Kapitel 87: Chapter 87: Talent for Alchemy

However, despite his years of practice, he had never managed to produce even a single mid-grade pill. This had forced him to accept a harsh truth: he had no talent for alchemy.

So, although he had collected many pill recipes over the years, he had long since stopped trying to refine pills himself. After all, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, why would he need to make his own pills when he could easily acquire them from skilled alchemists?

Listening to the first part of his explanation, Lin Xiao had initially thought it was Liao Pantou who had personally refined the antidote for him. But when he learned that it was actually Sun Yi Gao who had done it under Liao Pantou's guidance, he couldn't help but smile wryly.

Still, hadn't Liao Pantou just taught Sun Yi Gao the skill to refine antidote pills?

So, Lin Xiao quickly said to Liao Pantou, "Thank you for saving my life, Senior. From now on, you will be the elder of our Lingxian Sect! We will rely on your guidance for the future development of our sect."

Seeing how respectful Lin Xiao was, Liao Pantou stroked his beard in satisfaction and nodded approvingly.

He continued, "But you, young man, are quite bold. You actually dared to try and kill that Silver Frost Python demon with just your Foundation Establishment cultivation. Do you realize that, based on its demon core, it had cultivation equivalent to my true body? Even though it was severely weakened from the tribulation, it still had half the strength of a Golden Core cultivator! Without your array, you would have met your end there."

Lin Xiao now felt a chill as he recalled the events and admitted, "At that moment, I don't know why, but all I could think about was killing it. Now that I think about it, it was indeed reckless."

Hearing this, Liao Pantou stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment before suddenly realizing, "You were probably already poisoned at the time. The Silver Frost Python's venom is known to amplify a person's deepest desires…"

Looking at the fully recovered Lin Xiao lying in bed, Liao Pantou thought to himself, Perhaps that python never expected this kid's deepest desire at the time was to kill it. Otherwise, it might have lived a few more years.

Liao Pantou chuckled and said, "But it's all for the best. This way, we've removed a hidden threat that could have attacked at any time, and we can all rest easier. After all, I wasn't sure how long my Nascent Soul's aura would keep it at bay." He didn't know that Lin Xiao had used a sealing talisman on the demon, or he might have felt it was a waste.

After all, if they could have sealed it for three years, carefully preparing to kill it afterward would have been a much safer plan.

But in life, not everything goes as planned. The fact that the outcome was favorable was already a blessing.

At this moment, the door opened, and Lin Yun entered with a basin of water, Lin Xiao's washcloth draped over the edge. As soon as he saw Lin Xiao awake in bed, he exclaimed in delight, "Second Brother, you're awake!"

This shout startled Lin Da You, who had been lightly dozing by the bedside.

When he opened his bloodshot eyes and saw Lin Xiao sitting up and looking well, the usually stern expression on Lin Da You's face softened into a rare smile.

But then, suddenly remembering something, his expression darkened, and he scolded, "You little brat! You've gotten bold, haven't you? A scrawny kid like you dared to go after that monster all by yourself! Do you have any idea how big that thing was? Huh?! One of its eyeballs could fit three of you! What were you thinking, trying to show off your bravery?"

Rising from his chair, Lin Da You continued, "What if that monster had swallowed you? I wouldn't even have been able to recover your body!"

After venting his frustration, Lin Da You, his face still dark with anger, turned and left the room, but not before throwing one final sentence over his shoulder, "When you're better, you're going to kneel at your mother's grave for three days! Let's see if you dare to pull a stunt like this again!"

With that, he stormed out of the room.

Seeing that his father was angry, Lin Xiao wasn't upset. He smiled and called after him, "Got it, Dad! Make sure you get some rest!"

Lin Da You, hearing this, gave a small huff but left the house in good spirits. He had to bring the news of Lin Xiao's recovery to the rest of the family at the old house, to put their worries to rest.

As soon as Lin Da You left, the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard from outside the door. A group of boys, led by Tie Tou, rushed into Lin Xiao's room.

Thanks to his height, Tie Tou was the first to reach Lin Xiao's bedside.

"Brother Xiao, you're amazing! You took on that huge python all by yourself!"

Liu Yu Nan, who had darted in right after him thanks to his agility, quickly added, "Exactly, Brother Xiao! You're incredible! That snake corpse that Senior Liao brought back was massive, and you took it down all by yourself!"

Standing behind them, Qin Jiang He nodded repeatedly, "I was scared stiff just looking at that snake corpse! If it were me, I'd probably have been too terrified to run away, even if it tried to eat me!"

Everyone's words were full of admiration.

Since Jiang Youfu couldn't squeeze into the front, he called out from the back, "It's just a mere snake demon! So what if it's big? Didn't Brother Xiao take it down all by himself? That snake was despicable, resorting to poison when it couldn't win. Hmph! Cowardly!"

As soon as poison was mentioned, everyone became concerned and asked, "Brother Xiao, how are you feeling now? Is the poison completely gone?"

Lin Xiao smiled and nodded in reassurance.

Liu Yu Nan laughed, "That antidote pill really worked! Brother Xiao, you wouldn't believe it—when Lin Da Ge carried you back, you were all blue! We were scared out of our wits, and Lin Da Shu almost fainted when he saw you like that."

Qin Jiang He nodded in agreement, "Yeah, Brother Xiao, you were barely breathing. If it wasn't for Senior Liao directing Yi Gao to refine the antidote, we might have lost you."

Lin Xiao wanted to thank Sun Yi Gao, but after looking around, he didn't see him and asked, "Where's Yi Gao?"

The other disciples, being women, wouldn't likely be mingling with the boys at this time. But it was unusual for Sun Yi Gao not to be among them, given his personality. Normally, he'd be here with everyone else to visit Lin Xiao.

Liu Yu Nan waved his hand and explained, "Oh, Yi Gao drained all his spiritual energy refining two batches of pills. By the time he finished the second one, he had to burn his blood essence to sustain his spiritual energy and stubbornly completed the batch. He's at home resting now, and we're planning to visit him after this."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao immediately threw off his blanket and got out of bed, saying, "I'll go with you."

With that, a group of young men gathered around him and left the Lin household.

Watching them leave, Liao Pantou stroked his beard, a smile on his face.

Ah, to be young.

As he thought this, he found himself pondering more about Sun Yi Gao. That boy had great potential. Not only did he possess excellent spiritual roots, but he also had a good character—and, most importantly, a natural talent for alchemy!

Although Liao Pantou himself lacked talent for alchemy, he had always been passionate about it ever since he began cultivating. It was only his limitations in talent that forced him to give it up.