Capítulo 18: Two Offerings
'So you know what Luke and Spooky are trying to do, Yurei?' Andrea asked since she only imitated her cousin's action but didn't have the damn slightest on what she was doing. Thankfully she had a ghost girl that patiently guided her along the way.
'I see the stuff in this cauldron is attempting to form into what could be called some sort of medical item, most likely a pill. In fact, I think Spooky wants to go one step farther.' Yurei informed Andrea, sensing the refinement process down to its last detail.
For Spooky and Yurei, this was beyond a simple task for them despite it being their first time attempting something like this.
"Lingxi, Yun pour all of those herbs in the cauldron now. We're going to get started now." Luke called out to them after Spooky suggested it to him. Only a couple of seconds of silence pass when the cousin touches the cauldron, and now Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Yun got jolted from their stupor.
Walking over to the cauldron, they both lit up their spatial rings, dumping all of their herbs in the cauldron. Immediately the concoction inside the cauldron turned brighter, exuding more purer energy.
"Luke, did you even read up on any pills recipe or formulas of how to even perform alchemy at least?" Xiao Lingxi asked in genuine concern as unknown to the cousins' World Spiritists alchemy wasn't easy at all.
There were several procedures one would have to follow, such as checking the quality of the herbs, the nature of the room they were in, and knowing the specific way each pill is created, among other things.
Yet Luke and Andrea merely jumped into this without any preparations!
"Let our actions speak for itself, Lingxi."
Luke told, and immediately both cousins felt the ghost girls began the process. Inside the cauldron, powerful but gentle blue cloak soul Spirit Power took hold of the refinement. Everything inside the cauldron froze like time stop, allowing the ghost girls to delve their senses deeper to make this pill.
'So all we need to do is flow our power this way, and the pill is done, hmm...' Spooky hummed to herself as from their soul she glanced at the beautiful Xiao Lingxi and Xia Qingyue. A light bulb went off in her mind as said to Luke,
'Say I'm going to create two of these... what's it called? Earth pills? Yea, and you're going to give them to the girls as offering for your date with them.' Her tone was the usual calm, and even but Luke could pick up on a hint of mischief in her.
'I wouldn't really call it a date, we're just getting to know each other better. Although...creating two pills is better than one.' Instantly Spooky directed the flow of the refinement a different way, something which Yurei immediately caught on.
'Oh? Spooky trying to do two pills, so don't get surprised. Like usual, she planning her steps far ahead.' Planning far ahead? Andrea got a bit confused about the last part. It more looked like Spooky was just planning ahead for Luke.
She didn't need to be a genius to know why Spooky was creating two pills, especially thinking about her curse. But the question that did remain was, what is her endgame with those two girls? Although given that she was fused with Luke, who isn't inherently violent, Andrea didn't worry much, but she would question it later.
'Alright, honestly, I'm kind of curious what plans she does have for little Luke.'
"Ah! They're actually doing it! Do you guys smell it?" Xia Yuanba had exclaimed in surprise once witnessing Luke and Andrea start their own way of alchemy. In the air, a pleasant aroma doused the space, and from the cauldron, the youths saw multi-color steam rise out of it.
"Not only that, but this pill smells of a surprisingly high-quality level!" In his life, Xiao Yun encounters and smells various kinds of quality pills, but he rarely meets a high-quality pill smell. He wasn't sure if that even was the official term for it, yet he could tell whatever the cousin was making stood above average.
"It's definitely the highest quality! I can tell it even matches some of the best pills Father has." Xiao Lingxi recalled her own experiences with pills, and the freshness she sensed and smell now most certainly match her past.
"Yuanba this...it has to be at least high Earthly rank, right? No, I can sense it may even go up to Heavenly rank! To think this is their first time performing..." Xia Qingyue's words got Yuanba to realize the cousins also have massive potential in alchemy. He had already sensed the pill's value rank, but he could never claim on his first try he performed so flawlessly.
If only they knew what true kind of freaks they were dealing with...
'PA!'
Popping noises came from the cauldron suddenly, and the refinement energy swirled in a rhythmic motion. Then like a fountain, the multi-color energy shot up in the air! Smoothly blue cloak soul Spirit Power wrapped around the refinement energy splitting it into two halves.
And under the awe gazes of the youths, the refinement energy mixed together with the Spirit Power, quickly transforming into two blue pills.
'BANG!'
Like a loud gunshot, the pills blasted exuberant life energy, making all there feel as if they just been energized. The Earth Spirit Pill had formed! Slowly the two pills floated down to Luke's hands since Andrea wasn't going to take them.
The process was all too simple. Spooky and Yurei merely directed a tiny portion of their soul power to what the cauldron was attempting to make. And because Spooky wanted two pills, she applied a bit of her curse lightning to give it that extra boost.
Honestly, their soul was too magical to describe! Even Luke was in a bit of awe knowing just like that; they can control refinement energy and easily create pills. Looking up from his pills, he caught the other four, all staring at his hands.
The others felt their pores open, and like warming, energy relaxed their bodies. These pills were far beyond than they could ever expect!
"Not one but two! You're amazing, Luke and Andrea!" Xiao Lingxi shouted in wonder along with the others awe faces. They didn't even know it was possible to create two pills at the same time!
"Oh, Yuanba, you don't mind if I give these pills to Qingyue and Linxgi, right?" Luke asked since this was something he was initially working on. Luke also notice neither of the Xia siblings seems to mind the subtle way of change he called them.
