Chapter 34: The Possibility of Spiritual Root Mutation (Please keep reading, please vote)

All things considered, Wang Yu had been cultivating for less than two years, yet his progress already surpassed that of those with three spiritual roots, galloping down the Great Path of Longevity at a speed comparable to those with two spiritual roots.

However, regarding how to specifically utilize the three placement slots, Wang Yu intended to re-plan.

The benefits brought by the perfection of his cultivation techniques were too immense, enough to force him to change his original plan.

After a brief moment of thought, a new scheme emerged.

【Placement Slot 1: Cold Blood Manual】

【Placement Slot 2: Cold Blood Manual】

【Placement Slot 3: Cold Chi Alchemy Technique (Incomplete)】

Originally, the reason he had placed the "Cold Blood Pill Formula" was that he lacked funds and intended to refine his own auxiliary cultivation pills, as the market prices were simply too exorbitant.

Furthermore, as the effectiveness of the placement slots grew increasingly diminished, he figured it would be better to swap them out and use pills as a substitute.

Now that his techniques had reached perfection, his aptitude had increased by half, providing a massive boost. In this light, restarting the placement slots was more cost-effective for him than using pills.

"At this rate of efficiency, I can break through to the fifth level of Qi Refinement in three and a half years."

Not bad.

As for the placement of the alchemy technique, it represented more than just a skill; it also meant the training of Wang Yu's divine sense and the potential effects that would arise when he eventually refined top-grade Cold Blood Pills.

Having personally experienced the effects of high-grade pills, he naturally became greedy for more, wanting to test just how extraordinary top-grade pills could be.

On the other hand, most of the value of this alchemy technique lay in that special "Cold Chi Pill." The ability to condense a special "Cold Flame Fire Seed" would grow alongside the cultivator.

The core material required a minimum of a second-tier cold-attribute demon core from a python-type beast. This was currently a distant prospect, so there was no rush to place it.

At the latest, in three and a half months, the Cold Chi Alchemy Technique would reach perfection.

When a slot became available then, Wang Yu had two directions.

First was to follow the path of spiritual root mutation to continue enhancing his aptitude. The only thing in his possession that might be effective for this was—the 【Corpse Demon Secret Method】!

He had held this secret method for some time, but due to its massive side effects, he had always been somewhat hesitant to use it.

However, according to the description of the secret method, both "Heavenly Yin Blood" and "Corpse Demon Bone" were special bodily secret methods capable of enhancing his aptitude.

Second was to continue placing pills, grinding the Cold Blood Pill, the Myriad Wonders Pill, and the Cold Chi Pill all to perfection, using spirit stones to push up his cultivation. The risk of this path came from the outside world, carrying the danger of death.

The risk of the first path came from the secret method itself, and it was highly likely to cause his spiritual roots to mutate completely!

One could only say it was a mixed bag of pros and cons.

Wang Yu decided to wait another three and a half months until the alchemy technique reached perfection to confirm whether the 【Placement Slot】 possessed the effect of completing secret methods.

By then, if he placed the 【Corpse Demon Secret Method】, he wouldn't have to worry about being affected by terrifying side effects such as "Body Like an Ancient Corpse," "Impotence," or "Emotionless and Desireless."

A complete secret method would certainly not have these side effects; he was certain and firmly believed so!

…………

…………

The next day.

Eight Treasures Pavilion.

It had been nearly four months since his cooperation with Zhao Shang began. They had completed three transactions so far, and this current one was the fourth.

"A pleasure doing business."

Having eaten and drunk his fill, they conducted the transaction via storage bags. Zhao Shang tapped the pills inside and nodded.

"It's a decent profit. When do you plan to scale up?"

"Just a little?"

Wang Yu looked at the man surnamed Zhao with a half-smile. He only charged market prices, but when he returned the goods to Zhou Tao and the other two, he gave them the bulk wholesale price. Furthermore, as far as he knew, the pills sold to the Ice Snow Pavilion were priced nearly thirty percent higher than the market rate.

