Chapter 100: Qi Refining Insights, Auction

"Qi rushes to the Heavenly Palace, intention guards the heart field; how should this meaning be interpreted?"

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

"Tsk tsk, the monkey I met the day before yesterday could actually speak human words, and it was clearly only Tier 1. I’m afraid it ate a stalk of Language-Passing Grass; Language-Passing Grass is worth five hundred spirit stones, it was really wasted by that beast."

In the Bright Moon Hall, a group of cultivators sat in four directions.

Before everyone arrived, they chatted with each other.

Either exchanging cultivation experiences or sharing recent sights and hearings.

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

It only existed in some sect families; now that the Mountain-Breaking Gang had been operating for a hundred years, it gradually had this atmosphere too.

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

"Fellow Daoists, Little Luo isn't late, is 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 Bright Moon Hall.

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

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

Gu Caiyi stood obediently behind him.

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

Sweeping his gaze over Luo Wudi, Zeng Wen, Zhang Shi, 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 combat halls, Luo Wudi had the power to represent Zeng Wen and Yang Wei.

"The losses in revenue last month have all been recorded by the Merit Hall, so I won’t say much. I’ll only say one thing!"

"A new gang has appeared in Dahe Market, and they have already begun to encroach on our interests."

"Regarding this gang, what is our attitude? Please decide, Gang Master."

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

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

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

Five Foundation Establishment families!

Hearing this, everyone raised their heads.

"The Xuan-Yi Society doesn't recruit too many rogue cultivators; it is mainly composed of disciples from 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 Ancient Plains Mountain Range, try not to conflict with them."

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

Saying this, everyone felt at ease.

Family disciples were different from rogue cultivators; although they also valued resources, they were far from being as competitive as rogue cultivators.

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

As for the encroachment on 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 blow up.

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

"The Beast Hall’s revenue this month is not as good as last month. Ke Yulin, what’s 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 Mountain-Breaking Gang’s beast field was built in a large canyon near the Ancient Plains 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 deer.

Usually, when Mountain-Breaking Gang cultivators hunted live monsters, if they had taming value, they would also be put into the beast field.

For example, Qin Liangchen and his wife’s spirit fish lake was also managed by the beast field.

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

It was much stronger than the Mineral Hall and the newly established Jiao Hall and Elixir Hall.

Moreover, places like this could accommodate many rogue cultivators with low cultivation bases and no combat power.

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

After inquiring, he learned that it was just a Tier 1 monster roc, so he said he would find a time to go and set up some arrangements.

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’m only responsible for refining elixirs; raw material procurement and elixir sales are all handled by 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; the Elixir Hall currently cannot afford their salaries."

The implication was that he didn't want to take care of those people’s food and drink.

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 cannot be reduced, and it may need to increase in the future."

Sikong Shoujia was helpless; with this group 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 head of the Elixir Hall, you have to give an explanation!"

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

Luo Chen had a face full of black question marks, "Give what explanation? I refine elixirs dutifully, and everything I refine is given to you to sell. You ask me about the loss?"

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

Mi Junping gritted her teeth, "With such a big loss, 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 from a single elixir after deducting raw material costs and part of the cultivators’ monthly salaries. The loss last month was not on the Myriad Wonders Pill, but on the Jade Marrow Pill."

"If you have any objections, I can stop refining Jade Marrow Pills in the future and focus on the Myriad Wonders Pill."

Hearing this, Mi Junping hesitated.

The Myriad Wonders 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 the investment must be increased to strive for more and better grades!"

He looked at Luo Chen quietly, "In the future, you don't even have to refine the Myriad Wonders Pill; focus entirely on refining the Jade Marrow Pill, 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 stably increase the elixir success rate and even refine mid-grade Jade Marrow Pills?"

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

Even because of the success rate, the cost was 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 Mountain-Breaking Gang was losing money like crazy!

To not lose money, one had to increase the success rate and upgrade the elixir grade.

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

If rogue 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 success rate to more than half, it could barely be maintained.

Facing Mi Shuhua’s gaze, a Foundation Establishment pressure was present, faint but real.

Luo Chen was a little uncomfortable, but as he stayed longer in this world of cultivation where people deceived each other and interests were paramount, he became more and more accustomed to his role.

Even in various occasions, he showed the reactions he should have.

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

"Gang Master, 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 amount of experience accumulation."

"I know this, so I never blamed you for your many failures before."

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

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

Hmm?

There is 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. Little Luo really has no one to point the way!"

Since he said so, everyone understood.

