Chapter 182

He Pingsheng had never heard of the Double Soul Pill, nor had he seen it.

But upon hearing Xuan Yuan's description of its effects, he was stunned: Could there really be such a pill in the cultivation world?

One that could double a cultivator's spiritual sense?

Even if it lasted only an hour, that alone was utterly extraordinary.

Think about it—right now, his spiritual sense could sweep across three to four hundred zhang; after taking the pill, it would stretch to eight hundred zhang.

He could then pierce through Xuan Yuan's cultivation base, which he had been unable to discern before.

Moreover, with enhanced spiritual sense, he would hold a decisive advantage in battle.

And if he took one while refining a crucial elixir, doubling his spiritual sense would greatly increase the success rate.

Extraordinary!

Truly, utterly extraordinary.

"Friend, you likely know little of the Double Soul Pill, but that's fine… I won't deceive you!"

"Here is the elixir formula recording the Double Soul Pill—take a look!"

Xuan Yuan Changgeng handed him a sheet of paper.

The paper was slightly yellowed, its ink bearing the marks of time—clearly not newly written.

"This is a copy I took from my own formula—take a look!"

"Good!" He Pingsheng took the formula and studied it carefully, then nodded: "Indeed, it's correct!"

The formula detailed not only the materials and properties needed to refine the Double Soul Pill, but also the precautions and steps involved.

Among them was the material known as Mist Soul Flower.

And it was the primary ingredient—irreplaceable.

Because this material was exceedingly rare, the Double Soul Pill remained unknown to the world.

"This formula is flawless!" He Pingsheng handed the formula back to Xuan Yuan: "May I ask, what is it you wish of me, Xuan Yuan?"

"To refine the pill?"

"No, no, no…" Xuan Yuan waved his hand. "You misunderstand—I'm saying I haven't yet obtained the Mist Soul Flower; it still grows within that secluded place!"

"Though it's hardly even a secret realm—just a hidden location."

"Two peak Foundation Establishment beasts guard the Mist Soul Flower. I cannot handle them alone, so I invite you to join me in killing them and harvesting the flower!"

"But don't worry—I've already invited three others as well."

"When we five go together, after harvesting the Mist Soul Flower, we'll refine the pill—I'll give you one."

"What do you say?"

He Pingsheng smiled. "Why did you choose me, Xuan Yuan?"

Xuan Yuan Changgeng did not answer, but asked instead: "May I ask your cultivation name?"

He Pingsheng bowed. "I am of the He clan."

"Ah, so you are Brother He!" Xuan Yuan Changgeng looked at him with sincere expression. "Though the Mist Soul Flower is only a second-rank material, it is an exceedingly rare rule-based spirit herb. I dare not casually recruit anyone—especially not disciples of great sects or noble families; they'd bring trouble."

"You don't seem like a disciple of any great sect—you're a lone cultivator, aren't you?"

He Pingsheng said: "Correct."

"Hmm…" Xuan Yuan Changgeng said. "So my guess was right. Brother He, rest assured—I mean no harm. I simply feel that lone cultivators like us are less likely to cause complications."

"Moreover, what I need is your poison."

"You're a poison cultivator—if used properly, your poison could achieve twice the effect with half the effort."

He Pingsheng thought for a moment. "Very well… but I must first meet the other three companions before deciding whether to join you."

Xuan Yuan said: "No problem. Then let's meet at the peak of Shuiyang Mountain, outside the East Gate, in three days."

"If you're willing to go, we'll follow our agreement."

"If not, we'll go with just the four of us—it may be harder, but we can still take it."

"Good!" He Pingsheng then discussed further details with Xuan Yuan Changgeng regarding the purchase of second-rank Poison Pills, settling on fifty spirit stones per pill, plus an extra ten spirit stones per pill as additional payment.

Only then did He Pingsheng depart.

After leaving the elixir shop, He Pingsheng did not immediately return to his small courtyard.

Instead, his conversation with Xuan Yuan Changgeng made him realize his shortcomings in elixir refinement.

Relying solely on the Thirty-Six Formulas was far too inadequate.

He decided to buy some foundational texts on elixir refinement to fill the gaps in his knowledge, so he wouldn't appear foolish later.

So He Pingsheng entered the Coral Trading Society again.

In Dingxiang City, there were dozens of trading societies, but only three top-tier ones: the Imperial Trading Society, the Dingxiang Trading Society, and the Coral Trading Society.

"What can I help you with, Elder?" A seventh-stage Qi Refining shopkeeper, sharp-eyed, hurried over to He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng said: "I seek a text on cultivation-era elixir refinement. Do you have such a book?"

"Yes, Elder. Follow me!" The shopkeeper led He Pingsheng to a bookshelf: "These are all elixir-related texts—take your pick."

He Pingsheng looked.

A familiar title appeared before him: Thirty-Six Elixir Formulas.

He Pingsheng smiled.

Besides the Thirty-Six Elixir Formulas, there were other texts. Following the principle that price reflected comprehensiveness, he spent sixteen thousand spirit stones to purchase a jade slip titled Ten Thousand Herbs Elixir Canon.

Its contents were indeed extremely rich.

It contained roughly tens of thousands of spirit herbs, from first to fourth rank.

In addition to spirit herbs, it included over three hundred refined elixir formulas.

Among them was the method to refine the Double Soul Pill.

What followed was simple.

Back in his courtyard, he quietly strengthened the Ten Thousand Herbs Elixir Canon using the Treasure Basin, doubling it.

One remained named Ten Thousand Herbs Elixir Canon, but its contents were now different—its records of spirit herbs were far more detailed.

The three hundred-plus formulas were also improved.

The other copy was named Golden Core Collection—same effect, but with even more exhaustive descriptions of the spirit herbs, further refined formulas, and numerous substitute alternatives included.

One could say the two books were equal—reading either was the same.

After studying the Golden Core Collection for two days, the day arrived to meet Xuan Yuan Changgeng.

That day, after gathering his gear and making all preparations, he left his courtyard, passed through the East Gate, and flew toward the peak of Shuiyang Mountain on his sword.

When he landed, he saw several cultivators already there.

Led by Xuan Yuan.

But as his gaze swept over the others beside him, his pupils sharply contracted.

For he saw a familiar face—no, a sworn enemy.