Chapter 6723
Alchemy in the Kitchen
The young talents were not to be outdone. Some recited poems and painted in front of her, showing off their talents; others displayed their superb martial arts skills, hoping to attract her attention.
She had long been accustomed to this life of being fawned over and flattered. In her eyes, she was a princess in everyone's eyes and deserved such treatment.
But now, Xiao Chen is like a sudden pebble, shattering the tranquility she had become accustomed to.
He not only rejected her without hesitation, but his decisive manner made it seem as if her invitation was worthless to him.
What she found even more unacceptable was that he actually used the perfunctory excuse of "having a date tonight" to brush her off.
In her view, this was undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face, causing her to lose face in front of everyone.
"Xiao Chen, you stop right there!"
She stomped her feet in anger, her voice sharp and piercing, as if it could tear the air around her apart.
The only response she received was Xiao Chen's receding figure, never looking back.
Her back was resolute and indifferent, as if she were just a roadside weed that no one cared about, not even worthy of a glance.
Zhou Hongyan stood there blankly, her heart filled with humiliation and resentment, her eyes flashing with angry flames.
……
Half an hour later, night fell quietly, like a huge black curtain.
Xiao Chen's villa was shrouded in tranquility, and everything around it seemed to be asleep.
Xiao Chen carried several bags of medicinal herbs, walking very lightly and cautiously, afraid of making the slightest sound.
He gently pushed open the door, as if afraid of disturbing the peaceful night.
The room was silent, with only the faint sound of breathing echoing in the air.
Yun Yuyan's bedroom door was tightly closed, and faint snores could be heard from inside. It seemed that she was still fast asleep, sleeping soundly and peacefully.
Xiao Chen breathed a sigh of relief; he didn't want to disturb Yun Yuyan's rest because of his own affairs.
He tiptoed into the kitchen, his movements as light as a cat's.
After entering the kitchen, he quickly closed the door tightly, leaving not even a crack, as if guarding a secret.
With a wave of his hand, a uniquely shaped alchemy furnace appeared in his palm.
The alchemy furnace exuded an ancient aura, and was covered with mysterious runes, as if telling an ancient story.
Then, he manipulated the alchemy furnace with his right hand, making it slowly rotate in the void. The furnace seemed to be guided by an invisible hand, drawing graceful arcs in the air.
His left hand spewed out a strange blue flame, which was like a nimble blue snake, leaping and flashing in the air, radiating a hot and mysterious power.
He placed the medicinal herbs into the alchemy furnace one by one, following the order specified in the ancient alchemical formula.
Each time he added a medicinal herb, he would stare intently at the alchemy furnace, his eyes revealing a focus and devotion.
As time passed, wisps of white smoke gradually rose from the alchemy furnace, spreading through the kitchen like a light veil.
The rich aroma of herbs filled the entire kitchen; the fragrance was fresh and unique, as if it could make one forget all their troubles.
However, fine beads of sweat began to appear on Xiao Chen's forehead, and his face turned slightly pale.
The rate at which his immortal energy was being consumed far exceeded his expectations. He felt as if his body was a pond being constantly drained, with immortal energy continuously flowing out of him. But he gritted his teeth and persevered, with only one belief in his heart: he must successfully refine the pill.
Ten minutes passed quietly, and the atmosphere in the kitchen grew increasingly tense.
Under the combined intense influence of divine power and flames, the medicinal herbs inside the pot gradually underwent changes.
The originally dry medicinal materials began to soften, and the edges gradually melted, initially blending into a viscous paste.
Xiao Chen clenched his teeth so tightly they almost broke. He forcefully circulated his internal energy technique, which surged within him like a raging tide, increasing the output of his immortal power.
His hands moved in mid-air, constantly changing hand seals, each one precise and powerful, as if weaving a mysterious net.
Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead like beans, sliding down his cheeks and wetting his collar, which quickly became soaked.
Another ten minutes passed, and time seemed to stretch on endlessly.
The alchemy furnace was burning red-hot, the red color like a burning flame, as if it would ignite everything around it.
The alchemy furnace emitted a hissing sound, strained and piercing, as if it were groaning in pain, almost burning through.
Xiao Chen's face grew paler and paler, but he did not back down in the slightest, his eyes revealing a firmness and determination.
Finally, thanks to Xiao Chen's tireless efforts, five irregularly shaped pills, with some medicinal residue still on their surface, were formed.
The pill looked crude and unattractive, like a pebble picked up randomly from the mud.
Actually, it wasn't that he couldn't make better pills.
With his abilities and experience, it wouldn't be difficult for him to refine top-quality pills that are perfectly round, plump, and exude a rich medicinal aroma if he puts his full effort into it.
But he did it on purpose, with his own reasons.
In today's world, people's hearts are complicated, so he can't show too much power, otherwise he'll easily be targeted.
His current situation is already delicate, and he still has many important things to do, so he should try to keep a low profile and not be too ostentatious.
If it weren't for the need to refine the pills into something rough and ugly to avoid causing unnecessary trouble, he wouldn't have had to go through so much trouble, expending so much energy and immortal power.
He hurriedly found a medicine bottle, and without carefully reading what was written on it, he carefully put the pills inside.
The movements were so careful, as if what they held in their hands was not a pill, but an incomparably precious treasure.
Just as I was about to open the door and go out, I suddenly heard light footsteps and breathing sounds outside.
The footsteps were very light, as if afraid of being discovered, and the breathing was somewhat rapid.
Xiao Chen was startled, and an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.
He suddenly opened the door and saw Yun Yuyan blushing, her ear pressed against the door, looking like a little mouse eavesdropping, with a guilty look on her face.
Yun Yuyan was caught red-handed, and an embarrassed look instantly appeared on her face.
She coughed awkwardly twice, the coughing sounding somewhat deliberate, as if to cover up her guilty conscience.
Her eyes darted around, avoiding Xiao Chen's gaze, and she forced herself to remain calm as she said, "What are you doing locked in the kitchen all by yourself in broad daylight? And making such a racket, like a robbery! I thought a thief had broken in. Ugh, what's that strange smell? Is there a fire?"
As she spoke, she secretly glanced into the kitchen a few times, her eyes filled with curiosity and doubt, trying to find some clues. (End of Chapter)