Chapter 167: Refining the Celestial Marrow Elixir

Chapter 167: Refining the Celestial Marrow Elixir

After Xu Yan's breakthrough to the perfect innate stage, he returned home to guide his parents in their cultivation practice and then went to the Qi Kingdom's capital to help his grandfather and others on their path.

With the nourishment of elixirs, Guo Rongshan's body had improved significantly, making his martial arts cultivation much easier. He was now not far from achieving a basic level of proficiency in martial arts.

As for Guo Yunkai, he had already entered the introductory stage of the Qi and Blood Realm.

The development of the martial arts world in the frontier was entering a period of rapid growth, and more martial artists were about to emerge.

Li Xuan looked forward to the feedback he would receive as the number of martial artists increased.

"Your disciple, Meng Chong, has broken through the Mahavairocana Golden Body Perfection, causing your Mahavairocana Golden Body to double in strength."

Meng Chong had indeed broken through.

However, the feedback from the golden finger did not indicate a breakthrough in the Mahavairocana Golden Body but rather a doubling of its power.

Although his realm remained unchanged, he had undoubtedly become stronger.

Li Xuan observed the profound way in which the Mahavairocana Golden Body's acupoints were nurtured, marveling at how Meng Chong had finally begun to cultivate his blade within his acupoints, establishing a formidable trump card.

If Meng Chong had achieved such a feat, Xu Yan's prowess could only be imagined.

His Mountain and River Sword Intent had likely nurtured an even more formidable ace up his sleeve.

Li Xuan glanced at his own sword intent, understanding the reason for their growth.

"My pure martial arts, physical martial arts, and alchemy martial arts are all integrated without conflict, instead harmonizing as one. Is this because they are martial arts that I have created, allowing me to achieve unity in martial arts?"

Li Xuan pondered.

"In that case, if I create even more martial arts, can I still achieve unity in martial arts, and will it eventually lead to a transformation into an even stronger martial art?"

Li Xuan's curiosity grew.

However, creating new martial arts was no easy task, and finding someone who could comprehend them was even more challenging.

"I'll wait until I can use the golden finger before trying to create new martial arts."

Li Xuan made up his mind.

Focusing his consciousness, he once again saw that faint golden light—the key to the golden finger. He was now closer than ever to uncovering its full form.

According to his speculation, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he should be able to see and utilize the golden finger upon reaching the fourth realm of martial arts, beyond the 'Penetrating the Mystery' stage.

Xu Yan had returned home, and Meng Chong, aside from cultivating, was teaching the Stone Second Knife Technique. Seeing this, Zhou Ying also sought out Meng Chong to receive guidance.

Su Lingxiu was researching a pill formula in preparation for refining the Celestial Marrow Elixir.

An elixir that enhances one's aptitude and talent—how invaluable!

Of course, for those with exceptionally strong talent, it might not have much effect.

For example, her Greenwood Spiritual Body would not benefit from the Celestial Marrow Elixir, even if it was a fifth-grade spirit herb. Her innate talent was simply too high for it to make a significant difference.

The elixir's ability to enhance talent was limited.

However, for Zhou Ying, Shi Er, and others, it could greatly enhance their talent.

A month passed.

Zhou Ying had reached the perfect Qi and Blood Realm and was not far from the innate stage.

However, she needed time to consolidate her progress, as her rapid improvement relied heavily on elixirs, making it somewhat unstable.

Shi Er had achieved a great success in the Qi and Blood Realm.

Su Lingxiu was also approaching the minor achievement of the innate stage.

Over the past month, she had refined elixirs several times, and her research on the Celestial Marrow Elixir's pill formula had borne fruit. All that remained was to start the furnace and refine the elixir.

Su Lingxiu melted a six-grade spirit herb in her hands, extracting its essence, and then carefully poured it into a jade bottle, sealing it tightly.

She then proceeded to extract the essence from another six-grade spirit herb.

