Chapter 28 The Pill Business
Zhong Cai punched him lightly, then couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Just say you're out of them, and I'll give you more next time!"
Wu Shaogan also smiled and said, "I will definitely tell you."
Zhong Cai happily accepted her best friend's kind gesture, immediately unfolded her clothes, and quickly changed.
The two of them slept together every night, so there was nothing to mind.
Zhong Cai stripped down right in front of Wu Shaogan, who stared at her with great interest.
The fabric has a refreshing silver-blue color scheme with subtle, flowing patterns that seem to shimmer.
Bichen's craftsmanship was also quite good; the clothes she made fit perfectly, and when Zhong Cai put them on, they made him look even whiter.
Wu Shaogan looked him up and down and exclaimed, "Handsome!"
Zhong Cai looked down at herself, swayed around a couple of times, and felt pretty good about herself. She accepted the compliment without any hesitation and then returned the compliment, saying, "You're even more handsome. You almost blind me with your handsomeness every day."
Wu Shaogan suppressed a laugh: "Then I'll have to be careful with how long it grows, or I'll make a big mistake."
Zhong Cai punched him again: "Narcissistic!"
Wu Shaogan remained unmoved: "No, I can't compare to you."
Zhong Cai laughed and felt much more relaxed.
·
As the two were chatting and laughing, two green balls of flesh emerged from the bedding.
It was Little Silver Wolf and Little Green Roc.
Little Silver Wolf must have spent too much time with Little Green Roc, because when facing Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan, he imitated them very obediently.
After each day's "training," Zhong Cai would grab the two dogs and tuck them into the bed. They would obediently lie close to them, all warm and cozy. If Zhong Cai picked one up and rubbed it, neither of them would resist.
On the very day Zhong Cai refined the top-grade Extraordinary Body Pill, the little silver wolf swallowed one under Wu Shaogan's command.
Wu Shaogan couldn't understand the little silver wolf's howls, but he could communicate with it by tearing open a spirit communication talisman.
The little silver wolf loved its shiny silver fur, but after Wu Shaogan carefully explained it to it and mentioned that it would become the same color as the little green roc, it eventually accepted it.
So now when the two little dumplings are snuggled together, they are both covered in fluffy, round fur, and at first glance they really do look very similar.
Zhong Cai looked at Wu Shaogan and asked, "Should we bring them with us this time?"
Wu Shaogan said, "Take it with you."
The answer was so certain that Zhong Cai became a little curious.
Wu Shao chuckled dryly, "Keep it for now, and you can take it out when the time is right, so your aunt can rest assured."
Zhong Cai understood.
Indeed, if the relationship is with true friends and relatives, then naturally the more leverage you have, the more at ease the other party will feel.
The two exchanged a smile, each took a dumpling, and quite tacitly stuffed it into their left sleeves.
·
Shengtian Restaurant.
The two sides agreed to meet at noon. Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan set off early, and although they weren't in a hurry on the way, they still arrived half an hour early.
A waiter came out to greet them.
Zhong Cai asked, "Is there a woman surnamed Sun who has reserved a private room?"
The waiter immediately put on a beaming smile: "Is the guest surnamed Zhong?"
Zhong Cai nodded.
The waiter immediately said, "That's right! Please follow me, both of you. It's at Yuelan Residence."
Zhong Cai walked away with Wu Shaogan, shoulder to shoulder, along with the other workers.
Siwei Xianglin quietly drove the carriage to the side courtyard of the restaurant.
Then he stayed inside the carriage.
·
The restaurant was luxurious, and many guests were drinking tea and eating.
With more people, there's more talk. Many cultivators who engage in lofty discussions inevitably reveal some information, and many people around them echo their opinions or listen closely to inquire.
Zhong Cai, however, had no interest in those things.
Wu Shaogan accompanied him all the way up to the third floor.
The waiter led the person to the door and then quickly took his leave.
Zhong Cai paused.
Wu Shaogan put his arm around his shoulder and helped him open the door.
Then, the two of them stepped inside.
·
The private room was indeed very elegant.
A tall woman stood in front of the beautiful screen, as if admiring it carefully.
Upon hearing the door open, the woman turned around very quickly.
Zhong Cai looked at her.
...If it weren't for his good memory, he might not have recognized him.
This woman was none other than Sun Liu, but she looked nothing like the woman Zhong Cai had ever seen.
At that time, Sun Liu was dressed as a hunter, with his long black hair wrapped tightly in a soft cloth, his face weathered, and his appearance and behavior unrefined, giving him the look of someone who had experienced many hardships.
