Chapter 51: The Green Lotus Pill is Formed, Planning for the Purple Mansion

Beyond Jie County, three figures were galloping eastward.

Zhao Hong, leading Zhao Rui and Zhao Jun, did not stop until they had flown a considerable distance away from Jie County.

Glancing at Zhao Rui and Zhao Jun, Zhao Hong, the Great Elder of the Zhao family and a practitioner of the Purple Mansion stage, wore a complex expression. "This time, this old man miscalculated."

"I thought it was a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. I didn't expect a dragon to cross the river."

Zhao Rui could not help but feel a lingering fear. "That Jiang Sheng is simply too terrifying. To slay so many Foundation Establishment cultivators in just fifteen minutes!"

Zhao Hong turned to look toward the blurred silhouette of Qingping Mountain in the darkness. "This time, you two have witnessed a true prodigy."

"Do not think the Zhao family is so extraordinary. In the Sea Region, our family can still hold our own, but when it comes to the entirety of Qingzhou, what are we?"

"The three great sects of Qingzhou may exert pressure over the entire province, but once they leave Qingzhou, are they not no different from anyone else?"

"Maintain a heart of awe and focus on your cultivation. The future of the Zhao family still rests on you."

Having spoken, Zhao Hong hurriedly departed with Zhao Rui and Zhao Jun.

What had happened in Jie County was too significant. So many Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators in the Sea Region had died at once; this was undoubtedly beneficial to the Zhao family. He needed to return to the clan immediately to redistribute resources and adjust the family's influence in the Sea Region.

Meanwhile, in Qingping Mountain, Jiang Sheng was cautiously observing the Jade Green Lotus before him.

He had crossed the mountains to reach the Sea Region specifically for this lotus. First, he had slain a Black Fire Snake that was on the verge of reaching the Purple Mansion stage, and then he had lain in wait for months, slaying so many Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Sea Region. All of this was for this very moment of harvest.

"A heavenly treasure like the Jade Green Lotus must either be consumed directly or stored using spiritual jade."

As Jiang Sheng spoke, he took a palm-sized jade box from his storage bag.

"This box contains a bit of spiritual jade marrow; it should be sufficient for temporary storage."

"At the first quarter of the Mao hour, the lotus pedestal will drop. When that happens, we will use this box to collect it and then return to Qingxuan Temple."

Bai Shang listened quietly to Jiang Sheng's instructions. Once he finished, Bai Shang nodded. "Everything shall be according to the Daoist's arrangements."

The man and the fox waited quietly within the abandoned residence. As time progressed to the Mao hour, at the moment the morning sun began to rise, the lotus pedestal detached naturally from the stem.

With quick reflexes, Jiang Sheng caught the pedestal with the jade box, sealed it, and tucked it into his storage bag.

"Let's go."

Bai Shang glanced at the familiar cave dwelling with a hint of melancholy. He had a feeling they wouldn't be returning to this place for a long time.

In the early morning, Qingping Mountain was still shrouded in patches of mist.

This mist, formed from the overnight dew, would not fully dissipate until midday.

The man and the fox flew through the continuous mountain ranges of Qingping Mountain. Below them were green pines and cypresses amidst swirling clouds and mist; on either side were verdant peaks shimmering with a hint of golden light.

Birds occasionally streaked through the sky and beasts howled in the valleys. Watching the thousands of living beings in the mountains awaken from mid-air, Bai Shang felt a deep sense of emotion.

Although the Green Lotus was in hand, Jiang Sheng's nerves remained taut. It was only upon returning to the familiar Qingxuan Temple that he finally allowed himself to relax.

In front of Qingxuan Temple, Qing Yun and Qing Man seemed to have made a home there. Seeing Jiang Sheng and Bai Shang return, the two foxes were overjoyed.

"The Daoist and Brother-in-law are back! Was the trip successful?" Qing Man asked impatiently.

Jiang Sheng nodded slightly. "Everything went smoothly. We can begin preparations for alchemy."

