Chapter 13 The Wish-Fulfilling Alchemy Furnace

“But the power of that barrier is so strong. With my current level of cultivation, can I really break through it?” Yan Chixia said worriedly, hesitating before the barrier. He pondered for a moment, then finally made up his mind. “If you never venture into the tiger’s den, how will you ever capture a tiger cub? Today, I’ll go all out and attack with the Red Hero Sword—this is a perfect chance to test the true extent of my sword skills!”

With these words, Yan Chixia sprang forward to stand before the barrier, drew the Red Hero Sword, and launched his attack. As the sword slashed with tremendous force, sparks flew from the barrier’s protective shield, ringing out with a constant clanging. Wave after wave of magical force exploded outward, repeatedly hurling Yan Chixia back. In the blink of an eye, he had fought more than a dozen rounds against the barrier. Not only did he fail to break through, but his arms and chest had been battered and injured by the force of the blasts, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Yet Yan Chixia was unyielding. He gritted his teeth, endured the pain, and darted nimbly around the barrier, launching attacks from every angle. In another dozen exchanges, he still could not break through.

Through clenched teeth, Yan Chixia spat, “You stubborn barrier! I don’t believe you can’t be destroyed. Take this!”

With that, he suddenly leaped more than twenty feet into the air, spinning in a swallow’s somersault, and dove straight down, the Red Hero Sword in his grasp surging with all his energy as he thrust it at the barrier. This was an all-out strike, channeling every bit of his true energy. With a thunderous boom, the barrier shattered, earth flew in all directions, and the force of the explosion tore a wide, circular crater into the grass.

Yan Chixia’s heart pounded with excitement. Spreading his arms like a great eagle, he landed firmly in the center of the pit. “I did it! I finally broke through the barrier… I’ve won!” he shouted in exhilaration. Looking down, he saw that the crater, torn open by the explosion, was about seven or eight feet deep and more than ten feet across, round as a giant iron cauldron. Standing at the bottom, his feet rested atop an ancient, ornate wooden chest.

“A treasure chest? There really was treasure hidden here!” Yan Chixia exclaimed in surprise and delight. He quickly jumped aside, sheathed his sword, and knelt down to open the chest without delay.

The chest was square, made of purple sandalwood, about one foot on each side, its surface carved with auspicious clouds and mythical beasts. It had lain buried in the earth for countless years, its red lacquer finish faded and dark.

Yan Chixia had expected to find something of immense value inside, but when he opened the lid, he froze. All that was contained within was an incense burner and a bamboo scroll.

Disappointment washed over him. He sighed deeply and muttered, “All that effort for nothing—so much trouble for these worthless things. Had I known, I wouldn’t have risked my life to break through the barrier.”

Feeling thoroughly dejected, Yan Chixia considered simply leaving the items behind. However, on second thought, he reasoned that, after all, these were hard-won spoils, so he might as well take them. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he closed the chest, picked it up, and set off again, employing the Art of Flight to hurry on his way.

Two quarters of an hour later, Yan Chixia returned to the Pure Void Monastery.

At this time, Master Qingxu was sitting in meditation beneath the ancient pine before the temple gate. Hearing footsteps, he sensed Yan Chixia’s return, so he ended his cultivation, rose, and asked, “Disciple, you’ve been gone a long time. Where have you been?”

“Master, I went up to the mountain peak to admire the scenery,” Yan Chixia replied.

Qingxu nodded, then noticed the blood at the corner of his disciple’s mouth and his pale face, as if he’d suffered an internal injury. At once, he used his spiritual sense to probe for harm. Fortunately, there was no internal injury, only bruising on his chest and arms.

“How did you get hurt, Disciple?” he inquired.

Yan Chixia, thus prompted, recounted everything that had happened on the mountain.

Qingxu listened in silence. When Yan Chixia finished, he said thoughtfully, “I always believed Mount Zhongnan was a place of serenity… Who would have thought there were undercurrents and hidden dangers? Disciple, your conduct today makes me very proud. In future, be ever vigilant when you go up the mountain—never let your guard down.” His gaze shifted to the sandalwood chest Yan Chixia carried. “Disciple, is this what you obtained after breaching the barrier?”

“Yes, Master,” Yan Chixia replied, placing the chest on the ground. He opened it, took out the incense burner, and handed it to his master. “Here it is, Master—this incense burner nearly cost me my life!”

“Oh?” Qingxu took the burner, lifted the lid, and saw inside a bamboo slip, upon which was engraved a line of ancient script:

Ruyi Alchemical Furnace—First Year of Shang Tang, Fifth Month—Stored by Master Red Pine in Mount Zhongnan—May it belong to the destined one

Upon reading these words, Master Qingxu was astonished. “The Ruyi Alchemical Furnace! Disciple, you’ve obtained the Ruyi Alchemical Furnace—this is a stroke of tremendous fortune for you!”

Yan Chixia blinked in surprise and asked, “It’s not just an incense burner, but the Ruyi Alchemical Furnace? Master, what’s so special about it? Is it truly a treasure?”

“A treasure and more!” Master Qingxu replied with excitement, examining the furnace carefully. “Red Pine was an immortal of ancient times, and the Ruyi Alchemical Furnace was his magical instrument, a sacred artifact for alchemy! With it, you can not only refine supreme Golden Elixirs, but also forge all manner of magical implements. I always believed the Ruyi Alchemical Furnace was merely a legend—who would have thought it truly exists!”

He set the furnace aside and picked up the bamboo scroll. On its head was inscribed, “Incantations for Controlling the Ruyi Alchemical Furnace.”

“Excellent! Excellent! Disciple, by obtaining both the Ruyi Alchemical Furnace and the control incantations, you have inherited the true alchemical teachings of the ancient immortal Red Pine. In your leisure, study the incantations thoroughly. Once you have memorized them, you may attempt to refine Golden Elixirs.”

“Yes, Master,” Yan Chixia answered with great joy. Then, puzzled, he asked, “Master, if Immortal Red Pine intended to pass on the Ruyi Alchemical Furnace, why did he not simply give it away, but instead bury it atop Mount Zhongnan and shield it with a barrier?”