But what about now?
Sun Liu wore a dignified, plain-colored long dress that accentuated her beautiful figure. She wore light makeup and seemed to have applied some cream, which made her wheat-colored skin appear even whiter.
In addition, her attitude was extremely gentle, and she even had a certain elegance about her.
Her appearance and temperament seemed to have become several times gentler, making her difficult to recognize.
Of course, upon closer inspection, Zhong Cai could still see that the makeup was slightly stiff, indicating that the other person didn't usually dress up much. But the fact that the other person still appeared in front of him like this was enough to prove how much importance the other person placed on him.
Zhong Cai felt a sense of comfort.
·
As Zhong Cai sized up Sun Liu, Sun Liu's gaze also instantly fell on Zhong Cai.
Unlike the last time we met, my nephew was dressed very neatly today, and his elegant clothes suited him quite well.
With her discerning eye, she could tell that his outfit was not merely stylish; the material was exceptionally fine—it was likely woven from silk spun by a second-tier savage spider. Not only was the color beautiful, but it also possessed considerable defensive capabilities—each foot of the material cost tens of gold, and the entire outfit would easily cost hundreds of gold.
However, this is only for external servers.
What Sun Liu really cares about is her nephew's current living conditions.
The moment her nephew entered, she seemed to see a young master from a prominent family—fair-skinned, tall, and slender, with an outstanding air about him. Although his figure still had a touch of youthful thinness, he was full of energy, with bright eyes, and even when he wasn't laughing out loud, he exuded a vibrant and radiant vitality.
She hadn't been able to observe closely before, but at this moment, she could clearly see that her little nephew was doing very well.
Not only did he show no sign of worry, but his every move was also very intimate with the handsome young man beside him... Such an unconscious reaction could not be faked.
Sun Liu was somewhat gratified; even without deliberately softening her stance, she could still genuinely reveal some gentleness.
·
Zhong Cai and Sun Liu's mutual sizing was actually only a matter of a single glance.
Sun Liu quickly came to her senses and said somewhat awkwardly, "Young Master, Cai'er, please sit down."
Zhong Cai's heart stirred slightly.
Wu Shaogan could also sense Sun Liu's slight nervousness.
Seeing Sun Liu's barely concealed excitement, Zhong Cai's own tension dissipated considerably. She took the initiative to pull Wu Shaogan and sit down opposite Sun Liu.
"Auntie, please sit down."
Sun Liu felt a little relieved, nodded in agreement, and sat down as well.
Zhong Cai then laughed and said, "You are an elder, so please don't keep calling him 'young master' all the time. Just tell him to 'do less'."
Wu Shaogan smiled slightly and said gently, "A-Cai is right, Aunt doesn't need to be so polite."
Sun Liu smiled, but couldn't immediately change her tune—in truth, it wasn't just politeness; she was clearly wary! Especially since the more she handled matters, the more she suspected Wu Shaogan was behind Jin Bao's affair. Even though he was now technically her nephew-in-law, she barely knew her nephew, so how could she dare act like an elder in front of this renowned young master!
However, the fact that Zhong Cai could make such a casual decision and Wu Shaogan could respond so naturally made Sun Liu even more certain that the two had a good relationship.
·
After a brief conversation, the two ran out of things to say.
Sun Liu opened her mouth, but hesitated to speak.
She wanted to ask her nephew a few words of concern, and also wanted to know why he had written to her, whether he was thinking of reuniting with his godfather, or perhaps he was in some kind of predicament and needed her help.
At this moment, Sun Liu felt a little hesitant about returning home and didn't quite know how to bring it up.
Zhong Cai smiled and said, "Last time I saw my aunt in the mountains, there were too many people around and it wasn't convenient to greet her, so I didn't get to pay my respects. Afterwards, I wrote that letter and sent it over, mainly to ask how my grandfather is doing now, and whether his injuries have healed?"
Sun Liu hesitated, "You...you know everything? You guessed it?"
Zhong Cai said directly, "I knew it when my grandfather first gave me gold. My stepmother investigated my grandfather's affairs, but she didn't hide anything from me."
Then, he told Sun Liu everything his stepmother had done and said.
Sun Liu listened, her expression somewhat complicated.
·
Sun Liu only met Zhong Guanlin's third wife, Luo Fengxian, once.
It was during the first time Sun Hu visited Zhong Cai to deliver money.
At that time, the other party personally took over the gold, indicating that it would definitely be handed over to Zhong Cai, and even introduced them to her trusted steward—clearly meaning that if they came again in the future, only this steward could ensure safety.
