Chapter 100: Qi Refining Insights, Auction

"Qi rushes to the Heavenly Gate, intent guards the Heart Field; how should this intent be interpreted?"

"The effect of the Nourishing Qi Pill is getting worse and worse; should I switch to taking the Dust-Transforming Pill?"

"Tsk tsk, the day before yesterday I encountered that monkey, it could actually speak human words, clearly it was only first-tier. I'm afraid it ate a stalk of 'Language-Passing Grass'; the Language-Passing Grass is worth five hundred spirit stones, it was really wasted by that beast."

In the Haoyue Hall, a group of cultivators sat on all four sides.

Before everyone arrived, they were chatting with each other.

Either exchanging cultivation experiences or sharing recent news.

This kind of atmosphere was hard for ordinary loose cultivators to encounter.

It was only found within some sect families; now that the Poshan Gang had been operating for a hundred years, it gradually had this kind of atmosphere too.

Just as they were exchanging, a burst of laughter came from outside the door.

"Fellow Daoists, Luo didn't arrive late, did he!"

Following the hearty laughter, a handsome and tall man stepped in.

Perhaps because he had been holding books recently, or because he had been refining elixirs for a long time, that face, set off by the moon-white Daoist robe, looked quite ethereal and elegant.

Behind Luo Chen were Sikong Shoujia and Gu Caiyi, who followed closely.

The two of them were like attendants and guards, following closely behind him as they stepped into the Haoyue Hall.

Mi Shuhua, who was in the first seat, opened his eyes and nodded at him.

Luo Chen also nodded in acknowledgment and sat down on the chair closest to the door, which was also the very last one.

Gu Caiyi stood obediently behind him.

Sikong Shoujia, however, sat in the very front, in the position second only to Mi Shuhua.

Sweeping his gaze over Luo Wudi, Zeng Wen, Zhang Shicong, and others, Luo Chen winked at Wang Yuan.

"Since everyone has arrived, let's start this month's gang meeting!"

Mi Shuhua said, then looked in the direction of Luo Wudi.

As the head of the three major battle halls, Luo Wudi had the power to speak on behalf of Zeng Wen and Yang Wei.

"The income losses of last month are all recorded in the Merit Hall, so I won't say much. I will only say one thing!"

"There is an extra gang in Dahe Market, and they have already started to encroach on our interests."

"Regarding this gang, what is our attitude? I ask the Gang Leader to decide."

Mi Shuhua pondered for a long time and said slowly: "You are talking about the Xuanyi Society, right!"

"The Gang Leader knows?" Luo Wudi raised his eyebrows.

Mi Shuhua nodded, "This gang was established by the Duan family and the Nangong family in alliance with three other Foundation Establishment families."

Five Foundation Establishment families!

Hearing this, everyone raised their heads.

"The Xuanyi Society doesn't recruit too many loose cultivators; it is mainly based on the disciples of the five Foundation Establishment families. Establishing a gang is also to give these family disciples a chance to enter the mountains for combat trials."

"Other mountain ranges are fine, but if you encounter them in the Guyuan Mountain Range, try not to conflict with them."

"On the contrary, if they hunt monster beasts, you can also buy them directly at a low price. If they are unwilling, then forget it."

Saying this, everyone felt at ease in their hearts.

Family disciples were different from loose cultivators; although they also valued resources, they were far from being as competitive for every inch of profit as loose cultivators.

On the contrary, sometimes they just killed monsters to hone their combat means.

As for the encroachment of interests that Luo Wudi mentioned, it was actually just some small frictions.

In Mi Shuhua's view, it was not worth mentioning, as long as it didn't get big.

Moreover, having other gangs outside would instead make the cultivators of their own Poshan Gang more cohesive, and they would act more as a group in daily actions.

"The income of the Beast Hall this month is not as good as last month; Ke Yulin, what is going on on your side?"

The one asking was not Mi Shuhua, but Mi Junping.

Ke Yulin's face was gloomy, "A monster roc flew from somewhere, snatched away a few white sheep, and also broke a hole in the beast field, causing a batch of black pigs that hadn't been tamed yet to run away."

