noffsinger Chapter 169 Alchemy
Chapter 169 Alchemy
"The island lord has instructed that he is in seclusion refining elixirs and should not be disturbed."
A beam of light descended, revealing Xiang Dahu's figure.
The young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes now appears much more mature, and his aura is that of someone who has reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
"This strange phenomenon... is far too astonishing. I wonder what kind of miraculous elixir the island lord is refining."
Bei Lingshu's eyes gleamed with wonder.
Since Fang Qing became the master of Taibai Island and actually possessed the Tide-generating Pearl, he has made little attempt to conceal it and has revealed many extraordinary abilities.
The woman's sense of awe naturally grew day by day.
However, what Bei Lingxu did not expect was that as the days of alchemy went by, this strange phenomenon not only did not subside, but became even more astonishing... Half a month later.
A streak of light flew over and landed outside the great formation of Taibai Island, revealing a person, none other than Linghu Zhong!
"This Junior Brother Fang volunteered to go out and guard Taibai Island. He hasn't moved an inch in almost forty years. No wonder there's some criticism within the sect..." Linghu Chong is now at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, with perfect magical power and a hint of breaking through to the late stage. His appearance has also changed, with three long strands of beard, making him look much more mature.
Clearly, since the passing of the former sect leader Linghu, he needed to take charge of the Linghu family and had to present himself with an authoritative demeanor.
Over time, one's environment and upbringing influence one's temperament and physical health, and one will indeed develop a certain air of refinement.
He sent out a communication talisman, and after a long while, a Qi Refining cultivator came to greet him with an array flag.
"What happened?"
Linghu Chong frowned.
He had a good relationship with Fang Qing, even though the other party was in seclusion. There were still two Foundation Establishment cultivators on Taibai Island!
What kind of logic is it to have Qi Refining disciples come to greet us?
"Uncle-Master, please forgive me. It is the island lord... no, the garrison commander who is currently in seclusion refining pills, with two elders watching over him."
The Qi Refining disciple answered with great respect when he saw the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the sect.
"Island owner?"
Linghu Chong listened and shook his head inwardly: "No wonder there are calls within the sect to transfer Junior Brother Fang... This place is practically his personal fiefdom." "It's just alchemy; one elder is enough to oversee it. Why do we need two?"
Linghu Chong flicked his sleeve, his tone already tinged with displeasure: "Take me to see..."
Upon arriving at the Ice Soul Cave, they indeed found Xiang Dahu and Bei Lingshu guarding outside.
But Linghu Chong suddenly froze.
Before him, the waning moon rose, rain and mist surged, the wind swirled and clouds unfurled, radiating rosy light—a scene of ever-changing beauty…
"What kind of pill is this...?"
Linghu Chong's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Although he knew that strange phenomena could indeed occur when refining some high-level special pills, this kind of phenomenon was simply unheard of.
But soon, he was unable to speak.
One after another, osmanthus trees sprouted outside the Ice Soul Cave, from which silver crows flew out and perched on the branches, cawing. Cinnabar, mica, and other substances, as if given away for free, gushed forth from the Ice Soul Cave, accumulating on the ground to a thickness of several inches… everything was like a dreamlike fairyland.
Xiang Dahu and Bei Lingshu seemed unfazed, as if they had long since become numb to it.
Beside the Ice Soul Spring.
A leopard, entirely formed from a third-tier Ice Soul Spring, leaped lightly to Fang Qing's side, a shimmering purple pill in its mouth. It was a third-tier, level-one Breakthrough Pill!
"The elixir is complete!"
"All those methods I used were worthwhile; the pill formation was both fast and of high quality..."
"Hmm? Someone else has arrived. Is it Linghu Zhong?"
Fang Qing smiled slightly, put away the pills, the "Mystic Spring Pure Bottle," and the "Silver Crow Cries for the Moon Scroll," and went outside the Ice Soul Cave.
All the strange phenomena vanished with a roar, and Linghu Zhong then saw a young man in blue robes strolling out with a relaxed and carefree air. His spirit was high, and his sleeves fluttered as if he were riding the wind, like a celestial being: "Haha, thank you for keeping me waiting, Senior Brother..."
Fang Qing was the first to clasp his hands in a fist salute.
"No need to be so polite..."
Linghu Zhong's tone became respectful without him even realizing it: "Junior Brother, what kind of pill are you refining?"
"The way of alchemy is based on Yin and Yang, and uses the Five Elements. It is driven by wind, nourished by rain, nurtured by wells and trees, and completed by baskets and sieves... It is just trying out a different method of alchemy."
Fang Qing finished speaking with a smile, and seeing Linghu Zhong's expression of complete incomprehension, he thought to himself:
"That's right. If you understood that, I would be utterly horrified..."
After discussing alchemy, Fang Qing invited Linghu Chong to his cave dwelling to serve him tea.
Linghu Chong was taken aback again after entering the cave.
In front of the cave dwelling, there was a small spring with several fist-sized pearls that gushed water continuously like living springs. Several colorful koi carp swam in the spring, gathering wind and storing energy. As they swam, a gentle breeze blew, blowing past the bells decorating the eaves and producing a crisp sound that had a cleansing effect on the mind.
An incense burner sits on a purple wooden table not far away, with sandalwood incense sticks inserted inside, the aroma of which is said to make one feel as if they are floating on air.
"Please, senior brother."
Fang Qing sat in the main seat and casually picked up a cup of tea.
Several humanoid puppets immediately appeared nearby, carrying tea sets and serving tea.
Linghu Chong sat on a soft chair covered with the hide of some kind of spirit beast. He saw the spirit tea as dreamlike and misty as if a blue bird was dancing in it. He took a sip and immediately felt comfortable all over. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Your reputation as the island lord is well-deserved. You are even more extravagant than the sect leader... I think only Ancestor Ruan can compare to this level of spending."
