Outer Town.
Only after arriving did Yang Fan understand why the Elephant Armor Sect soul masters had asked about "powerful soul masters" in the forest.
They were after him!
Ever since he'd killed Huyan Hai two months ago, they'd never stopped hunting.
Good thing he'd erased all traces of his identity back then—otherwise, the Broken Sect would've been dragged into this mess.
After catching up on recent news, Yang Fan entered a dimly lit shop and tossed the giant bear hide from the soul beast forest onto the counter.
"Sir, you're here!" The clerk bowed slightly, eyes fixed on the hide.
He first checked its integrity, then measured its size.
"Sir, this hide is enormous—must be from a thousand-year bear, and preserved perfectly. I can offer 800 gold soul coins!"
Yang Fan nodded.
The entire transaction took under five minutes—and he hadn't spoken a word.
This was standard in outer towns.
Most commoners revered soul masters, breeding arrogance in the latter. Soul masters rarely bothered conversing with merchants.
But Yang Fan stayed silent not out of disdain—he was avoiding exposure.
Especially with the Elephant Armor Sect watching like hawks!
He circled the town, confirming no hostile tension, then bought 30-year Clear-Heart Fruit for Tier-3 Qi-Recovery Pills at an apothecary. Finally, he checked into a decent inn.
As dusk fell—
Yang Fan pulled out the herbs and cauldron from his storage soul tool.
Now came the critical step in refining Qi-Recovery Pills:
Processing the ingredients!
Previously, he'd used pre-prepared herbs or ones Yao Lao had handled. Now, he'd do it himself.
"This is essential for alchemists," Yao Lao had said.
Only by processing herbs firsthand could one grasp their true nature. Even legendary pill-formulators started here.
Per instructions, the bear gallbladder needed drying and grinding—just a spoonful per pill.
Yang Fan liked this approach.
Using a whole gallbladder and 500-year Ghost Vine per pill would be absurdly wasteful for a mere consumable.
He'd dried the gallbladder in the forest. Once bowl-sized, it now shrank to moldy-looking bark.
Next: the Ghost Vine.
With Yao Lao's approval, he'd already chopped the massive vine into manageable chunks—no room for a giant octopus-sized herb!
Drying it made it resemble cinnamon bark—toss a few pieces into the cauldron when needed.
"Master, I'm starting!"
Refining Qi-Recovery Pills felt less pressured than Spirit-Awakening Pills.
Success? Great!
Failure? Just try again.
Yang Fan wished all pills were this simple—no soul bones required.
…
First attempt: failed.
Second: failed.
He vowed: One success, then rest.
Instead, he refined all night.
By dawn, he understood why this "ordinary" pill was Tier-3.
The process was far more complex, and soul power consumption far greater, than he'd imagined.
"Can't refine anymore?" Yao Lao floated out, chuckling.
This outcome was exactly what he'd expected.
Why choose such a tedious, "useless" pill for Yang Fan?
To temper his impatience—and for something greater…
"Here."
A brown pill appeared in Yang Fan's palm.
Qi-Recovery Pill!
Its appearance was rough—but overnight, a cool breeze had sparked inspiration.
"Excellent, excellent!" Yao Lao's eyes crinkled with joy.
Another surprise from this kid!
"Do you think that's all?"
"Close your eyes. Feel your body."
Yang Fan obeyed—and gasped.
"M-Master! I've touched the Dou Shi bottleneck!"
Yes!
He felt the barrier—a subtle shift in his core.
Break through, and he'd manifest Dou Qi Armor, condensing Qi into liquid.
"Congratulations, little one," Yao Lao beamed. "You're about to become a true Dou Shi."
Yang Fan grinned.
Yao Lao's pride mirrored his own.
Wasn't this why he'd brought Yang Fan from Yunluo City? To watch him grow stronger?
"Master, when can I break through?"
Truthfully, Yang Fan couldn't wait.
He burned to see his Dou Qi Armor.
"Patience!"
"First, sense your soul strength."
Surprise struck again.
His soul power had noticeably strengthened since last night.
"A qualitative leap from quantitative accumulation!" Yao Lao declared.
Combat in the forest and pill-refining had boosted both his Dou Qi and soul strength.
Which influenced which? It no longer mattered.
Yao Lao's heart swelled with one word: pride.
"Master, can I absorb my third soul ring now?"
Yao Lao nodded. "Once you break through the Dou Zhe bottleneck."
Times had changed!
Upon becoming Dou Shi, Yang Fan's soul strength would surge again.
Becoming a Tier-4 alchemist was still a dream—but his soul power would suffice for a 10,000-year soul ring.
"Thank you, Master!"
Though he'd refined pills all night, Yang Fan felt no fatigue—only exhilaration.
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