Chapter 270: Qing Sheng Pill

In the extreme heavens, a sword light tore open the void, clashing with the atmosphere and repelling the gale winds to both sides.

Viewed from afar, it was like a crimson rainbow flying between heaven and earth, its origin unknown—

Yet in the blink of an eye, it swept past layer upon layer of sea waves, arriving nearby in an instant!

At this moment, as the sword light slowly retracted, a young Daoist of handsome appearance and refined spirit emerged from the clouds.

The Daoist's eyes were like stars, clear and piercing; auspicious clouds supported his body below, while his form radiated a misty jade light; his demeanor was solemn and deeply tranquil, like an ancient well difficult to stir into waves.

Making it hard for others to glimpse any of his thoughts from his face.

"..."

Amidst the swaying light and shadow, Master Qiao Ting's gaze became slightly dazed, harboring in her heart a trace of inexplicable regret that even she could not clearly articulate.

Clearly, when they first met at the Golden Drum Cave, the person before her had a strange and grotesque appearance, low cultivation, and a wretched state, entirely like a dog driven from its home.

Had it not been for the protection of the Chen Yuanshu Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun, he would have long since returned to dust and earth; how could he have survived?

Even though Chen Heng, by a stroke of heavenly luck, obtained the inheritance of the Yin-Eroding Red Water at the Five Clouds Wilds, and according to Master Qiao Master Qiao Zhijie's last will, there existed the title of a marriage engagement between them.

Master Qiao Ting still detested him and racked her brains to get rid of this marriage affair.

As for subsequent events, although they proceeded as Master Qiao Ting wished, Chen Heng naturally had no objection to refusing the marriage, instead nodding in approval.

And after Master Qiao Qiao Yubi asked about her intentions, she no longer mentioned it, treating it as if the matter had never occurred.

But who could have expected that only a few short years had passed.

By the time they met again.

That small cultivator with the strange appearance from the Golden Drum Cave had already joined the Yu Yu Yuchen Lower Court and even appeared on the New Year's Evaluation, ranking eleventh among the Purple Mansion.

Since then, his fame filled the universe, known throughout the Nine Provinces!

At this point, speaking of what there was to regret, Master Qiao Ting herself found it laughable.

But that trace of annoyance buried deep in her heart.

Still always lingered, difficult to disperse for a long time...

At this time.

Chen Heng pressed down the cloud head, landing on a desolate island.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Cui Cui Jingzhong suddenly asked cautiously:

"Chen Chen Shidi, that True Person Chen Chan, she..."

"It is of no concern; I have my own methods to protect myself, Xiao Xiao Shixiong need not worry about this matter."

Chen Heng understood the meaning behind Cui Cui Jingzhong's words, smiled slightly, and spoke first.

Not to mention that Chen Chan's words did not seem false, and to gain his trust, she displayed no small amount of sincerity.

Merely the fact that Chen Lu possessed the Cloud Beam Gypsum Stone.

Was worth Chen Heng making a trip to the Rouxuan Prefecture.

This gypsum grows beneath the deep sea of ten thousand fathoms; only aquatic spirits and monsters who understand the geographical formations can search it out amidst the surging whirlpools.

Although it cannot compare to great life-extending elixirs like the Ziming Ziming Liuzhu, it is nonetheless extremely precious, possessing the marvelous effect of regulating the five qi and consolidating the spirit.

For a cultivator's divine soul, it is an extremely nourishing spiritual material!

Among the four seas of the Xu Capital Heavens, the production of Cloud Beam Gypsum Stone is most abundant in the East Sea, and its quality is also the finest.

Nowadays, because the Rouxuan Prefecture needs Cloud Beam Gypsum Stone to repair a heavy treasure within the prefecture, not even a trace of this medicine can be found on the current market.

And if Chen Heng wishes to cultivate the Luo'an Black Water before the Long Gong Dharma Assembly.

He can only go to the Rouxuan Prefecture to seek and purchase this item...

"As long as you, Chen Chen Shidi, are clear in your heart, that is good; although that True Person does not seem false, you must still be extra cautious..."

After pondering for a moment, Cui Cui Jingzhong nodded slightly, then added another uneasy reminder to advise him.

Chen Heng smiled and said:

"Naturally; I wonder what plans Xiao Xiao Shixiong has for the future, and whether you intend to remain in the East Sea?"

