Only the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect could refine immortal-level pills. As for pills at the Immortal King level, they were even rarer and harder to come by. The materials alone were incredibly precious and difficult to gather for a single cauldron.
If Lin Qiuhan personally took on the task of refining them, it would take a long time, and there was no guarantee that the cauldron wouldn't explode.
Of course, the cost of having her take action was also very high. Lin Qiuhan hadn't personally opened a cauldron in many years. If it weren't for the exceptionally generous compensation this time, she wouldn't have agreed to do it.
After the Immortal King left satisfied with the pills, Lin Qiuhan waved her hand, dismissing the elders and disciples of the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect who had gathered around. When refining Immortal King-level pills, she couldn't afford to be distracted or disturbed, so many elders had come to protect her during the process.
Deep within the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect, on a towering, verdant mountain shrouded in multicolored rays of light, stood Lin Qiuhan's quiet courtyard.
The courtyard wasn't particularly large. Bamboo groves surrounded it, and a waterfall cascaded down from the rocks behind, splashing into a clear pool that emitted a misty haze.
Smooth stones lined the path, creating a small trail.
After returning to her courtyard, Lin Qiuhan didn't immediately clean up the fallen leaves that covered the ground. Instead, she stood there, lost in thought, her brows occasionally furrowed, her expression sometimes distant.
She was reviewing and summarizing the process of refining the pills, learning from the mistakes that had nearly caused failure.
Over the years, through this method, her alchemy skills had become increasingly refined.
"I never thought I'd one day be troubled by hitting a bottleneck."
A soft sigh escaped Lin Qiuhan's lips. She shook her head slightly, removed her veil, and walked toward the clear pool beneath the waterfall.
As she walked, she habitually flicked her fingers, and a hazy glow, like mist, spread out around her, instantly enveloping the entire mountain range.
On her way to the pool, her robes and undergarments naturally slipped off, revealing her flawless, jade-like body, which was soon obscured by the rising mist. Her figure, both ethereal and alluring, flickered in and out of view.
The silver waterfall cascaded down the rocks, its thunderous roar gradually drowning out Lin Qiuhan's presence.
She submerged herself in the clear pool, trying to calm her thoughts.
"The Dao Prosperity True World has far too few records and inheritances related to alchemy. If there were ancient texts or records from predecessors, I wouldn't have to grope in the dark like this, relying solely on trial and error."
However, whenever she thought about this, Lin Qiuhan's heart remained unsettled, filled with frustration and helplessness.
The difficulties she encountered during this pill-refining process had made her realize her limitations in alchemy.
Because the alchemy inheritance in the Dao Prosperity True World was limited, and there had been many eras of discontinuity, much of the knowledge hadn't been passed down.
Even though she had been trying to purchase ancient pill formulas, it was to no avail. She had even swallowed her pride and spent a fortune to borrow ancient alchemy texts and records from other major alchemy sects.
But Immortal King-level pills seemed to be the limit of this world. She couldn't refine anything beyond that level.
This wasn't about her cultivation or techniques—it was an insurmountable barrier, as if an invisible door blocked her path.
Or perhaps the Dao Prosperity True World simply didn't allow the creation of pills beyond the Immortal King level.
Lin Qiuhan had long noticed this bottleneck, but she had always believed that with enough effort, she could break through it. Only now did she begin to understand that this wasn't something that could be achieved through human effort alone. What she lacked was the inheritance of her predecessors and a clear path forward.
"If only Young Master were here, he would definitely have a way to help me find more ancient records related to alchemy…"
"But he's been gone for so many years. I might never see him again in this lifetime."
"I'm such a failure. Refining Immortal King-level pills is already my limit. How could I have deluded myself into thinking I could one day help him? I've always relied on him for everything."
Perhaps Young Master has long forgotten about me. Even though I was one of the first to follow him, I've always been inconspicuous, like an invisible person, with no real use. I've only been able to borrow his prestige to become this so-called alchemy grandmaster...
"Years from now, if he returns to the Dao Prosperity True World and still remembers me, will he pause for a moment at my grave? Even the best beauty-preserving pills can't stop the passage of time or keep one forever young. But if my appearance never aged, would it stir some memory of me in him? That once, there was a girl who stood outside the Lin Family ancestral hall, staring at him in a daze, her heart racing uncontrollably at the sight of his faint smile…"
At the bottom of the cold pool, Lin Qiuhan opened her beautiful eyes and gazed quietly at the rippling surface of the water, murmuring to herself.
She wasn't someone who wallowed in self-pity. On the contrary, she had always been diligent, hardworking, strong, and optimistic.
