Chapter 25: Elixir Guide

"There are no top-grade Cold Blood Pills. A few bottles leak out of the sect treasury every year, but they can only be exchanged for contribution points. Last year, I believe the price was around a thousand."

Wang Yu frowned deeply.

"A bottle?"

Normally, medicinal pills are sold in bottles, with nine pills per bottle. Only pills with special effects are sold individually, such as Foundation Establishment Pills or Golden Core Pills used for breaking through realms.

There are also those for dispelling illusions, increasing divine sense, or cultivating special techniques... and so on.

Hearing Wang Yu's words, the man couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"A single pill!

"The Cold Blood Pill is not an ordinary spiritual pill for increasing cultivation; its effects last for an entire year. Depending on the grade, the benefits vary.

"Low-grade and mid-grade versions can increase spiritual power by roughly ten to twenty strands. After consuming five, the effect is completely lost.

"High-grade versions can increase spiritual power by about forty strands, but they require a significant amount of time to refine. After about nine pills, a 'pill barrier' will form.

"Top-grade Cold Blood Pills can increase spiritual power by eighty to one hundred strands. A mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivator would need to meditate for an entire year to fully digest one. They must be used in conjunction with Inedia Pills, and it takes twelve pills to trigger a pill barrier."

The so-called "pill barrier" is often misunderstood as pill toxicity.

In reality, that is not the case. Pills are formed by gathering the essence of heaven and earth through exquisite alchemy; where would toxicity come from?

If the body consumes too many, it develops a certain resistance, which is why it is called a [Pill Barrier].

It is a restriction imposed by heaven and earth upon the Dao of Alchemy; otherwise, everyone could ascend simply by popping pills, losing the true essence of cultivation.

The Cold Blood Pill had excellent effects, tailor-made for cultivators practicing the "Cold Blood Art," making its price quite expensive among first-tier pills.

After a quick calculation, Wang Yu realized it was more cost-effective to refine them himself.

He then asked, "Will consuming low-grade or mid-grade Cold Blood Pills first affect the effectiveness of subsequent high-grade pills?"

"Naturally, it will. After all, they are the same type of pill and share the same medicinal properties. If you have the means, it's best to take the high-grade ones directly. If you have connections, you could try asking at the treasury."

After understanding the situation, Wang Yu bought three auxiliary medicines. His loose spirit stones were completely spent, leaving him with only two hundred contribution points.

In truth, it would have been best to buy and consume one high-grade Cold Blood Pill first. Firstly, the "idle" time for his alchemy skill required time, and one Cold Blood Pill took a year to refine—the two coincided perfectly.

This could fill Wang Yu's current gap, ensuring he wouldn't fall behind in progress.

Furthermore, forty strands of spiritual power could significantly boost his cultivation. Combined with his idle skill slot, he estimated he could condense his progress into within three years.

This speed was entirely acceptable.

"Five hundred spirit stones..."

Driven by his obsession with making money, Wang Yu was planning his grand scheme. Since he intended to walk the path of an alchemist, refining pills was the most suitable way to earn wealth.

It would only take half a year to reach perfection with the Cold Blood Pill. He would certainly wait until his alchemy skill reached perfection before truly starting, so the third slot would have a six-month vacancy that could be utilized first.

"Inedia Pills, Spirit Recovery Pills, Yin-Food Pills, and Flesh-Regenerating Pills."

Counting the popular first-tier pills in his mind, Wang Yu prepared to make another trip to the Alchemy Hall. The prices for these types of recipes were quite low, as they were common formulas known by many.

As he was walking through the Evil God Market, someone suddenly blocked his path.

"Wang Yu?"

Having had previous encounters, Wang Yu instantly heightened his vigilance.

"Who might you be?"

"You should have heard of me. Su Qingshan."

His appearance was unremarkable, his skin slightly dark, but his eyes were extremely sharp, radiating a piercing edge. He appeared confident and high-spirited, enough to make one overlook his ordinary looks.

"To think it is Brother Su in person. My apologies for the disrespect."

