mtlumby2d Chapter 343 - 278: Pill Business (2)
Chapter 343 - 278: Pill Business (2)
"I see." Luo Yiyang nodded in understanding.
Fang Yun said nothing as he listened to Bai Qinying’s explanation.
’It was clearly Bai Qinying who invited me, but her words make it sound as if I insisted on tagging along.’
’Her words didn’t matter to me, though. She can say whatever she wants.’
The two continued to chat. Since Fang Yun remained quiet, the conversation soon moved on from him.
Afterward, Luo Yiyang introduced the two Vast Sea Sect Elders behind him.
Fang Yun recognized one of the Vast Sea Sect Elders.
His name was Xiao Lefan. He had been the main force for the Vast Sea Sect during the Four Sects Trial two cycles ago, ultimately taking third place.
Judging by the standards of previous trials, Xiao Lefan’s third-place achievement would have been enough to secure first place in the cycle before his.
While the two were chatting, the people from Star Moon Valley arrived.
The last to arrive were the people from the Wind Ling Sect.
The lead Elder for the Wind Ling Sect was once again Li Mingyi, but the other two Elders with him were different.
Among these two Elders, Fang Yun spotted another familiar face.
Lin Caixuan.
She had participated in the Four Sects Trial with him, taking second place at the time.
Among the Foundation Establishment Cultivators present, it was widely believed that both he and Lin Caixuan possessed special constitutions.
When it came to combat enhancement from a special constitution, Lin Caixuan’s Snow Spirit Body offered a greater advantage.
"The top three finishers from the Four Sects Trial two cycles ago have all returned as Elders for this one. I wonder what the rankings will be this time," Li Mingyi said with a smile.
He wasn’t surprised to see Xiao Lefan from the Vast Sea Sect, but he was surprised that Fang Yun from the Celestial Cloud Sect had come.
His thoughts on the matter were similar to Luo Yiyang’s.
"We at the Vast Sea Sect don’t want to settle for third place again."
"Hahaha, talk is cheap. The final results will speak for themselves."
By the time the Elders and disciples of the Wind Ling Sect arrived, it was nearly time for the Secret Realm to open.
Once the Secret Realm opened and the one hundred disciples from the four sects had all entered, the Elders outside began a long discussion.
The conversation began with Li Mingyi of the Wind Ling Sect asking Bai Qinying about the Celestial Cloud Sect’s current situation.
Bai Qinying’s answer was the same one she had given Luo Yiyang earlier.
"As long as they’ve ceased their activities, that’s good." Upon hearing the answer, Li Mingyi’s mood visibly improved, and his smile broadened.
The situation in the Wind Ling Sect’s territory was closely tied to that of the Celestial Cloud Sect.
Between their two Earth Realms lay the territories of the Celestial Demon Sect and the Dragon Demon Palace, both powers controlled by Demons.
If something were to happen to the Celestial Cloud Sect, freeing up the Celestial Demon Sect, it was highly likely they would join forces with the Dragon Demon Palace to attack the Wind Ling Sect.
"We must thank you for keeping a close watch on the Dragon Demon Palace’s movements while the Celestial Demon Sect and the Demon Spirit Sect were making their move."
"It was our duty," Li Mingyi replied.
By helping the Celestial Cloud Sect, the Wind Ling Sect was, in effect, helping itself.
If the Dragon Demon Palace had shown any sign of reinforcing the Celestial Demon Sect, they would have taken action without hesitation.
When the topic turned to the Evil Sects, the Elders from every sect had a great deal to say.
The major sects discussed their current circumstances. With the Celestial Demon Sect near the Celestial Cloud Sect having fallen silent, it was unlikely they would make a move for a long time. Coupled with Miao Qinghong’s successful advancement to Core Formation, the Celestial Cloud Sect was in the best position.
"The Dragon Demon Palace hasn’t been very active recently, but I have a feeling they’re planning something big within the next few years." As he said this, Li Mingyi couldn’t help but frown.
It was just a premonition.
He hoped his premonition was wrong.
"Fellow Daoist Bai, if the Dragon Demon Palace truly makes a major move, we’ll need you to keep the Celestial Demon Sect in check."
"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Li. We at the Celestial Cloud Sect know what to do," Bai Qinying guaranteed.
If the Dragon Demon Palace made a move, the Celestial Cloud Sect’s duty would be to prevent the Celestial Demon Sect from reinforcing them, thus relieving some of the pressure on the Wind Ling Sect.
