Longevity starts with choosing Hextech enhancement

Chapter 418 Xiao Chen Cleverly Obtains the Elixir Formula

The two arrived at this spot and gazed into the distance.

All that could be seen was a vast expanse of misty water, where the blue water met the sky.

On the vast lake, the morning mist, like smoke and rosy clouds, has not yet completely dissipated, faintly revealing the palace built against the mountains and beside the water.

Xiao Chen noticed that nearly half of the palaces were built on the lake, standing gracefully on the water.

The pavilions and terraces are scattered in a well-organized manner, with towers and pavilions interspersed among them.

Most importantly, they are all made of spirit jade, which gleams with a warm blue light under the sunlight, blending seamlessly with the lake and mountain scenery.

There are eighty-one white jade viewing platforms on the lakeside, arranged in a nine-square grid.

Together, they formed a large array covering hundreds of miles, firmly locking the spiritual energy emanating from the Spirit Lake within it.

Runes also flow among the thirty-six outer peaks.

A massive array was constructed, covering an even larger area and stretching for thousands of miles, completely enveloping the several spiritual veins within the blessed land, ensuring that not a single wisp of spiritual energy would leak out.

As the saying goes, where water gathers, it becomes a marshland; within a boundary, it becomes a territory.

With the Great Swamp at its core and two nested arrays, it's no wonder it was named the Blessed Land of Swamp.

Moreover, the spiritual light emitted by the formation can also interfere with vision.

This makes it impossible for outsiders to see the specific situation inside the blessed land, which makes it even more mysterious and inspires imagination.

There was only one place that was different from what Xiao Chen had seen in the outside world before.

That means that all outer disciples and miscellaneous disciples of the Guiyun Sect are qualified to live on the thirty-six outer peaks.

It can share the relatively thin but far superior spiritual energy concentration within the outer array of the lakeside spiritual fields compared to the wasteland.

"Please wait a moment, senior. I will contact an acquaintance to inform them immediately."

As he spoke, Grandpa Cai took out a jade mirror and used his finger as a brush to write his intentions on the mirror surface.

Then, with a flick of his hand, a beam of spiritual light shot straight into the blessed land.

Both of them are outsiders, and if they want to enter the blessed land of Zejing, they need to wait for someone to come and guide them.

In fact, if it is a rogue cultivator in the wilderness, an additional qualification review process needs to be added.

However, the Cai family is, after all, one of the four great families.

It would be very easy for Grandpa Cai to bring a nominal younger member of the family to visit relatives and friends at the auspicious site.

Therefore, a disciple of the Guiyun Sect arrived quickly after the message was sent.

He used his identity token to open a temporary passage and brought the two of them inside.

They then led them into the inner formation and finally stopped in front of a small courtyard right next to the lake.

Then he invited them to sit in the small pavilion in the courtyard: "Master is processing spiritual materials in the alchemy room and it will take some time to finish."

"Please wait for us in the courtyard, our two distinguished guests."

After saying that, he brought over a pot of spiritual tea and four plates of melons and fruits as a welcome gift.

Xiao Chen's current identity is that of a young disciple of the Cai family, so he naturally took the opportunity to look around and observe the situation.

Although it is called a small courtyard, it is actually a hundred feet wide and more than three hundred feet long.

The winding corridors and continuous rows of houses are naturally beyond description.

The most impressive feature is that, looking back from the central courtyard, one can directly see the lake view through the reserved archway.

As you get closer, you can clearly see schools of small fish swimming in the water.

Xiao Chen felt that the face looked somewhat familiar.

Upon closer inspection, it immediately dawned on him that these small fish were the same fried spirit fish he had eaten at Haoweizhai restaurant.

No wonder it tastes so delicious; it comes from this large lake in this blessed land.

Xiao Chen soon noticed that the lake actually contained not only those small fish, but also several different species.

However, the rest of the spirit fish were neither on the menu of Haoweizhai nor on the warehouse list of Guiyunfang Market.

