Chapter 185 Outside the Valley of the Pill God
Zhong Cai pulled Wu Shaogan and stood on the deck.
There were many others doing similar things – or rather, almost all the alchemists were on the deck with their martial arts practitioners. Some of them were just gazing into the distance, some were talking to their martial arts practitioners, and some were talking to the alchemists while their martial arts practitioners stood guard beside them.
Overall, the alchemists and martial arts cultivators seem to have a very good relationship.
Looking around, there were couples everywhere, and at least half of them were like Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan, practicing dual cultivation together.
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As mentioned earlier:
Although martial arts cultivators greatly need the pills provided by alchemists, alchemists themselves also require some high-grade, rare medicinal herbs to improve their alchemy skills—of course, they can spend a lot of money to buy them, or hire martial arts cultivators to find them. But compared to that, it's less likely to make mistakes if one's Daoist partner goes personally or with a hired team.
When alchemists encounter dangerous ruins or secret realms, they need companions. In such situations, dual cultivation partners are the most reliable—their energies blend and complement each other. Even cultivation partners with shallow feelings will not abandon each other unless death is inevitable. And for those with deep feelings, they will share life and death.
Furthermore, outstanding martial arts cultivators often require many special pills during their cultivation process. If they try to place an order with an alchemist, finding one who knows how to refine that particular pill is already a challenge. Even if they do find one, they don't know if they can order it in time, or how long they will have to wait in line after placing the order...
However, if one's Daoist partner is an alchemist, the partner might be able to obtain the pill formulas through various channels and learn to refine them personally.
Even if a pill refiner isn't particularly skilled at it, they still have pills they're good at making that they can exchange with other pill refiners. And most pill refiners will give other pill refiners face; if they happen to be friends, it's quite normal for someone to cut in line.
Of course, ordinary alchemists and ordinary martial arts practitioners don't need to think about these things.
The alchemists at Azure Dragon Academy are all quite outstanding, and the inner disciples of Azure Dragon are all at least some minor geniuses. They need each other so much that they complement each other very well.
So it's normal for alchemists and martial arts cultivators to get to know each other and find each other agreeable, and then become Daoist partners.
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Seeing that the alchemists and martial arts practitioners were all getting along well, Zhong Cai didn't hold back and snuggled up close to her old man, saying in a low voice, "I never expected that so many of the alchemists in our academy got married so young."
Wu Shaogan smiled slightly, also noticing that there were quite a few couples, and said, "They all seem to have a good relationship, so we won't stand out."
Zhong Cai smiled brightly: "Then our relationship will definitely still be the best."
Wu Shaogan has very gentle features.
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Although the two spoke very softly, there were so many people around that some alchemists nearby also heard their conversation.
At that moment, several people's expressions became somewhat subtle.
Some martial arts practitioners, upon hearing this, couldn't help but smile and look at the alchemists beside them with a hint of mockery.
The alchemist with a better temper smiled at his partner.
The alchemist, who wasn't in a good mood, simply rolled his eyes.
Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan were so focused on each other that they didn't notice the expressions on the faces of the others.
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In fact, although mutual benefit is important, it is easier for cultivators to become partners if they are mutually attracted. If they choose someone they find pleasing to the eye but are not compatible, they will not have an easy time in the future, given that they still have many years of lifespan left.
In addition, alchemists and martial arts practitioners both spend a lot of time cultivating and honing themselves. Even disciples from the same academy will not have much contact time. They will usually cooperate first and choose each other more often, rather than becoming partners very early on.
Moreover, the more outstanding the alchemist and martial arts practitioner, the less free time they have to spend together.
At the same time, there are far fewer alchemists than martial arts cultivators, giving them more room to choose. Since they already have limited time, and they also have to come into contact with different martial arts cultivators at different times, the selection process takes even longer.