Hearing this, Cui Cui Jingzhong felt somewhat moved, but this matter was not for him to decide; habitually rubbing his fat face with his hand, he gave a dry laugh and looked toward Master Qiao Ting on the flying boat, his meaning obvious.

"Because of you, we have already offended the Rouxuan Prefecture, this local power of the East Sea; what is there to do staying here, waiting to be invited into the Rouxuan Prefecture to refine pills?"

Hearing this, Master Qiao Ting fell into a brief silence, somewhat hesitant.

But when she raised her eyes and met Chen Heng's gaze, her body instantly tensed.

Immediately, an inexplicable fire rose within her; after sneering coldly, she turned her head away and mocked:

"Chen Heng, you wish to steal the spotlight at the Long Gong Son-in-Law Selection, yet I have no intention of being a spectator below; do you still want me to stand aside and cheer for you? As for you, Cui Cui Jingzhong, you were raised by the True Person since childhood, no different from an adopted son, and are certainly not my servant.

If you wish to do something, make your own decision; why come asking me!

If this matter reaches the True Person's ears, he might think I am bullying or neglecting you, and then the fault would be mine!"

"..."

Once Master Qiao Ting spoke these words, Cui Cui Jingzhong could only offer a bitter smile, sighing in his heart and shaking his head slightly.

Just as Master Qiao Ting had said.

He had been rescued by Master Qiao Qiao Yubi from the human pens of the Earth Abyss, grew up in the Golden Drum Cave, and was no different from an adopted son, absolutely not of the servant class.

But precisely because of this.

He could not afford to be tactless and forget his status...

Cui Cui Jingzhong helplessly glanced at Chen Heng; just as he was about to speak, Chen Heng interrupted him with a light laugh.

"After I return from the East Sea, if I have time, I will naturally visit Xiao Xiao Shixiong at the Guangshi Sect; I only hope that by then you will not find my presence a nuisance."

Hearing this, Cui Cui Jingzhong was overjoyed, shaking his head repeatedly: "What nonsense is this? If you can come to the Guangshi Sect, this foolish brother will be delighted; by then we can discuss the arts of yellow and white together, refining pills and smelting mercury; would that not be wonderful! By the way..."

Speaking to this point.

Cui Cui Jingzhong seemed to think of something; carefully pulling a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve, he handed it personally to Chen Heng:

"At the spouse-selection Dharma Assembly, there will be no shortage of opponents; every year has seen its share of experts. Though your Daoist arts are formidable, Chen Chen Shidi, you must not underestimate the heroes of the world."

"This pill is my pride, refined at the Broad Knowledge Sect; it is called the Clear Ascension Pill. Once swallowed, it requires no deliberate refinement; within ten breaths, it can increase one's True Qi by thirty percent, with surplus to spare!"

"During this period, whether driving talismans and artifacts or unleashing Daoist techniques, their power will greatly increase! Afterwards, one's spirit will merely slump for a while; the harm is truly negligible, far from damaging muscles or bones!"

Hearing this, Chen Heng's expression turned solemn; a pill that could increase True Qi by thirty percent without requiring deliberate refinement would be exceedingly valuable, no matter where it was found.

And the fact that it left almost no hidden dangers afterwards made it even rarer.

Yet, the name Clear Ascension Pill...

"This Clear Ascension Pill is a new pill formula created by your humble elder brother. Previously, while studying ancient texts, a flash of inspiration struck; only after exploding hundreds of thousands of furnaces did I finally sort out the medicinal principles one by one and obtain this substance, proving my painstaking efforts were not in vain."

Cui Cui Jingzhong chuckled softly, speaking with some self-satisfaction, then sighed:

"Alas, the Broad Knowledge Sect is merely one Daoist lineage under the Chiming Sect; even if the Sect Master values my artifact weight highly and opens every convenient door for me, the scriptures within the sect are not much more abundant..."

"If only I could enter the Chiming Sect's library tower to study their pill scriptures, my Clear Ascension Pill could likely be improved further!"

"Pill scriptures?"

At that moment.

Chen Heng's expression shifted; suddenly laughing aloud, he reached into his sleeve pouch and drew out a Daoist book, saying:

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong has gifted me such a precious pill, and I was just worrying about how to return the favor; since it is pill scriptures you need, this is a perfect coincidence!"

(End of Chapter)