Her master, Zi Yan, had even said that she was a foolish girl who often found joy in hardship, as if she had no heart or lungs except when it came to alchemy.
Lin Qiuhan enjoyed this process and found pleasure in it because she believed it was her value, the reason Gu Changge had valued her, and the meaning of her existence.
Her master, Zi Yan, had always called her foolish, saying no one should base their existence on someone else.
What would she do if one day she lost her value?
At the time, Lin Qiuhan had smiled and replied that she would strive to always have value.
Her master had shaken her head helplessly and called her foolish.
But Lin Qiuhan wasn't foolish at all—she understood many things clearly and thoroughly.
Who could blame her for admiring such a person so wholeheartedly? She was willing to do anything for him.
Having seen the brilliance and splendor of the sun, even the brightest stars would pale in comparison.
It was the same for people. After meeting the most extraordinary person in her youth, she could no longer see anyone or anything else.
Her master, Zi Yan, didn't understand this.
Thousands of years ago, her master had failed to break through to the Dao Realm. Despite using various rare treasures and miraculous pills, she had only lasted a few years before passing away.
It was then that Lin Qiuhan lost the person closest to her since coming to the upper realm.
From that time on, she had become more reserved and quiet.
Her thoughts gradually drifted, and her memories became hazy. Lin Qiuhan didn't know how long she had been soaking in the pool, but by the time she came to her senses, the sky outside had already darkened.
Splash!
She rose from the pool, and the moonlight reflected off the water's surface, creating ripples like scattered silver. The mist rising from the water was like smoke, and the quiet night was both serene and lonely.
Lin Qiuhan dried her hair on the stones by the shore. After her body had dried, she casually draped her outer robe over herself and slowly walked away.
However, before she could return to her courtyard, she noticed a tall figure standing inside.
Under the moonlight, the figure looked familiar, standing with his back to her. His spotless white robes seemed to blend with the cold moonlight, both transcendent and unreal, like a mirage.
This scene felt like something she had seen in a dream, and not just once.
Lin Qiuhan, holding her robes, stood frozen in place, feeling as if this moment was truly like a dream.
How could Young Master be here? How could she not recognize his figure?
Was she still asleep?
But if this was a dream, it wasn't so bad. At least in the dream, she could see him again.
Lin Qiuhan tentatively walked over, and just as she was about to approach, the figure turned around.
It was the familiar face she knew so well—handsome, elegant, and carrying a warm smile that brought an inexplicable sense of comfort.
"Young Master…"
Lin Qiuhan stared at Gu Changge for a moment, then realized this must be a dream. She walked over and gently rested her head against his chest.
What she didn't dare to do in reality, she could boldly do in her dream.
"It's been a long time, Qiuhan," Gu Changge said, looking at her with a somewhat complicated gaze.
"Young Master, you've come back to see me. I thought I might never see you again before I died. Even though this is a dream, I'm still very happy and satisfied…"
Lin Qiuhan spoke softly, as if afraid that speaking too loudly would wake her from this dream.
"This isn't a dream."
Gu Changge placed his hand on her head.
Lin Qiuhan felt a warmth spread through her, and her slightly closed eyes suddenly widened in surprise. "This isn't a dream?"
Gu Changge suddenly smiled. "I've been waiting here for you all afternoon. I didn't expect you to take so long to bathe."
"Ah…"
Lin Qiuhan's eyes widened even further, and the scene before her suddenly became overwhelming.
This wasn't a dream?
The Young Master before her was real? He had really come back to see her?
"It seems you didn't know I've returned to the Dao Prosperity True World."
Gu Changge smiled, not at all surprised by Lin Qiuhan's reaction.
At this moment, if there was one word to describe Lin Qiuhan, it would be "overwhelmed." Her mind truly went blank.
She had mistaken this for a dream and had even done something she would never dare to do in reality?
It took her fifteen minutes to calm her racing heart. Surprise, joy, excitement, and happiness—these emotions couldn't fully describe how she felt now.
The once cold and desolate courtyard was quickly cleaned up. A pot of tea steamed on the stone table, and Gu Changge sat quietly, listening to her flustered explanation of her earlier actions.
She truly hadn't known that Gu Changge had returned to the Dao Prosperity True World.
She had just finished refining a cauldron of pills, and the elders and ancestors of the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect hadn't specifically informed her of this.
Gu Changge, of course, wouldn't blame or reprimand her.
After Lin Qiuhan returned to her courtyard following the pill refinement, he had intended to reveal himself. However, seeing that she was about to bathe, he decided not to disturb her and instead waited in the courtyard.
He just hadn't expected her to spend the entire afternoon bathing, leaving him waiting until the moon rose.