Chapter 263

Chapter 263: Pill Alchemy

A year later.

On this day, Zhou Luo, who was diligently delving into Gu techniques at home, suddenly received a transmission from Geng Feng.

The transmission didn’t say much, only instructing him to come to the mansion immediately.

This made Zhou Luo’s heart stir.

Could it be news about pill alchemy?

Over the years, he had occasionally interacted with Geng Feng, during which he had expressed his desire to meet Geng Feng’s master, Pill Master Sun.

However, this Pill Master Sun was incredibly busy, so a meeting had never been arranged.

Now, being summoned to the mansion so suddenly most likely meant he was finally going to meet Pill Master Sun.

Thinking this, Zhou Luo immediately called for Little White, instructing it to guard the courtyard well. He then went to see Lin Xi to explain.

"Husband, rest assured. I will take good care of Sister Li Ying and Sister Linghui," Lin Xi said, holding little Chang Lang in her arms.

Thanks to the effects of the Dream Blue Flower, both women had conceived one after another three months ago.

This had also earned him two lottery rewards. However, these rewards hadn’t brought substantial improvements; apart from a spiritual appraisal skill, the other was a sliver of Qi of Innate Origins.

This Qi of Innate Origins naturally went to the newborn Chang Lang. As for the spiritual appraisal skill, which enabled him to identify certain treasures, it was slightly better than nothing.

As for the Second Level alchemy skill, it still hadn’t been drawn.

After giving his instructions, Zhou Luo immediately hurried to Geng Feng’s mansion next door.

Upon arriving at the large mansion, he realized there was already another person present: Xu Tian, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Xu Tian today remained as charming and striking as ever, though her attire was noticeably more restrained. It seemed she was aware she was about to meet a second level Pill Master, choosing a more conservative look than usual.

Seeing her presence, Zhou Luo instantly understood: this meeting with Pill Master Sun was likely to witness a pill refinement.

He had painstakingly researched the Second Level alchemy skill for many years. If he could witness a Pill Master refining pills firsthand, or even get the chance to seek advice, he might finally make some progress in his alchemy skill.

It seemed the favors owed over these past few years hadn’t been in vain.

"Pill Master Zhou, are you also here to request that Pill Master Sun refine a Foundation Establishment Dan for you?" Xu Tian asked him, a smile playing at the corners of her eyes as she regarded him.

Zhou Luo had never revealed his true strength over the years, but his search for Foundation Establishment materials hadn’t gone unnoticed.

"It’s merely a task assigned by an elder in my family," Zhou Luo responded.

Xu Tian chuckled softly as she looked at him and didn’t press further.

She had investigated him quite thoroughly in these past years.

Judging by his character and actions, Xu Tian didn’t believe for a second he was the type to exert himself so wholeheartedly for the sake of his family.

Therefore, it was most likely for his own Foundation Establishment.

She simply hadn’t expected someone with a Ninth Grade spirit root to already be nearing the threshold of Foundation Establishment. It seemed this man harbored significant opportunities within him.

Xu Tian thought secretly to herself.

"Let’s go, accompany me to my master’s residence," Pill Master Geng said, now dressed in formal attire, addressing both of them.

Immediately, the group of three set off towards the core district of the Immortal City.

Before long, they landed at the entrance to the core district.

Geng Feng took out his identification and exchanged a few words with the guarding cultivator before leading the two inside.

Since they were close to the city center, everyone kept their breaths shallow and proceeded with extreme caution, careful not to release even a wisp of aura.

It was said that the core district housed the most Foundation Establishment cultivators, and even the strongest Golden Core master of the Immortal City resided here.

Therefore, they had to maintain utmost prudence.

Shortly after, they found the residence of Pill Master Sun among the towering "mountains."

It was a relatively plain dwelling, devoid of any hint of luxury or extravagance; instead, it hinted at a return to simplicity.

Geng Feng cautiously approached the door and knocked.

A moment later, a boyish attendant came out to greet them: "Fifth Senior Brother, you’ve arrived."

"Mm." Geng Feng gave a brief nod to his junior brother and led them straight to the alchemy place within the compound.

In the courtyard in front of the alchemy hall, two other groups of people were already standing.

Both leaders radiated auras at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refinement. Upon seeing Geng Feng, they nodded to him in acknowledgment.

Through the ensuing conversation, Zhou Luo learned that these two groups were also here to crowdsource for alchemy with Xu Tian; however, they hadn’t been introduced by Geng Feng. They had come through other disciples of Pill Master Sun.

After all, this Pill Master Sun was said to adore taking in disciples, readily accepting anyone with even a hint of talent.

He presently had no fewer than a dozen disciples.

Some, like Geng Feng, had long moved out and had their own dwellings in the inner city.

Others, like the boy attendant, still served by his side as attendants.

A quarter of an hour later, an old man with white hair, yet a youthful, energetic face and bright eyes, slowly emerged from the alchemy hall. Not the slightest fluctuation of aura could be detected from him.

Yet, none present dared to underestimate him; they all cupped their hands respectfully in greeting.

"Pill Master Sun."

Pill Master Sun looked lightly at them and spoke: "Take out your materials for this old one to examine."

Immediately, the leaders of the three groups presented their Foundation Establishment materials.

After scanning them with his mental strength, Pill Master Sun appeared quite pleased: "Good. There’s even a two-hundred-year Xuan Ling fruit."

The value of spiritual grass and potent herbs related to their age. The older they were, the better their effects.

Of course, this wasn’t absolute, as efficacy depended on many other factors as well.

Hearing these words, Zhou Luo couldn’t help but think about his own Xuan Ling fruit; it should be at least a hundred years old.

The growth cycle of the Xuan Ling fruit was far longer than that of Dragon Blood Grass. To reach maturity took at least fifty years, and to achieve peak efficacy required another fifty years at minimum.

Among the three main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Dan, this main herb was arguably the rarest, effectively monopolized by major powers.

It was indeed fortunate that he had managed to obtain it from Liu Fu Chen.

Beside him, Xu Tian’s beautiful eyes flickered slightly as she cast a glance at Zhou Luo upon hearing these words.

It was precisely because she lacked the Xuan Ling fruit that she’d resorted to crowdsourcing for alchemy.

She originally had one, carried by Senior Brother Liu Fu Chen.

But then her Senior Brother had met sudden disaster—killed by a Foundation Establishment strong person. With him gone, the most crucial main ingredient was lost as well.

When you thought about it, it had quite a bit to do with the Zhou Luo standing beside her.

She didn’t believe Zhou Luo could have killed her Senior Brother himself, but given his undeniable connection to the events, she couldn’t help feeling a trace of resentment towards him.

After the brief inspection, Pill Master Sun withdrew his gaze and surveyed the three groups before him.

"Friends," he said meaningfully, "before refining this Dan, this old one must give you a friendly reminder: the Foundation Establishment Dan is not easily refined."

The materials for Foundation Establishment Dan were exceedingly scarce. Only major Immortal Sects had ample opportunity to practice its refinement.

As for a loose cultivator like Pill Master Sun, while he possessed the ability to refine the Foundation Establishment Dan, claiming great proficiency was another matter entirely.

Hence his subtle hint that he wasn’t entirely confident.

Everyone understood the implication perfectly and voiced no objections.

Pill Master Sun then offered another dose of caution.

His remarks boiled down to this: he hadn’t refined it many times before. Generally, he could produce two pellets; on a good day, maybe three; if luck was against him, perhaps only one.

Since three groups were involved this time, he felt it necessary to state this upfront to avoid complications later.

Truth be told, this chance to refine another Foundation Establishment Dan was yet another welcome opportunity for him to hone his skills.