were you not going to watch me refine pills? Why stand so far away?”
“Come closer.”
Ye Qiu beckoned with his hand. Unexpectedly, those elders not only did not approach but continued retreating, as if Ye Qiu were a peerless devil king.
