Free Web NovelChapter 331: Method to Obtain the Pill Formula
The night was deep. The towering walls of Myriad Laws Immortal City cast huge shadows in the moonlight, like a crouching beast. Fang Hao followed the woman in black, the two separated by about ten feet. Neither spoke; only the slight sound of footsteps on the bluestone pavement could be heard.
Fang Hao knew clearly in his heart that if the nascent soul pill formula were that easy to obtain, the streets would be full of Nascent Soul Old Monsters. He dared to follow because, firstly, he was confident in his skills, and secondly, he had been backed into a corner—this item was his stepping stone to breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm. Without this brick, he couldn’t even touch the door, let alone talk about the Dao.
They didn’t go through the city gate. The woman was clearly very familiar with the paths inside the city. After several turns, they arrived at a secluded spot at the base of the city wall. She took out a strangely shaped token and flashed it at the wall. The seamless wall slid open silently, revealing a secret door only wide enough for one person to pass.
"Follow me," the woman whispered, slipping inside.
Fang Hao hesitated for a moment but followed her in. Behind the door was a dark, downward-sloping tunnel. On the stone walls on both sides, glowing fluorite was embedded at intervals, barely illuminating the steps underfoot. The air was filled with a damp, moldy smell mixed with a faint scent of sandalwood, revealing an indescribable eeriness.
After walking for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the view suddenly opened up. It was actually an elegantly decorated underground courtyard with small bridges, flowing water, and strange rocks standing everywhere. The Spiritual Qi was even denser than outside. At the end of the courtyard stood an independent small building with blue tiles and white walls. The window lattices were covered with paper, revealing a dim yellow light.
"Please wait here," the woman stopped in front of the building, her tone still cold, then pushed the door open and entered alone.
Fang Hao stood in the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings. This place was definitely not simple. To be able to create such a place filled with Spiritual Qi beneath the Myriad Laws Immortal City, the power behind it was by no means ordinary. He secretly circulated his Chaos Derivation Art to adjust his state to the best, and he communicated with his golden puppet through his thoughts, ready to rush out from his storage ring at any moment.
After about half a cup of tea’s time, the woman pushed the door open and came out, gesturing for him to enter: "My Master invites you in."
Fang Hao took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and stepped inside.
The interior was furnished in an ancient style and burned with sandalwood that calmed the heart and focused the spirit. An elderly man with white hair and beard, wearing a moon-white Daoist robe, was sitting cross-legged on a cushion. In front of him was a set of purple clay tea sets, and the tea aroma curled upwards. The old man had a refined face and gentle eyes. At first glance, he looked like a neighborly old man, but when Fang Hao’s Divine Sense swept over him, it was like a mud ox entering the sea; he couldn’t detect his depth at all.
Late Nascent Soul Stage, or even... higher! Fang Hao’s heart tightened, but his face remained calm. He bowed and saluted: "Junior Fang Hao, greetings, Senior."
The old man smiled slightly and pointed to the cushion opposite him: "Little friend, no need for formalities. Sit. Inviting you at such a late hour is abrupt; I hope you can forgive me. This old man’s surname is Su, with the given name ’Xuan’."
Fang Hao sat down as instructed, while the woman in black stood silently behind the old man, her eyes downcast, her expression unreadable.
Su Xuan poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of Fang Hao: "Try it. It is the ’Cloud Mist Spirit Bud’ grown by this old man. Although it is not a fairy tea, it is still passable."
Fang Hao picked up the teacup and took a small sip. A clear, cold Spiritual Qi flowed down his throat and straight into his Dantian, causing his spirit to perk up. "Good tea," he praised sincerely.
"The tea is good, but unfortunately, it cannot quench the thirst of the Dao." Su Xuan changed the subject, his eyes looking at Fang Hao calmly. "I heard from my useless Disciple that you seem to have some... unique insights regarding the nascent soul forming pill?"
