Chapter 430

Luo Chen, having returned to the Luo Tian Society, maintained a low profile.

Even if it didn't reach the point of not stepping out of his door, he was at least keeping to himself.

However, apart from his low-key movements, his days were exceptionally busy.

Alchemy, alchemy, and more alchemy.

Having spent three years recuperating in the Ice Fortress meant that the supply of Jade Dew Elixirs had been cut off for three years.

Now that the Luo Tian Society's business was up and running, and they didn't need to support any Core Formation cultivators, the surplus of spirit stones each year was quite substantial.

Even if Luo Chen did nothing now, he would have an annual income of two to three hundred thousand spirit stones.

And that was after deducting the increasingly high monthly stipends for the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Luo Tian Society.

It was evident that after annexing and destroying so many large and small forces over the years, and after digesting the gains, the Luo Tian Society had embarked on a path of healthy development.

Therefore, the Jade Dew Elixir business was no longer just about earning spirit stones.

Or rather, from the very beginning, this elixir business with the Ice Fortress was never just about making money.

With the three-year interruption, the Ice Fortress side was already becoming impatient.

This was also why Venerable Fairy Canglong did not try to keep him when Luo Chen took the initiative to propose returning to Mount Tianlan.

Besides the Jade Dew Elixirs,

Chu Kui's Soul-Returning Elixirs were also in short supply.

Relying on the third-tier cave dwelling of Senior Haoranzi, the other party had accelerated his cultivation for more than two years.

Now, he was getting closer and closer to the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage, which meant the day of Core Formation was drawing near.

Under these circumstances, the cultivation of the "Locking Pearl Curtain" secret technique had to be put on the agenda.

His spiritual sense foundation was average.

Therefore, he was in dire need of the Soul-Returning Elixir to assist in increasing his spiritual sense foundation.

As for the Blood-Increasing Elixir and the Dust-Descending Elixir, they were cultivation elixirs Luo Chen used to replace the high-grade Dragon-Ascending Elixir.

The latter's elixir formula originated from the Great Alchemy Court of the Green Elixir Valley; the refining difficulty was very low, and the effect was very singular—refining essence to transform into Qi.

Luo Chen had already mastered the former, and before attacking the Yan Alliance, he had already brushed its proficiency to the perfect level.

Wang Yuan had relied on this elixir to increase his blood essence significantly, walking the path of the Great Perfection of Hardened Energy in a short time.

Regarding the functions, effects, and taboos of the Blood-Increasing Elixir,

Wang Yuan had also given Luo Chen the most authentic feedback.

This gave Luo Chen very high expectations for the future of the Blood-Increasing Elixir.

The busy alchemy work allowed Luo Chen's alchemy skills to constantly improve.

Likewise,

Qu Qu Lingjun, who came to observe and receive guidance every month, also benefited immensely.

"Today, we are going to refine the Dust-Descending Elixir."

Inside Cave Dwelling No. 17.

Luo Chen watched as Bai Bai Meiling placed the large amount of medicinal materials, which had been pre-processed by the Luo Tian Society, in the places Luo Chen was most accustomed to and found most convenient to reach.

Then, he explained the key points of refining the Dust-Descending Elixir to Qu Qu Lingjun beside him.

Hearing the name Dust-Descending Elixir, Qu Qu Lingjun felt a bit excited.

"Is that the second-tier elixir that made Master famous during the Green Elixir Valley's Dao Seed Competition?"

Luo Chen smiled slightly, "It is indeed that elixir."

"I imagine it must be extraordinary!" Qu Qu Lingjun asked curiously.

However, Luo Chen shook his head.

"You are wrong there. For low-tier alchemy masters like us, high-difficulty elixir formulas are actually not suitable for competitions. In my opinion, the refining difficulty of this Dust-Descending Elixir is even simpler than some first-tier elixirs."

Qu Qu Lingjun was stunned on the spot.

Luo Chen smiled and explained earnestly: "Do not deny its function just because it is simple. The function of an elixir never lies in its difficulty or grade, but in the population it is suitable for and the timing. Just like fourth-tier elixirs are good, but they are not something that Foundation Establishment cultivators like us can consume..."

Under this explanation, Qu Qu Lingjun felt as if he had been enlightened.

So, his previous practice of blindly pursuing high difficulty and high grade was taking a detour!

Watching the disciple lost in thought, Luo Chen felt a bit emotional.

Twenty-some years had passed, and with sufficient theoretical foundation, guidance from many seniors, and most importantly, a large amount of practical operation, Qu Qu Lingjun's alchemy skills had advanced by leaps and bounds to a temporary height.

