Free Web NovelChapter 261: Chapter 235: Pill Completion, Paper Cannot Contain Fire
Due to its unique properties, refining the Yin Spirit Pill was far more difficult than refining ordinary pills. Not only did it require the complete absence of any living presence, but there were also numerous other details to be mindful of. The slightest mistake would lead to complete failure.
Chen Che once again felt the difficulty of alchemy.
But that was to be expected.
Whether it was pills, arrays, or magical artifacts... just like with cultivation realms, every time one advanced a Grand Realm, the difficulty would multiply.
So-called bottlenecks were simply a result of a weak foundation or encountering gaps in one’s knowledge.
...
Another day of alchemy came to an end.
「Imperial Mausoleum.」
Chen Yin strolled slowly with his hands behind his back. Not far behind, Chen Xi followed.
"For the True Master to invite him as a Tributor, he must have some extraordinary skills. Even if you’re resentful, you have to bow your head. He may have failed these past few days, but he has been making steady progress."
Chen Yin walked at an unhurried pace, yet he projected the air of a tiger patrolling its mountain.
"Putting everything else aside, you’ve also been secretly practicing alchemy these past few days. Did you manage it?"
"...I... did not."
Chen Xi’s expression was grim.
He had indeed been tasked with secretly learning from Chen Che.
He clearly understood every step he observed, but when he tried to replicate them, he still couldn’t match the other man’s progress. His own alchemy talent was certainly not bad—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been specially nurtured—but he was still far from being Chen Che’s equal.
Furthermore, all matters related to pills used to revolve around him. Now that Chen Che had arrived, he had completely usurped his position.
It was inevitable that his composure would be shaken.
"Ancestor, Tributor Chen isn’t even fully focused on alchemy. He also seems to be quite concerned with the True Master’s lost Divine Statue."
Chen Xi said resentfully, "I think we should go report him to the True Master!"
"It’s normal for him to be concerned. It would be strange if he paid it no mind. The True Master places great importance on this Divine Statue. Whoever finds it will have rendered a great service. Who would pass up such an opportunity? Many Major Cultivators from the Primordial Sect have also gotten involved."
Chen Yin calmly watched Chen Xi until the latter lowered his head, only then did he continue:
"Envy and jealousy are not good qualities. Your alchemy talent isn’t bad either; you might not necessarily be inferior to him. If we pool our clan’s resources, it’s not impossible for you to surpass him."
With that said, he patted Chen Xi’s shoulder.
"You should focus your mind on the proper path."
"...Yes," Chen Xi replied.
...
...
’The Yin Spirit Pill, a Tier Three Elixir refined from the ashes of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the eyes of a Tomb Guardian Beast, and the souls of ten thousand mortals.’
’Every time a furnace of pills is ruined, the lives of more than ten thousand mortals are forfeit.’
’No wonder the Earth Element Star forbids the cultivation of "Incense Fire Daoist Gods." This type of cultivation is built entirely on the corpses of mortals...’
...
Chen Che walked through the Imperial Mausoleum, lost in thought.
He wasn’t the type to work in isolation. When faced with a problem, taking a walk could broaden his thinking. As he passed by a large hall, he heard a series of footsteps. Looking up, he saw Cao Xiong, Zhou Jing, and ten other Major Cultivators—twelve in total—walking out.
"Fellow Daoist Cao, Fellow Daoist Zhou, what brings you here?"
Chen Che was a little surprised.
"We heard the True Master ran into some trouble, so we came specifically to offer our assistance."
Zhou Jing was all smiles. He raised a hand, gesturing to the Major Cultivators behind him, who all cupped their fists in greeting. "These are the helpers I invited from the Primordial Sect..."
"Excellent, that’s excellent news."
Chen Che reacted quickly, but he felt a sense of vigilance in his heart.
’This Zhou Jing is a pragmatic man. After learning I’d been recruited by the Thousand Eyes True Master, he was the first to come and offer a humble apology. His volunteering to help now is likely an attempt to curry favor with the True Master, and possibly to prevent me from speaking ill of him.’
"Once we find the Divine Statue, I’ll come have a few drinks with Valley Master Chen."
Zhou Jing cupped his fist.
"Of course. Fellow Daoist Cao will have to join us then, too," Chen Che said.
"Naturally..."