To ensure the success of refining the Celestial Marrow Elixir, Su Lingxiu had to extract the auxiliary herbs in advance. This way, when it was time to refine the elixir, she would only need to extract the Celestial Marrow and merge it with the prepared essence to form the pill.

By doing so, the probability of failure would be greatly reduced.

Her technique of refining elixirs with her bare hands had, through these days of research and practice, reached a level of mastery.

Li Xuan, witnessing her progress, guessed that it was about time to teach Su Lingxiu the Void Elixir Refining Technique. Once she comprehended this technique, she could use it as a foundation to further comprehend higher-level void elixir refining methods.

As Su Lingxiu prepared to start the furnace to refine the Celestial Marrow Elixir, Li Xuan called her over.

"Master, do you think I can successfully refine the Celestial Marrow Elixir?" Su Lingxiu asked anxiously.

A fifth-grade spirit herb was extremely precious, and this was the only one they had. Naturally, she felt the pressure, and her heart was tense.

"When refining elixirs, especially high-grade or new elixirs, the most important thing is to remain calm and focused, with a confident mindset. If you lack confidence before even starting, you won't be able to calm your heart and focus your mind, and it's better not to attempt the refinement at all. When you doubt yourself, the probability of failure is higher."

Li Xuan spoke calmly.

The Celestial Marrow was incredibly precious, and they only had one. Meng Chong had even been pursued by a grandmaster for a while to obtain it.

Because of this, Su Lingxiu was afraid of failing and letting her senior brothers down, which added to the pressure she felt.

"Disciple understands, Master!" Su Lingxiu nodded solemnly, her anxiety easing.

Su Lingxiu was overjoyed. "Thank you, Master!"

"The Void Pill Refining Technique uses the void as a furnace to melt and refine pills. This is the foundation of pill refining, and you must use it as a base to comprehend the Dao of Pill Refining.

"Don't just stop at the Void Pill Refining Technique, but also try to gain insights from it. Pills can be medicinal, but they can also be something more..."

Li Xuan spoke solemnly, reminding her to ponder and gain insights, using this foundation to comprehend even more powerful pill refining techniques.

Su Lingxiu nodded solemnly, "Master, I understand. I will not remain stagnant and will work to comprehend the Dao. I know that Master is teaching me not just a technique, but a path that I must walk myself.

"I will not merely focus on the Void Pill Refining Technique, but use it as a foundation to comprehend higher pill refining techniques and gain enlightenment in the Dao of Pill Refining."

Li Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Just like the Dan Yi Wu Dian, I already have new ideas. I believe that soon, I will be able to use this foundation to comprehend an even higher level of the Dan Yi Wu Dian."

Su Lingxiu continued excitedly.

Li Xuan felt even more pleased, and it seemed that he would be able to obtain an even higher level of the Dan Yi Wu Dian soon.

"Indeed, the fact that you have such enlightenment pleases me."

Li Xuan praised.

Next, he proceeded to teach Su Lingxiu the Void Pill Refining Technique.

After learning the Void Pill Refining Technique, Su Lingxiu naturally couldn't immediately put it into practice. After all, she had just entered the introductory stage of the Innate Realm, and she still lacked the strength to utilize the technique.

However, through studying the Void Pill Refining Technique, she gained new insights into pill refining, and her bare-handed pill refining skills improved even further.

Originally, she had planned to refine the Celestial Marrow Elixir, but due to her newfound insights into the Void Pill Refining Technique, this plan was postponed.

A few days later, Su Lingxiu's pill refining skills improved again, and her confidence in refining the Celestial Marrow Elixir grew. She prepared to start the furnace and refine the pill.

Xu Yan had also returned.

"Junior Sister, believe in yourself and just do your best. Don't be afraid of failure. It's just one spirit herb, although it's a fifth-grade one. Since we were able to find one, we will surely be able to find a second and a third."

