Chapter 191: The Whereabouts of the Jin Dan Formation Formula

Upon hearing Qin Ming's words, Xu Zhanglao immediately sighed with regret:

"Alas~ if only Fellow Daoist Qin would be willing to join our Profound Creek Valley."

"Although this old man is not particularly proficient in the Dao of Alchemy, our Profound Creek Valley possesses a complete inheritance of the Dao of Alchemy."

Hearing the other speak thus, Qin Ming's spirit instantly surged; without revealing his emotions, he asked, "Does it even include third-tier alchemical inheritances?"

"Naturally."

"Because the founding ancestor of our Profound Creek Valley, 'Yunxi Laozu,' was itself a top-grade third-tier Grandmaster of the Dao of Alchemy!"

When Xu Zhanglao spoke to this point, an air of pride flowed from his words.

Clearly, he was filled with reverence for this ancestor of theirs.

"As far as this old man knows, the ancestor left behind quite a few third-tier alchemical formulas back then, but they are all guarded by those old fellows of the Alchemy Peak."

"Not to mention ordinary third-tier alchemical formulas."

"There are even formulas for forming the Jin Dan."

Hearing this, Qin Ming deliberately let out an exclamation of shock: "A formula for forming the Jin Dan?"

Seeing Qin Ming's shocked reaction, Xu Zhanglao felt it was only to be expected.

"That's right! Hehe! Among all the Jin Dan sects in the four kingdoms of the Southern Wild Immortal Realm, only our Profound Creek Valley controls the method for refining the Jin Dan."

"However, even for our sect's sole third-tier Alchemy Grandmaster—Grandmaster Gongsun Yang—the success rate for refining the Jin Dan is extremely low."

"According to him, the difficulty of refining a Jin Dan is unknowably greater than that of ordinary third-tier spiritual pills, far beyond what ordinary alchemists can hope to achieve."

"Furthermore, the materials required to refine a Jin Dan are exceedingly difficult to find; among them, the primary ingredient 'Baptized-by-Fire Golden Lotus' is extremely rare, not just in the Southern Wild Immortal Realm, but even within the resource-rich Great Jin Immortal Dynasty."

Having become familiar with Qin Ming, Xu Zhanglao opened up and chatted freely with him.

Qin Ming said with some envy, "The Dao of Alchemy inheritance of Profound Creek Valley is well-ordered; truly, you deserve your reputation as the number one sect in Liang Kingdom."

"Hehe! Naturally, our Liang Kingdom is different from Wei Kingdom; not only is our foundation immensely profound, but we also place great importance on uncovering talent among all types of cultivators."

"Grandmaster Gongsun Yang emerged from our sect's Alchemy Tower assessment, held once every ten years."

"Come to think of it, back then Gongsun Yang was merely a cowherd boy on the border of Liang Kingdom."

"If not for that Alchemy Tower assessment, there likely would be no third-tier Alchemy Grandmaster of Profound Creek Valley today, hehehe."

Xu Zhanglao of Profound Creek Valley had no excessive reservations toward Qin Ming; these internal sect matters were never any great secret to begin with.

Moreover, Qin Ming had patiently answered his questions and resolved his doubts for two full days; Xu Zhanglao's impression of him was extremely favorable, and he was willing to chat more.

"Alchemy Tower?"

Qin Ming asked in confusion.

Xu Zhanglao merely smiled slightly and explained, "Fellow Junior Qin, this Alchemy Tower assessment is actually similar to the Wood Formation in our Spirit Planter illusion realm trial assessment; their nature is much the same."

"This assessment was established by the founding ancestor of our Profound Creek Valley, 'Yunxi Laozu,' to select and evaluate talent in the Dao of Alchemy."

"It is also a crucial reason why the Dao of Alchemy inheritance of Profound Creek Valley has endured without decline."

"Those who pass beyond the seventh layer of the Alchemy Tower will also receive unexpected additional rewards."

"And all of them are closely related to the Dao of Alchemy, such as alchemical furnaces, alchemical formulas, spiritual materials for alchemy, alchemical mantras, heavenly and earthly spiritual fires, and so on."

"However, the difficulty of passing is extraordinarily high; although our Profound Creek Valley recruits a batch of Dao of Alchemy disciples every ten years, in several hundred years, only a mere handful have managed to pass beyond the sixth layer."

Hearing this, Qin Ming nodded, his mind turning with thoughtful consideration.

"So that's how it is."

"Then, does that mean the more layers of the Alchemy Tower one passes, the richer the rewards?"

Xu Zhanglao replied, "Correct."

"Elder Gongsun Yang of our sect, when he broke through the seventh and eighth layers of the Alchemy Tower, obtained a segment of exceedingly precious top-grade third-tier Soul-Nourishing Wood, as well as a mid-grade third-tier heavenly and earthly spiritual fire."

"It was this that allowed him, in his subsequent cultivation, to break through in one leap to become a third-tier Alchemy Grandmaster."