"Fellow Daoist Luo, Fellow Daoist Wen, I truly envy your sects."
"We either face minor squabbles or a major crisis threatening our very existence. It’s not as peaceful as you imagine, Fellow Daoist Li," Luo Yiyang said, shaking his head.
If you were to rate sect crises on a scale of one to five, the Vast Sea Sect and Star Moon Valley rarely experienced anything in the middle three levels.
With the Earth Realms of two Core Formation Sects bordering each other, things were indeed more stable.
But if a major event did occur, it would be an all-out attempt to annihilate both their Core Formation Sects. For such an undertaking, the Evil Sects would have to amass an immense amount of power.
「Several hours later.」
Li Mingyi suddenly turned his gaze to Fang Yun, shifting the topic of conversation to him.
While the Elders from the various sects discussed the overall situation, Fang Yun had remained mostly silent. He was listening intently, gathering as much information as he could.
’Our four sects have a relatively close relationship, so information about the others is important. I might have a chance to visit their Earth Realms later to acquire more Combat Talent Points.’
"Fellow Daoist Fang, have you successfully refined a Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill yet?"
As soon as he asked, the gazes of the Elders from the Vast Sea Sect and Star Moon Valley also fell upon Fang Yun.
They were all aware of Fang Yun’s incredible talent in both Alchemy and Artifact Refining, but they needed to inquire further for specific details to get a clearer picture.
"I have," Fang Yun replied.
He then looked at Li Mingyi.
Then, he posed a question of his own.
"Is the Wind Ling Sect interested in commissioning me to refine a Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, Fellow Daoist Li?"
Fang Yun’s question took all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators present by surprise, including Bai Qinying.
’When I brought the team to the Four Sects Trial, I never considered this, nor did I ever discuss it with Fang Yun. From the way he’s asking, it seems he’s willing to take commissions for Foundation Establishment Pills from other Core Formation Sects.’
When Fang Yun posed his question, the Elders of the other three sects were immediately intrigued.
This was especially true for Xiao Lefan of the Vast Sea Sect.
Before Li Mingyi from the Wind Ling Sect could respond, Xiao Lefan jumped in with a question of his own.
"Fellow Daoist Fang, can you consistently refine Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills?"
He had participated in the Four Sects Trial two cycles ago, intentionally delaying his own Foundation Establishment because he knew the first-place winner would receive a Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.
He had wanted to win that Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill to help his younger sister successfully achieve Foundation Establishment.
To date, his younger sister had already consumed one Middle-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill and failed. At fifty years old, she still had a chance to try again.
Although he had prepared another Middle-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill for her, he felt it was still highly likely she would fail. ’If only I had a Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill,’ he thought.
At this moment, his gaze was locked onto Fang Yun, his composure nearly slipping.
He desperately hoped to hear the answer he was looking for.
"I wouldn’t say ’consistently’ just yet. However, if you provide me with four standard sets of Spirit Medicines for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, I can guarantee you one Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill in return." Fang Yun considered for a moment before answering, stating his price for the service.
Four standard sets of Spirit Medicines for a Foundation Establishment Pill in exchange for one Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.
A "standard set" of Spirit Medicines for a Foundation Establishment Pill was one with the potential to produce a Top-grade pill, meaning the primary and auxiliary Spirit Medicines all had to be of at least "good" quality.
If even one of the primary Spirit Medicines was of "inferior" quality, it would be impossible to produce a Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, even with perfect refining technique, due to the limitations of the ingredients.
Fang Yun couldn’t yet achieve perfect refinement of a Foundation Establishment Pill, but he wasn’t far from being able to create a Top-grade one perfectly.
’With the experience from refining at most seven more batches of Foundation Establishment Pills, I should be able to achieve perfect refinement in the future.’
’Normally, if our Elder Tang were to refine four standard sets of Spirit Medicines for a Foundation Establishment Pill, he should be able to produce, at a minimum, two Middle-Grade and two Lower-Grade Foundation Establishment Pills.’
’He’s the best Elder of Alchemy in our Wind Ling Sect. At his skill level, given a standard set of Spirit Medicines, he would never produce a Wasted Pill.’
’He’d only fail to produce even a single Lower-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill if he were given inferior Spirit Medicines to work with.’
Considering this, Li Mingyi felt that exchanging four standard sets of Spirit Medicines for a single Top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was an incredibly profitable deal.