Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1375: Chapter 544: A Drop in the Sea of People

Qing Baizi cultivated a spell that allows him to observe Elixir Qi.

Pill Masters spend years accompanied by the Pill Furnace, continuously practicing alchemy, day after day, year after year, accumulating a unique kind of aura within—Elixir Qi.

Elixir Qi is intangible and without substance, and cannot be perceived by ordinary means. It is like a second face for the Pill Master, recording the alchemist’s lifelong journey in alchemy.

If a person’s Elixir Qi is dense, they must be diligent and hardworking in alchemy. Those with sparse Elixir Qi may have high cultivation, but might not have much achievement in the art of alchemy.

Moreover, the type, color, temperature, and fluctuations of Elixir Qi can reflect the Pill Master’s expertise.

For example, those who specialize in healing elixirs have gentle and long-lasting Elixir Qi, like a spring breeze. Those who refine attack-type elixirs have fierce and sharp Elixir Qi, like a sword unsheathed. Those who refine Poison Pills have cold and piercing Elixir Qi, like snakes and scorpions lurking. Those who craft Divine Soul Elixirs have ethereal and elusive Elixir Qi, like drifting clouds.

Qing Baizi has mastered this technique for over a hundred years, reaching expert levels.

Upon entering the Array Space, he silently activated this spell. Using this magic to scan, cultivators were each surrounded by specks of Elixir Qi, dense and varied. Some weak like beans, others bright like candles, some intense like a torch, and some gloomy like ink.

Most people’s Elixir Qi were mixed and impure, either due to insufficient alchemical accumulation or limited talent.

But there was one person whose Elixir Qi was as vast as a mountain hill, heavy yet possessing a certain harmony, simple yet exuding genuineness, quite unique.

This was an old man.

He appeared to be in his seventies, with a lean figure and slightly hunched back, his grayish-white long hair draped over his shoulders, a few strands hanging over his forehead, gently swaying in the mountain breeze. His face was stern and square, with high cheekbones and deep-set eye sockets, his eyes slightly closed, as if resting yet seeming to be in contemplation.

On the surface, he only emitted the aura of a Foundation Establishment Level, blending in with the surrounding cultivators, appearing insignificant.

Qing Baizi’s pupils slightly contracted, pointing towards the old man’s direction: "Everyone, take a look at this person, hiding his cultivation but with profound achievements in the Alchemy Dao."

Upon his reminder, Jiang Ping and the others immediately turned their gaze.

Qing Baizi, being a Honored Guest Elder and of loose cultivator origins, had limited information, unlike Jiang Ping. He studied under Wang Yu, with the aim to attain the Hall Master’s position within the Alchemy Hall, thus being familiar with the outstanding alchemical talents of Flying Cloud Country.

Jiang Ping was the first to recognize him, revealing the old man’s identity: "I know him. He is Tao Liang, known as the Furnace Immortal."

Qing Baizi instantly realized: "So it’s him, no wonder the Elixir Qi is unique."

There was a time when the name of Furnace Immortal Tao Liang spread across the nation, and Qing Baizi had heard of it.

After several decades, Tao Liang appeared once more, evidently targeting the Nanming Fire Furnace.

Shen Hongyao’s gaze remained fixed on Tao Liang, protected by the Array, without Tao Liang, a late-stage Golden Core, noticing at all.

Shen Hongyao said: "I’ve heard about his deeds. This person cultivates Embrace Pill and Become Immortal Skill, owning the Magic Treasure Baopu Furnace, only refining one Golden Core within his body, using various excellent medicinal materials to enhance his cultivation level."

"Different choices of medicinal materials yield varied increases in cultivation aspects. Therefore, even though he often remains secluded, his overall strength is formidable, far surpassing those of the same level."

Tao Liang can use the Pill Furnace to refine himself, tempering his meridians, bones, flesh, skin, Divine Sense, and soul, among others.

Thus, while Embrace Pill and Become Immortal Skill only involves cultivating a single Dantian, it is a Top-Grade Technique. Through this cultivation, the practitioner can enhance various aspects of their proficiency, being very comprehensive without any weak points.

Gu Lianjie softly murmured: "If that’s the case, then Tao Liang can also be seen as a medicinal material, a portion of a Pill. Would this feel familiar to the Vermilion Bird Artifact Spirit?"

Upon these words, the others couldn’t help but change expressions, each feeling a sense of pressure.

At that moment, the air in front of the mountain gate suddenly became scorching, like noon on a summer’s day, with the blazing sun overhead, heat waves rolling.

A streak of fire shot forth, dragging a blazing tail in the air.

The fire stopped before Danxia Peak and abruptly dissipated, revealing a Nascent Soul Level cultivator.

He had fiery red long hair, draping over his shoulders, slightly swaying with his steps like a burning flag.

He wore a robe of red gold color, embroidered with nine Fire Dragons, their heads raised towards the sky, claws spread like hooks, tails coiling like vines.

A surging aura attracted countless gazes.

"Nascent Soul Cultivator! Such a being is also drawn to the Nanming Fire Furnace."

"Is he... a Demon Cultivator?" Although the stranger bore no traits of a Demon Cultivator, the aura was tinged with a demonic influence, making his identity obvious.

"It’s him, Nine Fire Dragon Lord." Qing Baizi recognized this person.

Due to both Qing Baizi and Nine Fire Dragon Lord being Honored Guest Elders at Myriad Images Sect’s Danxia Peak. But Nine Fire Dragon Lord’s status is slightly higher, being a Honored Guest Elder.

Of course, Jiang Ping and the others were very familiar with him.

Shen Hongyao sighed enviously: "If only I had the Fire Dragon Bloodline, naturally close to fire. My alchemy technique certainly would reach new heights, and surely not just my current achievements."

Qin Ke snorted coldly: "Even if it means becoming a Demon Cultivator?"

Shen Hongyao sneered: "What does it matter to become a Demon Cultivator? As long as the strength is sufficient, to refine excellent Elixir Pills is all that matters."

Qing Baizi watched, expressionless.

He shook his head inwardly, thinking Shen Hongyao was too naïve, after all, coming from lower ranks, unknowingly about the upper scenery.