Chapter 203: Can He Refine Foundation Establishment Pills?

Chapter 203: Can He Refine Foundation Establishment Pills?

Chu Ning, who was in the midst of cultivating, slowly opened his eyes and extended his spiritual sense, scanning the area below the cliff.

The next moment, Chu Ning reached for the mask beside him and placed it over his face.

After ensuring that the mask fit snugly, Chu Ning stood in front of the copper mirror to check his appearance, making sure there were no issues.

Soon after, a masked Chu Ning, clad in white, leaped off the cliff platform.

"Master Xiao Dan!"

Seeing Chu Ning appear, several people quickly bowed their hands in greeting.

Chu Ning recognized the middle-aged cultivator whom he had met a few days ago, and once again, he mentally complained about the peculiar character of Master Xiao Dan, also known as Xiao Cheng.

After establishing his reputation in pill refining, Xiao Cheng became more selective about selling certain high-level pills.

For cultivators who wished to purchase his pills, not only did they need sufficient spirit stones, but they also had to help him gather specific spiritual herbs.

The middle-aged man and his companions were most likely here to buy pills, hence their herb-gathering trip.

However, Chu Ning couldn't find any information about this middle-aged man in Xiao Cheng's memories.

Apparently, these people hadn't made much of an impression on Xiao Cheng.

After all, the soul-searching technique didn't allow for the extraction of every detail from a person's memory. Only significant memories were accessible to Chu Ning.

But it didn't matter; Xiao Cheng's eccentric personality made certain situations easier to handle.

"Where are the spiritual herbs you gathered?" Chu Ning asked, his voice identical to Xiao Cheng's.

It was only after donning the mask that he discovered it could alter his voice to match several fixed tones.

This proved convenient for Chu Ning, as he had already found Xiao Cheng's usual speaking voice after a few attempts.

"Please take a look, Master Xiao Dan," the middle-aged cultivator said as he opened the jade box, revealing the carefully gathered spiritual herbs inside.

His eyes, filled with trepidation, remained fixed on Chu Ning.

They had spent a considerable amount of time collecting these herbs and believed their quality to be decent.

However, the Master Xiao Dan before them was renowned for his peculiar temperament.

Many cultivators brought high-quality spiritual herbs, only to have them rejected by the eccentric pill master.

As a result, they had no choice but to return and gather herbs anew.

But he couldn't afford such delays.

Chu Ning glanced into the jade box and spotted three stalks of Yang Qu Grass, an important auxiliary material for refining fire-attribute pills.

In his Greenwood Primordial Yang Pill, there was an ingredient that could be substituted with this grass.

Moreover, the quality of the grass was indeed remarkable; it had likely grown naturally for nearly fifty years.

Even with Chu Ning's art of hastening maturation, it would probably take around three years to cultivate herbs of this caliber.

Without hesitation, Chu Ning reached out, took the jade box, and inquired, "What pill do you wish to purchase?"

Overjoyed by Chu Ning's words, the middle-aged cultivator exclaimed, "I wish to buy a Tong Xue Dan (Blood-Vitalizing Pill). Six days ago, I already gave the spirit stones to Master Xiao Dan."

Upon hearing the man's request, Chu Ning fell into a brief contemplation.

The Tong Xue Dan was a formula Xiao Cheng had obtained from an ancient pill manual, primarily used for healing.

It was exceptionally effective for wound recovery, often leading to a swift convalescence.

However, after examining the pill, Chu Ning understood its mechanism.

The Tong Xue Dan's remarkable healing properties stemmed from its ability to greatly stimulate one's potential.

Consequently, there would also be considerable side effects.

It would significantly hinder the cultivator's progress, making it especially difficult to breakthrough cross-realm bottlenecks.

Seeing Chu Ning's pensive expression, the middle-aged cultivator's heart skipped a beat.

In an attempt to persuade him, he quickly added, "Please be merciful, Master Xiao Dan. My wife was gravely injured by a demonic beast seven days ago.

If she doesn't consume a healing pill soon, I fear that in another day or two..."

Giving the man a glance, Chu Ning coldly replied, "Wait here for a while. I don't have the Tong Xue Dan with me, but I'll refine some other pills."

Hearing this, the middle-aged cultivator's expression changed slightly.

