Cultivation is just so scientific!

Chapter 436 264: Congratulatory Gift_2

The reason for claiming to have been invited was also to recover a bit of dignity.

On this point, neither Elder Su nor Li Shiming would mind.

”Itʼs my honor to have Zhi Kong Arhat, Zhi Ming Arhat, and Zhi Xin Arhat personally come for my modest achievements!” Li Shiming said with a smile.

Yin Shilan observed the harmonious atmosphere of the scene, and if she hadnʼt known the cause of the event, she might really believe that both parties had a close relationship.

”This is a congratulatory gift from Qianye Temple for Mr. Li, with hopes of a lasting friendship between our temple and Mr. Li!” Zhi Kong Arhat said with a smile, passing over a jade box.

Li Shiming received the jade box with both hands. The box itself, adorned with spatial formations and crafted from second-grade jade, was already highly valuable.

You should know, this kind of spatial formation is not like spatial storage bags or other similar items, but rather a space forcefully expanded via a spatial formation, and to apply such a formation to a small jade box requires at least the joint effort of an Array Master and an Artifact Refining Master.

He gently opened the jade box and before he could take a closer look, gasps of amazement resounded from those nearby.

This included Elder Su, and even the Golden Core cultivators observing from a distance were unanimously in awe.

”A Third Grade Spirit Tea Tree!” Li Shiming saw the content of the box and couldnʼt help but inhale sharply in surprise.

He was neither ignorant nor narrow-minded, very wealthy to the extent that even the fortunes of many Golden Core cultivators couldnʼt compare to his.

However, the Third Grade Spirit Tea Tree was an exceptionally special existence. Among the few transferrable Third Grade Spirit Plants, it still required particularly high-quality spirit soil and spirit water, but the mere fact that it could be transferred made the Third Grade Spirit Tea Tree immensely precious.

Normally, Golden Core cultivators could hardly possess even one Third Grade Spirit Tea Tree since most of them are acquired by major sects once they appear.

In terms of resources that could provide sustained support during the Golden Core Stage, the major sects and renowned businesses had agreements, and no business would dare to privately sell such strategic Third Grade resources, while the sects offered handsome prices for them.

Thus, unless a Golden Core cultivator found a Third Grade Spirit Tea Tree on their own, it would be impossible to buy one from the market.

Li Shiming also hadnʼt expected Qianye Temple to be so generous, giving him a Third Grade Spirit Tea Tree as a congratulatory gift.

A well-cultivated Third Grade Spirit Tea Tree could produce thirty leaves of spirit tea annually, and the value of these thirty leaves goes without saying – thatʼs akin to six years of supply for the Golden Core Elder of a major sect.

”Master Zhi Kong, I have always admired Qianye Temple, and I look forward to more exchanges in the future!” Li Shimingʼs previous grievances with Qianye Temple seemed to have vanished instantly as he said this with a smile to Master Zhi Kong.

This was not merely because of the Third Grade Spirit Tea Tree but because he was well aware that Qianye Templeʼs presentation of such an extraordinary gift clearly indicated their attitude.

If he didnʼt respond in kind, the corresponding attitude of Qianye Temple would likely be equally hostile.

Moreover, his troubles with Qianye Temple were only due to their pursuit of his clone, Li Yuanba, who had since returned to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, residing within Ten Thousand Sword Peak, beyond the reach of Qianye Templeʼs pursuit.

Being a cultivator on the Righteous Path, it was best he continued following his righteous ways, letting his clone, Li Yuanba, deal with the troubles.

”Iʼve heard that Mr. Li plans to accept the inheritance of the Divine Eye after achieving Golden Core. I hope Mr. Li attains Golden Core soon!” Zhi Kong Arhatʼs smile became much more natural.

Elder Su and Elder Ma did not interject but allowed Li Shiming and Zhi Kong Arhat to converse.

Yin Shilan also wore a smile, considerably relieved that Li Shiming had reconciled his grievances with Qianye Temple. Opposing a major Righteous Path sect like Qianye Temple was not something to be taken lightly, even with the support of a Nascent Soul Ancestor, it still would not be without danger.

With the arrival of the three Arhats from Qianye Temple, all the cultivators who had received invitations had arrived. Now it was time for the formal start of the celebration.

