Chapter 551
**Result...**
It’s never-ending!
Now we have to risk our lives exploring the secret realms for the Jiu Shan Realm.
Watching Madam Xuanhua stride confidently toward the door, Zheng Fa turned to Xiao Yuying, his expression serious: “I’m counting on you, Fairy Xiao.”
At this moment, Xiao Yuying was preparing to lead Mu Qingyan and others out of the Jiu Shan Realm, heading toward a secret realm.
This secret realm seemed to be left behind by a Yuanying (Nascent Soul) alchemist, so the dangers posed little threat to Xiao Yuying.
However, protecting all the disciples involved in the archaeological projects was indeed a troublesome task.
Xiao Yuying nodded gently, saying nothing more, just assuring Zheng Fa, “I’ll pay attention to various formulas and alchemical techniques.”
Zheng Fa had already reached the pinnacle of the Jindan (Golden Core) stage. If it weren’t for perfecting the “Jiu Shan Jindan Method,” he could have attempted to condense his Yuanying by now.
But Elder Xiong from the Qingmu Sect had already concocted several simple pills, none of which passed Madam Xuanhua’s tests.
Now, only the nameless formula from the Tianhe Sect remained.
The problem was...
This formula only listed the names of the herbs, lacking any details on dosage or refining techniques, rendering it quite incomplete.
The research progress had come to a standstill.
“This Yuanying alchemist is from the end of the last era... I’ll see if I can find any clues.”
Xiao Yuying set off for this reason.
That pill was either concocted by the Tianhe Zunren (Respected One) himself or obtained by chance.
Considering he was only at the Jindan stage at the time, his alchemical skills shouldn’t be too profound, nor could they be considered top secret.
Thus, Xiao Yuying felt that... if she could find a Yuanying alchemist’s relic from the same era, she might uncover some clues.
Madam Xuanhua had been conducting experiments for the “Jindan Project,” and Senior Sister Zhang was poring over various alchemical texts. Now, Xiao Yuying was also preparing to venture out in search of leads.
One could say that the entire Jiu Shan Realm was working together to help Zheng Fa perfect the “Jiu Shan Jindan Method,” each showcasing their unique talents.
(End of Chapter)
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**Chapter 412: Research Difficulties, Parallel Experiments**
In the alchemy room of the Jiu Shan Realm on Gongkai Island, the flames roared, and Elder Xiong’s anger flared just as fiercely.
He had been studying that nameless formula for two months.
“Using Wuxing Lan (Five Elements Orchid) as the main ingredient, with Han Shuang Ye (Frost Leaf) and Hua Ling Cao (Spirit Herb) as supplements, it can produce a powerful pill that is extremely useful for our cultivation. Unfortunately, Wuxing Lan is also quite rare.”
This was the original text of the formula.
The Jiu Shan Sect had simply reverted the term “Juzhenhua” back to its original name, Wuxing Lan.
Perhaps out of superstition or simply due to ignorance of the complete formula, the predecessors of the Tianhe Sect left no details on the herb ratios or the alchemical process.
Thus, Zheng Fa sought help from the Qingmu Sect—
Elder Xiong, being a seasoned master, might not know the specific alchemical techniques, but sometimes, by examining the herbs, he could glean the underlying principles and methods involved.
This formula was for a Jindan-level spirit pill, which wasn’t overly complex; the combination of monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy amounted to just eight ingredients. Elder Xiong was quite familiar with six of them, and by putting them together, he could figure out the effects and the necessary processing techniques.
Therefore, the initial research progressed smoothly.
However, difficulties soon arose. For over a month, there had been no progress, and repeated failures were disheartening.
In the alchemy furnace, the flickering purple and golden flames cast shadows on Elder Xiong’s face, illuminating it in a dance of light and dark.
His hand gestures for the incantation grew increasingly rapid.
Half an hour later, the lid of the furnace suddenly exploded open.
The flames died down, revealing only a dozen or so blackened pills lying at the bottom of the furnace.
Elder Xiong’s face darkened further. As he sniffed the air, his irritation grew. He ignited a spirit fire in his hand and struck the furnace.
Suddenly, he froze, as if recalling something, and glanced to the side.
There stood four disciples of the Jiu Shan Sect, all at the Foundation Establishment stage, one of whom had a glimmering silver light in his eyes.
Elder Xiong paused for a moment, waved his hand dismissively, and turned his neck away, unwilling to look at the four.
Zhao Jingfan, standing nearby, realized that his elder had intended to destroy this batch of failed pills, but... Zheng Fa had established a rule:
Regardless of success or failure, all failed pills must be collected for research.
He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself:
This elder, with a high status in the sect and great abilities, usually acted without restraint.
