Chapter 169: Blood-Quenching Pill

After the deal with Gu Tongshan was concluded.

Qin Ming immediately took out another three hundred jin of premium spiritual energy Rice and entrusted Gu Qingzhao to sell it on his behalf.

In addition, there were some mid-grade tier-two pills for the Foundation Establishment stage.

Then he said to Gu Qingzhao, "Fellow Daoist Gu, I have some items that I must trouble you to deliver to Su Yuqing."

This time, Qin Ming sent Su Yuqing a hundred jin of premium spiritual energy Rice and five Rice-Flower Spirit Fish all at once.

This was because, in the jade slip, he had asked Su Yuqing about high-tier pill formulas of great value, involving the use of perfect tier-two Demon Ape demon cores for pill refinement.

He was so cautious that he had placed a special restriction on this jade slip, allowing only Su Yuqing to open it, since the matter was of immense importance.

Besides this, Qin Ming next planned to seek a Golden Core pill formula from Su Yuqing; Qin Ming only knew that the Bathing-Fire Golden Lotus was one of the two main ingredients for refining the Golden Core Pill.

However, he did not know the complete formula or the refinement method, as formulas involving the Jin Dan level were concerned.

Such things likely existed only in great sects like Lei Yuanzong and Lingyu Sect; other places probably did not have them.

But in a wealthy region like the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty, which possessed Nascent Soul-level sects, there were bound to be Golden Core pill formulas.

It was just that asking Su Yuqing right now would be somewhat presumptuous, so he planned to send some gifts first to lay the groundwork.

Waiting until he broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage before making plans and plotting gradually would not be too late.

As for the pill formula for refining pills using Demon Ape flesh and blood, the difficulty was not as high as using a demon core; such formulas definitely existed within Canghai Immortal City, so he did not need to ask Su Yuqing for them.

"By the way, there are a few types of spirit materials I would like Fellow Daoist Gu to keep an eye out for," Qin Ming said to Gu Qingzhao.

Gu Qingzhao smiled gently, her voice clear as a spring: "Fellow Daoist Qin, please speak freely."

"I need Demon Bone Demon Stones, Heavenly Fragrance Jade Dew, and Nether Yang Spirit Crystals. If Fellow Daoist Gu has news of any one of these spirit materials, please purchase them directly for me," Qin Ming said.

These were all spirit materials required for planting the Three-Crimson Soul-Returning Grass; lacking even one would not do.

Listening to Qin Ming's words, Gu Qingzhao realized she had not even heard of two or three of these spirit materials, yet she still nodded and agreed, saying, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Qin; once I have gathered them, I will have Aunt Long deliver them to you."

"By the way, there is another matter; does Fellow Daoist Gu happen to have any tier-two pill formulas for refining spirit pills using demonic beast blood?" Qin Ming asked again.

Gu Qingzhao pondered for a moment and immediately replied, "Such formulas... our pavilion does possess them, but since few rogue cultivators purchase such high-tier formulas, they are all stored in the warehouse at our headquarters in the capital. Otherwise, shall I have my subordinates bring them to Fellow Daoist Qin along with the Five-Elements Primordial Peach Tree?"

"Approximately how long will that take?"

"About a month or so."

"If Fellow Daoist Qin is in a hurry for the formulas, you could also check the core district of the Immortal City; there are quite a few high-tier formulas there as well."

"Mm, I happen to have some matters that require a trip there anyway."

After finishing his business at the Mirror Snow Pavilion.

Qin Ming took his leave and departed.

He did not rush to leave Canghai Immortal City but followed the main road straight toward the core district beneath Canghai Peak.

Traveling from the inner city to the entrance of the core district, he encountered another checkpoint; the guards here were even more heavily stationed.

Even the squad leader guarding the entrance possessed a cultivation base at the early Foundation Establishment stage.

"Oh! If it isn't Master Qin!"

That squad leader recognized Qin Ming instantly and immediately bowed to him with enthusiastic courtesy.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, are you entering the core district to handle affairs?"

Qin Ming returned the salute, smiling slightly as he replied, "Indeed. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Lü Liang is currently in the city?"

"Oh! So Fellow Daoist Qin is looking for Steward Lü? He just returned from a mission outside a few days ago. Let me announce your arrival; please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist Qin!"

After speaking, the guard squad leader went inside to report.

Half a teacup of time later.

"Alas! I truly never expected it! After so long without seeing each other, Fellow Daoist Qin honors us with your presence; please, come in quickly." A familiar voice rang out as Lü Liang, a steward at the mid Foundation Establishment stage, walked toward Qin Ming with a broad smile.

