Longevity starts with choosing Hextech enhancement

Chapter 308 Fusion Refining Techniques - An Encounter with Chen Fan

"Fellow Daoist has excellent taste; this spirit robe has quite a history."

The shopkeeper enthusiastically introduced the fabric, saying, "Take a look at this base material. It's made of Bixi Ling silk, a specialty of Zejing Blessed Land. It's a genuine, top-quality spirit robe."

"Take another look at these spirit patterns and observe the craftsmanship."

The other party grabbed his sleeve and flipped it open, revealing a mark hidden underneath: "Master Gongsun's craftsmanship is enough to rank in the top ten even in the Holy City."

“Wearing this robe out in public is equivalent to wearing two robes for others.”

Holy City?

Xiao Chen noted down this special description, but that wasn't what he wanted to ask: "Everyone can recognize Bixi Lingsi, I'm asking about its characteristics."

"What is the purpose of these two spirit orbs?"

He pointed to the two red pearls that had suddenly appeared on the left side of the robe.

Against the backdrop of the navy blue robes, the two pearls stood out conspicuously, and the overall tone didn't quite match.

"Haha, fellow Daoist is truly an expert, you've hit the nail on the head right away."

Upon hearing this question, the clerk's voice rose two decibels: "This is the most distinctive feature of our spirit robe, and also its most powerful aspect."

"The Blazing Fire Realm opened forty-eight years ago."

"Old Master Jin of Linggu brought back a fragment of a magical artifact. He asked Master Gongsun to help him process it, and they obtained a total of four spirit pearls and a piece of spirit jade."

"These two spirit pearls before us are the Blazing Fire Pearls that were taken from the past."

"In terms of quality, it is made from the spiritual materials used in magical artifacts."

"In terms of face, it can be traced back to millions of years ago."

"In terms of its function, after being processed by Master Gongsun, it was perfectly integrated into this spirit robe with only 20% of the patterns modified."

"Once the spirit orb is activated, two fiery clouds can be unleashed to protect the body, specifically countering metal-based spells."

"In addition, with the Azure Water Spirit Barrier that comes with our robes, the interplay of water and fire, mutually supporting each other, will make you as secure as a rock."

This introduction took Xiao Chen somewhat by surprise.

This thing is actually something like a 'patch'.

However, in terms of actual effect, it is clearly more powerful than a patch.

It should be noted that in the original cultivation world, whether in the Southern Region or the Eastern Region...

Although there are places that recycle magical artifacts or fragments of spiritual artifacts, those are mainly for breaking down some of the spiritual materials that can be reused.

At least Xiao Chen had never seen it before.

An example of using fragments of magical artifacts or spirit tools to embed other spirit tools or magical implements.

Even though he didn't know much about weapon crafting, he could deduce from just thinking about it that the process must be very difficult.

While preserving as much of the original artifact's pattern as possible, it needs to be modified to match another spiritual artifact so that it can continue to function.

It can even exert effects beyond those of normal magical artifacts.

At the same time, Xiao Chen could easily make the connection.

Integrating fragments of magical artifacts into spiritual weapons can lower the barrier to entry for use, and when properly combined, their power will certainly be much stronger than that of normal spiritual weapons.

Is this world really that advanced in weapon crafting?

Of the four major categories of alchemy, artifacts, talismans, and arrays, it can be basically deduced that two of them are in a leading position in the new cultivation world.

In addition, there are a large number of Golden Core cultivators in Guiyunfang City.

There was also the group of five Nascent Soul True Monarchs we encountered at the restaurant earlier.

Xiao Chen had every reason to deduce that this world was more powerful and prosperous than the original cultivation world.

Although the overall environment of the cultivation world was undoubtedly better for low-level cultivators, especially rogue cultivators.

However, this realm is even more advanced in terms of high-level cultivators.

Fortunately, Xiao Chen's cultivation level is not bad now, and he has already stepped into the threshold of the fourth level.

If he could acquire better skills or even better cultivation resources in this cultivation world, it would be a great help to him.

Of course, the more this is the case, the less we should rush things; we must proceed steadily and slowly.