While martial arts cultivators certainly need elixirs, the exceptionally skilled ones are often brimming with confidence, and many will directly choose a Daoist partner to fight alongside them. When they need elixirs, they can make friends with alchemists, and together they can undoubtedly obtain more high-quality medicinal herbs. They can also use this opportunity to break into the homes of some outstanding alchemists and obtain the elixirs they need.
Under normal circumstances, most of the alchemists who have come here today should be partners who have worked together for many years or good friends with compatible personalities, rather than more than half of them being Daoist couples.
Unfortunately, Zhong Cai, the "benchmark" among alchemists, happens to have a highly capable and extremely loving Daoist partner.
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Zhong Cai is at the top of the Dan Ranking, and Wu Shaogan is at the top of the Canglong Ranking. Their progress is terrifying, and there are almost no cultivators in their respective fields who can compare with them.
These two people should, in theory, be "lone wolves," and should devote themselves wholeheartedly to honing their alchemy and combat skills.
But……
When Zhong Cai went to Meijia Mountain Range for classes, Wu Shaogan would accompany her, turn to Chongguang Peak to receive guidance, and then go to pick Zhong Cai up.
When Wu Shaogan went to certain training grounds within the academy, Zhong Cai would accompany him, training together and returning together.
When Zhong Cai went to participate in the Danbang assessment, Wu Shaogan accompanied him and waited for Zhong Cai to come out. During this time, unless someone took the initiative to talk to him, his eyes almost never left the testing ground.
When Wu Shaogan went to support the rankings, Zhong Cai accompanied him, staying by his side and cheering him on, jumping around without any restraint.
Zhong Cai almost never went out alone, while Wu Shaogan, even when he did go out alone, usually went to the trading hall, and the things he traded were mostly useful to Zhong Cai.
They almost always went to cultivation sites together.
The disciples of Canglong Academy, whenever they see Zhong Cai, they can usually see Wu Shaogan at the same time, and vice versa.
Seeing only one of them... that's a very rare occurrence.
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The fact that the two of them were so inseparable, yet it didn't affect their cultivation at all, and they seemed to have no bottlenecks at all, seemed rather absurd.
As the couple continued to be affectionate, a group of alchemists were influenced.
Starting with the alchemists who took classes in the Mei Family Mountains, those who had formed Daoist partnerships with martial arts cultivators became closer, their feelings for each other deepened, and their moods became more pleasant and relaxed.
Some alchemists were frustrated by hitting a bottleneck, and their partners would normally not bother them. However, as the relationship grew closer, the partners would take the initiative to find solutions, such as taking the alchemist to relax, go hunting in the mountains to vent their frustrations, or having a martial artist take the alchemist to run around at top speed. When the alchemist was relaxed, they had more inspiration, and many of them actually gained new insights and found new ways to solve their bottleneck problems.
Furthermore, since Zhong Cai refreshes the alchemy rankings every now and then, many alchemists pay attention and go to check on the situation, giving them more time to meet with other alchemists and discuss alchemy techniques with each other.
This inevitably leads to discussions about Zhong Cai and his Daoist partner.
Many alchemists felt that it might be good to have a martial arts cultivator as a Daoist partner, and they could settle down with one as soon as possible.
They weren't looking randomly, but their attitude was more proactive.
Martial arts cultivators who originally intended to befriend alchemists naturally took the initiative as well.
Those martial arts cultivators who were exceptionally skilled but found it troublesome to please "arrogant" alchemists, seeing Wu Shaogan's terrifying record on the Azure Dragon Ranking, his undefeated record in every challenge he accepted without ever showing signs of fatigue, and his ability to readily consume top-grade pills without ever experiencing the terror of "pill poison"... couldn't help but secretly wonder if Wu Shaogan's strength was also related to his usual reliance on a large number of pills, allowing him to hone his skills without regard for consumption?
These martial arts cultivators often saw Zhong Cai walking happily with Wu Shaogan, and couldn't help but think that perhaps they felt many alchemists were arrogant simply because they had no connection with them. If they were truly family, things would definitely be different!
So, these martial arts cultivators hesitated but then lent a hand to some alchemists... and luckily, those alchemists gave a rather positive response.
