https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-97-The-Spirit-Vein-and-the-Raw-Spirit-Stones/12831596/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-99-Supreme-Elixir-Combat-Power-Soars/12831598/
Chapter 98: The Master of Spirit Plants, the Perfect Fasting Powder
Chapter 98: The Master of Spirit Plants, the Perfect Fasting Powder
In a narrow cave, a young man sat cross-legged with his eyes closed.
His moon-white robe billowed and settled with the unique rhythm of his breathing.
His face was handsome, his lips slightly upturned, a hint of world-weariness mixed with an unwavering determination. It was as if no matter how many hardships lay ahead, he would face them with optimism and perseverance.
Suddenly, his eyelids flickered, and he slowly opened his eyes.
His clear gaze was filled with contemplation.
"The concentration of spiritual energy here far exceeds that of the courtyard, and even surpasses the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion."
"Perhaps it is not inferior to the first-grade spirit vein of the Jade Peak Sword Pavilion."
"In such a high concentration of spiritual energy, the benefits to my cultivation are extraordinary!"
With just a rough estimate, he knew that his cultivation efficiency, which was already four times that of a standard five-element cultivator, had increased by another fold.
Five times the cultivation efficiency had thoroughly surpassed that of a three-element cultivator. He wondered how it compared to a two-element cultivator, but Luo Chen had no reference point.
The majority of the cultivators in the Great River Market were loose cultivators, most of whom were three-element or four-element cultivators.
Thus, he had no friends in this category, nor did he even know anyone.
"There is one, but I've never met him."
Xiao Hu—Qin Yuanjiang.
The son of the Qin Liangchen couple, a dual-element cultivator of Metal and Water.
He had only heard of the child, never seen him.
Now, the boy was a high-ranking disciple of the Falling Cloud Sect, with a promising future of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.
Luo Chen had never inquired about the boy's specific cultivation level.
Given the issues of sect recruitment and talent assessment, the Qin Liangchen couple had never given him any elixirs, only using medicinal baths and dietary supplements to strengthen his foundation.
However, these were minor details.
Luo Chen only needed to know that cultivating in this place was highly beneficial.
"It seems I need to find more reasons to stay in the Alchemy Hall."
"There's no need to cancel the lease on the courtyard in the Inner City, as it provides good security."
Now, the monthly rent of ten spirit stones was no longer a burden for him.
It was equivalent to just one Qi Nourishing Pill!
Thinking of the Qi Nourishing Pill, Luo Chen smiled.
"Such a good place and opportunity cannot be missed."
He took out a Calming Incense and a Qi Nourishing Pill.
He lit the incense, took the pill, and began cultivating.
...
The next morning, Luo Chen awoke from his meditation.
He stretched and let out a contented sigh.
So comfortable!
This was the most comfortable cultivation session he had experienced since his arrival in this world.
The abundant external spiritual energy, combined with the continuous conversion of the Qi Nourishing Pill's power into spiritual energy, and the perfect alignment of the Grandmaster Longevity Technique with his body, made the experience flawless.
The scent of the Calming Incense strengthened his soul, which had recently overcome a heart tribulation, making it more resilient.
Additionally, the continuous supplementation of Primordial Spirit Liquid over the past period had significantly bolstered his physical constitution.
Under these conditions, he felt like a starving beggar finally enjoying a grand feast.
He was practically drooling!
"One night of cultivation, and my progress bar jumped from 6 to 8, a full two points!"
If this rate continued, the estimated three months to reach the seventh level of Qi Cultivation could be shortened to a maximum of two months.
It was truly terrifying!
No wonder the major sects produced so many young geniuses.
Living in first-grade spirit veins, or even second- and third-grade spirit veins, their spiritual energy would surge even without any elixirs.
Especially during the early and middle stages of Qi Cultivation, the faster they advanced, the more time they had to prepare for the Foundation Establishment stage.
They didn't have to worry about their lifespan, unlike loose cultivators.
"Sister Xiu said that the optimal age for a cultivator to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage is before sixty. After sixty, a cultivator's vital energy begins to decline, significantly increasing the chances of failure."
"Just this one factor alone has stopped many loose cultivators who spent their entire lives advancing to the ninth level of Qi Cultivation."
Luo Chen felt a deep sorrow for those loose cultivators.
After finally reaching the ninth level of Qi Cultivation, they faced the harsh reality of insufficient lifespan and declining vital energy.
