Chapter 853: Duzhen True Thunder (9th of 10)

"Brother, I'm begging you!"

The Cangqiong Daoist looked pitifully pleading.

He Pingsheng's face darkened further.

The first time he helped this fellow with alchemy, the man kept saying, "I beg you," over and over.

In the end, seeing that he only needed two Thunder-Avoiding Pills, He Pingsheng reluctantly agreed to refine them for him.

Now he's begging me again?

"Cangqiong Daoist…" He Pingsheng sighed heavily. "Cultivators in the Spirit Realm rely on more than just their mouths. You… this is really hard for me."

"One set of materials—I'm not refusing to refine for you, but even if I do, I can't guarantee a top-grade result on the first try."

"Then how about this!" said Cangqiong Daoist. "I only have one set of materials, but if you produce a top-grade pill, I'll take just one—the other eleven are yours, alright?"

"And if the refining fails or anything goes wrong, it's all on me!"

He wore an expression of sincere honesty.

He Pingsheng nodded helplessly.

Fine.

At least I won't lose out.

This 【Yudao Pill】 still holds considerable value, especially since its main ingredient, 【Wangyouzi】, is quite rare.

After helping this fellow refine it, I can strengthen it to produce twenty-four pills.

I'll give him one, and the remaining twenty-three I can slowly sell in the shop.

Or I can keep one or two for my own use.

He Pingsheng reached out and took the jade box from him.

"Hehe…" said Cangqiong Daoist. "Brother, you're truly a good man. I'll remember your kindness for life. Don't worry, I'll repay you!"

He Pingsheng said, "Last time you said the same thing—that you'd reward me handsomely once you struck it rich. But you never got rich, and your original body died!"

"Enough, enough!" As He Pingsheng spoke, he opened the jade box—and his face turned pitch black. "Brother, you're pure exploitation!"

"How dare you even ask for this!"

"I've never met anyone so shameless!"

"You bring only one set of materials—and not even the main ingredient?"

You dare show up without Wangyouzi?

"Pah…" He Pingsheng tossed the materials back. "Cangqiong Daoist, it's not that I'm greedy or profit-driven—it's just that your face is too thick. I simply can't refine for you!"

"Brother, I know my materials are incomplete!"

"But I truly don't have Wangyouzi… but don't worry, I heard the Shanquan Trading Society has one—though the price might be high."

"Why not go get that Wangyouzi for me, then refine the pill?"

He Pingsheng said nothing, just stared at Cangqiong Daoist for over a dozen breaths. Then he said: "Cangqiong Brother, if you're here to rob me, just say it outright—we'll settle it outside the city."

"No no no…" Cangqiong hurriedly waved his hands. "Brother, you misunderstand—I'm a man of principle! How could I rob you?"

"Then here's the deal: get me a top-grade 【Yudao Pill】, no matter how you do it. If you deliver a seventh-grade 【Yudao Pill】, I'll tell you a earth-shattering secret."

"I guarantee you'll think the pill was worth every effort."

"Hehe… actually, I could tell you now, too."

"Do you know why I asked you to refine two top-grade 【Thunder-Avoiding Pills】 last time?"

His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng shook his head.

Cangqiong said nothing, but sent a telepathic message: "I don't have any enemies. Those two Thunder-Avoiding Pills? My original body and my avatar each took one—to subdue one of the Ten Primordial True Thunders of Lei Huang Continent: 【Duzhen True Thunder】…"

"All my Dao injuries were inflicted under that Duzhen True Thunder."

"What?" He Pingsheng's mouth fell open in shock.

Good heavens—Duzhen True Thunder.

One of the Ten Primordial True Thunders?

Correct. The True Thunders of Lei Huang Continent are like the True Fires of Tianhuo Continent.

Both are manifestations of the pinnacle primordial forces of the cultivation world.

But I just arrived on Lei Huang Continent—and you tell me I've encountered a Primordial True Thunder?

"Hehe…" After three breaths of stunned silence, He Pingsheng sneered. "I'm not doubting you—but this information's value far exceeds a top-grade seventh-grade Yudao Pill. Cangqiong Daoist, to reveal this so easily… you're…"

"Up to something else, aren't you?"

"You're wrong!" said Cangqiong Daoist. "I have no ulterior motive!"

"I tell you because time is short!"

"You don't know—the Duzhen True Thunder isn't imprisoned. It moves freely. Right now, it's absorbing a subterranean source of Thunder Dao essence—and it'll finish soon and leave."

"If my Dao injuries don't heal quickly, by the time I recover, the thunder will be long gone!"

"Brother, be honest: if you heal my injuries now, we both benefit. As for who ultimately claims the Divine Thunder? That's up to fate."

"I swear upon my Dao—I'm not lying."

He Pingsheng stared at the old man. "Then tell me—where is the Duzhen True Thunder?"

Cangqiong Daoist said: "You must refine the pill first. When I see the top-grade pill, then I'll tell you."

"But I warn you—time is urgent!"

"The Duzhen True Thunder could leave at any moment!"

"Fine!" He Pingsheng nodded. "Wait. No later than two days—you'll have your Yudao Pill."

The Yudao Pill ranges from fourth to eighth grade.

It heals Dao injuries. A top-grade pill can instantly mend even the deepest Dao wounds.

He Pingsheng chose to temporarily trust the fellow, rose, and left the shop, heading for the Shanquan Trading Society.

"What? Seventh-grade heavenly treasure—【Wangyouzi】?"

Elder Dong of the Trading Society stared at He Pingsheng in shock. "You're… going to refine a seventh-grade pill?"

"Sss… Brother, you're only Void Refinement. Are you sure you can refine a seventh-grade pill?"

He looked at He Pingsheng as if he were a monster.

He Pingsheng smiled. "My spiritual sense is far stronger than most Void Refinement cultivators. I can refine seventh-grade pills—though it's difficult, it's not impossible."

"True," Elder Dong nodded. "A pill refiner who can produce top-grade sixth-grade pills can usually handle seventh-grade ones."

"Good, good. To be honest with you, our shop does have one Wangyouzi."

"But it's priceless."

"What pill are you offering in exchange?"

He Pingsheng said nothing, but pulled out a jade vial and gently placed it before Elder Dong.