Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The Alchemy Room of Heavenly Grain was completely different from what Li Hong had imagined; it looked quite shabby.
A row of simple blue brick buildings stood, with a line of large porcelain jars filled with Clear Water standing at the entrance. It resembled the kitchen of a wealthy household, lacking only stacks of firewood.
Each Alchemy Room was a square measuring about three meters on each side, with deep red refractory bricks covering the floor. In the center stood a Dan Furnace with a diameter of three feet. Apart from that, there was only a stack of Reed Mats in the corner for sitting, nothing else. The Dan Furnace was clearly not an ordinary one; it was forged from gold and iron, dark and shiny, with evident spiritual energy flowing above it.
The guiding Pharmaceutical Apprentice introduced enthusiastically, "This is just an Alchemist's Chamber for refining ordinary pills, like the Pill of Starvation. You may have heard of Elixirs being categorized into levels, but we at Heavenly Grain categorize them even more finely. There are nine grades of Human-Level pills and nine grades of Pudan as well. This chamber is for refining the ninth grade, such as the Pill of Starvation. Different grades of Elixirs require different Alchemist's Chambers. Although this Alchemist's Chamber looks simple, all our Alchemist's Chambers at Heavenly Grain are like this; the only difference is the Dan Furnace."
The implication was clear: it wasn't that they were unwilling to show them higher-level Alchemist's Chambers, but rather that all Alchemist's Chambers were quite similar, with distinctions only in the Dan Furnace. They politely declined to show any superior Dan Furnaces.
As he spoke, he rubbed one of the Reed Mats and sat down in front of the Dan Furnace, placing his hands in front of his chest and forming finger seals towards the Dan Furnace. The gold and iron forged Dan Furnace gradually began to glow from within, emitting a buzzing sound as if the formation inside was activating.
The Pharmacist continued to explain, "We supply spiritual energy to the Dan Furnace ourselves. Once the Dan Furnace activates and the lid opens, we can start adding herbs. Then we continue to supply spiritual energy until the pill is formed. This process consumes a lot of spiritual energy from the alchemist. The higher the grade of the pill, the more spiritual energy it consumes. A single furnace of top-grade Human-Level pills requires ten elders at Golden Core Stage or above to continuously supply spiritual energy for a month without rest; they cannot leave for even a moment. Moreover, adding herbs, controlling heat, and timing must be precise; it requires immense concentration. A tiny pill contains all our efforts at Heavenly Grain." He expressed this sentiment with great emotion.
Li Hong smiled; this senior brother had quite a way with words and had started lamenting on behalf of their sect.
However, this type of Dan Furnace was indeed interesting; it was essentially a treasure capable of refining pills. He wondered if he could obtain a sample to take back and study with Master Yue Changzi. If they could replicate one, that would be fantastic. But that seemed like a pipe dream. Just looking around made it clear: loose on the outside but tight on the inside, with a line of Heavenly Grain practitioners standing guard at the entrance, each with cultivation at least at Initial Stage of Caution. If they guarded a Dan Furnace for refining ninth-grade Pill of Starvation so strictly, how could one think about stealing? Li Hong shook his head inwardly.
Next, they visited their pharmacy—it was still just an ordinary herbal processing area; no higher-grade materials were visible.
Numerous Pharmacists were busy washing and drying herbs, with dedicated personnel categorizing them for different drying methods such as shade drying, air drying, sun drying, and oven drying before sending them to various drying rooms.
"A tiny Elixir requires two thousand Pharmacists working tirelessly at Heavenly Grain every moment. The entire Cultivation World relies on us for supplying Elixirs; saying it's not exhausting would be a lie!" The Pharmaceutical Apprentice continued to express his feelings passionately and eloquently.
Li Hong initially felt that they worked hard indeed, but after hearing these words repeatedly, he found them somewhat tiresome. Looking over at Chu Huai and others nearby, he noticed their thoughts were elsewhere as they gazed distractedly at the fairies from Qixia Palace. Only Chuxuan frowned slightly, her gaze fixed intently on one spot.
Following his gaze, Li Hong saw Chu Xi and Yan Luo holding hands, listening intently to the Pharmaceutical Apprentice, both of them nodding frequently.