Even if they obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill, it would likely end in failure.
"I must never fall into that situation!"
The joy from discovering the spirit vein cave had been somewhat diminished.
Even if he could break through to the seventh level of Qi Cultivation in two months, the amount of spiritual energy required for each subsequent level would only increase!
Especially at the ninth level of Qi Cultivation, many loose cultivators were trapped and died there.
Just like his brother Qin, who was in the same situation.
He had a Foundation Establishment Pill, but it was in Uncle Mi Hua's possession, and there was no reason to ask for it back.
The reason was simple: Qin Liangchen had not yet reached the ninth level of Qi Cultivation and was not qualified to attempt the Foundation Establishment stage.
"Moreover, this cultivation speed is not sustainable!"
The Calming Incense, which Uncle Mi Hua promised him, was only one box per month.
Each box contained only twelve sticks.
Without the Calming Incense, he could only run the Grandmaster Longevity Technique two to three times a day before feeling exhausted.
Besides the Calming Incense, he also had a limited supply of Qi Nourishing Pills. Four bottles were enough for only twenty days.
While thinking about these issues, Luo Chen was busy with other tasks.
He sealed the spirit vein cave with a large stone to prevent the spiritual energy from leaking out.
On his way out, he used stones to block the narrow mine tunnels.
Even though he knew this wouldn't completely stop the leakage, every bit helped.
"Getting more elixirs and Calming Incense from Uncle Mi Hua won't be easy."
"Even though the reasons and excuses are different each time, asking for the same things repeatedly will eventually become annoying."
”
“However, I now have some means, so I can buy them myself.”
“I need to consider one more thing!”
Luo Chen's eyes flickered, a sense of impending danger rising in his heart.
Even after perfectly solving all his cultivation resource issues, his cultivation speed with the Five Elements Root, which far exceeds normal human comprehension, could easily bring trouble.
Neither the system nor the spirit vein cavern could be exposed!
“I need to put more thought into the Conceal Qi Technique!”
…
“Good morning!”
“Hall Master Luo, good morning!”
“Hall Master Luo, good morning!”
This was Luo Chen's first day starting work so early.
But clearly, there were many who had arrived even earlier.
The cultivators stationed at the Alchemy Hall had already begun their busy day.
At the first light of dawn, they were already flying their magical tools, circling low in the sky.
They were casting rain over the dozen or so herb fields in the valley, a scene that truly resembled a cloud and rain spell.
“Is this the Minor Cloud Rain Technique?”
Luo Chen squatted by the field, watching them cast the rain with curiosity.
A cultivator landed, wiped the sweat from his brow, and smiled.
“Hall Master Luo has keen eyes. This is indeed the Minor Cloud Rain Technique, a spell passed down by the Alchemy Hall, suitable for nurturing water-element herbs.”
As he explained, Luo Chen learned why they had to release the spell so early in the morning.
Sloping Moon Valley was a mining area, far from the Lancang River, so the air here was not very humid.
These water-element herbs required a large amount of water-element spirit energy.
Thus, they had to release the spell when the temperature was low.
“Unfortunately, the spirit fields here are of too low a grade to nurture better herbs.”
Luo Chen asked curiously, “Is there no spell to enhance the grade of the spirit fields?”
The cultivator smiled bitterly, “There is, but we don’t know it, nor does the sect.”
“Oh?”
“According to legend, the Five Elements Divine Sect has great expertise in nurturing spirit plants and has developed numerous spells related to spirit fields and plants.”
“Such as?”
“For example, the technique for enhancing the grade of spirit fields. They have a second-tier spell called the Cinnabar Fire Fallow Technique, which can burn various spirit trees and minerals into ashes and then integrate them into the spirit fields. If done once or twice a year, combined with the spirit vein, the grade of the spirit fields will continuously rise.”
Luo Chen was taken aback by the Cinnabar Fire Fallow Technique.
“The Five Elements Divine Sect is said to have dozens of fourth-tier spirit fields, all of which have been enhanced, and even a massive fifth-tier spirit field.”
The cultivator shook his head, his eyes filled with longing.
“And the Cinnabar Fire Fallow Technique is just the tip of the iceberg. Techniques like the Great Yin Willow Gas Technique, the Water Fertilizer Technique, and the Metal Grass Cutting Sword Technique are all high-tier spells that have been improved.”