In this way, alchemists and martial arts cultivators had more contact time and more choices. Moreover, since everyone was actually a very outstanding young cultivator, more and more of them took a liking to each other.
In the more than ten years since Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan entered the Azure Dragon Academy, the number of alchemists and martial arts cultivators who formed Daoist couples was enormous.
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Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan were not very aware of these things, because their minds were focused on each other. They had no idea that the increased chances of young alchemists and martial arts cultivators in Canglong forming Daoist couples would have such a great contribution from them.
The two leaned close together and talked quietly.
Zhong Cai was still sighing, "I just saw Senior Brother Lü Yezhou. I still remember the scene of your battle before. He was quite powerful back then. Now that he has reached the Suspended Illumination stage, he should be even more powerful."
Wu Shao chuckled dryly, "He's also on the Azure Dragon Ranking."
Zhong Cai, who always only looked at those ranked above his own Lao Wu, smiled and said, "Senior Brother Lü is very ambitious." He suddenly lowered his voice even further, "Senior Brother Lü and the senior sister next to him are very intimate. Are they Daoist partners?"
Wu Shaogan also lowered his voice: "It should be."
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Lu Yezhou was a free-spirited and unrestrained person, and was originally the number one person to perform consecration, but he was later defeated by Wu Shaogan.
Later, after much painful reflection, he devoted even more energy to cultivation, and a few years later, he became a Daoist partner with a very outstanding fourth-level alchemist.
His Daoist partner was a beautiful woman named Ji Miaomiao, who was in the middle of the fourth-level pill ranking—which meant that she could refine a variety of top-grade fourth-level pills.
Ji Miaomiao was intelligent and generous. She recognized Lü Yezhou's temperament and potential, and provided him with many suitable top-grade pills during their interactions, which greatly helped Lü Yezhou improve.
While Lü Yezhou could certainly buy enough pills from the academy, Ji Miaomiao could tailor-make pills to suit his cultivation, making him feel that he could improve faster. He also greatly admired Ji Miaomiao.
Their feelings for each other deepened over time, and they naturally became Daoist partners.
Lu Yezhou's skills improved even faster after marriage, and Ji Miaomiao's alchemy skills were equally impressive.
After learning about the Dan Shenmu, Lü Yezhou was very supportive of Ji Miaomiao and constantly worked to improve their rapport.
It's a perfect match.
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Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan were more familiar with Lü Yezhou—after all, Wu Shaogan had suffered severe injuries in their battle, and the two had even had a falling out because of it.
As for Wu Shaogan's other defeated opponents, the two of them had very few memories of them.
So the two of them had no idea that... many of the alchemists they were seeing now, along with their martial arts cultivator partners, were actually ranked on the Hidden Dragon List and the Azure Dragon List.
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The level eight treasure ship slowed down and gradually approached Dan Shen Valley.
Zhong Cai saw that there were large swaths of clouds and mist ahead, shrouding a wide valley that seemed to have no end.
In the valley, the majestic shadows are faintly visible, but they are obscured by clouds and mist and cannot be seen clearly.
A delicate fragrance wafted out, refreshing and invigorating, yet it was impossible to discern what kind of fragrance it was...
The valley is surrounded by what appears to be several giant dragons guarding it, or by a vast, majestic mountain range.
This is Dan Shen Valley.
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Zhong Cai held Wu Shaogan's hand and felt immense pressure coming from all directions.
Those came from other treasure ships.
Yes, there were many huge flying magical artifacts hovering nearby, and they were all in the form of treasure ships.
The decks of each treasure ship were also densely packed with alchemists and martial arts cultivators.
While Zhong Cai was observing the surroundings, the other major powers were also watching.
No one released their spiritual thoughts.
It's not that I think this is inappropriate, but each treasure ship has corresponding defensive measures to isolate soul thoughts. If you rashly use your soul thoughts to "see" other treasure ships, you might not only be isolated, but some of the more irritable treasure ships might also have other powerful formations in operation that could reflect back your soul thoughts and harm the cultivator who released them.
