Chapter 171: Pill Refining and Scheming

"Fellow Daoist Lü, please set your mind at ease; no one understands Foundation Establishment Pills better than I do."

Seeing that Lü Liang seemed somewhat distrustful of him, Qin Ming spoke immediately.

"It is not that; Fellow Daoist Qin's skill in the Dao of Alchemy is renowned far and wide within Yunze Xiancheng, so naturally, I have utmost confidence in you."

"But this... the pill formula has only just been received; should you not examine it a bit longer?" Lü Liang forced a smile as he spoke.

Lu Wanjun, standing nearby, also felt her heart pounding wildly, after all, this Foundation Establishment Pill concerned her own path of cultivation.

"It is of no consequence; when Qin Mou refines Foundation Establishment Pills, there is no other secret, only familiarity born of practice." Qin Ming merely stored the second-tier mid-stage wind-attribute demon core, then continued, "The method of refining Foundation Establishment Pills from demon cores allows only a few rare types to be used as ingredients; other second-tier demon cores will not work."

"Fortunately, Fellow Daoist Lü's specimen meets the conditions, whereas that Scale-Fire Lizard's demon core cannot be used to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill."

Upon hearing this, the complexions of master and disciple from the Lü family grew even uglier.

Before they could consider their next move, Qin Ming had already left the table.

Without another word, he directly took out the Profound Jade Furnace, placed it on the ground, and prepared to begin refining immediately.

"Fellow Daoist Lü, please hand over the remaining auxiliary materials to me," Qin Ming stated bluntly.

Seeing this, Lü Liang stopped hesitating; since he had chosen to entrust the matter of alchemy to Fellow Daoist Qin, he could do nothing but place his full trust in the other party.

He immediately took out all the spiritual materials and handed them over to Qin Ming together.

The moment the spiritual materials were handed over, Lü Liang's heart trembled. "Wanjun, let us wait outside; do not disturb Fellow Daoist Qin while he refines the pill." After handing over the materials, Lü Liang beckoned his beloved disciple to wait outside with him.

Yet they only heard Qin Ming say indifferently, "There is no need; it will not take very long."

Hearing this, both Lü Liang and his companion were stunned.

They had not expected Qin Ming to be so confident and composed, nor that he would have no qualms about having others present while refining pills.

Just how much confidence did he have in his own alchemical arts?

Thinking of this, joy rose to Lü Liang's face; perhaps Fellow Daoist Qin truly had a very high chance of success.

Beside him, Lu Wanjun's expression was equally excited; what a rare opportunity to observe the refining of the legendary Foundation Establishment Pill up close! While the two were lost in such thoughts—

Qin Ming had already begun the refining process; he poured out all the spiritual materials, manipulating them with his powerful divine sense so they floated around him.

Boom! With a single wave of his hand, an ice-blue flame instantly appeared in Qin Ming's palm; it was precisely the advanced Spirit-Devouring Poison Flame.

The moment Lü Liang saw that ice-blue flame appear, his heart gave a sudden jolt; it actually induced a profound sense of palpitation in him.

It was even more terrifying than the Innate True Fire of the Foundation Establishment stage, as if merely touching a wisp of it would bring the danger of death and the extinction of one's Dao!

With a mere thought from Qin Ming, the Spirit-Devouring Poison Flame transformed into a blue firebird that drilled into the bottom of the Profound Jade Furnace and began heating it evenly.

Subsequently, he began employing his unique alchemical techniques to extract the medicinal embryos.

When it came to the second-tier mid-stage demon core, there was no exception; under the extraction of the 'Yin-Yang Separation and Union Spirit-Control True Art', the demonic essence and demonic soul within the demon core were stripped away layer by layer, like peeling a cocoon.

From extracting the medicinal embryos, compounding the medicinal liquids, controlling the fire intensity, to fusing the liquids, the entire process was accomplished in one seamless flow, without the slightest hesitation.

For the current Qin Ming, refining a Foundation Establishment Pill was simply child's play, possessing no great difficulty.

Even though the main ingredient had been changed to a demon core, it was merely a change in form but not in substance; the refining methods were largely similar.

