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The classical art of refining elixirs in a physical furnace using minerals and herbs. In this novel, it is deemed "low-grade" compared to the visceral alternative.

Definition

The classical art of refining elixirs in a physical furnace using minerals and herbs. In this novel, it is deemed "low-grade" compared to the visceral alternative.

Story context

Alright, fellow Daoists, strap in—this is where Li Huowang stops taking hits and starts making plays. After getting his ribs cracked by the volatile Zheng Kun last chapter, our boy is down but not out. All that suffering was actually part of the plan. He feeds Zheng Kun info about the "Wandering Lord" like chum in shark-infested waters, and watches the greedy bastard take the bait. The result? A stealth mission into Danyangzi's private chamber while the old alchemist is busy cooking up pills. But what Li Huowang finds there—a talking head in a vase pretending to read a "Heavenly Scripture" to an illiterate master—is a twist that flips everything he thought he knew about this temple upside down. Get ready for blackmail, exposed lies, and a conclusion that's as ruthless as it is heartbreaking.

Why it matters

This is a classic **Li Huowang plays 4D chess** chapter. Watch how he weaponizes information: he doesn't bribe or threaten Zheng Kun. He *gives* him a secret, knowing greed will do the rest. The real tension isn't the infiltration—it's the discovery. The vase-girl is a masterpiece of tragic horror. She's not a monster; she's a scared, mutilated child who has been maintaining a lie to survive. Li Huowang's reaction? He smashes her container without a moment's hesitation. That's your core character signal for this arc: he's not just surviving anymore. He's *exploiting*. If you're feeling uncomfortable at how cold he's becoming, good. You're supposed to. The world of the Dao-Twisted World doesn't reward kindness—it punishes hesitation. Keep an eye on the "bracelet" he pockets later as well—the novel loves to let small objects carry massive narrative weight across chapters.