Chapter 637: Pill Brewing

On the main peak of Wangyue Island, within the Small Spirit Realm.

After completing his daily cultivation, Qin Ming opened his ink-black eyes, emerging from his meditative state.

His life-spirit plant, Yin-Yang Xuan Teng, always provided ample age-energy and plant essence whenever he cultivated.

From his body, continuous streams of rich plant essence seeped outward.

Beside Qin Ming.

His three spirit pets lay quietly nearby, blissfully absorbing the plant essence—each greatly benefiting their cultivation advancement.

And at this moment.

Inside the wooden box discarded not far from the Small Spirit Realm, Qingyang Laomo's mind was in turmoil.

His eyes bulged in disbelief as he mentally cried out: "How is this possible?! The Green Emperor's Scripture has reached its tenth layer's perfection!"

"And the Green Emperor Wood Sovereign Body has already reached minor completion."

"What is this boy's origin? How did he achieve this? Could one of those ancient monsters in the sect have reincarnated?"

"No, no—even I'm in this state; none of the other old bastards could manage this."

"It's simply unbelievable!"

For a moment, Qingyang Laomo's gaze flickered as he pondered every possibility, yet dared not speak out.

He was sealed within the wooden box, and for now, he could still gaze upon the scenery of the Small Spirit Realm.

If Qin Ming grew tired of his noise and tossed him into a storage pouch, it would be utter darkness. "Sigh! Youngsters are still too impetuous! They have no respect for elders or care for the young."

"Always threatening to scatter one's soul."

"If not for my wit, I'd already be reunited with Lin Zixiao."

…

After finishing his cultivation, Qin Ming arrived before the herb garden.

Under the irrigation of the Heart-Earth Spirit Spring, the many high-grade spirit plants he had gathered from Da Jin thrived lush and vibrant, brimming with life.

He pulled out a spirit wood, bent down, and gently plucked a lotus-shaped spirit plant; its entire form shimmered with spiritual aura, petals radiating seven-colored auroras—remarkably divine.

It was one of the main ingredients for brewing the Ice-Heart Jade Soul Pill: "Seven Apertures Tribulation Flower."

Since acquiring this spirit plant, Qin Ming had used the 【Regenerative Spirit Seed】 and 【Temporal-Spatial Leaf】 entries to cultivate exactly three specimens for pill-making—more than sufficient.

Then.

Within his spirit herb garden, Qin Ming methodically gathered the other herbs required for pill-making.

This was the terrifying power of a high-grade spirit plant master: no matter what pill he needed to brew, he could grow the ingredients himself, achieving complete self-sufficiency.

He never had to worry about lacking spirit materials.

At this moment.

Qingyang Laomo, discarded nearby, recognized at a glance the pill Qin Ming intended to brew, thanks to his vast experience.

"Seven Apertures Tribulation Flower, Illusion-Extinction Cold-Heart Grass, Nine Desires Absolute Separation Fungus."

"This—is—"

"Could this boy be aiming to break through to the Nascent Soul realm?"

At this thought, Qingyang Laomo sucked in a sharp breath! Nascent Soul cultivators, even in ancient times, were great transcendent beings—only those blessed with immense fortune could ever achieve it.

Throughout history, those who reached this realm were as rare as phoenix feathers or unicorn horns.

Countless prodigies and supreme talents had been halted by this heavenly chasm.

"Sigh! I'm so unlucky! Why didn't I meet him sooner?"

"Lin Zixiao truly misled me!!"

"If not for my wit, holding back a trick, I'd already have vanished with him."

Then, Qingyang Laomo hesitated briefly, cleared his throat, feigned an air of profound mystery, and whispered tentatively:

"Cough! Cough!"

"Young Master Qin, allow this old man to boldly ask a question."

"Are these spirit herbs you've gathered meant for brewing the Ice-Heart Jade Soul Pill to break through to the Nascent Soul realm?"

"To be honest, I have some experience brewing this pill."

"If Young Master Qin doesn't mind—"

At this moment, Qin Ming frowned and cut him off.

"You claim to be from the ancient Qingyuan Sect—how can you prove it?"

"Merely recognizing my Green Emperor's Scripture isn't enough."

"Your entire body radiates demonic energy—you're hardly connected to any orthodox sect, are you?"

Qingyang Laomo fell silent, then chuckled confidently: "Young Master Qin's Green Emperor's Scripture must have been passed down by Mo Qingshan's lingering soul, correct?"

"Mo Qingshan was the last transmission elder of our sect. Cough—I won't hide it—he was my own disciple."