Therefore, apart from the very few who are completely unaware, the vast majority of cultivators are now even more cautious.
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Zhong Cai was somewhat taken aback.
There are too many treasure ships! The pressure they bring is too overwhelming!
The two were worldly-wise, and even personally hosted a high-profile auction to receive Nirvana Realm experts from all sides!
However, although there were many level-eight flying artifacts gathered outside the Fifth City that time, they were far less than what we see now.
Zhong Cai looked around and was shocked to find that not only in Dan Shen Valley, but also above several other mountain ranges, there were level eight Xuan artifacts suspended!
They were densely packed, swirling around the four sides of Dan Shen Valley, almost completely surrounding it!
Zhong Cai couldn't even count the exact number—if she looked at a few more places, she could feel her primordial spirit fluctuating, affected by the different, eighth-level pressures.
[Old Wu, this is way too much!]
Wu Shaogan held Zhong Cai's hand and gently stroked it to help him relax.
[On such a momentous occasion as the day of the return of spring, any power from any state that receives the news will send representatives. On the Flying Star Continent, there are conservatively estimated to be over a hundred level-eight powers. And any level-eight power possesses formidable resources and would not miss this opportunity.]
Moreover, the lords of each state will also send people over. Their respective forces are level nine, but because their alchemists are only level eight, they haven't brought level nine treasure ships, presumably out of respect for the level nine alchemists.
【A-Cai, look.】
At this point, Wu Shaogan put his arm around Zhong Cai and stepped back slightly, gesturing to him.
Zhong Cai looked over.
Suddenly, a strong wind arose from all directions, and in an instant, a tremendous force surged from the side.
Something enormous is approaching!
Meanwhile, the Azure Dragon Academy's level eight warship was rapidly retreating.
Zhong Cai looked around and saw that the level 8 treasure ships of other forces, which had originally been on the same level as him, were now also on the same level.
All the level 8 treasure ships in roughly the same direction were making way.
Before long, the enormous creature revealed its true form.
It was an enormous and luxurious treasure ship with a very strong aura, like a towering peak pressing down, almost giving off a domineering feeling of sweeping across the universe, making people feel a little suffocated!
There were many cultivators standing on the deck, but upon closer inspection, it was discovered that most of them were armored guards with powerful auras, and there were actually only about a dozen or so alchemists.
However, each alchemist carried a certain arrogance and a rather confident demeanor.
Zhong Cai's pupils contracted.
[A Level 9 Flying Artifact!]
Wu Shaogan squeezed Zhong Cai's hand again to show his approval.
[This is the vehicle of a level nine alchemist, but they probably won't come themselves; they'll send an avatar instead.]
Having lived for thousands of years, they must have come before on the day of the return of spring, so naturally they wouldn't care too much.
Zhong Cai took a deep breath.
There are few alchemists on the deck; it's probably because they need to be carefully selected.
[A level nine alchemist has the prestige of a level nine alchemist. If someone who isn't outstanding enough comes, they probably won't achieve good results. For them, it might actually be better not to come at all?]
[There are many inheritances of the Divine Pill Tree, and there are plenty of inheritances among the disciples of a ninth-level alchemist. If one cannot obtain something even rarer, what's the point of coming here?]
Wu Shaogan nodded slightly.
Zhong Cai then looked to the other side.
Strong winds have blown through there before.
At this moment, an extremely large treasure ship was also hovering there. Its shape was very different from the level nine treasure ships here, but the value of its decorations and design was in no way inferior to those here.
That clearly belonged to another level nine alchemist.
Similarly, there aren't many alchemists there either, and they are all quite proud, so they must have been carefully selected as well.
Zhong Cai turned around and looked back.
Those were flying artifacts that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Although the level 8 treasure ships around Zhong Cai's location had to give way to the best positions after the level 9 treasure ships arrived, they were still within the optimal area.
