Xiao Yi Xian Approaches, Chu Chen's Daily Life

"Are you an Alchemist?" Xiao Yi Xian's sudden question made Chu Chen choke on his food.
At the dining table, Chu Chen looked at Xiao Yi Xian with a face full of doubt. Previously, Chu Chen had never mentioned being an Alchemist. "How did you know?"
"You truly are an Alchemist?!" Xiao Yi Xian exclaimed in surprise, her eyes wide as she stared at Chu Chen. At the dining table, the other members of Wanyao Pavilion remained calm, accustomed to such sights and unfazed.
Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's excited expression, Chu Chen realized he had been tricked into speaking. "How did you deduce it?"
"You have a faint scent of medicinal herbs on you, and seeing your fire-attributed Dou Skill, I guessed you were an Alchemist. I never expected it to be true; it's my first time seeing an Alchemist."
Xiao Yi Xian's gaze incessantly scrutinized Chu Chen, which made him feel rather uncomfortable. "Are Alchemists very important to you?"
At this moment, a female attendant also seated at the table smiled and explained, "Xiao Yi Xian is a Physician. Most Physicians greatly admire Alchemists, hoping they too can use Dou Qi flames to refine medicine. Sir Chu, please do not mind her."
Physicians and Alchemists had some differences, yet could also be related. Their statuses were vastly disparate; a Physician's strength was limited, placing them far below Alchemists.
Alchemists utilized Dou Qi flames or the even more precious Heavenly Flames, while Physicians used ordinary flames to decoct some simple medicinal herbs for therapeutic effects, though with similar efficacy.
It was a Physician's dream to become an Alchemist, but everyone knew the conditions for becoming an Alchemist were exceedingly stringent, with most Physicians ending in failure. Thus, it was normal for Xiao Yi Xian to be delighted upon seeing Chu Chen, an Alchemist.
"So that's how it is," Chu Chen uttered an "oh" and nodded.
With a "thump," Chu Chen paid no mind as Xiao Yi Xian moved her chair and sat down beside him. Chu Chen's calm expression was mixed with a hint of doubt. "What are you doing now?"
Sitting beside Chu Chen, Xiao Yi Xian tilted her head and looked at him. "Sir Chu, could you refine a pill for me to watch? I've never seen it before."
"It's a small matter. It's not impossible to show you next time when I have the leisure." Facing such a budding beauty, Chu Chen's heart did not stir much. In his eyes, Xiao Yi Xian was merely a young maiden; he felt no particular elation at present.
"Right, thank you for today's matter. How do you wish me to repay you?" Xiao Yi Xian offered her characteristic gentle smile, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
Chu Chen suddenly recalled the earlier incident and said, "At any rate, you need not repay me with your body; as for the rest, I haven't thought of it yet."
"What nonsense are you speaking?" A faint blush quickly appeared on Xiao Yi Xian's snow-white cheeks.
Chu Chen spoke the truth; he currently harbored no such intentions towards Xiao Yi Xian. On one hand, he merely wished to return to his peaceful, leisurely life. On the other hand, he could not control this Xiao Yi Xian.
Xiao Yi Xian possessed the Calamitous Poison Body. The people of Qingshan Town were unaware, but how could Chu Chen, a transmigrator, not know? The effects of the Calamitous Poison Body were truly terrifying; those with this physique needed to consume poison to sustain their lives.
When the toxins in the body accumulated to a certain degree, they would erupt. At the moment of eruption, all life within a thousand li would be annihilated; it was truly that horrifying.
At this moment, there was a commotion in the restaurant. Chu Chen instinctively responded, and the restaurant once again filled with a playful atmosphere. Five or six burly men rose from their seats, their fierce expressions making them appear particularly menacing.
Rubbing their hands menacingly, they were about to advance towards Chu Chen. "What nonsense are you spouting, brat!"
"Sit down."
"Alright."