With that, Jiang Sheng waved his hand, sending a stream of spiritual power to open a gap in the Flowing Light Jade Water Array, and the man and the three foxes entered the temple.

Inside the temple, hearing the commotion, Tian Ming'an had already brought the little fox, Bai Ying, to wait in the front hall.

Seeing his master return, Tian Ming'an immediately stepped forward. "Master."

"You haven't neglected your cultivation over the past six months." Sensing Tian Ming'an's cultivation level, Jiang Sheng finally showed a hint of a smile.

Seeing that everyone was present, Jiang Sheng smiled. "The Jade Green Lotus is in hand. In a few days, Fellow Daoist Bai and I will refine the Green Lotus Pills."

"I do not have many of the refining materials for these pills. Fellow Daoist Bai, would it be alright if I left this task to you?"

Bai Shang nodded. "To be honest with Daoist Jiang, I still possess some of the spiritual herbs required for the Green Lotus Pills."

Qing Man added, "The Green Fox clan still has some medicinal materials that can be used for alchemy."

Hearing this, Jiang Sheng set a schedule. "In that case, Fellow Daoist Bai and Fellow Daoist Qing shall go fetch the herbs. I will meditate for a day, and we shall begin alchemy tomorrow at the Chen hour."

Bai Shang and Qing Man left the temple to retrieve the herbs, while Jiang Sheng sat quietly in the front hall to regulate his breath.

Alchemy was a major undertaking, especially when refining a precious pill like the Green Lotus Pill; it naturally required one to be well-rested and focused.

The next day at the Chen hour, Bai Shang and Qing Man brought the necessary herbs, and Jiang Sheng had completed his rest.

Bai Shang followed Jiang Sheng to the rear hall to begin the alchemy, while Qing Man and Qing Yun stood guard outside the hall to provide spiritual power support at any time.

In the rear hall, Jiang Sheng and Bai Shang stood opposite each other, with the second-grade alchemy furnace positioned in the center.

As Jiang Sheng activated his Foundation Establishment True Fire to heat the furnace, Bai Shang immediately brought out various spiritual herbs.

When the furnace glowed red and the internal temperature stabilized, without needing Jiang Sheng's command, Bai Shang added the Luoxi Grass and Fulan Grass into the furnace.

A quarter of an hour later, the Night-Crossing Vine and Yellow Autumn Root were also added.

When the four types of herbs began to liquefy, Jiang Sheng placed a Jade Green Lotus Seed into the furnace. After waiting for five breaths, he added the Tianyuan Fruit and Longkui Fruit.

With the primary and auxiliary ingredients all in the furnace, the formal process of refining the Green Lotus Pill had begun.

This batch of Green Lotus Pills took a full five hours to refine, lasting from the Chen hour until the You hour before completion.

After Jiang Sheng added the Hundred Herb Dew into the furnace, the three clumps of medicinal liquid gradually transformed into three smooth, flawless, jade-green precious pills.

As soon as the three pills emerged from the furnace, a faint, exotic fragrance drifted out. The pill energy rose within the hall, eventually forming the shape of a green lotus, which lasted for a full fifteen minutes before slowly dissipating.

Seeing this, Qing Man and Qing Yun were overjoyed; it meant the Green Lotus Pills had been successfully refined.

Sure enough, Jiang Sheng's voice came from within the hall: "The first batch is complete. You may help Fellow Daoist Bai regulate his breath. We will continue refining tomorrow at the Chen hour."

After Jiang Sheng and Bai Shang rested for a night, they resumed the alchemy. Having become familiar with the process, Jiang Sheng used two Jade Green Lotus Seeds for this round.

While the rear hall was bustling with the heat of alchemy, Tian Ming'an was in the front hall, reading Taoist scriptures in a disciplined manner.

Bai Ying occasionally glanced toward the rear hall and then at Tian Ming'an. "Your master is refining pills. Aren't you curious?"

"Curious about what?" Tian Ming'an asked.

"How the refining is going, how many will be made, if there will be any for you—aren't you curious about any of that?" Bai Ying asked.