“If I could master even a simplified version of a second-tier spirit plant spell, I could become a second-tier spirit plant cultivator.”
A spirit plant cultivator is one of the most common professions among the hundred arts of cultivation.
In any faction, there are always spirit plant cultivators, unless it’s a demon sect that doesn’t engage in production.
The cultivator in front of Luo Chen, Yuan Dongsheng, was one of the three spirit plant cultivators in the Alchemy Hall, managing several spirit fields.
“Hall Master Luo, are you very interested in nurturing spirit plants? Would you like me to teach you a thing or two?”
Luo Chen quickly stood up, joking!
Alchemizing is already exhausting, and you want me to farm as well?
“No, thank you. Maybe we can discuss it another time.”
With that, he hurriedly left.
Yuan Dongsheng looked on, somewhat regretful, as it was rare to find a fellow cultivator willing to discuss spirit plants.
But the other party didn’t need to learn these things. After all, an alchemist is a highly esteemed position.
A hundred first-tier spirit plant cultivators are not as valuable as a single alchemist.
After all, alchemy is one of the four mainstream arts among the hundred arts of cultivation, and even among the four arts of alchemy, formations, artifacts, and talismans, it is considered the first.
If I could become an alchemist… alas, no choice!
At this moment, the esteemed alchemist, Luo Chen, was deep in thought beside the Xuan Yun Cauldron in the largest alchemy chamber.
“Today, I’ll use this mid-grade alchemy cauldron to refine the Jade Marrow Pill. It will be faster to gain proficiency.”
…
…
Since he had decided to put some effort into it and achieve some results,
he couldn’t just dabble as he had before.
The Purple Cloud Copper Furnace, after all, was only a first-tier low-grade magical tool, with limits on the amount of fire and raw materials it could handle.
In comparison, the Xuan Yun Cauldron, a first-tier mid-grade magical tool, was of much higher quality.
For refining the Many Wonders Pill, it could handle two sets of raw materials at once, with a bit to spare.
After two successful and several failed attempts at refining the Jade Marrow Pill, Luo Chen had become somewhat proficient.
Now, it was time to use the Xuan Yun Cauldron.
As the alchemy apprentices arrived one by one, Luo Chen directed them to bring the corresponding herbs to the large alchemy chamber.
“Starting today, we will spend the morning refining the Jade Marrow Pill.”
“Considering that you are not yet proficient in refining the Jade Marrow Pill, I will do it alone. In the extra time, besides processing the herbs, you must also study the Herbal Compendium thoroughly.”
Luo Chen handed the Herbal Compendium he had borrowed from Mi Junping to Gu Caiyi.
As the Alchemy Hall’s steward, she was in charge of internal affairs, managing the apprentices, furnace workers, and the spirit pill cultivators.
Normally, Luo Chen couldn’t personally teach everything his subordinates needed to learn, so he often had her supervise.
“Make twenty copies and have them study it carefully. They must understand the characteristics of various spirit herbs.”
Gu Caiyi hesitated as she took the Herbal Compendium, “This is a book from the Alchemy Hall. Is it okay to let them study it directly?”
“There’s no issue. If there are any problems, I’ll deal with Mi Junping.”
Luo Chen’s attitude had changed.
While he didn’t need to share everything with his subordinates, he didn’t have to keep everything hidden either.
Some basic knowledge, if they can learn it, will be of great help in the future for refining elixirs.
"Additionally, Elder Sikong, please go to the Merit Hall and borrow the Flame Manipulation Technique for our Alchemy Hall."
Sikong Shoujia, who was standing nearby, frowned. "That's a top-tier first-rank spell, not something for general use. What do you need it for?"
"Even if it is top-tier, it’s not an attack or defense spell. It’s merely a technique for manipulating mana."
Luochen waved his hand, addressing the fire workers.
"These fire workers are too rough with their flame manipulation. They can manage the Hunger Suppressing Pill and Wondrous Elixir, but they are of no help with the Jade Marrow Pill."
"Teaching them the Flame Manipulation Technique will benefit me, you, and the entire Broken Mountain Gang."
Is that really the case?
Sikong Shoujia was half-convinced, half-doubtful.
However, he did not refuse the request and left the Crescent Moon Valley immediately to head to the Merit Hall at the main headquarters.
As for the merit points needed to exchange for the spell?
He wasn't too worried about that.