Sun Liu could tell that the other party was a very beautiful and shrewd woman, and should also have a good eye for talent.
Even though the other party was a beautiful woman, Sun Liu found it difficult to develop any good feelings towards her.
After all, Luo Fengxian completely replaced her sister not long after her sister passed away.
Admittedly, this was just a marriage of convenience; even without Luo Fengxian, someone else would have been chosen. The only one to blame is Zhong Guanlin for being so heartless, remarrying so quickly. It has absolutely nothing to do with Luo Fengxian…
But she has a very deep bond with her sister, so how could she be so rational?
However, now that Sun Liu has heard Zhong Cai's story, she is secretly glad that Luo Fengxian is her second wife.
No wonder Zhong Cai didn't hold much resentment towards her, and her words didn't seem to object to acknowledging her maternal grandfather. She also knew a lot about the hunting group... Luo Fengxian really deserves a lot of credit for this.
If Luo Fengxian had not resorted to open schemes but instead engaged in underhanded tactics, how could we have achieved such a favorable situation today?
·
Zhong Cai said with a smile, "The reason I recognized my aunt was not because I heard the name West Tiger Hunting Group, but because my stepmother once drew a portrait of my aunt."
"Although my aunt looks different now than when she was a girl, her facial features haven't changed. I can recognize her just by looking at how the other hunters treat her."
Sun Liu smiled and nodded, her eyes softening as she looked at Zhong Cai.
Since their first meeting, Zhong Cai's friendly attitude has gradually put Sun Liu at ease.
Sun Liu said softly, "Actually... your grandfather misses you very much, but he always feels he hasn't treated you well enough, so he doesn't dare to take the initiative. Now I want to ask you, would you like to go see him?"
Zhong Cai was certain that his aunt not only cared for him but also felt guilty towards him, so he was in a good mood and said naturally, "I originally had this plan, but I knew that my grandfather had a knot in his heart, so I didn't bother him. If my grandfather is willing to see me, I, as a junior, will of course be willing to visit him."
Sun Liu breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but smile, "You and Father are truly grandfather and grandson; you share the same thoughts."
Zhong Cai chuckled and said, "Grandpa is still a bit more stubborn."
Sun Liu smiled immediately.
As the atmosphere grew more and more pleasant, the dishes that Sun Liu had ordered earlier were brought in one after another.
The group began to eat.
The aunt and nephew were both more at ease.
Wu Shaogan remained silent, minimizing his presence.
However, after the meal started, whenever the two of them tried some unfamiliar dishes that they thought tasted good, they would casually let the other person try them as well, and they got along very well.
Sun Liu had always been curious, and indeed couldn't figure out the reason.
Let alone marriages within cold, aristocratic families, even ordinary cultivators like them, who marry out of mutual affection, need a considerable period of adjustment. How could these two, whose nephew was clearly married off for good luck, have such a tacit understanding after less than six months together?
Zhong Cai noticed Sun Liu's thoughts and frankly said, "Shao Gan and I didn't just meet when we got married; we've known each other for a long time."
Sun Liu was taken aback: "I've never heard of Young Master Shao Gan before... Are you on good terms with Young Master Shao Gan?"
Zhong Cai smiled and said, "Nobody else knows. Shao Gan and I have known each other since we were little, and we've been seeing each other secretly. He and his bodyguards are all very skilled, so if you're careful, nobody else will notice."
Sun Liu paused for a moment: "From childhood..." How childhood?
Zhong Cai recalled for a moment and replied with a smile, "We were only eleven years old then. I asked the guard to take me to play in the mountains while he went out to train. We just happened to meet. We got along very well, and afterwards he often took me out. My monthly allowance in the Zhong family wasn't high, but my maternal grandfather gave me some, and I didn't have to work hard to earn it, so my cultivation wasn't slow."
At this point, Sun Liu understood everything.
We've known each other since we were eleven... that's been seven years now!
Excluding their youthful days, how many seven-year periods did my nephew and Wu Shaogan live? They often went through trials together, so of course they had a deep friendship and a tacit understanding with each other.
Wu Shaogan finally spoke.
“After I got into trouble, the Wu family asked the Zhong family for my return. A-Cai was worried about me, so she took the initiative to step forward.”
Sun Liu remained silent, realizing the situation.
