That can't be right. Sikong Yi clearly lured me to this Demon-Refining Pagoda. How could he die so easily?
He knew this was a deathtrap. Did he lead me here just to trade his life for mine?
***
Just as Li Fan was drowning in endless confusion, he suddenly sensed something and raised his head.
Through Formless Killing Mechanism, he could sense that Baili Chen was outside the Demon-Subduing Pagoda, slowly approaching.
And beside him, Formless Killing Mechanism, which had previously lost its target, had locked onto a new one: Sikong Yi.
Sikong Yi, who should have been dead, had reappeared outside the Demon-Subduing Pagoda.
A puppet? An external incarnation? Neither seems to fit...
Li Fan stared at the puddle of green liquid on the ground and couldn't help but smile.
It seems the secrets these two carry are even greater than I imagined.
However, once I set my sights on them, secrets cease to be secrets.
In Li Fan's perception, Sikong Yi and Baili Chen continued to venture deeper into Cloudwater Palace.
With Formless Killing Mechanism locked on, I'm not afraid of them escaping. I just need to extricate myself from this Demon-Subduing Pagoda as soon as possible.
But the robed man did things at his own pace; Li Fan had no control over the situation and could only wait patiently.
Soon, the third round of pill testing arrived.
This time, Li Fan was still not chosen. He found it both amusing and frustrating, unsure whether it was fortune or misfortune.
The robed man took out two pink pills and fed them to the human-faced flying insect.
The insect exploded with a poof, transforming into a cloud of pink smoke.
Within the smoke, faces contorted in agony constantly surfaced.
As the pink mist drifted, the faces stretched and twisted, becoming even more grotesque.
Watching from the side, Li Fan felt goosebumps rise on his skin.
Ultimately, it was the robed man who inhaled the smoke into his body, putting an end to the suffering.
The robed man then fell back into his murmuring soliloquy.
The fourth round of pill testing finally arrived.
By now, Li Fan was the only one left inside the Demon-Subduing Pagoda.
Just as the robed man was about to use Li Fan for the test, Li Fan suddenly spoke.
"Junior Brother Chong, I heard you've run out of pill refining materials?"[1]
Daoist Chong’s outstretched hand froze as he nodded subconsciously. "Yes, my pill refining materials are indeed insufficient."
He spoke with a tone of guilt. "It's been a long time since I've been able to refine any new pills..."
Daoist Chong's words trailed off. He stared at Li Fan for a moment, taking in the robes he wore, and suddenly became flustered. "So it's Senior Brother! I mistook you for an insect!
"Senior Brother, I'm truly sorry! I'll release you immediately."
As Daoist Chong spoke, Li Fan felt the restraints on his body loosen, and he regained control.
Daoist Chong covered his head with his hands, looking down as if too ashamed to face his senior brother.
He lamented, "I've messed up again. It's always like this. I’m not good at pill refining, and my cultivation progress is slow; I keep holding everyone back..."
Li Fan stepped forward, placed a hand on Daoist Chong's shoulder, and said gently, "Don't say that, Junior Brother Chong. The pills you refine are very effective. Everyone enjoys taking them."
Daoist Chong jerked his head up upon hearing this, surprise and delight filling his eyes. "Really, Senior Brother? Everyone really likes the pills I refine?"
"What, you don't believe your senior brother?" Li Fan's expression turned stern.
Daoist Chong hurriedly shook his head. "Of course I believe what you say, Senior Brother."
Then he slumped, dejected. "But I have no more alchemical materials left. I can't make any more of the pills everyone loves."
Li Fan gently patted Daoist Chong's head, his voice soft. "It's alright. I'm still here, aren't I?"
"Refine me into a pill. That way, everyone will have pills to eat again."
"Senior Brother, you..." Daoist Chong seemed stunned by Li Fan's words. His eyes widened as he stared at Li Fan.
Li Fan let out a long sigh and continued, "Although I entered the sect early, my talent is insufficient. My cultivation level has always been low. Our senior brothers and sisters are fighting and dying on the front lines, and only I am unable to help in any meaningful way.
Li Fan gripped Daoist Chong's hand, speaking with intense emotion, "Every time I think about it, it tears me up inside. I can’t stand how useless I am.
"So, refine me into a pill. This way, I can at least be of some help."
Daoist Chong stared blankly at Li Fan, appearing deeply moved.
"So you are the same as me, Senior Brother.
"But you are far greater than I am. You would rather sacrifice yourself to help our brothers and sisters on the front lines.
"And I... I only know how to run away. To hide away in this tower." Daoist Chong clutched at his own hair in agony.
"No! I absolutely cannot stand by and watch you sacrifice yourself!"
Suddenly, he thought of something.
He turned to Li Fan excitedly. "Senior Brother! I can refine pills for you! As long as you eat the pills I refine, you certainly won’t be weak anymore! Then you can go to the front lines and help too!"
Daoist Chong seemed to have found a purpose to strive for. "Refine pills! I must refine pills!"
He reached a hand into his wide Daoist robes, fumbling around.
Before long, he pulled out two golden pills.
"Senior Brother, these pills are for you."
Daoist Chong held them out in both hands, offering the pills to Li Fan with a wide smile on his face.
Li Fan did not take the pills. Instead, he loosened Daoist Chong's robes.
Beneath the wide Daoist robes, there was only an empty, hollow skeleton.
Only a few barely visible remnants of flesh and blood clung to the bones.
Daoist Chong had been using his own flesh and blood to refine the pills.
1. 虫 (chong) means insect lol ☜