"So that's how it is?"
In a modest room, Su Min narrowed her eyes slightly as she listened to Xie Yingying's explanation. While the situation was slightly beyond her expectations, it wasn't entirely unmanageable.
"The ancient battlefield will appear in the world in about three months. However, the passage is too narrow—anyone above the Dao Comprehension stage won't be able to enter. Right now, our sect doesn't have any suitable helpers. Tian Hao is the best candidate."
"What illness does his little girlfriend have?"
"Not sure. It seems she suffered a qi deviation during cultivation. She now needs a special pill to recover. But as payment for refining it, you can have him accompany you to the battlefield."
"Take me to see them."
Su Min didn't say much else and motioned for Xie Yingying to lead the way.
Soon, in another small room, four people sat facing each other. A young woman in fiery red robes nervously watched as the girl in light blue robes opposite her placed a hand on her wrist, checking her pulse.
"It seems something went wrong during cultivation. Were you forcibly trying to comprehend the Fire Laws?"
After closing her eyes and concentrating for a moment, Su Min opened them again and looked at the girl. The latter was at the late-stage Divine Transformation realm, meaning both she and Tian Hao had encountered significant opportunities.
"Yes. The attempt failed, leaving her body severely depleted. She can't cultivate anymore, and her cultivation has even regressed to mid-stage Divine Transformation."
Tian Hao nodded solemnly.
"The pill you prepared can only temporarily alleviate the symptoms. But if she tries to break through to the Dao Comprehension stage again, the problem will resurface."
Su Min glanced at the pill formula and spoke calmly. The girl's condition was dire—she had even suffered Dao injuries, causing her cultivation to drop from mid-stage Divine Transformation to early-stage. Dao injuries were no joke.
"This…"
Tian Hao and the girl exchanged glances, their expressions grave. They had suspected as much, but hearing it from Su Min—the world's top alchemist—made it undeniable.
"Since you've already prepared the ingredients, I can refine this pill for you. But the final decision on how to proceed is yours."
"Then how can she be fully cured?"
Tian Hao took a deep breath. He couldn't bear the thought of her cultivation stagnating forever at the Divine Transformation stage.
"Simple. There's a high-tier Grade 7 pill that can completely heal her. But right now, I can't refine it."
"This…"
Tian Hao's lips twitched. Su Min's ability to refine Dao Comprehension Pills had become widely known after the fall of Future Maitreya Mountain. During her seclusion, countless visitors had nearly worn out her doorstep.
But the materials for the Dao Comprehension Pill were extremely rare, and Su Min had been in seclusion—so everyone left empty-handed. However, the Dao Comprehension Pill was only a low-tier Grade 7 pill. No one could complain.
"What are your conditions?"
Tian Hao wasn't stupid. He knew Su Min was fishing for a deal, so he cut straight to the point.
"Accompany me to the ancient battlefield and help me obtain the White Tiger's inheritance. Once I acquire it, I should be able to fully break through to the Dao Comprehension stage. At that point, I can refine high-tier Grade 7 pills."
"Fine. I'll go with you."
"Brother Tian, that place is—"
"No need to say more. It's dangerous, but the opportunities are equally immense. We've come too far to give up halfway."
"Tsk."
Su Min clicked her tongue in amusement but soon smiled.
"I only want the White Tiger's inheritance. If you find other opportunities, I won't interfere. But you must prioritize helping me obtain it first. Once I reach the Dao Comprehension stage, I'll refine the pill for your girlfriend immediately."
"Deal!"
Tian Hao nodded firmly. In just a few seconds, the two had struck a mutually beneficial agreement—swift and decisive.
"I'll cover most of the pill's ingredients, but there are a few you'll need to gather yourself."
Su Min slid a piece of paper toward Tian Hao. When he saw the listed materials, his face twitched slightly.
"For now, you can stay and cultivate in our sect. As for the pill that temporarily suppresses Dao injuries, I'll refine it for you unconditionally."
"Thank you, Sister Su."
The girl in red robes let out a relieved sigh before rummaging through her belongings and handing Su Min a spatial ring. Inside were three complete sets of ingredients for the pill.
"If two pills can't fix it, a third won't make a difference."
Su Min muttered to herself before taking the materials and leaving after a few more words.
The ancient battlefield was extremely perilous. For anyone below the Dao Comprehension stage, entering was a death sentence. But Su Min and Tian Hao were no ordinary late-stage Divine Transformation cultivators—together, they stood a chance.
That was why Su Min was willing to pay such a price. Finding someone who met the requirements was nearly impossible.
Most half-step Dao Comprehension experts were useless in such a situation, leaving very few viable candidates.
"The ancient battlefield wasn't fully implemented in the game. Who knows what's inside?"
Su Min's eyes narrowed. The game could only serve as a rough reference—reality was different. Moreover, she vaguely recalled that the Path of Immortality world wasn't the only one.
"The Myriad Heavens were mentioned in the lore but never fully explored. The waters run deep."
"Once the pill is ready, I'll notify you myself." Su Min said calmly, her gaze firm. "Don't forget our agreement while you're gathering the remaining ingredients—we're short on time, and the ancient battlefield won't wait for us."
She paused, then glanced at the red-robed girl beside Tian Hao. "As for Miss Huo'er, there's no need to worry. After taking the suppressing pill, her cultivation can continue—as long as she refrains from attempting Law comprehension. If all goes as planned, I'll have the true cure ready within a century."
"Understood."
Tian Hao sighed before quickly leaving to collect the remaining ingredients. Meanwhile, Su Min returned to her alchemy chamber, summoning her cauldron.
A dazzling crimson light flickered in the room as flames danced to life.