When the Alchemy Hall was first established, Uncle Mi Hua had been very accommodating, allowing any spells that could benefit the Alchemy Hall to be provided.
Otherwise, Luochen wouldn't have been able to borrow the Herbal Compendium in the first place.
The only thing he might need to do is have a good talk with Mi Junping.
Watching him leave, Luochen couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The additional work he had assigned to the herbalists and fire workers was, as he had said, for a reason.
But the deeper reason was that his proficiency in refining the Jade Marrow Pill was still too low.
He was still at the beginner stage.
At this stage, his proficiency could only support him refining elixirs on his own.
To have others help him with the Hunger Suppressing Pill and Wondrous Elixir was far from enough.
"Actually, most alchemists in this world might have some assistance, but they probably can't achieve what I can, right?"
Luochen thought to himself.
He even had a feeling that if he were a bit stronger, he could expand his operations.
He could have more people assist him, allowing him to refine even more elixirs simultaneously.
This confidence came from the insane efficiency he achieved when his proficiency in each elixir reached the Master level, producing top-quality elixirs consistently.
"Speaking of which, what changes would occur if an elixir's proficiency reached the Grand Mastery level?"
"Would it produce supreme-quality elixirs?"
Luochen glanced at his attribute panel. The Hunger Suppressing Powder was the closest to Grand Mastery.
...
In the morning, only two cauldrons were opened for elixir refinement.
One was the Jade Marrow Pill that Luochen personally refined using the Cloud Proclamation Cauldron. He used two sets of materials and ended up with forty failed elixirs.
Ha, forty more disposable items for practicing the Primordial Pearl.
The other cauldron was refined after Luochen finished the Jade Marrow Pill. During his break, he guided Milu and a few herbalists and fire workers to refine the Hunger Suppressing Powder together.
"The Hunger Suppressing Pill, though called a pill, is actually a non-grade Hunger Suppressing Powder."
"Compared to first-rank elixirs, it is relatively simple to refine, making it perfect for beginners."
"The key is not in the technique or method, but in the fusion of the herbs and the demon beast beef."
"Remember, the herbs and meat must be perfectly combined, forming a cohesive paste."
Under Luochen's guidance, the herbalists, who had been tortured by processing herbs, became more spirited and lively.
Luochen glanced around and pulled a young man aside.
"Is your name Tangquan?"
"These are five Wondrous Elixir pills. Take them home to your uncle."
Tangquan took the five pills, looking a bit uneasy.
His uncle, of course, was the ailing tiger, Zeng Wen.
Recently, Zeng Wen had asked several times about the scarcity of Wondrous Elixir pills, saying it wasn't enough to satisfy him.
Luochen, remembering this, had been holding back a few pills during the collection to give to this old customer.
Since it wasn't his cost and he needed to hide his true Master-level alchemy, he decided to give the extra Wondrous Elixir pills to his old customer.
"Alright, it's time to collect the elixirs."
"This time, I will collect them. In the future, I will gradually let you handle the refinement of the Hunger Suppressing Powder yourself."
Luochen spoke, using the Traction Spell to open the cauldron lid.
A fragrant aroma slowly wafted out.
Milu, Tangquan, and the others, upon smelling the aroma, felt their spirits lift, as if their stomachs were suddenly full.
Luochen's expression changed, and his Master-level Traction Spell subtly moved.
Soon, a large clump of medicinal paste flew out.
"See that? This is the true form of the Hunger Suppressing Powder."
"The pills you usually see are formed by me using my spiritual energy to knead them inside the cauldron when they are released."
"Initially, when I refined the Hunger Suppressing Powder, I would first get the paste and then knead it into pills by hand."
"This large clump of paste should yield about fifty Hunger Suppressing Pills."
"Take it, and while it's still hot, knead it into pills. Remember, don't touch it directly; use bamboo strips to wrap it!"
Under Luochen's guidance, the large clump of paste flew towards Milu.
Milu quickly caught it with the prepared tools and led a group out of the alchemy room.
Soon, shouts of excitement and complaints about the heat echoed from outside.
Meanwhile, inside the alchemy room, Luochen reached out.
The cauldron lid flipped, and a golden pill adhered to it.
"Is this the result of the Grand Mastery Hunger Suppressing Powder?"
Today's update ends here. I need to catch up on sleep; I only got four hours. I'm feeling numb.
Eight chapters, 43,000 words updated. I did my best!
If you have any monthly votes, please cast them!
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