Chapter 202 - 201: Yong Kingdom

Chapter 202: Chapter 201: Yong Kingdom

With Chen Qingyang’s current alchemy speed, he could fire up the furnace once a day, producing five elixirs per batch. In six days, he could meet his monthly quota.

He had been delayed last time. Fortunately, out of consideration for Senior Brother Liu, his Spirit Stones hadn’t been docked. Still, it was an embarrassing incident that he wanted to avoid repeating, so he had made sure to be on time on this occasion.

After handing over the elixirs and collecting his Spirit Stones, Chen Qingyang went to the True Register Elixir Platform within Fulu Workshop. He received one hundred Top Grade Spirit Stones this time, which, when added to his previous six hundred, brought his total savings to seven hundred. This was equivalent to seven hundred thousand regular Spirit Stones.

He left a portion behind before he left, keeping the rest with him for his cultivation.

Last time at Gentle Breeze, he hadn’t left the six hundred Top Grade Spirit Stones behind. Since Shopkeeper Wang was unwilling to reduce the interest, there was no need for him to repay the loan early.

The area was filled with many neatly arranged buildings. At the very end of the main road stood a high platform, upon which a five-story tower had been built. It was decorated entirely in black, with a Golden Core effigy at its peak. Reaching toward the heavens and set against the mountain, it possessed a majestic and imposing aura!

This was the True Register Elixir Platform.

He walked up the steps, where guards were already posted at the entrance. They saw the Token in Chen Qingyang’s hand and did not stop him, letting him pass directly inside.

The exterior was magnificent, and the interior was just as vast. Its layout was quite similar to the Cloud Scripture Jade Pavilion, with shelves densely packed with Pill Formulas.

A sign was posted in a conspicuous spot, reading: "Severe punishment for unauthorized dissemination."

Therefore, the Pill Formulas could not be taken out. One could only memorize them here, and there was a time limit to prevent people from lingering too long.

Chen Qingyang gave a cursory glance, not lingering. He went straight to the second floor and, in an area designated as the Nourishing Palace Pavilion, found a particular elixir—the Jiang Palace Essence Pill.

Without even needing to read the details, one could tell from the name alone that this elixir was used by Essence Condensation Third Realm Cultivators to nourish their Jiang Palace Acupoints.

The Pill Formula wasn’t overly complex. After opening it, he spent some effort memorizing it before continuing his search. In a section called the Qi Replenishing Pavilion, he found an elixir named Qihuang Replenishing Truth.

This elixir wasn’t for raising one’s Cultivation level but could rapidly and massively replenish a Practitioner’s True Qi. This was exactly what Chen Qingyang was looking for. Restoring one’s Qi Mechanism at a critical moment could play a significant role.

He didn’t need many different types of elixirs, just the ones he needed most right now. Both of these elixirs could reach up to Tier Six. During the days he spent waiting to go out, he could take the formulas back to study them.

Having achieved his goal, he didn’t bother going to the third floor. He left the True Register Elixir Platform and exchanged a large quantity of Alchemy Raw Materials at Fulu Workshop, this time spending Spirit Stones.

However, compared to Gentle Breeze and the Sect Merit Tower, this place was considerably cheaper. For a Pill Master, this kind of benefit was hard to refuse, which was one of the reasons Fulu Workshop managed to attract nearly all of Cyan Bamboo Peak’s skilled Pill Masters.

For the next three or four months, Chen Qingyang split his time between alchemy and cultivation.

His progress with the two elixirs was swift, and he was able to produce Tier Four versions in a very short time. Once elixirs reached this level, they were generally considered highly useful.

During this period, Chen Qingyang made another trip to the Cloud Scripture Jade Pavilion to search for the Method of the Mountain and River Daoist Lord for Xu Baoling. She then taught it to Zhang Ping, and the two of them made rapid progress in this path.

He was already able to harvest the Immortal Grass they planted for his alchemy. This was proof that as long as you put effort into even the smallest things, you will eventually reap the rewards.

Summer arrived in the fifth month, and the days began to grow hot.

