Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

"Why are you so happy after failing?" Shen Mo put down the jade slip and looked at her.

"Failure is success!" Li Xiaocao exclaimed excitedly, her cheeks flushed. "Senior brother, look here!"

She pointed to the moment in the photograph before the furnace exploded, where the medicinal liquid formed a strange vortex and luster under the influence of the array and the earth fire. "Although it ultimately went out of control, in the instant before the collapse, the medicinal properties of the various substitute herbs, according to the principles of monarch, minister, assistant, and guide, and the five elements' mutual generation and restraint recorded in the alchemy formula, did indeed produce a miraculous resonance and fusion trend!"

"Although it was faint and brief, that 'Taoist aura,' that feeling of complete unity, was absolutely genuine!"

"This proves that the refining methods and principles of drug compatibility recorded in the alchemical formula are feasible! They represent truly profound principles of alchemy! They are by no means fabricated out of thin air!"

She picked up the small jade bottles again, opened the stoppers, and inside were powdered dregs of various colors, emitting complex odors: "These are the residue from the furnace explosion. I analyzed the residual medicinal properties and found that although its structure was broken, the distribution of the remaining spiritual energy attributes is about 70% similar to the spiritual energy structure of the pill as predicted in the pill formula!"

"Especially the trace of 'harmonious energy' produced after the neutralization of 'Star Grass Dew' and 'Cold Jade Marrow'—though minute in quantity, it truly exists! This shows that our simulation is on the right track! As long as the main ingredients are complete, the success rate of refining according to this formula is extremely high!"

Her eyes shone with an almost fanatical light as she looked at Shen Mo, filled with admiration and emotion: "Senior Brother, this pill formula... it's incredible! It's simply a masterpiece of nature! I really don't know how Ancestor Liuyun obtained this inheritance back then!"

"And you, Senior Brother, were able to deduce such a wonderful and complete elixir formula from that tattered jade slip! It is thanks to the legacy of our ancestors and your extraordinary talent that you have such an opportunity!"

"If this pill is successfully made, it will surely help our Qingyun Sect cultivate Golden Cores and glimpse the Great Dao of Nascent Soul! This is a blessing from Heaven for Qingyun!"

Shen Mo quietly watched her cheeks flush with excitement and listened to her heartfelt praise, his complex emotions surging once again.

Li Xiaocao's "belief" is so pure and so fervent.

She believed this was the legacy of the patriarch, and the result of Shen Mo's heaven-defying deduction. Based on this, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to verification, and even truly touched a trace of the "real" Dao.

Is this "belief" and "practice" the key to triggering that ripple of fortune?

"Qingqing is right. Medicinal herbs are hard to find, especially the main ingredient, which has long been extinct." Shen Mo spoke slowly, his voice calm and unwavering. "This formula is probably difficult to refine at present."

"I know!" Li Xiaocao nodded vigorously, her eyes still shining. "But with the right direction, there is hope! We can use this formula to deduce a simplified version, find alternative spiritual herbs with similar medicinal properties, and refine a 'Minor Golden Core' that is slightly less effective but can help Foundation Establishment cultivators condense their Golden Core."

"This formula can even serve as a foundation for deducing the pharmacology of other ancient elixir formulas! Senior brother, this is a priceless treasure! It is a gem that can lay the foundation for the eternal legacy of our Qingyun Alchemy!"

She became increasingly excited as she spoke, pacing rapidly within the quiet room: "I immediately summoned all the elders and core disciples of the Pill Hall to establish a special research group for the 'Golden Condensation Pill'! We'll work separately to tackle alternative solutions for the main ingredient, deduce a simplified version of the pill formula, and optimize the supporting formations..."

"Furthermore, the concepts of 'using celestial phenomena as medicine' and 'drawing fire from the earth's veins' mentioned in this formula have a huge impact on my existing understanding of alchemy, and may open up a completely new path!"

"Senior brother, I need permission to access all relevant ancient books in the archives. I also need Senior Sister Zhao from the Array Hall to assist me. Good books and good stories accompany me every day. Optimize the Star-Attracting Array..."

Looking at the flames of "hope" and "pursuit" burning in her eyes, the fear of the unknown that Shen Mo felt was gradually replaced by a complex sense of comfort.

Regardless of where this pill formula came from or how it was created, at this moment, it is unleashing the greatest potential of the disciples, uniting the hearts of the Pill Hall members, and even... subtly enhancing the fortune of Qingyun Mountain. This doesn't seem to be a bad thing.

"Alright." Shen Mo nodded, interrupting Li Xiaocao's incessant chatter. "You are in full charge of this matter. All necessary resources and manpower can be mobilized."

"However, it must be remembered that the elixir formula is of paramount importance. All members of the study group must swear an oath to never divulge its contents. The simplified version of the elixir formula derivation is classified as the top secret of the Alchemy Hall."

"Yes! Thank you for your trust, Senior Brother Sect Leader!" Li Xiaocao bowed solemnly, her eyes filled with determination and a sense of mission.

"Furthermore," Shen Mo pondered for a moment, then said, "During the deduction process, if you encounter any inexplicable mystical sensations, or any subtle connections with the sect's heritage or historical records, no matter how big or small, no matter how bizarre you find them, you must report them to me immediately."

Li Xiaocao was slightly taken aback. Although she didn't understand why the sect leader had emphasized this point, she still replied without hesitation, "Xiaocao understands!"

After seeing off Li Xiaocao, who was still in a state of excitement and couldn't wait to fly back to Danxiang Palace, Shen Mo remained alone in the quiet room, gazing in the direction she had left, speechless for a long time.

Night had fallen, and the mountain wind howled outside the Flowing Cloud Palace. Shen Mo's divine sense slowly spread out once again, merging into the formless yet vast and boundless energy channels of Qingyun Mountain.

The slight upward ripples from before have subsided, but the overall "flow rate" of the River of Fortune seems to be more "active" than before, as if it has been injected with new vitality.

Especially in the area where the Danxiang Hall is located, the tributary of fortune that represents the "inheritance of alchemy" and the "creation of life" has become noticeably thicker and brighter.

Meanwhile, the Myriad Laws Source Pearl in the sea of ​​consciousness continued to rotate slowly, emitting a hazy light, but that light seemed to be... a tiny, insignificant condensation compared to before.

"Believe...practice...destiny...resonance..." Shen Mo murmured, chewing on these words, his eyes as deep as the night.

The "Golden Elixir Formula" stirred subtle ripples in the flow of fate due to Li Xiaocao's belief in and practice. And what about the legend of the "Star River Ruler"?

What changes will occur when more people "believe" in its existence, and when someone tries to "find," "acquire," or even "use" it?

What is the connection between the ruins deep within Falling Star Valley and this mysterious destiny?

And what about the other "stories," whether grand or subtle, in his "compiled" "Travels of Master Liuyun"? What would happen if they were brought into reality?

A blurry yet astonishing road seemed to appear and disappear before Shen Mo's eyes. This road was full of unknowns and risks, but it might also contain unimaginable opportunities.

Perhaps his long-standing strategy of "staying put" within the sect and developing steadily needs some... more proactive adjustments.

"It seems it's time to 'weave' some new 'stories' again." A subtle, enigmatic smile curved Shen Mo's lips as he looked towards the Scripture Pavilion and then southwards towards the faintly starlit Falling Star Valley.

"However, before that, we need to catch the fish in front of us first." A cold glint flashed in his eyes as the secret report about the Xuan Yin Sect's "blood sacrifice" came to mind.

The bait has been thrown in, and the water is murky. Now it's time to haul in the net.