Qin Ming also greeted him, saying, "Fellow Daoist Lü, I owe you thanks for your help with the previous matter; today, there are some things for which I must trouble you again."

"What kind of talk is this, Fellow Daoist Qin? You are being too polite!"

"You mean that business with that brat Wu Jiang from last time? It was a trivial matter."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while.

Lü Liang led Qin Ming into the core district of Canghai Immortal City.

As soon as they entered, Qin Ming discovered that the deeper they went, the higher the concentration of spiritual energy in the world became.

Compared to the inner city, there were far fewer cultivators moving about within the core district, but they were mostly members of large factions.

Even the rogue cultivators here possessed profound foundations.

The shop buildings in the core district were carved with beams and painted rafters, even more luxurious, with a dazzling array of various large trading venues.

From the foot of Canghai Peak up to its mid-slope, numerous independent high-tier cave dwellings had been opened, ascending from bottom to top.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, let me introduce these cave dwellings beneath Canghai Peak; every single one possesses a spirit vein environment of at least high-grade tier-two or above."

"Inside, there are breakthrough meditation chambers for cultivation, material processing rooms, tier-three earth-fire chambers, and so on, divided into four grades: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding."

"Among them, the Jia-grade cave dwellings possess a mid-grade tier-three spirit vein environment; theoretically, they can even support a cultivator breaking through to the Jin Dan stage, hehe!"

As Lü Liang walked and explained, his face was filled with pride. Qin Ming silently mused that the rent for such Jia-grade cave dwellings must be an astronomical figure.

"Even the top powers of the Four Nations have established shops in the core district, and the items traded within are all targeted at high-tier cultivators."

Hearing this, Qin Ming got straight to the point: "To be honest with Fellow Daoist Lü, the reason Qin Mou has come this time is to purchase a few tier-two pill formulas; do you have any recommendations?"

"Oh! I see. Speaking of resources related to pill refinement in the core district, I suggest Fellow Daoist Qin go directly to the 'Pill Cauldron Pavilion.' Let us go! I will take you there directly," Lü Liang said with a look of sudden realization, immediately making the recommendation.

Qin Ming smiled slightly. "Then I must trouble Fellow Daoist Lü."

As the two walked together, Qin Ming noticed that Lü Liang maintained an air of triumph throughout the journey.

Only then did he notice that the white dharma robe Lü Liang wore seemed different from before; it was clearly a high-grade tier-two dharma robe, and the emblem on his chest had changed to the pattern of a senior steward.

"Hehe! So Fellow Daoist Lü has been promoted! Congratulations, congratulations!" While speaking, Qin Ming took out a box of Ju Shen Tea and handed it to Lü Liang. "A humble gift; I hope Fellow Daoist Lü will accept it."

Lü Liang was stunned by these words.

He had intended to demurely decline, but upon seeing that what Qin Ming handed over was the legendary 'Shen Shen Cha' capable of increasing divine sense, his eyelids instantly twitched; he swiftly accepted Qin Ming's congratulatory gift, saying, "Hehe! A mere minor promotion, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."

He immediately added, "Speaking of which, I must largely thank Daoist Friend Qin for providing directions last time, allowing us to catch up with that Winged Tiger Demon, thereby achieving a great merit."

"Since then, I have been transferred back to Yunze Xiancheng, stationed long-term in the core district to maintain order, no longer needing to struggle daily against the demonic beasts of the Beast Cry Mountain Range."

"Nowadays, at most once every year or two do I need to undertake an external mission, which involves nothing more than driving away second-tier demonic beasts around Yunze Xiancheng or escorting merchant caravans. In short, it is extremely relaxed."

"Not only that, but the contribution rewards given by Yunze Xiancheng are exceedingly generous; soon I will be able to accumulate enough contribution points to exchange for 'Fu Ling Pills'. With this second-tier middle-grade spiritual pill to enhance magic power, perhaps in twenty or thirty years, there may even be a chance to break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment."

Wearing a joyful expression, Lü Liang attempted to persuade Qin Ming: "Why not simply join Yunze Xiancheng, Daoist Friend Qin? Serving as a Qin Keqing in Yunze Xiancheng imposes no restrictions on you, and the City Master has already promised you extremely generous conditions."

"With Daoist Friend Qin's fortune, even though your aptitude is merely that of a pseudo-spiritual root, by cultivating within the environment of a third-tier spiritual vein, after perhaps several decades of bitter cultivation, there is still a great opportunity to break through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment!"

"This is something countless scattered cultivators in the city dream of."

Qin Ming smiled and shook his head. "Daoist Friend Lü, my ambitions do not lie here; there is no need for you to persuade me further."

