Chapter 375: The Heavenly Earthly Spirit Fire Ranking

Chapter 375: The Heavenly Earthly Spirit Fire Ranking

After his exclamation, Ge Liuyang stared straight at the flickering flame on Chu Ning's fingertip, a hint of disbelief in his voice as he asked, "Is that really the Earth Vein Essence Fire?"

Chu Ning nodded.

Yu Changge's eyes also widened in surprise at this revelation.

"Earth Vein Essence Fire is extremely rare these days. I never expected that you, Elder Chu, would be able to obtain such a heavenly spirit fire."

Although Yu Changge wasn't as familiar with earth fire as Ge Liuyang and Ling Cang, he knew about the Earth Vein Essence Fire.

His words were not wrong.

In the current cultivation world, wherever there was a hint of spiritual energy, cultivators would flock to it.

And wherever there was a decent spiritual vein, you could be sure that a sect, big or small, had already set up shop there.

The earth fire would have been tapped for pill refining and artifact forging.

Under such circumstances, it was almost impossible to find earth fire that could condense Earth Vein Essence Fire.

Chu Ning didn't try to hide anything and explained, "In the Northern Cold Lands, there's a place called the Snow Mist Valley, which only opens up once every ten years.

And even when it's open, it's not for long, so usually, there are no cultivators in the valley.

I found this Earth Vein Essence Fire in one of the earth fires there and refined it using our sect's secret technique."

Chu Ning turned to Ge Liuyang as he spoke.

"Brother Ge, now that we have the Earth Vein Essence Fire, we should be able to attempt the refinement of those ten objects, right?"

"Of course!" Ge Liuyang's face lit up with delight.

"The power of the Earth Vein Essence Fire is comparable to the Samadhi True Fire of a Nascent Soul cultivator, and it's even more advantageous for pill refining and artifact forging.

Plus, Little Brother Chu, you yourself have a deep understanding of artifact forging, so you're the most suitable person for this task."

Upon hearing this, Yu Changge smiled and said,

"That settles that, then."

Chu Ning then proceeded to discuss the finer details of the refinement process with Ge Liuyang.

Chu Ning spoke up again, "Brother Ge, just like I told you earlier, refining the Nine Floret Starships will indeed take some time. In the meantime, my priority is still cultivation.

I have some treasures that can enhance my magical powers, so I'll return to the sect and cultivate in peace. My primary goal is to reach the peak of the late Golden Core stage as soon as possible.

So, the refinement can only be done in my spare time from cultivation."

"That's only natural," Yu Changge said before Ge Liuyang could respond.

"Elder Chu, while the Nine Floret Starships are important to the sect, it's even more crucial for you to reach the peak of the late Golden Core stage as soon as possible.

Or even better, to advance to the Nascent Soul stage."

Yu Changge continued, "In this regard, what support does the sect need to provide?"

Chu Ning thought for a moment before speaking up without any hesitation, "I need a large quantity of spirit herbs to refine various pills, and I'm afraid I'll need the sect's help in gathering them."

Although Chu Ning had two spirit herbs in his body that he could refine, he had already tried taking pills and the Snow Crystal Herb, and it didn't affect the process; instead, it sped it up.

However, it took a long time for the Snow Crystal Herb to condense spiritual liquid, and Chu Ning couldn't keep consuming it continuously.

That's why he also needed pills.

Chu Ning added, "Also, if there are any wood- and earth-attributed eighth-rank demon beast souls, I'll need those as well."

"There's no problem with the spirit herbs. Just give a list to Elder Ling, and he'll provide as many as you need.

Even if we don't have them here, we can always buy or trade for them," Yu Changge said without hesitation.

"As for the eighth-rank demon beast souls, those are indeed rare items. If there's an opportunity to trade with other Nascent Soul cultivators in the Alliance,

I'll do my best to get them for you."

"Thank you, Sect Master!" Chu Ning bowed to Yu Changge.

This was one of the perks of being in a large sect—acquiring resources was much more convenient than in the Northern Cold Lands.

If he were in the Northern Cold, just gathering spirit herbs would have been a hassle, requiring him to go to a major sect like Frostmoon Pavilion and spend a large amount of spirit stones.

And even then, he might not have been able to gather everything he needed.

Eighth-rank demon beast souls, for example, were not something that people would usually put up for public trade.

Chu Ning would have had to go out and hunt for them himself.