He could already easily handle ordinary first-tier elixirs.

The Jade Marrow Elixir, Myriad Wonder Pill, Essence-Nurturing Elixir, and Spirit-Feeding Pill, which the Luo Tian Society produced in abundance, had all been mastered by the other party.

And among the four, he could already stably refine three to the high-grade level.

Such talent was truly astonishing!

Under these circumstances,

Luo Chen intended to guide him toward second-tier elixirs.

However, he did not let him start by refining the most difficult ones like the Jade Dew Elixir, Emperor Flowing Plasma, or Blood-Increasing Elixir.

Even the Soul-Returning Elixir, which looked like a first-tier elixir, actually had a fairly high refining difficulty.

Therefore, the Dust-Descending Elixir, with its very low refining difficulty, became the best choice for second-tier entry.

"Watch closely!"

Luo Chen gave a light shout, causing Qu Qu Lingjun's attention to instantly focus.

Under the other's gaze, Luo Chen pointed with his fingers, and a wisp of cyan flame suddenly emerged, landing beneath the dilapidated cauldron.

Boom!

In just an instant, the flame, which looked like a mere wisp, instantly expanded, turning into a raging fire.

Qu Qu Lingjun's eyelids twitched wildly.

This was not his first time seeing this cyan flame!

It was not earth fire, nor was it the Foundation Establishment True Fire of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

It was a rare Source True Fire!

What is Source True Fire?

There are strange fires between heaven and earth, coming without a shadow and going without a trace, as if they have no root or source, known to the world as Source-less Fire.

Without fuel or firewood, they could burn for thousands of years without stopping.

This is Source-less Fire!

And once such a strange fire is refined by a cultivator, it has a source; even if it is just a spark, it can turn into a raging fire when stimulated by spiritual power.

At this point, the Source-less Fire becomes the cultivator's Source True Fire.

It is different from the so-called "Life True Fire" produced after a cultivator explodes their spiritual power.

No one expected that the Wither-Glory Fire, which had disappeared without a trace after the destruction of the Yan Alliance, had been forcibly refined by Luo Chen through a series of calculations.

And its grade was not at the third-tier level that the world had assumed.

This Wither-Glory Fire had remarkably reached the fourth-tier level.

"Master obtaining this fire is like adding wings to a tiger!"

"From now on, alchemy will no longer be restricted by earth fire or firewood; he can fire up the furnace to refine elixirs at any time and in any place."

"I wonder when I will be able to refine my own Source True Fire?"

With envy, Qu Qu Lingjun focused intently on Luo Chen's refining steps.

Whenever he encountered a slightly difficult part, Luo Chen would deliberately slow down his speed, allowing him to see the application of the alchemy techniques clearly, and even dissecting the transformation process of the medicinal materials for him to see.

Compared to Qu Qu Lingjun's focus on alchemy,

the majority of Luo Chen's attention was still on the Wither-Glory Fire.

After refining the Wither-Glory Fire into a Source True Fire,

Luo Chen had been studying the characteristics of this fire.

When he was in the Ice Prison, the location and environment were not suitable, so he hadn't discovered anything.

That was why he had specifically rushed back to Mount Tianlan, attempting to clarify the characteristics of this fire through a large amount of alchemy.

But now, several months had passed.

The gains were also negligible.

High firepower—this was the first characteristic.

But it was not surprising at all.

After all, it was a strange fire that had been cultivated by the Yan Alliance for three hundred years and had reached the fourth-tier level.

Its firepower should naturally exceed that of ordinary second-tier or third-tier earth fires.

As long as a large amount of spiritual power was injected, this fire could erupt with extremely high temperatures, to the point where even Luo Chen's physique could feel the danger.

It could amplify the power of fire-attribute spells—this was the second characteristic.

When casting fire-attribute spells, slightly integrating a bit of Wither-Glory Fire,

the power would instantly surge by thirty percent!

If enough was added, doubling or tripling it was not impossible.

Even the lowest-tier Fireball Spell, if cast with this technique, could threaten Foundation Establishment cultivators.

And if it were Luo Chen's most proud "Mountain Collapse" and "Blazing Sun Spell," under the blessing of the Source True Fire, he even felt there was a chance to threaten some enemies who had just entered the Core Formation stage.

However!

Apart from the two characteristics mentioned above, nothing else was gained.

This was somewhat unacceptable.

It was rumored that the Purple Extreme Heavenly Fire mastered by Dan Dan Yangzi had a domineering and violent nature.

