Through the Fifth Senior Sister's explanation, Gao Yang finally understood.
The reason she looked so old was because she had not yet reached Foundation Building, and thus could not cultivate using her Dantian.
To compensate, she had learned a unique Daoist art—similar to Gao Yang's use of the Seven Fiends before Foundation Building—that allowed her to cultivate through her skin.
Gao Yang's method came at the cost of massive blood loss. Without rest after battle, he would become severely weakened. Even the Blood-and-Qi Pills could not instantly fix that; they replenished energy but could not remove the fatigue that lingered. After each use of the Seven Fiends, he needed time in recovery.
The Fifth Senior Sister's price, on the other hand, was her aging.
The longer she cultivated and the more qi she stored, the looser her skin became. But unlike Gao Yang, her qi could be continuously accumulated and released all at once.
That meant that anyone else—even the First Senior Brother—couldn't have helped Gao Yang complete the inner Seven Fiends formation. Only she could.
After hearing her explanation, Gao Yang felt even more grateful. "Sister, do you still need blood? I can give you more."
She rolled her eyes. "You just drained half your life for that ritual. Rest."
Gao Yang opened his box, took out a Blood-and-Qi Pill, and sat down to meditate. He guided his qi through the new Seven Fiends marks, getting used to the stabbing pain that still pulsed beneath his skin.
Meanwhile, the Fifth Senior Sister produced a small palm-sized furnace. She added two drops of blood, some herbs, and placed everything inside. Then she opened her mouth and blew out a flame.
A flickering spark landed on her palm, igniting the furnace—it was her own alchemical fire.
Gao Yang stared in amazement. "Sister, what kind of technique is that?"
She grinned proudly. "It's Dan Art—alchemy. Want to learn?"
Gao Yang nodded eagerly. "I do."
She shot him another glare. "You want to learn everything. Don't you know that greed makes for poor cultivation?"
He chuckled awkwardly. "I'll be needing a lot of Blood-and-Qi Pills in the future. If I could learn alchemy, I wouldn't have to trouble you every time."
She snorted. "So that's it. You ungrateful brat—use me once and then toss me aside?"
Gao Yang quickly sweetened his tone. "How could I ever! I just don't want to tire you, Sister. You work so hard. If I could help make pills, you'd have less to worry about."
Her expression softened. "Hmm. At least you have some conscience."
Hearing her pleased tone, Gao Yang pressed his luck. "So… could you teach me?"
Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Sure—if Master agrees."
Gao Yang's smile froze.
The Immortal Mistress wanted nothing more than to refine him into an Immortal Pill herself. There was no way she'd allow him to learn Dan Art.
Her absence from the Azure Mountain Sect filled Gao Yang with unease. He suspected it had something to do with the Immortal Pill—and he needed to strengthen himself before she returned.
He immersed himself in training, cycling his qi through his meridians again and again, forcing them to expand and withstand greater energy flow. Yet, without the proper cultivation mantra, he could only absorb small traces of ambient qi through steady breathing.
"Sister," he asked, "do you have any cultivation chants?"
The Fifth Senior Sister was in the middle of a delicate stage. Beads of sweat dotted her nose as she concentrated on controlling the flame and the furnace.
The small cauldron trembled violently, clattering against its lid.
Bang!
The furnace exploded. Shards scattered across the room, and the pill inside was reduced to blackened ash. A foul burnt smell filled the air.
She sighed. "Failed again." Then, turning, she asked, "What did you just say?"
Gao Yang repeated his question.
She shook her head. "I haven't built my foundation, so Master never bothered teaching me any chants. You should ask Twelve. Given your relationship with her, she might tell you."
As she spoke, she took out another small furnace, pricked her finger for two drops of blood, added the herbs, and began again.
Gao Yang frowned. This pace of cultivation was far too slow.
He stood. "Then I'll go ask her. Thank you again for everything, Sister."
Her expression stayed focused, sweat dripping down her chin as she controlled the fire. "Alright, go on," she said absently.
Gao Yang hesitated, then stepped forward and gently wiped the sweat from her brow.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Bang!
The furnace exploded again.
Her face flushed red, unsure if it was anger or embarrassment. "Thirteen!"
Gao Yang laughed and backed away. "See you tomorrow, Sister."
Watching his retreating figure, she stomped her foot in frustration—then bit her lip, a shy smile touching her lips. "That little brat…"
She took out another furnace but hesitated. After a moment, she set it aside, placing the blood and herbs neatly on the table. "My heart's too unsettled for alchemy tonight. Better to meditate."
Gao Yang arrived at the Twelfth Sister's door.
Just as he raised his hand to knock, it swung open. She stood there, expression cold and impatient. "What are you sneaking around for?"
Gao Yang produced two Blood-and-Qi Pills he'd prepared earlier. "Master's away, so I couldn't ask her for a Foundation Pill. I brought these instead—to thank you for helping me so many times."
The Twelfth Sister sniffed them suspiciously. "You don't know alchemy, and you've got no money. Where'd these come from?"
"From the Fifth Senior Sister," Gao Yang replied.
She sniffed again, then grabbed his arm, spotting the fresh wound on his wrist. Her eyes turned sharp and cold. "You sold your blood?"
Gao Yang smiled lightly. "Just an exchange of benefits, nothing more."
Her hand flashed—
Smack!
The slap came so fast he barely had time to coat his face with qi.
The impact sent him flying several feet.
At the same moment, a crimson wraith burst from her arm and latched onto her face.
"Ah!"
The Twelfth Sister screamed, her fingers curling into claws. She tore the blood-red specter off, crushing it into a glowing bead in her palm.
"Die!" she snarled.
The wraith wailed pitifully as she crushed it to nothing, leaving only a trembling drop of blood in her hand.
Blood dripped from her cheek as she glared at Gao Yang. "You dare attack me?"
Gao Yang climbed to his feet, dusting himself off. "Sister, that's unfair. When did I ever attack you?"
She flicked her hand, the blood bead hitting the ground and shattering. "Fine!" she snapped and stormed back inside, slamming the door.
Gao Yang sighed. So much for asking her.
A moment later, the door opened again. Two Blood-and-Qi Pills hit him square in the face.
"Who wants your lousy pills? Eat them yourself!" she shouted, but her expression—just for a heartbeat—looked oddly hurt.
Gao Yang lifted his hand, meaning to knock again, but then his face changed. Without a word, he turned and sprinted back to his room.
Once inside, he shut the door, leaning against it. His left hand clamped onto his right shoulder as pain surged through him like fire.