"You two are the ones who actually made the pill, so go right ahead! I was going to give it to Big sis anyway if I had created the pill." Yuanba had a broad smile agreeing to Luke's question. The big reason he does practice alchemy was mainly so he could help out his family and friends. So how could deny such a simple request?
"Eh? You really want to give one to me?"
Xiao Lingxi was a bit touch and slightly confused. After all, she could understand giving one to Xia Qingyue since their sole purpose of coming here was to help Yuanba.
But he didn't need to give up the other pill. After all, he and his cousin went beyond the ordinary limit and created two pills simultaneously! In all intents and purposes, either one of the cousins should be the one to have the extra pill and yet...
"Naturally, I do! Think of it as a small gift for when hangout tomorrow."
Without giving Xiao Lingxi a chance to refuse, Luke gently grabbed her hand and shoved the pill in it while he was talking. The familiar soothing sensation coarse through their bodies as their hands connected, and Luke sincerely smiled at her.
"Th-then I'll gladly accept this gift, Luke!" Her heart was pounding, her face was blushing, but Xiao Lingxi felt extremely happy from this simple gesture. Luke didn't even hesitate to give it to her with the warmest of smiles.
"And here you go, Qingyue, a starting gift for you two. I'm looking forward to hanging out with you." Luke had walked up to Xia Qingyue after giving Xiao Lingxi a gentle squeeze on her hand, making the girl face even brighter.
Similar to Xiao Lingxi, Luke tenderly grabbed her small soft hands and shoved the pill in it. That new odd, soothing sensation invaded Xia Qingyue's mind and body again. Her beautiful face blushed as she said,
"I'll see to it you don't forget it then..."
Her voice drifted at the end as she got surprised at what she blurted out. This would be the first time Qingyue had ever agree to spend time with a boy her age, a boy she met on the same day no less!
Yet she couldn't find it in her to regret her words or even dislike the thought of hanging with Luke; in fact, that thought seemed quite good to her...
"But brother Luke you have to teach me or at least show how you just easily created two pills! Not even from the books I read talks about two pills creation at the same time."
Xia Yuanba had suddenly called out to Luke while he was amused by the shy blushing expression of Qingyue who couldn't even meet his eyes. 'These novels seriously don't do these girls justice! They're unimaginably cute!' Luke thought as he turned around to answer any question Yuanba had.
'At this rate, it won't be long before little Luke finally crosses that final threshold. Though I wonder with that girl around what will happen then.' Andrea thought to herself while she obverse the other five merrily talking.
'Just know it isn't anything bad. It will be funny to see your reaction then.' Yurei suddenly spoke, making Andrea smirk.
'Keeping secrets now we eh? Well, then I'll keep my hopes high when it does happen then.'
….
In front of nicely design tall structure building, Luke, Andrea, Xiao Yun, and Xiao Lingxi was standing outside talking with each other. The building was the Floating Cloud inn and where the cousin will be spending the nights. Few hours have passed since the cousin, and the Xiao's left the Xia manor, and Luke can conclude it was a roaring success.
He could tell he and Yuanba will get along great because of Yuanba's inherently kind nature, and he felt good for making such a lasting impression on Xia Qingyue. Even when they were leaving, he caught Qingyue staring at him with a faint blush mumbling something.
In which Spooky told him she said 'see you later.' And as well, Spooky informed when they were leaving Senior Dongxue watching them. But because she didn't have any negative intention, Spooky told him not to worry about it.
"Honestly, we don't have these crystal bead for no reason we can pay for our stay here." Luke was nonchalantly shrugging his shoulder, but Xiao Lingxi had a stern expression.
"Nope! This is the least I can do for helping me-Us! An-and you gotta get a good night's sleep so we can enjoy tomorrow!" She hurriedly said, trying to hide the rush of embarrassment from such words.
"If she wants to, she wants to Luke. Besides, let's get settled in, we have some important cousin stuff to talk about." Andrea told Luke while fiddling around with her sword. If it's a free lunch, then it's a free lunch! She thought as things always felt better when it was free.
"Fine, fine. Well, I guess we could just meet up here in the inn if you want to?" To his question, Xiao Lingxi happily nodded saying,
"That'll be great! You better not keep a girl waiting, Luke!"
"I wouldn't dream of keeping a charming girl like you waiting. Later you two." Luke waved at them while walking inside the inn.
"I'll be seeing you two around," Andrea said in a sinister tone of voice but had also kindly waved at them, following Luke inside.
"See you, guys." Xiao Yun called out while waving and looking to his left, where he expected his aunt to say something, only she was dazedly staring at Luke back.
"Ling'er it's only a few hours before you see him again, you know?" Instantly Xiao Lingxi jumped, hearing the teasing voice of her nephew.
"Ah! I know! Let's just get back to the clan." She briskly walked ahead of Xiao Yun, who only smiled at her antics.
"Ling'er...Luke, he's a really nice guy. I'm sure just being honest will help you out a lot." Xiao Yun suddenly spoke up, giving out his advice. It was evident for him to tell Xiao Lingxi might have a small, no big crush on Luke.
And given everything they saw from him and his cousin, he couldn't necessarily fault her for it. Furthermore, Luke himself is mainly honest and straightforward. He never once saw him getting embarrassed or stumbling on his words to say what he was honestly thinking.
"W-W-What are you saying to your aunt?! Hmph! B-but being more honest wouldn't be bad, right?" Xiao Lingxi began mumbling to herself as Xiao Yun knew she would think about his words.
In her heart, no matter what she hopes tomorrow will go over well and mentally, she began preparing her confidence, so she doesn't fumble up.
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