Cao Xiong replied with a smile, but he felt a little awkward.
’Just a few years ago, this man was merely a minor Tributor in Jinyun Valley. He didn’t even qualify to enter the valley due to his Middle Spirit Root. He was so deferential in my presence, but now he’s my equal, a Tributor serving the Thousand Eyes True Master.’
’It’s like he ascended to heaven in a single step...’
After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, Chen Che watched them leave and narrowed his eyes slightly.
’More and more people are getting involved in this matter with the Divine Statue. This is not good!’
’The truth will come out eventually. Given the Thousand Eyes True Master’s character—slaughtering ten thousand people for a single furnace of pills—will Jinyun Valley even be able to exist then?’
’I have to find the Divine Statue before they do. Or find that Major Cultivator.’
He turned his head.
The Thousand Eyes True Master was still coiled beneath a divine statue, absorbing souls.
Chen Che sighed inwardly.
’The only good news right now is that the Thousand Eyes True Master was injured in the battle at the Black Tortoise Calm Sea and hasn’t gotten involved. Otherwise, I wouldn’t stand a chance...’
He breathed a small sigh of relief.
Normally, the Thousand Eyes True Master would be the first to search for the Divine Statue. But now, because of the Black Tortoise Calm Sea incident, he had to put the matter of the statue on the back burner. This was a good thing for Chen Che.
In any case, there was still a chance.
’But where on earth is that Divine Statue hidden...’
Chen Che was also incredibly curious.
A divine statue nearly fifteen hundred feet tall would be as large as a small mountain no matter where it was placed. It would be incredibly conspicuous; it was impossible for it to leave no trace.
In fact, although he had remained in Hunzhou during this time, he had sent Little Chick to scout the area, but unfortunately, it had found nothing.
’Now we’ll just have to see who gets lucky!’
A chill entered Chen Che’s heart.
...
"You’re just going to admit defeat like that?"
In the blink of an eye, Cao Xiong and Zhou Jing soared into the sky. Only after they had left Hunzhou behind did Cao Xiong ask with a laugh.
Zhou Jing’s face was as dark as water. His tone was full of helplessness. "I have no choice but to admit defeat. When you can’t kill someone and the situation is not in your favor, you can only bow your head. You understand this better than I do."
Cao Xiong remained silent.
Ultimately, the simplest way to resolve a grudge is through murder and arson. But in reality, due to factors like strength, background, and personal interests, there are too many people you can’t kill. In the end, you have no choice but to concede. Of course, people like them are experts at scheming...
To say they were admitting defeat wasn’t entirely accurate.
They were merely waiting for an opportunity.
"There’s still no news about Xiao Chan’s matter, and I’ve been dismissed from my position as Chief Tutor. If I don’t admit defeat and bow my head, I’m afraid it won’t just be my position I lose. They might even cripple my cultivation..."
Cao Xiong sneered, his voice tinged with indignation.
"If I don’t take this gamble, I’ll be stuck like this for the rest of my life."
Once you’ve tasted power, you can never let it go.
How could he be content with that?
"As long as I find the Divine Statue, a single word from the Thousand Eyes True Master is all it would take for me to make a comeback."
Cao Xiong lifted his head.
"So where is the Divine Statue?"
Zhou Jing narrowed his eyes.
...
Over the next few days, the ghastly Imperial Mausoleum seemed to gain a bit of life. Cao Xiong, Zhou Jing, and Sun Hao ran into each other and exchanged a few simple pleasantries, but they did not search for the Divine Statue together. Instead, it was obvious they were putting on a friendly face while being at odds internally.
Perhaps both sides wanted to claim the credit for themselves.
The Thousand Eyes True Master, on the other hand, had gone on a long trip for some business. It was said that one of his magical artifacts had been damaged in the battle at the Black Tortoise Calm Sea, so he had taken it to be repaired.
The only thing that hadn’t changed was the Alchemy Room.
Chen Che was very busy.
Besides his daily alchemy, he also had Little Chick follow the two groups to secretly monitor their search progress. The only problem was that the two groups had each gone in a different direction, making it impossible for him to get firsthand information from both.
However, his progress on the pill was advancing rapidly. He had already reached the step of condensing the powder into the final pill.
"Tributor Chen, at this rate, the Yin Spirit Pill should be ready in three to five days, right?"