They were all rogue cultivators, and there were many confusions on the road of cultivation.

But except for occasional small gatherings, few people could solve their doubts.

Moreover, even if cultivators exchanged ideas, they often held back.

Luo Chen tentatively said, "I don't know if the Gang Master has any corresponding insights in this regard; if you can give me some pointers, 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 ruthlessly 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 only Foundation Establishment cultivators can make, and it needs spiritual sense to view. Your spiritual sense cannot be released yet; 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*, written by Mi Shuhua.

In this small jade slip, there were 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 the meeting was ongoing, Luo Chen only browsed a little and then put it away carefully.

Others saw this scene and were envious.

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

He is too good to him!

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

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

If Mi Shuhua doesn't mind, he doesn't mind acknowledging a foster father.

Then, ruthlessly 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 attend a large auction once in their lifetime.

Once this was said, many people were moved.

Luo Chen’s eyes also lit up!

After the meeting, Luo Chen sought out Mi Junping.

From her hands, he received five bottles of Qi-Nurturing Pills, a box of calming incense, and dividends of seven hundred and fifty 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; 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 things.

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

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

It was a new month, and he also needed to purchase raw materials for the Foundation-Cultivating Spirit Liquid.

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

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

Only seven hundred spirit stones remained in savings.

But everything was worth it; only by increasing horsepower like this could he advance bravely on the road 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 air bubbles.

Today, it was Luo Chen’s treat again.

Somehow, after Fu Xiuxiu left, Luo Chen took over her work of uniting the neighbors.

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

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

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

It is said that this kind of monster is different from ordinary green mountain sheep; it has a violent temper and strong strength.

Its strength is calculated according to the antelope horns on its head: one-horned for Tier 1, two-horned for Tier 2.

If it has four horns on its head, it can become a genuine beast emperor, the Yuan Emperor Sheep.

Under Luo Chen’s exquisite knife skills, in this cool autumn night, everyone ate hot shabu-shabu mutton.

"Dahe Market is really different now; who dared to hunt one-horned sheep before? This is a powerhouse among Tier 1 monsters."

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

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

Their competition on stage not only involved their respective Dao paths but also represented the family’s prestige.

If someone maintained an unbeaten record for a long time, then their family could be more famous and occupy the first opportunity in some cooperation, business struggles, or territory disputes.

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

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 the Heavenly Fragrance Building that the Golden Core Master of Mount Ailao returned to the sect in a rage.

Bai Meiling said that the Supreme Elder of Mount Ailao went to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect to hold them accountable.

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

It was reasonable to go to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect to hold them accountable, but your Mount Ailao is only a Golden Core sect, how dare you provoke a Nascent Soul major sect?

Therefore, Luo Chen did not 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 scene of shabu-shabu mutton around a stove, so he was quite hesitant for a while.

Did he enter the wrong courtyard?

Is this not a place where immortal cultivators live, but a secular farmhouse courtyard?

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

"Fellow Daoist Duan, back so late!"

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

Luo Chen not only said it but also started, forcibly pulling Duan Feng to sit down.

Duan Feng was a little uncomfortable; he, who had always been cold and cold, 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 act aloof, simply reporting his family background.

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

"I know, I killed this sheep."

"Uh?"

Everyone’s chopsticks stopped, and Duan Feng didn't notice.

"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 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 one-horned sheep can be killed."

"I checked last time; you are ranked nineteenth on the Heaven’s Pride List, truly fierce combat 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 just looked aloof and indifferent on the surface.

In fact, he is a guy with a cold face and a warm heart.

He will say thank you, and will not forcibly refuse other people’s kindness, and after getting familiar, he can chat a few words, although he often chokes people.

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

Usually looking cold and clear, but at critical moments, he will take action without hesitation.

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

However, after free-riding on the shabu-shabu mutton for a while, Duan Feng felt a little embarrassed.

He entered 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, cleaned 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 the legacy left to me by my mother; I can only eat one egg a day."

Duan Feng’s tone was normal, but Luo Chen was a little stunned.

Isn't that chicken a rooster?

It even crowed every morning!

How can my Chicken Brother lay eggs?

But for Duan Feng’s generosity, Luo Chen still had to give a like.

When he first attended the dinner, he was a pure free-rider 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 was an 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 she sighed softly.

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

"Unexpectedly, it was Luo Chen who continued it."

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

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

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

The exchanges between cultivators are indeed too complicated.

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

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

In contrast, 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.

Putting on clothes casually, under the wet hair, his gaze was cold.

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

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

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