As he watched Chu Ning turn and leave, he opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

He could only watch as Chu Ning's figure soared into the air and disappeared into the formation.

A young man of sixteen or seventeen, who was with the middle-aged cultivator, couldn't help but speak up, "Father, is this Master Xiao Dan trying to renege on our deal? We already gave him the spirit stones and spiritual herbs..."

Hearing the young man's words, the middle-aged cultivator quickly turned and covered his son's mouth.

He shared the same concern, but what could he do if Master Xiao Dan refused to give them the pill?

With a bitter smile, the middle-aged cultivator shook his head at the others and whispered, "Master Xiao Dan asked us to wait here, so let's do as he says."

The middle-aged man and the young cultivators sat down on the ground below the cliff.

Soon after, a cultivator in his fifties, with a slightly chubby build, arrived at the scene.

Surprisingly, he was a cultivator at the initial stage of the Foundation Establishment realm. After spotting the group, he asked, "What are you all doing here? Where's Master Xiao Dan?"

"Master, Master Xiao Dan is currently refining pills," the middle-aged man replied.

Hearing this, the chubby Foundation Establishment cultivator fell silent and sat down to wait as well.

The middle-aged man wasn't surprised by this reaction.

Anyone who came to buy pills from Master Xiao Dan knew that if he was in the process of refining, he wouldn't pay attention to any urgent matters that came his way.

Moreover, he would often get angry afterward.

Thus, those who came to this place rarely disturbed him if they knew he was refining pills.

They could only sit and wait, their eyes fixed anxiously on the platform above.

However, true to Xiao Cheng's eccentric character, Chu Ning didn't bother to ask any questions. Instead, he reached out and handed a small jade bottle to the middle-aged cultivator.

"This is the Qing Xue Dan (Clear Blood Pill). Take it," Chu Ning said.

Hearing this, the middle-aged cultivator, who had just been full of joy, stiffened slightly. "Senior, I need a pill to heal my injuries. This Clear Blood Pill..."

Chu Ning waved his hand dismissively. "They have similar effects. This is a new pill I've formulated. While it may take a little longer to heal wounds, the difference is negligible."

Without access to Xiao Cheng's memories, Chu Ning was unaware of the side effects of the Tong Xue Dan (Blood-Vitalizing Pill). Thus, he didn't reveal its drawbacks.

The Clear Blood Pill he obtained from the Ling Dan Ji Yao was actually more challenging to refine than the Blood-Vitalizing Pill. During the refining process, a rare herb called Tian He Cao (Sky River Grass) was required to increase the pill's success rate. However, this herb itself didn't contribute significantly to the pill's healing properties, and its absence wouldn't affect the overall efficacy as long as the pill was successfully refined.

Chu Ning didn't possess this particular herb, and his ability to formulate the Clear Blood Pill in such a short time was solely due to his exceptional pill-refining technique.

In terms of the rarity of the required ingredients, the Clear Blood Pill, without the addition of Sky River Grass, was not more valuable than the Blood-Vitalizing Pill. However, when it came to actual usage, the Clear Blood Pill was far more precious.

Unlike the Blood-Vitalizing Pill, the Clear Blood Pill not only avoided hindering a cultivator's future progress but also had the added benefit of strengthening one's foundation and nurturing their primordial qi. While it might take slightly longer to heal wounds, it offered significant advantages for a cultivator's subsequent cultivation.

The middle-aged cultivator, of course, was unaware of these intricacies. He assumed that Chu Ning, not having the Blood-Vitalizing Pill, had casually given him a different pill as a substitute.

Holding the small jade bottle, the middle-aged cultivator hesitated, his face filled with uncertainty.

Noticing his reaction, Chu Ning let out a cold huff. "What? Don't you trust my pill-refining skills?"

At this rebuke, the middle-aged cultivator's expression changed, and he quickly replied, "I dare not doubt you, Senior. Thank you!"

"Then hurry along and stop loitering here," Chu Ning said with a dismissive wave of his hand, his tone conveying his impatience.

The middle-aged cultivator promptly left with his companions.

Only after their figures had disappeared from view did the chubby cultivator smile and speak up. "It seems that Xiao Dan Shi's pill-refining skills have become even more exquisite."

Chu Ning glanced at him, making no effort to continue the conversation.

