Volume One, Chapter 16: Underlying Currents Stirring

A new system message flashed by so fast it was almost impossible to catch:

【Unknown energy fluctuation detected】

【Unknown observers detected near the host’s location】

【Recommendation: Host should proceed with caution and suspend use of advanced system functions】

The cold words, devoid of any emotion, sent a shiver down Su Haoming’s spine.

Someone is watching me?

He suddenly sat up straight in bed, cold sweat instantly soaking his back.

The room was pitch black, with only a faint light filtering in through the window, barely outlining the shapes of the table and chairs.

Silent.

Unnaturally silent.

Yet, amidst this dead stillness, he caught the faintest, almost imperceptible sound.

Tick... tick...

Very soft, very rhythmic.

It didn’t feel like a clock; it was more like something operating silently, cold and precise.

Every hair on Su Haoming’s body stood on end, a chill crawling up his spine.

He scanned every corner of the room warily—the window, the door, the shadows in the corners...

Nothing.

But that feeling of being watched weighed heavily on him, pervasive and inescapable.

Who?

He held his breath, heart pounding wildly.

It felt as though a pair of eyes in the darkness were staring unblinkingly at him.

Damn it, this system upgrade has brought trouble.

Is it aimed at the system, or at me?

Or... could it be something going wrong over at Liu Ruoxi and Lin Feixue’s side again?

His mind was a chaotic mess.

The ticking sound continued steadily, tapping his frayed nerves.

Like... a countdown?

Tick... tick...

The sound grew louder, drilling into his ears.

Cold sweat seeped from Su Haoming’s temple, slipping past his sideburns. He felt pinned to the bed, muscles taut and immobile.

He closed his eyes, focusing his mind deep within, carefully guiding a faint but peculiar energy flow—Primordial Purple Qi.

Where the purple qi passed, everything around seemed caressed by invisible hands; the outlines of the bed, table, chairs, and window became unusually distinct in the darkness.

And there... on the bedside?

An inconspicuous incense burner.

“That’s not right,” Su Haoming’s heart skipped a beat as he snapped open his eyes.

When did this incense burner get here? He never used one.

Squinting into the dim light from outside, he examined it closely. At the base of the burner, a tiny red glow flickered in sync with the ticking sound!

“Damn, a surveillance device?”

He yawned and sat up slowly, as if just waking, reaching to straighten the bedding.

A natural turn of the body, his hand casually resting on the bedside table, fingertips brushing the cool incense burner.

A strand of purple qi quietly flowed through his fingertips into the device.

“Click.”

A faint, nearly inaudible crisp sound came from inside the burner, and the red light went out.

“Someone’s really watching me?” Su Haoming’s heart pounded like a drum, cold sweat immediately soaking his back. “Who’s behind this? Liu Ruoxi? Lin Feixue? Or someone pulling their strings?”

No, he had to stay calm.

He forced himself to slow his breathing. Whoever it was, this surveillance device was disabled now, but surely there were more. He’d have to be more vigilant going forward.

The system upgrade was abruptly interrupted for no reason, there was someone spying outside, and Liu Ruoxi and Lin Feixue suddenly acting so close... the more he thought about it, the more sinister it seemed.

“I must find out what those two women are really up to.”

At dawn’s first light, Lin Feixue arrived, actually carrying a small alchemy furnace with several plump herb pouches hanging beside it.

“Here, a beginner’s furnace, plus some herbs to practice with.” She placed the items in the center of the courtyard.

Liu Ruoxi emerged from her room, holding a thin booklet. “I found a few simple formulas. It’s perfect for the three of us to try working together.”

“How about the White Spirit Pill?” Lin Feixue looked at Liu Ruoxi. “It clears heat and detoxifies, uses simple ingredients, and is good for starters.”

Liu Ruoxi nodded. “Okay. Su Haoming, come help.”

Su Haoming moved over, his nerves taut. Just yesterday, everything was fine; today, these two were like Siamese twins, cooperating seamlessly, even sneaking devices into his room... The more he thought about it, the more off it felt.

“Alright, let’s begin.” He wore a blank expression, but inside, his heart was pounding.

The three gathered around the furnace, settling into the agreed positions—Liu Ruoxi controlling the fire, Lin Feixue identifying herbs, and Su Haoming in the middle managing the blending.

“First, add the dragon’s blood herb. Pay attention to the order,” Lin Feixue reminded.

Liu Ruoxi’s fingers moved slightly, forming a seal. A silent flame appeared beneath the furnace, warm but mild, preheating the device.

Su Haoming composed himself, following the method carefully, guiding the purple qi to flow gently. This time, he was cautious—controlling the amount and path of the qi, releasing just enough to maintain the alchemy process without arousing suspicion.

“Add the dragon’s blood herb,” Lin Feixue’s voice was soft.

The herb went into the furnace, the flame licking it as it melted and curled. A faint scent of fresh grass and wood spread.

“Three water spirit pearls.”

“Turn up the fire a bit.”

“A tiny bit of heart sand will do.”

The three worked surprisingly well together, and Su Haoming relaxed slightly. Maybe alchemy wasn’t so hard after all, just a matter of steps...

Before he could finish that thought, the liquid in the furnace suddenly boiled violently, bubbling furiously!

“What’s going on?” Lin Feixue frowned deeply.

Liu Ruoxi hurriedly adjusted the flame. “The medicinal force is out of control! Su Haoming, quickly, increase your harmonizing effort!”

Panicked, Su Haoming amplified his spiritual energy, but lost control. A surge of purple qi far beyond expectation rushed into the furnace.

The color of the liquid inside shifted dramatically—from emerald green to a strange pale purple, emitting a low humming.

“This...” Lin Feixue’s eyes widened as she stared at the strange reaction. “I’ve never seen this before!”

Liu Ruoxi’s face changed as well. “Stay calm, don’t panic!”

The three scrambled to control the rampaging liquid. Su Haoming was drenched in sweat, feeling his spiritual energy flood out like a broken dam, when he suddenly realized Liu Ruoxi and Lin Feixue weren’t trying to stop it—instead, they seemed to be deliberately guiding his purple qi to accelerate its fusion with the purple liquid!

No! These two women did this on purpose!

“Combine!” Liu Ruoxi shouted sharply.

The purple liquid instantly calmed, no longer boiling, quickly solidifying.

At the bottom of the furnace lay three pill-sized spheres, each transparent and shimmering with a mysterious purple glow.

Lin Feixue picked up a pill, holding it in her palm, her expression complicated. “This definitely isn’t the White Spirit Pill... what is it?”

“Purple Sun Pill?” Liu Ruoxi picked one up and examined it closely. “Impossible. Refining the Purple Sun Pill requires Nascent Soul stage cultivation at least, and the ingredients don’t match.”

Su Haoming felt a heavy weight pressing on his chest, utterly drained. Waves of exhaustion washed over him. “Can... this thing be eaten?”