Chapter 211: It's a Blessing for the Pill Refining Dao of Jiuhua Zong to Have Chu Ning

Chapter 211: It's a Blessing for the Pill Refining Dao of Jiuhua Zong to Have Chu Ning

Chu Ning was slightly taken aback.

He hadn't expected that Ling Cang would actually announce his appointment as the Chief Executor in front of everyone.

However, facing the hundreds of people in the dojo, all he could do was accept this honor.

Chu Ning bowed to the crowd.

"Thank you, fellow junior disciples!"

Only then did Ling Cang nod in satisfaction.

Then, he turned to Gong Yu Yuan, Yuan Zhuo, and Ge Liu Yang, and said:

"Fellow senior disciples, we still have some matters to discuss in the Pill Refining Pavilion. That's all for now."

"Alright!" Gong Yu Yuan's face was filled with smiles.

"It's a great joy that the Jiuhua Zong Yuan Dan control fire technique has been perfected, and a mid-level high-grade pill conjurer has emerged in the Pill Refining Pavilion.

It's only right that Ling junior disciple makes some arrangements. We shall take our leave first."

Strictly speaking, although Ling Cang had returned, he had nothing to do with the Pill Refining Pavilion.

And technically, Chu Ning wasn't exactly his person either.

However, Chu Ning's performance today had undoubtedly brought great honor to Gong Yu Yuan, so he was naturally delighted at the moment.

Yuan Zhuo and Ge Liu Yang merely nodded without saying a word.

Then, the three of them transformed into three long rainbows and flew away from the dojo in an instant.

Ling Cang then signaled for the rest to disperse, leaving only Chu Ning and a few other executors behind.

He led Chu Ning and the others up to the high platform where Chu Ning had just refined his pills.

With his back to the group, Ling Cang stood there, his eyes gazing down at the dojo below from the platform. For a long while, he said nothing.

Not knowing Ling Cang's intentions, the group remained silent as well.

After what seemed like an eternity, Ling Cang slowly turned around and said calmly:

"Do you know what this platform was originally used for when it was first built?"

Without waiting for a response, Ling Cang continued:

"From the Dual Cloud Alliance to the Yun Xiao Alliance, Jiuhua Zong has been one of the oldest sects in the Yun Xiao Mountain Range. In those days, it was especially renowned for its pill and artifact refining techniques throughout the Western Alliance Continent.

Thousands of years ago, this platform was where our esteemed predecessors in the pavilion imparted their pill refining knowledge to their disciples.

It was also where Jiuhua Zong showcased its pill refining techniques to the other sects within the alliance!"

As he spoke, a hint of emotion flashed in Ling Cang's eyes.

"Back then, hundreds of pill conjurers from the various sects of the Dual Cloud Alliance gathered beneath this very platform, all eager to witness the pill refining techniques of Jiuhua Zong!"

Hearing this, Chu Ning and the others couldn't help but look astonished.

These details were not recorded in the related classics of the Jiuhua Zong Pill Refining Pavilion.

However, from Ling Cang's description, they could imagine the heyday of Jiuhua Zong's pill refining techniques.

"Later, a split occurred within the Dual Cloud Alliance, and many sects from the Yun Meng Mountain Range joined the Tian Ji Alliance.

A dispute broke out between the two sides, and countless cultivators of our Jiuhua Zong perished in this conflict.

Especially among the elders of the Pill Refining Pavilion and the Artifact Refining Pavilion, there were numerous casualties. This not only set our sect back, causing us to be ranked only in the middle of the Yun Xiao Alliance.

But it also led to the loss of many of our sect's pill refining techniques."

At this point, Ling Cang sighed softly.

"From then on, the pill refining techniques of Jiuhua Zong never regained their former glory, and generation after generation of disciples in the Pill Refining Pavilion failed to replicate the achievements of our predecessors."

As he spoke, Ling Cang's eyes fell upon the group.

"In fact, by the time it came to my hands, we couldn't even guarantee the supply of various pills for our sect."

Ling Cang's words immediately filled the four executors, excluding Chu Ning, with a sense of shame and embarrassment.

He Yan Mao's face turned red with shame, and he spoke up:

"Elder, I haven't done a good job, and I feel ashamed to have failed the sect's trust."

Ling Cang shook his head and said gently:

"I know you've worked hard, but your talent has limited you, and you will never be able to reach the pinnacle of pill refining."

Without paying any heed to He Yan Mao's expression, Ling Cang turned his gaze to Yuan Rong Zhang and said indifferently:

"Rong Zhang, your talent surpasses He junior disciple, but you are too focused on gain and loss.