Xiao Chen pulled himself out of his thoughts and asked, "How much is this spirit robe?"

If it's not too expensive, he can experience what it feels like to use a fragment of a magical artifact.

"As you know, this Blazing Pearl is extremely rare, so it will be more expensive."

The cashier gestured with an eight-shaped hand: "If you pay in full at once, I can arrange to round down the amount, but it will have to be at least this much."

"If we pay in separate installments, the amount will be increased to 900,000 spirit stones."

"At the same time, our shop does not accept guarantees for spiritual items below the third rank for this spiritual artifact."

How many?

Xiao Chen gasped – 800,000 spirit stones? Why don't you just rob someone?
To be honest, this is more than just one robe worth two; in terms of price, it's worth three or four.

Putting aside others, even for him, this thing is clearly too expensive.

It's not that I can't afford the spirit stone.

After all, Xiao Chen still has 2.44 million low-grade spirit stones, enough to buy four items.

The problem is that spending money on this spirit robe feels a bit wasteful.

Instead of spending 800,000 spirit stones, it's better to add a little more and directly exchange for a custom-made spirit robe worth millions.

That would be both cost-effective and better suited to his own needs.

And then again, could it be that the other party realized he wasn't a local and was deliberately trying to rip him off by charging a high price?

Xiao Chen glanced at the receptionist and waved his hand in refusal: "It's so expensive, forget it."

Upon hearing this, the other party immediately advised, "Fellow Daoist, you might as well reconsider. Although this item is a bit expensive, it is worth the price."

"If you really like it, I can discuss the price with the shopkeeper."

It really is a rip-off!
What the hell do you mean by "let's discuss this some more"? Are you trying to fool me?
Xiao Chen was too lazy to waste words with him and simply turned and left.

It was still early, and Zhang Cunfu hadn't had time to go back yet, so naturally he couldn't get the cultivation manual.

So Xiao Chen simply took a walk on the street and went to places with lots of people to join in the fun.

Guiyun Market is especially bustling at night.

Especially after 9 PM, many cultivators finally arrived from all directions.

The number of cultivators on the streets has increased visibly, especially Foundation Establishment cultivators, who are thronging the streets like a surging tide.

"Hey, isn't this that medicine shop?"

Before long, Xiao Chen suddenly saw a group of cultivators gathering in front of him, almost completely surrounding the shop with the Hundred Pills Pavilion sign.

He immediately became interested and went over to watch the excitement.

Although he was only a Golden Core cultivator on the surface, he was enough to make the Foundation Establishment cultivators watching give way.

Therefore, Xiao Chen easily slipped into the crowd and saw the situation inside.

A young man, almost emaciated, was lying on the ground, groaning in pain.

A female cultivator of similar age was squatting beside him, holding his hand with anxious eyes.

Meanwhile, another cultivator who appeared to be middle-aged was pleading desperately: "Manager Yan, please, save Xiao Chen's life!"

"He's only thirty years old this year, but he's already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. He has the opportunity to advance further in the future."

"If you help him this once, we will repay your kindness by serving you like cattle and horses."

The person he was pleading with was a late-stage Golden Core cultivator who stood with his hands behind his back and had the words "Hundred Pills Pavilion" embroidered on his chest.

Now, however, he frowned, his face full of impatience: "I advise you to leave immediately and not try to cause trouble here!"

"You all know the rules of the pill-testing process."

"I'm just giving you a friendly warning, don't be so ungrateful."

"If you keep making a scene and alert the shopkeeper, you'll be in big trouble."

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged cultivator's face showed even greater worry.

Looking down at the young man on the ground, she couldn't bear to see him like that.

He looked up at the steward, but didn't know how to start the conversation.

Fortunately, after looking around at the crowd that had gathered, he gained some courage: "Manager Yan, no matter what, this is a life."

"Please have mercy."

“You clearly said before the pill-testing that it wouldn’t be life-threatening.”

Upon hearing this, many cultivators around looked at Steward Yan with questioning eyes.

If it really is a problem with Bai Dan Pavilion, then they shouldn't ignore it.

"Hey, you shameless bunch, you actually dare to spread rumors and cause trouble!"

