Chapter 101 How to Save Yourself

Former drinking buddies became cellmates.

This is Chu Ning's current situation. Their group was taken to a cell at the foot of the mountain by the disciples of Wenjin Sect.

The prison is set up with formations and there are powerful foundation-building masters guarding it, so it is impossible to escape.

"It's an unexpected disaster. We really have suffered an unexpected disaster."

"Who isn't? I didn't have much friendship with Qin Shan originally. I only became friends with him after he established his foundation. This is human nature."

In the cell.

Chu Ning sat quietly. There were six people in the cell, and at the moment one of the old men was complaining.

"Everyone, now that things have come to this, it is useless to talk about this. Let's think about how we can solve the current predicament."

The person who spoke was a middle-aged man. Chu Ning remembered that his name was Yang Ming.

"Fellow Daoist Yang, how can we resolve this situation? According to the rules of the Wenjin Sect, our fate will be to be used for pill testing."

The old man had a look of despair on his face, and after hearing what he said, the others had similar expressions.

"My fellow Taoists, I want to ask you, since we have a short time now, what is this trial pill?"

Chu Ning opened his mouth to ask. Judging from the expressions of these five people, it seemed that testing the elixir was a very dangerous thing.

"The pill tester is actually a pill slave. When alchemists refine pills, they often have companion pills. The alchemists themselves are not sure what the companion pills are. It may be a good medicine or a poison, so they need people to test the pills."

"In addition to these companion pills, there are also some new pill recipes that alchemists find. After refining, they also need people to test whether the effects of the pills are really as described in the recipes. Some alchemists will even create new pills themselves."

Yang Ming slowly said, "Generally, alchemists spend a lot of money to find someone to test their pills, and the same goes for sects. If you dare to catch someone to test your pills without reason, you will be attacked by all the cultivators."

"But for people like us who were implicated, no one would say anything if we were caught and tested on the pills."

Chu Ning was stunned. As an alchemist, he knew about the existence of companion elixirs. Only elixirs made by second-grade alchemists could have companion elixirs.

"Then keep testing the pills until one day you take a poisonous pill and die?"

"That won't happen. In Jinzong, they will release the pill after ten attempts. But even if you are lucky enough to survive after ten attempts, you will be too old to build a foundation."

Several people looked desperate, and Chu Ning did not continue to ask questions. Instead, he closed his eyes and meditated.

Seven days later.

"The six of you come out now."

The Wenjin Sect disciple who was guarding the cell brought Chu Ning and six others to the center of the cell.

There was a long table with a blue-gray pill on it. The Foundation Establishment Stage expert who was guarding the cell was sitting there, and there was another Foundation Establishment expert in yellow clothes next to him.

It is obvious from the positions where the two people are sitting that the latter should have a more noble status.

"Let's not waste any more time. Here is a new drug. Whoever wants to test it can leave the cell and have his own yard after taking it."

The one who spoke was the Foundation Establishment expert who was guarding the cell. Yang Ming and the other four had hesitant looks on their faces and were slow to speak.

"I do."

Chu Ning suddenly spoke, causing Yang Ming and the other four to look at him.

"Eat it."

The expressions of the two foundation-building masters did not change at all. Chu Ning walked forward, picked up the pill, and put it into his mouth very slowly. When it reached his lips, he closed his eyes and stuffed it in.

After the pill entered his body, he felt a burning sensation in his dantian and his skin began to turn red.

This hot feeling lasted for dozens of breaths before dissipating.

Everyone at the scene also stared at Chu Ning for dozens of breaths.

"What do you feel?" The yellow-clothed foundation-building expert spoke lightly.

Chu Ning said: "There is a burning sensation in the Dantian, and I feel that my Qi and blood have improved a little."

Huang Yijiu nodded: "That's right, it's in line with the effect of the Red Blood Pill."

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Huang, for successfully refining the Red Blood Pill. It won't be long before Brother Huang becomes a second-rank alchemist."

"Brother Liao, that's great. It's not easy to become a second-grade alchemist. But after refining the Red Blood Pill, the sect's reward will allow me to sprint towards becoming a second-grade alchemist."

Huang Fei spoke modestly, but there was still excitement in his eyes.

"Brother Liao, I'll take my leave now."

"Okay, I'll take you there, Junior Brother."

After seeing Huang Fei off, Liao Changwen came back and glanced at Chu Ning: "He is quite brave. Go to the outer prison and choose a yard."

"Thank you, senior."

Chu Ning saw the envious and regretful looks on the faces of Yang Ming and the other four. He knew that these people were envious of the good pills he had eaten, and regretted that they had not mustered up the courage to speak up.

What Yang Ming and his companions didn’t know was that they were not just brave, but they were quite confident.

Although he didn't know what the pill was, some of the pharmacology were similar. He smelled the scents of several medicinal herbs on this pill and confirmed that it was not a poison pill.

It's not a poison pill. Even if it fails to be refined and has some side effects, it won't kill people.