Zhong Cai said nonchalantly, "What's this? I wouldn't trust anyone else." Then she said to Sun Liu, "Let's not even talk about all the help Shao Gan has given me in my cultivation. Just consider the many dangers we've encountered during our training. I lacked experience and was always flustered in the early years. Shao Gan not only taught me but also protected me and saved me several times. How can I leave him alone now?"
Before knowing about this, Sun Liu was full of worries, but after learning about it, she agreed with it.
“Cai’er is right.”
Sun Liu's only worries were that her nephew would be forced into marriage by the Zhong family and that Wu Shaogan's side would be unpredictable and bully Zhong Cai, but now she didn't have to be afraid of anything, and she naturally respected Zhong Cai's wishes.
Moreover, Sun Liu herself had received a great debt of gratitude and was willing to repay it with her life. Her nephew was similar to her in this respect, which made her feel even closer to him.
·
In the time it takes to eat a meal, the aunt and nephew get along very well.
Zhong Cai wiped her mouth and exchanged a glance with Wu Shaogan.
Wu Shaogan smiled and nodded.
Both of them were certain that the things they had discussed at home could be done.
Sun Liu didn't quite understand the subtle nuances between the two, but she could tell they had a good relationship, so she couldn't help but smile slightly.
Zhong Cai said, "Actually, there's one more thing I'd like to ask my aunt and grandfather for help with."
Sun Liu immediately said, "Go ahead."
If there's anything we can do to help, it can at least make up for some of their shortcomings.
Zhong Cai had already thought about what to say, and immediately said, "To be honest, Aunt, I am now a first-level alchemist. It's inconvenient for me to keep some pills on hand, so I want to sell them through Xi Hu."
Sun Liu was stunned, and exclaimed in surprise, "What?"
Zhong Cai said directly, "In my early years, I was considered a low-grade person in the Zhong family, but for some reason, after I married Shao Gan, I suddenly opened my soul's secret treasure and summoned a top-grade yellow-level alchemy furnace."
Sun Liu: "So, you're now at the top level of Yellow Grade?"
Zhong Cai nodded: "Just like my mother, and just like you."
Sun Liu's eyes suddenly stung with tears.
Zhong Cai handed her a handkerchief and comforted her, "Aunt, I resemble my mother; you should be happy."
Sun Liu is actually very good at controlling her emotions and didn't really shed tears, but she still accepted the handkerchief and her nephew's concern.
“You’re right,” Sun Liu said with relief. “You’re like your older sister, not your father.”
Zhong Cai raised an eyebrow.
Sun Liu smiled again: "Although you have similar aptitude and personality, you are much more capable than your sister. It hasn't been that long, and you are already a pill master." She said readily, "If you have any pills you want to sell, just give them to me. Our hunting group is in dire need of pills, so just take them all! Cai'er, you have done our West Tiger a great favor."
Zhong Cai was immediately delighted.
"Aunt, although Xihu is quite remarkable now, I'm afraid he really can't handle it."
Sun Liu was puzzled.
Zhong Cai counted on her fingers and gave a rough estimate: "There are over a hundred of both Head Protection Pills and Qi Replenishing Pills. There are fewer low-grade Head Protection Pills and more mid-grade ones. Most of the Qi Replenishing Pills are mid-grade, a little over a hundred, with a few high-grade ones."
This figure was considered by Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan.
With the capabilities of the West Tiger Hunting Group, handling low-grade items shouldn't be a problem, and giving them some mid-grade items shouldn't be a big issue either. High-grade items, at most, can only be given out in small amounts occasionally—as they are considered top-tier resources.
Sun Liu's expression changed slightly.
This number is absolutely astonishing!
Having traveled extensively throughout the country, Sun Liu was very familiar with the market prices of elixirs in the surrounding cities. Even within alchemy sects, mid-grade elixirs were the result of years of honing skills by highly skilled alchemists.
As for top-grade... she had only vaguely heard rumors about it.
It is said that they exist, but they are extremely rare and almost never circulated among the public.
And now, her nephew is saying so much?
Zhong Cai didn't hide anything and took out several boxes and bottles.
"Aunt, please count them first, and then we'll talk."
Sun Liu hesitated before opening them all.
"One hundred and ten mid-grade Qi-replenishing pills, three high-grade pills. Twenty low-grade head-protecting pills, and one hundred and thirty mid-grade pills."
Sun Liu's fingers trembled slightly as she quickly closed all the lids.
"Cai'er, it's only been a short time, how could it be... that you really made all of these?" It wasn't that she didn't believe Zhong Cai, but she simply couldn't believe it and blurted it out.
Sun Liu immediately added, "No, that's not what I meant..."
