https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-500-Arrival-at-the-Front-Line-Tricks-of-the-Demon-Realm/12936282/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-502-The-Demon-Emperor-s-Roar-Ling-Yue-s-Single-Slash/12936306/
Chapter 501: The Three Main Ingredients of the Incarnation Pill: Phoenix Iris, Purple Monkey Flower,
Chapter 501: The Three Main Ingredients of the Incarnation Pill: Phoenix Iris, Purple Monkey Flower, and Quintessence Lotus Platform
As Ling Huo Jie had said, Luo Chen's arrival would undoubtedly attract visits from many Golden Core Cultivators stationed in the area.
There was no other reason!
The title of Pill Master naturally had a strong appeal.
However, the first visitor was not a Golden Core Cultivator, but a Foundation Establishment Stage mother and son.
"Uncle Luo!" Qin Yuanjiang exclaimed respectfully.
After many years of not seeing each other, the once-young man had matured into a middle-aged appearance, seasoned by the winds of life, and exuded a calm and capable demeanor.
His words and gestures carried a sense of joy at seeing an elder.
Luo Chen smiled and nodded at him, then turned to the still-charming woman.
"Sister-in-law, it's been many years. How have you been? I hope you've been living without worries."
Upon hearing the word "sister-in-law," Murong Qinglian couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
She had been hesitating about how to address Luo Chen.
If she used a respectful title, wouldn't that put her and her son on the same generation?
Luo Chen spoke first, relieving her of her dilemma.
Murong Qinglian smiled slightly and nodded, "I've been doing well these past years, especially since Yuanjiang has settled down. I've also gotten rid of a nagging worry."
Luo Chen looked at Qin Yuanjiang in surprise.
"Have you already found your Dao companion?"
Qin Yuanjiang laughed heartily, "Yes, the woman is the daughter of the Sect Leader, Ruan Huan'er. I wanted to bring her today to meet you, Uncle Luo, but she's busy outside and couldn't come with me."
Hearing this answer, Luo Chen couldn't help but smile with relief.
He hadn't expected Qin Yuanjiang to be so capable, not only becoming a disciple of the Falling Cloud Sect's Sect Leader but also winning over the Sect Leader's daughter.
With this, Qin Yuanjiang's future prospects were indeed limitless!
However, his cultivation...
Luo Chen frowned, "Your mother has already reached the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment, but why are you still at the fifth layer?"
In these turbulent times, the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment was not impressive.
If he encountered powerful Demon Beasts, even self-protection would be a challenge.
Murong Qinglian shook her head and spoke on his behalf, "This is not Yuanjiang's fault. He has to handle many trivial matters daily, and with the Opening War launched, he has even less time for quiet cultivation. Unlike me, who has been secluded these years, focusing solely on cultivation, and with the large batch of Superior Dewdrop Pills you provided, my cultivation soared!"
Qin Yuanjiang stood by, smiling awkwardly without saying a word.
After hearing this explanation, Luo Chen instantly understood.
Becoming a disciple of the Sect Leader would naturally involve many affairs, which could hinder one's cultivation speed.
Murong Qinglian's rapid progress in cultivation was indeed beyond expectations.
It was known that within the Rothean Sect, there were only a few Grand Masters at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment.
To be precise, there were only two people.
One was Xu Zhenxuan, who had been supplied with Superior Dragon Ascension Pills, and after a long period of accumulation, he slowly advanced from the peak of the sixth layer to the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment over a hundred years.
The other was Sima Hui'niang! With a second-tier superior cave abode and the full support of the Rothean Sect's resources, she also had a stable supply of Superior Dewdrop Pills from Luo Chen, as well as occasional Supreme Dewdrop Pills.
With such abundant resources, she barely managed to advance to the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment.
Even then, it was only after her disciple Yao Mingyue reached Foundation Establishment and took over many affairs that she had time to cultivate.