The Poshan Gang's beast field was built in a large canyon near the Guyuan Mountain Range, where the main tamed animals were white sheep and black pigs, and there were also some small-scale yellow cattle, green mountain foxes, and Fuzhu deer.

Usually, if Poshan Gang cultivators hunted live monster beasts, if they had taming value, they would also be placed in the beast field.

Like the spiritual fish lake of Qin Liangchen and his wife, it also belonged to the beast field management.

It could be said that the income of the beast field was only below the three battle halls and the Medicine Hall.

Compared to the Mineral Hall and the newly established Jiao Hall and Elixir Hall, it was much stronger.

Moreover, places like this could accommodate many loose cultivators with low realms and no combat power.

Hearing him say this, Mi Shuhua couldn't blame him.

After inquiring, he learned that it was just a first-tier monster roc, so he said he would find a time to arrange it.

Next, the Mineral Hall, the Medicine Hall, and even Wang Yuan's Jiao Hall all reported the corresponding situation.

Among them, the Mineral Hall suffered heavy casualties.

The reason was that a nest of monster snakes was dug out in a mine tunnel, and most of the cultivators died on the spot.

It seems that mining has been a dangerous thing since ancient times!

Finally, it was the Elixir Hall's turn.

Under everyone's gaze, Luo Chen shrugged.

"Why look at me? I am only responsible for refining elixirs; raw material procurement and elixir sales are all the responsibility of Elder Sikong and the Merit Hall."

Since he said so, everyone had to focus their attention on the other two.

Sikong Shoujia's face was stiff, "I'll speak plainly, the thirty-person elixir protection team is too many people; the Elixir Hall currently cannot afford their salaries."

The implication was that he didn't want to manage their food and drink anymore.

Mi Shuhua shook his head, "No need to withdraw them; you can let those people do their original things in their spare time. But this number of people cannot be reduced, and it may need to increase in the future."

Sikong Shoujia was helpless; with this batch of people, the spirit stones he received each month would be much less.

"Luo Chen, the Elixir Hall lost a full thousand spirit stones last month; as the master of the Elixir Hall, you should give an explanation!"

Mi Junping stared at Luo Chen, her face full of frost.

Luo Chen had a face full of question marks, "Give what explanation? I refine elixirs properly, and what I refine is all given to you to sell; why ask me if it lost money?"

"By the way, you haven't given me the dividends for last month yet."

Mi Junping gritted her teeth, "It lost so much money, and you still have the face to ask for dividends?"

Luo Chen put away his cynical expression and said seriously: "It was agreed at the beginning that my dividends are the profit of a single elixir after deducting raw material costs and part of the cultivators' monthly salaries. The loss last month was not on the Zhongmiao Pill, but on the Jade Marrow Pill."

"If you have any opinions, then I can stop refining Jade Marrow Pills in the future and specialize in Zhongmiao Pills."

Hearing this, Mi Junping hesitated.

The Zhongmiao Pill could indeed earn spirit stones; although not much, it was at least a source of income.

But just as she hesitated, Mi Shuhua's voice had already sounded, flat but firm.

"No!"

"The Jade Marrow Pill must be refined, and investment must be increased; strive to refine more and better ones!"

He looked at Luo Chen quietly, "In the future, you don't even have to refine Zhongmiao Pills; refine Jade Marrow Pills with all your might, and the gang will give you the greatest support!"

"Dad, but..."

"Shut up!"

Glaring at Mi Junping, Mi Shuhua squeezed out a smile.

"Luo Chen, give me a definite answer; how long will it take to stabilize the elixir yield rate, and even refine medium-grade Jade Marrow Pills?"

After a month of observation, Mi Shuhua had already determined that low-grade Jade Marrow Pills couldn't earn many spirit stones at all.

Even because of the elixir yield rate, the cost had greatly increased.

The Jade Marrow Pills Luo Chen refined last month were sold, but they actually lost money!

One furnace of raw materials cost five spirit stones, and one bottle of Jade Marrow Pills sold for ten spirit stones.

