Chapter 137: The Path Turns Again (Third Update)

Gu Qingzhao, upon seeing Qin Ming, hesitated before speaking.

"Why not join them in pooling materials for the Foundation Establishment elixir? You have enough to qualify."

"I can introduce you."

Qin Ming frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then asked: "What is the success rate and quality of the Foundation Establishment elixirs produced by Sun Jin's alchemist?"

"Roughly thirty percent, up to forty percent if luck favors him. Sun Danshi is a second-rank upper-tier alchemist—this success rate is already quite high," Gu Qingzhao explained.

"As for quality, occasionally one or two premium-grade Foundation Establishment elixirs emerge, but the odds are very low."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming immediately felt the risk was too high—not reliable enough.

If it failed, all the materials he had painstakingly gathered over the years would be wasted.

His original goal was not ordinary-grade Foundation Establishment elixirs; at minimum, he needed premium-grade, and Jipin -grade would be even better.

Even if the elixir were successfully pooled, how to distribute the pills remained uncertain—he held no control over the outcome.

At that point, Sun Danshi would certainly demand a cut.

In the best case, he might receive only one pill.

With his own talent, one Foundation Establishment elixir simply wasn't safe enough.

After weighing the pros and cons, Qin Ming decided to retain control himself.

"Brother Gu, I've thought it over—I've decided to refine the Foundation Establishment elixir myself."

"Have you learned who holds the main ingredient, Yusuizhi?" Qin Ming stated his decision, then asked.

Gu Qingzhao smiled faintly, as if expecting Qin Ming to say exactly this.

"I've confirmed the details—the main ingredient, Yusuizhi, is in the hands of Shen Yuanxiong, the clan head of the Shen family in the western city."

"Shen Yuanxiong is a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the early stage; he likely initiated the material pooling to secure a Foundation Establishment elixir for his descendants."

Qin Ming frowned in confusion: "Where did Shen Yuanxiong obtain this Yusuizhi?"

"It's said his ancestor was once an Elder of Shennong Sect, who earned great merit and was granted several treasures by the sect—Yusuizhi was one of them."

"Later, he suffered severe injuries that shattered his immortal path, so he settled in Canghai Xiancheng and founded his family."

"The Foundation Establishment elixir Shen Yuanxiong used when he first cultivated was also obtained through material pooling over ten years ago, using Yusuizhi as the main ingredient."

"I never expected he still had more than one portion left."

Gu Qingzhao spoke slowly.

Hearing this, Qin Ming felt hope rise within him.

He said to her: "Are you familiar with the Shen family? If possible, could you introduce me?"

Gu Qingzhao paused briefly, then replied:

"The Shen family is a talisman-making clan and has collaborated with our Mirror Snow Pavilion—I can certainly introduce you."

"But whether you can obtain the Yusuizhi depends on fate."

"After all, Shen Yuanxiong intends to pool materials for refining—he won't easily sell his Yusuizhi."

Qin Ming nodded, then left the Mirror Snow Pavilion with Gu Qingzhao, heading toward the Shen family in the western inner city.

After a stick of incense burned.

Gu Qingzhao brought Qin Ming to the front gate of the Shen family compound.

After the gatekeeper went inside to announce them.

The gate opened, and out stepped a short, stout elderly man in fine robes, a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the early stage.

He smiled warmly, bowing to Gu Qingzhao: "So it's the revered Gu Gezhu arriving at my humble abode!"

"Please come inside."

Clearly, this man was Shen Yuanxiong.

Shen Yuanxiong glanced at Qin Ming—he had never seen Gu Gezhu accompanied by a young male cultivator before, and he was slightly surprised.

"Who might this be?" he smiled at Qin Ming and asked Gu Qingzhao.

Gu Qingzhao replied calmly: "This is Brother Qin, an honorary guest minister of our pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuanxiong instantly understood—but such a young guest minister must be no ordinary person. He politely greeted Qin Ming: "Brother Qin, please come in for some spiritual tea."

The two then entered the Shen family compound.

But as soon as they stepped inside, Qin Ming froze.

Because inside the Shen compound, over twenty cultivators had gathered—mostly free cultivators.

Clearly, these cultivators had come for the material pooling for elixir refinement.

After the Shen family's screening, only four or five would remain.

Shen Yuanxiong led them into a room, closed the door, and cast a soundproofing seal before asking: "Are you here today regarding the material pooling for elixir refinement?"

Qin Ming, upon hearing this, honestly stated his purpose.

He offered generous terms.

Shen Yuanxiong's expression darkened; after a long silence, he slowly said: "Gu Gezhu is no stranger—I'll speak frankly to both of you."

"I do still have two portions of Yusuizhi left—but they are my last reserves."

"Had my unworthy son not reached the peak of Qi Refining, I would never have considered releasing them."

"All my hopes rest on this—I cannot afford the slightest mistake."

"So I'm afraid I must disappoint you, Brother Qin."

Qin Ming frowned, thought for a moment, then decisively said: "Then let me be equally candid—could you give me one portion of Yusuizhi to refine?"

"After the elixir is completed, I will give you one Foundation Establishment elixir in return."

Shen Yuanxiong's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Qin Ming, then glanced at Gu Qingzhao beside him: "Brother Gu—does this mean Brother Qin…"

"Yes, Brother Qin is also a second-rank alchemist," Gu Qingzhao nodded gently, speaking with absolute certainty.

Shen Yuanxiong realized he had vastly underestimated the plain-looking Qin Ming.

That explained it.

"So Brother Qin is a second-rank alchemist? My apologies for my ignorance!" Shen Yuanxiong recovered from his shock and asked: "Have you ever successfully refined a Foundation Establishment elixir?"

Qin Ming replied frankly: "Not yet—mainly due to lack of spiritual materials."

"But rest assured, Shen Qianbei—I have great confidence in refining the Foundation Establishment elixir."

Gu Qingzhao added: "I can vouch for this—Brother Qin has already successfully refined the Zhuyan Elixir, one of the most difficult second-rank elixirs."

Shen Yuanxiong was stunned—he had never refined one before, yet how could he be so confident?

Moreover, Qin Ming was only at the late Qi Refining stage, still very young, and Shen Yuanxiong had never heard of him—he doubted his alchemical skill.

He appeared to be a newly promoted second-rank alchemist, overly confident due to youth.

With this thought, Shen Yuanxiong made his decision.

Even with Gu Gezhu's guarantee, he could not gamble his clan's immortal path.

After a moment's thought, he apologized sincerely: "I'm truly sorry—I've already reached an agreement with Sun Jin's alchemist. Both portions of Yusuizhi must be given to him."

Qin Ming was deeply disappointed.

Clearly, the man still didn't trust him—but that was understandable.

"Still… I do have one more portion of Yusuizhi, though its spiritual essence is severely damaged, its potency greatly diminished."

"I don't know if it would suit you—but if you need it, I'm willing to sell it to you."

Qin Ming had already prepared to leave in disappointment, when suddenly fate turned again.

His eyes lit up immediately:

"Really?"

Shen Yuanxiong nodded, then took a long, narrow jade box from his storage pouch and opened its lid.

A translucent, emerald-like spirit mushroom appeared before Qin Ming and Gu Qingzhao.

More tonight.

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(End of chapter)