Zhong Cai smiled and waved her hand: "Of course I know what Aunt means." There was a hint of pride in her expression. "My talent for alchemy is indeed not bad. I can produce a few pills after trying several kinds of pills for ten days or so. If I refine them more, I can grind out higher quality ones."
Sun Liu took a deep breath, suppressed her surging emotions, and thought rationally for a while before saying, "Cai'er, I'm very happy that you trust Xihu. But these pills are of exceptional quality, and I'm afraid Xihu is still not up to the task."
Zhong Cai casually said, "Take it slow. Isn't Xihu growing stronger too?"
Sun Liu glanced at Zhong Cai, her eyes flickering slightly.
Zhong Cai smiled: "These two kinds of pills are very common. My aunt knows many people, so there must be many people who need these pills, which will open up the market. As for the price, as long as it's not lower than the market price, it doesn't matter who gets the extra."
"Of course, it would be even better if we could expand our channels. I will continue to refine pills in the future. As my cultivation level increases, the quality of my pills will also improve, and I will need to ask my aunt to help me sell them at a higher price."
·
Sun Liu understood.
The nephew meant that most of the people the Western Tigers knew were from various hunting groups, and while they were in dire need of elixirs, getting a high price depended on luck. However, if the Western Tigers had elixirs on hand for a long time, besides being able to sell them to them at a slightly higher price, they could also take the opportunity to exchange some benefits to help the Western Tigers develop.
Meanwhile, the nephew suggested that he would sell the pills as long as the market price was acceptable.
If pills are sold to pill shops, the purchase price will be slightly lower than the market price to allow the shop to make a profit. Most pill masters find it inconvenient to sell and promote their pills themselves, so they sell to shops for convenience. However, a better option is to have someone help them handle the trivial matters.
So Xihu handles the trivial matters, and because there are many people, it's not too troublesome. The portion of the pills sold above the market price can also be their reward.
Once her nephew's alchemy skills are sufficient to produce high-grade pills, Xihu's role will be to find enough reliable customers willing to pay high prices. Xihu will also handle all communication with these customers to avoid disturbing her nephew's meditation.
By using high-grade pills to open up channels, Xi Hu not only helped the alchemists but also enhanced Xi Hu's status, allowing him to develop even faster.
At first glance, this should seem like a win-win situation.
But in reality... there are many people who can do trivial tasks, but outstanding alchemists are extremely rare.
·
Sun Liu sighed softly, "Cai'er trusts her aunt, and her aunt will naturally do her best not to disappoint you." As she spoke, she added a hint of apology, "In the past, it was we elders who owed you something, and now our Xihu is still benefiting from your influence... it's really..."
Zhong Cai didn't feel that they owed him anything. To put it bluntly, even his own father had to ask him to make connections to cultivate a relationship with him, so how could he have the nerve to ask his maternal family for so much?
And fifty gold coins a year is quite a lot!
Even though his maternal grandfather is now at the Palace Opening Realm, it's really not easy for him to have to produce all of these in addition to his own cultivation.
Zhong Cai said frankly, "Aunt, there's no need to belittle yourself. Besides the fact that we do have a friendship, I also value Xi Hu's work style; he's very trustworthy. For me, finding a force to help manage the pills isn't difficult; what's difficult is gaining enough trust."
Sun Liu was still somewhat moved.
Her nephew's trust... made her feel very comfortable.
Zhong Cai smiled and said, "To be honest, even though I gave my aunt these pills, it wasn't all of them." Seeing that Sun Liu didn't seem surprised, he continued in a good mood, "Besides my aunt, I have other channels. It's just that I have fewer people, and many things aren't as convenient as in Xihu."
"I've also hidden some of my alchemy skills; you always have to keep some trump cards up your sleeve, right?"
Sun Liu didn't care about that. Even family members wouldn't reveal all their secrets. Her nephew's directness showed that he was hiding something, which actually made him trust her more—she was both gratified and happy.
Zhong Cai smiled mysteriously again: "The Wu family and the Zhong family both know that I am an alchemist, but they haven't deliberately spread the word. I haven't told them my true abilities either; I've kept it a secret. They don't know the true level of my alchemy skills either."
Sun Liu asked with concern, "Then what kind of alchemy furnace are you using now...?"
Zhong Cai said, "My companion treasure is well hidden. The one I'm using now was given to me by Shao Gan."
Sun Liu was relieved.
Next, Zhong Cai discussed some details with Sun Liu.