In the pursuit of the Great Dao, you lack the innocence of a child's heart."

Hearing these words, Yuan Rong Zhang's face changed drastically. He opened his mouth, but in the end, no words came out.

Instead, his eyes fell into a daze.

Ling Cang then looked at Su Yu Qing and Xu Ming Hua.

"As for you two, Yu Qing is too complacent, and although you possess the innocence of a child's heart, you lack the determination to pursue the Great Dao.

Ming Hua, your lifespan is insufficient, and it seems you have also lost the drive to pursue the Great Dao."

"As for Chu junior disciple, he has brought me unexpected joy."

At this moment, Ling Cang's eyes landed on Chu Ning.

"He possesses exceptional talent in pill refining, yet he doesn't flaunt it like many geniuses do."

As he spoke, Ling Cang paused briefly, then looked at Chu Ning with deep meaning.

"If I'm not mistaken, the Jiuhua Zong Yuan Dan that Chu junior disciple refined just now should be more than just these six pills, right?"

As soon as Ling Cang said this, the eyes of those present widened in surprise as they turned to Chu Ning once more.

You should know that Chu Ning had already produced six pills, achieving a success rate of almost 70%!

But now Ling Cang was saying that Chu Ning had made more than six, which meant that his success rate was...

Chu Ning was also surprised.

Since he had just been refining the last type of pill in his own pill furnace, he had put the other three pills back into the furnace and planned to take them out later in his cave abode.

But he hadn't expected that Ling Cang would already know about it.

Since Ling Cang had already said so much, Chu Ning smiled and said:

"As expected of Ling Shishu, your insight is truly remarkable."

As he spoke, Chu Ning took out his pill furnace from his storage bag, opened the lid, and poured out the remaining three pills.

"This..."

Seeing Chu Ning's actions, He Yan Mao, Yuan Rong Zhang, Su Yu Qing, and Xu Ming Hua were all stunned.

"Nine pills! Chu senior disciple, you actually refined nine pills!"

He Yan Mao, who had the deepest research in Jiuhua Zong Yuan Dan among the four, exclaimed first.

I had thought that since you could perfect this fire control technique, your success rate in pill concoction should be over 80%.

But I never expected it to reach 100%!"

At this moment, Ling Cang shook his head, his eyes filled with astonishment and a hint of excitement.

"It seems your talent in pill concoction far surpasses my expectations.

You have talent, yet you know how to conceal it. Well done. You truly deserve to be the head of the pill concocting executors."

Speaking thus, he turned once more to the four, including Yuan Rongzhang, who were still somewhat dazed, and sighed gently,

"It has been over a century since I took charge of the Pill Refining Pavilion, and there hasn't been much improvement in everyone's pill refining techniques. I take responsibility for this failure.

During my ten-year seclusion, I've also been pondering this issue.

In the past, people used to say that I was stubborn and obstinate, always favoring my disciples. This time, I want to show everyone that I, Ling Cang, can also be flexible."

As he spoke, he pointed at Chu Ning, continuing, "I appointed Chu Ning as the head executor to send a message to all the cultivators in the Pill Refining Pavilion.

The Pill Refining Pavilion values pill refining techniques, and as long as one improves in this art, they will gain the corresponding status and respect!

Of course, this includes access to resources as well."

Ling Cang's gaze swept across the five, including Chu Ning.

"If one day, someone in the pavilion believes that their pill refining skills surpass those of Chu Ning, they can also propose a pill refining contest to vie for the position of head executor! Even if I don't live to see it, I hope that one day, the pill refining techniques of our Jiuhua Zong will regain their former glory and once again awe the entire Western Alliance Continent!"

Among the five, only Chu Ning maintained a calm expression upon hearing Ling Cang's words. The other four were visibly moved.

After delivering this impassioned speech, Ling Cang paid no heed to their reactions and continued, "With Chu Ning as the head executor, the day-to-day management of the pavilion will still be handled by He Yanmao and Xu Minghua.

Chu Ning, Rongzhang, and Yuqing, I hope that the three of you will understand my intentions and focus on improving your pill refining and cultivation, thereby restoring the reputation of Jiuhua Zong's Pill Refining Pavilion."

Ling Cang then looked at Chu Ning and said, "You four may leave now. I have a few more things to discuss with Chu Ning."

"Disciple bids farewell!" Upon hearing Ling Cang's words, the four immediately bowed and took their leave.

When only the two of them remained, Ling Cang spoke again, "Chu Ning, Palace Master has already told me about your situation.

Since you are willing to cut ties with your past and join the Jiuhua Zong Pill Refining Pavilion, from now on, you are a part of Jiuhua Zong.