Chen Xi lifted the lid of the pill furnace, pinched a bit of the powder, and tasted it before asking with a fawning tone.
"Correct."
Chen Che nodded slightly, not bothering to hide it.
These past few days, Chen Xi’s attitude had become much more humble. He had lowered his own status, at times even willingly calling himself an apprentice. He was several times more respectful than he had been initially.
"Tributor Chen is a great talent."
Seeing Chen Che’s confidence, Chen Xi quickly cupped his fist in congratulation.
Chen Che naturally sensed the change in the other’s attitude and guessed someone had probably advised him from behind the scenes. But this was actually a good thing for him.
After finishing his alchemy for the day, Chen Xi again prepared some wine and asked Chen Che for guidance on how to refine the Yin Spirit Pill.
"It’s not that difficult, it’s just a matter of technique. I’m still figuring it out myself..." Chen Che offered some casual pointers.
"Tributor Chen, you truly are a genius. I have to admit it. I used to think I had some talent, but compared to you, I’m not even worthy of carrying your shoes."
Chen Xi flattered him.
After his ancestor’s guidance, he had come to realize it too. So what if he managed to drive Chen Che away? Wouldn’t the Thousand Eyes True Master just find another Tributor? There were so many Pill Masters in the world; could he possibly drive them all away?
Before Chen Che arrived, the Thousand Eyes True Master would have Pill Masters from the Primordial Sect refine any Tier Three Elixirs.
Learning the skills for himself—that was the true way to secure his livelihood and solidify his position.
"I can’t stay in Hunzhou permanently. Besides, I still have Jinyun Valley..."
Chen Che naturally knew what the other was thinking and revealed a little of his intentions.
’The implication was, I’m not going to steal your position as the "Imperial Mausoleum’s First Alchemist." Of course, Chen Che’s ambitions didn’t lie here anyway. There were only two Pill Masters in the entire Imperial Mausoleum. If he suppressed the other one, wouldn’t all the hard and tedious work fall on his shoulders in the future?’
Hearing this, Chen Xi’s face lit up with even greater joy.
He stood up and personally poured Chen Che a cup of wine. "The Imperial Mausoleum can’t do without Tributor Chen..."
After a few more pleasantries, the drinking session came to an end.
「Five more days passed in the blink of an eye.」
"More fire..."
Inside the Alchemy Room, Chen Che’s voice rang out. Chen Xi vigorously fanned with a cattail fan, causing the Yin Fire to surge relentlessly.
WHOOSH!
A sinister wind gusted around them, and the flames outside the pill furnace grew even more eerie.
"AWOOO!~"
At a certain moment, the pill furnace shuddered, and the sound of wailing ghosts and howling wolves suddenly erupted from within.
"It’s almost done!"
Chen Che’s eyes lit up.
This was one of the signs that the Yin Spirit Pill’s powder was condensing into a pill!
Without the slightest hesitation, Chen Che placed his hands on the Sacrificial Pill Furnace and frantically poured in his True Essence.
WHOOSH!
Gradually, sweat beaded on Chen Che’s forehead and soaked his clothes, as if his whole body was perspiring. The howling inside the furnace grew louder and louder, until at one moment, it suddenly fell silent. Then, a blast of black energy shot the lid off the tightly sealed pill furnace.
At the same time, a majestic aura emanated from within.
The Yin Spirit Pill was complete.
"It’s finally done..."
Even Chen Xi sighed with emotion. It had taken nearly a month, but they had finally succeeded in refining the Yin Spirit Pill.
Reaching out, he took out the pill.
The pill was as black as ink, like a starry sky, with countless shadows swirling within it. Lying in his hand, it seemed like a living thing.
"Yes, it’s finally done!"
Chen Che nodded slightly. Just as he was about to speak, his Divine Sense twitched. He detected a commotion within the Imperial Mausoleum. Several of the Major Cultivators who had come with Cao Xiong and Zhou Jing shot into the sky without a word, as if they had encountered something urgent.
’Could it be... they found the Divine Statue?’
Chen Che’s gaze sharpened.
’The truth is out!’
...
「Meanwhile.」
「Ze State.」
After inspecting the surrounding traces, Cao Xiong and Zhou Jing looked at each other, their eyes filled with delight.
"The Divine Statue... is here..."
