In the center of that room was a complex formation, above which floated a dull-colored pearl. Around the pearl, a human-shaped silhouette faintly appeared. It seemed this was Tianlu's brother, Tianfeng.

Tianlu stared at the spirit pearl before him for a long time before speaking, "Oh, you... I told you back then that you would encounter great trouble, but you still wouldn't listen. Now you've lost your life for no reason. Who knows if you've made any progress." After saying this, he injected some spiritual power into the formation, then flicked his sleeves and left.

Because Tianlu and Tianwan had reached a consensus, Zhang Jingmo's good days had come to an end.

After leaving the room, Tianlu went straight to Zhang Jingmo's residence. As soon as he entered, he gently called out, "Qingyuan."

Zhang Jingmo was cultivating with his eyes closed. Tianlu's call of "Qingyuan" made his skin crawl. He opened his eyes and said helplessly, "Could the Valley Master please change how you address me?"

Tianlu said, "Then what should I call you? Jingmo?"

Zhang Jingmo said, "You can call me Elder Zhang."

Tianlu said, "Elder Zhang... that's too distant." As he spoke, he sat down beside Zhang Jingmo, gazing at him in a way that made Zhang Jingmo feel his whole body itch. "It's been so long, has Qingyuan thought it over?"

After a moment of silence, Zhang Jingmo reluctantly said, "You keep talking about wanting me to refine pills, but I've never even seen the pill formula. How can I determine if I can refine it or not?"

Tianlu smiled. "I will naturally let Qingyuan see the pill formula. But Qingyuan, you should also know I obtained that formula with great difficulty. If you look at it..." He trailed off, implying it would be like boarding a boat one could not easily leave.

Zhang Jingmo sneered, "If I don't look, will you let me go?"

That was indeed the case. Tianlu was a straightforward person. After reaching an agreement with Zhang Jingmo, he actually took out a pill formula from his bosom and placed it in front of Zhang Jingmo.

In all his many lifetimes, Zhang Jingmo had never seen the formula for the Heavenly Core Yellow Spring Pill. It would be a lie to say he wasn't curious. He took the formula from Tianlu's hand and began to read, quickly becoming engrossed.

Zhang Jingmo pointed to the ingredients on the formula and said bluntly, "Valley Master, this Yin Pearl, it couldn't be the Yin Pearl I'm thinking of, right?"

Tianlu smiled, "Is there a second Yin Pearl in this world?"

Zhang Jingmo said, "You've already found it?"

Tianlu said, "Of course, otherwise we wouldn't have invited you here." He made it sound nice, as if he had politely invited Zhang Jingmo.

After reading the pill formula, Zhang Jingmo frowned, "With so many precious materials, if I mess up... Valley Master, I really can't bear that responsibility."

Every single material on this pill formula was a heavenly treasure. Taking out any one of them could stir up a storm. Zhang Jingmo wasn't afraid of wasting materials. What he feared was... after wasting the materials, the Tian siblings would probably kill him on the spot.

Tianlu smiled, "Qingyuan, in this world, you are the only alchemist at the Golden Core stage who can refine the Molten Fire Pill."

Zhang Jingmo said, "Why don't you find a Nascent Soul stage pill master?" He was asking a question he already knew the answer to. Nascent Soul stage pill masters were so few that they could be counted on one hand, so how could they be easy to manipulate?

Tianlu said, "Qingyuan, don't underestimate yourself. Those Nascent Soul stage pill masters might not even be as good as you."

Zhang Jingmo held the pill formula and looked at it for a long time. To be honest, he was quite tempted. In all the lifetimes he had lived, there were very few things he hadn't seen before, and he was well aware of the value of the pill formula in front of him.

Tianlu asked, "What does Qingyuan think?"  Seeing Zhang Jingmo staring at the pill formula for a long time, he knew that this matter had a chance.

As expected, after some hesitation, Zhang Jingmo said, "I... don't have much confidence."

Tianlu said, "Oh?"

Zhang Jingmo sighed, "This Heavenly Core Yellow Spring Pill is a legendary item to begin with. Even with this pill formula, I still can't be sure if I can refine it."

Tianlu said, "Qingyuan, there's no need to be too nervous. I also know that pill refinement is not entirely dependent on human effort. Qingyuan only needs to do his best."

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Jingmo asked, "After I refine the pill, you'll let me go?"

Tianlu nodded.

Zhang Jingmo said, "Let me think about it some more."

This was no small matter, so it was normal for Zhang Jingmo to consider it carefully. Tianlu nodded and left.

Looking at Tianlu's retreating figure, Zhang Jingmo had already made up his mind.

After considering for another six or seven days, when Tianlu came to find Zhang Jingmo again, Zhang Jingmo agreed to the matter.

Seeing this, Tianlu laughed, "I didn't expect Qingyuan to agree so readily."

Zhang Jingmo pretended to be dissatisfied, "I agreed because of the pill formula. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Is this how you ask for favors?""

Tianlu smiled, his eyes narrowing. He and Tianwan looked somewhat similar, both with good looks. He was always gentle and amiable in front of Zhang Jingmo. At this moment, he said, "In that case, thank you Qingyuan."

Zhang Jingmo let out a soft "hmm" and turned his head away in embarrassment.

Tianlu said, "Since Qingyuan has agreed, I'll send a letter to your sect. Your sect leader has been looking for you quite urgently." He knew his valley was close to being investigated, which added to the urgency.

After some thought, Zhang Jingmo nodded, agreeing to Tianlu's request.

Tianlu didn't expect Zhang Jingmo to agree so easily. He originally thought Zhang Jingmo would negotiate some conditions with him. But after seeing the pill formula, Zhang Jingmo seemed to be in a trance, holding it all day and asking when he could start refining pills.

Tianwan returned from outside after finding the last Yin Pearl. She was very surprised to see Zhang Jingmo like this and asked her brother if he had cast some spell on Zhang Jingmo.

Tianlu laughed, "What spell could there be? This person is just a pill-refining maniac."

Tianwan said in surprise, "A maniac?"

Tianlu said, "Yes, after seeing that pill formula, he held onto it and wouldn't let go, urging me to gather the materials quickly..."

Tianwan said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "I thought he looked refined and intelligent, but I didn't expect him to be a fool."

Tianlu said, "Is being a bit foolish not good?"

Tianwan said, "Of course it's good." At this point, she changed the subject, "Brother... it's only been a few days, and you're already speaking up for that Zhang Jingmo."

Tianlu chuckled. He said, "This person is quite interesting, much more so than the few pill masters we captured before."

Tianwan's eyes shifted as she said, "Could it be that brother has taken a liking to him?" She knew that her elder brother had no reservations about men or women, but she didn't expect him to develop an interest in Zhang Jingmo.

Tianlu said indifferently, "Taking a liking is going too far. It's just like teasing a newly caught bird, listening to it chirp a few more times is interesting."

Tianwan complained, "Brother, you said you would give him to me after he finished refining the pills. Hmph, it turns out you had other plans."

Tianlu glanced at Tianwan and said, "Making him into a human puppet is too boring. Wait until Tianfeng is revived and let him accompany you to make a few more human puppets."

Tianwan pouted, seeming dissatisfied, but she couldn't say anything. Her elder brother appeared gentle and amiable, but when it came to his words and actions, nobody could change his mind.

...In this regard, the Tian siblings were exceptionally similar.