What amused him even more was the rumor that this elder held himself to extremely high standards; if he failed at alchemy, he would habitually destroy all the failed pills and thoroughly clean the furnace.
Not only that, he would sulk.
And the result of that was his frustration spilling over onto those around him.
In recent days, he had felt it:
A few days ago, after a failed alchemical attempt, Elder Xiong had scolded him—because he had stared at the furnace for too long, his eyelids had grown heavy, and when he rubbed his eyes, the elder accused him of disturbing his concentration.
This failed batch was Zhao Jingfan’s fault!
What a huge injustice!
No wonder everyone said Elder Xiong was hard to get along with; the disciples dared not even breathe in his presence.
Yet, when faced with disciples from the Jiu Shan Sect, whom he clearly disdained, Elder Xiong didn’t dare to scold them...
How ridiculous!
“What are you laughing at? Did you learn something?”
Zhao Jingfan was taken aback, looking up to see Elder Xiong glaring at him, scolding, “You’ve been in the alchemy room every day, and what have you learned? Just messing around with no use at all.”
I didn’t even dare to blink, fearing that any sudden movement would extinguish the spirit fire in the furnace. How was I messing around?
But when he glanced at Elder Xiong, following his gaze to the four Jiu Shan Sect disciples, he immediately understood—
Elder Xiong was using them as a scapegoat.
He couldn’t stand the sight of those four Jiu Shan Sect disciples.
Among them, the one who could use the “Dongxu Lingyan” (Void Spirit Eye) had first examined the failed pills closely, his eyes shimmering with silver light.
Then he took each one to the newly created spirit energy scanner for measurement.
Finally, the four of them huddled together, scribbling something on paper, seemingly very serious.
Yet, Zhao Jingfan noticed Elder Xiong’s expression growing impatient.
He understood why Elder Xiong was irritable:
Initially, when these Jiu Shan Sect disciples arrived, Elder Xiong didn’t mind.
Let them learn.
Since they were preparing to sell ancestral secret methods, he didn’t care if they learned from this group.
But then problems arose—one of the Jiu Shan Sect disciples, a bold and reckless youth, suddenly suggested that Elder Xiong improve some techniques.
The other three nodded in agreement, as if they fully supported him.
At that point, Elder Xiong could no longer tolerate it!
Setting aside the power disparity between the Jiu Shan Sect and the Qingmu Sect, the gap in alchemical knowledge and cultivation between these Jiu Shan disciples and Elder Xiong was vast!
Elder Xiong was the grand elder of the Qingmu Sect, a leader in alchemical arts, and a Yuanying cultivator.
These four, while having studied alchemy, were merely at the Foundation Establishment stage—how could they compare to Elder Xiong?
Now they even wanted to guide Elder Xiong in alchemy?
How dare they!
From that moment on, Elder Xiong developed a strong aversion to these four. Although he refrained from speaking harshly due to Zheng Fa’s presence, his bad temper couldn’t contain his frustration, leading him to make veiled insults.
Zhao Jingfan was the target of those veiled insults.
The four of them likely knew that Zheng Fa valued Elder Xiong highly and feared offending a Yuanying cultivator, so they naturally didn’t dare to say anything...
They just quietly went about their business.
In recent days, there had been no arguments, but neither had there been much conversation.
The records from those few were piling up, thickening with unknown notes, but Elder Xiong hadn’t even glanced at them, dismissing them entirely.
Zhao Jingfan was actually quite curious.
Once the four disciples finished writing, seeing that Elder Xiong had no intention of continuing his alchemical work, they seemed to realize they weren’t welcome and respectfully bowed to the two before exiting the alchemy room, closing the door behind them.
The record of their experiments was left behind in the alchemy room.
He quietly leaned in to see what was written.
“Ahem!”
Elder Xiong’s loud cough startled Zhao Jingfan, who turned to find Elder Xiong glaring at him, his eyes fierce, as if he were looking at a traitor.
Old fossil!
Zhao Jingfan cursed inwardly.
“What do you want?”
“I just want to take a look…”
“What’s there to see!” Elder Xiong clearly had a strong opinion about the Jiu Shan Sect disciples, “Just a few Foundation Establishment kids, spouting nonsense. What if you get led astray by looking at it?”
Zhao Jingfan blinked, feeling it was unreasonable. How could just looking at it lead him astray?
Elder Xiong continued:
“Zheng Fa allows these people to stay here, I don’t mind, but the alchemical arts cannot be sullied by those who pretend to understand!”
“If it weren’t for my promise to Zheng Fa, I would have left long ago…”
“The disciples of the Jiu Shan Sect lack the proper respect for the alchemical arts!”
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