Master and disciple from the Lü family were so shocked by Qin Ming's series of actions that their jaws dropped and their minds went blank.

Only the time it takes to burn one stick of incense had passed.

Chirp! An extremely crisp chirping sound rang out from within the Profound Jade Furnace, followed immediately by a patch of colorful rosy light appearing above the pill furnace.

Accompanied by the emergence of a heart-refreshing pill fragrance, Lü Liang and his disciple finally came to their senses from their shock.

Without needing to think, they knew that Fellow Daoist Qin had succeeded in refining the pill.

Immediately, both Lü Liang and Lu Wanjun became excited, overjoyed beyond measure!

Qin Ming smiled slightly, then waved his hand, causing several spiritual pills to fall into his palm.

He opened his palm to look, seeing four deep-purple Foundation Establishment Pills lying quietly in his hand.

One of the Foundation Establishment Pills was wrapped in pill patterns, emitting a ring of spiritual halo; it was clearly a premium Foundation Establishment Pill.

"I did not expect that refining a Foundation Establishment Pill from a demon core would yield a deep-purple color, which differs slightly from the deep-blue Foundation Establishment Pills refined from Jade Marrow Ganoderma." Sensing the abundant medicinal power within the spiritual pill, Qin Ming confirmed that the refinement was undoubtedly successful.

This was still because he had deliberately controlled his techniques; otherwise, he feared he might have even produced a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.

Since he was refining for an outsider, it was better to remain somewhat low-key.

He then took out an exquisite jade bottle and sealed the premium Foundation Establishment Pill along with another Foundation Establishment Pill inside it.

Qin Ming handed the jade bottle to Lü Liang, saying with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Lü, I hope I have not failed my mission."

"Ah, this?"

"Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Qin!"

"Wanjun thanks Senior Qin!"

Lü Liang accepted the jade bottle and bowed to Qin Ming with clasped hands, while Lu Wanjun also excitedly expressed her gratitude to Qin Ming.

"There is no need for courtesy between us; I have also gained benefits; it is simply a case of each taking what they need," Qin Ming said, waving his hand.

Both Lü Liang and his companion had seen Qin Ming almost without a second thought directly share that premium Foundation Establishment Pill with them.

It must be known that after a Foundation Establishment Pill was successfully refined, its distribution rested entirely on a single thought of Qin Ming. 'Fellow Daoist Qin possesses such a broad mind; he truly lives up to his reputation as a Grandmaster!' Clutching the jade bottle, Lü Liang could not help but sigh with emotion inwardly.

"Very well, Fellow Daoist Lü, since matters here are concluded, I must return to Moon Gazing Island to make some preparations, so I will take my leave now," Qin Ming said to the pair from the Lü family.

Subsequently, amidst the respectful farewells of the master and disciple, Qin Ming departed from the villa.

Originally, Qin Ming had planned to return directly to Moon Gazing Island after purchasing the pill formulas in the core district.

However, the matter of the beast tide had completely disrupted his plans.

He intended to visit the Mirror Jing Xue Ge once more.

Half an incense stick's time later.

Qin Ming exited the core district of Yunze Xiancheng and arrived at the Mirror Jing Xue Ge.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, why have you returned?"

"Could it be that things did not go smoothly?"

Gu Qingzhao asked in puzzlement, then immediately poured spirit tea for Qin Ming.

"Alas! Fellow Daoist Gu, only a few days of calm have passed; I fear a major disaster is about to strike again." Qin Ming lifted his teacup, took a sip of the spirit tea, and continued, "I have just received news; a beast tide of even greater scale is likely to descend upon the Immortal Realm soon."

Upon hearing this news, Gu Qingzhao and Master Huangfu exchanged surprised glances, then turned to Qin Ming and said, "Just now, my second uncle was hastily summoned by an urgent order from True Person Canghai."

"Could it be that this is precisely the matter at hand?"

Master Huangfu frowned and spoke in a deep voice, "If that is indeed the case, the situation may be far more severe than we imagine."

