Cultivating Immortality Through a Hundred Lifetimes in Both Realms

After pondering for a long time, Rong Daoren suddenly opened his eyes and asked, "Is this last ingredient the freshest willow bud from a hundred-year-old willow tree?"

"Master's eyes are discerning; the medicinal ingredient is indeed willow bud."

Upon hearing this, Cui Ding immediately bowed and said, "When I first glimpsed the formula for the Qi-Boosting Pill, I was amazed that these low-grade medicinal herbs could be combined in such a way."

"I never imagined that willow buds, which can be seen everywhere, could be used as a medicinal ingredient for this elixir."

Master Rong nodded slightly before picking up the jade slip containing the formula for the Qi-Boosting Pill and examining it.

He discovered that the elixir formula recorded in the jade slip was exactly the same as his analysis.

"This elixir uses simple ingredients, but the medicinal guide is exquisite; the person who formulated it must have poured their heart and soul into it." Master Rong inquired, "Who exactly formulated this elixir?"

"Reporting to Master, Zhou Yun, a second-tier low-grade alchemist from the Zhou family of Ningyuanfang," Cui Ding replied, "he intends to sell his alchemy formula at the Duibao Pavilion, and it just so happens that I will be the one to examine and verify it."

"So it's Zhou Yun from the Zhou family of Ningyuanfang." Master Rong praised, "This person is indeed a genius in alchemy. I saw him before the last Blood Moon."

"The formula for the Qi-Boosting Pill is exquisite, but unfortunately it is only a first-grade high-quality pill."

"If he can develop a formula for a second-grade low-level pill, we might take him as a disciple, or perhaps introduce him to our master."

Cui Ding was startled.

The master's master, isn't that the grandmaster Wanlingzi?

"Go down. There's nothing wrong with the formula and the pills. You can take them to the Treasure Exchange Pavilion to sell without worry."

At this moment, Daoist Rong waved his hand, closed his eyes, and said:

"I just pondered the ingredients for the Qi-boosting pill and seem to have gained some insight. I need to go into seclusion for a while."

"Yes, sir." Cui Ding was startled again and quickly retreated, sighing inwardly, "If Master can gain enlightenment, why can't I?"

With that in mind, Cui Ding returned to the Pill Hall and began studying the formula for the Qi-Boosting Pill, trying to figure something out.

A few days later, he actually figured some things out.

"In the art of alchemy, if you want to develop a formula, besides having ingenious ideas, you also need to be bold in trying new things."

"If willow buds can be used as a medicinal ingredient, why can't other readily available things be used?"

Cui Ding seemed to understand something, and his mood immediately improved.

He immediately contacted the headquarters of Duibaoge and explained that the formulas for the three pills, namely Yiqi Dan, Yangqi Dan, and Ningqi Dan, were correct and could be put up for sale.

Furthermore, he ordered the jade slip containing the elixir formula and Jiang Yun's identity token to be returned to the Ningyuanfang Treasure Pavilion.

……

Two months have passed since Jiang Yun asked the clan chief to procure medicinal herbs.

Two months have passed, and Zhou Hongde has prepared the medicinal herbs and personally delivered them to Jiang Yun's cave.

"A total of seventy-five portions of medicinal herbs, no more, no less."

After taking stock, Jiang Yun realized that the clan leader hadn't given him many extra medicinal herbs this time, probably because second-tier herbs were more expensive.

"I've got the medicinal herbs. Time to try refining a mid-grade second-tier pill!"

Soon, Jiang Yun took the medicinal herbs into the alchemy room of the Zhou family's alchemy hall and began to try to refine a second-grade mid-level Qi Condensation and Recovery Pill.

A month later.

In the alchemy room, Jiang Yun couldn't help but shake his head.

"This month, I tried to refine the Qi Condensation Pill twice, and both attempts failed."

"Take your time, let's go check out the Treasure Pavilion first."

"The three-month period has passed, and the prescription should have been reviewed by now."

Thinking of this, Jiang Yun got up, dusted off his robes, and left the Pill Hall for Ningyuanfang Treasure Exchange Pavilion.

At the Duibao Pavilion in Ningyuanfang, Qiu Jiantian had been waiting for Jiang Yun for a long time.

Because a month ago, the Pill Hall of the Purple Cloud Sect had already approved Jiang Yun's three pill formulas.

"Manager Qiu, how is the review of the pill formula going?" Jiang Yun asked as soon as he entered the Duibao Pavilion.

"After review and verification by the Pill Hall of my Zixiao Sect, there are no problems with your three pill formulas. From today onwards, they can be sold in all Treasure Exchange Pavilions," Qiu Jiantian said in a deep voice.

