Chapter 44 - 44: Trouble and Fortune Part 2
As the discussion in the Liu clan main hall went on, other matters were transpiring deep in the dwelling of the Zhou clan. In a square room that had a decent surface area at about seventy to eighty meters in size, At the center of this room was a spherical mound a few feet wide and a pear-sized gourd that was delicately hanging from the each of the four wall.
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'The hour draws near.' A figure was seated on an amber meditation mat in a corner of the room with a blank expression on their face, if any Zhou clansmen was here they would easily recognize this man as their Grand Elder, Zhou Mu.
Zhou Mu was currently channeling his qi into the spherical mound, which was made of a rare kind of granite and was extremely flat, only about half a foot tall. However, five lifelike, bright-topaz miniature Yaksha figures were inlaid at the edges of the spherical heap.
The mouths of the Yaksha's were slightly elevated aimed at the location in the air just above Zhou Mu's head, as they assumed a very lifelike spiting position. Each of the Yaksha's had a sinister expression as the dim light of the room reflected off the yellow quartz idols, which only further emphasized their frightful appearance.
"Flame, come forth!" As soon as those words left Zhou Mu's mouth a shocking seen occurred, The blood red eyes of all five Yaksha's opened simultaneously and spewed out a torrent of black fire. Using a few hand gestures, Zhou Mu was able to smoothly control the intensity and the height of the flames according to his needs.
If one paid attention to the walls of the dim room they would notice the various hand gestures being used by Zhou Mu were inscribed on the surface of the granite mound. After carefully controlling the Black fire, Zhou Mu reached out for one of the pear-sized gourds hanging from the wall with relative ease.
"Flame, transform!" In one motion, Zhou Mu opened the gourd and splashed out the contents of the gourd upon the black fire causing a miraculous change. The contents of the gourd turned out to be flint sand, which could temporarily add to the intensity and temperature of the Black fire.
The Flint sand had an instant effect as the Black Fire roared in response and began to alter in color slowly changing from black to gray. It didn't take long for the entirety of the flames to undergo this marvelous transformation.
'The next step is crucial...' Zhou Mu's attention turned to the furnace, which was silently being heated up by the gray flames. The red furnace itself was a sight to behold as the crimson patterns seemed almost too lifelike, while several emeralds, rubies and other precious gemstones were neatly lined up along the edges of the metal cauldron that sat just above the fiery cauldron.
The hotter the furnace grew the more animated the Yaksha idols seemed to be as the black flame, which was as thick as chopstick continuously flowed out from each of their mouths separately. The high temperatures were beginning to diffuse through the air and elevated the heat within the room to a near intolerable level, causing the Grand Elder to sweat profusely.
'The heat is nearly sufficient...' Zhou Mu flawlessly controlled the fire and made it extremely thin as a wire thread. He then began to prepare the ingredients for the Mystic Yin Pill. The first ingredient he retrieved from a hidden compartment was a crystalline vial containing Moonshadow Dew, harvested under the light of a new moon. This dew was known for its ability to enhance Yin energy absorption.
Zhou Mu carefully poured the Moonshadow Dew into the furnace, and the gray flames seemed to dance more fervently as they absorbed the liquid. Next, he took out a small box made of jade and opened it to reveal a cluster of Serpent's Breath Herbs, their dark green leaves exuding a chilling aura. These herbs were vital for balancing the fiery nature of the flint sand and the intense heat of the furnace.
With precise movements, Zhou Mu added the Serpent's Breath Herbs one by one, ensuring they were evenly distributed within the cauldron. The flames licked the herbs, causing them to release a faint, misty vapor that enveloped the room in a cold, refreshing haze. As the mist settled, Zhou Mu's mind drifted to thoughts of Li Wei, the young upstart who had injured one of his most promising descendants.
'That wretched brat...' Zhou Mu's eyes darkened with malice. 'He thinks he can humiliate the Zhou clan and get away with it. Once I complete this Mystic Yin Pill, our Yin cultivators will rise to new heights, and we will crush him and his pathetic ambitions.'
The next ingredient was a rare mineral called Nether Quartz, known for its ability to stabilize the yin-yang balance within the pill. Zhou Mu retrieved a small shard of the quartz from a lead-lined container and placed it into the cauldron. The gray flames flared brightly as the quartz began to melt and merge with the other ingredients.
'Soon, Li Wei, you will know the true power of the Zhou clan,' Zhou Mu vowed silently.
He reached for the next component: a bundle of Ghost Orchid Petals. These petals, harvested from flowers that only bloomed in the presence of spiritual entities, were critical for infusing the pill with potent Yin energy.
As the Ghost Orchid Petals touched the flames, they dissolved almost instantly, releasing a soft, luminescent glow that was absorbed by the cauldron. The mixture inside began to swirl with a subtle, iridescent light, a sign that the Yin energy was being successfully integrated.
Zhou Mu wiped the sweat from his brow and prepared the final ingredient: a vial of Abyssal Serpent Venom. This venom, extremely dangerous and difficult to procure, was essential for catalyzing the final transformation of the pill. With steady hands, he uncorked the vial and allowed a single drop of the venom to fall into the cauldron.
The reaction was immediate and violent. The gray flames surged into a brilliant white, and the contents of the cauldron bubbled and churned as if possessed by a life of their own. Zhou Mu's hands moved in a blur as he executed a series of complex hand seals, guiding the energies within the cauldron to merge harmoniously.
'This is it... the moment of truth,' Zhou Mu thought, his heart pounding. The room was now filled with an intense pressure, the culmination of all the gathered energies. He channeled his qi into the final seal, his mind focused on the image of the completed Mystic Yin Pill.
"Form!" he commanded, and the white flames blazed one last time before dying down. Zhou Mu peered into the cauldron, his breath held in anticipation. There, nestled among the cooling embers, was a single, perfect Mystic Yin Pill, glowing with an ethereal light.
"Finally..." He carefully retrieved the pill with a pair of jade tongs and placed it into a specially prepared jade box, sealing it with a talisman to preserve its potency. Zhou Mu allowed himself a rare smile of satisfaction. The pill was complete, and with it, the Zhou clan's strength would be fortified.
'Li Wei, your days of impunity are numbered,' Zhou Mu thought with a grim desire to inflict harm. 'The Zhou clan will have its revenge, and you will pay dearly for your insolence.' The Grand Elder rarely held such contempt for a junior, but considering the things Li Wei had done this level of animosity was warranted.
With the Mystic Yin Pill safely stored, Zhou Mu rose from his meditation mat, his expression hardened. The next phase of his plan was about to begin, and he would stop at nothing to see it through.