Stealing Immortal

Chapter 125: Chapter 124: Pill Ascension

[Chen Qingyang]

[Essence Condensation Realm: First Realm]

[Great Soul Scripture (Volume 2): (217/5000)]

[Tai Xu Star Pivot Purple Micro True Skill (Starlight Body): (4/6000)]

[Danxia Nourishing Truth Sword Manual: (4/8000)]

[Tier Two Nameless Elixir: (146/1000)]

[Tier Two Qi Gathering Pill: (87/200)]

[Available Immortal Seedlings: 7274]

In the Alchemy Room.

Xu Baoling stood on the offering table, cultivating. The window was open just a crack, letting in only a faint halo of light.

Not far from the Pill Furnace, a cattail-leaf cushion was laid out. Chen Qingyang was seated on it, meditating, the small golden characters floating before his eyes.

He had a lot of Immortal Seedlings, but they were consumed with surprising speed. Chen Qingyang had recently devoted considerable effort to the study of elixirs and had already settled on a path forward for the Nameless Elixir Liu Pei mentioned. All that remained was in-depth research.

After some thought, Chen Qingyang took a portion of his Immortal Seedlings and applied them to the Tier Two Nameless Elixir.

In an instant, the Nameless Elixir reached Tier Three. He looked at the golden characters again.

[Tier Three Nameless Elixir: (1/3000)]

’Just Tier Three already has a progress cap of three thousand. It seems the difficulty increases the higher I go. And I still have to upgrade it all the way to Immortal Grade to awaken Li Qianxue.’

After a brief pause, he continued to use Immortal Seedlings to advance it.

[Tier Four Nameless Elixir: (1/5000)]

It had increased by another two thousand, bringing the total to five thousand. He recalled Liu Pei saying that even he could only refine this elixir to Tier Four. What came after that was still unknown.

Five thousand was a lot, but it was an achievable number. This confirmed that the direction Chen Qingyang had chosen was correct; the elixir could be pushed to higher tiers. The only thing he lacked now was Immortal Seedlings.

[Available Immortal Seedlings: 3420]

Afterward, he looked at the just over three thousand Immortal Seedlings he had left. It wasn’t enough to achieve a breakthrough in any of his cultivation techniques. After some consideration, he left just twenty and spent all the rest on the Great Soul Scripture.

For one, it would strengthen his Conscious Fish, allowing it to travel farther and possess greater power. For another, he could cultivate properly within the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl, accelerating the Conscious Fish’s maturation.

’I’ve already cultivated the Sword Dao, but everyone knows the most important thing for a Pill Master is Fire. Since that’s what I lack, I’ll let my Yu’Er make up for it.’

Having done all this, he meditated briefly to calm his mind, then began preparing the ingredients to refine a Tier Four Nameless Elixir.

Master Yun Ci had prepared plenty of ingredients, but they could only be used for the Tier Four Yang Replacement Powder. The ones he had now were all from Liu Pei. After this batch, he’d have no more.

Chen Qingyang could either take the Tier Four Yang Replacement Powder to the Merit Tower for an exchange, or he could take on an assignment. After thinking about it, he decided to exchange the elixir. He’d consider it collecting a bit of interest from Master Yun Ci.

He prepared the ingredients and put them into the Pill Furnace.

This Tier Four elixir was extremely difficult to refine, requiring profound mastery of Fire. This was the difference between Immortal Grade and mortal grade.

With a thought, his Conscious Fish appeared. Tinged with a fiery color, it began to circle the Pill Furnace. As he channeled his True Essence, a scorching heat emanated, and the Pill Furnace roared to life.

’Just as I thought. It’s barely draining me physically, and my Fire Control ability is on a whole new level. After this batch is done, I’m tempted to see what it’s like to refine eight or ten Tier Four Yang Replacement Powders at once.’

This batch of elixirs took a very long time, so long that even the Late Fire stage lasted for over four hours.

