Chapter Twenty-Six: Instruction

Bai Jingyan followed the young girl through a bamboo grove, arriving at a secluded courtyard. The garden was filled with a variety of exotic flowers and rare herbs, and the air was thick with a faint, medicinal fragrance.

However, as he stepped into the courtyard, he noticed that the elderly man with snow-white hair no longer possessed his usual composure and calm. In their place was a look of profound anxiety.

"Senior, what has happened?" Bai Jingyan asked, stepping forward quickly.

The old man looked up, his gaze tinged with exhaustion. "Bai Jingyan, you have come."

The young girl ran to the old man's side, clutching his sleeve tightly, her eyes filled with worry. "Grandfather, please don't be sad. Yue'er will get better."

The old man gently stroked Yue'er's hair, his voice raspy and low. "Bai Jingyan, I have asked you here today because I have a favor to ask."

Bai Jingyan felt a tightening in his chest and quickly replied, "Please speak, Senior. This junior will do everything within his power."

The old man sighed and said slowly, "Yue'er is a child I found ten years ago. She was born with a cold poison deep within her body. Over the years, I have sought out countless renowned physicians, but none could cure her. Now, the cold poison has invaded her heart meridian; if it is not treated soon, I fear..."

He choked on his words, a flash of pain crossing his eyes.

Bai Jingyan looked at Yue'er. Her face was pale and her lips were purple; it was clear the cold poison had flared up. His heart ached as he whispered, "Senior, what can I do?"

The old man took an ancient, weathered manual from his robes and handed it to Bai Jingyan. "This is the alchemy I have studied all my life, titled the 'Nine Yang Pill Canon.' It records a pill known as the 'Nine Yang Soul-Returning Pill,' which might just save Yue'er's life."

Bai Jingyan took the manual, shocked. "Senior, why not refine it yourself?"

The old man gave a bitter laugh and shook his head. "I am advanced in years; my spiritual energy is no longer sufficient to support the consumption required for such alchemy. But you—you practice the Chaos Art and possess the energy of Chaos. You are the perfect candidate to refine this pill."

Bai Jingyan opened the "Nine Yang Pill Canon" and saw that the alchemy techniques recorded within were extremely complex, and the required ingredients were incredibly rare. He frowned slightly and asked in a low voice, "Senior, these ingredients..."

The old man nodded, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "I have already gathered the ingredients, but the process of alchemy is perilous. The slightest mistake could result in the destruction of the pill and the death of the alchemist. Bai Jingyan, are you willing to try?"

Bai Jingyan gripped the manual, his gaze firm. "Rest assured, Senior. This junior will do everything in his power to save Yue'er."

The old man showed a look of relief and patted Bai Jingyan on the shoulder. "Good, good child. I entrust Yue'er to you."

Following the instructions in the manual, Bai Jingyan began the preparations. He placed the ingredients one by one beside the pill furnace, then sat cross-legged and began to circulate the "Chaos God-Demon Art," slowly channeling the energy of Chaos within him into the furnace.

As the ingredients melted, the medicinal liquid inside the furnace began to churn violently, emitting a rich, intoxicating aroma. Bai Jingyan was completely focused, not daring to let his attention waver for a second. He knew the alchemy process was treacherous; any mistake would lead to disaster.

Suddenly, the flames inside the furnace turned wild, and the liquid roiled as if the furnace were about to explode. Bai Jingyan felt a jolt of panic and quickly increased his output of spiritual energy, attempting to stabilize the flames. However, the intensity of the fire far exceeded his expectations. The furnace began to vibrate violently, and fine cracks even appeared on its surface.

"Not good!" Cold sweat beaded on Bai Jingyan's forehead. His spiritual energy was depleting rapidly, yet he dared not slacken. He knew that if the furnace exploded, not only would the pill be destroyed, but he would suffer severe injuries himself.

At that moment, Yue'er suddenly rushed forward and grabbed Bai Jingyan's hand. Her palm was ice-cold, yet it carried a stream of pure spiritual energy.

"Brother Bai, let me help you!" Yue'er's voice was clear and firm.

Bai Jingyan felt a warmth in his heart as he sensed Yue'er’s energy slowly flowing into him. That energy was pure and gentle, as if it could calm any violent force.

"Yue'er, you..." Bai Jingyan started to speak, but Yue'er cut him off.

"Don't be distracted! Focus on the alchemy!" she urged, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Bai Jingyan nodded and focused his mind, blending Yue'er's spiritual energy with his own Chaos energy and channeling it into the furnace. Under the influence of their combined power, the flames gradually stabilized, and the medicinal liquid began to coalesce.

As time ticked by, the liquid inside the furnace slowly condensed into a single, crystal-clear pill. The surface of the pill glowed with a faint golden light and emitted a rich fragrance.

"It's done!" Bai Jingyan felt a surge of joy, but his spiritual energy was completely exhausted, and he felt nearly faint. He barely managed to steady himself as he retrieved the pill from the furnace.

Yue'er supported him, her eyes filled with concern. "Brother Bai, are you alright?"

Bai Jingyan shook his head, managing a weak smile. "I'm fine, just a bit tired."

He handed the pill to Yue'er, his voice filled with comfort. "Yue'er, this pill will cure your cold poison."

Yue'er took the pill, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, Brother Bai."

Bai Jingyan slumped to the floor, his body devoid of strength; he didn't even have the energy to lift his hand. Yue'er quickly swallowed the pill and immediately felt a warm current flowing from her dantian throughout her body, gradually dispelling the cold poison within.

"Brother Bai, I feel much better!" Yue'er said excitedly, her complexion becoming much more vibrant.

Bai Jingyan offered a faint smile, his heart at peace. "That is good."

The old man stepped forward and placed a pill into Bai Jingyan's mouth. "This is a pill to restore spiritual energy. Take it."

Bai Jingyan swallowed the pill, feeling a warm current circulate through his body. His strength gradually returned, and his exhausted frame regained its vitality.

"Senior, who exactly are you?" Bai Jingyan asked. "Why do I feel as though you know so much about me?"

The old man smiled faintly, his gaze gentle as he looked at Bai Jingyan.

"My surname is Ji, my name is Dingming. Ten thousand years ago, I met your father during a chance game of chess."

"You mean... you knew my father?" Bai Jingyan could not suppress his shock. "Then do you know where my father is now?"

He thought that since he had been reborn into this world ten thousand years later, perhaps his father had also been reborn in this era.

A look of nostalgia crossed Ji Dingming's eyes. Ignoring Bai Jingyan's question, he continued, "Back then, your father was the greatest divine general of the Taichu Empire. He was gifted with extraordinary talent and immense strength. We played chess many times and became confidants. But unfortunately..."

Ji Dingming took a sip of tea.

"Unfortunately, heaven is jealous of talent. That high and mighty emperor had a very suspicious nature. Because I became entangled with your family's karma, I have ended up in this state today."