Chapter 240

“Oh?”

“I've only been refining pills for three months?”

Fang Qing carefully stored away the superior-grade Profound Star Cascade Pill. After making a quick calculation with his fingers, he could not help but smile.

“I originally estimated that refining this pill would take at least a year. I never expected that by sheer coincidence, not only would my Dao Foundation reach completion, but my alchemy skills would improve tremendously as well.”

He could feel that once he fully absorbed the insights gained from this experience of 'alchemy as cultivation,' not only would he be able to challenge the threshold of a quasi-fourth-rank alchemist, but every future session of water-method alchemy would no longer be a lengthy, tedious task. Instead, it would directly benefit his own cultivation.

“Now that my Wind-Positioned Dao Foundation has reached completion, I can finally set my sights on the Purple Mansion realm.”

Fang Qing let out a satisfied sigh, though his expression soon grew solemn once more.

Purple Mansion.

Divine abilities.

This step weighed heavier than a thousand jun.

In the Qi Ingestion path, the moment one entered the Purple Mansion realm, one transcended mortality, stepped beyond the game board, and became a player rather than a piece.

From then on, there would be no need to fear manipulation by higher sects or being used as bait in someone else's schemes. One could roam freely and enjoy five hundred years of life.

Countless heavenly geniuses and outstanding talents had fallen before this threshold.

Li Rulong was one such example.

Even Sangji, with his cultivation and Dao comprehension, had nearly failed.

This alone demonstrated the difficulty of cultivating divine abilities.

Fang Qing silently recalled the records regarding divine abilities found within the ancient texts of Ancient Shu.

'Divine abilities are miraculous powers that transcend mortality and enter sainthood, surpassing the mundane and soaring beyond the heavens. They seize the creations of heaven and earth and steal the mysteries of yin and yang.'

The Purple Mansion cultivation methods in his possession likewise contained numerous descriptions of how to break through to the Purple Mansion realm and cultivate divine abilities.

The Precious Earth Returning to Origin Scripture stated:

'When body and spirit unite as one, longevity is attained.'

The Azure Luan True Flame Scripture declared:

'Open the Purple Mansion, and it shall resemble primordial chaos at the dawn of creation, where light first emerges from obscurity.'

The Forest Creek Deer-Sighting Art recorded:

'Remain tranquil and empty, and true qi will follow naturally.'

The Heavenly Escape Sword Art required sword cultivators to gather their spirit and qi, unite the primordial metal essence within the Purple Mansion, and use unwavering determination to break through the mysterious barrier.

There were countless such methods.

Yet without exception, every path was fraught with immense difficulty and danger.

Without extraordinary determination and great opportunities, success was impossible.

“Since I began cultivating, have I faced few hardships?”

Fang Qing sighed softly and returned his attention to his primary cultivation method, the Listening to the Mysterious Cavern Spring Scripture.

There was little point studying other traditions in depth. After all, his primary cultivation lay in the [Ji Water] lineage, and he intended to use Wind-Positioned to break through to the Purple Mansion realm.

Although he now possessed two other [Ji Water] Purple Mansion cultivation methods, both had been acquired through instant conversion. Neither felt as natural or familiar as the Wind-Positioned Dao Foundation he had cultivated step by step with his own hands.

The Listening to the Mysterious Cavern Spring Scripture was itself a Purple Mansion cultivation method and naturally contained instructions for breaking through.

'At the juncture where the dark moon and new moon intersect beneath a clear starry sky, seize Kan and fill Li. Gather the spiritual essence of Ji Water, the brilliance of the constellation, and the primal powers of water and fire within the Purple Mansion.'

'When the Purple Mansion opens, yin winds shall circulate, rising from the bubbling springs beneath the feet and piercing straight through the Niwan Palace. The five viscera shall turn to ash, the four limbs decay, bones and flesh wither away, and the body itself dissolve.'

“Breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm truly is difficult. Difficult beyond measure.”

“Fortunately, I am already a Core Formation cultivator. I still have five hundred years of lifespan to plan carefully.”

“Moreover, I possess many spiritual treasures, such as the ten-thousand-year stone marrow and supreme-grade spirit stones. With sufficient preparation, I should be able to address these dangers in advance.”