This showed that while handling too many affairs could bring wealth, it would indeed affect one's cultivation speed.
After chatting about family matters, the mother and son prepared to take their leave.
Before leaving, Murong Qinglian told Luo Chen the main purpose of their visit.
"With the Falling Cloud Sect launching the Opening War, everyone is involved, including me."
"These years, I've been helping the Sect's chief Pill Master, Fairy Mu Yunyan."
"She knows you're here and wants to pay you a visit. Luo Chen, what do you think?"
Mu Yunyan? Luo Chen pondered the name and nodded slightly.
This woman had a great reputation, and he had heard of her before.
She had brought her skills to her master, who was still at the Golden Core Stage at the time, and she was the only disciple Han Zhan True Man had taken in over the years.
With the full support of the Falling Cloud Sect, her pill refinement techniques had advanced by leaps and bounds, reaching the level of a master.
In terms of pill refinement, she was no less skilled than the three elders of the Grand Pillery in Verdant Pill Valley.
It was also because of her that the Falling Cloud Sect's pill resources could barely achieve self-sufficiency, free from the control of the Medicine King Sect and even Verdant Pill Valley.
Indeed, one-tenth of the credit for the Falling Cloud Sect's current prosperity could be attributed to Mu Yunyan alone!
Luo Chen was naturally eager to exchange ideas with such an accomplished cultivator.
"In that case, I'll ask my sister-in-law to convey the message. I'll prepare and await Fairy Mu's visit!"
Murong Qinglian smiled slightly and left Luo Chen's cave abode with Qin Yuanjiang.
One day after their departure, a distinguished guest arrived.
Luo Chen personally welcomed the visitor.
Upon first sight of Mu Yunyan, she appeared ordinary, with only a hint of elegance in her features.
However, as they conversed, her understanding of pill cultivation became apparent, and it was indeed profound.
Especially in the area of basic pill refinement, which Luo Chen specialized in, she spoke with intimate knowledge.
"The Falling Cloud Smoke Method is a water-based pill refinement technique I created myself. I never imagined that you, Fellow Daoist Luo, would master it so exquisitely, almost rivaling its founder, myself."
Their exchange wasn't limited to mere words.
A pill furnace, heated by intense flames, emitted a subtle fragrance.
As Mu Yunyan witnessed Luo Chen's pill refinement technique, she couldn't help but express her surprise and praise.
Luo Chen was also astonished. He hadn't expected the Falling Cloud Smoke Method to be this woman's creation.
This was a third-stage water-based pill refinement technique, applicable to most water-based pill refinement.
Over the years, Luo Chen had accumulated extensive knowledge, and although he had also created his own pill refinement techniques, they were limited to the first and second stages.
If one were to be strict, these techniques could be considered minor tricks or secret techniques.
He sighed, "In that case, Fellow Daoist Mu, you are my teacher."
The woman smiled slightly, "You flatter me, Fellow Daoist."
Luo Chen shook his head, not saying more.
What she didn't know was the significant role this water-based pill refinement technique had played in his cultivation journey.
Without this method, he wouldn't have been able to refine the Imperial Stream Plasma required for Foundation Establishment.
Not only would he have failed to establish his foundation, but even later on, Murong Qinglian, Gu Caiyi, and several other cultivators in the Rothean Sect who relied on the Imperial Stream Plasma for Foundation Establishment would have been unable to continue their cultivation path.
"Speaking of which, Fellow Daoist, you participated in the grand event of refining the Incarnation Pill at Verdant Pill Valley. May I ask you to share some details of that time?"
Mu Yunyan's beautiful eyes fixed on Luo Chen, revealing her thirst for knowledge.
Luo Chen's heart stirred, sensing a familiar pattern.
Meng Shoushou from the Medicine King Sect was like this, and now Mu Yunyan too.
These exceptional third-stage pill refiners were all curious about the refinement of the fourth-stage Incarnation Pill! It was understandable.