It was clear that Su Lingxiu was feeling a lot of pressure, afraid of failing to refine the pill, so Xu Yan spoke up to comfort her.

"Senior Brother Xu is right. Since our family was able to find one, there's a chance to find a second one. If I fail, then I fail. When I go to the Inner Domain, I can ask our family to look for more."

Meng Chong also chimed in.

"Mm, Senior Brother, rest assured, I am confident."

Su Lingxiu clenched her fists and replied.

Xie Lingfeng, Hu Shan, and the others also gathered around. A fifth-grade spirit herb was an extremely precious treasure.

What kind of miraculous effects would a pill refined from a fifth-grade spirit herb have? Everyone was curious and wanted to watch Su Lingxiu refine the Celestial Marrow Elixir, even the red cat lounging outside the manor jumped in and sat by to watch.

Li Xuan suspected that the red cat was hoping for a failure so that it could have a chance to eat such a precious herb.

"This big cat seems to have gained a bit of sentience."

Li Xuan sat in his chair, observing the red cat thoughtfully.

Before refining the Celestial Marrow Elixir, Su Lingxiu first refined another type of pill, one that she had recently researched. It was of a high grade and had extraordinary effects.

Revival Pill! A healing pill that could bring someone back from the brink of death as long as they still had a breath left.

It also had the effect of repairing one's foundation.

She wanted to refine the Revival Pill first to familiarize herself with the process before moving on to the Celestial Marrow Elixir.

"Hu Shan, do we have any fifth-grade spirit herbs in the Sword Sovereign Cliff?"

Xie Lingfeng asked curiously.

"I don't know!"

Hu Shan scratched his head.

"Xie, your Sword Sovereign Cliff is such a powerful force with deep roots. It's hard to believe that you don't have any fifth-grade spirit herbs," Xu Yan said curiously.

"It's hard to say!"

Xie Lingfeng shook his head, "Fifth-grade spirit herbs truly rely on chance, and they are probably extremely rare in the Inner Domain. Otherwise, Tian Bao Ge wouldn't be selling them."

He pondered for a moment before continuing, "Sword Sovereign Cliff does have a long history, and I believe that we do have fifth-grade spirit herbs in our collection. But that would be part of our true foundation, something I don't have access to yet.

"When I return, I'll ask my father about it."

Xu Yan felt that this made sense. Fifth-grade spirit herbs were indeed a part of their true foundation.

"Young Master, if we have fifth-grade spirit herbs, why not refine them into pills? That would strengthen our foundation even more."

Hu Shan said eagerly, his eyes shining with anticipation.

A single fifth-grade spirit herb could only be used by one person, and even if it was divided, it could only benefit two or three people at most.

But if it was refined into a pill, perhaps even he would have a chance to benefit from it!

"That's true, but it depends on whether my father is willing to give them to me," Xie Lingfeng said helplessly.

Su Lingxiu focused her entire being on refining the pill, and the first furnace of Revival Pills was successfully refined, resulting in a total of thirty-six pills.

Su Lingxiu placed the three bottles of pills on the table and explained.

"What would it take for me to get one bottle? Ten sixth-grade spirit herbs?"

Xie Lingfeng asked eagerly.

"Deal!"

Su Lingxiu nodded.

Ten sixth-grade spirit herbs in exchange for a bottle of Revival Pills was a great deal for her.

Of course, Xie Lingfeng felt like he had gotten the better end of the deal as well. Without their connection, he knew that even a hundred sixth-grade spirit herbs wouldn't be enough to buy such a miraculous pill.

"Thank you!"

Xie Lingfeng said excitedly as he took one of the bottles.

Su Lingxiu then began the process of refining the Celestial Marrow Elixir.

Her expression turned solemn as she focused all her attention on the task at hand, not daring to be distracted even for a moment.

Xu Yan and the others held their breath, ensuring they made no sound that might disturb Su Lingxiu's concentration.