Using it against enemies, the power was formidable, capable of killing the Yan Alliance Master Xiao Xiao Lian.

Using it for alchemy, it could inject a trace of extreme power, causing various changes in the elixirs.

It was precisely because of this that Dan Dan Yangzi was held in high hopes by the Core Formation Elders of the Green Elixir Valley.

Even without the status of Dao Seed, he still enjoyed the treatment of receiving special attention that was no less than Tao Wan's.

One must know that the Purple Extreme Heavenly Fire was only at the third-tier level.

The Wither-Glory Fire had reached the fourth-tier level before being refined!

"I must have overlooked something?"

"Then, what is it?"

While pondering, Luo Chen pinched a seal to extinguish the fire.

A wisp of elixir fragrance filled the room.

Beside him came Qu Qu Lingjun's exclamation.

"High-grade!"

"Master, it's high-grade!"

Luo Chen put aside the doubts in his heart, smiled faintly, and collected the forty Dust-Descending Elixirs, leaving only one for Qu Qu Lingjun.

"Take it to study, but you absolutely must not consume this elixir!"

Qu Qu Lingjun nodded repeatedly; he had heard of the effects of this elixir before.

Its most essential function was refining essence to transform into Qi!

It was said that it could refine the essence hidden in the flesh and blood of the body, converting it into spiritual energy to promote cultivation.

But for cultivators with "frail" physiques, consuming this elixir would instead damage the body.

That would be counterproductive!

At the very least, low-tier cultivators could not yet achieve the state of detaching from the flesh and having the spiritual sense live forever!

The alchemy guidance ended here for today.

Next was Luo Chen's examination of the other party's cultivation.

Qu Qu Lingjun was now forty-one years old and had been at the ninth layer of Qi Refining for several years.

His aptitude was four spiritual roots, lacking metal.

His main cultivation technique was the Blazing Flame Technique, a very ordinary second-tier fire-attribute cultivation technique in the cultivation world.

It was rumored to originate from the Five Elements Divine Sect.

Besides this, Qu Qu Lingjun also practiced a secret technique called "Three Origins Returning to One."

That was a secret technique specifically improved by Li Li Yingzhang based on his own "Nine-Fold Returning Essence" for Qu Qu Lingjun's aptitude.

It had no other functions, mainly used for refining spiritual power.

This was also the main cultivation done by Qi Refining cultivators when they reached the ninth layer.

However, this technique had a drawback.

It inherited the drawback of the "Nine-Fold Returning Essence," which was that it required a long time.

Now, several years had passed, and Qu Qu Lingjun had only reached about the third layer of progress at the ninth layer of Qi Refining; it would likely take at least ten years to reach the Great Perfection of Qi Refining!

For his four-spiritual-root aptitude, it was fast!

But for the resources Qu Qu Lingjun could enjoy, it was unimaginably slow.

One must know that his lover, Sister Mi Li, had crossed from the fifth layer of Qi Refining to the eighth layer of Qi Refining in just a few years after Luo Chen treated her body.

Following this trend, it was likely that Sister Mi Li would overtake him and reach the Great Perfection of Qi Refining first.

After examining his homework,

Luo Chen fell into deep thought.

Under Qu Qu Lingjun's nervous gaze, Luo Chen slowly revealed a smile.

"Very good, your foundation is very solid; at least in my view, your spiritual power is extremely pure."

Hearing this, Qu Qu Lingjun let out a long sigh of relief.

He grinned, "It's great that I didn't disappoint Master."

Looking at his honest smile, Luo Chen continued: "In your spare time, you can go to the Scripture Hall and borrow a cultivation technique called 'Blazing Sun True Scripture'."

"Blazing Sun True Scripture?"

"Correct, it is a second-tier fire-attribute cultivation technique mainly practiced by Foundation Establishment disciples of the Yan Alliance. Once you succeed in Foundation Establishment in the future, you can switch to practicing this cultivation technique immediately. I can even get you the follow-up third-tier 'Blazing Sun True Scripture' later."

Qu Qu Lingjun became instantly excited.

This meant that he would no longer need to consider the lack of cultivation technique resources for his future cultivation.

Moreover, it was a continuous lineage, so he didn't even need to consider the problem of incompatibility.

Watching his excited appearance, Luo Chen shook his head, feeling quite emotional.

Perhaps, this was the benefit of having a master and elders!

He himself had quite an attainment in fire techniques, and could provide Qu Qu Lingjun with sufficient guidance and care in both cultivation techniques and spells.

Unlike himself.

He was still hesitating about the cultivation technique after Core Formation.