Fang Qing let out a long breath.

“Of course, the ideal solution would be to obtain a [Ji Water] spiritual object capable of assisting with a Purple Mansion breakthrough. Only then could I ensure everything proceeds without mishap.”

“And according to Sangji, breaking through to Purple Mansion also brings all sorts of bizarre and fantastical phenomena. It sounds somewhat similar to the heart demon tribulations encountered during Nascent Sou forming.”

“I should gather more treasures that can resist heart demons.”

“Conveniently enough, I already possess that piece of Brightlum Crystal. I should refine the Abstruse Dark Mirror as soon as possible. It will give me another layer of protection.”

“The Eastern Sea cultivation world truly is rich in resources. I've heard there are many spiritual treasures specifically useful against heart demon tribulations. I should gather as many as possible.”

In short, he intended to use the abundant resources of the Qi Refining path to smooth out his road to the Purple Mansion realm.

“The spiritual qi here is excellent. Perfect for refining the Abstruse Dark Mirror…”

Seeing that he still had time remaining after finishing his alchemy session, Fang Qing immediately patted his storage bag and took out the box containing the Brightlum Crystal.

Judging from the difficulty of advancing to Purple Mansion, this natal treasure would not only help him resist heart demon tribulations in the future, but could already play an important role during the breakthrough itself.

Naturally, it deserved careful refinement.

As for the issue of consuming his true core origin?

While nurturing multiple natal treasures would inevitably slow his cultivation, the strength of the Devouring Sea Art lay in its astonishing cultivation speed.

At worst, he could simply consume a few more Soul Essence Great Pills and recover everything he had expended.

With that thought in mind, Fang Qing no longer hesitated.

The Dao-Genesis Pearl spun gently, and the mana within his body instantly transformed.

He opened his mouth and exhaled a stream of pitch-black core flame.

The dark flame slowly enveloped the Brightlum Crystal and began refining it.

Several months passed in the blink of an eye.

Outside the Origin Ice Spring.

The weather was clear, and brilliant sunlight poured down from above.

Rumble!

Rumble!

As the sounds of arrays and restrictions collapsing echoed from within the cave dwelling, the residence that had remained sealed for more than a year finally rumbled open.

Fang Qing stepped out of the cave dwelling in high spirits and casually touched his lower abdomen.

Within his Qi sea, a pitch-black true core sat firmly in place, continuously drawing in and refining the spiritual qi of heaven and earth.

It was none other than the Devouring Sea True Core.

Circling pitifully around the true core was his external core, the Tide-Birth Pearl.

Beneath the true core, a bottle and a mirror soaked within the core mana, slowly being nourished and refined.

The bottle was naturally the Devouring Sea Bottle.

As for the mirror, it was the Abstruse Dark Mirror.

This dharma treasure possessed considerable power in battle. It could unleash Dark Crystal Mirror Light capable of trapping and confusing enemies.

However, its most unique function lay in guarding the sea of consciousness. It could 'pierce through illusions and calm the heart and mind,' preventing inner demons from arising during ordinary cultivation and proving highly effective against heart demon tribulations during major breakthroughs.

'Still... for it to remain useful against the heart demon tribulation of a Nascent Soul breakthrough, it would need to advance to at least third-rank superior-grade. Perhaps even third-rank supreme-grade or quasi fourth-rank.'

'As for Purple Mansion-level heart demon illusions, third-rank mid-grade should already be sufficient.'

Fang Qing silently estimated.

After all, Nascent Soul cultivators, when measured by the standards of the Qi Ingestion path, possessed destructive power comparable to late-stage Purple Mansion Spiritual Masters.

Breaking through to Purple Mansion was difficult, but it could never compare to the monumental leap of shattering one's core and condensing a Nascent Soul.

"Congratulations on your successful seclusion, Senior."

At that moment, a Foundation Establishment cultivator approached in a streak of light, revealing himself as a steward from the Merchant Alliance.

He cupped his fists respectfully.

"Our young master wishes to befriend high-rank alchemists. Upon hearing that Senior Bai was refining pills here, he dared not disturb you. Now that your work is complete, he humbly invites you to the merchant tower for a meeting."