The chubby cultivator, clearly aware of "Xiao Dan Shi's" temperament, didn't press further. Instead, he continued with a cheerful tone, "Half a year ago, I asked Xiao Dao You if he had been refining Foundation Establishment Pills lately, and he gave me an ambiguous answer, saying that it depended on the situation. My disciple is now at the stage where he must establish his foundation, and I'm wondering if you've made any progress in that regard."

Chu Ning's eyes narrowed slightly as he processed this information.

He hadn't come across any memory or item related to Foundation Establishment Pills in Xiao Cheng's possessions. Xiao Cheng's vague response to this cultivator seemed out of place.

"I'm not sure about the Foundation Establishment Pill formula," Chu Ning replied. "But if you've gathered the necessary materials, I can take a look. I might be able to help."

The chubby cultivator's eyes lit up at the prospect. He immediately took out several jade boxes and placed them before Chu Ning.

"I'm not familiar with the formula for the Foundation Establishment Pill, but over the years, I've managed to collect various spiritual herbs that are said to be essential for its refinement. I don't know which specific herbs you lack, but if you're willing to attempt the refinement, I'm willing to offer these herbs without any conditions. In exchange for the pills, I can provide spirit stones or treasures," he proposed.

Chu Ning was slightly taken aback by the offer. He opened the jade boxes one by one, examining their contents, and began to murmur the names of the herbs.

"Jin Yuan Cao (Golden Origin Grass), Ling Mu Guo (Spirit Wood Fruit), and Zhu Guo (Crimson Fruit)."

Indeed, these three spiritual herbs were crucial for the Foundation Establishment Pill. While the Spirit Wood Fruit was the primary ingredient, the other two played important supporting roles.

With these herbs and the additional resources he had acquired from the Song and Liu families in Thousand Lakes and Islands, Chu Ning realized that he could attempt to refine a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills.

Intrigued by the prospect of refining these renowned pills in the cultivation world, Chu Ning considered the offer.

"These herbs will indeed be useful," he said after a moment's thought. "Come back in five days during the bi-monthly pill sale, and we can discuss this further."

The chubby cultivator's face lit up with delight at Chu Ning's response. "Then I shall eagerly await your good news in five days. To be honest, my disciple's talent far surpasses mine. If he can successfully establish his foundation, his future cultivation will undoubtedly exceed mine.

He appeared extremely aloof and proud.

However, the chubby early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator didn't seem to mind. Instead, he started beaming happily after Chu Ning nodded.

It wasn't until Chu Ning's figure had completely disappeared from view that he finally turned and left.

As soon as Chu Ning landed on the small platform above the cliff, he headed straight for the pill refining room.

Although he had just refined a batch of Serenity Pills, it didn't affect his ability to continue refining pills.

He reached into his storage bag and took out the Ling Dan Ji Yao, carefully studying the pill refining techniques for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

After memorizing the techniques, he put the book away and took out several spirit herbs from his storage bag one after another.

In addition to the three spirit herbs provided by the chubby elder, there were also Heaven and Earth Flowers, Silver Frost Dew, and more—a total of over ten types of spirit herbs.

Among them, the most difficult to find was the Heaven and Earth Flower.

The Foundation Establishment Pill allowed cultivators to sense their spiritual sense during their breakthrough, and after successfully establishing their foundation, they could project their spiritual sense outward. This flower was the key to achieving that.

Previously, Chu Ning hadn't been able to obtain this spirit herb.

However, he had accidentally found it in the storage bag of the middle-aged Confucian scholar a couple of days ago.

But, according to Chu Ning's calculations, the flower might not have originally belonged to the middle-aged Confucian scholar.

Because he had also discovered many items belonging to the Chen family of Thousand Lakes and Islands in the storage bag.

It seemed his initial guess was correct—the Chen family's old ancestor had also been eliminated by the Yin Demon Sect.

And many of their possessions had ended up in the hands of the middle-aged Confucian scholar.

Chu Ning laid out all the spirit herbs in front of him, then waved his hand to cast a spell, summoning the earth fire.

Two days ago, Chu Ning had modified the pill refining room to better suit his needs.

He had replaced the formation equipment that Cen Zixin had originally set up for him with the one he obtained from the Lei Huo Sect, and he had also swapped out the pill furnace with the one he brought from there.