It's highly likely that it's not for sale to the public, but is exclusively supplied to the high-ranking members of the Guiyun Sect within the blessed land.

Xiao Chen was thinking about getting a fish to try sometime.

Seeing this, Old Master Cai couldn't help but admire it in his heart.

As expected of a senior, look at his words and actions after entering the blessed land, he acts exactly like a young person in their twenties or thirties.

And that look of him looking around is just like a newcomer entering a blessed land for the first time.

Even this knowledgeable old fellow couldn't see any flaws; everything seemed so perfectly natural.

That's truly admirable!
While waiting, many more disciples of the Guiyun Sect arrived in the courtyard.

However, they all had tasks to complete, and only glanced curiously at the guests in the courtyard out of the corner of their eyes as they walked before getting busy with their own tasks.

Some were responsible for processing low-grade spiritual materials, some for cleaning and tidying up the alchemy furnace and vacant alchemy rooms, and others for taking care of the flowers and plants in the courtyard.

About 15 minutes later.

The largest alchemy room on the right finally opened, and a thin old man with white hair and beard, but clean and tidy, walked out.

His eyes were particularly bright and sparkling, making him look much younger.

"Haha, it turns out it's Chief Cai who has graced us with his presence."

Master Zhao greeted him with a smile: "Oh dear, I was just busy processing spiritual materials, I apologize for not welcoming you sooner."

However, he was just saying that casually.

After all, dealing with spiritual materials isn't a big deal. If a distinguished guest were to arrive, he wouldn't have the mind to deal with those other things.

To put it bluntly, the Cai family has not yet cultivated a new Nascent Soul cultivator.

Therefore, a high-level alchemist like him really couldn't think much of him.

Just maintain a polite facade.

Grandpa Cai was already used to this situation, and they greeted each other with smiles.

Then he introduced Xiao Chen's false identity, stating that he was a genius in alchemy within the clan.

Then, the conversation was gradually steered towards alchemy.

He expressed his desire to observe and learn alchemy as tactfully as possible.

"Observe alchemy? No way, absolutely not."

Master Zhao immediately shook his head and refused, saying, "Fellow Daoist Cai, it's not that I'm being overly protective, but doing so is neither meaningful nor in accordance with the rules."

"Firstly, some techniques used in alchemy are secrets passed down within the sect and must not be revealed to outsiders."

"Secondly, what good is it to just watch someone else refine pills?"

As he spoke, he turned and glanced at the disciples beside him: "These good-for-nothings under my command, which one of them doesn't always stand by my side watching me refine elixirs for the sect?"

“When I was refining pills, I not only did not hold back at all, but I also intentionally offered guidance.”

"Fellow Daoist, why don't you ask them how much skill they have learned so far?"

"They're all like wooden puppets, clumsy and brainless."

The disciples who had been right immediately spoke up in unison: "It is our stupidity that has failed our master's teachings."

But they were all speechless inside, wondering why they were being targeted.

Alchemy is one of the four great arts, how can it be something that can be learned just by looking at it? Isn't this just making things difficult for people?
One of the disciples glanced at Xiao Chen, looking at this so-called 'genius of the Cai family'.

However, he felt somewhat resentful. It was all the kid's fault that the master scolded them again.

What genius? He probably just read a couple of alchemy manuals within his clan, taught himself a few first-tier pills, and then thought he was something special.

Anyone with even a slight understanding of alchemy would have immediately recognized the utterly uninformed nature of their elders' words after they uttered those remarks.

Feeling ashamed, he spoke first to offer advice.

To put it bluntly, the idea of ​​observing and learning alchemy is pure wishful thinking.

The Cai family has truly declined, and they've started to act like some unrealistic rogue cultivators in the wilderness, thinking that they can learn the craft simply by reading the entire refining process.

It's absolutely hilarious.

To be honest, even now, Grandpa Cai still doesn't understand what Xiao Chen's purpose was in doing this.

