NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Progress and Plans
The forest was alive with the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of birds as Xiao Yan made his way along a winding path. Xiaojin perched on his shoulder, its head tilting inquisitively at every sound, while Xiaolong slithered silently behind, his long, sinuous form weaving through the underbrush with practiced ease. Xiao Gui, ever curious, trailed at Xiao Yan's heels, snapping occasionally at insects that buzzed too close.
Xiao Yan carried a satchel, already half-filled with herbs and plants he had gathered during the morning. His mind, however, was on the furnace he had constructed in the previous days—a makeshift setup, but one that had already proven useful.
"It's functional," he murmured, brushing a low-hanging branch aside. "But limited. I'll need to improve it if I want to refine anything more advanced."
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The group came upon a clearing bathed in dappled sunlight, the ground soft with moss and dotted with clusters of crystalline mushrooms. Xiao Yan knelt to examine the mushrooms, their translucent caps glowing faintly.
"These are fascinating," he muttered, pulling out his notebook. "The qi within them is dormant but highly concentrated. With the right combination of ingredients, they could form the basis of an anti-poison pill."
Xiaojin chirped in agreement, hopping down from his shoulder to peck curiously at the nearest mushroom. Xiao Yan gently shooed the phoenix away. "Not for eating, Xiaojin. I need these intact."
Xiaolong, not to be outdone, sniffed at a nearby patch of herbs, his golden eyes gleaming as he nudged the plants with his snout. Xiao Yan followed the dragon's lead and knelt to inspect the herbs.
"Spirit reeds," he said softly, plucking a few of the silver-veined plants. "They're excellent for strengthening the body and replenishing qi. Not potent enough for a true marrow-cleansing effect, but still valuable."
He tucked the reeds into his satchel, his thoughts wandering to the possibilities they offered.
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Back at the clearing where his rudimentary furnace stood, Xiao Yan laid out his findings on a flat stone. The furnace, crafted from stones and clay, glowed faintly in the late afternoon light. It was crude but functional, with a simple airflow system that allowed for consistent heating.
Xiaojin perched atop the furnace, preening its feathers, while Xiaolong coiled beside it, watching Xiao Yan with mild curiosity. Xiao Gui, meanwhile, was already poking at a pile of herbs with its nose, as if deciding which one looked tastiest.
"Don't even think about it, Xiao Gui," Xiao Yan said without looking up.
The turtle froze, letting out a guilty squeak before retreating to Xiao Yan's lap.
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As the sun dipped lower, Xiao Yan began refining a new batch of pills. The herbs were crushed and mixed with precision, their essence carefully extracted using his qi. The furnace hummed faintly as Xiaojin fanned the flames with gentle flaps of its wings, maintaining the perfect temperature.
"Good work, Xiaojin," Xiao Yan said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
The phoenix chirped proudly, puffing up its chest.
Xiao Yan's hands moved deftly as he added the crushed herbs to the furnace, his thoughts drifting to the future. "A proper furnace would make all the difference," he mused aloud. "One with refined materials and better control. If I could create one, I'd finally be able to refine more advanced pills..."
His gaze shifted to the satchel of herbs beside him. "A marrow-cleansing pill to strengthen the body... an anti-poison pill to neutralize toxins... even a hunger-satiating pill might prove useful in this world."
Xiaolong lifted his head, rumbling softly as if agreeing with the idea.
"I don't need them myself," Xiao Yan added, his tone light. "But I imagine others might find them invaluable. Especially at sea, where resources are scarce."
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By the time the moon rose, Xiao Yan had finished refining a batch of basic healing pills. He held one up to the light, its surface smooth and polished, glowing faintly with a golden hue.
"Not bad," he said, placing the pill into a small pouch. "These will be useful for emergencies."
Xiaolong slithered closer, his golden eyes fixed on the pouch. Xiaojin flapped down from the furnace, peering curiously at the finished product, while Xiao Gui nestled into Xiao Yan's lap, letting out a soft squeak of approval.
Xiao Yan gazed at the sky, the stars twinkling like scattered diamonds. His thoughts lingered on the possibilities ahead—on the resources he might find in the wider world and the people he could help.
"This island is extraordinary," he murmured. "But it's only the beginning."
As the night deepened, the gentle hum of the furnace and the soft breathing of his companions filled the clearing. Xiao Yan closed his eyes, a faint smile on his lips, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.