For some reason, he felt even more disgusted. Li Hong quietly exited the Alchemist's Chamber.
********
That evening, Heavenly Grain hosted a grand banquet, attended by all the prominent figures of the Immortal Sect, with even the participating disciples having their seats.
In the sky floated numerous large, strange celestial herbs resembling lanterns, shining brightly and illuminating the area below like countless lanterns. On the riverbank facing the Reception Hall, hundreds of Eight Immortals Tables were arranged, with cups clinking and people bustling about, the tables laden with an array of exotic delicacies.
At the main table sat the sect leader Xuan Xuzi in the center, surrounded by the Eight Major Sect Leaders, the leader of the Five Elements Sect, and the palace master of Qixia Palace. Accompanying them were Qing Yizi, Master of the Grain from Northern Grain of the Heavenly Harvest, and Qingqinzi, Master of Southern Valley. The only item on the table was a massive jade basin with a diameter of six feet, filled with a milky fragrant broth floating with green lotus-like pieces.
The fragrant aroma wafted in the wind, intoxicatingly delightful. Someone murmured, "They actually made soup from Jade Essence Lotus from the Ancient Celestial Field; what a waste!" Despite this, their eyes greedily darted toward the main table as they swallowed hard.
The Jade Essence Lotus was worth a year of hard cultivation; it could only be found in Heavenly Grain's Ancient Celestial Field. It was undoubtedly a precious item!
Barrels of Heavenly Grain's special Herbal Wine were brought from the warehouse and poured into large bowls, flowing continuously to each table. The air was filled with a strong scent of wine mixed with the unique refreshing fragrance of herbs. The Pharmacist distributing the Herbal Wine was busy sweating profusely as he darted around the tables.
Looking around, there were at least a thousand Skyward Valley Disciples serving as attendants.
The fifty tables below were filled with prominent figures from various Immortal Sect factions, including Spirit Stone and Ling Yi Zi. Many Little Sect Leaders hesitated to approach the main table to curry favor with the Immortal Sect bigwigs; thus, their Elder Brothers became the best candidates to approach Spirit Stone and Ling Yi Zi with wine bowls in hand, eagerly hoping for a favor.
Spirit Stone welcomed everyone and drank heartily. Those toasting him were pleasantly surprised and praised Nine Li Sect's Spirit Stone Elder Brother as a kind and straightforward person; thus, people came and went in an endless stream. Even Ling Yi Zi had many waiting with wine bowls in front of him.
The disciples of Nine Li Sect privately felt nervous for those toasting Ling Yi Zi.
Others may not be clear, but they all know. Ling Yi Zi, the Elder Brother of Nine Beam Peak, has always hated socializing; attending meetings even five times out of ten is already quite good for him. It’s hard to imagine him giving any face to these Little Sect Leaders who come to toast.
However, today was a big mistake. Ling Yi Zi was exceptionally amiable. As the drinks flowed, although he was not as clever and smooth as Spirit Stone, he still managed to say a few polite words that gave people face. Some Little Sect Leaders were so pleased that their eyes squinted into slits, boasting to everyone that they had drunk with the Elder Brother of Nine Li Sect at Nine Beam Peak.
After drinking about ten bowls, Ling Yi Zi laughed heartily and said, “This isn’t enough for a good time! Come on! Let’s switch to a bigger jar!”
A Child brought over the wine. Ling Yi Zi lifted a two-foot-high Wine Jar and poured it into his mouth. A stream of green wine rushed directly down his throat, and one could see his Adam's apple moving up and down. In an instant, he finished an entire jar of Herbal Wine. He immediately grabbed another jar and raised it high to pour again.
After three jars, Ling Yi Zi suddenly clapped his hands and sang loudly, his voice resonating throughout the valley:
“Boundless Freedom, let the song soar,
In the years of flying immortals, I stand proud,
Why bother with the endless troubles of Long Pavilion and short pavilions!
The mortal world has intentions, hearts have feelings,
With three thousand strands of White Hair, I remain youthful.
Let Time pass like a shuttle while I laugh at the Azure Sea's green tides!”
