Moon Pill
Her residence was a spacious cabin, but the first floor was just a facade—the real living quarters lay underground.
She must have sensed my approach, because she was already waiting outside when I arrived.
"Yuseong? What brings you here during your break?"
I pulled her straight into a tight embrace and headed inside.
"Isn't it obvious? I missed you."
"Liar! What do you really want?"
"I was wondering if you had any auxiliary ingredients for Moon Pills. Thought I might buy some."
"Have you secured the main ingredient, Moon Yin Grass?"
"Of course. Got it as a mission reward after succeeding."
She pinched my cheeks.
"You were at Qi Refining 3rd stage just a little while ago, and now you're at 6th? Amazing."
"All thanks to the Yin-Yang Art. You've shot up to 8th stage yourself."
"True enough. Do you know the refining method for Moon Pills?"
"It's in the basic pill refining manual the Medical Hall Lord gave me."
She fetched the auxiliary ingredients for Moon Pills from her storage ring and handed them over.
I took them and tried to bolt, but she grabbed my collar and wouldn't let go.
"You'll pay with spirit stones, right?"
"Oh, right. How many?"
"Ten low-grade spirit stones."
I handed over the ten low-grade spirit stones and finally broke free.
Now, with the Moon Yin Grass from the White Serpent extermination reward in hand, I headed to the Mission Hall.
A line of Qi Refining disciples stood before Senior Brother Park, receiving their missions.
When my turn came, Senior Brother Park handed me a wooden box.
"Check it out. It's a century-old Moon Yin Grass."
I opened the box, revealing the grass glowing with a blue hue.
"Whoa..."
"That's Moon Yin Grass!"
The disciples behind me in line stared with eyes full of envy. Jealousy and greed mingled in their gazes.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
I gave a formal bow and returned to my cave dwelling.
Before refining, I needed to circulate my qi and bring my body to peak condition.
Since this was my first attempt at Moon Pills, I meditated afterward, mentally rehearsing the process hundreds of times.
Once my mind settled into perfect clarity, I took out the pill furnace.
I added the main ingredient, Moon Yin Grass, first, then the auxiliaries, and heated the furnace with fire.
Judging by the amounts, I could try this three times.
Time dragged on in grueling patience.
Boom!
The first attempt failed. The mix was right, but my focus slipped at the crucial moment, causing the temperature to spike and everything to burn.
I tried again. No letting my guard down this time—stay focused to the end!
An hour later, I opened the furnace. There lay a plump Moon Pill.
The aura emanating from it confirmed success.
"Phew..."
Relief washed over me. Another failure would have left just one shot, and my mouth had gone dry from nerves.
At least one success. I never imagined pill refining could be this nerve-wracking.
After resting, I used the remaining materials for the final try. Drawing on the two prior experiences, I succeeded again, netting two Moon Pills total.
Holding them in my palm filled me with immense accomplishment and joy. I'd gathered the materials myself and refined them into pills! All that hardship had turned to happiness.
Now to test their effects.
I sat cross-legged, exhaled once, and swallowed a Moon Pill.
Its spiritual energy coursed through every corner of my body, gathering in my dantian.
I felt the medicinal power spread rapidly, my qi reserves swelling.
As a pill heavy with yin energy, a chill raced through my meridians—like being tossed naked into a blizzard of northern winds and snow.
My teeth chattered, my organs shrank, and the cold threatened to freeze body and mind alike.
But I circulated the Yin-Yang Art incantation, guiding the pill's energy to my dantian as best I could.
Bit by bit, I accumulated it, converting it to qi.
Half an hour later, I opened my eyes. Seven blue dots gleamed on my abdomen—I'd reached Qi Refining 7th stage.
Finally, Qi Refining 7th! Core Formation was drawing truly near.
Seizing the momentum, I swallowed the remaining Moon Pill right there.
It wasn't as painful as the first. I didn't quite hit 8th stage, but my qi reserves grew substantially.
Basking in the thrill of progress, I continued meditating in the cave until the task I'd given Senior Brother Baek was done.
I studied basic pill refining in spare moments, and when Moyong Wol visited, we dual cultivated with the Yin-Yang Art.
Seven days passed like that, and I flew to the stately shop in the sect's central district to meet Senior Brother Baek.
I wondered what magic treasures he'd crafted.
Entering the shop, I called out.
"Senior Brother Baek, I came to see if the magic treasures are finished."
A muscular old man seated on a chair grinned.
"They're perfect. Take a look."
Senior Brother Baek pulled items from his storage ring: five blue-glowing swords, three suits of silver armor, and ten white flying daggers that dazzled the eyes.
Whoa... Magic treasures from Blue-Horned White Serpent materials? His refining skills were incredible.
"As you suggested, Junior Brother—horns into swords, hide into armor, fangs into flying daggers. What do you think?"
I grinned back.
"Senior Brother Baek's refining is unmatched, as expected. These qualify as mid-grade magic treasures."