If Luo Chen hadn't participated in that pill refinement and had heard about it later, he might have also sought guidance from those involved.
Seeing Luo Chen's contemplation, Mu Yunyan sighed, "Speaking of which, even Grand Elder Qingdanzizi had invited me to help, but unfortunately, due to my sect's interests, I couldn't make it in the end."
Luo Chen was surprised!
Was there such an inside story? Upon further reflection, it seemed quite reasonable.
Before he advanced to the Golden Core Stage, Mu Yunyan's pill refinement skills were no less than those of the three elders of the Grand Pillery. She was indeed the most suitable sixth person to invite.
It seemed that Verdant Pill Valley didn't want to get too involved with the Falling Cloud Sect, so they settled for the next best option and chose Luo Chen instead!
He smiled, "That's indeed a pity. If it were you, Fellow Daoist Mu, the refinement might have succeeded back then."
"You're too kind, Fellow Daoist," Mu Yunyan smiled slightly, "In my observation, your pill refinement skills, even if not as remarkable as mine, are still outstanding among third-stage pill refiners. Moreover, the refinement of the Incarnation Pill relies more on the leading refiner. Whether it's you or me, we would only play a supporting role, not affecting the overall outcome."
Luo Chen nodded in agreement.
With the conversation already underway, there was no need for restraint.
Luo Chen went on to describe the details of that day's pill refinement.
He didn't hold back, as Verdant Pill Valley hadn't imposed a secrecy rule, and there were even outsiders from Celestial Sail City and Huanhuan Sect present that day.
There was no point in trying to hide anything.
However, as a participant, Luo Chen had a deeper understanding and could provide more detailed and reliable information.
From the Verdant Grand Array to the selection of pill refiners and the processing of auxiliary materials, Luo Chen recounted everything bit by bit.
During this process, Mu Yunyan listened attentively, and Luo Chen would occasionally pause to ask if she had better solutions.
In truth, Luo Chen had a hidden motive! He wanted to revisit that joint pill refinement through the perspectives of Meng Shoushou, Mu Yunyan, and others as observers.
If they could find a better solution, then when he reached the late Golden Core Stage and obtained the specific pill formula for the Incarnation Pill from Verdant Pill Valley, he would undoubtedly gather the necessary ingredients and personally refine the Incarnation Pill!
"A thousand-year-old ginseng was processed using a five-hundred-year method? Strange... How could Grand Elder Qingdanzizi make such an obvious mistake?"
"No, that's..."
"It's to preserve the medicinal properties, leaving them to merge and explode at the end."
"Wait, why was the Dreamweaver Fruit processed to a deep purple shade? Logically, after merging with two auxiliary materials, it should be light purple. What's the secret behind this?"
"Ah, I see, I see!"
"Dreamweaver Fruit combined with Life Restoration Pill should be light purple. But by doing this, the medicinal power is neutralized. By taking it all and adding another type of medicinal ingredient, the medicinal power is maximized, making it easier to harmonize with other medicinal liquids.
"So, the primary pill refinement technique is the Phoenix Burning Hand?"
"That choice is rather ingenious, as this Nascent Soul Pill leans towards the Fire attribute. That's why Qing Danzi gathered you five pill refiners with Lifebound True Flame."
Words of doubt, understanding, and self-questioning came out of the woman's mouth.
Initially, Luo Chen felt that the woman's pill refinement technique was too advanced, and her insightful words directly resolved the doubts he had for many years.
Moreover, he felt that Mu Yunyan's pill refinement skills were even more impressive than the renowned Meng Shoushou from the Medicine King Sect!
But gradually, Luo Chen sensed something amiss.
Perhaps, it wasn't that Mu Yunyan was more skilled. Instead, she might have been extremely familiar with the Nascent Soul Pill's formula and proportions.
That's why she could purposefully point out its strengths and weaknesses.
Once Luo Chen realized this, he started to guide the conversation towards areas he was less familiar with.