"You're wrong, even Ruan Zhixuan couldn't find as many things as I have to eat and use."
Fang Qing smiled but remained silent.
The "Water Spring Pearl" in this spring, along with the Buddhist sandalwood, the Heart-Clearing Bell, and the Azure Sparrow Spirit Tea... most of them are specialties from the Qi Cultivation Path. Don't be fooled by the scarcity of spiritual resources there; once you reach the higher levels, the enjoyment is of the highest caliber and most wondrous.
In Wusheng Temple, there are monks who serve the master and specialize in studying how to combine various breathing ritual implements and even spiritual artifacts to create a small spiritual environment to aid in spiritual practice.
Fang Qing, naturally, accepted it without hesitation and used it all.
Later, the Azure Bird tribe surrendered. As the little princess, Qingha naturally ate and used the finest things. She even took them with her when she fled, and presented several sets to Fang Qing and Miaoshan as tribute...
Fang Qing left one set of his room in the cave at Wusheng Temple, and naturally brought the other set here to enjoy.
Linghu Chong felt as if he had ascended to a celestial realm. The longer he stayed here, the more comfortable he felt. Even the bottleneck of the late-stage Foundation Establishment that had troubled him for many years seemed to loosen slightly.
Splash!
Before he knew it, he had finished the Azure Sparrow Spirit Tea in his cup. Normally, as someone from a noble family, he would never have acted so rudely, but at this moment, he did it without even realizing it.
Suddenly, he heard a faint sound again, like a clear spring gushing forth, with a clear and melodious tone.
Linghu Chong looked over and saw that the person on the main seat was no longer the blue-robed immortal, but a pool of spring water...
"Senior Brother Linghu, this tea should not be drunk in excess, otherwise one may experience hallucinations..."
As Fang Qing's voice rang out, the pool of tears in Linghu Chong's eyes transformed back into human form, and he couldn't help but shudder: "I see... Thank you for telling me, Junior Brother."
"By the way, what brings you here, Senior Brother?"
Fang Qing asked again with a smile, but Linghu Zhong was a little embarrassed. What he had seen today was too shocking, making him feel that his junior brother was the real cultivator here, while he had been cultivating in vain.
Instead, they forgot about the important matter at hand.
When the matter was brought up, Linghu Zhong's expression turned solemn, tinged with sadness: "Junior Brother, do you know... Tian Ding is nearing the end of his life..." "Senior Brother Tian Ding..."
Fang Qing wasn't too surprised. This person was already of a very high seniority; when he first entered the sect, he was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator and the master of Pill Island. And now, he was almost a hundred years old, so the other person was definitely even older. This wasn't something that could be solved with just one or two longevity pills.
"Indeed... Tian Ding feels his energy and spirit are waning, and there have been many oversights in refining Foundation Establishment Pills for our sect... Now, on Pill Island, when it comes to alchemy skills and seniority... who else but you?"
Linghu Zhong said solemnly.
"Furthermore... I've been guarding Taibai Island for many years, and there's been some discontent within the sect. However, it's not appropriate to force a transfer, so I had my senior brother try to persuade me," Fang Qing said frankly. He then added, "Are you just trying to lure me back with the position of Lord of Dan Island? If I go back, can I really take that position? Aren't you afraid I'll join forces with Qin Ruxue?"
"Junior brother, you have no doubts..."
Linghu Chong confidently declared, "My senior brother can vouch for me!"
Fang Qing looked at Linghu Zhong, who had completely shed his youthful naiveté and transformed into a cunning old fox.
Moreover, he's a cunning old fox who prioritizes his family.
The interests of the Linghu family are highly aligned with those of the Bihai Sect, so scheming against Fang Qing is nothing to them.
Of course, Fang Qing has worked hard for many years while on assignment abroad, even if he hasn't achieved great things.
Even if they can't inherit the title of Lord of Dan Island after returning, they will definitely be supported with high-ranking official positions and generous salaries.
He might become the deputy sect leader, responsible for refining pills for the two patriarchs full-time!
"That's highly likely. Anyway, once I return to the sect, would I, a mere 'Mid-Foundation Establishment' cultivator, dare to contradict two Core Formation Ancestors? How many cultivators would be honored to be close to two Ancestors?"
Fang Qing sneered inwardly. He could see through the schemes of certain factions within the sect almost without needing to use divination.
The reason he received such treatment was simple—his qualifications!
"In the eyes of the Azure Sea Sect, I am still just a person with a mid-grade water elemental root... It would be good enough if I could reach the Foundation Establishment stage in this lifetime, and the only thing worth mentioning is my alchemy skills."
"All things considered, my treatment is already much better than Qin Ruxue's, only not as good as someone like Cui Zhe who has reached the Core Formation stage..."
"What if I... don't want to?"
Fang Qing said softly.
Linghu Zhong's expression changed: "Could this junior brother really be so unwise? It will be very bad once the sect issues its orders... If the patriarch is alerted, there will be no room for maneuver."
In the Lesser Universe Sea, Core Formation cultivators are like gods!
"The urgent summons from the sect must be related to the great battle... The secret realm will open in twenty years. It's time to have a great battle with the Annihilation Alliance, isn't it?" Fang Qing leisurely sipped his Azure Sparrow Spirit Tea, feeling quite at ease.
After all, he may appear to be only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, but in reality, he is almost at the peak of the late-Foundation Establishment stage and possesses Core Formation combat power. He is one of the behind-the-scenes players in this Small Universe Sea.
If pushed too far, they'll either break off relations and carve out their own territory, or they'll use the "Mystic Spring Purification Bottle" to fill with the Ice Soul Cold Spring and run away...