Chapter 230: The Whereabouts of the Jin Dan Formula

Xu Elder, hearing Qin Ming say this, sighed regretfully:

"Ah~ If only Qin Daofriend would join our Xuanxi Valley."

"Though I am not deeply versed in alchemy, our Xuanxi Valley possesses a complete alchemical lineage."

Hearing this, Qin Ming's spirit instantly sharpened; he asked calmly: "Even a third-rank alchemical lineage?"

"Naturally."

"Our founding ancestor, Yunxi Laozu, was a third-rank supreme alchemist!"

As Xu Elder spoke these words, a tone of pride surfaced in his voice.

Clearly, he held profound reverence for this ancestor.

"From what I know, our ancestor left behind many third-rank elixir formulas, but all are guarded by a few old men on the Alchemy Peak."

"Not just ordinary third-rank formulas."

"Even the Jin Dan formula is among them."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming feigned astonishment: "The Jin Dan formula?"

Xu Elder, seeing Qin Ming's shocked reaction, found it entirely understandable.

"Precisely! Hehe! Among all the Jin Dan sects in the Four Nations of the Southern Wastelands, only our Xuanxi Valley controls the method to refine the Jin Dan!"

"Yet even our sole third-rank alchemist—Master Gongsun Yang—has an extremely low success rate in refining Jin Dan."

"He says refining Jin Dan is incomparably harder than ordinary third-rank spiritual elixirs; it's far beyond the reach of ordinary alchemists."

"Moreover, the materials required are exceedingly rare—especially the primary ingredient, 'Bathing Flame Golden Lotus.' Even in the resource-rich Great Jin Immortal Dynasty, it is exceedingly scarce, let alone in the Southern Wastelands."

Having grown familiar with Qin Ming, Xu Elder opened up and chatted freely with him.

Qin Ming said with a touch of envy: "Xuanxi Valley's alchemical lineage is orderly—truly worthy of being Liang State's foremost sect."

"Hehe! Naturally. Our Liang State differs greatly from Wei State; we possess profound heritage and actively cultivate all types of cultivator talent."

"Master Gongsun Yang himself rose to prominence through our Decade Alchemy Tower Examination."

"Come to think of it, Gongsun Yang was once merely a cowherd from Liang State's borderlands."

"Had it not been for that Alchemy Tower Examination, there would be no third-rank alchemist Gongsun Yang today, hehe."

Xu Elder of Xuanxi Valley held no great secrecy from Qin Ming—these matters within the sect were no great secret.

Moreover, Qin Ming had spent two full days patiently answering his questions; Xu Elder held an excellent impression of him and was willing to talk more.

"Alchemy Tower?"

Qin Ming asked, puzzled.

Xu Elder smiled faintly and explained: "Young Qin, the Alchemy Tower Examination is much like your Spirit Planters' Wood Array trial—essentially the same in nature."

"It was established by our founding ancestor, Yunxi Laozu, to select and test alchemical talent."

"It is also the key reason our alchemical lineage has endured for so long."

"Those who pass beyond the seventh level receive unexpected additional rewards."

"All are closely tied to alchemy—such as alchemical furnaces, elixir formulas, refining materials, alchemical incantations, and heavenly spiritual flames."

"Yet the difficulty is immense. Though we recruit a new batch of alchemical disciples every decade, over centuries, only a handful have passed beyond the sixth level."

Qin Ming nodded, his mind deep in thought.

"I see."

"Then, does that mean the higher the level passed, the greater the reward?"

Xu Elder replied: "Precisely."

"Our Master Gongsun Yang received a priceless third-rank supreme Soul-Nourishing Wood and a third-rank middle-grade heavenly spiritual flame upon passing the seventh and eighth levels."

"It was these that enabled him to break through to third-rank alchemist."

"I suspect even higher levels of the Alchemy Tower may contain third-rank elixir formula lineages."

