Chapter 705: Hunyuan Pill

Tianlan Sacred Mountain, inside the sacred hall atop the peak.

Qin Ming exchanged cups and goblets with the two city lords, engaging in conversation.

He could easily see that both Nascent Soul cultivators sought to court and befriend him.

After all, who wouldn’t favor a seasoned Gao Jie Spirit Planter and a Gao Jie Pill King? “Brother Qin, I assume you’ve secured all the spirit materials needed for your pill refining?” Long Yangzi asked with a smile.

“That madwoman Long Mu Zhenjun may lack other virtues, but her herb garden truly holds many fine treasures.”

“If she doesn’t have them, I still have some reserves of my own—if you need anything, just say the word.”

Qin Ming smiled faintly. “The main ingredient for refining Hunyuan Dan, I’ve already exchanged with Brother Xia. The auxiliary materials, my subordinates have likely gathered fully.”

“Oh? Then your subordinates must be Hua Tianxiong, who runs a shop in the city?”

“I’ve already ordered my people to lend him a hand,” Long Yangzi said with a grin.

Qin Ming nodded. “Then thank you both, brothers.”

“By the way, I’ve been searching for something called ‘Qingkong Lingrang.’ Do you happen to have any, Brother Long Yangzi?”

Long Yangzi fell silent, then slowly shook his head. “I’ve heard of this spirit soil—it arises only in Xuanling lands, forming after ten thousand years of primordial spiritual essence accumulation.”

“Even our Star Palace may not possess any.”

“But Brother Qin, rest assured—when the Immortal Mansion Gathering begins, with all the great talents gathered, such rare items may yet appear.”

Qin Ming nodded slightly. “Speaking of the Immortal Mansion Gathering—I noticed upon my return that the Ghost Realm Palace of Xuehuan World has infiltrated Long Yuan Island. They’ll likely make a move soon.”

At these words, the two Nascent Soul cultivators of Tianlan City instantly changed expression! Long Yangzi frowned seriously. “Brother Qin, is this truly so? This matter is of grave consequence—could you elaborate?”

Then,

Qin Ming recounted to the two city lords what he had witnessed on the deserted island upon his return.

After all, he still needed to attend the Immortal Mansion Gathering to seek treasures, and he didn’t wish for major disruptions.

It would be best if the Tianhai Alliance could swiftly eliminate these threats.

“From what you’ve said, the Ghost Realm Palace likely intends a major move at the Immortal Mansion Gathering.”

“I never expected traitors had already infiltrated the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.”

“Brother Qin’s intelligence arrived just in time—perhaps spies have already infiltrated our Eastern Sea cultivation realm as well,” Long Yangzi analyzed.

Xia Yuangong’s face grew grim. “We assumed our Eastern Sea cultivation realm was strong enough that the realm collapse’s impact was minimal, and that we’d already slain two of their Nascent Soul Demon Lords. Yet these demon cultivators still refuse to give up.”

“According to intelligence from our Tianhai Alliance’s support to the Zhongzhou Three Kingdoms front, the Blood Refining Demon Gate and the Ghost Realm Palace have formed some alliance. Not long ago, the Seven Sorrows Demon Lord of the Blood Refining Demon Gate successfully descended into Da Jin.”

“As time passes and the realm convergence deepens, the void passages have grown more numerous.”

“No wonder the Ghost Realm Palace has begun stirring again—they’ve allied with the Blood Refining Demon Gate and are plotting against the Immortal Mansion Gathering.”

Long Yangzi fully agreed. “The Immortal Mansion Gathering is a grand event held every thousand years by the Eastern Sea cultivation realm’s human and sea races. Rare treasures and top-tier resources appear endlessly—these demon disciples won’t miss such an opportunity.”

“We must report this to the Alliance Master.”

“And clean out our internal traitors.”

“Brother Qin, should you uncover further intelligence, please share it with us—I’d be deeply grateful.”

“If your Southern Wasteland cultivation realm ever needs aid from the Eastern Sea realm, the Tianhai Alliance will come to your aid without hesitation.”

After speaking, Long Yangzi bowed to Qin Ming.

“Brothers, no need for such courtesy—I merely happened upon it and acted accordingly,” Qin Ming waved dismissively.

After speaking for half a day,

Long Yangzi handed Qin Ming a jade token. “When the Immortal Mansion Gathering opens, there will be a gathering among our Nascent Soul peers. This jade token grants entry.”

“Oh? Then thank you,” Qin Ming said with a smile, accepting and storing the jade token.

Immediately after,

Long Yangzi, on behalf of the Star Palace, invited and sought to recruit Qin Ming—after all, the Star Palace was currently the largest sect in the Eastern Sea cultivation realm, even housing a Soul Transformation elder.

Combined with its generous benefits, it should have been enough to sway Qin Ming.

Unfortunately, he politely declined.

According to what Qin Ming learned from Qingyang Laomo, Soul Transformation elders rarely intervened unless the cultivation realm faced existential peril.

