Chapter 204: Shaxue Elixir

After completing the transaction with Gu Tongshan.

Qin Ming immediately took out three hundred jin of premium Spirit Rice and entrusted Gu Qingzhao to sell it for him.

In addition, there were some second-rank mid-grade Foundation Establishment elixirs.

He then said to Gu Qingzhao: "Gu Daoist, I have a few items that require your help delivering to Su Yuqing."

This time, Qin Ming sent Su Yuqing one hundred jin of premium Spirit Rice and five Dao-flower Spirit Fish.

Because in the jade slip he asked Su Yuqing about a high-rank elixir formula of considerable value, involving the use of a second-rank peak demonic monkey core to brew the elixir.

So cautious was he that he had placed a special seal on the jade slip, accessible only to Su Yuqing, given how significant the matter was.

In addition, Qin Ming next planned to obtain a Core Formation elixir formula from Su Yuqing. Qin Ming only knew that the Flame-Bathed Golden Lotus was one of the two main ingredients for brewing Core Formation elixirs.

But the complete formula and brewing method were unknown, as Core Formation-level elixir formulas were involved.

They likely existed only in major sects like Lei Yuanzong and Lingyu Gate; elsewhere, they might not exist at all.

But in wealthy regions like the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty, which housed Nascent Soul sects, Core Formation elixir formulas must exist.

Yet asking Su Yuqing directly now would be overly presumptuous, so he intended to first offer gifts to lay the groundwork.

Once he broke through to Foundation Establishment late stage, he could plan more carefully—there was no rush.

As for elixir formulas using demonic monkey flesh, the difficulty was not as high as using demonic cores; such formulas surely existed within Canghai Xiancheng, so he had no need to seek them from Su Yuqing.

"By the way, I also need you to keep an eye out for several spiritual materials," Qin Ming said to Gu Qingzhao.

Gu Qingzhao smiled gently, her voice clear as a spring: "Qin Daoist, please name them."

"I need demonic remains and demon stone, Tianxiang Jade Dew, and Yin-Yang Spirit Crystal. If you learn of any of these materials, purchase them for me directly," Qin Ming said.

These are all materials required to cultivate the Three Crimson Soul-Returning Grass; missing even one is impossible.

Gu Qingzhao listened to Qin Ming's request; she had never even heard of two or three of these materials, yet she still nodded and replied: "Qin Daoist, rest assured. Once I acquire them, I'll have Long Yi deliver them to you."

"By the way, one more thing—do you happen to have any second-rank elixir formulas for brewing spiritual pills using demonic beast blood?" Qin Ming asked again.

Gu Qingzhao thought for a moment, then replied: "Our pavilion does have such formulas, but few cultivators buy them, so they're stored in the capital headquarters' warehouse. Shall I have my subordinates deliver them to you along with the Five Elemental Qi Peach Tree?"

"How long would that take?"

"About a month."

"If you're in a hurry for the formula, you could also check the core district of the Immortal City—it has no shortage of high-rank elixir formulas."

"Hmm, I happen to have some business there as well."

…

After finishing matters at Jingxue Pavilion.

Qin Ming took his leave.

He did not rush to leave Canghai Xiancheng; instead, he followed the main road straight toward the core district beneath Canghai Peak.

Between the inner city and the core district lay another checkpoint, with even stricter guards.

Even the team leader guarding the entrance was at Foundation Establishment early stage.

"Oh! It's Master Qin!"

The team leader immediately recognized Qin Ming and warmly bowed to him.

"Qin Daoist, are you entering the core district for business?"

Qin Ming returned the bow with a slight smile: "Yes. Is Lu Liang Daoist within the city?"

"Oh! So you're looking for Director Lu? He just returned from an outside mission these past few days. Let me announce your arrival—please wait a moment!"

The guard team leader then hurried inside to report.

Half a cup of tea later.

"Ah! I never expected! Long time no see, Master Qin, welcome! Please come in!" A familiar voice rang out. Director Lu Liang, Foundation Establishment mid-stage, walked over with a cheerful smile.

Qin Ming greeted him: "Director Lu, I owe you thanks for your help last time. Today, I need your assistance again."

"Qin Daoist, you're being too formal!"

"You mean that matter with Wu Jiang? A trivial thing."

After exchanging pleasantries,

Lu Liang led Qin Ming into the core district of Canghai Xiancheng.

As soon as they entered, Qin Ming noticed that the spiritual energy in the air grew denser the deeper they went.

The cultivators moving about in the core district were far fewer than in the inner city, but nearly all belonged to major factions.

Even the lone cultivators here had deep roots.

The shops and buildings in the core district were exquisitely carved and lavishly decorated, with grand trading venues everywhere.

From the foot of Canghai Peak up to its mid-slope, numerous independent high-rank cultivation caves had been carved out.

"Qin Daoist, let me introduce you—these caves beneath Canghai Peak all possess at least second-rank upper-grade spiritual veins."

"Each contains a breakthrough meditation chamber, material processing room, third-rank earth-fire chamber, and so on, divided into four grades: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding."

Jia-grade caves even feature third-rank mid-grade spiritual veins—in theory, they can support a cultivator's breakthrough to the Jin Dan stage, hehe!

As Lu Liang spoke, he wore a proud expression. Qin Ming silently calculated: the rent for a Jia-grade cave must be astronomical.

"The shops in the core district are even operated by the top powers of the four nations, and all items traded here target high-rank cultivators."

Qin Ming cut straight to the point: "Director Lu, I'm here to purchase several second-rank elixir formulas. Any recommendations?"