”Fellow cultivators, my disciple Li Shiming has just entered the doorway of becoming an Alchemy Master, and I thank all of you for being here to celebrate!” Elder Su presided over the celebration, giving the opening remarks.

Afterward, under the guidance of Elder Ma, Li Shiming paid his respects to the ancestral tablets of the Shushan Sectʼs Alchemy lineage, announcing to the predecessors the significant news of the emergence of a new Alchemy Master.

Li Shiming was unaware of the detailed process and simply followed Elder Maʼs instructions, doing as the Elder directed.

Once the ceremony was completed, two sticks of incenseʼs time had passed.

”Li Shiming, on behalf of Shushan Sectʼs Alchemy lineage, I pass onto you the Five Elements Nine Revolutions Furnace, hoping that you will be able to use this furnace soon!” Elder Ma solemnly handed a small Pill Furnace to Li Shiming.

Li Shiming was clueless about this development; looking at the small Pill Furnace that had been handed to him, an expression of shock and joy appeared on his face.

Despite its petite size, the Five Elements Nine Revolutions Furnace was a magical treasure that only Golden Core cultivators could use.

He had incredible luck, obtaining many magical treasures, but he had never received a Pill Furnace magical treasure before.

Pill Furnace magical treasures are a special type of treasure. Whether itʼs the materials used or the difficulty of creating them, they far surpass ordinary magical treasures.

Having reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, with all the resources ready for forming a pill, he had already considered the issue of a Pill Furnace magical treasure, but he hadnʼt expected that the Sect had already prepared one for him.

Indeed, it wasnʼt hard to imagine that a major sect like Shushan would have reserves of Pill Furnace magical treasures.

Unlike other magical treasures, only Alchemy Masters were qualified to use Pill Furnace magical treasures.

Even if a High-level Alchemist became a Golden Core cultivator, using a Pill Furnace magical treasure during alchemy would be a waste, unable to unleash its real purpose. Using it would simply invite ridicule.

Therefore, only Alchemy Masters would use a Pill Furnace magical treasure; other cultivators simply wouldnʼt.

”Normally, at this point, you should use the Five Elements Nine Revolutions Furnace to refine a batch of Third-grade Spirit Pills, to demonstrate your Alchemy Master level. But given your realm, itʼs better to use a Spirit Artifact Furnace!” Elder Ma said to Li Shiming with a smile.

Of course, alchemy wouldnʼt take place on the spot. Not to mention that the alchemy lineage contained many secret techniques, refining Third-grade Spirit Pills was an extremely delicate and mentally exhaustive task. Alchemy Masters cannot be disturbed at all.

”Yes, Master!” Li Shiming bowed and responded.

He was not worried about the task of refining Spirit Pills; he was absolutely confident in this area.

”Everyone, the Sect has prepared Spirit Fruits and Spiritual Tea. Please rest and enjoy these while you wait,” Elder Su said to the cultivators with a smile.

The Spirit Fruits were prepared based on the number of attendees; each Golden Core cultivator could receive one Third Grade Spirit Fruit, while there was no limit on the Second Grade Spirit Fruits.

The Spiritual Tea was also of the Second Grade. Third Grade Spiritual Tea was too precious, and with the number of Golden Core cultivators present being too high, even Shushan Sect couldnʼt instantly provide that much Third Grade Spiritual Tea as hospitality.

This was a normal situation; most of the Sectʼs Third Grade resources were distributed among the Golden Core cultivators, with very little left in reserve.

What was in reserve was a strategic stockpile, which wouldnʼt be easily used.

Li Shiming entered a nearby cave dwelling, starting the formation to prevent any cultivator from peeking in.

Meanwhile, the cultivators enjoyed eating Spirit Fruits and tasting Spiritual Tea, while interacting with other cultivators. Such opportunities for many Golden Core cultivators to gather werenʼt common and served as an excellent occasion for networking.

Although the cultivators were waiting for Li Shimingʼs alchemy results, this was also an important part of the celebrationʼs proceedings.

”Eh, this Spiritual Tea is quite good. Even though it lacks the Spiritual Energy of Third Grade Spiritual Tea, itʼs certainly top-notch among the Second Grade!” a Golden Core cultivator exclaimed with admiration.

The rest of the Golden Core cultivators also recognized the extraordinary aspects of the Second Grade Spiritual Tea. As cultivators who consumed Spiritual Tea regularly, they were quite knowledgeable about its quality.