The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 623: Fire God, Do You Have a Lighter?

Chapter 623: Fire God, Do You Have a Lighter?

With a single talisman from Nanli, the elder ghost instantly felt lighter and unburdened, as though all his troubles had dissipated.

Though shocked, the elder stroked his beard in an attempt to maintain his composure and remarked, "Your skill in talisman crafting is indeed extraordinary. If you were in the Immortal World, you’d surely earn a prominent reputation."

Nanli, playing along, asked, "So, where would my talisman crafting rank in the Immortal World?"

The elder responded thoughtfully, "Talisman cultivation isn’t easy—it encompasses the principles of yin and yang, the five elements, arrays, and incantations. Moreover, your talismans are particularly effective against spirits. With your skills, you’d undoubtedly rank in the top ten of the Immortal World!"

"Just the top ten?" Nanli feigned dissatisfaction.

The elder’s eyes narrowed as he noticed the bait seemed to be working—Nanli appeared intrigued.

He continued, "Penglai Island specializes in spell cultivation, but we also have many practitioners of pill refinement, music cultivation, and swordsmanship. However, talisman cultivation is rare—there are manuals, but few people read or practice them.

"Our island master is wise and appreciates talent. If I were to recommend you, the island master would undoubtedly bring you into the Immortal World and accept you into Penglai Island. You’d gain access to countless talisman and formation manuals. Your skills would not only improve but could even reach their peak!"

Nanli nodded slightly. "So Penglai Island has such an extensive collection of manuals..."

"Exactly!" The elder assumed she was tempted. "What do you think? With your ability, bringing along a companion shouldn’t be an issue."

He glanced at Ye Siheng.

Ye Siheng chuckled lightly. "A’Li, he seems clueless, doesn’t he? Thinking he has the qualifications to negotiate with you."

The elder’s ghostly face froze as an ominous feeling crept over him.

What was the meaning behind their smiles? What did they know that he didn’t?

Suddenly, he recalled how Nanli had earlier asked them to write down intelligence about the Immortal World and Penglai Island, and how she seemed familiar with Xuan Yinyue...

"You... could it be..."

Nanli grinned, baring her teeth. "That’s right. I’m the one who sent Xuan Yinyue to steal the lotus seed."

The elder nearly passed out.

His ghostly body trembled. "How dare a mortal like you...! The island master won’t spare you!"

His hopes of negotiation and introductions were utterly dashed.

Nanli, already prepared with the necessary materials, said calmly, "We already have a grudge. Adding one more doesn’t make a difference. Stop scheming and focus on guiding us properly. If you do, I’ll ask the Hell Lord to treat you better."

At this, the elder immediately perked up.

He had no choice. No matter how powerful one was in life, death brought submission in the Nether World.

Floating over to inspect the materials, he frowned. "You’re trying to refine Vein-Ease Pills? That’s impossible without spiritual energy. You lack it, so the pills can’t be formed."

Immortal World pills were entirely different from Human World ones.

Nanli retrieved the Black Lotus Cauldron. "Just explain the refining process and guide us. That’s all you need to do."

The elder nearly wanted to die again at the sight of her shabby cauldron.

"No proper cauldron, no spiritual energy—how are you supposed to refine pills? Are you mocking me?"

Ye Siheng sat down, smoothing his robes, and said calmly, "Explain the order of adding ingredients and how to channel spiritual energy for refinement. I’ll practice once or twice and should be able to manage."

Nanli teased, "No confidence, Your Highness? Fourth Brother claimed you’d succeed on your first try."

Ye Siheng looked at her tenderly, speaking softly. "It’s good to stay humble. If I fail or don’t learn it properly, I’ll still have some room to maneuver."

Nanli laughed and urged the elder to proceed.

The elder, grumbling, said, "Ancestor, you promised. Even if your prince fails, you can’t let the ghost envoy deep-fry me again."

"Of course," Nanli agreed. "I always keep my word."

Relieved, the elder began his explanation.

"Pill refinement requires talent and wealth. Many ingredients are extraordinarily expensive. Vein-Ease Pills, fortunately, are relatively simple."

He floated around, hands behind his back, narrating.

"Back in my Foundation Establishment days, I could refine them casually. Guess how many pills I produced in a single batch?"

Nanli remained expressionless, while Ye Siheng smirked lightly.

A flick of his finger sent a streak of spiritual energy flying, splitting a distant flower vase in two before it shattered into countless shards.

His tone turned icy. "I don’t care how many pills you produced. If you keep boasting and wasting time, I’ll ensure your soul disperses entirely."

The elder’s eyes widened in terror, nearly popping out of his head.

This man possessed spiritual energy?

And not just any—it seemed potent, as if he had already formed an inner core!

In the Human World, where spiritual energy was scarce, how had he achieved this?

What frightened the elder even more was that ordinary spiritual energy had little effect on ghosts, yet the aura from this man’s power made him shiver uncontrollably.

Terrified, the elder abandoned his bravado and carefully explained the process for refining Vein-Ease Pills and how to channel spiritual energy. He also mentioned that ordinary fire was insufficient—obtaining a rare flame could elevate the pill quality to the supreme grade.

Nanli listened intently, absorbing every detail. The explanation was far more comprehensive than any intelligence reports.

Learning truly never ends.

She asked, "What rare flames do you use most often?"

The elder shook his head. "Rare flames aren’t common; they are formed from the essence of heaven and earth. Even borrowing the Dragon Flame True Fire of the Fire God requires tremendous effort."

"Dragon Flame True Fire?" Nanli’s eyes sparkled with interest. "So this flame can be used for pill refinement too? Ah, why didn’t I think of that earlier?"

The elder opened his mouth to explain how difficult it was to borrow, but before he could continue, Nanli casually pulled out a Fire Talisman and tossed it under the Black Lotus Cauldron.

"Fire God, lend me a flame!"

With a boom, crimson flames roared to life beneath the cauldron.

"All right, Your Highness, go ahead and get a feel for it." Nanli turned to the elder. "What were you saying just now?"

The elder edged closer, reaching out to feel the fire. Confirming it was indeed the Dragon Flame True Fire, he turned back, ghostly voice trembling.

"Ancestor, are you... close with the Fire God?"

"Not really."

"Then how could you casually borrow this fire? This... this is Dragon Flame True Fire! Dragon Flame True Fire!" The elder’s ghostly figure quivered violently.

Nanli blinked innocently. "Is it that hard? It’s not even that practical. Death God’s Ghost Fire is better—it can suppress spiritual energy."

After a moment of stunned silence, the elder muttered, "Don’t tell me... the Ghost Fire that attacked the Immortal World, burning several celestial mountains... that was your doing?"