Finally, the pill was formed. Chen Qingyang held it in his hand, examining it closely. Its color was pure and flawless white. Within, the Yin Yang and Five Elements were tending toward balance, containing a pure medicinal efficacy.

”Here, take it back and try it!”

Xu Baoling received it with both hands. ”Master, has this elixir improved again?”

Chen Qingyang nodded lightly.

Afterward, Xu Baoling held the elixir in her hand, pressed it to her lower abdomen, and a white light suddenly flared up around her, enveloping her completely.

’Such potent power!’

’If I weren’t already at the first realm of the Essence Condensation Realm, refining an elixir like this would’ve been a real struggle. To make a Tier Five version, my cultivation will probably have to be even higher.’

He watched for a long time, but the medicinal effect showed no signs of weakening. Chen Qingyang paid it no more mind and started refining the Tier Four Yang Replacement Powder.

This time, he only refined two pills. When adding the ingredients, he also mixed in a little Star Meteor Powder. By the time this batch of elixirs was complete, Xu Baoling over there was just finishing, looking at him with an excited expression.

”Master, this elixir is incredible! It raised my cultivation by an entire level. Its effect on the Divine Soul makes me truly believe it can compare to the Heaven Repairing Glaze Pill.”

’When it comes to trial pills, she’s the professional.’

Her confirmation put Chen Qingyang’s mind at ease.

”Good.”

Sunlight streamed in through the crack in the window, casting golden stripes on the floor.

The sounds of birds and people drifted in from outside. Chen Qingyang knew another day had dawned. He put away the two elixirs, left the room, and made his way toward Master Water Moon’s Dao Field.

He had promised Hong’Er he would visit Tian Jingzhao in a few days, but he had already made him wait five or six. Now was the perfect time to go.

’Tian Jingzhao, with his meager Seventh Realm of Qi Refining cultivation, couldn’t really provide many Immortal Seedlings. But the Seven Immortals of Peach Valley behind him were all at the Qi Refining Ninth Realm, and they were preparing a ”surprise” for me, so I have to keep playing along.’

’Besides, they’re guarding an Essence Condensation Realm Peach Demon. It has a lot of health, provides a ton of Immortal Seedlings, and it seems it can’t even fight back much. I managed to get a lot last time before my cultivation breakthrough, to say nothing of what I can do now.’

’If I want Li Qianxue to wake up sooner, I need a constant supply of Immortal Seedlings. In a few more years, I’ll be able to tell my Master about my breakthrough to the Essence Condensation Realm.’

’If I can be entrusted with important responsibilities, or even get to witness the Foundation Establishment contest, I could use the opportunity to fleece them for even more Immortal Seedlings.’

As he thought about his future plans, his steps became steadier. Before long, he arrived outside Tian Jingzhao’s Cave Mansion.

He announced his arrival at the entrance, and it was Hong’Er who came out to greet him. Seeing Chen Qingyang, her eyes lit up with a little excitement. ”Senior Brother Chen, you’re here!”

Her voice was soft, but then she seemed to remember she was at Tian Jingzhao’s Cave Mansion and quickly added, ”Senior Brother Tian has been talking about you these past few days.”

Chen Qingyang said, ”Alright, let’s go in.”

Having not seen him for several months, Tian Jingzhao’s complexion looked much better. Before Chen Qingyang even approached, his Conscious Fish went ahead to carefully analyze his aura.

Although he could tell that Tian Jingzhao was still injured, he had recovered significantly. However, this last bit would be very difficult to heal, as the root of his foundation had been damaged.

Tian Jingzhao was very enthusiastic, walking over to grab his arm. ”Senior Brother Chen! I’ve been wanting to host you properly, but my body wasn’t up to it. Now that you’re here today, you must let me be a good host. You have to give me this chance.”

After speaking, he ordered the Miscellaneous Task disciples in his mansion to quickly prepare food and wine, while he himself pulled Chen Qingyang to a seat by the entrance of the Cave Mansion.

’This really is a nice place. Wildflowers bloomed in profusion, spring scenery flourished beneath a waterfall, and a gentle breeze was blowing.’