However, it took ten furnaces to produce a little more than one bottle; anyone could calculate this account.

The Poshan Gang was losing its mind!

To not lose money, one could only improve the elixir yield rate and upgrade the elixir grade.

If it were medium-grade Jade Marrow Pills, one bottle could completely sell for forty or fifty spirit stones.

If loose cultivators couldn't afford it, they could sell them individually!

Even if it were low-grade Jade Marrow Pills, if Luo Chen could pull the yield rate to more than half, it could barely be maintained.

Facing Mi Shuhua's gaze, a Foundation Establishment pressure was present, whether or not it was there.

Luo Chen was slightly uncomfortable, but after staying in this treacherous cultivation world where interests were paramount for a long time, he was also getting used to his role.

And in various situations, he showed the reactions he should have.

With his facial muscles under control, Luo Chen showed a helpless bitter smile.

"Gang Leader, it's really not that I'm not trying my best; it's just that alchemy is something that cannot be forced and requires a large accumulation of experience."

"I know this, so I never blamed you for failing so many times before."

"Moreover, my cultivation is too low to cope with long-term alchemy."

"Every month, I will add another bottle of Nourishing Qi Pills for you."

Hmm?

There was such a good thing?

Luo Chen's heart jumped, but his expression remained unchanged.

He shook his head bitterly, "It's not about the elixirs, but some confusion in cultivation. Luo really has no one to point the way!"

Since he said so, everyone suddenly understood.

Everyone was a loose cultivator, and there were many confusions on the path of cultivation.

But apart from occasional small gatherings, few people could clear up their doubts.

Moreover, even in Dao discussion exchanges between cultivators, there were many reservations.

Luo Chen tentatively said: "I don't know if the Gang Leader has any corresponding insights in this regard; if you can point me in the right direction, I think it will be of great use for refining Jade Marrow Pills."

Mi Shuhua hesitated for a while, and finally his gaze fell on Mi Junping.

"Ping'er, give that jade slip to Luo Chen!"

Mi Junping was stunned for a moment, knowing that she couldn't disobey her father.

She had no choice but to take out a jade slip from her storage bag and throw it to Luo Chen.

As soon as the jade slip was in his hand, Luo Chen tried to check it, but there was no reaction when he injected spiritual power.

"This is a jade slip that can only be made by Foundation Establishment cultivators, and it needs spiritual sense to view. Your spiritual sense currently cannot be released, so stick it to your forehead and you can browse it."

Mi Shuhua's voice sounded in his ear.

Luo Chen suddenly realized and hurriedly stuck it to his forehead.

"Qi Refining Insights," authored by Mi Shuhua.

In this small jade slip, there were actually Mi Shuhua's lifelong cultivation insights from the early stage of Qi Refining to the late stage.

And it was almost completely unhidden; just some records of the early stage of Qi Refining made Luo Chen feel enlightened.

Because they were in a meeting, Luo Chen just browsed it simply and then put it away carefully.

Others saw this scene and were envious.

Some even secretly grumbled, is this Luo Chen really not Mi Shuhua's illegitimate son?

He was too good to him!

If Luo Chen knew this kind of thought, he would only sneer.

I, Luo, have wandered all my life and have never met a wise master.

If Mi Shuhua didn't mind, he wouldn't mind recognizing a foster father.

Then, fiercely fleece him!

Near the end of the meeting, Mi Shuhua threw out a piece of news.

"When winter comes, Dahe Market will hold a large auction as usual."

"I have a few spots here; those who want to go can tell me."

An auction!

That was a place where countless good things would appear; many Qi Refining cultivators might not be able to participate in a large auction once in their lifetime.

As soon as these words came out, many people were tempted.

Luo Chen's eyes also lit up!

After the meeting, Luo Chen found Mi Junping.

From the other party's hands, he received five bottles of Nourishing Qi Pills, a box of calming incense, and dividends of 750 spirit stones.

At that time, Mi Junping's face was very ugly.

Even she hadn't enjoyed this kind of treatment when she was cultivating back then; her father was better to Luo Chen than to his own daughter.