After leaving the cell and seeing the light of day again, Chu Ning had no time to appreciate the sunlight before the disciples of Wen Jin Sect behind him urged him to hurry up.

"This is the yard. You are not allowed to leave the yard without instructions, and don't even think about escaping. You were marked with a spiritual seal when you first entered the cell. If you leave this area, you will be discovered immediately."

Watching the disciples of Wenjin Sect leave, Chu Ning raised his arm. There was a rune on his arm, which was the so-called spiritual seal.

This thing is similar to the electronic handcuffs in the previous life. Once you leave the fixed area, it will alarm. This is also the reason why Wen Jinzong did not send anyone to guard him.

As for why they were still allowed to live in the yard, it was just to allow them to continue testing the drugs.

If they risk their lives to test drugs and are then thrown into prison, I'm afraid many people would rather end their lives.

It is not easy to find a medicine slave in the late stage of Qi Condensation.

After entering the yard, Chu Ning first spread out his spiritual sense and searched the entire yard bit by bit, and finally made sure that Wen Jinzong had not done anything in the yard.

"Now it all depends on when that beast Black Snake will come find me."

Before being taken away by the disciples of Wenjin Sect, Chu Ning asked Black Snake to hide with the mirror, the flying sword and some spirit stones.

He was not afraid that the Black Snake would run away. After all, if he encountered danger and told his secret of immortality, the Black Snake would not be able to escape.

That night.

The black snake appeared.

"Old Black, I know that you and I are brothers, and you will not abandon me and run away."

"Stop talking about this. I wish you would die in that cell."

Lao Hei threw the package hanging on his body to Chu Ning. Chu Ning took the package. In addition to the flying sword, the secret mirror and the spirit stone, there was also the Qi Condensation Pill he had refined.

Chu Ning picked up the secret mirror and was about to put it away when he was suddenly stunned because words appeared on the secret mirror.

[Qi Condensing Pill: Top grade, made with Seven Star Grass, Colorful Dress Powder..., taking it can generate spiritual energy. ]

When Chu Ning saw this line of words, his breathing became rapid. This means that this secret mirror is not only useful for humans, but also for elixirs.

He had never used the secret mirror to look at elixirs before, so he didn't notice this.

If the secret mirror is effective for all elixirs, then I would have a way to break the impasse.

As long as I take a look with the secret mirror, if it is a poison pill, I won’t grab it. If it is not a poison pill, I will grab it. I can still survive ten times.

"The only question is, how can we use the Secret Mirror under the eyes of a Foundation Establishment expert without being discovered?"

The strong people who have established their foundation all have spiritual awareness, so this trick of deceiving the eyes will definitely not work.

"Old Black, this is a matter of life and death for you and me, give me some advice."

[It's your life and death, not mine]

"It's the same. Brothers like you and I definitely don't ask to be born on the same day, month and year, but we ask to die on the same day. If I die, can you still live alone?"

Chu Ning no longer concealed the threat in his words.

Lao Hei was silent, and Chu Ning's eyes lit up. Silence meant there was hope.

[In our demon race, there is something called a rare treasure. If you refine a treasure in your body, you will possess the magical power of the treasure. Everyone can refine one rare treasure.]

[I am not sure of the origin of this mirror, but from what I have seen so far, it is already at the level of a rare treasure]

[Then I will sign a life contract with you. You and I will coexist as one, and you will also be able to use the magical powers of this treasure.]

"What does the life contract mean?"

[It means that you and I are truly tied together in life and death. Secondly, it will be more difficult for you to break through your realm in the future. It is very likely that you will encounter the same thunder tribulation that monsters encounter when they break through.]

Chu Ning fell into deep thought. The pros and cons of the life contract were very clear.

The fact that it is more difficult to break through is not a big deal, as I can handle it with my longer lifespan. It’s just that this thunder tribulation is a troublesome matter.

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"You demon race will have thunder tribulations when you break through, but it's not so bad that you can't resist it. Just make sufficient preparations before breaking through."

Most cultivators hope to be fully prepared before making a breakthrough, but there is no way around it due to their limited lifespan. I don't have this limitation, so the worst that can happen is that while others spend ten years preparing, I can spend thirty or even fifty years preparing.

"Let's do this. You and I come from the same hometown, so we should share weal and woe."

Chu Ning patted the black snake's head, and the black snake stopped talking. Suddenly, its body swelled to almost ten feet long, and then it swallowed the secret mirror with its bloody mouth.

After swallowing the secret mirror, the black snake's body began to slowly shrink, and at the same time a black mist spewed out of its mouth, which enveloped its entire body.

Chu Ning did not disturb the black snake, but began to protect the black snake.

An hour later, the black fog dissipated, revealing the true appearance of the black snake. Chu Ning observed carefully and found that there was blue light in the eye membranes of the black snake's eyes.

"So, after refining this secret mirror, what did you find?"

[You can see for yourself after you sign the life contract. 】

The black snake did not explain too much and began to teach Chu Ning how to sign a life contract.

According to the content of the contract given by the black snake and the spell recited, Chu Ning was sure that this was indeed an equal life contract.