Xu Yan even glared at the red cat lounging nearby, warning it to stay silent or else face being turned into tiger stew! The cat was so scared it dared not even breathe heavily. Of all the people present, it feared Xu Yan the most, knowing that if he made good on his threat, no one would stand in his way.

As for Li Xuan, he would definitely not intervene. His heart was set on his top disciple above all else.

The refining of the Celestial Marrow Elixir was a slow and taxing process, and Su Lingxiu's forehead soon beaded with sweat. Yet, she remained undeterred, carefully controlling the alchemical fire.

At one point, Su Lingxiu clapped her hands together, signaling the completion of the elixir.

Out of the initial thirty-six pills, six had turned out to be defective.

The remaining thirty pills, however, were crystal-like and lustrous, emitting a subtle yet enticing fragrance. One had to bring the pill close to their nose to catch a whiff of the delicate and refreshing scent.

Although six pills had failed, the refining process had ultimately been a success.

Su Lingxiu was thrilled.

On the table were thirty small jade bottles, specially purchased by Hu Shan from Tieshan County. Each bottle would hold a single pill.

"This is a fifth-grade pill, the Celestial Marrow Pill. It has the effect of enhancing one's aptitude and understanding," Su Lingxiu explained excitedly.

"It can enhance aptitude and understanding?"

Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan were stunned.

For martial artists, aptitude and understanding were fundamental aspects that were usually set in stone from birth.

"Of course!"

Su Lingxiu nodded, then added, "However, if one's aptitude and understanding are already exceptionally high, the Celestial Marrow Pill might not have much of an effect."

After all, if one's aptitude far surpassed the limits of the pill, it would be like dropping a droplet of water into the ocean, with no noticeable increase.

Additionally, the first Celestial Marrow Pill would have the best effect, with the second pill only having half the potency, and three pills being the limit. Taking more pills beyond that would not result in any further enhancement.

Xu Yan poured out one of the Celestial Marrow Pills into his hand and examined it for a while before speaking, "It's useless for me."

Li Xuan couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, "Not only is the Celestial Marrow Pill useless for you, but any item or high-grade pill meant to enhance aptitude and understanding would be of no use to you.

"Your talent is already beyond what those things can measure."

Meng Chong also shook his head, as the pill would have no effect on him either.

Ever since he had tempered his body and cultivated the Adamantine Body, he had transcended the limitations of mortal flesh, and his aptitude and understanding had become extraordinary.

Hu Shan, on the other hand, was trembling with excitement. "Twenty sixth-grade spirit herbs! I want one Celestial Marrow Pill!"

What he lacked the most was aptitude and understanding!

"Sure!"

Su Lingxiu handed him one of the jade bottles.

Twenty sixth-grade spirit herbs was a high price, but considering their relationship, she was willing to sell him one pill.

She then turned to Xie Lingfeng.

"Do you want one?"

Xie Lingfeng's lips twitched as he saw that Xu Yan, Meng Chong, and even Su Lingxiu herself had no use for the pill. As the top disciple of Sword Sovereign Cliff, it felt a bit embarrassing to admit that he wanted to use the pill to enhance his aptitude and understanding. The gap between them seemed too wide.

"Yes,"

Xie Lingfeng nodded.

Su Lingxiu gave him a jade bottle, and he, too, had earned twenty sixth-grade spirit herbs.

"Your aptitude isn't bad, but the pill might not enhance you by much," Su Lingxiu cautioned.

The higher one's aptitude and understanding, the less noticeable the effects of the pill would be.

"I understand,"

Xie Lingfeng acknowledged. Even a small improvement was still an improvement.

Meng Chong took one of the pills and said, "I promised to give one to my cousin. Once he experiences the benefits, he'll definitely work harder to find fifth-grade spirit herbs."

After tasting the benefits, Meng Shushu would be even more motivated to search for fifth-grade spirit herbs.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end