Fang Hao put down the teacup, knowing the main event was coming. He met the old man’s gaze, neither humble nor arrogant: "I wouldn’t dare call it an insight, just that I chanced upon some fragmented Legacy and know a little bit about Alchemy. Senior must already know what this Junior is seeking."
Su Xuan nodded, his withered fingers rubbing the edge of the teacup: "The nascent soul pill formula is a core secret that every sect, faction, and major family never discloses. Its value cannot be measured by Spirit Stones. For you to want to exchange it for just a few ’unique insights’ is, frankly... a bit naive."
Fang Hao’s heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm: "Junior naturally knows its value. I just don’t know what Senior needs me to do to be willing to grant me a chance?"
A trace of appreciation flashed in Su Xuan’s eyes. This young man was steady and didn’t beat around the bush. "A chance, it’s not like there isn’t one." He said slowly, "The Myriad Laws Assembly will begin in a few days. There will be a special ’Debate’ at this assembly. This old man needs someone to represent my lineage to compete, and... must enter the top three."
"Debate?" Fang Hao frowned slightly. "Senior has many talented Disciples under your command; why use an outsider?" He glanced at the woman in black behind him. Her aura was condensed, and her attainment in Alchemy was likely not low.
Su Xuan sighed, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes: "This matter involves an old grievance and has broad implications. My Disciples are too conspicuous and easily targeted. And you, a fresh face with a solid foundation, are the most suitable candidate."
Fang Hao was silent for a moment and asked: "If Junior is lucky enough to make it into the top three, can Senior grant me the Pill Formula?"
"No." Su Xuan shook his head, his tone firm. "Entering the top three only earns you the qualification to trade with me. At that time, you will need to help me with another matter. After it is accomplished, the Pill Formula will be handed over to you."
Anger rose in Fang Hao’s heart. This old guy was adding layers of conditions; did he really think he was a pushover? But he still restrained himself on the surface: "May I ask what that matter is?"
Su Xuan’s gaze was deep: "Knowing it now will do you no good. You only need to answer: do you agree or not?"
The room fell into a deathly silence. The faint crackling of the burning sandalwood seemed exceptionally clear at this moment. Fang Hao could feel that the woman in black behind him and this unfathomable Su Xuan were waiting for his answer.
Agreeing meant getting involved in an unknown whirlpool, with a dangerous road ahead. Not agreeing meant completely losing hope of obtaining the Pill Formula, at least as far as the most reliable path currently appeared.
"I need time to consider," Fang Hao said in a deep voice.
"Very well." Su Xuan seemed to have expected this. "Give me your answer at this time tomorrow night. Clear Sound, see him out."
The woman in black named Clear Sound stepped forward and gestured for Fang Hao to follow.
Fang Hao stood up, bowed again, and turned to leave. Walking out of the small house, crossing the courtyard, and returning to the dark tunnel, he felt his back was actually cold and damp. Dealing with such calculating people was like walking on thin ice at every step.
Clear Sound silently escorted him to the secret door. Just as he was about to step out, she suddenly whispered: "Master is strict, but he always keeps his word. If you really have the ability, this might be your only chance."
Fang Hao paused, turned back to look at her. Under the moonlight, the eyes beneath the woman’s mask were clear and complicated. He didn’t speak, just nodded, then flashed out. The secret door closed silently behind him.
Returning to the "Listen to the Waves Cottage" Immortal Cave, Fang Hao set up heavy Restrictions and sat cross-legged in the quiet room, his mind unsettled.
"This old fox is clearly using me as a tool!" Fang Hao cursed in a low voice. What Debate, what old grievance, what other matter—it was all an excuse. Simply put, he wanted him to risk his life without paying the price upfront.
But did he have a choice?
He took out the Jade Slip recording the alternative plans for the "nascent soul condensing fruit" and "Heaven Soul Flower" and rubbed it in his hands. This information was his biggest bargaining chip, but it also exposed the secret that he possessed a high-level Alchemy Legacy. What Su Xuan valued was likely not just his Alchemy skills, but the "non-existent" Legacy behind him.