For example, sell the inferior quality directly, plan to sell the mid-quality, and find an opportunity to sell the superior quality...
Sun Liu actually wanted to save the superior-grade Qi-replenishing pill for her adoptive father, even though it was only a first-grade pill. It was still of high quality. Her adoptive father was still at the first level of the Palace Opening Realm. Taking one when his Xuan power was exhausted would replenish some of his energy and give him a better chance of survival.
But Sun Liu did not bring it up.
If high-grade pills are used properly, they can bring my nephew a lot of income and fame. Even if they buy them at a high price internally, the profits from selling them are greater.
Sun Liu asked, "If anyone inquires about the alchemist's identity, must I tell the truth?"
Zhong Cai quickly waved her hand: "No, try to hide it as much as possible. Aunt and Grandpa will discuss it and help me come up with a good excuse so that I won't be exposed. Even if some smart people make the connection, try to dispel their suspicions as much as possible."
Sun Liu nodded, pondering, "Every time we sell pills, we go to more distant places, and only contact people who keep quiet nearby." She thought for a moment, "Then we'll find someone to pretend to be an alchemist and hide him away, saying that he can contact a small alchemist faction and secretly obtain some pills. If something really goes wrong, we can just have him fake his death, and the contact will naturally be cut off."
Zhong Cai's lips twitched slightly, and she nodded.
"Aunt, you decide. As long as you don't expose me, anything is fine." He glanced at Wu Shaogan and suddenly laughed, "A fake alchemist just says his surname is Qian and he's obsessed with money."
Sun Liu understood immediately: "If they're obsessed with money, they'll sell for an even higher price."
Before they knew it, the aunt and nephew had been talking until evening.
They ended up having another meal there.
Zhong Cai showed Sun Liu the little green roc and the little green wolf.
Sun Liu recognized that these were two cubs with fourth-tier bloodlines, which made him even more reassured about his nephew's safety.
After they had eaten their fill, they took their leave.
Before leaving, Zhong Cai gave Sun Liu a small bottle and said, "This is for my grandfather. Aunt, please take it with me." He smiled and said, "In a few days, after I've settled things at home, I'll go to Xihu to visit my grandfather."
Sun Liu took it and nodded happily.
After watching her nephew and his wife leave, Sun Liu felt a little lost and reluctant to part.
She then boarded the carriage she had hired.
Inside the enclosed carriage, Sun Liu opened the small bottle.
For some reason, she had a vague premonition, and a bit of disbelief.
The next instant, Sun Liu saw what was inside, and her pupils contracted sharply.
Top-notch!
Top-grade Qi-replenishing pill!
Sun Liu immediately re-plugged the bottle, and then unconsciously squeezed the bottle tightly.
·
Xiang Lin drove Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan back to the courtyard.
Wu Shao chuckled dryly and teased, "Completely relieved now?"
Zhong Cai said confidently, "I already knew that, so I wasn't nervous at all!"
Wu Shaogan suppressed a laugh: "Okay, you're not nervous."
But that tone was completely different.
Zhong Cai snorted: "I'm not going to argue with you."
The two lay on their backs in the yard and basked in the moonlight for a while.
Wu Shaogan asked, "When are you planning to go see your maternal grandfather?"
Zhong Cai stretched and asked, "Guess?"
Wu Shaogan chuckled: "You didn't give me any hints, how am I supposed to guess?" But he still guessed, "You want to prepare a gift before you go, right? Maybe you also want to refine some new pills?"
Zhong Cai turned her head, her eyes shining.
"You really know me quite well."
Wu Shaogan's smile was somewhat hazy in the moonlight, making him even more handsome.
Zhong Cai couldn't resist pinching him, but he immediately shrank back to avoid it before saying, "I wanted to refine some new pills. Do you think it's time to try the Jade Complexion Pill? Once it's refined, it'll be perfect for my aunt."
Wu Shaogan raised an eyebrow.
Zhong Cai added, "I also wanted to prepare something for my grandfather, but I don't have anything suitable on hand right now... I think it's time to draw the cards."
Wu Shaogan understood and said confidently, "We've already accumulated quite a bit of Dan Yun."
Zhong Cai chuckled, "That's way too much!" He proudly held up two fingers.
Wu Shaogan said with even greater certainty, "More than twenty thousand."
Zhong Cai's smile was absolutely radiant. Then he leaned close to Wu Shaogan's ear and whispered, "There are 22,789." He lowered his voice even further, "This time I'm planning a ten-pull in the Red Flame Pool, two ten-pulls in the Azure Flame Pool, and a ten-pull in the White Flame Pool depending on the situation... Most importantly, I want a single pull in the Purple Flame Pool!"
