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"Shawn, where are we?" Fiona Tang asked softly. Though she couldn't see at the moment, she could sense the steamy warmth and humid mist all around them.
"Oh, Fiona, this is a natural geothermal hot spring in the mountains. I'm going to help you get rid of the effects of Darkforce here." Shawn Young said, carrying her to a rock beside the spring and gently setting her down.
"Shawn, can this geothermal hot spring really drive out the Darkforce inside me?" Fiona asked nervously.
"Oh, the hot spring is just for support. I'm going to prepare a special pill to remove the Darkforce—just rest for a bit, and I'll be right back!" Shawn comforted her softly.
"Okay..." Fiona replied quietly, sitting on the rock without further questions. She trusted Shawn completely, knowing he wouldn't say it unless he was sure.
Shawn took the Dragon Gall Vine and Mugwort, and with a thought, quickly entered the Heavenly Sanctuary—whoosh! After a swirl, his consciousness was already inside.
From a distance, he saw the Fire Dragon and the female Earth Dragon tangled together atop the Heavenly Cauldron, going at it like crazy. Their wild roars echoed through the sanctuary. Shawn couldn't help but grumble, "Seriously?! I leave for just a bit and you two are already at it? You really are beasts among beasts!"
Unexpectedly, the Fire Dragon's hearing was sharper than a dog's. Even from afar, it caught Shawn's complaint and called out, "Master, you've got it wrong! The time in the Heavenly Sanctuary isn't the same as outside. Ten minutes out there is a whole day in here! You've been gone for days, and my wife and I got bored, so we entertained ourselves. Plus, as your cultivation grows, the time gap gets even bigger. This place is perfect for training your spirit and power!"
"Oh, I see! Well, I've brought the herbs. Can you start refining the Solar Essence Pill now?" Shawn asked the Fire Dragon directly.
"Alright! After all this waiting, it's finally time to get to work!" The Fire Dragon let go of the female Earth Dragon, soared into the air, and snatched the Vine Dragon Gall and Mugwort from Shawn's hands. It said, "Master, to activate the Heavenly Cauldron, you need to ignite it with the Triple Spirit Flame. Only then can my wife and I use it to refine all kinds of pills. Ready?"
"Okay!" With a thought, Shawn gathered his energy, summoning a dazzling Triple Spirit Flame in his mind. He directed it—whoosh!—into the Heavenly Cauldron. Instantly, the furnace blazed with crimson fire.
"It's started! Honey, help me out!" the Fire Dragon called to the female Earth Dragon.
"Roar!" The female Earth Dragon leapt into the air, circling the Heavenly Cauldron and breathing out streams of white mist, which quickly formed a cloud of fog around it.
The Fire Dragon also soared up, lifted the lid of the Heavenly Cauldron with its claw, and spat out a cloud of red mist. Instantly, it intertwined with the white cloud from the female Earth Dragon. With a resonant dragon roar, the swirling red and white mists plunged into the cauldron, boiling rapidly in the Triple Spirit Flame.
Next, the Fire Dragon tossed the Vine Dragon Gall and Mugwort into the bubbling cauldron, then whipped its tail, stirring up a whirlwind that plucked several Dragonsoul Herbs from the ground and sent them flying perfectly into the cauldron. The lid was replaced, and under the mingling red and white mists, the three herbs began to merge. In less than fifteen minutes, a fragrant herbal aroma filled the air, invigorating everyone who smelled it.
Shawn watched with great interest as the Fire Dragon and the female Earth Dragon worked together. It was his first time witnessing the Heavenly Cauldron's pill-refining process in action.
About half an hour later, the Fire Dragon cried out excitedly, "It's done! All finished! Honey, cool down the cauldron so I can take out the Solar Essence Pill!"
"Roar!" The female Earth Dragon nodded, shook herself, and breathed a gentle stream of white mist into the furnace. The Triple Spirit Flame was instantly extinguished.
Boom! The Fire Dragon lifted the cauldron lid with its claw, releasing an even stronger, fragrant steam. As the swirling mists parted, the Fire Dragon gently scooped out a dark red metal tray and placed it before Shawn.
On the tray was a pill about the size of a thumb, glowing with a mysterious golden light. It still emitted wisps of hot steam, carrying a unique, invigorating herbal aroma—clearly no ordinary medicine.
"Master, this is the Solar Essence Pill. Its property is pure yang, the nemesis of Darkforce. After swallowing it, most of the Darkforce will be expelled from the body. However, Darkforce is extremely clingy, so to remove it completely, you'll need to use the Dual Harmony Technique with the afflicted woman. This way, you can draw out the remaining Darkforce—and both of you will gain a boost in cultivation! It's a win-win!" the Fire Dragon reminded Shawn.
"Uh... I have to do the Dual Harmony Technique with her? I mean, I'm willing, but she might not be!" Shawn blushed, feeling a bit guilty.
"Master, my wife didn't want to dual cultivate with me at first either, but I just went for it! Now she loves it! Haha—Master, you're so charming, I'm sure you can handle one woman! I believe in you!" the Fire Dragon egged Shawn on excitedly.
"You're getting more and more shameless! I'm done talking to you—I'll figure something out myself!" Shawn said, picking up the Solar Essence Pill and preparing to leave the Heavenly Sanctuary. Behind him, the Fire Dragon's teasing voice echoed: "Go for it, Master! Do her a few more times! It'll boost your power—"