But in the Western Alliance Continent, there was no equivalent of the Boundless Sea, and demon beasts were far less common than in the Northern Cold Lands.

Even if he wanted to go hunting, it wouldn't be easy.

One wrong step, and he might inadvertently trespass into another sect's territory, causing unnecessary trouble—something Chu Ning wanted to avoid.

Thinking of this, Chu Ning also recalled the differences between the two lands in terms of spirit herbs and the like.

The pill formulas he had used in the Northern Cold Lands mainly used Demon Elixir as the primary ingredient.

He doubted that those formulas would work in the Western Alliance Continent, and he would have to find suitable pill formulas from the Nine Floret Sect.

With that in mind, Chu Ning turned to Ling Cang and said that he wanted to look for appropriate pill formulas.

"The Northern Cold Lands use Demon Elixir as the main ingredient for pill refining?"

Ling Cang was astonished and immediately asked, "Elder Chu, do you have that pill formula? May I take a look and broaden my horizons?"

Chu Ning took out a pill formula from his storage bag and handed it to Ling Cang.

After reading it, Ling Cang clicked his tongue in admiration and slowly said,

"Elder Chu, you really do need to find alternative pill formulas. Forget about the Demon Elixir, but even the various spirit herbs required in the formula are not available in the Western Alliance Continent. We simply can't gather all the necessary ingredients."

Chu Ning nodded.

"Okay, I'll head to the Formation Pavilion first, and later, I'll go to the Pill Refining Pavilion to look for pill formulas."

Yu Changge smiled and said,

"I heard from Elder He and the others that not only have you become proficient in artifact forging during your decades away, but you've also mastered formations.

It seems that with your return, all the sect's previous problems will be solved one by one."

Chu Ning smiled politely and then suddenly remembered what Ge Liuyang had said earlier about letting Cheng Qinghui bring those Foundation Establishment cultivators to choose artifacts.

He immediately took out dozens of artifacts from his storage bag.

"What are these?" Ge Liuyang stared at the plethora of artifacts, taken aback.

"When those cultivators from Yaochi Palace were besieged by the demonic cultivators, I secretly killed some of them.

Yu Changge spoke up at this moment, "Elder Chu, even if you don't take these artifacts, I agree with Elder Ge's suggestion that they should be free to choose their artifacts."

Chu Ning shook his head, "If they had already formally joined the sect, then it would be fine for them to come here to receive artifacts. However, they haven't officially joined yet, and Sect Master has already shown great favor by allowing them to cultivate at Purple Haze Peak. If they are also allowed to freely take things from the sect, it might cause discontent among the other disciples."

Chu Ning was very perceptive about this matter. Back when he was an executor at the Pill Refining Pavilion, there were limits to the number of items he could take.

If Cheng Qinghui and the others were already formal cultivators of the Nine Floret Sect, it would be fine for them to each receive an artifact as they were all Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, it was not appropriate at this time.

The Nine Floret Sect had always been harmonious and united, and Chu Ning didn't want to create any discord.

Moreover, these artifacts were not essential to him.

Especially the demonic artifacts, which would take time for him to process even if he wanted to dispose of them. It was better to hand them all over to the Artifact Refining Pavilion.

Hearing Chu Ning's words, Yu Changge and Ge Liuyang didn't say anything more.

After chatting for a while, the group parted ways.

Chu Ning headed straight for the Formation Pavilion.

He spent a few days at the Formation Pavilion, exchanging insights on formations with He Feng and some of the other Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Especially regarding the sect's inherited formations and how to further strengthen the protective formation, Chu Ning offered his own insights and impressed the Formation Pavilion cultivators.

As for improving the formations, Chu Ning gave the same response as he did to Ge Liuyang—he would lend a hand when needed, but only in his spare time from cultivation.

This arrangement would likely continue for some time, but fortunately, the Formation Pavilion also needed time to prepare the tools required for formation deployment.

He Feng naturally had no objections and, along with the other Formation Pavilion cultivators, repeatedly thanked Chu Ning for his help.

When asked if he needed any assistance from the Formation Pavilion, Chu Ning didn't hesitate to request the materials he needed for his own formation research.

Having learned numerous formations from Lei Huo Zong, Chu Ning required a vast array of materials to put them into practice.

Although he didn't plan to deploy any formations immediately, it was always good to be prepared.

However, Chu Ning didn't ask for all the materials at once, only requesting what he lacked for a few specific formations.

He Feng was a little surprised by the amount Chu Ning needed but didn't hesitate to agree.