Wu Shaogan was a little surprised and turned to look at Zhong Cai.
Their eyes met, and their breaths almost touched.
Zhong Cai's eyebrows and eyes were curved.
Wu Shaogan laughed too.
·
Nighttime, in the room.
Wu Shaogan proactively set up an isolation array, enveloping everything around him and blocking any possible soul thoughts that might sweep over.
Zhong Cai then set up the soundproof array.
Wu Shaogan: "..."
I suddenly remembered the joke I made during the last sacrifice.
Zhong Cai gave him a mocking look and said, "You don't need to actually shout it out, but don't stay silent later."
Wu Shaogan immediately agreed: "Don't worry."
Zhong Cai then summoned the altar, which filled the surrounding open space.
The two walked to the altar and stood together in front of the pit.
Zhong Cai first looked at the magnificent expanse of colorful clouds, said nothing, and only gestured with slight excitement—
"Ten consecutive strikes in the Crimson Flame Pool!"
At the same moment, Zhong Cai turned her head and stared at Wu Shaogan.
Wu Shaogan said solemnly, "Please bring forth the Soul Essence and Spiritual Heart! Please bring forth the Soul Essence and Spiritual Heart!"
Recite it repeatedly.
Zhong Cai was satisfied and started muttering to herself.
In short, the altar must be powerful and produce useful items!
Soon, the Crimson Flame Pool released ten seals.
Zhong Cai was handed over to Wu Shaogan to look at, and he was even asked to mutter to himself while he drove it.
Wu Shaogan understood Zhong Cai's concern and happily complied.
·
The ten envelopes flew into the air with a "whoosh," displaying various reactions very quickly.
In such a continuous stream of openings, the first ones to appear are usually low-grade mystic stones.
Within a few breaths, four mysterious stones appeared, reaching 40% of all the sealed items.
Adding the guaranteed level 6 rare medicine and the chance to obtain Soul Essence and Spiritual Heart seals, only five remain.
A circle of golden light spun around...
A thin booklet was published, containing the third-level cultivation method.
Two circles of golden light swirled around...
A glass tube containing a bright red liquid emerged, likely the essence of some rare beast.
A small bottle appeared, but we don't know exactly what it is yet; it's most likely a medicinal pill.
Three circles of golden light swirled around...
Another vial of essence blood, but the amount was very small, only about 20% of the previous one.
There's another booklet, quite thick, so it's probably not about martial arts techniques or secret skills.
The screen was filled with golden light...
A guaranteed level 6 rare medicinal herb: Red Lotus Grass.
·
Zhong Cai took everything down and examined it one by one.
The moment it was touched, vague information came from many resources.
Both vials of blood were indeed essence blood—the essence blood of the fourth-tier rare beast, the Sunny Bird, and the essence blood of the fifth-tier rare beast, the Gale Wolf.
The small bottle did indeed contain a pill, specifically a mid-grade fourth-level Crimson Cloud Pill, which could help cultivators in the Suspended Illumination Realm break through their cultivation level.
The third-tier cultivation technique is quite common and universally applicable; it is fire-attribute—the "Fire Cloud Technique."
And the thickest booklet...
Zhong Cai couldn't help but immediately grab Wu Shaogan and excitedly point it out to him.
"Old Wu! This is the most useful one we drew today!"
Wu Shaogan looked over, and his expression brightened.
The book in front of me has the following words written on its cover:
Records of Ancient Treasures
·
The so-called rare treasures are mostly natural and rare materials.
And what does Wu Shaogan need most right now? Isn't it one of those rare and precious natural treasures?
After receiving Wan Qingqu's reminder, the two had been eagerly anticipating the Soul Essence and Spiritual Heart. However, since they didn't know its details, they still had some concerns.
But now that we have this booklet, we might be able to find more specific information.
The two stopped drawing cards and instead sat down together on the stone seat, huddled together, and began studying the booklet.
The booklet contains very detailed descriptions; in addition to clear images of the various treasures, it also includes densely packed descriptions:
This includes, but is not limited to, its main production areas, possible causes of formation, specific uses, potential uses that can be explored, methods of use, contraindications, harvesting/digging methods, etc.
Zhong Cai glanced at it, then her fingers moved even faster.
Finally, when the four large characters "Soul Essence and Spiritual Heart" appeared, he stopped.
Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan exchanged glances and both took a deep breath.
Then, they took a closer look together.