After hearing the advice, he became even more hesitant.

But he doesn't have the final say on this matter.

So he could only pretend not to understand the other party's words that meant to discourage him, and continued to negotiate: "The alchemist is right."

"It's just that my young nephew is indeed very talented and has long admired your name, Master Dan. He would like to broaden his horizons in advance."

Therefore, even if we don't learn anything from this trip in the end.

"I also hope to let him see what a true master of alchemy does when refining pills, so that he can serve as a role model."

As he spoke, Old Master Cai took out a gift box: "Please trouble the alchemist to satisfy his curiosity."

"I would like to use this item as a token of my gratitude for your guidance."

In principle, as members of the Guiyun Sect, we have no obligation to instruct outsiders.

However, Master Zhao used his divine sense to see through the box and saw the fourth-order water-type spirit pearl inside.

Therefore, it was felt that even old friends like the Cai family could not be treated as outsiders.

He thought about it carefully before saying, "The sect has rules that outsiders are not allowed to enter the alchemy room without permission, and there is no room for negotiation on that."

"However, I happen to be in the courtyard today instructing a few apprentices."

"I will personally demonstrate to them the techniques and precautions for refining low-level pills."

"If Fellow Daoist Cai doesn't mind, why not let this young friend watch it together?"

He deliberately emphasized today's connection to low-level elixirs.

The meaning is simple: if you want to see high-level pills or pills with complicated processes and techniques that take a lot of time, then forget about it.

Coincidentally, Xiao Chen was also in a hurry and was planning to go back tomorrow for the Lantern Festival.

This condition is exactly what I wanted.

Grandpa Cai happily agreed: "If that's the case, then that would be perfect."

"My nephew has only recently entered the path of alchemy, so it's a good opportunity for him to observe some of the more basic alchemy processes."

"I can't understand high-level elixirs; level two is just right."

"If it could be a relatively famous elixir that would be relatively easy to make money from after learning it, that would be even better."

There aren't many elixirs that meet all three conditions, and the Clear Dew Foundation Building Pill is just right.

"Among second-tier spirit pills, this is a spirit pill that is both relatively famous and easy to make money from."

Zhao Danshi quickly went through the options in his mind and immediately thought of the Clear Dew Foundation Building Pill as the most suitable choice.

The moment he realized this, he felt a growing sense of unease.

However, he quickly dismissed the idea.

Firstly, Grandpa Cai did not specify the type of elixir, so it doesn't seem like he came for that.

Secondly, the Cai family is one of the four major families, so the possibility of them having problems is relatively low.

Thirdly, and most importantly, what good is it to just watch someone else refine pills?
Therefore, Master Zhao felt that he was probably overthinking things. After relaxing, he even began to ponder whether it was appropriate to only demonstrate one type of elixir.

After all, the box contained a fourth-tier spiritual item, so we couldn't be too perfunctory.

So he thought of another second-tier elixir that barely met those three conditions, and decided to demonstrate both elixirs.

Therefore, Xiao Chen first watched the refining process of the two Qi-boosting pills.

Then I watched the refining process of the Qinglu Foundation Building Pill again.

Buy one get one free is a valid offer.

It's worth mentioning that the two modified Qi-boosting pills also have very good effects.

Compared to the cultivation pills popular in the Southern and Eastern Regions, this one is about 50% more effective.

In addition, Xiao Chen finally learned the secret behind the remarkable effects of the Clear Dew Foundation Building Pill.

Because it contains a special medicinal ingredient—the Soul-Startling Grass!

It is a spiritual herb that can stimulate a cultivator's spiritual sense in a short period of time, but will eventually cause many side effects.

It's not actually a rare species; it's just that it's often used in poisons or hallucinogens due to its peculiar uses.

No one had ever thought of adding it to the Foundation Establishment Pill before.

Even Xiao Chen had never considered this direction.

It wasn't until I saw it with my own eyes that everything became clear.

