Chapter 13: It... Exploded

Now that Yan Shu had transmigrated here, she inherited only the original owner’s memories. Even if her mind was sharp, she was still a hopeless student. She stood aside, watching Xiao Jihan refine pills, unable to comprehend the steps nor the control of the flames—she only thought his posture looked rather handsome.

In the original novel, Xiao Jihan was a talent in every aspect—not only was his cultivation high, but he was also an eighth-tier pill master and artifact maker. Later on, he relied solely on his pill and artifact skills to become the most sought-after figure in the entire cultivation world. It was precisely because of this that the sect which had been hunting him, the Xuantian Sect, became the public enemy of the cultivation world; disciples fled, and the once-great sect collapsed.

Thinking of this, Yan Shu’s heart trembled. Yes, since he was destined to become an eighth-tier pill master and artifact maker, why not do him a favor now and help him advance?

Action followed thought. Yan Shu immediately began rummaging through her mustard seed pouch. If memory served, when the original owner learned pill refining, her third senior brother, Liu Zhiqing—himself a fifth-tier master—had given her many good materials.

She searched for a long time before finally finding something suitable—Celestial Spirit Grass!

Different pills required different ingredients, but regardless of the type, Celestial Spirit Grass was indispensable. It elevated the quality of the pills and was unquestionably valuable! When Liu Zhiqing gave it to the original owner, he had felt heartache for quite some time.

Overjoyed, Yan Shu took out the Celestial Spirit Grass, cleared her throat to maintain her cool demeanor, and said, “Your first pill refining is crucial. As your master, I have little else to offer you, but this Celestial Spirit Grass will enhance the grade of your pills. I give it to you.”

Xiao Jihan looked at Yan Shu in surprise. Celestial Spirit Grass could raise the grade of pills, was a rare spiritual herb, and was essential for pills above the fifth tier. She was willing to give it to him?

Noticing the disbelief in his eyes, Yan Shu sighed at the original owner’s reputation, cleared her throat, and declared her sincerity: “Since I expelled my inner demons, I’ve awakened. From now on, I shall treat you as a true disciple. Whatever you need, if I have it, I will give it to you. Celestial Spirit Grass is nothing—it’s yours.”

Afraid he’d hesitate to accept, Yan Shu simply opened the pill furnace.

Xiao Jihan saw her lift the lid and immediately realized what she intended, hurriedly calling out, “Stop!”

But his protest came too late—he could only watch as Yan Shu tossed the Celestial Spirit Grass into the furnace.

Yan Shu was delighted, turning to Xiao Jihan: “No need for formality, disciple. I told you, from now on I will treat you as a true disciple. Celestial Spirit Grass is nothing—it’s what you deserve!”

“Furthermore, a pill master’s rank rises with the grade of pills they refine. If you manage to produce a third-grade pill this time, you will skip the first and second tiers, becoming a third-tier pill master. Then, no one will ever look down on you again!”

Her words were earnest, heartfelt, and full of emotion.

Yet Xiao Jihan’s eyes turned cold, brimming with ridicule, and he even laughed mockingly. “Heh.”

Yan Shu blinked, puzzled by his reaction, just about to ask when the pill furnace floating serenely in midair suddenly began to shake violently.

It looked as though the pill was about to form.

This was Yan Shu’s first time witnessing a pill forming, and she was excited, staring at the trembling furnace, addressing Xiao Jihan, “Disciple, this is your first batch! You will surely—”

Before she finished the word, a loud boom echoed!

Bang!

The pill furnace—

Exploded!

It shattered into pieces, fragments flying everywhere, the ingredients inside reduced to black ash, showering Yan Shu from head to toe.

Thus, after being struck by heavenly lightning and turned into a soot-covered child, Yan Shu was once again blasted into a blackened figure by an exploding pill furnace.

Yan Shu was incredulous. She stared, stunned, at Xiao Jihan. “What… what happened?”

“Heh!” Xiao Jihan sneered, “Isn’t this exactly what master wanted?”

He had foreseen the explosion—when it happened, he shielded his face with wide sleeves, avoiding Yan Shu’s embarrassment. He dusted off his robes, glanced at the scattered furnace fragments, and said coldly, “Master’s goal has been achieved. Please leave. I need to clean the room.”

Watching the favorability drop to -79 (hatred), seeing Xiao Jihan’s familiar indifference and self-mockery, Yan Shu could no longer care about maintaining her aloof immortal persona. She hurried to explain, “I… I truly didn’t know this would happen. I sincerely wanted to help you. Third senior brother said Celestial Spirit Grass elevates pill quality—he felt heartache when he gave it to me!”

“I don’t know why the furnace exploded. If I meant to harm you, would I have wasted a Celestial Spirit Grass?”

At her words, Xiao Jihan’s expression grew even colder. He laughed bitterly, “Yes, in master’s eyes I’m nothing but an ant—not worth wasting a Celestial Spirit Grass.”

Seeing his misunderstanding, Yan Shu quickly grabbed his sleeve, anxious. “That’s not what I meant! Look at me—”

She pointed to her face, urgency in her voice. “If I truly meant to harm you, if I really intended to blow up the furnace, would I have blasted myself into this state?”

Xiao Jihan glanced down at her slender jade hand holding his sleeve, then up at her soot-covered face with anxious eyes. His phoenix eyes flickered.

He was silent for a moment, then withdrew his sleeve and said quietly, “Celestial Spirit Grass does indeed raise pill quality. It has three leaves. For third-grade pills, adding one leaf elevates them to fourth grade, and for ordinary pills, half a leaf suffices to reach third grade.”

“But master, you threw in the entire herb. Not only do I lack the ability to produce third-grade pills, but even this Pure Furnace can only withstand the spiritual power of third-grade pills.”

Yan Shu understood. Even the protagonist had to climb step by step. She had oversimplified pill refining, acting too rashly and arbitrarily, tossing the entire Celestial Spirit Grass into the furnace without any knowledge.

Thus, the furnace bore a weight beyond its capacity—and self-destructed.

Not only did she ruin Xiao Jihan’s pill refining, she blew up his pill furnace.

Yan Shu looked around at the wreckage, guilt filling her voice, “I’m sorry.”

Hearing her apology, Xiao Jihan stiffened. He stared at Yan Shu’s lowered face for a while, then turned away, lips pressed together. “Master’s apology is more than I deserve. I need to clean the room. Please leave.”

Yan Shu looked up and saw the favorability had risen to -70 (hatred), knowing he had at least received her apology.

Not daring to say more, she walked out, her steps heavy.