"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Qiu." Jiang Yun smiled and asked, "How many contribution points are needed to exchange for a Grade 1 High-Quality Qi-Boosting Pill? And what are the prices of Qi-Nourishing Pills and Qi-Condensing Pills?"

Qiu Jiantian took out Jiang Yun's identity token and returned it to its rightful owner, explaining, "A first-grade high-quality pill costs 500 contribution points, a mid-grade pill costs 300 contribution points, and a low-grade pill costs 100 contribution points."

"A second-tier low-grade item costs 1,000 contribution points, a mid-grade item costs 1,500 contribution points, and a high-grade item costs 2,000 contribution points."

Jiang Yun nodded.

It seems to be a normal price, the same as other first-grade high-quality pills.

"I see, thank you for informing me, Steward Qiu." Jiang Yun retrieved his identity token and smiled, "Then I'll just wait for the contribution points to arrive."

Qiu Jiantian shook his head and smiled without saying a word.

"Steward Qiu doesn't seem to have a high opinion of these three pill formulas?"

Jiang Yun scrutinized Qiu Jiantian's expression, wondering if there was some hidden meaning behind this.

So he took out two hundred spirit stones and handed them to Qiu Jiantian without making a sound.

Jiang Yun had already spent all his Yuan Stones on medicinal herbs, but he had nine Ningyuan Ginseng plants, which saved him more than 1,500 Yuan Stones.

Qiu Jiantian swiftly accepted the spirit stones before asking, "Not to mention the three pill formulas, you haven't sold any of these three pills to anyone yet, have you?"

"That's right." Jiang Yun nodded.

"Just because there are pill formulas listed for sale in the Treasure Exchange Pavilion doesn't mean anyone will actually come to exchange them," Qiu Jiantian said with a smile.

"The three pill formulas you have developed have all passed the review of the Pill Hall, and the Qi-Boosting Pill is comparable to five first-grade high-quality Yuan Pills."

"With the certification of my Zixiao Sect's Pill Hall, all you need to do next is use this name to refine and sell Qi-boosting pills, build up the reputation of the pills, and that's when people will come to exchange for the pill formula."

"Otherwise, who would come to the Treasure Pavilion to exchange for your pill formula?"

Upon hearing Qiu Jiantian's words, Jiang Yun couldn't help but nod; the two hundred spirit stones were well spent.

Seeing Jiang Yun nod, Qiu Jiantian continued:

"Let me ask you this: if Zhou's Pill Shop sells Qi-Boosting Pills very well, and all the late-stage Qi Refining cultivators in Maple Leaf City's 49 wards are scrambling to buy them, won't other pill shops get envious?"

Jiang Yun laughed and said, "Of course I'm envious."

"It's normal to be envious," Qiu Jiantian said with a smile, stroking his beard. "If your pill shop isn't doing as well as others, then just choose to sell the same pills as them."

"At that time, the cultivation families in the forty-nine wards of Maple Leaf City will learn that your Zhou family's Qi-boosting pills are selling very well."

"They'll definitely go to the Treasure Pavilion to exchange for the Qi-Boosting Pill formula in order to get a share of the profits!"

Jiang Yun's eyes lit up, realizing that Qiu Jiantian's analysis was extremely insightful.

His goal was to earn contribution points, not spirit stones; the key issue was that someone came to exchange for the pill formula.

As the saying goes, if you can't beat them, join them.

Jiang Yun's pill formulas and their effects have been recognized by the Pill Hall of the Zixiao Sect. Among them, the Qi-Boosting Pill is comparable to five kinds of first-grade high-quality Yuan Pills.

Using this name, Zhou's Pill Shop launched a brand-new Qi-Boosting Pill for sale, which naturally attracted a lot of people to buy it.

At that time, not only the cultivation families in Ningyuanfang will be envious, but cultivation families in other markets will also be envious.

After all, in terms of efficacy, the Qi-Boosting Pill is considered the sixth type of first-grade superior Yuan Pill.

"Thank you for your guidance, Steward Qiu," Jiang Yun said.

"It's a small matter," Qiu Jiantian said with a smile. "Maple Leaf City has forty-nine workshops. If three cultivation families from each workshop come to exchange for the Qi-Boosting Pill formula..."

At this point, Qiu Jiantian flicked his sleeve, and an abacus appeared on the counter.

"Let me calculate for you. If each workshop has three households exchanging for the Qi-Boosting Pill formula, then the forty-nine workshops will exchange for a total of one hundred and forty-seven times."

"Each redemption requires 500 contribution points, for a total of 73500 contribution points."

"My Zixiao Sect will take 30%, you'll get 70%, and in the end you'll receive 51450 contribution points!"