As the ruler of a marketplace, it was only natural to recruit talented individuals among the hundred arts of cultivation, especially high-rank talisman masters and alchemists.

'If I were a fourth-rank, or even quasi fourth-rank alchemist, Shang Yuanxin himself would be waiting outside my cave dwelling.'

'Of course, if my true identity were exposed, the result would be the same.'

'Only sending a steward to wait means they probably assume I'm merely a third-rank low-grade alchemist.'

Fang Qing saw through Shang Yuanxin's intentions immediately, but a smile still appeared on his face.

"I have long wished to meet the master of Yuanxin Market. Lead the way."

Whether breaking through to Nascent Soul or advancing to Purple Mansion, both required enormous expenditures.

And when it came to wealth and connections, none in the Eastern Sea cultivation world surpassed the Merchant Alliance.

...

Merchant Tower.

Fang Qing was escorted into a private room. Before long, a maidservant brought over fragrant tea.

A short while later, Shang Yuanxin strode inside.

"Fellow Daoist Bai, we meet again. From our first encounter, I knew you were no ordinary person. I never imagined you were a high-rank alchemist. Please forgive my earlier lack of insight."

"I merely learned a few tricks of alchemy by chance."

Fang Qing smiled faintly.

"As for ordinary third-rank mid-grade and high-grade pills, I can refine one or two varieties."

He had never informed Shang Yuanxin of his spiritual roots or cultivation method.

Metal spiritual roots could still practice water-method alchemy through the principle of metal generating water.

Besides, who said he could not be a sword cultivator who specialized in water techniques?

Shang Yuanxin had been about to exchange a few polite remarks, but he froze in place.

"Third-rank high-grade pills? Fellow Daoist, are you saying you're a third-rank high-grade alchemist?"

Such a figure would hold immense authority even within Nascent Soul-level factions.

How could someone like that remain in a mere Zhong Alliance?

"Indeed."

Fang Qing took a sip of tea and smiled.

"If the Market Lord has any needs, I am willing to refine pills personally. However, I do not accept spirit stones as payment. I only trade goods for goods, or exchange my services for information."

As he spoke, he handed over a jade slip.

Shang Yuanxin scanned it briefly and immediately sucked in a sharp breath.

"This... Nascent Soul spiritual objects? Lightning-warding treasures? Treasures that aid against heart demon tribulations? Secret arts?"

Setting down the jade slip, he carefully examined Fang Qing.

The aura of this sword cultivator clearly rested only at early Core Formation.

Why, then, were his demands so outrageous?

These were all items that late-stage or peak Core Formation great cultivators would only begin preparing for.

"I aspire to reach the Nascent Soul realm. Naturally, I must prepare in advance."

Fang Qing laughed heartily.

"As long as you possess any clues or channels related to these items, I am willing to refine a third-rank pill in exchange."

After a moment of thought, Shang Yuanxin smiled bitterly.

"Using treasures of this level in exchange for a single alchemy opportunity would be far too extravagant. But if we're only trading information, then Fellow Daoist would suffer a great loss."

"For example, I already know that the Merchant Alliance's top-tier auctions regularly offer Nascent Soul spiritual objects and lightning-warding treasures."

"Common knowledge like that hardly counts."

Fang Qing fixed his gaze on Shang Yuanxin.

"You are the young master of the Shang Family. Surely you possess more exclusive channels? If not Nascent Soul spiritual objects, then at least you must have some information regarding techniques, secret arts, or treasures that help resist heart demon tribulations."

"You know my identity?"

Shang Yuanxin looked somewhat surprised.

Quite a few high-rank cultivators knew he belonged to the Shang Family, but very few knew he was the young master.

"The status of Shang Family young master is equivalent to a future Nascent Soul candidate. Fellow Daoist, your ambitions are equally lofty."

Fang Qing smiled.

"You flatter me."

Shang Yuanxin waved his hands repeatedly.

"Although treasures and secret arts that aid against heart demon tribulations are worth less than lightning-warding treasures, and lightning-warding treasures are worth less than Nascent Soul spiritual objects, they still remain far beyond what Core Formation cultivators like us can afford."

'Oh? It seems he really does know something.'

'As long as the clue is sufficient, I can simply perform a divination myself.'

A flicker of delight rose within Fang Qing's heart.