What is the most difficult hurdle in the traditional foundation-building process?

Actually, it's not about the barrier of Qi and blood, nor about the barrier of magical power, but about the final barrier of spiritual consciousness.

Both of these issues can be resolved through intentional training or by consuming ordinary Foundation Building Pills.

The only major hurdle is the spiritual consciousness barrier, which requires cultivators to have sufficient basic spiritual consciousness strength to awaken their spiritual consciousness.

Therefore, if one can use the Soul-Startling Grass to enhance one's spiritual sense, one can easily cross this final threshold and achieve an astonishing 90% success rate.

Of course, doing so also means facing its side effects.

The greatest secret of the Qinglu Foundation Building Pill lies within this.

After all, the secret of the Frightening Grass can't be kept hidden from everyone forever, from ancient times to the present.

The true core secret lies in the series of ingenious and even unbelievable methods and auxiliary drug preparations used in the process of alchemy to deal with its side effects.

Its main point is not that it is particularly difficult to use.

In the long process that lasts for three hours, almost every step is interconnected, with various auxiliary medicines complementing each other.

This means that the person who designed this formula was extremely perverted.

He did not attempt to improve upon the ordinary Foundation Establishment Pill, nor did he try to modify any particular step or ingredient.

Instead, it directly overturned the Foundation Establishment Pill, which had been passed down for countless years and was already very mature.

They chose to start from scratch.

Furthermore, during the conceptualization process, one must consider all aspects at all times in order to design such an incredible prescription.

Xiao Chen still didn't know who invented the Clear Dew Foundation Building Pill.

However, he was certain that the other party was definitely not a low-level alchemist, otherwise they would not have such a profound and insightful idea.

It is highly likely that a fifth-level alchemist redesigned the Foundation Establishment Pill formula.

He should be at least a fourth-level alchemist; it can't be any lower.

"This is truly a perfect prescription; it's practically a work of art!"

Xiao Chen sighed inwardly, then felt a surge of joy: "But now it's mine."

This is thanks to the effect of [The Heart of the Alchemist].

Although he only watched the refining process once, he had already directly reconstructed the formula for the Clear Dew Foundation Building Pill in his mind.

And it's the most formal kind!
From now on, even if the alchemist who invented the formula comes in person...

It's impossible for him to do a better job than Xiao Chen in the refining process; at most, the two of them can do it just as well.

The same applies to another Qi-boosting pill with two modifications.

Although this was just an extra ingredient, Xiao Chen was too lazy to even refine it himself.

However, it can be used to teach other alchemists and then take a cut of their profits.

The only factor currently limiting the production of Qinglu Zhuji Dan is...

It seems that only Xiao Chen is willing to invest the time in alchemy.

After all, this is different from the two-modification Qi-boosting pill. Apart from the fact that he can learn it after seeing it once, it might be a little more difficult to teach others.

Fortunately, if this thing were brought back to the Eastern Region, it would be extremely profitable.

At that time, it should only take a little time to refine enough Clear Dew Foundation Building Pills to make a fortune.

"Fellow Daoist Cai, please come visit often when you have time, let's keep in touch."

"I will likely trouble Fellow Daoist Zhao many times in the future, so please don't bother seeing me off."

While Xiao Chen was pondering, his trip to the blessed land had already come to an end.

After coming out, Grandpa Cai was still somewhat puzzled and tentatively asked, "Senior, what should we do next?"

He felt that this trip was a waste of time, and there should be a follow-up plan.

However, Xiao Chen smiled mysteriously and said, "It's alright, you can go back now."

Without explaining, he turned and disappeared without a trace.

Grandpa Cai was left alone, completely bewildered.

In the end, he had no choice but to return to Pingyi alone, still confused.

As for Xiao Chen, he deliberately left the Zejing Blessed Land area for safety reasons.

They deliberately deviated from the main road with more pedestrians by more than 30,000 li, and hid in a small ravine, where they launched their shuttle.

