With Dugu Yan's permission, Qi Lin stood in the medicinal garden, surrounded by an array of rare and exotic herbs—many of which were true immortal treasures. As he gazed upon the abundance, he found himself deep in thought.
If I'm going to refine a pill, which ingredients should I choose?
Every medicinal plant had a unique effect, and any single immortal herb could serve as a core ingredient for pill refinement.
However, while the resulting pills would be potent, they might lack balance and versatility.
After pondering for a while, Qi Lin shook his head.
Forget it. Thinking too much is exhausting. I'll just go with whatever fate gives me.
With that thought, and under Dugu Yan's confused gaze, he closed his eyes and began walking around the garden at random, occasionally bending down to pick herbs.
He was leaving it all to fate—and to his instincts.
Dugu Yan watched with curiosity. Though she didn't quite understand his methods, she had to admit: at this point, she probably trusted Qi Lin more than she trusted Yu Tianheng.
Before long, Qi Lin had collected over sixty different herbs, many of which were immortal-grade.
"All done?" Dugu Yan asked, seeing him stop.
She didn't really care what herbs he picked—without Qi Lin's explanations, she wouldn't have been able to tell poison from tonic anyway.
"Yeah, this should be enough," Qi Lin replied with a grin. "Now just watch quietly from the side."
Dugu Yan giggled and nodded.
"Then I'll be looking forward to seeing what kind of amazing pill you create, little brother Qi Lin."
Qi Lin chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't disappoint you."
As he spoke, his third red spirit ring lit up.
A moment later, crimson flames burst into life in his palm.
In an instant, the temperature of the entire valley noticeably rose.
With the Liuding Divine Flame ignited, Qi Lin calmly began tossing in the herbs he had gathered, one by one.
"Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid—get in there."
"Beautiful Silk Tulip—get in there."
"Jade Muscle Daffodil—get in there."
"Mystic Essence Immortal Herb—get in there."
"And the rest—toss 'em all in!"
While Qi Lin focused on refining, a startling piece of news was spreading across Suotuo City.
Dugu Bo, the infamous Poison Douluo, had visited the Nine Heart Begonia Clan and met with the current clan leader.
The Nine Heart Begonia was an extremely rare and unique martial soul—only one person in each generation could inherit it, passed down a single bloodline.
The current clan leader was none other than Ye Lingling's mother.
She was a true auxiliary-type Soul Sage, renowned throughout Suotuo City due to the immense healing power of her martial soul.
Shortly after Dugu Bo left the clan, a rumor leaked: the Poison Douluo, famed for his deadly poisons, had suffered backlash from his own toxins—and it was affecting his descendants as well.
No one knew the exact outcome, but those who had seen Dugu Bo leave the Nine Heart Begonia residence claimed he looked grim.
Clearly, even the Nine Heart Begonia could do little to help with the poison's backlash.
Then again, if it were so easily cured, it wouldn't have dragged on until now.
This rumor spread like wildfire through Suotuo City and quickly reached the ears of the major powers.
Outside the city, Dugu Bo, now having achieved his goal, revealed a snake-like smirk on his sinister face.
"Now… let's see if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is willing to cooperate."
Muttering under his breath, Dugu Bo's figure flickered like a mirage as he headed toward the Sunset Forest.
He wanted to return and check on how Qi Lin and Yan Yan were doing—just the two of them, alone.
---
Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well
A crimson flame blazed fiercely before Qi Lin. Through the flames, one could faintly see that the herbs inside had already melted into a gelatinous liquid.
The glowing liquid was about the size of a human head and was slowly being compressed and condensed.
As the medicinal plants melted, a thick and refreshing fragrance wafted out from the flames.
Even a single whiff caused Dugu Yan, who was observing from the side, to feel completely refreshed and calm.
She had a strong premonition—Qi Lin was truly about to create an extraordinary pill.
Silently watching from the side, time seemed to pass unnoticed. Suddenly, a radiant light burst from within the flames.
An ethereal mist spread outward, swirling above the fire and transforming into the shapes of the various herbs Qi Lin had used.
Even Dugu Yan, simply observing, was stunned by the miraculous sight.
"It's done!"
Qi Lin's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he looked at the thirteen brilliant golden pills floating within the flame.
Retracting the Liuding Divine Flame, he summoned a tray formed of soul power and carefully levitated the pills into it, displaying them for Dugu Yan to see.
Each pill was about the size of a longan fruit, perfectly round, with a radiant golden hue. Three crimson lines spiraled around the surface of each one.
"Little brother Qi Lin, these… what are they?"
"What do they do?"
Dugu Yan stepped closer, examining the floating pills with awe.
Qi Lin smiled. "I already thought of a name while refining them. Based on their effects, I call them Creation Heaven-Mending Pills."
"Creation Heaven-Mending Pills?" Dugu Yan repeated, stunned by the grandiose name.
Qi Lin smiled at her expression.
"Each pill contains the essence of various heavenly and earthly treasures. They can cleanse your meridians, fortify your foundation, increase soul power, and even evolve your martial soul."
"Yan Yan, want to give it a try?"
As he spoke, he picked one up and handed it to her.
Dugu Yan didn't hesitate. She trusted Qi Lin completely and immediately sat down cross-legged, swallowing the pill in one gulp.
The moment it entered her mouth, it dissolved instantly, transforming into a torrent of energy that surged through her body.
Her expression shifted as she quickly entered meditation to absorb the immense medicinal power.
Qi Lin didn't waste time either.
Leisurely, he popped a pill into his own mouth and sat down to meditate as well.
However, Qi Lin's refinement speed was clearly much faster. In just half an hour, he had fully absorbed the pill's effects.
Dugu Yan, on the other hand, took a full four hours.
ROAR!
A dragon's roar suddenly echoed from within Dugu Yan's body. Her martial soul activated, and gleaming, jade-green scales appeared across her skin.
A serpentine green dragon's phantom spiraled around her, radiating a faint but unmistakable aura of draconic might.
At the same time, Dugu Yan's eyes snapped open. A flash of excitement gleamed in her emerald gaze.
She stood up—and without hesitation, threw herself into Qi Lin's arms, her voice soft and sweet.
"Little brother Qi Lin, you've helped me so much again!"