CHAPTER 989: CHAPTER 986: ENDING SECLUSION

In the following days, Lin Tian devoted all his energy to pill-making. He needed to both study the method of refining the Yin Yang Life Elixir and refine Shaoyang Pills to improve his techniques and skills, preparing for the Yin Yang Life Elixir.

Through this time of insight, Lin Tian understood one principle: there are no shortcuts in the path of alchemy—only through relentless practice can experience be gained.

Although he had the Eye of Clarity, giving him an edge over ordinary pharmacists, Lin Tian held himself to higher standards. The Yin Yang Life Elixir must be at least of superior grade to increase the chances of successfully healing Mr. Yun.

Mr. Yun’s legs had been devoid of life for too long, and Lin Tian worried that if the elixir’s grade was not high, the treatment would be incomplete. The Yin Yang Life Fruit was rare, so a single success was optimal; otherwise, if the fruit was used up before the ailment was fully cured, it would be troublesome.

The grade of the elixir greatly affects the treatment’s effectiveness. According to the "Shennong Emperor’s Medical Scripture," elixirs are graded as lower-grade, middle-grade, superior-grade, elite-grade, and supreme-grade.

Junior pharmacists, constrained by their lack of experience and proficiency, usually produce lower-grade elixirs. A few exceptional junior pharmacists can produce middle-grade elixirs, and only a rare few genius junior pharmacists might succeed in creating superior-grade elixirs.

As for elite-grade and above, only intermediate-level and more advanced pharmacists can manage those realms; junior pharmacists shouldn’t even consider it. Even with the best cauldrons and ingredients, junior pharmacists can’t produce elite-grade elixirs.

The best outcome Lin Tian had achieved was refining superior-grade Shaoyang Pills, which astonished Jiang Xiu Ying.

However, Lin Tian felt that the "Shennong Emperor’s Medical Scripture" was too absolute. Although cauldrons and ingredients significantly influence the outcome, fire control is also vitally important. If a junior pharmacist could skillfully control the flames, it might be possible to produce elite-grade elixirs.

Lin Tian had a gut feeling that if he could control the fire power within his brow, he could undoubtedly refine elite-grade, or even supreme-grade, elixirs. Of course, it was just a thought; controlling fire power was more challenging than pill-making itself. Using fire power to refine pills was not within easy reach.

For five whole days, Lin Tian didn’t leave Yunxiang Inn, focusing entirely on pill-making, apart from basic needs like eating, drinking, and sleeping.

Initially, only Zi Yan visited him, but later, members of the Yun Family came by to visit when they noticed Lin Tian hadn’t come out for days—first Yun Xiaotian, then Wang Wanxi.

In the end, even Yun Hongxi, in his wheelchair, personally came once. Jiang Xiu Ying worriedly advised Lin Tian to combine work with rest, fearing he might go astray due to his engrossment in pill-making.

Not only cultivating Ancient Martial Arts could lead to madness; encountering problems in pill-making could trap a pharmacist in a spiral, and failing to figure it out could lead to mental instability—also a form of going astray.

But how could they know Lin Tian was enjoying himself while both cultivating and pill-making, far from any mental instability? Instead, he felt he was progressing rapidly in both areas, so why would he heed advice and stop?

By the third day, Lin Tian straightforwardly instructed An Xiaoru to say he was in seclusion and unavailable to guests unless delivering ingredients, otherwise no visitors were allowed.

After five days, Lin Tian’s achievement lay in the ten bottles of Shaoyang Pills before him, all without exception of superior grade.

During that time, he also produced some middle and lower-grade pills, but Lin Tian destroyed them all, thinking that without superior-grade pills, he didn’t have the nerve to display them.

If Jiang Xiu Ying knew what he did, she would definitely scold him for being wasteful. Even a lower-grade pill is precious, equivalent to something priceless.

On the fifth afternoon, Lin Tian was sitting cross-legged in the study, mentally rehearsing the method of refining the Yin Yang Life Elixir. His practical work had only gone as far as refining the Shaoyang Pill. The Yin Yang Life Fruit was scarce, and without at least a 70% certainty, Lin Tian wouldn’t dare use it in pill-making.

As his mental rehearsal neared its end, suddenly An Xiaoru’s shout came from downstairs in the living room.

"Mr. Lin, there’s a visitor."

She had grown accustomed to calling out like this due to the frequent visitors in recent days—at Lin Tian’s request, to avoid the hassle of running up and down.

"Tell them to wait, that I’m in seclusion cultivating, and will be out in a few days," Lin Tian replied loudly, splitting his attention for just a moment.

He found it odd since the Yun Family and Zi Yan’s apprentices knew he was in seclusion, and after several closed-door receptions, they shouldn’t disturb him anymore. Who could it be visiting at this time?

"Mr. Lin, she says her name is Xiao Manxue," An Xiaoru’s voice rang out again.

"Even if Elder Jiang came, I wouldn’t see them. No visits, absolutely not. Anything can wait until I’m out," Lin Tian shouted.

But after shouting, he realized something seemed off; he thought he heard the name "Miss." Lowering his voice a little, he asked, "Miss Xiao Ru, who did you say it was?"

"Xiao Manxue, and another named Xiao Manxuan," An Xiaoru replied.

Damn, both the Miss and Second Miss are here! Lin Tian silently exclaimed. He had heard from Rossi a few days ago that they were coming to Jinghua City, but he didn’t expect them to come straight to the Yun Family.

This isn’t right. In the eyes of the Yun Family’s elders, the Miss is seen as a wife with luck; they even let Yun Xiaotian, that little brat, go after the Miss. Coming to the Yun Family now would be like a sheep into the tiger’s mouth.

Damn it, I can’t allow this. This is the woman I’ve kissed—twice, no less. I can’t let the Yun Family set their sights on her, Lin Tian thought domineeringly, then sped up his rehearsal and ended his seclusion early.

Lin Tian didn’t have time to tidy up the study’s herbs and elixirs, immediately leaping up and pushing open the door to go downstairs.

On the sofa in the living room sat two similarly-looking beauties of different ages—it was indeed the Xiao sisters.

The Miss wore a light blue dress, with the hem reaching to her knees, exposing a pair of proportionate calves. Her long legs were clad in plain-colored stockings, making her both elegant and sexy, with a somewhat amused expression on her face as she looked at Lin Tian.

Beside her, naturally, was Xiao Manxuan, dressed in a white skirt that was even shorter than the Miss’s, revealing a little above the thigh. To Lin Tian’s surprise, she wore stockings.

Xiao Manxuan usually wore a school uniform paired with knee-high socks, so her sudden switch to stockings drew Lin Tian’s gaze. The girl’s innocent aura, combined with the stockings, introduced a hint of allure.

Her outfit was a far cry from the youthful vibrancy of her school attire. Her fresh, pure face combined with the seductive stockings created an incredibly stunning effect.

Xiao Manxuan noticed Lin Tian staring intently at her legs upon meeting, causing her cheeks to redden slightly. Nonetheless, the little girl adopted her sister’s posture, sitting elegantly on the sofa.

After not seeing him for many days, upon meeting again, instinctively, she wanted Lin Tian to see her most perfect side.