"As for the demonic arts I cultivate, they too originate from Qingyuan Sect. As long as one achieves immortality, the arts themselves hold no inherent good or evil, orthodox or demonic."

Qin Ming felt surprised; the old man spoke with such conviction, his words seeming truthful—but he still did not fully trust Qingyang Laomo.

These ancient monsters were all cunning beyond measure; one must remain cautious.

Unlike Lin Zixiao, Qin Ming refused to risk even a sliver of opportunity by dealing with tigers.

After all, he held the entries—he had a path to immortality.

So he asked again: "Do you know what truly happened in the ancient Qingyuan Sect's hidden realm in the southern reaches of Da Jin?"

"Huh? Hidden realm? What hidden realm?" Qingyang Laomo froze, bewildered.

Seeing this, Qin Ming's expression darkened instantly. He summoned five fingers in the air, snatching the wooden box off the ground, then surged his power to crush it—and the spirit within.

Qingyang Laomo's scalp went numb; a crushing pressure slammed into him, nearly scattering his soul.

"Sigh! Hey! Young Master Qin, stop!"

"I remember now! Are you referring to the Qingyuan Sect's mountain gate, sealed beneath the Seven Marvelous Treasures Tree?"

Hearing the old man recognize the "Seven Marvelous Treasures Tree," Qin Ming immediately released his grip and set the box down.

"Continue."

Qingyang Laomo, barely escaped death, gasped for breath before explaining: "Yes, that was the Qingyuan Sect's mountain gate—but it's no sect hidden realm."

"Though many treasures remain inside—even a Soul Transformation opportunity."

"But this place was clearly the self-sealed prison of our sect's Sect Master. The Seven Marvelous Treasures Tree was used to seal and suppress him."

"For hundreds of thousands of years, nothing went awry—all thanks to that tree."

"From your tone, did you actually encounter this spirit plant?"

"The ancient Qingyuan Sect's Sect Master?"

"What exactly happened?" Qin Ming asked, puzzled.

"Didn't that little brat Mo Qingshan tell you when he passed on his teachings?"

"Long ago, the Qingyuan Sect underwent a great schism, splitting into two branches: one cultivated demonic arts, more aggressive; the other cultivated the Green Emperor's Scripture, more gentle."

"The branch I inherited was the one devoted to demonic arts. Later, our Sect Master fell into demonic deviation—he lost all control, slaughtering half the sect's disciples. If left unchecked, the outcome would have been unimaginable."

"Yet… our Sect Master had already reached Soul Transformation—no one could stop him. So, during a fleeting moment of clarity, he dismissed all disciples, used the Seven Marvelous Treasures Tree to unleash a great technique, and sealed himself within the mountain gate—forever."

After hearing Qingyang Laomo's account, Qin Ming's expression changed.

If what he said was true, then the Da Li demonic sect and Shen Dao Mountain had foolishly walked into a trap.

Yes, the ancient Qingyuan Sect held many treasures and opportunities—but the dangers were far greater. Even if wealth tempted the heart, dying before enjoying it meant nothing.

"Well? Young Master Qin, do you believe me now? Though I cultivate demonic arts, I am the most trustworthy."

"I can even guide you in brewing the Ice-Heart Jade Soul Pill, greatly increasing your success rate—and even the Nascent Soul Pill! Heh—heh! All you need do is let me rest a few days atop that Star Sea Divine Vine."

Qingyang Laomo spoke earnestly, coaxing gently—finally revealing his true intent. Qin Ming sneered, wordlessly tossed the wooden box containing the spirit into his storage pouch. "Hmph! Old ghost, trying to deceive me? Stay inside and meditate for a while longer."

"Youngster! You have no honor!" Qingyang Laomo shouted in fury.

All his words, his sincerity, his exhaustion—had moved not a single inch of the young man.

Truly a cruel trick!

Within the Small Spirit Realm.

After hearing Qingyang Laomo's tale, Qin Ming believed only one-third of it. Anyone who associated with Lin Zixiao was not to be trusted lightly—he must remain wary.

"Yet, if Qingyang Laomo's words are true—"

"Even if the major Nascent Soul factions successfully open the Qingyuan Sect's mountain gate, those Nascent Soul elders who enter will have a hard time."

Then, Qin Ming ceased paying attention to Qingyang Laomo.

He entered the pill chamber, retrieved the third-rank superior Wind-Thunder Cauldron, and prepared to begin brewing his first batch of pills.

Qin Ming possessed Su Yuqing's complete pill-making guide, every step and critical detail clearly marked.

