The month that followed in the secluded valley was a blur of intense heat, overflowing spiritual energy, and the relentless pursuit of power.
The alchemy chamber within the cave dwelling became the beating heart of their preparation. It ran hot day and night, the fires never dying down. The air was thick with the heavy, medicinal scent of rare herbs and the metallic tang of refining minerals.
Mu Lianhua and Liu Ruyan worked in grueling shifts. They were a master and disciple team again, but the dynamic had shifted fundamentally. They were no longer just preserving the legacy of the Crimson Pill Sect; they were forging weapons for their Master's war.
Mu Lianhua's expertise was truly undeniable. Despite her fall from grace, her hands retained the muscle memory of centuries. She refined batches of pills with a speed and purity that left even the talented Liu Ruyan in awe.
Her primary focus was a specific, ambitious project.