"Heh, it's nothing. The materials you brought were top-notch. If any treasure or armor gets damaged, bring it back for free repairs—no hesitation."
"Understood."
I bowed formally and left the shop.
Eager to examine them closely, I flew back to my cave at double speed.
Once there, I sat on my stone bed and unpacked the items.
The five blue swords pulsed with strong water-attribute energy. Made from horns with water affinity—Water Horn Swords.
The armor would be Silver Serpent Armor, the daggers White Serpent Flying Daggers.
Names assigned, I donned the Silver Serpent Armor under my black robe. From outside, it was invisible.
Perfect—opponents unaware of it might let their guard down, creating openings.
Five Water Horn Swords and ten White Serpent Flying Daggers... Too many to practice indoors, so I stepped out and trained with Sword Flight.
Unlike the martial artists' version, cultivators controlled flying swords with intent and qi.
Stronger intent meant finer control over more treasures.
I levitated one Water Horn Sword, then two, three. The rest wouldn't budge.
Max simultaneous control: three swords.
Next, the White Serpent Flying Daggers—same limit, three.
I practiced rapid maneuvers and stops in midair.
An hour in, intent drain caused a headache, so I stopped and began qi circulation to recover.
Once qi and intent replenished, I flew to Moyong Wol's place with the remaining Silver Serpent Armor to share.
Spreading my senses upon arrival, I couldn't find her.
Where'd she go? Medical Hall, maybe? Better check.
At the Medical Hall entrance, So Mu dozed off, head nodding.
"So Mu, seen Junior Sister Moyong Wol?"
He wiped drool from his mouth casually.
"Senior Sister Moyong's in the refining room, refining pills."
"Yeah? Any idea when she'll finish?"
"She's been in a day, so probably soon."
"Which refining room?"
So Mu eyed me suspiciously.
"You aren't planning something weird on her, are you?"
Snap! I flicked his forehead.
"Cut the nonsense. Which room?"
"Room Seven."
I tossed him a low-grade spirit stone and headed to Room Seven.
I wanted to gift her the Silver Serpent Armor when she emerged.
Passing through the hall, I reached the entrance. Wait three hours max—if no sign, head out.
I sat cross-legged outside, pulling out the basic pill refining manual to study.
Only page-turning sounds filled the quiet for a while.
An hour later, the door to Room One—opposite Room Seven—swung open.
A elegant middle-aged beauty stepped out gracefully. Medical Hall Lord Seong Yuhyang, finished refining.
I jumped up and bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Medical Hall Lord."
She looked puzzled.
"Shouldn't you be on break? What brings you here?"
"Ah... I have something for Junior Sister Moyong and was waiting."
"I see. Give it to me—I'll pass it on."
I hesitated, then fetched the Silver Serpent Armor from my storage ring and handed it over.
She ran her long, slender fingers over it.
"Impressive refining work. Did you make it yourself?"
"No, ma'am. Just supplied materials to Senior Brother Baek."
"Baek Gong, the renowned refiner in Unkak Sect. I'll ensure it reaches my disciple."
"Thank you."
I bowed formally to the Hall Lord and left the refining area.
The last Silver Serpent Armor would go to Byeok Soseol.
Her lover Yang Dosu had died to a Blue-Horned White Serpent. Giving it to her felt right—eased my conscience and fit propriety.
I flew east ten li from the Medical Hall.
En route, I pondered her reaction. Simple thanks? Or smash it in rage?
Soon, I reached Byeok Soseol's home. I revealed my presence and waited outside.
Seeing her emerge, pity stirred. Her slightly protruding forehead and cold demeanor looked even more shadowed by grief over her lost partner.
Words failed me.
"Senior Brother Yuseong? What is it?"
She spoke first, snapping me back. I fumbled for the Silver Serpent Armor in my ring.
"Made this from the White Serpent's hide after slaying it. Thought you should have one too..."
Her eyes widened as she touched it.
"You're giving something this precious to me?"
"Haha, it's nothing. Try it on inside."
She turned, shrugged off her top right there. Smooth shoulders, slim waist, pale back with cascading black hair. I couldn't help but admire.
She donned the armor and spun around.
"How's it look?"
The form-fitting leather turned her into a provocative beauty.
"Junior Sister Byeok... It suits you perfectly..."
Saliva pooled; I swallowed hard.
Her chest swelled invitingly, waist so narrow I ached to embrace it.
But I restrained the urge and bowed.
"If you ever need help within my power, Junior Sister, just say. I'll be off, then."
I turned to leave, but she rushed forward, grabbed my face, and kissed me.
A jolt from her lips spread through my body.
One hand on her waist, the other stroking her back.
The brief kiss ended; she whispered softly in my ear.
"Thank you."
Her cheeks faintly flushed as she returned inside. I stood dazed, touching my lips.
Who knew the icy beauty had such fire? The world really rewards the patient.
And to savor this world long-term, I'd cultivate relentlessly!