"Others are the knives and chopping boards, and I am the fish and meat..." Fang Hao smiled bitterly. In this cultivation world where the weak are prey to the strong, without strength, one doesn’t even have the qualification to negotiate.
He closed his eyes and looked into his Dantian. The Chaos Qi vortex rotated slowly, the golden puppet floated quietly, and the battle heaven axe was silent. This was his foundation, but facing a Nascent Soul Old Monster at the Late Stage or even higher, how many times could these trump cards protect him?
"Fine, I’ll gamble!" After a long time, Fang Hao opened his eyes abruptly, a flash of determination in his pupils. The path of cultivation is about fighting with the heavens; how could it be smooth sailing? He was determined to get this Pill Formula!
The next night, at the hour of the Rat. Withered Willow Ferry, the same old place.
Clear Sound was still waiting there, as if she had never left. Seeing Fang Hao appear on time, a flicker of imperceptible fluctuation flashed in her eyes.
"How is it?" she asked.
Fang Hao took a deep breath, looked into her eyes, and said word by word: "I agree. But there is one condition."
"Speak."
"I need Senior Su to swear a Heart Demon oath. No matter the result of the Debate, as long as I do my best, he must not harm me. Furthermore, after the matter is accomplished, the Pill Formula must be real and accurate, without any reservations or traps!" Fang Hao’s tone was firm. This was his final bottom line.
Clear Sound was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I will convey this to Master."
A moment later, she took out a communication talisman and whispered a few words. The Talisman turned into a stream of light and disappeared. Before long, a Jade Slip flew through the air and hovered in front of Fang Hao.
Fang Hao probed with his Divine Sense. Inside the Jade Slip was the Heart Demon oath made by Su Xuan with his Divine Soul imprint. The content was exactly as Fang Hao had requested, the words were sincere, the Dao rhyme flowed, and it was definitely not fake.
"Good!" Fang Hao put away the Jade Slip, feeling slightly relieved. With this Heart Demon oath, at least he didn’t have to worry about being betrayed or killed after the job was done.
"Three days later, the ’Alchemy Platform’ of the Myriad Laws Assembly, the preliminary round." Clear Sound handed over another Jade Slip. "This is the rules and precautions for the Debate, as well as... a list of some Materials you need to prepare in advance. Master said he will provide some rare Materials, but for the most part, you need to solve it yourself."
Fang Hao took the Jade Slip, swept it with his Divine Sense, and his face changed slightly. The Materials on this list were all rare items, many of which he had never even heard of, and they were worth a fortune.
"This old guy..." Fang Hao cursed inwardly, but he could only grit his teeth and accept it. "I understand."
"Also," Clear Sound paused, her tone a bit strange, "Master asked me to remind you that in this Debate, your opponents... are not simple. One of them is the most outstanding Disciple of the Medicine King Valley, named Willow Follow Wind, who is said to be able to refine Peak fourth-grade Medicinal Pills. The other is an Alchemy Genius secretly cultivated by the Heavenly Derivation Sect, with a deep background. Take care of yourself."
After speaking, she said no more, turned and merged into the night, disappearing.
Fang Hao stood where he was, holding the heavy Jade Slip, looking at the pitch-black river, speechless for a long time.
The nascent soul pill formula was indeed not easy to get. It hadn’t even started yet, and he was already pushed to the forefront, having to face the Genius Disciples of the top forces in the Western Region.
"Willow Follow Wind? A Genius of the Heavenly Derivation Sect?" A cold smile curled on the corner of Fang Hao’s mouth, and Battle Intent rose in his eyes. "Very well, let Ning see just how much weight these Alchemy geniuses of the Western Region actually have!"
He turned and strode toward the Myriad Laws Immortal City. In the night, his figure was lonely but firm.
He was determined to get this Pill Formula! Even if there were mountains of knives and seas of fire ahead, he would have to charge through them.