After leaving the Formation Pavilion, Chu Ning returned to Tianlan Peak.

Cen Zikin had already started cultivating the Xuan Water Divine Manual, and everything was going smoothly. Chu Ning suggested that after her cultivation stabilized, she should start consuming the Snow Crystal Herb essence to enhance her progress.

Chu Ning then retreated to his cave abode and cultivated for a couple more days to adjust his condition before heading to Purple Haze Peak to fetch Su Ke Ke, whom he had been housing with the Yaochi Palace cultivators.

"Young Master, where are you taking me?" Su Ke Ke asked curiously.

"To the Pill Refining Pavilion!" Chu Ning replied with a smile.

"You've been staying at Purple Haze Peak, and I'm sure you have a lot of questions as to why I haven't made any arrangements for you yet. You must have thought I forgot about you."

"Ke Ke didn't think that. Young Master brought me here, so I knew you wouldn't neglect me," Su Ke Ke said obediently.

Chu Ning smiled but didn't expose her hidden thoughts.

"I know what you want most is to cultivate with me, but you're still at the Qi Refining stage, laying the foundation. I don't have much time to teach you, so I'll help you find a master."

"Find a master?" Su Ke Ke's face fell slightly, but there was also a hint of anticipation.

"Young Master, what kind of master do you plan to find for me?"

Chu Ning patted her little head affectionately.

"You have a fire-type earth spirit root, and fire-based techniques and spells are the forte of our Nine Floret Sect, especially in pill and artifact refining. I'll help you find a Pill Refining Master as your teacher. Follow her teachings diligently, and I'll guide you whenever I have the time."

"Yes, Young Master!" Su Ke Ke nodded eagerly.

Chu Ning then directed the golden thunder hawk toward the Pill Refining Pavilion.

When he had first joined the Nine Floret Sect, Chu Ning had served as an executor at the Pill Refining Pavilion, but this was his first time returning to the pavilion since his reappearance.

His golden thunder hawk was hard to miss, and the cultivators at the pavilion had already noticed his approach.

"Elder Chu is here!"

News of Chu Ning's arrival quickly spread among the cultivators of the Pill Refining Pavilion.

Chu Ning's reputation in the pavilion far exceeded that of his standing in other areas of the sect.

After all, he had become the chief executor based on his exceptional pill refining skills.

Later, when the Great Luo Sect came knocking, Chu Ning's pill refining prowess had outshone that of the genius cultivator Ao Xuan from the Great Luo Sect.

Chu Ning never hoarded his knowledge and had shared his pill refining techniques with the pavilion's cultivators.

Even when he was just a Foundation Establishment cultivator, several executors, including Yuan Rongzhang, who had initially opposed his inclusion in the pavilion, sought his guidance.

Now, upon hearing of his return, the cultivators of the pavilion rushed to greet him.

Soon, all the cultivators who weren't busy refining pills gathered in the small training ground within the pavilion.

"We also want to see you refining pills again, Elder Chu."

...

Many of the cultivators in the dojo were familiar with Chu Ning from years past, and their casual greetings were filled with respect.

Su Ke Ke stood beside Chu Ning, her big eyes blinking as she took in the excited and joyful expressions on the faces of these cultivators.

"Young Master, you have quite the reputation here!"

At this moment, Chu Ning didn't pay attention to Su Ke Ke.

Instead, he looked at each of these familiar faces, a smile appearing on his own.

There were, of course, new disciples in the pavilion over the years.

But most of them were the original cultivators he knew.

Wang Ping, whom he had met on his first day back at the sect, was among them, and his gaze now swept over the others.

He Yanmao, the executive in charge of the pavilion's daily affairs, remained at the late Qi Condensation stage and had not yet reached the Core Formation realm.

Ling Cang had previously commented that his talent was average, and it seemed that assessment wasn't too far off.

Another older executive, Xu Minghua, looked even more aged than before, and he, too, showed no signs of reaching the Elixir Realm.

Yuan Rongzhang had already advanced to the late Qi Condensation stage before Chu Ning reached the Golden Core realm, and now his aura was quite powerful.

With a few more years of cultivation, he might very well enter the False Core realm.

As for whether he could condense a Golden Core, well, that was a matter of fate.

What surprised Chu Ning a little was that, according to these people, Wang Ping had also become an executive.

Wang Ping was only at the early Qi Refining stage, but he had received the most guidance from Chu Ning in pill refining.

