Chapter 337

Chapter 337: Ninth-Level Elixir

"Mu Chen, has your pill-refining skill reached the late eighth level?" Inside the Spirit Tower, Bai Cheng Feng looked at Mu Chen with bright eyes, seeking confirmation.

Mu Chen nodded slightly, replying, "Yes."

He had numerous eighth-level late-stage spiritual materials on hand. He had already attempted to refine pills of that level three times, succeeding twice and failing once.

Bai Cheng Feng looked at Mu Chen with admiration, sincerely remarking, "You're truly impressive!"

In Bai Cheng Feng's mind: The esteemed elder from Dan Tower, Mo Li Xuan, with his haughty attitude and reluctance to take action, is merely an alchemist at the late eighth level.

The man looks aged, with dim eyes and a withered complexion, whereas Mu Chen, in the prime of his youth, dashing and handsome, is the dream lover of countless ladies. There's no comparison. The difference is vast.

"It's just good fortune," Mu Chen replied modestly.

Had he not found the Spirit Tower, had he not serendipitously entered Dan Palace, he wouldn't have achieved this level.

Bai Cheng Feng responded somewhat dismissively, "Mu Chen, you're being too modest. Our Bai family has trained many alchemists. They’re ambitious, yet fragile. The value of the pills they produce often doesn't match the spiritual herbs they waste. Yet, they act so high and mighty. If you ever step out, be sure to put them in their place."

By the end of his statement, Bai Cheng Feng couldn’t hide his frustration.

What Bai Cheng Feng didn't realize was that half of the Bai family's alchemists outside had already dispersed.

Bai Cheng Feng sighed inwardly. The alchemists of Zhongzhou had been overly pampered by the cultivators of Zhongzhou. But then again, cultivators relied heavily on elixirs for their progression.

"When do you plan to refine the Spirit Return Pill?" Bai Cheng Feng inquired.

Mu Chen frowned, responding, "I'll have to wait a bit longer."

With his current skill, he has a 70% chance of successfully refining the Spirit Return Pill. However, there's no room for error with this particular elixir!

Although Zhuang Yao Yue had been injured and was unlikely to appear in the short term, nothing was certain. If she were to disrupt him during his refining process, it would spell major trouble.

Fortunately, Bai Chen Xing's injuries were nearly healed. Once his father-in-law was fully recovered, with the combined strengths of Ling Chuan, Bai Chen Xing, Ye Shi, and others, they should be able to hold off Zhuang Yao Yue.

Hence, patience was necessary. Once Bai Chen Xing fully recovers and Mu Chen's alchemy skills further improve, the time will be right.

Bai Cheng Feng took a stroll within the Spirit Tower and found Ye Shi playing with Da Bao and Xiao Bao.

"Eat, eat, eat," Da Bao clung to Ye Shi's arm, gazing at him eagerly with large, hopeful eyes.

Ye Shi puffed out his cheeks, exclaiming, "Da Bao, you're so heavy! When I was your age, I was a skinny monkey. It’s because I was skinny that I got a good wife. If you want a good wife in the future, you have to be thin. Enduring hardship is a virtue. You've already eaten enough today, no more!"

Bai Cheng Feng rubbed his nose, thinking to himself: It has nothing to do with how much or little you ate; it's all about Mu Chen's peculiar taste.

Ye Shi quickly swallowed the jerky in his hand, as Da Bao whimpered and bit him.

With a helpless gesture, Ye Shi said, "My hand isn’t tasty. Let go!"

Da Bao bit down with a stubborn look in his eyes.

Out of desperation, Ye Shi pulled out another piece of jerky. Da Bao instantly released his hand and lunged for the treat.

Bai Cheng Feng: "..."

Xiao Bao sat on the ground, clutching his foot, gnawing on his toes.

Ye Shi remarked with slight annoyance, "Xiao Bao, don’t chew on that! It's dirty!"

Bai Cheng Feng looked at Ye Shi, massaged his nose, and thought: Despite all his idling and shenanigans, Ye Shi has reached a cultivation level of a Four-Star Martial Master. I, despite my hard work, am only a Three-Star Martial Master. It's rather disheartening.

"Yan Xing, I haven’t seen your grandfathers lately," remarked Bai Cheng Feng.

Ye Shi nodded, "Qu grandfather mentioned that Ling grandfather went to earn some extra money."

"Extra money?" Bai Cheng Feng asked with a puzzled expression.

Ye Shi confirmed, "Yes. Grandfather Ling, who had been living off others, finally realized his mistakes. Who knows when Grandfather Qu might be pregnant, so Grandfather Ling can't keep being dependent. Soon, he'll join the Yang family."

Bai Cheng Feng: "..."

Seeing the contented expression on Ye Shi's face, Bai Cheng Feng felt distorted emotions. If Ling Chuan was seen as dependent, then in Ye Shi's eyes, he probably was too. Perhaps he needed to...reflect on that.

...

Qu Kun, standing beside Ling Chuan, skeptically asked, "Mr. Ling, can you really do it? You’ve been trying to melt this door for days now."

Ling Chuan smiled lightly and said, "I believe it's possible."

Qu Kun smirked and threw cold water on his enthusiasm, "Didn't you ask Mu Chen for all those unique flames? If it still doesn't work, the embarrassment will be monumental."

