Xu Fu stood at the foot of the mountain, gazing up at the peaks piercing the clouds, hesitation gripping his heart.
He knew that brewing the Elixir of Immortality demanded extreme heat, yet the environment at the base of the mountain could never provide such conditions.
Yet, without ascending the mountain, he could never complete his mission or answer to the Qin Emperor.
Knowing the Qin Emperor as he did, failure would not only cost him his own life, but could easily implicate the entire Xu Clan.
After careful deliberation, Xu Fu finally resolved to set foot upon the mountain path.
He understood well that this was a choice with no alternative, and the sole path to survival.
Only by successfully brewing the Elixir of Immortality could he preserve his life and the lives of his family.
"Very well, the subterranean fire should be hot enough. Let us ascend to the summit and find a suitable spot to brew the medicine. General Li, please have your men carry all the herbs and the cauldron up to the peak," Xu Fu said.
"Understood!" Li Xin immediately replied, then ordered the soldiers to transport all the herbs up the mountain by category.
Xu Fu turned his gaze to Xu Lin beside him, a flash of paternal affection and determination in his eyes, and said softly, "Liner, come up the mountain with your father."
Xu Lin nodded heavily, replying with firm resolve, "Yes, Father!" He followed closely in Xu Fu's footsteps, stepping toward the summit stride by stride.
As they climbed, Xu Fu occasionally turned back to look at Xu Lin behind him, a look of gratification washing over his eyes.
He silently told himself that, no matter what, he must protect his son and keep him safe and sound; likewise, he must successfully brew the Elixir of Immortality to safeguard his family and elevate the Xu Clan to new heights.
Finally, after an arduous climb, Xu Fu and Xu Lin reached the summit.
Standing at the peak and looking down, their field of vision opened up to a magnificent landscape. Xu Fu took a deep breath, feeling the crisp mountain breeze as a surge of heroic spirit welled up in his heart.
This was the place where he would realize his dreams, and the battlefield where he would struggle against fate.
Xu Fu surveyed his surroundings, searching for a suitable location to brew the medicine.
He discovered a flat expanse at the summit, surrounded by a tranquil environment and well-circulated air—truly an ideal venue for alchemy.
Thus, he led the group to this spot and began setting up the alchemy site.
Under Xu Fu's direction, everyone bustled about. They neatly arranged the various precious herbs and carefully placed the cauldron in the center.
Xu Fu personally inspected every single herb to ensure top quality. At the same time, he carefully studied the condition of the subterranean fire, determining the optimal brewing time and heat level.
When all preparations were complete, Xu Fu and Xu Lin entered the alchemy enclosure together. Xu Fu sat before the cauldron, his expression deeply focused as he began infusing the various materials into the vessel.
A small vent lay beneath the cauldron, from which subterranean fire surged forth, yet it caused little disturbance to Xu Fu and Xu Lin standing nearby, imparting only a gentle warmth.
As the ingredients were added, the materials that had previously seemed impossible to melt smoothly liquefied just as expected.
Before long, the cauldron began to radiate a series of glows, steaming with heat as though imbued with endless vitality.
Xu Lin stood quietly to one side, watching every move his father made.
He knew this moment was of utmost importance and that he could not afford the slightest distraction.
He prayed silently, hoping his father would successfully brew the Elixir of Immortality and spare their family from disaster.
Time ticked away second by second. Xu Fu concentrated entirely on controlling the cauldron, constantly adjusting the heat and the addition of materials.
Sweat gradually beaded on his forehead and his complexion grew slightly pale, but his gaze remained resolute.
Finally, after a long wait, a refreshing fragrance drifted from the cauldron, uplifting the spirit.
Joy surged in Xu Fu's heart, for he knew the Elixir of Immortality was about to take form. The aroma inside the cauldron grew increasingly intense, permeating the entire summit.
"Father, is this a success?" Xu Lin asked excitedly.
With a worried expression, Xu Fu said, "No, this aura is wrong. According to my deductions, the medicinal fragrance of the Elixir of Immortality should carry a sacred aura. Why is there only ordinary fragrance now?"
Xu Lin's expression also changed drastically as he asked, "Father, what is still missing? We'll go find it immediately."
Xu Fu replied, "According to my calculations, the required materials are already sufficient. We simply lack a certain state of mind. The Elixir of Immortality is inherently an item that defies the heavens; granting eternal life to mortals is already an act against the heavens. If the heavens do not allow it to exist, then there is nothing we can do."
"The blessing of the heavens?" Xu Lin asked with a solemn expression.
Just at that moment, a scorched smell suddenly drifted from the cauldron.
"Not good, it's failing! Move the cauldron away!" Xu Fu shouted hastily.
The soldiers scrambled with tools to drag the cauldron away from the subterranean fire vent.
What they failed to notice, however, was a plain little stone resting directly beneath the spot where the cauldron had been. To call it plain was entirely accurate, for its exterior looked like a stone as ordinary as ordinary could be.
Yet none of them noticed that apart from this single stone, there was not another rock remotely like it anywhere on the entire summit.
Right at that moment, a sudden clap of thunder rolled across the sky, followed instantly by gathering dark clouds and howling gales.
Unaware of the cause, the men assumed it was simply ordinary weather and paid it no mind. Everyone was still wrestling with the recent setback, wondering what to do next.
Just then, a thick bolt of lightning suddenly struck the cauldron, immediately followed by a second, a third... a total of nine bolts of thunder crashed down upon the cauldron.
Because it happened so abruptly, none of them had time to react before the lightning ceased falling.
