Chapter 821: Parsing the Pill Formula

"You'll get me the pill recipe?" the East Sea Demon Empress asked, her delicate brows arching slightly before softening, revealing a hint of contentment. She gently tidied Jiang Fan's wind-blown hair, her tone as gentle as a benevolent elder's.

"My dear child, I appreciate the thought," she said. "But you shouldn't wade into these troubled waters. If anything were to happen to you, how could I explain it to your Pavilion Master?"

Pill recipes were a major taboo for Sanqing Mountain; how could they allow others to pry into their secrets? Moreover, this particular recipe was a highly guarded secret, known only to Spirit Soul realm experts. It wasn't something Jiang Fan could simply obtain by wishing for it.

Jiang Fan, however, looked at her earnestly. "Senior Yizhu, trust me this once."

The East Sea Demon Empress was momentarily stunned. The last person to speak to her like that was her husband, who had passed away more than a decade ago. It was hard to believe these words now came from a junior's mouth after so many years. She seemed to recall the past, when her husband protected her, and a faint, nostalgic smile touched her lips.

"You're young but surprisingly clever," the East Sea Demon Empress said, her gaze at Jiang Fan growing softer. "You want me to trust you? All right. But you'll have to give me a reason."

Jiang Fan extended his hand. "I already have a plan in mind. First, though, I need to examine the Cold Cicada Annihilation Pill."

The East Sea Demon Empress hesitated briefly. The Cold Cicada Annihilation Pill was incredibly precious; she only possessed one. If it were to be damaged, the consequences would be dire. Yet, looking into Jiang Fan's calm and resolute eyes, against her better judgment, she actually produced it.

"Then be careful," she cautioned, handing over the Cold Cicada Annihilation Pill, which was wrapped in seaweed.

Jiang Fan took it and examined it. It was a spiritual pill with interlocking gray and white patterns, exuding considerable spiritual pressure—undoubtedly a fourth-grade spiritual pill. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, its fragrance intoxicating, and its condition impeccable.

"The quality is excellent," he remarked. "Sanqing Mountain certainly has capable individuals." This pill had been mastered and thoroughly researched by Sanqing Mountain for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, resulting in an irreproachable final product.

He brought it to his nose, sniffing, then carefully scraped off a tiny bit to taste. He let out a soft breath. "Fortunately, none of these ingredients are too obscure. They've all been cultivated in the high-grade medicinal gardens of the Qingyun Sect."

Immediately, he took out paper and a brush and began to record. "Toad Heart Fetal Mud, Seven-Colored Profound Ice, Pure Dust Purple Fruit..."

Not long after, a pill recipe listing a total of twelve ingredients appeared.

The East Sea Demon Empress took back the Cold Cicada Annihilation Pill, a flicker of distress in her eyes as she noticed the small layer that had been scraped off. "Are you trying to analyze the pill recipe?" she asked, puzzled. "Isn't analyzing pill recipes something only Soul Masters can do? Distinguishing numerous raw materials from a pill's fragrance isn't something ordinary people can manage. Only Soul Masters who have dealt with various materials for a long time could achieve that."

"The ingredients are all here," Jiang Fan said, handing her the recipe.

The East Sea Demon Empress scanned it and was slightly surprised. "I did overhear Sanqing Mountain collecting Seven-Colored Profound Ice everywhere by chance. Could it be that the Cold Cicada Annihilation Pill truly contains this ingredient?"

Gu Xin'er also leaned her head closer, her face filled with curiosity. "Really? You can analyze the components of a pill? Don't tell me you're a Soul Master."

Jiang Fan didn't answer directly. "What? Suddenly you feel a sense of awe and admiration?"

Gu Xin'er scoffed. "Who would admire a scoundrel like you? Besides, what kind of pill recipe is it with just ingredients? Do you know the exact amount of each one? Just having the ingredients is useless." Even if she wasn't a Soul Master, she knew that the precise proportions of the ingredients were the critical aspect of any pill recipe. Even a tiny error could lead to a massive failure. Replicating someone else's pill recipe, especially one with such unusually complex components, was simply impossible.