Ling Chuan responded calmly, "It should be almost ready. Don't worry, I won't let you lose face on my account."

"Any disgrace would be yours, not mine," Qu Kun retorted with annoyance.

"I'm your man! Of course, it concerns you," Ling Chuan stated matter-of-factly.

Qu Kun's expression darkened instantly, "Shut up. You mean nothing to me."

"We're almost inseparable at this point, and yet you say such things," Ling Chuan sighed.

Qu Kun glared at Ling Chuan with clenched teeth, "Leave!"

Ling Chuan sighed softly, "You're always so stubborn."

Qu Kun turned away, not wanting to indulge in further conversation with Ling Chuan.

Flames raged, gradually thinning the massive door. The materials composing it melted into piles of raw elements.

The Yuan family specializes in dissecting refining materials. Every year, they recycle many broken artifacts, extracting the raw materials. Despite their lackluster artifact-making skills, they still hold a place in this domain.

"It's ready, it's ready," Qu Kun said.

There's a hole forming from the melting, it should be soon.

"Quickly summon Mu Chen and the others. Who knows where that girl from the Ming clan might be lurking? If she sneaks in and plucks our prize, all our efforts would be in vain," Qu Kun said. The last chamber of the passage might contain treasures.

Ling Chuan nodded and sent a message to Mu Chen and others inside the Spirit Tower.

"Grandfather, what's going on?" Ye Shi emerged and asked.

Qu Kun pointed at the damaged door, "It's broken."

Ye Shi's eyes widened with excitement, "This is excellent! With this skill of unlocking, riches await!"

Bai Chenxing also came forward. His injuries hadn't fully healed, but he could harness some of his power.

...

From a distance, Zhuang YaoYue watched the movements of Ling Chuan's group with a gloomy heart.

After a period of recovery, Zhuang YaoYue's injuries were fully healed. Upon emerging, she saw Ling Chuan and Qu Kun melting the door.

Despite her impatience, Zhuang YaoYue dared not act recklessly.

The technique Ling Chuan used is from the Yuan family, renowned in the central state. The Ming clan went through much trouble to acquire it, yet now, Ling Chuan has mastered it.

Zhuang YaoYue clenched her fists, resentment towards Zhuang TianYang growing in her heart.

Even though they belong to the same clan, Zhuang YaoYue was unaware of the contents of his spatial ring.

Zhuang TianYang actually hid such an important technique inside his spatial ring, brought it into this secret realm, and now, after his mishap, Mu Chen's group reaps the benefits. Zhuang YaoYue gritted her teeth, frustration boiling inside her.

...

Zhuang YaoYue watched from afar as Mu Chen and his group entered the palace, her fists unconsciously clenching.

Biting her lip, Zhuang YaoYue ultimately chose not to intervene; they were clearly prepared for her.

"A Tier-9 elixir!" Ling Chuan exclaimed, staring at the pill in astonishment.

"There was nothing like this on the path we took!" Ye Shi remarked with a pout.

Touching his chin, Mu Chen pondered, "This chamber must've been breached by the Dan Valley group. They left early and are probably way ahead by now."

Ye Shi leaned in and asked, "Grandfather, what does this pill do?"

"It's the Sacred Spirit Pill. It can help a Martial Saint ascend by one star," Ling Chuan explained.

Ling Chuan examined the pill, clearly enchanted by it.

Ye Shi blinked and said, "Since you found it, grandfather, you should have it."

Ling Chuan glanced at Bai Chenxing, who immediately said, "With that woman from the Ming clan watching us intently, it's best if you consume it quickly. It will give us an advantage against her."

Anything that can enhance a Martial Saint's abilities is rare and coveted. Bai Chenxing surely desired it, but since Ling Chuan discovered it, and being his father-in-law, Bai Chenxing wouldn't contest him.

Mu Chen nodded in agreement, "My father-in-law is right. Grandfather, you should take it as soon as possible."

Ling Chuan nodded with a slight smile and said, "If that's the case, I won't stand on ceremony."

After gleaning information about the Ming Clan from Zhuang Tianyang's spiritual force, Mu Chen roughly relayed it to Ling Chuan and Bai Chenxing. Knowing a tough battle awaits outside, both are actively working on enhancing their strengths.

"Is this annex being infiltrated by people from Dan Valley?" Ye Shi inquired.

Mu Chen nodded, responding, "Yes."

"My grandfather mentioned that the people of Dan Valley sent him a message. They're trapped inside, unable to exit. He hopes grandfather can find a way out. If we can burn the door down, we should be able to rescue them," Ye Shi murmured.

Mu Chen agreed, "Indeed, that's the situation. However, there's no pressing need to rescue them so hastily."

Hastening the rescue can be problematic, especially if others get greedy upon seeing valuable items.

"First, burn down the annex of the Dan Ding Pavilion. From what I gather, they probably can't break out either."

He had ventured through the annex and knew how challenging it was to unlock with soul techniques. If not for the slow passage of time in the Spirit Tower providing ample time, they might be trapped forever. Based on estimations, they could stay in the Dan Hall for about a year to eighteen months, and already five months have passed unknowingly.