In Da Jin, he had fully mastered the methods for brewing both the Nascent Soul Pill and the Ice-Heart Jade Soul Pill.

Combined with decades of painstaking study and insight into the 【Source Dao Pill Scripture】 and the 【Blood Refining Pill Scripture】, two fourth-rank pill lineages—

He could say without exaggeration: Qin Ming now possessed immense confidence in brewing these two fourth-rank pills for Nascent Soul breakthrough.

He had absolutely no need for Qingyang Laomo's guidance.

Thus, the old demon's plans crumbled.

Qin Ming chose to brew the Ice-Heart Jade Soul Pill first after careful consideration.

First, to use it as practice—increasing his success rate for the Nascent Soul Pill, whose difficulty was several times greater.

Second, to warm the cauldron and refine his touch.

At advanced levels of skill, touch is paramount—emphasizing seamless, uninterrupted execution in the moment.

It is not enough to merely accumulate vast knowledge to reach this realm.

In short, there is no other way—only through mastery through practice.

That is why even the most extraordinary prodigy among alchemists must be fed with massive resources.

The next moment.

Qin Ming released his spiritual sense, comparable to that of a Nascent Soul mid-stage, and controlled all the spirit materials midair.

He then followed the formula, extracting the medicinal embryos from each spirit material one by one.

Half a day later.

A cluster of medicinal embryos, radiating five-colored light, floated before Qin Ming.

The exotic fragrances of various Gao Jie spirit materials filled the air.

His hand seals continuously shifted as he began combining the medicinal embryos and mixing the medicinal liquids.

This step was extremely critical; even the slightest deviation in quantity would cause the entire alchemy to fail.

Fortunately, Qin Ming's spiritual soul power was extraordinarily strong—he achieved perfect precision in dosage on his first attempt.

Immediately after.

Qin Ming activated the Spirit-Devouring Poison Flame, continuously heating the alchemy furnace evenly and regulating the flame.

When the timing was right, he poured the prepared medicinal liquid into the furnace and began the spell to fuse the liquids and form the pill.

This cycle repeated endlessly.

Qin Ming sat like an ancient monk, remaining in the alchemy chamber for over a fortnight.

After several attempts, he gradually accumulated experience, and on the seventh try, a clear pill chime rang from within the furnace.

"Jiū!" Qin Ming's face lit up with joy.

"I never expected the Bingxin Yupo Pill to succeed so smoothly—thanks to Brother Su's experience."

An intense, overwhelming pill fragrance surged into his nose!

The next moment.

From within the Wind-Thunder Cauldron, two yin-yang energies burst forth, piercing through the alchemy chamber and forming a strange heavenly phenomenon throughout the Small Spirit Realm.

Yin-yang colored spiritual essences coiled and swirled above, radiating an aura of the Great Dao.

Even the Spirit-Devouring Rat dozing by the lake woke up in alarm, rubbing its eyes in disbelief and muttering:

"What pill has the master just crafted? It's caused such a miraculous phenomenon!"

Inside the alchemy chamber.

Qin Ming, smiling, raised his hand and summoned the furnace.

Two fourth-rank spirit pills, shimmering with yin-yang hues, landed in his palm.

The pills radiated astonishing spiritual essence—twelve distinct Dao patterns clearly appeared on their surface. "The Bingxin Yupo Pill… finally succeeded."

At this moment, he had not only advanced closer to the Nascent Soul realm but had also fully entered the rank of Fourth-Rank Pill King.

Immediately after.

Qin Ming seized the momentum and retrieved another set of spirit materials for the Ningying Pill.

With the confidence gained from successfully crafting the Bingxin Yupo Pill, his assurance surged.

To accelerate the maturation of these spirit materials, he nearly exhausted his entire stockpile of 【Time-Space Leaves】.

After all, the five main ingredients required for the Ningying Pill demanded medicinal ages of several thousand years or more.

Qin Ming sealed the two crafted Bingxin Yupo Pills in a jade vial and stored it within his storage bag.

Then, without pause, he began crafting the Ningying Pill.

Inside the storage bag.

Inside the wooden box, Qingyang Laomo was suppressing anger and restraining desires, calming his previous fury.

"Clang."

A delicate jade vial was tossed in. Qingyang Laomo glanced at it in confusion, then sensed the pill's aura within.

His eyes widened in shock; he blurted out in disbelief:

"Bingxin Yupo Pill?!"

"Impossible! How could this kid have crafted it so quickly?"

……

(End of Chapter)