It was another dizzying sensation.

Once Xiao Chen regained his footing, he was back on the deserted island in the Sea of ​​Compassion.

The bright moonlight was shining on him. He looked up and observed the stars. It was about three quarters past 7 PM.

There is less than half an hour left before the lunar eclipse is likely to occur.

"Oh dear, I almost missed it."

Xiao Chen quickly determined the direction and returned to Ji'e Island.

His time wouldn't normally be so tight, but he stayed in the Zejing Blessed Land for a while, so it wasn't enough.

Thanks to his swift and efficient actions, he managed to return just in time.

"Ding!"

As soon as Xiao Chen stepped into the territory of Ji'e Island, he heard the familiar sound of the red rope bell.

Then Su Li took the initiative to greet her, a hint of surprise on her pretty face: "You're back!"

She has been sitting on the rocks in front of the beach with her knees wrapped around her waist since this morning.

They waited all day, from sunrise to sunset, but Xiao Chen never returned.

As the lunar eclipse drew near, she almost assumed that the other person must have had something come up and wouldn't be coming back.

"What, you didn't think I wasn't coming back today, did you?"

Xiao Chen spoke up and asked in return, "I told you before I left that even if there were any delays, I wouldn't miss the lunar eclipse."

"I never expected you to doubt me. This is truly heartbreaking."

Although he said he was sad.

However, the wide smile and relaxed tone made it easy for Su Li to tell that it was just a joke.

So, a slight smile involuntarily appeared on his lips: "I never thought of that."

"Hmph, who cares if you come back or not."

"However, since you've made it back, I, the Holy Maiden, will reluctantly invite you to participate in this lunar eclipse ceremony."

After she finished speaking, she burst out laughing, clutching her stomach.

After the two finished speaking, they arrived at the center of the island, and it was exactly midnight.

As a beam of moonlight, as real as the moon itself, fell, the two embraced under the moonlight and watched together the scene of the Moon Witch Clan's inheritance.

Coincidentally, the first thing we did this time was a sacrificial ceremony.

The Moon Witches pray to the moon to receive the baptism of its power.

Judging from this scene, the power of the moonlight should be a harmless force.

In other words, the inheritance that Su Li received should be fine, and she can continue cultivating with complete peace of mind.

The reason for the anomaly should still lie in the curse of the lunar eclipse.

This can only be postponed and resolved later.

Then the screen flashed, and yet another battle ensued.

It seems that apart from sacrifices, festivals, and ceremonies, the Moon Witches spend the rest of their time engaged in various battles.

However, this time they weren't attacking other tribes.

Instead, it was a huge sea beast, which looked to be over two thousand feet tall.

Now that he saw a two-thousand-foot-tall demon, Xiao Chen was no longer very surprised, after all, he had already seen even larger giant sea beasts.

However, one strange thing is that he recognized the fish in the picture as a grouper.

This is clearly unreasonable.

The monsters that Xiao Chen had encountered before, which were over a thousand feet long, were either sea beasts or dragons.

This is the first time I've ever seen such a big sea fish.

Moreover, judging from the scene, the grouper was probably not a level 5 sea fish, because it was caught very quickly.

Next, Xiao Chen saw a red flower crab that was over 1,500 feet in size.

Including its long upper jaw, it was a sailfish that was over 2,400 feet long.

And a nearly two-thousand-foot-long axefish.

They were all successfully hunted down one by one by the Moon Witch Clan, and then joyfully brought back to the tribe, causing many witches to dance and celebrate.

Wow, so many giant sea fish!

What is going on here?
After a moment's thought, Xiao Chen quickly recalled the records about the decline of spiritual energy that he had seen on Tianxing Island.

Could it be that there was a period when the spiritual energy was exceptionally abundant, allowing even fourth-order sea fish to grow to over two thousand feet?

Otherwise, it just doesn't make sense.

Unfortunately, things from so long ago are probably difficult to verify now.

(End of this chapter)