Even, she suspected whether Luo Chen was her half-brother.

Luo Chen didn't care about these.

He had shed blood for the Poshan Gang (it was knocked out on the elixir furnace during alchemy, the skin was broken), and had worked hard for Mi Shuhua; these were all things he deserved!

Happily putting the things into his storage bag, Luo Chen greeted Gu Caiyi to return to the inner city to start a big sweep.

It was a new month, and the Peiyuan Spirit Liquid also needed to purchase medicinal materials.

A box of calming incense could only be used for twelve days, and he had to pay for another purchase himself.

After a round of purchasing, the wallet that had finally grown was suddenly deflated again.

Only 700 spirit stones remained in savings.

But everything was worth it; only by increasing horsepower like this could he advance bravely on the path of cultivation.

The resources were ready, and Luo Chen was looking forward to the scenery of the late stage of Qi Refining a month later!

In the open-air courtyard, the copper pot set up on the stove was bubbling with bubbles.

Today was still Luo Chen's treat.

I don't know why, but after Fu Xiuxiu left, Luo Chen took over the work of uniting neighbors.

Every month, invite everyone to eat a meal together to promote harmonious neighborly relations!

It was just that this time, others also contributed some ingredients more or less.

Qin Liangchen was the most generous, directly bringing a piece of single-horned sheep meat.

It was said that this kind of monster beast was different from ordinary green mountain sheep; it had a violent temper and powerful strength.

Its strength was calculated according to the antelope horns on its head: first-tier single horn, second-tier double horn.

If it had four horns on its head, it could become a genuine beast emperor, the 'Zhenyuan Emperor Sheep'.

Under Luo Chen's exquisite knife skills, in this cool autumn night, everyone started eating hot shabu-shabu mutton.

"Dahe Market is really different now; who dared to hunt single-horned sheep before? This is a powerhouse among first-tier monster beasts."

"Who says it isn't? Those powerhouses with names on the Heaven's Pride List not only fight human cultivators on the Dao Discussion Platform but also often enter the mountains to hone themselves."

"I don't know if they are doing it for longevity or if they like fighting."

"Maybe everyone has their own difficulties!"

The neighbors chatted, and Luo Chen also learned some recent changes in Dahe Market from these chats.

For example, the most famous people on the Dahe Heaven's Pride List were almost all disciples of nearby Foundation Establishment families.

They went on stage to compete, not only involving their own Dao paths but also representing the family's prestige.

If someone remained undefeated for a long time, their family could also be more famous and occupy the first opportunity in some cooperation or business struggles and territory disputes.

Luo Chen curiously asked about the follow-up news of the death of the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator in Ailao Mountain.

But no one could give an accurate answer.

Qin Liangchen and his wife said that this matter was left unsettled.

Gu Caiyi heard from some little friends in Tianxiang Building that the Golden Core Venerable of Ailao Mountain returned to the sect in a rage.

Bai Meiling said that the Supreme Elder of Ailao Mountain went to the Yuding Sword Sect to hold them accountable.

This last piece of news was the most credible, but also the most absurd.

Going to the Yuding Sword Sect to hold them accountable was a matter of course, but your Ailao Mountain is only a Golden Core sect, so how dare you provoke a Nascent Soul major sect?

Therefore, Luo Chen didn't get accurate news.

He didn't take it to heart; after all, matters involving Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, or even Nascent Soul sects had nothing to do with his life.

While chatting, the house door was pushed open.

A man with eyebrows like swords walked straight into the courtyard.

Perhaps he hadn't seen this kind of scene of eating shabu-shabu around a stove, and for a moment he was quite hesitant.

Did he enter the wrong courtyard?

This is not a place where immortal cultivators live, but a worldly farmhouse courtyard?

Others looked at Duan Feng, struggling with how to talk, but Luo Chen had already stood up.

"Fellow Daoist Duan, you're back so late!"

"Come, come, come, sit down and eat a few bites, get to know other neighbors!"

Luo Chen not only said it but also took action, hard-pulling Duan Feng to sit down.