Perhaps you don't feel a strong sense of belonging yet, but we can also make a deal."

As he spoke, Ling Cang fixed his gaze intently on Chu Ning, "I will provide you with all the resources you need for your cultivation, and all I ask in return is that you help prosper Jiuhua Zong's pill refining techniques!"

Only then did Chu Ning realize that Ling Cang, a Golden Core cultivator, had seen right through him.

He had not only seen through the strengths and weaknesses of the four pill refining executors but had also understood some of Chu Ning's thoughts during their first meeting.

What a wise old man, Chu Ning couldn't help but admire.

Indeed, although Ling Cang's previous words had moved the four pill refining executors, Chu Ning remained relatively calm.

After all, he hadn't been in Jiuhua Zong for long, and his past experiences made it difficult for him to fully trust such a large sect.

So, he wouldn't be easily swayed by Ling Cang's words to the point of absolute loyalty to the sect.

As Chu Ning pondered this, he didn't immediately agree but instead asked with some confusion, "Why does Ling Shishu trust me so much? Aren't you afraid that I might take advantage of the resources without fulfilling my end of the bargain and not contribute to Jiuhua Zong in the future?"

Ling Cang shook his head with a smile, "Of course, I'm afraid!

However, Chu Ning, you have already helped the sect perfect the Jiuhua Congealing Yuan Dan's fire control technique, and the resources I will provide you in the future will more than make up for that.

Moreover, I believe that as long as we can provide you with sufficient cultivation resources, you will not hold back when it comes to pill refining for the sect.

As for the distant future..."

Ling Cang smiled as he said this, "Chu Ning, you've only been in the sect for a short time, but I believe that the longer you stay, the more you will come to love Jiuhua Zong."

Chu Ning looked at Ling Cang with a puzzled expression.

The latter merely smiled back without saying anything further.

After some thought, Chu Ning nodded, "Ling Shishu, rest assured. If it's just about researching pill refining techniques, I will do my best."

Chu Ning's words were sincere. Although he possessed the Spirit Pill Compendium, the higher the grade of the pill, the harder it was to find the various heavenly spirit herbs required.

With the support of Jiuhua Zong's Pill Refining Pavilion resources, he would have far fewer worries.

For someone like Chu Ning, who just wanted to find a place to cultivate peacefully, this was an ideal arrangement.

Moreover, Jiuhua Zong's pill refining techniques had their unique merits.

Helping Jiuhua Zong restore its pill refining prowess would ultimately improve Chu Ning's own pill refining skills.

Hearing Chu Ning's agreement, Ling Cang nodded with a smile, "Good, then it's a deal. I believe this is a fortunate turn of events for both you and Jiuhua Zong."

Subsequently, Ling Cang discussed with Chu Ning the tasks he needed to undertake.

First, he had to share the improved Jiuhua Congealing Yuan Dan fire control technique with the other pill refiners in the pavilion.

Chu Ning immediately took out a blank jade slip and recorded the fire control technique he had just used to refine the Jiuhua Congealing Yuan Dan, doing so right in front of Ling Cang.

He then handed the jade slip to Ling Cang.

Chu Ning also agreed to Ling Cang's request that he would step in to refine pills whenever the sect needed them, be it Foundation Establishment Pills or Jiuhua Congealing Yuan Dan.

Additionally, he would periodically give lectures on pill refining to the disciples in the pavilion or allow them to observe his pill refining process.

Additionally, he was allocated a fixed monthly quota of spirit herbs that he could use free of charge.

Of course, if Chu Ning required a large quantity of spirit herbs, he could exchange them for pills that he refined.

After their discussion, Chu Ning left the dojo and made his way back to the Pill Refining Pavilion.

Ling Cang remained standing on the high platform, gazing at Chu Ning's departing figure until it disappeared from view. Only then did he murmur, "To be able to enter the Heavenly Man's realm during pill refining, he is truly a pill refining genius. I hope that this time, I have not chosen wrongly, and that he, being so young, will devote himself wholeheartedly to Jiuhua Zong. It would truly be a blessing for our sect's Pill Refining Dao."

With that, Ling Cang's figure flashed, and he too disappeared into the dojo.

...

Chu Ning re-entered the Pill Refining Pavilion from the dojo.

"Greetings, Chu Shibo!"

In the main hall of the pavilion, more than ten disciples bowed respectfully.

These disciples held relatively low positions within the pavilion and were thus assigned to the main hall to await the commands of any Dan Shi with a Foundation Establishment cultivation or above.

