While in Hollywood, I used Taoist magic to quell American terrorism.

"Cultivation level up!"

With over 30 merit points in hand, Cao Kun's cultivation level can be upgraded again.

Without hesitation, he clicked it.

More than ten minutes later.

Cultivation level: Rank 8 Earth Master

Merit points: 188800

An eighth-rank geomancer possesses even more profound magical power.

At the same time, it has a deeper understanding of the earth's energy.

In fact, Cao Kun hadn't even used earth energy when dealing with the Slender Ghost.

Because we don't need it.

It is evident that as Cao Kun's cultivation level improved, his strength also increased significantly.

However, seeing that the "upgrade" button next to his cultivation level had turned gray again, Cao Kun couldn't help but smile wryly.

With over 30 merit points, I only leveled up once.

To advance from the eighth rank to the ninth rank, a full 256000 merit points are required.

He's not enough.

Cao Kun's gaze fell upon the newly acquired "Alchemy Manual".

Let's ignore everything else for now and focus on upgrading.

Alchemy: Level Two

Merit points: 188700

"continue!"

Alchemy: Triple

Merit points: 187700

"Again!"

Alchemy: Level Four

Merit points: 177700

Cao Kun stopped the upgrade.

To advance further, you'll need 10 merit points.

At this moment, Cao Kun's mind was filled with a vast amount of information related to alchemy.

As this information came into being, his body also underwent some subtle changes.

With his alchemy skills reaching the fourth level, Cao Kun now had access to fourth-grade pill formulas in his mind.

"Soul-Condensing Pill".

"Nourishing Spirit Pill"

Cao Kun's eyes lit up when he saw the two kinds of pills.

Both of these pills were actually capable of condensing the soul and spirit.

The Soul-Condensing Pill is a third-grade elixir that can repair damaged souls.

The Nourishing Spirit Pill is a fourth-grade elixir that can further enhance the soul and refine the spirit.

Given Catherine's current condition, the effects of the Soul-Condensing Pill are sufficient for her to quickly repair her damaged soul.

The Nourishing Spirit Pill is not only useful to Catherine, but also very useful to Cao Kun himself.

However, refining a third-grade elixir is no simple task.

However, Cao Kun felt that with his current level four alchemy skills, he should be able to quickly get the hang of it after a period of familiarization.

However, this thing requires an alchemy furnace.

Where can I get this?

Those alchemy furnaces in China are completely useless.

Alchemy cannot be achieved with ordinary fire.

If the temperature of the fire is not high enough, the true essence of the medicinal herbs cannot be extracted.

Industrial fires that generate extremely high temperatures are difficult to control.

Only the cultivator's internal fire can be used to control it at will.

However, that applies to ordinary alchemists.

[I am currently at the fourth level of alchemy, and with the aid of alchemy manuals, perhaps I can give it a try.]

When I have the fire for alchemy, I will forge another alchemy furnace.

[But even if I had the alchemy formula, I couldn't just put it directly on the stove to refine it.]

We need to think of a more reliable method.

Cao Kun pondered for a long time, then suddenly remembered that in a certain novel, it seemed that such a thing could be used to refine elixirs.

Although it sounds absurd, it makes sense if you think about the underlying principles.

It's worth a try.

That is, we need some medicinal materials to conduct the experiment.

Cao Kun is not prepared to spend his own money on this.

Cao Kun took out his phone, found Douglas's number, and dialed it without caring that it was already late at night.

Douglas was probably already asleep; the phone rang for quite a while before being answered.

Douglas, still slightly sleepy, asked, "Master Cao, is there something you need so late?"

Cao Kun: "I've found a way that might save Catherine."

Instantly, Cao Kun heard heavy breathing coming from the other end of the phone.

Douglas was completely wide awake: "Master Cao, are you telling the truth?"

Cao Kun: "Yes, but I need some more time and some experiments."

Douglas hurriedly asked, "What experiment? Can I help?"

Cao Kun: "Yes, these experiments require substantial financial support."

Douglas readily agreed: "Sure, name a number."

Cao Kun: "Give me $100 million upfront."

As soon as Cao Kun finished speaking, Douglas fell silent.

Cao Kun thought he had asked for too much.

After all, 100 million is not a small amount.

At that moment, Douglas asked, "One million, isn't that too little? Is it enough?"

Cao Kun: "..."

If you had been this generous earlier, none of this mess would have happened.

Cao Kun was speechless.

Cao Kun: "This is enough for now. If it's not enough, I'll let you know."

Douglas: "Give me an account number, and I'll have someone transfer the money to you right now."

Cao Kun: "It's already evening."

Douglas: "It can be done through online banking."

Cao Kun wanted to drag Douglas out and give him a piece of his mind. Why didn't he do that earlier?

Shortly after hanging up the phone, Cao Kun received 100 million yuan.

This forced Cao Kun to postpone the upgrade of his talisman technique.

Originally, he wanted to upgrade his talisman technique to the fifth level.

Perfect, we can test whether the skin of the Gianluigi can be used to draw talismans.

But now, it seems more important to experiment with alchemy.

The matter of talismanic arts will have to be postponed for now.

Taking advantage of the daytime weather on the other side of the Pacific, Cao Kun has logged onto a Chinese online forum.

However, this time he probably bought medicinal herbs.

"We are purchasing large quantities of various high-quality medicinal herbs at 30% above market price, with settlement in US dollars. Priority will be given to those with the following medicinal herbs..."

Cao Kun followed behind, listing a long list of medicinal herbs.

They also left their contact information.

Moreover, having learned from his previous experience of buying lightning-struck wood, he directly wrote down a price 30% higher than the market price.

However, perhaps because there are too many people in the herbal medicine forum, posts keep appearing.

His post quickly sank to the bottom and didn't get many views.

Cao Kun realized this wouldn't work.

If no one reads the posts, how can we acquire medicinal herbs?

After thinking about it, he posted a new thread.

"I've come seeking ingredients for refining an elixir of immortality. If you have any high-quality medicinal herbs for sale, please contact me. The price will satisfy you. Those with the following herbs will be given priority..."

Sure enough, comments appeared quickly after the post was published.

"What a load of bull! Making elixirs of immortality? Why don't you just fly to the heavens?"

"They're even better at bragging than me. Are all pharmaceutical companies this cunning these days?"

"Alchemy? Why don't you just say you can slay ghosts and gods with a single sword strike?"

"I've learned it, I've learned it..."

Although the comments weren't very positive, the post gradually gained popularity and remained among the top posts.

That's right, no one has contacted him to sell medicinal herbs.

Just as Cao Kun was about to shut down his computer and wash up and rest, a private message came in.

Cao Kun clicked on it and laughed; it turned out to be an acquaintance.

The message came from "Autumn Wind," the very person who sold him the lightning-struck wood.

He is also the moderator of the Lightning-Struck Wood forum.

Autumn Wind: "Boss, you actually want to buy medicinal herbs? Come to me about this."

Cao Kun asked, somewhat surprised, "You also sell medicinal herbs?"

Autumn Wind: "Let's chat on QQ."