Gu Qingzhao hesitated for a moment, then said to Qin Ming, "Perhaps, Fellow Daoist Qin, you should temporarily refrain from returning to Moon Gazing Island."

"Canghai Immortal City is protected by a third-tier great formation and guarded by a Jin Dan True Person; even if several third-tier Demon Kings arrive, they may not be able to breach it."

Hearing this, Qin Ming immediately fell into deep thought.

What Gu Qingzhao said was not without reason; once a beast calamity erupts, nowhere in the Immortal Realm will be safe.

Although Canghai Immortal City is the primary target of the demonic beasts, many beast clans will still roam throughout the various regions of the State of Wei, causing bloodshed and plunging all living beings into misery.

With a Jin Dan True Person and a third-tier spiritual vein great formation, plus an elite army of cultivators, this place is instead the safest of all.

"Fellow Daoist Gu speaks with great reason; perhaps Fellow Daoist Qin should consider this?" Master Huangfu also chimed in from the side.

Qin Ming, however, shook his head and said, "My Moon Gazing Island is blocked by a misty illusion realm; even high-tier demonic beasts cannot enter, so it remains quite safe."

"Moreover, Moon Gazing Island is located in a remote area rarely visited by humans; the beast hordes likely have little interest in this place."

"Furthermore, the numerous spirit plants into which I have poured most of my efforts are all still on the island; I cannot simply leave them behind and depart."

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhao also nodded gently.

"The purpose of my visit this time is to ask Fellow Daoist Gu whether your pavilion has any third-tier formations for sale?" Qin Ming then said.

At these words, both Gu Qingzhao and Master Huangfu froze on the spot.

Master Huangfu immediately said to him, "Fellow Daoist Qin, this third-tier great formation relies on the mountains, rivers, and earth, as well as the power of a third-tier spiritual vein, to form a domain of its own."

"If you possess only the third-tier formation but lack a spiritual vein to supply it, the formation's effectiveness will be greatly diminished."

"It matters not; I merely wish to add an extra layer of insurance; whatever effect it can produce will be welcome," Qin Ming replied verbally.

But in his heart, he secretly thought, Soon my Moon Gazing Island will possess a third-tier spiritual vein. Gu Qingzhao then said, "Such high-tier formations capable of guarding a major power are available only at the headquarters in the capital of the State of Wei; I fear that by the time the formation arrives, the beast tide will have already erupted."

"As far as I know, no merchant house within Canghai Immortal City sells third-tier formations."

Hearing this, Qin Ming knitted his brows tightly and could not help but sigh inwardly.

However, the very next sentence from Gu Qingzhao reignited his hope.

"However, some years ago I heard someone mention that third-tier formations are sold at Fangcun Mountain Market."

Hearing this, Qin Ming asked in confusion, "Fangcun Mountain Market?"

"Indeed, Fangcun Mountain Market is located in the Lingnan Circuit of the State of Wei, not particularly far from Canghai Immortal City; at Fellow Daoist Qin's speed, you should be able to arrive within two days," Gu Qingzhao explained.

"Fangcun Mountain Market is the largest market near the four states surrounding Canghai Immortal City, and its background is none other than Lei Yuanzong."

A look of sudden realization appeared on Qin Ming's face; only a hegemonic power of such stature could possibly possess the method to refine third-tier formations and command a grandmaster of the Formation Dao.

Lei Yuanzong has ruled the cultivation world of the State of Wei for several hundred years and likewise occupies a superior third-tier spiritual vein; not only is its spiritual qi extremely abundant, but the size of the spiritual vein is several times larger than that of Canghai Peak.

Fangcun Mountain Market can be said to be the largest market in the State of Wei, so it is no surprise that such high-tier formations are sold there.

On this day.

A burly, bearded man with a cultivation at the early stage of Foundation Establishment landed before Fangcun Mountain Market.

This person was none other than Qin Ming, who had consumed a Hundred Illusions Pill; after half a day of travel, he had ridden his Silver-Winged Frost Bee to arrive here.

This was several times faster than the two days Gu Qingzhao had mentioned.

"Greetings, Senior!"

(End of Chapter)