Under his subtle guidance, Mu Yunyan provided answers one by one.
"The processing of Phoenix Iris is fine. It's supposed to be cut and added to the pill in that manner."
"Purple Monkey Flower... no, I think another pill refinement technique should be used."
Luo Chen's heart skipped a beat. He finally learned the name of one of the two unknown fourth-grade main ingredients from his past—the one that resembled a monkey brain—Purple Monkey Flower!
He pursed his lips and asked tentatively, "Why did Qing Danzi use the Lotus Platform to wrap the pill liquid at the crucial moment of merging the medicinal power?"
Mu Yunyan replied matter-of-factly, "When a cultivator forms their Nascent Soul, they follow the path of Three Flowers Converge to the Top and Five Qi Ascend to the Origin. Upon success, the Earth Surging Golden Lotus appears, and heavenly flowers fall. This Quintessence Lotus, by taking the platform and not the lotus seed, naturally follows the path of the Earth Surging Golden Lotus, upholding the principles of the Great Dao. The principles of pill refinement and cultivation are often interconnected. You wouldn't be unaware of this, fellow Daoist..."
She paused and gave Luo Chen a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
"So, it's the Quintessence Lotus Platform!"
Luo Chen silently noted the name of this fourth-grade main ingredient in his heart.
With this, he now knew all the ingredients for refining the Nascent Soul Pill.
In the future, he could start collecting them in advance!
Afterward, he sincerely bowed to Mu Yunyan.
"Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist!"
The woman's lips curved slightly, realizing what Luo Chen had been up to.
However, she didn't get angry.
Instead, she offered a piece of advice.
"The older the Quintessence Lotus Platform, the better. It should be at least five hundred years old. According to you, Qing Danzi's pill refinement skills are indeed superior to ours, but the Lotus Platform he collected is of poor quality, only five to six hundred years old. No wonder he failed more than ten times."
Luo Chen committed these words to memory.
One day, he would follow in Qing Danzi's footsteps and reach this point.
Mu Yunyan's guidance was a great favor.
"Alright, let's end our discussion here for today. I need to digest all this information."
Mu Yunyan bid farewell.
Luo Chen didn't try to keep her, as he also needed to process the knowledge she had shared.
As he escorted the woman to the door, Luo Chen casually said, "I'm new here and don't know many people. I plan to host a private gathering in a couple of days. Would you be free to attend?"
Mu Yunyan nodded, "I'll be there unless something unexpected comes up!"
After saying this, she summoned a cloud and gracefully departed.
Watching her leave, Luo Chen heaved a sigh of relief.
He confirmed one thing!
The Nascent Soul Pill formula from Verdant Pill Valley must also be in the possession of the Falling Cloud Sect!
Perhaps, the Verdant Pill Valley's formula was even provided by the Falling Cloud Sect.
However...
"This formula, which solely pursues the quality and age of ingredients and has a single medicinal property, is clearly an ancient pill formula."
"I wonder where the Falling Cloud Sect obtained it?"
Luo Chen shook his head and returned to his cave mansion.
At the same time, a sound transmission was sent out, and Zeng Yilong soon arrived at the cave mansion.
Luo Chen planned to host a Golden Core Gathering under his name.
First, it was to establish connections and get to know most of the powerful cultivators on the frontlines.
Second, it would save him from the hassle of people visiting him one by one.
Why bother with individual visits when a gathering could accomplish the same?
During this Golden Core Gathering, he could make a name for himself, find new buyers for the Star Essence Pill, and see if he could collect Fire Spirit Crystals.
He had already reached the second layer of the Golden Core stage, and his lifebound treasure was still nowhere to be found. To be honest, Luo Chen was getting anxious.
The name of the Falling Cloud Sect's leader was changed from Peng Jing to Ruan Jing, as I forgot the name of his daughter that I mentioned earlier. I'll use the current name from now on.
(End of Chapter)
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