Behind the level eight treasure ship, there are even more flying artifacts of other levels.
Forces from other levels, such as level seven, level six, or even lower.
One can imagine that, in addition to these large flying magical artifacts, there should be many other small and medium-sized magical artifacts and rare birds in the outer areas, as well as rogue cultivators and alchemists, either alone or with companions.
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Because the day of the return of spring is a grand event for all alchemists on the Flying Star Continent, no matter which alchemist hears the news, no matter how remote their location on the continent, as long as they have the means to come, they will definitely come.
Even if this alchemist is only at level one or two, they are far from meeting the standard to undergo the test of the Alchemy God Wood.
Even if they only catch the tail end of the day of rejuvenation after they arrive, and perhaps the other alchemists have almost all dispersed, they will still come.
And these cultivators will be even further out on the periphery.
That's why there's such a boundless sea of flying magical artifacts... and beyond that "sea" lies a sea of people...
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At this moment, two human figures, seemingly as light and shadow, stepped out from the two level-nine treasure ships.
You can't see their faces at all, but you can feel the aura emanating from them spreading out like water, gentle and without any impact.
Zhong Cai also sensed it, but soon he felt a sense of dread.
"Old Wu, isn't there a defensive formation on our academy's treasure ship? Why do I feel a strange power?"
Wu Shaogan quickly comforted Zhong Cai and patted his shoulder.
Then, before Wu Shaogan could answer, Zhong Cai quickly reacted.
These two are avatars of cultivators at the Heavenly Realm! Right?
Wu Shaogan nodded almost imperceptibly.
That should be it.
Zhong Cai's heart was beating very fast.
A cultivator who has reached the highest level!
He was actually a cultivator who had reached the Heavenly Realm!
However, Zhong Cai quickly suppressed her emotions.
That's not surprising.
After all, it came from a level nine treasure ship.
It's only natural that a cultivator who has reached the Heavenly Realm would send his own clone to accompany and protect a ninth-level alchemist's avatar if he felt uneasy about it.
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After these two beams of light appeared, they did not interact with anyone.
They simply stood in mid-air, in front of the valley, and gently waved their hands.
In an instant, a terrifying force spread in all directions.
Under the influence of this force, the clouds and mist that filled the valley immediately dispersed!
The next moment, an even richer and more refreshing fragrance wafted from the valley, instantly invigorating the minds of the cultivators.
At this moment, countless cultivators realized that their minds had been somewhat muddled for some reason, and they were only now coming to their senses.
Zhong Cai also felt that she was now perfectly clear-headed.
He was also somewhat horrified.
The previous flowing aura, carrying the power of a Tongtian cultivator, seemed extremely gentle and harmless to them... but in reality, they were still greatly affected and disturbed by that aura.
It was so quiet...
A cultivator who has reached the Heavenly Realm is truly terrifying!
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As the clouds and mist dispersed, it was as if the sun was shining brightly, and suddenly spring arrived with flowers in full bloom.
In the Valley of the God of Elixir, a towering tree stood out prominently before everyone's eyes.
Just as rumored, the trees are very tall, and from a distance they appear to have a deep green color. They have a lot of leaves that grow vigorously and spread out in all directions with countless branches.
A faint halo of light enveloped the giant tree, giving it a mystical yet vibrant beauty.
That is indeed the Dan Shenmu (丹神木).
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At this moment, the avatars of the Tongtian cultivators returned to their respective level-nine treasure ships.
The nine-tiered treasure ship suddenly moved, carrying a strong airflow, and continued to move forward, landing directly inside the Pill God Valley.
Zhong Cai looked down and saw that the eight-tiered treasure ship he was riding on had started to move again.
The other level-eight treasure ships also set off, following the level-nine treasure ships into the area.
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Although cultivators from Azure Dragon Academy and other level-eight forces arrived early, they still had to wait quietly until the forces of the two level-nine alchemists arrived.
Now, the many alchemists can finally enter the valley.
Just in time.
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