Manager Yan immediately became agitated, pointing his finger at the middle-aged cultivator and shouting, "When did I ever promise not to harm his life?"

"I clearly told you before that it wouldn't be life-threatening under normal circumstances."

Did I tell you it's definitely not going to happen?

He demanded, then looked at the crowd around him: "Besides, this isn't the first time our shop has recruited people to test pills."

"New pills always come with risks; who doesn't know that rule?"

"If there's no danger, you'd have made several thousand spirit stones for free?"

Xiao Chen had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

It's likely that the problem arose because Bai Dan Ge spent money to have someone try their new pills, and the pills turned out to be toxic.

Upon hearing this, some of the surrounding cultivators sighed, while others shook their heads and left.

Some people offered words of comfort: "Alas, life and death are preordained, wealth and honor are determined by fate. This young man's encounter with the poison pill is simply his destiny. It means that he was destined to suffer this calamity."

"Let's hurry up and think of some folk remedies to see if we can save his life."

Sometimes there are other ways to treat poisoning.

Someone in the crowd even sneered, "Hmph, now they're crying and wailing, where were they before?"

"If you don't want to get poisoned, don't come to test the pills in the first place."

"When you were taking the spirit stones, why didn't you feel wronged?"

The speaker was a slightly plump cultivator dressed in brocade robes: "Judging from your clothes, I can tell you're groundhogs from the wasteland."

"You're lazy, good-for-nothing, and spread rumors and trouble. No wonder people call you scoundrels!"

These words clearly involved many onlookers, especially the many outsiders who came in the middle of the night.

Most of the people present glared angrily at him; they were all considered "ground rats" by the monks of the marketplace.

However, the cultivator in the brocade robe was at the late stage of the Golden Core realm, and his arrogant tone suggested he had some background.

Therefore, although everyone glared angrily, few dared to directly retaliate with insults or even resort to violence.

Only Steward Yan secretly cheered in his heart—well done!

If he weren't wearing Baidan Pavilion's clothes, he would have loved to join in the cursing.

"It's not like that, it's not like that."

The middle-aged cultivator quickly explained, "It was clearly agreed before the pill trial that we would be taking improved cultivation pills based on old pills."

"You switched to a different pill halfway through."

"Besides, you promised me that if anything went wrong, we would be able to save you, which is why we agreed to continue testing the pills."

How could you lie to us?

They hadn't originally intended to take the risk, but once inside the shop, the shopkeeper said they needed to temporarily change the medicine. They also assured the shopkeeper they could be rescued in case of an emergency.

Considering that I was really short of spirit stones, and that Bai Dan Ge was a large store, I thought there wouldn't be any problems, which is why I was fooled.

"Who lied to you? Which one lied to you?"

Manager Yan immediately retorted confidently, "I only said I could save him, but did I promise to save him for free?"

Did I promise you it wouldn't cost any money?

"Besides, the store has third-tier antidote pills, why don't you just buy a bottle yourself?"

The middle-aged cultivator looked completely bewildered. He never expected that such a large shop could be so shameless in front of everyone.

The problem is that if it weren't for the lack of spirit stones, they wouldn't have come to test the pills.

Even if they wanted to buy an antidote pill at this point, they couldn't afford the expensive price of a third-tier spirit pill.

He could only stand there, muttering to himself and repeatedly pleading with Steward Yan.

Many onlookers sympathized with the situation, but most were not wealthy, and few were willing to help a stranger extract spirit stones.

After all, it's not easy for rogue cultivators to survive, and survival in this world is even more difficult. They can barely take care of themselves, let alone have the energy to help others.

On the contrary, Xiao Chen's heart stirred slightly upon seeing this scene.

First of all, he still had the Yellow Dragon Detoxification Pill and Immortal Mushroom Detoxification Ointment that he had picked up for free in the Cangran Secret Realm, which he hadn't sold.

It's more than enough to save lives.

Secondly, when he was all alone before, he would sometimes feel that some things were very small, but he still had to do them himself, which was somewhat inconvenient.

For example, selling miscellaneous items, purchasing spirit honey or pastries, or going around to buy information.