Lü Liang had originally intended to persuade Qin Ming to join Canghai Xiancheng, planning to achieve another remarkable merit before True Person Canghai.

Alas, Qin Ming simply did not take it to heart; opening his mouth to speak, Lü Liang realized that continuing to persuade might only annoy Daoist Friend Qin and produce the opposite effect, so he immediately ceased his urging.

Half an incense stick later.

Lü Liang led Qin Ming through the streets of the core district, making seven turns and eight twists, until they arrived before a magnificent building fully ten-plus stories high; above its center hung a plaque where dragon-like calligraphy boldly inscribed the three great characters 'Pill Cauldron Pavilion'.

As the two entered the shop, a pretty female Shopkeeper at the late Qi Refining stage greeted them; her light gauze fluttered gracefully, and her exquisite figure appeared and disappeared within as she said, "Senior Lü has arrived; please, come inside!"

Earlier on the way here, Lü Liang had already introduced to Qin Ming that this 'Pill Cauldron Pavilion' was said to have the backing of the super power 'Xuanxi Valley' in the Liang Kingdom.

Xuanxi Valley was also a dominant great sect guarded by a Yunxi Laozu possessing a Jin Dan, and with an orderly inheritance, it had stood firm through thousands of years of turmoil and change in the Liang Kingdom.

Unlike the Wei Kingdom and the other two kingdoms, the Immortal Realm of the Liang Kingdom could be said to be quite stable.

One important reason for this was that within Xuanxi Valley, it was said there was more than one Yunxi Laozu with a Jin Dan.

"Senior Lü, who is this senior beside you?"

The female Shopkeeper with an exquisite figure asked, looking at Qin Ming standing beside him.

Lü Liang introduced calmly, "This is Daoist Friend Qin Ming, the Island Lord of Wangyue."

"It is I who recommended Daoist Friend Qin to come here to purchase some pill formulas."

Upon hearing that the person before her was the famous Qin Ming of Yunze Xiancheng, the female Shopkeeper of Pill Cauldron Pavilion revealed shock on her face and hastily bowed gracefully, saying, "So it is Qin Qianbei; this humble woman has been most disrespectful; please, enter the elegant room to drink some spiritual tea."

"Cough! Daoist Friend Qin, you attend to your matters first; I will wait downstairs," Lü Liang said very tactfully.

He knew that Qin Ming's purchase of pill formulas necessarily involved certain private taboos, so it was inappropriate for him to follow upstairs.

Subsequently, under the female Shopkeeper's guidance, Qin Ming entered a private room on the third floor.

After the Shopkeeper of Pill Cauldron Pavilion brewed spiritual tea for Qin Ming, she smiled charmingly and said, "For Qin Qianbei to grace our pavilion is truly an immense honor; may I ask what kind of pill formulas Senior requires?"

Qin Ming came straight to the point: "I require several second-tier pill formulas of the type that enhance qi and blood."

Upon hearing this, the Shopkeeper's beautiful eyes instantly brightened, and she introduced to Qin Ming: "Our pavilion possesses a total of four second-tier qi-and-blood pill formulas."

"They are respectively: the Ding Qi Pill, a second-tier lower-grade spiritual pill requiring hundred-year-old Red Blood Grass as a medicinal ingredient for refinement; the Blood Bone Pill, a second-tier middle-grade spiritual pill requiring the bone marrow of second-tier demonic beasts for refinement."

"The Blood River Pill, a second-tier lower-grade spiritual pill requiring royal jelly imbued with qi and blood for refinement; and the Sha Blood Pill, a second-tier middle-grade spiritual pill, whose final refined grade will fluctuate depending on the grade of the demonic beast blood used."

After pondering slightly, Qin Ming said, "I will take the formulas for both the Sha Blood Pill and the Blood Bone Pill."

Pill formulas for body-refining cultivators were originally extremely rare; to have four kinds available here at once was already quite remarkable.

Moreover, among them was the Sha Blood formula that Qin Ming urgently needed.

The Shopkeeper smiled gracefully and said:

"The Blood Bone formula is priced at two thousand spiritual stones, and the Sha Blood formula at three thousand spiritual stones, totaling five thousand spiritual stones."

"However, since Qin Qianbei is an honored guest, this humble woman can take it upon herself to offer Senior a ten percent discount."

"We hope that if Qin Qianbei has any needs to purchase or sell pills in the future, you will welcome the opportunity to trade with our pavilion."

Qin Ming understood this was the other party extending goodwill; without refusing, he immediately took out four thousand five hundred spiritual stones and completed the transaction with her.

After the transaction was completed.

The female Shopkeeper of Pill Cauldron Pavilion warmly escorted Qin Ming downstairs.

(End of Chapter)