Jiang Fan smiled. "Of course, I don't know the amounts. But don't the people from Sanqing Mountain know? They'll tell me." As he spoke, he casually wrote a rough estimation next to each ingredient on the paper.

The East Sea Demon Empress was confused. What did Jiang Fan mean? The people from Sanqing Mountain would tell him the recipe?

"Senior Yizhu," Jiang Fan said, placing the incomplete recipe in her hand. "Later, when you speak with the people from Sanqing Mountain, show them this semi-finished recipe at the right moment. You must make them surprised. Also, keep me by your side. I will find a way to obtain the precise ratios."

Make them surprised? And bring Jiang Fan along? The East Sea Demon Empress pondered for a while. She still didn't understand Jiang Fan's intentions. But, she thought, it was worth a try. If it failed, she would lose nothing. If by chance it succeeded, the Sea Demon Clan would finally be free.

Soon after, the seashell slid up to a giant ship. A hunched old man stood at the bow, his hands clasped behind his back. His skin was wrinkled, and he looked ancient and infirm. An old Taoist robe, slightly faded from washing, fluttered in the wind.

"East Sea Demon Empress, this old man has been waiting for you for a long time," he said hoarsely, his gaze sweeping over the other two individuals on the seashell. When his eyes landed on Gu Xin'er, a hint of surprise flashed, as he evidently recognized her as the Deputy Pavilion Master of Jiangshan Yipin Tower. When he looked at Jiang Fan, he pondered slightly, feeling as if he had seen him somewhere before.

While he didn't remember Jiang Fan, Jiang Fan certainly remembered him vividly. *Heh, this world is truly small,* Jiang Fan thought, letting out a mental snort. *I've run into this old scoundrel again.* This person was none other than Venerable Xuanyang of Sanqing Mountain. Standing beside him were his two disciples, who were just one step away from the Spirit Soul realm, including Qingde. Jiang Fan had learned the "Forget God Incantation" thanks to him.

At this moment, Qingde was looking down, his lips moving gently, seemingly reciting something. Judging by his lip movements, it appeared to be a long Taoist scripture.

The East Sea Demon Empress offered an amiable smile. "I was out traveling for a few days. I apologize for keeping Venerable Xuanyang waiting, as I was unaware of your visit."

Listening to the East Sea Demon Empress's feigned innocence, Venerable Xuanyang coldly snorted. "Come inside the cabin to talk!"

The East Sea Demon Empress's heart sank. The fact that he meant no good was practically etched on his face. She leaped onto the ship, with Jiang Fan and Gu Xin'er following closely behind.

"Why are you two outsiders following?" Venerable Xuanyang turned to look at Jiang Fan and Gu Xin'er.

The East Sea Demon Empress also paused. Remembering Jiang Fan's plan, she pulled Jiang Fan closer. "This is a member of my East Sea Demon Imperial Palace."

"A member?" Venerable Xuanyang scrutinized Jiang Fan, a suspicious look on his face.

The East Sea Demon Empress added, "My son-in-law."

"Son-in-law?" If he were the son-in-law of her eldest daughter, he would indeed be incredibly fortunate. But if he were the son-in-law of her third daughter, he would be cursed for eighteen generations.

Venerable Xuanyang showed a hint of displeasure. He had wanted to speak with the East Sea Demon Empress privately. However, since she insisted on bringing Jiang Fan, he couldn't say much. "Then Qingde, you come along too."

Hearing the call, Qingde snapped back to reality and quickly stopped reciting. He immediately followed them.

Soon, the group entered the ship's cabin.

*Bang!*

Before the conversation even began, Venerable Xuanyang slammed his palm onto the iron table, making a resounding noise and leaving a clear palm print.

"You have a lot of nerve!" he roared. "I told you not to help the Firmament Demon Emperor, yet you dared to defy my orders!" He immediately sought to assert his dominance over the East Sea Demon Empress.