·
The Soul Essence and Spiritual Heart have existed since the beginning of heaven and earth, and are the most precious treasures in this world that allow cultivators to restart their cultivation.
As Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan had previously speculated, this thing must be used when the soul is intact; otherwise, it will not only fail to integrate into the soul, but may also cause further damage to the soul, and the thing itself will be wasted.
The location of these treasures is very random, and whether you can get them depends entirely on luck; there is no pattern at all.
Among countless rare and precious natural treasures, it is one of the relatively special ones.
In addition, the soul essence and spirit heart are also divided into grades.
Levels three through nine correspond to a cultivator's aptitude progressing from "Yellow Grade, Middle Grade" to "Immortal Grade, Top Grade".
If you're unlucky and only find a level three candidate, then you'll only end up with a rank of Huang Pinzhong or similar.
·
Upon seeing this, Zhong Cai looked at Wu Shaogan with concern, feeling a bit scared.
If he hadn't drawn this booklet and learned all this, he might have drawn a low-grade item during a sacrifice and even made his friend use it without hesitation. He would have regretted it then!
Falling from the top of the Heavenly Grade to the middle of the Yellow Grade is a drop that is hard to bear!
Seeing his expression, Wu Shaogan said quite nonchalantly, "Even so, at least I can live a few more years, right?"
Zhong Cai pursed her lips and said, "We need to remember how to determine the grade. If we draw a low-grade item, we shouldn't use it for now. We should try to draw more and try to get a better one."
—Even if there was no hope, it was fine. There was clearly hope ahead. How could Zhong Cai bear to let his best friend die young? He had to live for at least a few hundred or a few thousand more years!
Wu Shao chuckled dryly, "I'll do whatever you say."
Zhong Cai nodded solemnly.
·
The two remained grateful to Wanqing Canal.
Although Wan Qingqu probably knew that soul essence and spiritual heart had different grades, the reason he didn't mention it was probably because it was already difficult to come across such things, let alone be picky about grades. What was he thinking?
The higher the level, the harder it is to find. Cultivators have limited lifespans, so seizing the opportunity is even more important.
If you encounter it, just use it directly and don't overthink it.
·
Zhong Cai and Wu Shaogan continued to flip through the booklet.
The introduction to the Soul Essence and Spiritual Heart is not very long, but the specific process of repairing aptitude is described very clearly.
When Wu Shaogan uses it, he can use the booklet to determine if there are any problems with his fusion.
·
After reading it, Zhong Cai was a little excited and immediately said, "Old Wu, I think we can do a single pull from the Purple Flame Pool now."
The Purple Flame Pool requires a full 10,000 Dan Yun to draw from once, and it can consume nearly half of Zhong Cai's Dan Yun in one go!
But for some reason, Zhong Cai felt that if she went to smoke now, perhaps...
This premonition is very strong.
Wu Shaogan patted Zhong Cai on the shoulder, silently expressing his trust.
Zhong Cai smiled and clenched her fist.
The two took another deep breath.
Zhong Cai calmly said, "Purple Flame Pool, single draw."
Wu Shaogan calmly recited, "Please bring forth the soul, marrow, and spirit."
As the purple flames churned within the crater, an extremely magnificent purple seal erupted.
Zhong Cai handed it to Wu Shaogan.
Wu Shaogan pressed down on Zhong Cai's hand and said, "You take it apart."
At that moment, he seemed to have a premonition...
Zhong Cai met Wu Shaogan's gaze, closed her eyes, and decisively channeled her profound energy into him.
As the envelope floated, the golden light swirled twice.
Countless plumes of smoke billowed out—
Zhong Cai couldn't help but show a hint of disappointment, muttering, "The resource range of the Purple Flame Pool is from level three to level seven, and the two rings of golden light are level five..."
Wu Shaogan put his arm around Zhong Cai's shoulder and gently massaged it.
Suddenly, a palm-sized, silvery mineral appeared in their line of sight.
Zhong Cai blinked.
Wu Shaogan was also a little stunned.
Zhong Cai hesitated before speaking, "The shape looks like a soul essence or a spiritual heart, but the color is wrong..."
Wu Shaogan suppressed his surging emotions and took it down.
The next moment, his voice faltered slightly.
"Level 5 Soul Essence and Spiritual Heart... mutated?"
Zhong Cai's eyes widened, and she almost cracked her voice.
"Mutated—?"
The two looked at each other in bewilderment.
I thought understanding the soul essence and spirit heart was enough, but who would have thought that this thing could actually have a variant?
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