The members of the Alchemist Association were recorded in the Ice Snow Pavilion's archives as alchemy masters and geniuses destined to become second-tier alchemists; the current high prices were an investment for future recruitment.

He wondered what True Disciple Su would think if he saw these records with his own eyes...

"I'm serious. Lately, your earnings have reached this much, right?"

Zhao Shang held up two fingers.

Wang Yu remained expressionless, neither confirming nor denying, but his calculation was damn accurate. Two thousand spirit stones in four months was not a low amount; in fact, it was the profit he had squeezed from both sides.

The Alchemist Association took more, but when averaged per person, it was only about thirteen hundred.

This was pure profit after deducting costs—an absolute windfall. Wang Yu had obtained this income almost through sheer bluffing by using his Law Enforcement Token.

Naturally, Zhao Shang was satisfied, but once a man has a goal, he is never truly content.

Wang Yu couldn't help but warn him.

"Extracting spirit stones from the Ice Snow Pavilion is indeed exhilarating, but you are acting as a traitor. You must keep your movements subtle to ensure a long-term flow.

"Don't tell me you plan to stop hanging around the Inverse Spirit Blood Sect once you exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Zhao Shang fell silent. Wang Yu was momentarily stunned, realizing he had hit a nerve. Upon reflection...

It made sense. After all, this wasn't the first time Zhao Shang had acted against the sect's interests, and he likely left many traces. Even if he broke through to Foundation Establishment, there was still the danger of being purged by True Disciple Su.

"Found a new employer already? If there's a way to make money, how about bringing me along?"

Zhao Shang remained silent for a moment before letting out an awkward laugh.

"How could that be? The Inverse Spirit Blood Sect treats me like a son, and True Disciple Su is like my own elder brother. How could I have such thoughts? Brother Wang must have misunderstood."

"Heh—"

"As you say."

Wang Yu spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness, but more thoughts were brewing in his mind. Ice three feet thick does not form in a single day; Zhao Shang must have had these thoughts for quite some time. He could keep an eye on him in the future.

Having such a fallback might prove useful later.

After the two parted, Wang Yu met with the three members of the Association to distribute this batch of spirit stones.

Luo Pinghu had already repaid his loan. Currently, Wang Yu had accumulated over two thousand four hundred spirit stones, though his contribution points had not increased and remained at just over a hundred.

According to his original plan, once he had money, he would buy a high-grade Dharma tool to increase his combat power. It would be sufficient to last him until Foundation Establishment and was a worthwhile investment.

However, the quality of the Dharma tools released by the Ten Workshops of the Inverse Blood was quite worrying; almost all were second-hand, and some were even less powerful than the Ice Sword Technique.

Consequently, the best plan was to go to the Weapon Refinement Hall to commission a custom Dharma tool.

On the other hand.

After the Cold Blood Manual, Ice Sword Technique, and Ice Shield Technique all reached perfection, Wang Yu vaguely felt that his comprehension had improved.

This improvement didn't come from consuming any spiritual pills or medicines, but was a reaction brought about by an expanded horizon. It was like a high school senior and an elementary student learning a foreign language at the same time; the latter would inevitably progress faster.

His cultivation mindset had become more mature. Whether it was through associative learning or a higher perspective, the feedback was real—he felt his comprehension had increased.

Furthermore, he had a premonition that mastering more perfected techniques before Foundation Establishment would be beneficial to his cultivation and his future.

This sudden epiphany was profound and mysterious.

This made Wang Yu even more inclined to invest his spirit stones into techniques rather than high-grade Dharma tools that would eventually become obsolete.

Spirit stones could not be used to exchange for techniques at the Scripture Hall—they only accepted contribution points—but they could be exchanged through true disciple factions like the Ice Snow Pavilion.

(End of Chapter)