The man and the snake operated for half an hour. When the contract was completed, the black snake turned into a stream of light and shot towards Chu Ning's arm, then disappeared directly into it.

A black snake tattoo appeared on Chu Ning's arm, and at the same time the voice of the black snake sounded in his mind.

"I have shared the power of the Secret Mirror with you. You can feel it as soon as you think about it."

The voice was as tender as a child's. Chu Ning was stunned for a moment. How could this beast be young? "You are the beast. Chu Ning, I know what you are thinking now. If you call me a beast again, I will fight you to the death."

"Aren't you also calling me a bitch in your heart? Why do you have to laugh at your second brother, eldest brother?"

Chu Ning retorted, and they were both silent for a while.

"I'll try the power of the Secret Mirror."

Chu Ning's mind moved, and he looked at the Qi Condensation Pill. This time, the introduction of the Qi Condensation Pill appeared in his mind.

"It works. In this way, I can also use the power of the Secret Mirror when facing those who are at a higher level than me."

"I advise you not to use it on people who are at a higher level than you. They will feel like they are being watched. If they are extremely suspicious, you might end up getting yourself into trouble."

"If you are one level higher, you can hide in the crowd and use it. If you are two levels higher, you should not use it unless it is absolutely necessary."

Chu Ning also set down the principles for using the Secret Mirror, but after a while, he couldn't help but complain in his heart.

"This is what you mean by a difficult breakthrough. Damn, the energy of the immortal fruit alone cannot break through the bottleneck from Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment."

Chu Ning looked around his body and suddenly discovered that the spiritual energy that was originally released by the longevity fruit was absorbed by him and began to slowly turn into liquid, but now it could not be transformed anymore.

The sign of Qi condensation and foundation building lies in whether the spiritual energy can be liquefied.

Such a sudden change can only be related to this life contract.

"Then tell me, besides signing a life contract with me, do you have any other options?"

Chu Ning was stunned by Black Snake's words.

"In fact, it's okay not to have the foundation-building pill. If you work hard over time, you will succeed in building the foundation." Black Snake added.

Chu Ning said unhappily, "Yes, I can build a foundation, but it has become more than ten years instead of a few years. Thank you very much."

"You're welcome."

Chu Ning: ...

“Although the time has increased, once the foundation is established, it will be far superior to ordinary foundation builders, so it is not without some benefits.”

After listening to what Black Snake said, Chu Ning really couldn't refute it, because what Black Snake said was right.

The difficulty of foundation building has increased, but once successful, the increase in strength is greater than that of ordinary foundation building.

Just like the listing of his company in his previous life, some listed companies raised several times more money than other listed companies as soon as they went public.

…

For the next month, Chu Ning lived quietly in this yard. No one came to disturb him, and disciples from Wenjin Sect delivered three meals a day to him.

The alchemists of Wenjin Sect are not refining pills all the time, especially the second-grade alchemists. Usually, it takes a month or so to refine the pills at a time, and he is not the only one testing the pills.

Two months later, Chu Ning had his second pill test.

In addition to him, seven others were also brought here, among whom Chu Ning saw Yang Ming.

Because there was a powerful foundation-building expert present, the two of them just exchanged glances but didn't dare to say hello.

Chu Ning looked around. This time they were brought to a manor that specialized in alchemy, with alchemy furnaces placed everywhere.

Is there underground fire? As an alchemist, Chu Ning is very sensitive to underground fire. The warm feeling of the land under his feet indicates that there is natural fire under the land.

The so-called underground fire is the flame that spontaneously ignites underground. According to the grade and temperature, underground fire is also divided into several levels.

But no matter what level it is, even the worst earth fire can cause second-grade alchemists to scramble for it.

The eight of them were taken to a yard, and soon Chu Ning saw the alchemist in yellow clothes whom he met in the cell. He came out with several medicine boxes and placed them in front of them.

So, these pills are made by higher-level second-grade alchemists?

Seeing Huang Fei taking the pill himself, Chu Ning made a judgment in his mind that if the pill was made by the man in front of him, he could let his disciples take it.

In the pavilion behind the courtyard gate where Huang Fei walked out, there were three old men sitting.

"This time, the three of us have jointly refined a companion elixir. How about adding some bonuses to make the experiment more interesting?"

The old man who was speaking had a goatee and his hair was tied up with a hairpin.

"What is the prize and how to add it?"

"Let's see whose companion elixir is non-toxic this time. What do you think?"

“Haha, Junior Brother Qiong is very confident in the companion elixir he refined, and he deliberately set a trap for us, but Senior Brother accepted the chance.”

"Both brothers have accepted, so as a junior brother, I can only accompany them."

There is no first in literature, and no second in martial arts.

Alchemists of the same level are usually dissatisfied with each other.

"Then the winner can use this earth fire for a year. If everyone's pills are poisonous, the winner will be determined by the toxicity. If they are non-toxic, the winner will be determined by the efficacy. Do you two junior brothers have any opinions?"

"good!"

(End of this chapter)