"Ah! I see. For elixir-related resources in the core district, I recommend you go directly to 'Danding Pavilion.' Come, I'll take you there myself," Lu Liang said, suddenly understanding.

Qin Ming smiled slightly: "Then I'm in your debt, Director Lu."

As they walked together, Qin Ming noticed Lu Liang carried an air of quiet triumph.

Only then did he realize Lu Liang's white cultivation robe was different from before—it was clearly a second-rank upper-grade robe, and the emblem on his chest had changed to that of a senior director.

"Hehe! So Director Lu has been promoted? Congratulations!" Qin Ming said, producing a box of Concentration Tea and offering it to Lu Liang: "A small gift—please accept it."

Lu Liang froze.

He had intended to politely refuse, but when he saw the legendary Concentration Tea—said to enhance spiritual sense—his eyes widened and he swiftly accepted Qin Ming's gift: "Hehe! Just a minor promotion, nothing to mention, nothing to mention."

He added: "I owe this entirely to your guidance last time, which helped us catch that winged tiger demon—we earned major merit."

"Since then, I've been reassigned to the Immortal City, permanently stationed in the core district maintaining order, no longer having to battle beasts daily in the Beast Cry Mountains."

"Now I only need to go on an outside mission every one or two years—mostly just driving off second-rank beasts near the city or escorting merchant caravans. Very easy."

"Moreover, the city's contribution rewards are extremely generous. Soon, I'll have enough to exchange for 'Fuling Elixir'—this second-rank mid-grade spiritual pill will boost my magic power. Perhaps in twenty or thirty years, I might even have a chance to break through to Foundation Establishment late stage."

Lu Liang smiled warmly, trying to persuade Qin Ming: "Why not join the Immortal City, Qin Daoist? As a guest advisor, you'd face no restrictions, and the city lord has already offered you extremely generous terms."

"With your fortune—even as a pseudo-spiritual root—you could cultivate under a third-rank spiritual vein. After decades of hard work, you might well break through to Foundation Establishment mid-stage!"

"This is what countless lone cultivators in the city dream of."

Qin Ming shook his head with a smile: "Director Lu, my aspirations lie elsewhere. Don't bother persuading me further."

Lu Liang had originally intended to convince Qin Ming to join Canghai Xiancheng, hoping to earn another great merit before Canghai True Person.

But Qin Ming paid no heed. Lu Liang opened his mouth, realized further persuasion might annoy Qin Ming and backfire, and fell silent.

Half a stick of incense later,

Lu Liang led Qin Ming through winding streets in the core district until they reached a magnificent building—over ten stories tall, its central plaque bearing the bold characters "Danding Pavilion."

As they entered the shop, a beautiful female shopkeeper of Qi Refining late stage stepped forward, her light gauze robes fluttering, her figure subtly visible: "Director Lu has arrived? Please come inside!"

On the way, Lu Liang had told Qin Ming that "Danding Pavilion" was backed by the Liang Kingdom's supreme power, "Xuanxi Valley."

Xuanxi Valley was a dominant sect with Jin Dan elders, with an unbroken lineage that had endured for thousands of years through the turbulent history of Liang Kingdom.

Unlike the Wei Kingdom and the other two nations, Liang Kingdom's cultivation world was remarkably stable.

One key reason was that Xuanxi Valley reportedly housed more than one Jin Dan elder.

"Director Lu, who is this elder?"

The graceful shopkeeper asked, glancing at Qin Ming.

Lu Liang introduced him calmly: "This is Lord Yueyue Island, Qin Ming."

"I recommended him to purchase some elixir formulas from you."

Upon hearing that the man before her was Qin Ming—the famed cultivator of the Immortal City—the shopkeeper's face showed shock. She quickly bowed deeply: "So you are Elder Qin! My apologies for the oversight—please enter the private chamber for some spiritual tea."

"Cough! Qin Daoist, attend to your business—I'll wait below," Lu Liang said tactfully.

He knew Qin Ming's purchase of elixir formulas likely involved sensitive matters and would not intrude.

The shopkeeper then led Qin Ming to a private room on the third floor.

After pouring Qin Ming spiritual tea, the Danding Pavilion shopkeeper smiled sweetly: "Elder Qin's visit is a great honor. What elixir formulas do you require?"

Qin Ming cut straight to the point: "I need several second-rank elixir formulas that enhance blood and qi."

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up immediately: "Our pavilion has four second-rank blood-qi elixir formulas."

"They are: Dingqi Elixir, second-rank lower-grade, brewed with century-old Crimson Blood Grass; Xuegu Elixir, second-rank mid-grade, brewed with the marrow of second-rank demonic beasts."

"Xuehe Elixir, second-rank lower-grade, brewed with blood-rich royal jelly; Shaxue Elixir, second-rank mid-grade, whose final grade fluctuates depending on the demonic beast blood used."

Qin Ming paused briefly, then said: "I'll take the formulas for Shaxue Elixir and Xuegu Elixir."

Elixir formulas for body refinement cultivators were extremely rare; having four here was already remarkable.

Especially since Shaxue Elixir's formula was precisely what Qin Ming urgently needed.

The shopkeeper smiled gracefully:

"The Xuegu Elixir formula is priced at two thousand spirit stones; the Shaxue Elixir formula at three thousand. Total: five thousand spirit stones."

"But as a distinguished guest, I may personally offer you a ten percent discount."

"Should you ever need to purchase or sell elixirs in the future, please return to our pavilion."

Qin Ming understood this was their way of courting favor and accepted without refusal, immediately producing four thousand five hundred spirit stones to complete the transaction.

After the transaction was completed.

The female shopkeeper of Dan Ding Ge warmly saw Qin Ming down the stairs.

(End of chapter)