Chapter 88: Bone Strengthening Pill

"This pill formula is an ancient formula that Wu paid no small price to collect." Workshop Master Wu said, "Bone Strengthening Pill, as the name suggests, strengthens bones and can transform one's constitution."

"This pill is most suitable for youths under twelve years old to consume. However, after eighteen, its efficacy becomes minimal."

"This old man has a grandson, now eight years old. Because his mother was once injured, he was born with a weak body and will find it very difficult to live past the age of twenty."

"His parents have both passed away. Wu only has this one grandson. My life's hope is simply for him to grow up healthy and live out his life peacefully."

"And this Bone Strengthening Pill is where my hope lies."

"However, the formula has one main ingredient, the Withered Bone Flower, which is extremely rare. Wu had people search everywhere and only found three flowers, a total of three portions of materials."

"Wu also once asked Elder Zhou Sen of your Zhou Clan's Pill Shop, but he only had half a chance of success, so I could only shelve it for now."

Workshop Master Wu's eyes looked directly at Xu Chuan, "If Fellow Daoist Sansu can successfully refine this pill, one pill can offset forty spirit stones, with no upper limit."

"Ancient pill formulas are mostly difficult to refine. This humble one can only try my best."

Workshop Master Wu seemed to see hope and stood up, cupping his hands solemnly.

"However, this humble one also has conditions. Please first forge the magical artifact for me, Workshop Master. As for the Bone Strengthening Pill aspect, I still need to research for some time. Once I'm confident, I'll attempt to refine it."

"At most half a year, or as quickly as three or four months, there will definitely be results."

"Wu agrees. I'll also entrust these three portions of Bone Strengthening Pill materials to Fellow Daoist. Please, Fellow Daoist must save my grandson's life."

Xu Chuan nodded.

He was now not far from the level of refining high-grade pills.

Three or four months was his estimated time.

Once he was confident in refining high-grade pills, combined with his superbly masterful control over spiritual medicine properties, successfully refining one furnace with three portions of materials was still within grasp.

After all, Xu Chuan was no longer the novice to pill Dao from over a year ago.

Admittedly, for pill formulas of this difficulty, with only three portions of materials, if one wanted to create middle-grade or higher pills, unless blessed by extraordinary luck, it would be absolutely impossible.

Several days later, Workshop Master Wu gathered all the materials and began forging the treasure bow and because his grandson's life was in Xu Chuan's hands, he went all out with full effort.

Half a month later, the Hundred Refinements Weapon Workshop sent someone to the Zhou Clan's Pill Shop to inform them that the custom-made magical artifact had been forged.

Xu Chuan immediately went to examine it.

"Fellow Daoist Sansu, I've lived up to your trust. This bow was forged in one attempt, very smoothly." Workshop Master Wu laughed heartily and introduced it, "This bow weighs three thousand catties. Without the strength of an innate martial artist, one cannot even lift it. The bow body and bowstring both use materials from a seventh layer of Qi Refining demon beast, the Dark Ink Flood Dragon."

"As you requested, without the strength of a peak grandmaster, one cannot fully draw this bow."

"Nine arrows, their fletching made from demon beast feathers, all are low-grade magical artifacts. The might of a single arrow is far inferior to a normal low-grade flying sword, but when coordinated with the treasure bow, drawn open by pure physical strength and activated by magical power, its might approaches that of a high-grade magical artifact."

"Moreover, the arrows and treasure bow are interconnected. When a cultivator activates the treasure bow, they can actively summon the arrows back."

"This old man named this bow the Ink Flood Dragon Bow. Combining immortal and martial ways, it's truly one of this old man's outstanding works."

"I wonder if your good friend can wield it."

"Perhaps."

Xu Chuan caressed the bow body. The bow overall presented a deep black color with beast pattern carvings, appearing rugged and full of power.

He then cupped his fists toward Workshop Master Wu, "Many thanks to Workshop Master Wu this time. As for the Bone Strengthening Pill matter, this humble one will certainly do everything in my power!"

"Many thanks."

Returning to the Zhou Clan's Pill Shop.

Xu Chuan found Xu Mingxian and said to him, "Deliver this bow to your eldest brother's hands."

"This is a middle-grade magical artifact?" After carefully sensing it, Xu Mingxian said with an astonished expression.

"Your eldest brother intends to walk the path of dual cultivation in immortal and martial ways. After he converts to cultivating the immortal Dao, this bow in his hands will be able to display might comparable to a high-grade magical artifact. It will be one of our Xu clan's trump cards."

Xu Mingxian nodded, deeply agreeing.

That very day, he left the Yuehu Market and headed toward Qingjiang County.

Because the storage bag's space was too small and this bow hadn't been refined yet, it temporarily couldn't be shrunk and stored. Xu Mingxian had no choice but to carry it on his back.