"This old man reckons that in the upper layers of the Alchemy Tower, there might even exist inheritances of third-tier alchemical formulas."

"Could it be... that Fellow Daoist Qin is also interested in our sect's Alchemy Tower?"

"Why not simply join our Profound Creek Valley? What is there to stay for in this Wei Kingdom? It has been riddled with holes by beast tides, not to mention hearing that recently an formidable demonic monster has appeared, leaving even three great Jin Dan cultivators utterly vexed..."

Xu Zhanglao's voice was gently persuasive as he steered the conversation back to this topic.

Because he truly admired Qin Ming immensely.

Hearing this, Qin Ming again displayed a bitter smile and politely declined Xu Zhanglao's kind offer.

He had already obtained the information he wanted; it was about time to stop while ahead.

"Regardless, this old man must still thank Fellow Junior Qin for your answers and resolution of my doubts, which have enlightened me as if pouring water over my head." "Fellow Junior Qin's unique insights into the Dao of Spirit Planting have truly opened this old man's eyes."

"No wonder you were able to bring the Spirit-Resting Rice, which had vanished from the Immortal Realm for a hundred years, back into the world."

"You are the most promising Spirit Planting Master this old man has ever seen; your future holds great promise."

"Xu Zhanglao overpraises me; we were merely exchanging ideas and sparring with each other," Qin Modestly replied.

"Alas, if only this old man could not stay out for too long, and there were not a pile of affairs within the sect awaiting handling, I would wish to stay a few more days..."

"Fellow Junior Qin, if you have the chance, come visit us at Profound Creek Valley in Liang Kingdom; when the time comes, we can chat freely again, hehe."

"Then I shall take Xu Zhanglao up on your words; this junior also wishes to witness the splendor of a great sect in Liang Kingdom."

After the exchange concluded.

Under the send-off of both Xu Zhanglao and Xu Jing, Qin Ming departed from the Alchemy Cauldron Pavilion.

At the entrance of the Alchemy Cauldron Pavilion.

"Great-Grandfather, what do you think of this Fellow Daoist Qin?"

"Alas, this youth is absolutely no creature of the pond; pity that he is devoted to the fields, disliking restraint. I have invited and tested him multiple times; such a cultivator will never easily join a sect or faction, nor can he be used by us."

"However, forging a friendship with him is no great mistake."

"If one day, Friend Qin truly becomes a third-tier Master of Spiritual Plants, or perhaps a third-tier Master of Alchemy."

"By that time, it will be too late to seek his friendship."

Xu Zhanglao let out a long sigh.

"A third-tier Master?!"

Xu Jing was utterly shocked; she had never expected her grandfather's evaluation of Daoist Friend Qin to have reached such heights.

A third-tier Master could already stand at the very ceiling of the Southern Wild Immortal Realm. Meanwhile, on the other side.

Qin Ming had already obtained the information he sought from Xu Zhanglao of Xuanxi Valley.

The formula for forming a Jin Dan, aside from being within the Pill Peak and in the hands of the third-tier Alchemy Master Gongsun Yang, was highly likely to also exist among the high echelons of the Pill Tower.

'Xuanxi Valley conducts an assessment and selection of disciples for the Pill Tower once every ten years.'

'Perhaps, this will be an opportunity.'

'However, I must wait until I break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment before plotting this matter.'

'By that time, even if my full strength cannot match that of a Jin Dan Old Ancestor, escaping safely should pose no great problem.'

'Of course, if I could obtain the formula for forming a Jin Dan without anyone knowing, that would naturally be best.'

All the materials needed to refine the Yu Xuan Dan had been gathered; next, once he returned to the island, he could begin the refinement immediately.

Subsequently.

Qin Ming went to Lü Liang's residence once more.

He had originally promised to visit their home for a meal on the very first day of his arrival.

But unexpectedly, he encountered the thirst-for-knowledge Xu Zhanglao, and their conversation lasted a full two days.

Upon arriving at Lü Liang's villa, the two exchanged pleasantries.

Soon after, Lü Wanjun personally prepared a table laden with wine and dishes.

Qin Ming also took out a jar of Spirit Fire Wine and immediately poured a cup each for Master and disciple Lü Liang.

Lü Liang had, of course, heard of the fame of the Spirit Fire Wine brewed by Qin Ming; a single jar had once been auctioned at the Mirror Snow Pavilion, fetching an extremely high price at the time.

Since Qin Ming was so generous in sharing the spiritual wine, he naturally would not decline.

Lü Wanjun, too, had been craving it for a long time.

In no time at all, she had drunk several cups in succession; for Qin Ming and Lü Liang, this wine merely satisfied a slight desire of the mouth and stomach.

But for her, at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, it held a significant effect for advancing her cultivation.

Amidst the clinking of cups and crossing of chopsticks, Qin Ming also inquired of Lü Liang about the recent changes in the situation of Canghai Xiancheng.

After all, positioned as he was within the high echelons of the Xiancheng, he naturally possessed considerable knowledge of the latest intelligence and news.

(End of Chapter)