They almost never participated in sect management or worldly affairs.

For Soul Transformation cultivators, their most vital concern was their own lifespan.

Even such top-tier cultivators faced restrictions in the mortal realm—excessive use of divine power would trigger backlash from the celestial qi, shortening their lifespan.

After the brief gathering with the two Nascent Soul cultivators,

Qin Ming took his leave from Tianlan Sacred Hall.

Long Yangzi and Xia Yuangong watched him depart, sighing deeply. “It seems Brother Qin has fully settled in the Southern Wasteland. A pity—such talent and potential.”

…

Within Tianlan City,

Qin Ming found Hua Tianxiong in a shop near the base of the Sacred Mountain.

Though this street wasn’t a main thoroughfare, foot traffic was heavy and lively.

The shop’s name remained Hua Tianxiong’s longstanding brand: “Qianji Pavilion.”

He stepped inside, greeted by a dazzling array of goods—small in size, yet complete in function.

Qin Ming could see that Hua Tianxiong possessed genuine business acumen—he had already established a thriving operation in just half a year.

Of course, this was only possible with the backing of the two Nascent Soul elders; otherwise, no ordinary cultivator could have secured shop rights here.

As Qin Ming entered, a young female cultivator with a lovely face and a pale green gauze robe stepped forward.

“Welcome, Elder, to Qianji Pavilion. Is there anything you require? Our inventory is vast—even pills to aid Golden Core cultivation are available.”

But at that moment,

A figure hurried down the staircase on the second floor, revealing Hua Tianxiong’s bulky frame.

He waddled forward, belly protruding, and quickly instructed the female attendant: “Lü E, I’ll attend to this Elder—go about your duties.”

“Yes, Pavilion Master!”

The cultivator named Lü E bowed respectfully and withdrew gracefully, her expression filled with surprise—those granted the Pavilion Master’s personal attention were exceedingly rare.

“Master, you’ve returned? Why didn’t you notify me? Please, follow me upstairs.” Hua Tianxiong immediately beamed.

…

Inside the fourth-floor private chamber,

Incense curled gently, tea fragrance filled the air.

Qin Ming sat on a chair and said, “Your progress is impressive—you’ve built up this operation so quickly, already taking solid shape.”

“Hehe! Master, that’s all I’m good for—I can’t do anything else,” Hua Tianxiong respectfully poured Qin Ming a cup of spirit tea.

Then,

He pulled out a storage bag and offered it respectfully. “Master, all the spirit materials you requested are inside.”

“Additionally, as you instructed, I’ve gathered some rare treasures unique to the Eastern Sea—they may prove useful.”

Qin Ming took the storage bag, sent his spiritual sense sweeping through it, and nodded in satisfaction. “You’ve done well.” After stowing the materials, he retrieved a jade slip and instructed Hua Tianxiong to continue searching and monitoring.

After conversing with Hua Tianxiong for a while,

Qin Ming flew to the upper levels of Tianlan City and, using the Tianlan Token granted by Xia Yuangong, selected a Gao Jie spirit vein cave dwelling.

The cave dwelling contained all necessary facilities: an alchemy chamber, a forging chamber, a talisman workshop, and even a top-grade Gao Jie earth fire vein.

After completing his daily cultivation of the Qingdi Scripture, Qin Ming retrieved the Wind and Thunder Cauldron and the spirit materials for Hunyuan Dan, preparing to ignite the furnace.

The spirit materials Hua Tianxiong had gathered for him were abundant—plenty to refine numerous pills.

In the cultivation realm, pills capable of enhancing Nascent Soul spiritual power were rarer and more valuable than spirit stones; when the Immortal Mansion Gathering opened, many Nascent Soul elders would come solely for these pills.

Qin Ming, prepared and cautious, could use this opportunity to exchange for rare items.

Previously, when he visited Penglai Sect, he had tried to exchange with Long Mu Zhenjun for the Qingxu Pill formula—but it was a core Penglai Sect transmission, and thus could not be shared.

Qin Ming had once consumed a Qingxu Pill; in both efficacy and cultivation enhancement, it surpassed Hunyuan Dan.

Yet even Hunyuan Dan was a Gao Jie pill that countless Nascent Soul elders fought desperately to obtain.

Qin Ming cleared his mind, sank into stillness.

Then, following the pill incantations of the Yuan Dao Pill Scripture, he began refining the pills.

…

…

Time slipped away.

Three months later, inside Tianlan Sacred Hall,

Xia Yuangong and Long Yangzi discussed strategies against the demonic threat.

“After our Tianhai Alliance’s high council convened in secret, we initiated internal purges within the four major sects regarding the Blood Refining Demon Gate and Ghost Realm Palace’s schemes.”

“Unsurprisingly, we uncovered many traitors.”

“Even our Crystal Palace harbored spies—it’s truly impossible to guard against.”