Tian Jingzhao watched with wide eyes as Chen Qingyang took out a Tier Four Yang Replacement Powder. He waited for him to take out another, but there was no further movement. A hint of disappointment flickered in his heart.

”Senior Brother Tian, elixirs shouldn’t be kept for too long. Since you need it, you should refine it quickly!”

Perhaps because they hadn’t seen each other in a long time, Tian Jingzhao treated it like a priceless treasure. He took it with both hands and consumed it, immediately circulating his qi for a moment. His eyes lit up with joy. ”Good, truly good! Junior Brother Chen’s elixirs live up to their reputation.”

After confirming he had received 27 Immortal Seedlings, Chen Qingyang asked him, ”I wonder what the Seven Immortals of Peach Valley have been up to recently?”

Tian Jingzhao hesitated, as he didn’t know what Chen Qingyang was getting at. He only heard Chen Qingyang continue, ”I had a very pleasant conversation with the seven senior brothers last time, but I was delayed by other matters and never had a chance to visit them again. Since I ran into you today, I thought I’d ask!”

”So that’s what it was about!” Tian Jingzhao laughed heartily. ”To be honest, Junior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Lu and Senior Brother Hu came by later and mentioned how generous you are. It’s just that our Master recently gave an order that the seven of them must break through to the Essence Condensation Realm within two years. Otherwise, it would jeopardize our Master’s important affairs, a responsibility no one can bear. That’s why they haven’t been in touch.”

Chen Qingyang laughed along with him. ”So, it seems Master Water Moon is very strict with his disciples. Does he require them to enter seclusion every so often?”

Tian Jingzhao shook his head. ”Junior Brother, you’re right, but not entirely. Our Master does indeed require us to enter seclusion to cultivate periodically, but this time it is extremely strict. It’s all because in two years, our Cyan Bamboo Peak will have the contest for the Earth Deity. You should know, this is extremely important to the Masters.”

Chen Qingyang had never heard of such a thing. ”Could Senior Brother Tian please explain in more detail?”

”HA HA.” Tian Jingzhao laughed, a look of understanding on his face. ”Junior Brother, it seems you really are all alone in Master Jing Yuan’s lineage, not even knowing about these things. The contest for the Earth Deity in two years is to determine the allocation of the Earth Deities based on the cultivation of the disciples under each Foundation Establishment Master.”

”My seven senior brothers have been at the Qi Refining Ninth Realm for quite some time. Even if not all of them can break through, if even one or two succeed, that’s one or two more Inner Sect Disciples, which would be a great benefit to our Master.”

Chen Qingyang was silent for a moment before asking, ”So if they can’t break through, it will have a significant impact on Master Water Moon?”

’It’s not just a possibility, it’s almost a certainty. The benefits of taking more of my elixirs will definitely become apparent.’

Tian Jingzhao said, ”Of course. Our lineage doesn’t have that many Inner Sect Disciples. Even one or two is a force to be reckoned with, isn’t it?”

At this point, he gave Chen Qingyang a sly grin. ”Junior Brother Chen, you’d better be careful. Master Jing Yuan is famous for how well he teaches his disciples. Right now, you’re his only disciple in the Outer Sect. If your cultivation doesn’t improve, you’ll inevitably be punished!”

Chen Qingyang nodded at him solemnly. ”Indeed, indeed. Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Tian. If you have the chance, please send my regards to the seven senior brothers.”

Tian Jingzhao smiled, his eyes narrowing. ”Of course, no problem.”

After that, Tian Jingzhao had the prepared food and wine set out. Hong’Er stood to the side, pouring tea and wine for the two of them. She served them attentively, exactly like a servant girl at his beck and call.

Chen Qingyang took a small bite of everything; the taste was excellent. Just as he was about to leave, he gave the other elixir to Tian Jingzhao as well.

Tian Jingzhao accepted it with both hands, grinning from ear to ear. ”Excellent, excellent! Junior Brother Chen is truly kind-hearted... Hong’Er, go see him out!”