Now that we've arrived in the new cultivation world, it would undoubtedly be a troublesome matter to try to profit by buying low and selling high on both sides.

Doing everything yourself would obviously waste a lot of time.

Two days ago, Xiao Chen was considering whether or not to contact Hong Xingfeng, since he was definitely a good business partner as a middleman.

This was also the main reason why he readily agreed, saying, "If I need anything in the future, I will definitely come to find Fellow Daoist Hong."

However, you can't judge a book by its cover.

Hiring just one person isn't necessarily reliable, especially since these brokers are often cunning and shrewd.

Although Zhang Cunfu is good, his position as a manager in the Guiyun Sect makes him more valuable within the sect.

In that case, it would be best to find someone else to help handle the goods while also supervising Hong Xingfeng.

The young man in front of me seems to be a very good candidate.

He's young enough, has potential, and seems like a good person.

The concern and affection in the girl's eyes were genuine, which basically suggests that Xiao Chen is a good person in general.

Moreover, the other party urgently needs help.

If I lend a helping hand and leave a life-saving favor, I'm not afraid he won't be willing to work for me wholeheartedly.

Thinking of this, Xiao Chen took two steps forward and squatted down next to the young man.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the person was trembling all over, with a purplish-blue face, and a stiff tongue, unable to speak, due to the effects of the poison.

"You should be able to hear me, so let's make a deal."

Since things had come to this, Xiao Chen got straight to the point: "I'm short-handed right now, and I'll help you detoxify. How about you work for me from now on?"

"If you agree, blink three times in a row."

Upon hearing this, the female cultivator next to him immediately tried to speak for him.

However, fearing that speaking up might offend the kind senior, she could only grip the young man's hand tightly.

Fortunately, upon hearing this, the young man immediately blinked his eyes vigorously, three times, four times, five times...

It's clear that he has a very strong will to survive.

The female cultivator beside her immediately spoke up, "Senior, he agreed!"

The surrounding cultivators all looked over with concern.

"You do it."

Xiao Chen took out the Yellow Dragon Antidote Pill and handed it to the female cultivator: "Try to see if you can swallow it."

"It's okay if he can't. Just take another pill and put it under his tongue. It'll just take a little longer to work."

The female cultivator immediately took the pill, took out a round spiritual pill, and gently put it into the young man's mouth.

Unfortunately, due to the stiffness of his tongue, the young man was no longer able to swallow.

The middle-aged cultivator standing there immediately became anxious: "Little Chen, swallow it quickly!"

Seeing this, the female cultivator glanced at the remaining pills in her hand.

She was not only hesitant about whether to take a second pill, but also worried that the slow effect of the sublingual pill might delay the detoxification process.

In a flash, she took a deep breath, leaned down and kissed him, using her own breath to help push the pill into the young man's throat.

???

Xiao Chen sensed something was wrong. "Didn't I say I could eat a second one? What are you guys doing?"

With the female cultivator's help, the young man finally managed to swallow the elixir with difficulty.

What happens next is very simple.

In just a few breaths, the young man stopped trembling.

After more than ten breaths, the purplish-blue color on his face faded away.

Struggling to speak, he said with difficulty, "Chen Fan thanks you for saving my life, senior. I will do my utmost to answer your calls in the future."

Although his breath was weak and his voice was not loud at this time.

But he spoke with extraordinary conviction, as if making a solemn vow.

"Chen Fan, right? What a good name. It sounds like a lucky person."

Xiao Chen praised him and then advised, "Don't rush to say these things. First, focus on activating your magic power to quickly absorb the medicinal properties."

"Just follow me after the medicine wears off."

Shouldn't this be accompanied by a kind smile?
Xiao Chen had a strange sense of déjà vu, as if he had picked up another seemingly nice young man.

But this is good news.

If the other party is doing well, then he won't have to worry about a lot of things in the future.

To be honest, it's just that the current conditions don't allow it.

Otherwise, going back to the Southern Region and capturing Lin Ping'an to bring him to this realm, having him help with overall planning, would definitely be the safest option.