"I am ashamed. I wonder if you could do me the honor of sharing a drink?"

…………

…………

Eight Treasures Pavilion.

An eatery in the Evil God Market, rumored to be the private property of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. The spiritual food here was excellent, though the prices were somewhat expensive.

At this moment, twelve dishes were spread across the table—delicacies from land and sea, fine wines, and exquisite food. It truly left Wang Yu feeling overwhelmed by the hospitality.

After all, the latter was a genius who had made a name for himself in a single battle during the last Outer Sect Competition. After joining a True Disciple, he had already broken through to the late stage of Qi Refinement.

His path was different from the standard disciple promotion route.

An assistant aimed for the position of Deacon from the start. Regardless of whether one was an outer or inner sect disciple, anyone who broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage could serve as a Deacon within the sect, receiving private property, land, or real estate to manage as they saw fit.

This was mostly the choice of cultivators without backgrounds. Anyone with even a bit of connection would strive for the position of a True Disciple, as the resources available to a "Yuan Ying Seed" were far beyond what a Deacon could compare to.

If Wang Yu wanted long-term development in the Inverse Spirit Blood Sect, this was the only path he could take.

They raised their glasses and drank together.

"I wonder how Brother Su found me, and for what purpose?"

Su Qingshan smiled.

"That shock of white hair makes you quite conspicuous among the disciples; it's hard not to notice you. As for finding you, I simply have a matter to invite you to discuss. Are you interested?"

Wang Yu put on a look of realization, thinking to himself that he should wear a hooded black robe next time he went out. "Please, speak freely."

Picking up a succulent sprout of spiritual bamboo, Su Qingshan raised an eyebrow. "How about dealing with Zhao Shang?"

Wang Yu's heart stirred. It seemed this man had also been exploited by Zhao Shang, though he remained composed, even appearing somewhat bitter.

"Brother Su must be joking. I am merely in the early stage of Qi Refinement; how could I possibly deal with Zhao Shang?"

"I would naturally be the one to act. I heard that in the [Qi Chamber] of the Ice Snow Pavilion, he snatched your essence and brazenly sold it to others. Aren't you angry?"

"Even if I am, so what?" Wang Yu tasted a piece of spiritual food prepared in a braised pork style. His eyes lit up, and he picked up a few more pieces.

With Su Qingshan's strength—being able to slay an eighth-stage Qi Refinement cultivator while only at the sixth stage, and now having broken through to the late stage—he indeed had a great chance of dealing with Zhao Shang.

Only after Wang Yu had eaten a few more bites did Su Qingshan speak.

"You have a good relationship with True Disciple Su. If you pretend to visit Cold Blood Peak, Zhao Shang will surely panic. If he chases after you..."

Su Qingshan made a throat-slitting gesture, his killing intent fully revealed.

Though the plan was simple, it was very practical.

The success rate was quite high, yet Wang Yu asked a counter-question.

"Brother Su was highly regarded by the True Disciples during the Outer Sect Competition and is skilled in combat. Your connections should be much closer than mine. Why not go to them?"

Su Qingshan paused his pouring of wine and narrowed his eyes.

"It is not that I do not want to, but that I cannot. Recently, among the ten True Disciples of Cold Blood Peak, one has stood out and is about to attempt Core Formation. The True Disciples' attention is hardly on us."

Taking a sip of spiritual fish soup, Wang Yu nodded.

"Indeed. That is why Zhao Shang acts without fear, his exploitation becoming a habit.

"The True Disciples stand too high; they lack the deterrent power of the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Ice Snow Pavilion."

"Then, Brother Wang's intention is—"

"My apologies."

Wang Yu stood up and cupped his hands.

"It is not that I am unwilling, but my cultivation is too low. If I could break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refinement and have a bit of ability to protect myself, I would do it.

"But right now, I am only at the third stage of Qi Refinement. Zhao Shang could kill me with a casual wave of his hand. The risk is too great. I hope Brother Su understands."

"In that case, I shall not force the matter. Eat!"

(End of Chapter)