Tian Ming'an shook his head. "Alchemy is Master's business. Master will certainly not fail. As for how many are made or if there are any for me, that depends on Master, not me. Why should I trouble myself with unnecessary worries? It is better to focus on my current studies."

Having said that, Tian Ming'an continued his studies, possessing a steadiness that seemed far beyond his age.

Bai Ying blinked, looking at Tian Ming'an with confusion.

The alchemy process between Jiang Sheng and Bai Shang lasted for a total of four days.

Aside from the first day, where only one lotus seed was used, the remaining three days utilized two seeds each day.

By the end of the four days, they had harvested a total of eighteen Green Lotus Pills.

Although they had not achieved the maximum possible yield from the lotus seeds, it was more than enough for Jiang Sheng and the three foxes.

Once the alchemy was finished, Jiang Sheng took out three jade bottles and handed them to Bai Shang. "As I promised Fellow Daoist before, half of the pills belong to you. Here are nine Green Lotus Pills; please keep them safe."

Bai Shang carefully took the bottles and then bowed solemnly to Jiang Sheng. "The Daoist is a man of his word. Bai Shang is impressed."

Jiang Sheng shook his head with a hint of a smile. "Keeping one's word is nothing. If not for you, I wouldn't have obtained these pills at all, let alone the lotus pedestal."

"The karma is fulfilled. You may return now."

Bai Shang bowed to Jiang Sheng once more, then left Qingxuan Temple with Qing Yun, Qing Man, and Bai Ying.

Watching the four foxes fly into the distance, Jiang Sheng turned to Tian Ming'an. "What do you think?"

Tian Ming'an did not hesitate. "Those individuals are people of character—sincere and straightforward. They do not seem like demons or evil spirits."

"That is why I was willing to fulfill this karma," Jiang Sheng smiled.

Tapping Tian Ming'an on the head, Jiang Sheng stretched his neck. "Tomorrow, your teacher will enter seclusion again. This time, it is to attempt the breakthrough to the Purple Mansion stage. It may be that when I emerge, it will already be next year."

"It is possible that if the Golden Core cultivator comes looking, I might not be able to emerge. Do you need to go down the mountain to hide?"

Tian Ming'an shook his head. "Your disciple will not hide."

"Very well. Since I have some time now, if you have any questions regarding your cultivation, feel free to ask. I will enter seclusion tomorrow," Jiang Sheng said with a smile.

Tian Ming'an discussed the problems he had encountered during this period with Jiang Sheng. After receiving guidance and undergoing a test of his techniques, Jiang Sheng finally returned to the front hall to begin his seclusion with satisfaction.

As the doors of the front hall were sealed once more, Jiang Sheng looked at the portrait of the Ancestor and bowed deeply. "Ancestor above, your disciple Jiang Sheng has traveled and experienced the world, and has finally found the opportunity to open a Purple Mansion."

"I have decided to strike for the Purple Mansion to meet the great enemy. I ask the Ancestor to witness this."

With that, Jiang Sheng sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, with three small jade bottles placed before him.

As Jiang Sheng regulated his breath until it was smooth and flawless, he swallowed one translucent, jade-green Green Lotus Pill.

Instantly, a pure and massive surge of spiritual energy rushed into his dantian. It was then transformed by his own spiritual power, circulating through his meridians, repeatedly purified and refined until it turned into droplets of spiritual liquid within his dantian.

It took Jiang Sheng a full month to refine a single Green Lotus Pill to its complete state.

This was only possible because Jiang Sheng possessed a Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, which gave him a unique constitution.

If it were the foxes like Bai Shang, a single Green Lotus Pill would have taken them two or three years to refine.

Jiang Sheng did not stop after the first pill; he immediately swallowed another and continued the process.

In the blink of an eye, summer rain turned to autumn winds, and autumn winds turned to northern snow.

Six months passed. Jiang Sheng had consumed a total of six Green Lotus Pills, finally pushing his spiritual power to a state of near-perfection.

As Jiang Sheng slowly opened his eyes, a moment of enlightenment surged in his heart

"In seven days, it is time for me to open my Purple Mansion."