"Could it be… Qin Daofriend is also interested in our Alchemy Tower?"

"Why not simply join our Xuanxi Valley? What's so great about Wei State? It's been torn apart by beast tides, and rumors say a fearsome demon has recently emerged—so powerful it's left three Jin Dan masters in disarray."

Xu Elder's voice was gently persuasive, steering the conversation back to this.

For he truly admired Qin Ming.

Qin Ming, hearing this, offered a wry smile and politely declined Xu Elder's invitation.

He had obtained the information he sought; it was time to stop.

"Regardless, I must thank you, Young Qin, for your patient answers—they've enlightened me like nectar poured on the head. Your insights into Spirit Planting have truly opened my eyes."

"No wonder you've brought back spiritual energy Rice, extinct for a hundred years in the cultivation world."

"You are the most promising Spirit Planter I've ever met—your future is boundless."

"Senior Xu flatters me—we merely exchanged ideas," Qin Ming replied humbly.

"Ah, if only I could stay longer—there are countless duties awaiting me back at the sect—I'd gladly remain a few more days."

"Young Qin, should you ever visit Liang State and Xuanxi Valley, let us talk again, hehe."

"I shall take you up on that, Senior Xu—I too wish to witness the grandeur of Liang State's foremost sect."

…

After the exchange ended.

Under the escort of Xu Elder and Xu Jing, Qin Ming departed the Dan Ding Pavilion.

At the entrance of the Dan Ding Pavilion.

"Grandfather, what do you think of Qin Daofriend?"

"Ah, this youth is no ordinary fish in a pond. Alas, he is devoted to the fields, dislikes constraints—I've probed and invited him repeatedly, but such a cultivator will never easily join a sect. He cannot be controlled."

"Yet befriending him is no mistake."

"Should Qin Xiaofriend ever become a third-rank Spirit Planter or third-rank alchemist…"

"Then seeking his favor will be too late."

Xu Elder let out a long sigh.

"Third-rank master?!"

Xu Jing was stunned—she had never imagined her grandfather's evaluation of Qin Daofriend had reached such a height.

A third-rank master stands atop the pinnacle of the Southern Wastelands. On the other side:

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

The Jin Dan formula, besides being held within the Alchemy Peak and by the third-rank alchemist Gongsun Yang, might also exist at the higher levels of the Alchemy Tower.

"Xuanxi Valley holds an Alchemy Tower examination every decade to select disciples…"

"Perhaps this presents an opportunity…"

"But I must wait until I reach Foundation Establishment's peak before plotting this."

"By then, even if I cannot match a Jin Dan elder, I should at least be able to escape safely."

"Of course, the best outcome would be to obtain the Jin Dan formula without anyone noticing."

All materials needed to refine the Yu Xuan Elixir had been gathered; now, upon returning to the island, he could begin refining.

Afterwards,

Qin Ming paid a visit to Lü Liang.

He had originally promised to dine at Lü Liang's residence on his first day.

But he had met the insatiably curious Xu Elder and chatted with him for two full days.

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

Then, Lu Wanjun prepared a full table of wine and dishes herself.

Qin Ming also brought out a jar of Spiritual Fire Wine and poured a cup for each of Lü Liang and his disciple.

Lü Liang had of course heard of Qin Ming's famed Spiritual Fire Wine—it had once been auctioned at Jingxue Pavilion for an exorbitant price.

Qin Ming generously offered the spirit wine, so Lü Liang naturally did not refuse.

Lu Wanjun had long been coveting it.

In no time, she had downed several cups. For Qin Ming and Lü Liang, the wine merely satisfied their palates.

But for her, at Foundation Establishment's early stage, it significantly enhanced her cultivation.

Amidst clinking cups, Qin Ming inquired of Lü Liang about recent developments in Canghai Xiancheng.

After all, as a high-ranking figure in the city, he naturally possessed the latest intelligence.

(End of Chapter)