Fortunately, he had the physical quality of a peak innate realm martial artist. Otherwise, he could only use magical power to support it, which would consume far too much magical power.

If he encountered danger on the way, the situation would become very troublesome. However, on Xu Mingxian's journey, he only encountered petty thieves once, a late Postnatal realm expert leading seventeen or eighteen people.

His temperament was indifferent. Aside from caring for family members, other people's lives were insignificant in his eyes.

He simply formed a hand seal and condensed a golden flying sword.

Swoosh swoosh swoosh~

A golden flash was seen. Under the manipulation of Xu Mingxian's sword fingers, in the blink of an eye, everyone's throats were slit, blood spraying.

They didn't even have time to shout "Immortal Master, spare us" before falling one after another into pools of blood.

Xu Mingxian stepped over their bodies, walked a few steps, then turned back and searched their bodies.

"Father said, when killing, don't forget to loot the corpses!"

"A vast wealth empire is also built up bit by bit!"

"Over a thousand taels, two martial arts manuals. Eh, this silver silk armor the leader is wearing looks quite good. It can defend against knife chops and axe strikes, but it seems to be women's style."

Xu Mingxian revealed a peculiar smile, "Someone actually really has this kind of preference."

"The world's morals are declining!"

Xu Mingxian's pace was extremely fast. In just over a day, he reached Qingjiang territory.

If not for carrying this treasure bow, he could perhaps fly on his sword and return to Qingjiang in just two or three hours.

"Fifth Master!"

A guard with sharp eyes recognized that the youth carrying the treasure bow was Xu Mingxian and immediately cried out in surprise, "You've returned from your travels?"

The Xu family immediately became lively.

Except for Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingxuan who were handling business in other counties, Bai Jing, the Xu Mingwei couple, Xu Mingshu, and the other Xu family juniors surrounded Xu Mingxian so tightly that not even water could leak through.

"Fifth Uncle!" Xu Dezhao led all his younger brothers and sisters in respectfully saluting Xu Mingxian.

The corners of Xu Mingxian's mouth held a trace of a smile as he nodded slightly.

"Yunnu, why are you alone? Where's your father?"

Xu Mingshu looked left and right, slightly disappointed.

Xu Mingwei and Bai Jing both silently watched him, awaiting his response.

"Mother, don't worry. Father is fine. He instructed me to return first and deliver this bow to eldest brother."

Xu Mingxian removed the treasure bow and handed it over along with the arrows.

After Xu Mingwei received it, his pupils contracted. The bow and arrows stacked together weighed several thousand catties.

"Fifth Uncle, what bow is this? It appears extraordinarily uncommon. It's as if the aura of a primordial fierce beast rushes forth, somewhat similar to Uncle Bai."

The Uncle Bai that Xu Dezhao referred to was the white tiger.

Xu Mingxian rubbed his head, smiling, "This is the Ink Flood Dragon Bow. The bow body and bowstring both used materials from the demon beast Dark Ink Flood Dragon's body, fused with some spirit iron."

"The nine arrows are the same."

"Demon beast materials!" Xu Dezhao's eyes burst with brilliant light.

Xu Mingxian turned to Xu Mingwei and said, "Eldest brother, Father found someone to forge this bow at great cost. If you encounter a powerful enemy, you can use this bow to respond."

Xu Mingwei set down the arrows, walked to the side, and immediately stood in an archer's stance, drawing the bow diagonally upward.

"Hm?" Xu Mingwei's sword-like brows furrowed slightly as he thought to himself, "I've now reached the peak of early grandmaster realm, half a step into the middle realm. Moreover, my strength far exceeds my peers and can probably contend with late grandmaster realm, yet I cannot fully draw this bow?"

"Still a bit short." Xu Mingshu asked in astonishment, "Eldest brother, you're a grandmaster, yet you can't fully draw it?"

"Why don't you try?" Xu Mingwei moved the Ink Flood Dragon Bow before Xu Mingshu.

"Try then."

Xu Mingshu immediately took it. However, the next moment, the Ink Flood Dragon Bow fell heavily to the ground, smashing a blue stone brick to pieces.

"One blue stone brick destroyed, deducted from your monthly allowance."

"Eldest brother, you actually tricked me?"

Xu Mingshu's beautiful eyes widened, her face showing astonishment. She turned to look at Xu Mingxian, "Yunnu, this blasted Ink Flood Dragon Bow is way too heavy. Can a person even use it?"

Xu Mingwei smiled, "Xueji, Father specifically had someone forge this bow for me. Are you taking the opportunity to curse me as inhuman?"

"This family head now declares your monthly allowance for this month is gone."

"Eldest brother, my good eldest brother—"