After Qu Qu Lingjun left,

three jade slips appeared before Luo Chen.

"Blazing Sun True Scripture"

"Flower-Green One-Heart Technique"

"Burning Wood True Technique"

These three cultivation techniques, the first originated from the copy made by Min Longyu from Elder Fei Ming after the destruction of the Yan Alliance, a purely fire-attribute cultivation technique.

The second was bestowed by Venerable Fairy Canglong. During his time in the Ice Prison, Luo Chen had expressed his need for third-tier cultivation techniques.

But the "Evergreen Technique" he mainly practiced was a secret of the Green Elixir Valley.

Even though he relied on the system to fully deduce the Foundation Establishment chapter, he had gained nothing regarding the period after Core Formation.

Venerable Fairy Canglong couldn't get the original version either, so she gave Luo Chen a wood-attribute "Flower-Green One-Heart Technique" from her many years of accumulation.

As for the third one, it was an inheritance Luo Chen obtained from the storage bag of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator recently.

A third-tier wood-fire dual-cultivation technique, and it was incomplete.

Facing the three cultivation techniques, Luo Chen fell into hesitation.

In terms of combat amplification, practicing the Yan Alliance's "Blazing Sun True Scripture" was undoubtedly the most suitable, but switching cultivation techniques had a huge impact on a cultivator.

It was not just as simple as the change in spiritual power.

If one considered longevity and extending one's lifespan,

then purely wood-attribute cultivation techniques would relatively allow a cultivator to have a few more years of lifespan.

There had always been a similar common knowledge in the cultivation world that cultivators mainly practicing water, wood, and earth systems would have longer lifespans than those practicing metal and fire systems.

Luo Chen himself had verified this common knowledge; the spiritual power cultivated by the "Evergreen Technique" indeed had a nourishing effect on the body.

Moreover, the lifespan of Sun Sun Sifang, the medical expert who mainly practiced the water system, before she passed away, had exceeded the two-hundred-and-fifty-year limit for Foundation Establishment cultivators, reaching a terrifying two hundred and seventy-five years!

Therefore, if he continued to practice the relatively suitable "Flower-Green One-Heart Technique" after Core Formation, it was undoubtedly the best.

Finally, there was the incomplete "Burning Wood True Technique."

This was a rare wood-fire dual-cultivation technique.

Moreover, it was extremely compatible with Luo Chen's current predicament of mainly practicing the wood system while his combat methods were fire-attribute.

Switching to this technique could change his predicament and make the transition smooth.

However, in the cultivation world, any dual-cultivation technique would have two extremely fatal flaws.

Slow cultivation speed!

Difficulty in breaking through major realms!

This was not some rumor, but verified by generation after generation of cultivators through their personal experiences.

Along his cultivation journey, Luo Chen had obtained several sets of dual-cultivation techniques, and had also watched others practice them.

Duan Rui of the Duan family mainly practiced "Nether Fire of the Nether Spring," which was water-fire dual cultivation.

President Sima Hui Niang mainly practiced "Pavilion Near the Water," which was water-wood dual cultivation.

The former was stuck at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, failing to break through to Foundation Establishment twice.

The latter, under the support of various resources of the Luo Tian Society, and often provided with high-grade Jade Dew Elixirs by Luo Chen, plus the help of high-grade cave dwellings, had an extremely slow cultivation progress.

Even now, she had only barely stepped into the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment.

These two people perfectly verified the two fatal flaws of dual cultivation.

Therefore, even though the "Burning Wood True Technique" that could solve Luo Chen's predicament was right before him, Luo Chen still couldn't make up his mind.

Especially since this technique was incomplete.

After some hesitation, Luo Chen sighed and carefully put the three jade slips into the Accumulating Thunder Treasure Ring.

"Forget it, forget it!"

"I haven't even reached Core Formation yet, why worry about these things."

"Moreover, these are just happy troubles. Like when I was just Foundation Establishment and had to rush to find second-tier cultivation techniques, now being able to collect three sets of cultivation techniques suitable for myself in advance is already a great stroke of luck; how can I be picky?"

After sighing,

Luo Chen pulled himself together, refined a few more furnaces of elixirs, and incidentally deduced the elixir formula for the second-tier Soul-Returning Elixir.

Then he took two elixirs and entered the cultivation room.

High-grade Blood-Increasing Elixir, high-grade Dust-Descending Elixir!

One increases blood essence, the other refines essence to transform into Qi.

Combined, the effect is comparable to the high-grade Dragon-Ascending Elixir.

(End of chapter)