Duan Feng was a bit uncomfortable; he, who had always been cold in words, sat there like sitting on pins and needles.

Under Luo Chen's introduction, others got to know Duan Feng one by one, and Duan Feng didn't pretend to be arrogant, simply reporting his family background.

"Try this mutton; this is a single-horned sheep, specially bought by Brother Qin."

"I know, I killed this sheep."

"Uh?"

Everyone's chopsticks stopped, and Duan Feng didn't notice it at all.

"If it was bought at the meat shop in the west of the city, then it should be the one I killed."

Qin Liangchen nodded; he did indeed buy it at the meat shop in the west of the city.

The atmosphere cooled down, but soon it became lively again under Luo Chen's greeting.

"Brother Duan's strength is very strong, even a single-horned sheep can be killed."

"I saw it last time, you are ranked nineteenth on the Heaven's Pride List, truly fierce battle power!"

"It's already fifteenth now."

"Hmm?"

Luo Chen froze for a moment, then chatted with the other party casually.

Through several contacts, he discovered it.

This new neighbor named Duan Feng only looked arrogant and indifferent on the surface.

In fact, he was a guy who was cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

He would say thank you, and wouldn't forcefully refuse others' kindness; after getting familiar, he could chat a sentence or two, although he would often choke people.

Such a person is actually very suitable to be a friend.

Usually looking cold and clear, but at critical moments, he would help without hesitation.

Of course, judging a person's character cannot be done in two or three exchanges.

However, after white-pimping shabu-shabu mutton for a while, Duan Feng felt a bit embarrassed.

He went into his own room and took out a few white eggs.

Even when closing the door, everyone heard a chicken crow.

"This is?" Qin Liangchen was half-believing, spitting out a name, "Yangwu Egg?"

Duan Feng said 'hmm', washed the eggs, and threw them into the copper pot.

Qin Liangchen and Murong Qinglian looked at each other and smacked their lips.

"This is a good thing; it is said that one egg is one spirit stone, it really cost you."

"No matter, that Yangwu chicken is a legacy left to me by my mother; I can only eat one egg a day."

Duan Feng's tone was ordinary, but Luo Chen was somewhat stunned.

Isn't that chicken a rooster?

It even crowed every morning!

How can my Chicken Brother lay eggs?

However, for Duan Feng's generosity, Luo Chen still had to give a thumbs up.

When he first participated in the dinner, he was purely white-pimping, and didn't bring anything.

Sure enough, honest people have thin skin.

Then, when he ate the Yangwu egg, he felt it was even more fragrant; this is the egg laid by my Chicken Brother.

The cleanup work after the dinner was done by Murong Qinglian and Feng Xia.

Gu Caiyi helped on the side, her gaze falling on the three men drinking and chatting over there, and sighed lightly.

"I thought that after Fu Xiuxiu left, the tradition of dinner in the courtyard would be gone."

"I didn't expect Luo Chen to continue it."

Murong Qinglian brushed the hanging hair behind her and smiled gently.

"Little Luo is like this; he looks happy and laughing usually, but he is actually very sensitive. He should really like the simple atmosphere in the courtyard and doesn't want to become a place like the Poshan Gang that only talks about interests!"

Recalling the scene of the gang meeting in Haoyue Hall today, Gu Caiyi could only be silent.

The dealings between cultivators are indeed too complicated.

Interests, power, cultivation resources, and even opportunities, etc., no one is willing to give them up easily, always calculating every penny.

Therefore, it appears cold, naked, and even ruthless.

By comparison, their courtyard, although the neighbors are from all over the world, is much simpler and purer to get along with.

Inside the room, Luo Chen walked out of the copper furnace.

Casually putting on clothes, under the wet hair, his gaze was cold.

The cultivation environment at home is ultimately not as good as the spiritual vein cave under Xieyue Valley.

Even with Peiyuan Spirit Liquid and calming incense, the cultivation progress of one night is far less than in the cave.

"It seems that I need to find more excuses to stay in the Elixir Hall." ===== CHAPTER 101 =====