As soon as Xiao Yi Xian spoke, those burly men obediently sat back down to eat their dried rations...
The next day, at Wanyao Pavilion, Chu Chen pushed open his room door and stretched. Not far behind a curtain, a young maiden sat. Xiao Yi Xian had long been waiting there, holding a wooden chest.
"What are you doing, so early in the morning?"
Xiao Yi Xian, with a joyful expression, raised the wooden chest in her hand. "To watch you refine medicine, you promised me."
"Ah, so diligent. Come here then."
"Alright."
Xiao Yi Xian swiftly approached Chu Chen, and from somewhere in the courtyard, an old, faded medicinal cauldron appeared, which she then carefully cleaned.
While Xiao Yi Xian cleaned, Chu Chen glanced at her medicine box. He was very familiar with the medicinal herbs inside. "Is this the Chun Hui San pill formula?"
"Indeed, you actually recognized it."
"I am an Alchemist; I have naturally seen the medicinal ingredients for common pills. But you, are you not a Physician? How do you possess such a thing?"
"I bought it in the city."
"Although it is a First-Grade Pill formula, this item is likely not cheap. It would be enough for you, Xiao Yi Xian, to work in Qingshan Town for many years, yet you cannot refine it. Is this not a waste of money?" Chu Chen's words abruptly ceased as he realized he had spoken somewhat inappropriately.
Xiao Yi Xian's movements slowed, her smile vanished, and she stepped back with a sigh. "Is this not to preserve a thought? Perhaps my generation will never be able to become Alchemists."
"Cough, cough, are you done cleaning? I am about to begin refining the pill." Chu Chen coughed twice, deliberately changing the subject.
"Alright." Xiao Yi Xian carried the medicinal cauldron, preparing to move it next to the medicine box, but Chu Chen intercepted her midway. "Let me do it."
Beside the medicinal cauldron, Chu Chen found the Chun Hui San pill formula ingredients among the various medicinal herbs in the box. "Watch closely. If you become an Alchemist in the future, remember the experience I teach you," Chu Chen said comfortingly.
"Mhm." Xiao Yi Xian responded, then focused intently on Chu Chen.
The flame in Chu Chen's hand had completely turned a hazy white, exceedingly peculiar. The Beast Flame's temperature seemed to rise considerably faster. In just a short while, the moisture on the freshly cleaned medicinal cauldron had evaporated, and the bottom of the cauldron glowed red.
"So fast, much faster than when I light a fire," Xiao Yi Xian exclaimed, her eyes unblinking.
"Refining the Chun Hui San medicinal ingredients is not complex. Refine them once, then fuse them to form the initial shape, and then continue to form the pill. The key is to control the flame's intensity, so as not to burn the medicinal liquid dry."
After explaining, the verdant medicinal herbs in the cauldron had transformed into pure medicinal liquid. Chu Chen's slender, distinct fingers held another medicinal ingredient, processing it correctly. After being enveloped by the flame for a short time, the medicinal ingredient's volume rapidly contracted due to the high temperature.
"Watch closely now, the medicinal liquids are fusing."
The two streams of medicinal liquid rapidly merged under the flame's assistance. Their colors changed, the fire intensified, and the medicinal liquid began to contract, finally forming an initial oval shape.
Hoo hoo~~
A considerable amount of white vapor emanated from around the medicinal cauldron. After the pill's state stabilized, Chu Chen used the flame to extract the pill. The round pill carried a faint scent of medicinal herbs.
Throughout this series of "masterful" operations, Xiao Yi Xian watched, mesmerized, almost without blinking, and from the bottom of her heart, she admired Chu Chen's pill refining technique.
"Such speed," Xiao Yi Xian murmured slowly after a moment of daze.
"It's merely a trifle; truthfully, I haven't even exerted my full strength."
Xiao Yi Xian felt a chill run down her spine. "Like this, and you haven't even exerted your full strength...?"