But it's okay, Chen Fan seems to have a lot of potential.

If everything goes smoothly, I only need to nurture it initially, and it should be able to stand on its own later.

"Look!"

Seeing that Chen Fan had begun to close his eyes and regulate his breathing, causing fluctuations in the surrounding spiritual energy, someone exclaimed in surprise, "He must have really been saved."

The onlookers also started discussing it.

"I sensed that the elixir was extraordinary just now. The fragrance emanating from it was so rich. It was indeed very effective."

"This young man is really lucky; he actually managed to meet a senior in the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm."

"What did I tell you? Life and death are preordained, wealth and honor are determined by fate. This young man's encounter with a benefactor is destiny. It shows he wasn't meant to die!"

Ok?
Everyone around looked over in astonishment. "Is that what you just said?"
Of course, some people are more clever.

He immediately bowed to Xiao Chen and said, "Senior is kind and benevolent. I am also willing to serve you. Please accept me as your disciple."

"Senior, I have always been able to endure hardship and am willing to serve you wholeheartedly."

"Senior, me too!"

……

Immediately, many cultivators expressed that they could also work with Xiao Chen.

This wasn't primarily because of his act of saving people; it was simply because the wasteland lacked opportunities to earn spirit stones.

It wasn't just the wasteland; even the Golden Core cultivators who had previously been in the market town were finding it difficult to move.

Otherwise, Chen Fan and his group wouldn't have been forced into a corner and compelled to test the pills.

The only effect of saving people was to make everyone realize that Xiao Chen was a wealthy senior who lacked manpower, nothing more.

But Xiao Chen certainly wouldn't recruit any more people.

Firstly, the key personnel should be selected with quality, not quantity.

He's only in the framework-building stage now, so he won't need that many people anytime soon.

Secondly, he recruited people in order to free himself up.

Now that we already have Chen Fan, the rest of the work, including vetting and recruiting more people, can definitely be left to him.

He personally handled everything before recruiting Chen Fan, and he continued to do so after recruiting Chen Fan.

Then Chen Fan's trip would have been in vain.

"How did that happen?"

Just as everyone was either pleading with Xiao Chen or feeling happy for Chen Fan, Steward Yan was greatly surprised and found it hard to believe.

Outsiders may not know, but he knows it in his heart.

Not long ago, what he fed Chen Fan was not a cultivation pill at all.

Although it is indeed a new elixir, it is actually a new type of poisonous elixir developed by the Hundred Pill Pavilion and deliberately disguised as a normal elixir.

The poison was originally designed to kill cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage or even the early Golden Core stage!
This was nothing more than a pretext for testing the effects of the elixir, a deliberate act of poisoning.

The reason they didn't immediately send the person away was to keep them there to observe the timing and situation of the final onset of the poison and to collect test results.

At first, Chen Fan held on for fifteen minutes and still hadn't died.

Manager Yan was actually quite surprised.

However, he also knew that the main feature of his new poison was its strong aftereffects.

If the toxins cannot be suppressed in time, death is inevitable once the face turns purple from the poison.

So he wasn't in a hurry, but instead pretended to argue while carefully observing.

The problem is, Xiao Chen suddenly appeared.

With just a few words, he produced a elixir that even he didn't recognize, which directly saved Chen Fan.

The speed at which it takes effect undoubtedly indicates that their new poison pill has significant flaws.

Manager Yan carefully examined Xiao Chen for a few moments, memorizing the uninvited guest's figure and appearance.

He decided to report today's events to the shopkeeper later and revise the poison pill formula.

At the same time, we should ask someone to find out who this unfamiliar Golden Core cultivator is.

"I will never forget your great kindness and virtue, senior!"

In just a quarter of an hour, the young man stood up and bowed solemnly.

So fast?
Xiao Chen was slightly surprised. He hadn't fed Chen Fan an ordinary third-tier spirit pill, but rather a high-quality pill used exclusively by the true disciples of the Sword Pavilion.

It is said that a cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage should refine the medicine for at least a quarter of an hour to eliminate the residual medicinal properties.

This kid seems to be something special.

Could it be that I've really struck gold?

(End of this chapter)