His singing was passionate and stirring, captivating everyone into silence as they listened in awe.
Ling Yi Zi laughed heartily, soared into the air on his sword, and vanished in an instant.
The applause thundered throughout the valley.
Someone shouted, "What a remarkable talent! This long song is truly invigorating. Bring forth the three great whites!"
Li Hong smiled; this song was clearly composed by Yun Jiuzi. He wondered where Ling Yi Zi had learned it, to sing it here. However, his singing was indeed impressive, showing some of Yun Jiuzi's style.
He pondered whether Yun Jiuzi had managed to sneak in. It had been a long time since he last saw him, and he genuinely missed him. He slowly sipped his Herbal Wine, his thoughts drifting elsewhere. Unbeknownst to him, a pair of shining eyes in the shadows were watching him.
As night deepened, the crowd on the riverbank gradually dispersed.
Li Hong and Chuxiong, feeling warm from drinking, walked over to the clear river to wash their faces thoroughly before linking arms and heading towards the Inn.
The participating disciples stayed together, usually sharing rooms two to a room. Naturally, Li Hong shared with Chuxiong while Chu Xi had a room to herself. As they pushed open the courtyard gate and headed towards their room, Li Hong suddenly felt something was off. After a moment of contemplation, he shook off Chuxiong and rushed to Chu Xi's room, flinging open the door.
The room was dark and seemed empty, but Li Hong knew someone was hiding behind the bed. He coldly commanded, "Come out! If you don't come out, don't blame me for being rough!"
The person remained still, trying hard to hold their breath. Unable to resist, Li Hong dashed behind the bed and pulled aside the curtain.
Behind the curtain was a small figure curled up tightly. With the bright light from outside, Li Hong could see clearly that it was Yan Luo's Little Imp Girl, clutching a bundle of silver gauze that faintly shimmered with five iridescent colors.
The Silver Moon Robe! Was the Little Imp Girl here to steal something? Li Hong's eyes widened in realization that he was in a tricky situation.
A fragrant scent wafted in from behind; it was the smell of Forget-Me-Not Butterfly. Without needing to turn around, he knew Chu Xi had returned. Li Hong scratched his head and turned to Chu Xi with an expression of helplessness, gesturing towards behind the bed.
Chu Xi quickly walked to the back of the bed when suddenly the Little Imp Girl burst into tears, sobbing as she said, "I came to find my sister... I saw my sister's Silver Moon Robe on the bed and thought I would try it on behind the Tent... I didn't expect that fierce brother to kick open the door without saying a word. Sister—I'm so scared... Boo hoo... peeking at me changing clothes... Boo hoo..."
Li Hong's mouth dropped wide open at the accusation from the Little Imp Girl! She had clearly caught her in the act, yet the girl turned it around and claimed that Li Hong was peeking at her while changing clothes!
Chu Xi rolled her eyes but smiled, glaring at Li Hong as she said, "Aren't you going to get out of here? Do you really want to watch a little girl change?"
Li Hong felt embarrassed and didn't know how to respond. What was so interesting about a little girl with yellow hair? But saying that in front of Chu Xi was simply impossible. Defeated, she awkwardly retreated from the room.
"Haha! You also have times when you can't find the words!" Chuxiong laughed heartily, which only made Li Hong kick him in annoyance and shout, "Go! It's time for bed!"
Lying in bed, unable to sleep, she perked up her ears to listen to the sounds outside. From the next room, she could hear light voices; it seemed the Little Imp Girl had taken quite a while to leave.
Li Hong immediately got up and as soon as she stepped out of her room, she bumped into Chu Xi. Without waiting for an explanation, Chu Xi made a shushing gesture and whispered, "I know what's going on. You don't need to explain. From now on, I’ve decided to wear my Silver Moon Robe at all times." She smiled sweetly and turned back into her room.
Li Hong felt warmth in her heart; after all, Chu Xi was on her side and so understanding. That annoying Little Imp Girl was so cunning at such a young age, claiming that Li Hong was peeking at her while changing clothes—how ridiculous! But she couldn't quite figure out what to call her.
After laughing for a bit, she returned to bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Comment 0 Comment Count