Walking on the White Jade Steps, he was surrounded by the ceaseless chirping of birds and buzzing of insects from the trees on both sides. From time to time, he would see a few squirrels scurrying past. It was truly a lively scene.

Today, Chen Qingyang walked all the way down from Cyan Bamboo Peak. He did this every so often to quiet his mind, clear his spirit, and reflect on the past.

As the Saint Confucius said, "I daily examine myself on three points." He couldn’t manage three, but periodic reflection was a must.

’Keep a clear head, correctly assess my surroundings, and reflect on whether I’ve done anything wrong...’

The cold pool and clear springs, the vibrant flowers, the fluttering butterflies, the magpies perched on treetops... he took in all the surrounding scenery. When the sun was high in the sky and the weather grew hotter, he tapped his feet lightly, and without even stirring a breeze, he shot into the air in an instant.

When he stopped, he had already landed outside Fulu Workshop. He handed in his elixirs for the month, then went to the Commander’s Lower Palace. Yesterday, Senior Brother Liu had sent a Child to tell him there was a lead on the task he was looking for.

The difference between a Child and a Miscellaneous Task disciple was that one had Cultivation and could practice the various Dharma Gates passed down by their master, while the other had no Cultivation and, in principle, could only practice the Tai Xu Energy-Introducing Technique.

Senior Brother Liu, with his Half-Step Foundation Establishment Cultivation, was in charge of the Children. This was entirely because he presided over the Commander’s Lower Palace in Fulu Workshop; otherwise, this was a privilege reserved for a Foundation Establishment Master.

At this moment, his Senior Brother was sitting with his eyes closed, recuperating. His complexion was slightly dark, and his expression remained solemn. Hearing Chen Qingyang’s footsteps, he opened his eyes and said, "Junior Brother, you’re here!"

Over the past few months, whenever he had free time, Chen Qingyang would always come to visit this Senior Brother of his, and they had become more familiar with each other.

"Yes. I came to ask you, Senior Brother, what kind of task is it?"

Senior Brother Liu said, "The outbound tasks we have are all related to Immortal Grass. Naturally, this one is for you to retrieve an Immortal Grass. You don’t need to take any risks, just bring it back. I looked for a long time before I found this assignment for you."

Hearing the concern in Senior Brother Liu’s voice, Chen Qingyang stood and bowed. "Thank you, Senior Brother Liu. May I ask where I’ll be going?"

"You don’t need to thank me. It’s because you’re so proficient in the Alchemy Dao that I’m willing to look out for you. This is how it should be when cultivating in our Tai Xu Sect."

"From the Sect, travel south, pass through the Jin Kingdom, and to the northwest, you’ll find a kingdom called Yong. You just need to find its National Preceptor. Also, southwest of the Yong Kingdom lies Nine True Mountain. The journey is long enough to let you experience the Red Dust!"

At the mention of the Yong Kingdom, Chen Qingyang of course remembered it. He had passed through its territory with Liu Tao on their way to Nine True Mountain and had even rested there for two days.

"Senior Brother, are you saying the Immortal Grass is being cultivated by the Yong Kingdom and has now matured, so I just need to retrieve it?"

Senior Brother Liu replied, "Exactly. There is a cave in the Yong Kingdom called the Cave of Myriad Images, a place where Yin Qi gathers. The Extremely Yin Grass cultivated there is the best and can be used to create a Tier Nine Elixir."

"Furthermore, the Yong Kingdom recognizes our Tai Xu Sect as its suzerain. Every year, the Sect sends many disciples there to train and maintain peace. Its National Preceptor also received teachings from our Tai Xu Sect, so he is the one watching over the Extremely Yin Grass."

’He really did find me a simple task.’ If he had to find an Immortal Grass all by himself, who knows how much effort it would have taken.

"I understand, Senior Brother. I’ll make my preparations in the next two days and set off."

...

After leaving Fulu Workshop, Chen Qingyang returned to his small courtyard. He gave instructions to Xu Baoling, prepared everything he needed, and then headed for the Jing Yuan Dao Field.