“Fortunately, Brother Qin’s warning came in time; otherwise, the consequences before the Immortal Mansion Gathering would have been dire.”

“Indeed, this purge has likely disrupted the demon sects’ plans—they’ll dare not act rashly now.”

“How is the situation in Zhongzhou?”

“Difficult! The Da Li demonic sect leads the charge, and the Shendao Mountain has defected—their combined strength far surpasses that of Da Jin and Da Zhou. The situation is grim.”

“The Da Li Yinmo Sect enjoys continuous backing from several major sects of Xuehuan World, emboldening their arrogance.”

“The Alliance Master has decided to increase support for the Zhongzhou Wei Dao Alliance.”

“A new batch of cultivators has already departed aboard magical ships.”

As the two men spoke.

Suddenly, a roar like a tiger’s bellow and a dragon’s cry echoed outside the fourth-rank cave on the upper levels of Tianlan Sacred Mountain.

Immediately after, a purple aura began to envelop the area above, swirling and coiling, within which images of a green dragon and white tiger locked in battle seemed to flicker.

As soon as this celestial phenomenon appeared, all cultivators within Tianlan Immortal City paused to gaze upward, their expressions filled with awe, pointing toward the mountain peak.

“Huh! What kind of celestial sign is this? How extraordinary!”

“Could it be that another great cultivator is breaking through to a new realm here?”

“Are you foolish? When a Nascent Soul True Person breaks through, would the spiritual aura and aura clouds be this small?”

“It’s been ages since the last free cultivator broke through to Golden Core in Tianlan Immortal City.”

“Likely, a great cultivator has forged a rare magic treasure or elixir, stirring a resonance with the celestial spiritual energy.”

“Geez, what level of elixir could possibly achieve this?”

“Hmph! In my opinion, it must be at least a third-rank low-grade elixir.”

Xia Yuangong and Long Yangzi had also heard the commotion and arrived at the cave entrance where Qin Ming was in seclusion.

They gazed at the swirling aura above and exchanged glances.

Long Yangzi, still incredulous, asked: “Xia Daofriend, didn’t Qin Daofriend only acquire those two main ingredients from you a little over a year ago?”

“Has he already perfected the fourth-rank Hunyuan Elixir?”

He had assumed that even a master-level alchemist would need a decade or more of research into the formula before even attempting to forge this fourth-rank spiritual elixir.

After all, Long Yangzi had dealt with Nascent Soul alchemist masters in the Star Palace and knew just how abysmally low the success rate for fourth-rank elixirs was.

Xia Yuangong’s face twitched as he let out a dry laugh: “It seems so. I never expected Qin Daofriend to be so unexpectedly talented.”

“Shall we wait here for Qin Daofriend to emerge? Perhaps we can trade for a Hunyuan Elixir.”

So the two resumed waiting at the cave entrance.

But inside, Qin Ming showed no intention of leaving.

Two more days passed.

Above the cave, purple aura still swirled without dissipating. Long Yangzi and the others were utterly stunned: “Has he forged another batch?”

“Such a high success rate—Qin Daofriend must have brewed this elixir before, and his alchemical skill likely far exceeds our wildest imaginings,” Xia Yuangong stared blankly at the phenomenon, numb with disbelief.

After successfully forging two batches in succession, Qin Ming still did not leave the cave, continuing to labor tirelessly.

Yet, to avoid drawing too much attention, after successfully completing the third batch of Hunyuan Elixir, he extinguished his spiritual fire and sealed his alchemy furnace.

On the ground now lay three delicate white jade spirit vials, each containing six high-quality Hunyuan Elixirs; the final vial even reached the premium grade.

Its potency was double that of an ordinary Hunyuan Elixir, rivaling even the Qingxu Elixir—truly priceless.

He planned to keep them all for his own use.

Qin Ming had observed everything outside the cave and knew the two cultivators waiting beyond were growing impatient.

He quickly tidied himself and stepped out of the cave.

“Congratulations, Qin Daofriend, on perfecting your alchemy! Three batches forged—unheard of in this world!”

Long Yangzi approached with a beaming smile, his eyes brimming with envy.

“Congratulations, Qin Daofriend, hehe!”

“With your alchemical skill, achieving a Nascent Soul mid-stage elixir should be no challenge, correct?” Xia Yuangong smiled broadly, probing indirectly.

Once elevated to a fourth-rank mid-grade Alchemist Master, the entire landscape would change.

Xia Yuangong and the other now viewed Qin Ming’s potential with entirely new eyes.

Qin Ming himself had not anticipated that, since forging the Ningying Elixir and Bingxin Yupo Elixir, he now felt effortless with other fourth-rank elixirs.

Perhaps it was due to his surge in soul power after breaking through to Nascent Soul.

This time, he consumed only three sets of spiritual ingredients, with almost no waste, and produced over a dozen Hunyuan Elixirs.

Across the Eastern Sea cultivation realm, such a success rate was terrifying—nearly unmatched.

…

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