Chapter 290: Chapter 185: Luofeng
After the fusion and transformation, the Yellow Bud Original Pill was in a liquid state.
Based on Lü Zhong’s experience, if the Original Pill were refined into a Yellow Bud Pill through normal methods, he would achieve at least an eighty percent Pill Formation Rate after Spirit Infusion and Pill Splitting. This rate was neither high nor low—it was simply his usual standard for Alchemy.
After another moment, the Original Pill inside the furnace settled.
Lü Zhong took a deep breath and cast a Technique Mantra at the Spirit-Guiding Array below.
Instantly, the vast amount of Spiritual Qi that had accumulated in the Little Sumeru Formation was channeled through pipes into the Alchemy Room. It surged directly onto the Yellow Bud Original Pill. Guided by the Creation Spirit Liquid Secret Technique, the Spiritual Qi rapidly merged into the Original Pill. As Lü Zhong continuously cast one Technique Mantra after another, the total amount of Medicinal Spiritual Qi within the Original Pill began to increase swiftly.
Watching this, Lü Zhong couldn’t help but marvel, ’This truly is Creation!’
Empowered by the Secret Technique, the Yellow Bud Pill—originally suitable only for the Early-stage of Qi Refining—now contained so much more Medicinal Spiritual Qi that it was also appropriate for Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators.
For the Creation Spirit Liquid, thirty-six Technique Mantras produced a single-fold Creation Liquid.
And now, Lü Zhong was attempting to create a double-fold Creation Liquid.
If he succeeded in refining the double-fold Creation Liquid, the resulting Yellow Bud Pill would be suitable for those in Late-stage Qi Refining.
However, as the number of folds increased, so did the difficulty of refining the Creation Liquid. He had to pay constant attention to the timing of each Technique Mantra. Otherwise, the turbulent Spiritual Qi could cause the Spirit Liquid to undergo an abnormal transformation. The best-case scenario would be a drastic reduction in the Creation Liquid’s efficacy. If handled poorly, a massive explosion was not out of the question.
At this moment, even Lü Zhong, with his powerful Divine Soul, was beginning to feel the strain.
He cast every Technique Mantra with extreme caution.
He was terrified that a single careless mistake would wash all his efforts away.
Trembling with concentration, he cast the seventy-second mantra, successfully refining the Double Yellow Bud Creation Liquid.
After a moment of thought, Lü Zhong decided not to continue, lest he actually blow up the Alchemy Furnace.
He drew the Double Yellow Bud Creation Liquid out of the Pill Furnace.
The mass of liquid was about the size of a fist, similar to the Yellow Bud Original Pill before Pill Splitting.
It was a golden-yellow liquid, emitting a rich, sweet fragrance similar to the scent of a Yellow Bud Flower. When he inspected it with his Qi Observation Skill, he found that the total Spiritual Qi it contained was no less than that of a standard Pill for the Late-stage of Qi Refining.
Generally speaking, the main ingredients for Pills used in the Early-stage of Qi Refining were typically three-to-five-year-old Spirit Medicines. In contrast, Pills for the Late-stage of Qi Refining required main ingredients that were at least fifty years old, with some even needing hundred-year-old Spirit Medicines.
Now, by using the Creation Spirit Liquid Secret Technique, he had created the Double Yellow Bud Creation Liquid, which had effects comparable to a Pill for the Late-stage of Qi Refining. The creative power of the Creation Spirit Liquid Secret Technique was nothing short of astonishing.
This technique truly earned its name: Creation.
He drank a mouthful of the Creation Liquid. The taste was surprisingly good.
An idea suddenly struck him. He took out the leftover snake tenderloin, heated it in the Pill Furnace, and then poured the rest of the Creation Liquid over it. An exotic, tantalizing aroma immediately wafted up to his nose.
He took a bite and discovered the snake meat had become even more delicious.
He polished it off in a few quick bites. Feeling refreshed and pleased, Lü Zhong prepared to make a trip back to the city.
Refining the Creation Spirit Liquid consumed an immense amount of Spiritual Qi.
Refining the Tier Two Creation Liquid just once consumed an amount of Spiritual Qi equivalent to what a Golden Core Master would absorb at full tilt. Because of this, he had to wait for the Little Sumeru Formation to accumulate enough Spiritual Qi before he could start the Pill refinement.
At the same time, he also needed to go and retrieve the spiritual materials.
Thanks to the Chengde Commerce Association, Lü Zhong didn’t have to run all over the place to gather the spiritual materials; he just had to let them know what he needed.
This was a far more comfortable arrangement than what Loose Cultivators had to endure. It was even superior to the situation of many Family Cultivators from the Sect Clans. While those cultivators could rely on their organizations, they couldn’t compete with a Commerce Association in terms of efficiency and cost. After all, a Commerce Association’s entire purpose was to make a profit, so naturally, they would be meticulous about both.
...
He flew, skimming over the surface of the sea.
At the speed of the Wood Spirit Wind-controlling Ship, it took him just one ancient hour to return to Port City.
He bypassed the bustling Lintao Pavilion, walked through a desolate Central Courtyard where only a servant girl was sweeping, and arrived at the heavily fortified rear courtyard. Gazing at the thriving Thundering Grass, he gave it a few more supplemental blasts of Palm Thunder.
The lightning nourished the Thundering Grass, helping it grow better.
After finishing, he didn’t forget to inspect the rear courtyard.
After using a scene-replay technique to confirm no one had been spying or had snuck in, he finally went to the Central Courtyard.
While sipping his tea, he instructed the Commerce Association’s Steward to bring him the items.
Before long, footsteps sounded from outside.
At the same time, the Yang Fish Pendant at his waist reacted.
A beautiful woman rushed into his arms—it was Yu Feng’Er.
"What are you doing here?"
"I... I just wanted to see you," Yu Feng’Er said, her face flushing red with embarrassment.
Out in the world, she had to handle the Yu Family’s affairs, manage the ever-growing Chengde Commerce Association, and ensure her own cultivation didn’t fall behind. Her daily schedule was completely packed.
Only here, with Lü Zhong, could she find a moment’s peace.
As she spoke, she leaned into him, a look of pure contentment on her face.
"I almost forgot, the Spirit Medicines you wanted are in this bag." After leaning on him for a moment, Yu Feng’Er raised her head. She took a Storage Bag from within her robes and handed it to Lü Zhong, adding, "I also found a Vein Tempering Formula. How about we...?"
Her voice trailed off. After all, such matters were rather embarrassing to talk about.
Lü Zhong stroked Yu Feng’Er’s head and called for the Medicine Boy responsible for preparing medicinal liquids, ordering him to prepare a medicinal bath. Then, he started to playfully tease her, not stopping until her face was as red as blood and she was begging for mercy.
"By the way, how have things been with the Wangxi Commerce Association recently?"
The dispute between the Chengde Commerce Association and the Wangxi Commerce Association had begun. Until a victor was decided, the conflict would only continue to escalate.