His Master rarely showed his face on normal days, and Sect matters were mostly handled by his Eldest Senior Brother. Therefore, Chen Qingyang only needed to make a trip to inform him about the matter.

Outside the small courtyard, the one who came to open the door was his Eldest Senior Brother himself.

’A dignified Foundation Establishment Master without even a single Child to attend him, who has to open his own door—that’s truly a rare sight.’

"Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother!"

Shen Chongzhou’s gaze swept over him, obviously assessing his Cultivation. Chen Qingyang quieted his breath and focused his spirit. All Shen Chongzhou would be able to see was the Essence Condensation Realm and the Earth Root Acupoint.

After a moment, he said, "Come, come inside."

Sitting in the room, his Eldest Senior Brother personally brewed some tea. This Foundation Establishment Master was just the same as always.

"Go ahead, what did you come to see me about this time?"

"Senior Brother, I’ve accepted a task. I need to go to the Yong Kingdom to retrieve an Extremely Yin Grass. I should be back in about a month. I came specially to report this to you."

He had thought it would be a simple matter of reporting in, but unexpectedly, Shen Chongzhou frowned. "Why go there at this particular time? What kind of arrangement did this Liu Wenzheng make!"

His tone was filled with disapproval.

The Liu Wenzheng he spoke of was Senior Brother Liu, the one in charge of the Commander’s Lower Palace.

Chen Qingyang was confused and asked, "Senior Brother, what do you mean by that?"

Shen Chongzhou said, "You should know that the Yong Kingdom is quite close to Nine True Mountain. Once you go past it, you’re in Demon Sect Territory.

The Demon Sect suffered a great loss last time, and now they’re looking to get even.

Furthermore, in recent years, they have been probing our Daoist Sect with increasing frequency. They want to see how much backbone our Daoist Sect has left after losing a Golden Core True Monarch. How can you go there at a time like this!"

Usually such a mild-mannered person, he was full of authority when he spoke these words, as if his entire disposition had changed.

Chen Qingyang didn’t have strong feelings about the division between the Daoist and Demon sects, but it was clear the matter weighed heavily on his Eldest Senior Brother’s mind.

As he remained silent, Shen Chongzhou’s tone softened, and his expression returned to normal. "However, I only just learned of this news myself. Liu Wenzheng probably doesn’t know yet. I think you should switch to a different task."

Chen Qingyang asked, "Senior Brother, are you saying the Demon Sect is currently causing trouble in the Yong Kingdom?"

Shen Chongzhou nodded. "That’s exactly what I mean.

The National Preceptor of Yong is still there, but... even before this, Xuanwei Master of the Nine True Temple failed to stop the Demon Sect. I’m just worried the situation is complicated, and you’re the type to stir up trouble, so..."

’I don’t know when Eldest Senior Brother formed such an opinion of me. In my own memory, I’ve always been well-behaved and down-to-earth.’

"Since it’s not that serious, I’ll go ahead. After all, I’ve already promised Senior Brother Liu. I can’t go back on my word and make him lose face."

Though that’s what he said, in his heart he was thinking, ’This is a perfect chance to find a couple of Demon Sect Disciples to practice my sword skills on.’

Shen Chongzhou pondered for a moment, then stopped insisting. "Junior Brother, in that case, you must act with caution. Don’t get involved in other matters. Just take care of your own business and come back. There’s no need for you to deal with the Demon Sect; someone else will handle them."

Hearing his instructions, Chen Qingyang bowed. "Thank you, Senior Brother."

...

When he descended the mountain, the sky was growing dark.

’I’ll meditate and cultivate properly for one more night and set off early tomorrow morning.’

Before he knew it, he heard magpies in the branches, and the sky was already bright. Hong’Er’s voice came from the door. "Senior Brother Chen, you have a visitor."

’Who would be visiting at a time like this?’ When he changed his clothes and went out, he was stunned to see Master Jing Yuan.

’For Master to show up at this exact moment... this can’t be a good sign!’