Today, I begin refining medicinal pills.

"Wuji, three thousand pills is no small matter," Dongmen Yong said, gazing at his disciple.

Xie Wuji watched the seven elders walk away and replied, "The Grand Elder has handed me control of the Alchemy Hall, all thanks to those Fire-Tailed Chickens. But if we can truly bring the Alchemy Hall under our authority, Master, your leverage against the Grand Elder would be much greater. Whether we’re confident or not, we absolutely must make up the full count of three thousand pills."

"You’re not wrong, but it’s an extremely risky move," Dongmen Yong sighed.

Out on the plaza of the Alchemy Hall, Ding Desheng burst into hearty laughter.

The sycophantic Third Elder gave a thumbs up and said, "As expected of the Grand Elder! The Alchemy Hall was a mess, a complete shambles. Now that Xie Wuji has to take over, I don’t believe he can produce three thousand pills in a month!"

"Haha, exactly! Even if it’s just three thousand Foundation Building Pills, Xie Wuji can’t possibly do it. He doesn’t even know how to refine pills! Hahaha!" Ding Desheng crowed. "Since all the elders have gathered today, how about we share a few drinks at Moonlit Pavilion?"

"Excellent! Let’s celebrate the Grand Elder’s imminent ascension to sect master in advance! Hahaha!" The Fourth Elder joined in the laughter.

Ding Desheng turned to Bai Li Qingyan behind him and said, "Qingyan, you keep approaching Xie Wuji under the name Bai Li Yan’er. If he tries to refine pills, use your tricks so that he can’t make a single one. You know the essentials of alchemy—I taught you myself!"

"Rest assured, Master. I’ll take care of it," Bai Li Qingyan replied.

After Bai Li Qingyan left, the Second Elder Ding Xuanming sighed. "What a pity…"

"What do you mean by that, Second Brother?" Ding Desheng looked at his sibling.

Ding Xuanming raised his brows and glanced at Bai Li Qingyan’s departing figure. "I’m talking about your top disciple, Bai Li Qingyan. The technique he cultivates is the Sumeru Yin Art, isn’t it…? With this art, yin energy shrouds his body—he’s destined never to be a true man…"

"His life was saved by me, and so his life belongs to me. That’s why he cultivates what I tell him to. Why do you think I saved him back then? It’s precisely because, though born male, he bears the Ninefold Yin Fiend Body. Such a constitution is perfectly suited to yin arts. None of you know how much it cost me to give him what he has today—the rare herbs, the miraculous pills, all to create such an outstanding disciple," Ding Desheng snorted.

Ding Xuanming smiled. "Elder Brother, your foresight is truly remarkable!"

"Hahaha!" Ding Desheng laughed heartily.

Bai Li Qingyan entered Ding Desheng’s room and stood there gloomily. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a glow on his face. He bit his lip, his heart a swirl of emotions.

If Xie Wuji couldn’t complete the three thousand pills this time, he would be expelled from the sect.

"Why didn’t you choose my master as your teacher…" Bai Li Qingyan murmured. He drew the curtains and saw Dongmen Qianyun, Feilong and Shouhu, and Yang Hongliu arriving, helping Xie Wuji move things into the Alchemy Hall. They were moving house now; the little wooden cabin was no longer enough.

The Fire-Tailed Chickens followed Xie Wuji in flocks, like loyal pets. Even the Fire-Tailed Chicken King and his harem were carrying little bundles, helping with the move—a sight both comical and touching.

Bai Li Qingyan clenched his teeth, watching everything outside. He gripped the curtain tightly. "If I do as Master wishes, you’re certain to lose this bet. I never cared who becomes sect master of Danxia, but you… you can’t leave. If you go, who will I talk to? Who will I share good food with?"

Resolute, his gaze sharpened. Suddenly, he took all the books from Ding Desheng’s bookshelf, carefully gathering them up.

He returned to another room, closed the curtains, and slipped off his cultivation robe.

With a soft rustle, the robe slid from his slender frame, revealing skin smooth and pale as cream.

Bai Li Qingyan let down his hair, held a hairpin between his lips, and changed into his usual long dress. With a touch of makeup, he transformed into a refined beauty.

Or perhaps, even more exquisite than a beauty—save for the flat chest, there was no flaw in his appearance. Perhaps it was the surge of complex emotion from before, but his eyes now carried a misty sorrow, layers of longing and melancholy. They held too many secrets for anyone to fathom at a glance.

On the second floor of the Alchemy Hall, Xie Wuji stared blankly at the pill furnaces.

"You really are a fool," Bai Li Qingyan’s soft voice sounded behind him, silent as a shadow.

Xie Wuji started, turning to see a stunning figure. Bai Li Qingyan regarded him and sighed. "Fine. As a friend, I’ll help you. Maybe I can give you the boost you need. I heard about your predicament from my brother—if you fail this task, at best you’ll be punished, at worst you’ll implicate your master and have nowhere left in Danxia Sect. The sect is harsh on disciples who neglect their duty."

"You’re helping me—aren’t you afraid your brother will object?" Xie Wuji smiled.

Bai Li Qingyan took out the stack of books. "These are the Grand Elder’s alchemy notes. Unlike ordinary manuals, these contain his own insights, the sum of decades of experience. He guards them jealously—apart from my brother, no one else could have taken them from his room."

"Never thought Bai Li Qingyan would help me," Xie Wuji said, though in this critical moment, he had no intention of refusing help.

It was like exam time; the top students’ notes always held precious tips, and sometimes they’d share them, letting others take shortcuts.

Xie Wuji opened one book and saw dense notes, every detail of fire control, auxiliary ingredients, flame direction, and pill refinement laid out.

It was as if a new door had opened for him.

"Will you… stay and help me?" Xie Wuji asked the beauty before him.

Bai Li Qingyan smiled. "No, I can’t stay—too many prying eyes. If anyone sees me helping, my brother will be in trouble. He only helped for my sake. In half a month, you must return these notes. If the Grand Elder discovers them missing, my brother will be doomed."

"Rest assured, since Bai Li Qingyan is so loyal, I owe him a great debt. If you ever need help, just ask—I won’t hesitate!"

"You and your sweet words," Bai Li Qingyan said, glancing at Xie Wuji. "I must go."

A breeze blew past. Xie Wuji closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, Bai Li Qingyan was gone, vanishing without a trace.

Just then, Dongmen Qianyun arrived with a bundle of materials. "Brother Xie, shall we fire up the furnace?"

"You came at the perfect time. You know more about pills than I do," Xie Wuji said, handing over the books.

"Wait, are you saying that Bai Li Yan’er came by again?" Dongmen Qianyun asked.

"Yes, she was a great help."

"Brother Xie, I need to say this. I’m not sure if Bai Li Yan’er is really Bai Li Qingyan’s sister, but you should know—Bai Li Qingyan’s master is Ding Desheng, my father’s sworn enemy. What if his disciple is laying a trap for us, to make us stumble in this alchemy task? In that case, we’d be in real danger…"

"I don’t think so," Xie Wuji replied. "Look over these notes—are they fake?"

The more Dongmen Qianyun read, the deeper her frown grew. "Strange… these are genuine recipes, and all the methods and tips are true. Brother Xie… are you having an affair with Bai Li Yan’er?"