Unanimously, everyone fixed their gazes upon the cauldron, only to find it looking entirely unchanged, as if nothing had happened.
However, upon closer inspection, they discovered a series of tiny cracks spreading across the cauldron's surface.
Though minute, these fissures were enough to stir doubt in their hearts.
Could those nine bolts of thunder have damaged the cauldron? Had the materials for the Elixir of Immortality inside been ruined? Filled with doubt and worry, they had no idea what would happen next.
Xu Lin was likewise staring at the cauldron, secretly consumed by anxiety over the fate of the ingredients inside and whether the Elixir of Immortality could still be forged.
He stared fixedly at the vessel, silently praying for everything to go smoothly.
Right at that juncture, another wave of exotic fragrance drifted from the cauldron.
The aroma rushed over them, making one feel refreshed and joyful.
A surge of joy hit Xu Lin. Could the Elixir of Immortality truly have been successfully refined? At that instant, he suddenly heard his father shout in excitement, "This is the scent! This is the scent! Hahahahaha... We've succeeded! We've succeeded!"
His father's voice was brimming with joy and excitement, prompting Xu Lin to beam with happiness as well.
He hurried over and, seeing his father dancing about, felt his heart swell with gratification.
"Quick, quick, quick! Open the cauldron and take out the Elixir of Immortality!" Xu Fu urged impatiently.
Li Xin nodded, cautiously approaching the cauldron as he prepared to gently lift off the lid.
Yet at that very moment, an unexpected transformation occurred: the cauldron shattered into pieces across the ground. Simultaneously, a rich fragrance rushed outward, enveloping the entire summit.
Where the shattered cauldron lay, a crystal-clear pill rested quietly upon the ground, radiating a mysterious and alluring glow. Li Xin picked up the pill and examined it closely.
The light it emitted was mesmerizing, as though it contained boundless power.
Unable to conceal his excitement, Xu Fu declared, "This is the Elixir of Immortality! Swallow it, and one shall live forever!"
And yet, Li Xin sensed something was amiss; everything had happened far too bizarrely.
First it was on the verge of failure, then lightning struck, and immediately afterward the pill was successfully refined?
Half-doubting, Li Xin asked, "Lord Xu, are you certain this is the Elixir of Immortality?"
With utter confidence, Xu Fu stated, "I am entirely certain, because the fragrance it emits contains a sacred aura.
As for that lightning, it was precisely the tribulation sent down by the heavens for this pill—though viewed from another angle, it might also be called a blessing.
Moreover, there were a full nine bolts of thunder. As the saying goes, 'nine is the extreme of numbers.' Having undergone the baptism of these nine thunderbolts, the Immortal Pill now embodies the blessing of the heavens. Therefore, this pill is undoubtedly a success."
Still harboring skepticism, Li Xin asked, "How can we prove this pill is a success? We cannot rashly feed an unverified pill to the Qin Emperor. What if it is not a pill of fortune, but poison instead?"
Xu Fu's face fell into a troubled expression. Furrowing his brows heavily, he said in a weighty tone, "This truly is a difficult problem! How is one to prove it? There is only a single pill, and General Li witnessed the scene of its formation with his own eyes.
For the heavens to send down nine bolts of thunder is an extremely rare occurrence indeed. This old man can hardly guarantee we will have such good fortune next time to make the heavens send down thunder and bestow a blessing.
Besides, successfully refining the pill is already a heavenly grace; how could we be so insatiably greedy as to hope for even more favors from the heavens?
Therefore, regarding General Li's demand, I truly cannot prove it." Xu Fu spread his hands in helplessness, indicating his inability to do anything.
At that moment, a soldier stepped forward and said, "Could we slice off a tiny fraction of the Immortal Pill to test it on someone and see if it produces a similar effect? Li Xin—this humble subordinate is bold enough to volunteer to be the one who tests the medicine. Even if I should die, this subordinate would have no regrets, so long as my lord is willing to treat my family kindly."
"Audacious!"
"You cannot!"
Li Xin and Xu Fu spoke in unison. Then Li Xin declared, "Zhang Mao, you certainly have it all figured out, trying to take the opportunity to swallow the pill and attain immortality, do you?
If the Elixir of Immortality is real, even a tiny sliver might not grant eternal life, but its effect of prolonging one's years should still exist. Furthermore, this is an item demanded by His Majesty; how is it something you are permitted to covet?"
The deputy commander named Zhang Mao immediately dropped to his knees in panic, blurting out in haste, "General, this subordinate would not dare! This subordinate is only concerned for His Majesty's safety. Since this medicine's true efficacy cannot be proven, I worry it might pose a danger should His Majesty ingest it. I pray that my lord will discern this subordinate's pure and loyal heart."
"Hmph," Li Xin snorted coldly.
Right at that moment, Xu Fu also slowly parted his lips and said softly, "General Li, please do not fly into a rage just yet.
Deputy Zhang acted thusly out of a deep concern and worry for His Majesty.
After all, we all hope His Majesty may enjoy enduring health and longevity.
Furthermore, this Immortal Pill is a complete entity. Even if the slightest bit were missing, while I could not say for certain how its efficacy would change, it would undoubtedly be affected—of that there is no doubt.
Therefore, I could never endorse such a method, and I believe His Majesty would not agree to it either." Having said this, Xu Fu closed his eyes, seeming to sink into deep contemplation.
Beside him, Li Xin narrowed his eyes and stared intently at the Immortal Pill in his hand.
After a moment of reflection, Li Xin said, "I do happen to have a method. I wonder if Lord Xu would be willing to give it a try?"