Chu Ning nodded and was about to leave the pavilion directly to return to his cave abode. However, he suddenly paused and decided to take a look at Jiuhua Zong's pill refining techniques.

His gaze fell upon the simple-looking young man among the group, and he said, "Wang Ping, where are the classics kept in this Pill Refining Pavilion? Take me to see them."

Hearing this, Wang Ping respectfully replied, "Chu Shibo, the classics are on the third floor."

As he spoke, he stepped out from the group and led Chu Ning to the third floor.

Instantly, the envious gazes of the others followed Wang Ping.

It wasn't until Chu Ning and Wang Ping's figures disappeared beyond the restriction on the second floor that one of them spoke up with a hint of resentment, "That Wang Ping really has good luck. He was the first to be assigned to Chu Shibo, and now Chu Shibo always looks for him."

In the past six months, Chu Ning had occasionally sought out Wang Ping once or twice. However, at that time, Chu Ning was still a new executor, and with the six-month agreement in place, no one knew the final outcome.

So, even when Chu Ning approached Wang Ping, no one thought much of it.

But now, with Chu Ning at the head of the executors and his elevated status, the others couldn't help but feel envious.

After all, with Chu Ning's abundant resources and his ability to refine high-grade pills, even a single pill he casually handed out could be of great benefit to an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator.

Chu Ning and Wang Ping arrived at the classics room on the third floor. Chu Ning used his identity jade token to enter the heavily restricted room.

He glanced around before making his way directly to where the pill formulas were kept.

Now that he had successfully refined the Jiuhua Congealing Yuan Dan, a mid-grade high-quality pill, Chu Ning was naturally not satisfied with just refining this one type of pill.

Although he had some pill formulas in the Spirit Pill Compendium, the higher the grade of the pill, the harder it was to find the various heavenly spirit herbs required.

He believed that the Pill Refining Pavilion of Jiuhua Zong should have a more abundant supply of spirit herbs.

As he approached the area where the pill formulas were stored, Chu Ning was astonished by the number of jade slips containing mid-grade medium and high-quality pill formulas.

"Jiuhua Zong actually has so many mid-grade medium and high-quality pill formulas?"

As he stood there in surprise, his eyes lit up with excitement.

For a pill refiner, this was undoubtedly a treasure trove.

Chu Ning immediately picked up the jade slips containing the pill formulas, eager to examine them.

"Clear Heart Dan, mid-grade medium-quality pill, this pill can detoxify poisons from fifth-grade magical beasts. It's a good thing. Ingredients required: Clear Heart Grass, Indian Barberry, Spirit Vegetable Flower Root..."

"Blackwood Solar Elixir Pill, a dual-attribute pill of wood and fire, mid-grade medium-quality. Ingredients: Golden Sun Herb, Blackwood Root, Purple Mist Fruit, Shadow Orchid Leaf..."

At first, Chu Ning casually browsed through the pill formulas that caught his interest.

However, as he perused more and more formulas, he began to notice similarities in the effects of some of the pills with those in the Spirit Pill Compendium.

Some of them even shared some of the same ingredients.

Intrigued, he began to compare these pill formulas with those in the Spirit Pill Compendium, discerning the different effects of the various spirit herbs used and the distinctions in the refining processes.

Soon, he discovered that some of the refining techniques in the Spirit Pill Compendium, which he had previously thought to be profound and mysterious, were not necessarily the most optimal methods.

For pills with similar effects, the pill formulas of Jiuhua Zong often required fewer types of spirit herbs and employed simpler refining techniques.

Chu Ning became engrossed in deciphering the intricacies of pill refining, and before he knew it, a whole month had passed.

After placing down a jade slip, Chu Ning heaved a long sigh.

"What a fruitful month!"

His eyes shone with the satisfaction of his newfound knowledge.

Over the past month, he had slowed down in browsing through the pill formulas. Initially, he had thought that he would be able to go through all the mid-grade medium and high-quality pill formulas within a month.

But as he delved deeper, he realized that he had only managed to get through about half of them.

During this time, he had also pored over the Spirit Pill Compendium multiple times.

"I need to properly digest and absorb what I've learned this month. Moreover, I have a few speculations that I need to verify to see if they are feasible. If they are, I may be able to refine pills that are more suitable for my current cultivation stage than the Jiuhua Congealing Yuan Dan."

Muttering to himself, Chu Ning stretched lazily and put all the jade slips back in their places.

Then, he turned to leave.

While the Jiuhua Congealing Yuan Dan was excellent, Chu Ning was well aware that as a cultivator of the Blazing Fire Divine Wood Art, he would benefit more from refining dual-attribute pills of wood and fire.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end