Additionally, his simple-minded nature meant that his pill refining skills had improved greatly over the decades, and after a series of tests, Ling Cang had decided to promote him to the position of executive.

The entire pavilion was in agreement with this decision.

Thinking back to how no one dared to approach him when he had first arrived, Wang Ping's current situation seemed to be a case of blessings coming to the foolish.

Among these cultivators, the one who had changed the most was actually Su Yuqing. When Chu Ning had left, she had only been at the mid Qi Refining stage, but now she had reached the late Qi Refining stage.

It seemed that she had been diligently cultivating over the past few decades.

"Congratulations, Su Executive, for reaching the late Qi Refining stage!"

Su Yuqing smiled and said, "To be honest, it was your return, Elder Chu, that spurred me on. Before, I wasn't very competitive, and I was a bit lax in my cultivation.

But seeing how quickly your cultivation has progressed, I've been inspired to work harder myself."

Chu Ning smiled at her words.

In the Pill Refining Pavilion, Su Yuqing and Yuan Rongzhang were the two with the most outstanding talent.

However, their personalities were completely opposite. Su Yuqing didn't like to compete, while Yuan Rongzhang was overly competitive.

As a result, both of them had reached a bottleneck in their cultivation and pill refining skills.

It was only after Chu Ning joined the Nine Floret Sect that they gradually changed.

Yuan Rongzhang's sharp edges had been smoothed out, and he had become more stable and calm.

As for Su Yuqing, her desire to seek the path of cultivation had grown stronger, and she had become more proactive in her cultivation.

After greeting everyone, Chu Ning pointed to Su Ke Ke and said to Su Yuqing, "Su Executive, there's something I'd like to ask of you this time.

This young girl is a descendant of an old acquaintance of mine. She has dual fire and earth spirit roots, and her talent is quite good.

But she started late, so I want her to become your disciple. Would that be convenient?"

In fact, everyone had already noticed Su Ke Ke standing behind Chu Ning.

Upon hearing Chu Ning's words, their gazes immediately fell on Su Ke Ke.

Su Yuqing stepped forward and stood in front of Su Ke Ke, examining her for a moment before smiling and saying, "She's a pretty young girl with good talent and aptitude. Even if she weren't a relative of yours, Elder Chu, I would still want to take her in as my disciple.

What's your name, young girl?"

Su Ke Ke bowed to Su Yuqing and replied, "Su Ke Ke, Junior pays her respects to Senior."

"Oh, so we're even family names," Su Yuqing laughed.

"Alright, then from now on, you'll follow me in my cultivation. But I must admit, my skills and abilities are not as impressive as Elder Chu's.

I'll teach you the basics, but if you want to learn the true skills, you'll have to seek guidance from Elder Chu."

Su Ke Ke was quick-witted and immediately knelt down, performing three kowtows to Su Yuqing.

"Disciple Su Ke Ke pays respects to Master!"

Su Yuqing waited for Su Ke Ke to finish her bows before helping her up.

Then, with a bright smile, she turned to Chu Ning and said, "Elder Chu, I'll take it from here with guiding Ke Ke.

But before that, shouldn't you give me some guidance in pill refining first?"

Before Su Yuqing could finish, Xu Minghua stepped forward and said with a smile, "Su Junior Sister, let's follow the order of seniority. Let this old bone go first."

"It's not just about the executives. We all want to seek guidance as well!"

...

Hearing the cultivators in the Pill Refining Pavilion banter back and forth, Chu Ning raised his hand.

"You're all too kind. Usually, when you encounter problems in pill refining, you have your own ways of discussing and learning from each other.

But I did come across an entirely new method of pill refining during my travels. It mainly uses demon pills as the primary ingredient.

I'll refine a batch so you can all observe."

As he spoke, Chu Ning walked towards the pill refining platform in the dojo.

Although this method of pill refining using demon pills was something that only Golden Core cultivators could perform, everyone was eager to broaden their horizons, so they watched intently.

After completing the entire pill refining process, Chu Ning made his way to the pavilion's library.

He intended to find the formulas for several high-grade and even top-tier pills to prepare for his upcoming cultivation.

The Nine Floret Sect was renowned for its pill refining, and he quickly found several formulas.

However, like the ancient formulas he had seen before, these formulas also needed to be improved.

Chu Ning didn't mind, and he was about to leave when something on a jade slip caught his attention.

Heavenly Earthly Spirit Fire Ranking

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end