CHAPTER 973: CHAPTER 970: ALL-NIGHTER

Seeing these bright particles, Lin Tian knew that this time his refinement had not achieved the best effect; the more bright particles there were, the better the efficacy of the medicine.

Although this powder could also be used in medicine, it wasn’t the best, and Lin Tian would not be satisfied. Therefore, he did not stop, poured the powder into the jade bowl, and began refining again.

Every subsequent refinement was successful, and the number of bright particles increased each time. After five more refinements, he finally refined a powder dominated by bright particles.

Lin Tian knew that if he could refine all bright particles, that would be the best. But this was Lin Tian’s current limit; the skills he mastered could only reach this level.

Looking at the jade bowls lined up in front of him, each containing the results of his recent efforts, Lin Tian felt a sense of accomplishment. Six jade bowls, each showing an increase in bright particles, indicating Lin Tian’s continuous improvement in alchemy skills.

Refining just the Thunderwood had taken Lin Tian more than three hours. Even with his formidable spiritual power, he was feeling a bit tired at this point. Alchemy required tremendous energy, and as a novice, Lin Tian’s energy consumption increased exponentially.

Lin Tian knew he needed to relax and rest; otherwise, if he continued to push, he might end up exploding the cauldron.

His way of relaxing was naturally to taste Baihua Wine. For ordinary people, three glasses would surely get them drunk, but for him, it was a mere trifle.

Looking at the moon above, Lin Tian had a thought. Would cultivating while mentally exhausted yield better results, just like Miss, who always progressed rapidly after each battle?

Acting on his impulse, Lin Tian set aside his wine cup, got into position, and began practicing the first half of the Beastskin Cultivation Technique. Completing a Zhou Tian cycle, he sat cross-legged and formed seals, absorbing the lunar energy.

The lunar energy in the sky seemed to be summoned, rushing towards Lin Tian’s body. Absorbing the lunar energy, Lin Tian felt as if he was soaking in a cool spring on a hot summer day, the coolness penetrating through every pore, making him almost hum in comfort.

My guess was indeed correct; cultivating at this time was more effective, Lin Tian thought to himself. The slight fatigue in his spiritual power quickly dissipated under the nourishment of the lunar energy, making him feel revitalized.

He only cultivated for half an hour, but the effect was better than the usual two hours. At the moment of finishing, Lin Tian felt a warmth at his brow again. This sensation wasn’t new; he knew it was the result of the fire power appearing once more.

Unfortunately, the sensation came and went quickly. Before Lin Tian had the chance to observe it closely, the fire power once again concealed itself.

Initially, Lin Tian was quite anxious, but after experiencing it several times, he became used to it. He understood in his heart that without sufficient accumulation and the right opportunity, the fire power was still beyond his control.

After finishing his cultivation, Lin Tian threw himself back into alchemy, which was a process of constant repetition, often dull and devoid of the pleasures of beauty or the thrill of gaming. Yet, Lin Tian found joy in it, believing this might indeed be passion.

The Shaoyang Pill required a total of ten herbs. Lin Tian had already refined the Shaoyang Grass and Thunderwood, leaving eight more. For Lin Tian, a novice, refining eight kinds of herbs was a huge undertaking.

The third herb was Ironbone Grass. Ironbone Grass was also used whole in medicine and was the most aesthetically pleasing among the ten herbs. Its stems were very fine, like golden threads, glossy brownish-yellow in color, with two-toned leaves: green on top and gray-white around the edges, looking very delicate.

Ironbone Grass had properties to strengthen bones and promote blood circulation, crucial for the old man whose legs were immobile and spent much time sitting or lying down, negatively affecting his blood circulation and bones. Ironbone Grass was just the remedy needed.

When Lin Tian placed the Ironbone Grass into the cauldron, it withered and blackened as soon as it was heated, wasting an entire plant.

Despite its name, Ironbone Grass was very fragile and couldn’t withstand intense heat, or it would get ruined like just now.

Lin Tian was not discouraged and carefully adjusted the flames to refine again. Luckily, the Yun Family had just collected these herbs, and not many were used up yet, otherwise, it wouldn’t be enough for Lin Tian to waste like this.

As time went by, Lin Tian spent his time between success and failure in refining herbs. Whenever he felt exhausted, he would take a few sips of Baihua Wine, practice the cultivation technique for a while, regain his vigor, and then devote himself back into alchemy. Eventually, the moon disappeared, leaving him solely focused on his alchemy.

Alchemy was an extremely time-consuming task. Lin Tian worked all night without sleep, from after dinner, to midnight, to dawn, and then to early morning. Time slipped by unnoticed by Lin Tian.

It wasn’t until a ray of sunlight shone into the courtyard of Yunxiang Inn, dazzling Lin Tian’s eyes, that he suddenly realized he had been refining the whole night.

When in seclusion, one cannot tell the passage of time. When one exits, it seems as though the world has completely changed. Lin Tian often read such descriptions in novels, and this time he experienced it firsthand.

When a person is fully engrossed in something, they can completely forget the passage of time. Upon realizing this, Lin Tian felt a wave of exhaustion wash over his mind. From the moment the moon set, he hadn’t cultivated beyond alchemy, so no matter how strong his spiritual power, fatigue inevitably caught up with him.

However, seeing the refined materials arranged on the floor, whether liquid, particles, or powder, Lin Tian felt a sense of achievement and fulfillment, making all the exhaustion worthwhile.

The original ten jade bowls weren’t enough to hold everything, so he fetched more glass bottles, lining up five full rows, each filled with Lin Tian’s entire night’s work.

After fatigue comes sleepiness. Lin Tian didn’t care that he was on the rooftop; extinguishing the cauldron’s flames, he lay down and immediately fell asleep.

He had just fallen asleep when people arrived outside Yunxiang Inn, and there were quite a few of them. Leading the way was Jiang Xiu Ying, followed by Zi Yan, Yun Xiaotian, and even Wang Wanxi had come along. Presumably, Yun Xiaotian had informed the Yun Family, and Wang Wanxi represented them.

The group headed straight to the living room, where An Xiaoru had already risen, quickly serving tea to greet them.

"Xiao Ru, where is Lin Tian? Is he still sleeping in?" Zi Yan looked around but didn’t see Lin Tian, so she couldn’t help but ask.

After all, she had "lived together" with Lin Tian in the Xiao Family, albeit sharing a roof but not a room, so she naturally knew Lin Tian had a habit of sleeping in, hence her query.

"Lin Tian is indeed sleeping, but..." An Xiaoru hesitated, unsure how to explain.

"I knew he would sleep in..." Zi Yan said, but upon finishing the sentence, she noticed the atmosphere was off, as everyone in the living room was looking at her.

Their gazes were somewhat subtle, filled with curiosity. Even Jiang Xiu Ying was watching Zi Yan, who paused for a moment before realizing the implication of her earlier words.

Knowing Lin Tian’s sleeping habits so well, could it be they’ve shared a bed? Zi Yan realized this time she couldn’t clear her name, even with the Yellow River.