After all, although Xiao Cheng's previous pill refining room and furnace weren't bad, they were still far inferior to his.

As he waited for the earth fire to heat up, Chu Ning sensed the temperature of the pill furnace and cast several spells in succession, skillfully controlling the fire.

He then threw the spirit herbs one by one into the pill furnace in a well-ordered manner.

At the same time, Chu Ning divided his spiritual sense into several strands, probing into the pill furnace.

Purifying, dissolving, separating...

Even though it was his first time refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, Chu Ning performed as if he had refined it countless times before, executing each step flawlessly.

Not only that, his powerful spiritual sense, combined with his ability to divide his soul, made him seem completely at ease.

At this moment, Chu Ning's spiritual sense was divided into nine strands, each resting on one of the nine clumps of pill solution within the pill furnace.

He carefully sensed the state of each clump.

The next moment, Chu Ning's hands swiftly cast several profound and mysterious spells in succession.

At the same time, he muttered softly.

"Condense!"

The nine clumps of pill solution in the pill furnace immediately began to slowly condense into pills.

Once all the solution had condensed into pills, Chu Ning's hands did not stop.

He continued to cast several spells in quick succession.

Immediately, strands of spiritual energy gathered and flowed into the pill furnace.

Only when all the spiritual energy had disappeared did Chu Ning strike the pill furnace with a palm strike.

Instantly, nine pills exuding a refreshing fragrance flew out of the pill furnace and landed steadily in the jade bottle in Chu Ning's hand.

Looking at the nine pills with identical color and quality, Chu Ning nodded in satisfaction.

Then he reached into his storage bag and took out a jade bottle, pouring out a pill from it.

He placed this pill among the other nine and compared them, his smile growing even brighter.

"The first time refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, and I directly refined nine pills in one batch, with a higher quality than the Foundation Establishment Pills of Yaochi Palace!

The enhancement of my spiritual sense has indeed greatly improved my pill refining technique!"

The other day, although Chu Ning had also refined several types of pills, none of them gave him as obvious a feeling as refining the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Now, on his first attempt, he had achieved such a level, which really surprised him, even though he knew he had the advantage of the Primordial Dan Spirit Body.

And Chu Ning was also well aware that all of this was thanks to the near-doubling of his spiritual sense.

It allowed him to use the soul-dividing technique more freely and precisely control the pill-forming process of each pill in the pill furnace.

Just as Chu Ning was feeling satisfied with his successful first attempt at refining the Foundation Establishment Pill.

At this moment, in a certain cave abode within Jiuhua Mountain.

A middle-aged man with a head full of white hair sat opposite the chubby elder, exclaiming in surprise.

"Brother Ma, you didn't lie to me. That Master Xiao Dan really can refine the Foundation Establishment Pill?"

The chubby elder laughed and nodded:

"He accepted my pill refining materials and told me to come back for the pills in five days. According to my calculations, he should have at least a fifty percent chance of success.

I know you've always wanted to find a Foundation Establishment Pill for your daughter, so I told you this news.

Once he gives me the Foundation Establishment Pills, the news will definitely spread.

The remaining Foundation Establishment Pills may be snatched up by the Jiuhua Sect, and we may not get any."

The white-haired elder's face also lit up with delight.

"I must seize this opportunity. In five days, I'll go with you, and I'll definitely ask Master Xiao Dan for a pill."

After he finished speaking, he sighed:

"The status of the Jiuhua Sect is becoming more and more awkward. Not only are there no successors for the Nascent Soul cultivators, but the same is true for pill refiners as well.

Ever since Pill Master Qiu of the Pill Refining Hall passed away and Pill Master Ling met with an accident a few years ago, the entire sect only has Elder Ling, who's at the Golden Core stage, capable of refining high-quality Foundation Establishment Pills.

But I heard that Elder Ling has been in seclusion for ten years, trying to break through to the middle Golden Core stage, and no one knows when he'll come out.

For a while, no one in the sect could refine the Foundation Establishment Pill, making them extremely scarce within the sect, let alone for us unaffiliated cultivators."

"That's true." The chubby elder nodded solemnly.

"Brother Liu, this news must not be spread any further. Let's get one pill first."

"Of course," Liu replied.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end