Jiang Linglong nodded and began to narrate:
"Ninety years ago, during the beast chaos, your Chen Clan Immortal Family joined Wei Chongyang in defending Yu County."
"But that Wei Chongyang, for the sake of obtaining a Purple Sun Jade, first sent your Chen Clan Immortal Family to confront the Purple Mansion Demon Clan and then deliberately delayed the army's reinforcements for thirteen days."
"He only set out after watching your Chen Clan's elite forces suffer devastating losses, intending to seize the Purple Sun Jade."
"However, he underestimated the power of the Purple Mansion Demon Ape, which managed to escape from his grasp and ultimately fell into my hands."
"…"
As Jiang Linglong recounted these past events, Elian clenched his fists, barely able to suppress his killing intent.
After a moment, he subdued the murderous impulse in his heart and said coldly, "Wei Chongyang is a disgrace to humanity. One day, I will take his head to honor my ancestors."
"These past events, keep them in your heart," Jiang Linglong said as she handed a storage bag to Elian, smiling.
"Speaking of which, you've truly gained a lot this time."
He took the storage bag, glanced inside, and revealed an expression of ecstatic joy.
These past days, he had been too preoccupied with his travels to check the bag. Now, with Jiang Linglong opening it, he discovered a Crystal of Blazing Flame within.
"There's actually such a treasure?"
Suppressing his excitement, Elian marveled at the value of the Crystal of Blazing Flame, a rarity even in the fire veins beneath Tianxu Mountain, where only one could be produced every thirty years. This item was invaluable—it could be used for artifact refinement, medicine, or even assisting cultivators in breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage.
"The old patriarch has been at the ninth level of the Foundation Establishment stage for years. If he consumes this, he may finally attempt to break through to the Purple Mansion stage."
Reining in his excitement, Elian continued examining Wei Mingyuan's storage bag. As the direct descendant of the Purple Mansion Clan, Wei Mingyuan's bag contained over 8,000 spirit stones.
In addition, there were several bottles of Vitality pills, a cultivation technique scroll, some mid-to-low-tier second-grade artifacts, and three high-tier second-grade spirit talismans.
The cultivation technique was the Qingyang Sect's inheritance technique, the Blazing Fire Refinement Art, which was said to reach the early Golden Core stage. Unfortunately, the scroll in Wei Mingyuan's possession only allowed cultivation starting from the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.
Without lingering, Elian collected the items and recalled his earlier gains at Ink Brush Ridge, taking out a Xuanyu Ginseng.
"Recently, I ventured into the beast domain with others and obtained this precious herb. I came to you to refine it into Xuanyu Pills."
"It seems your opportunities are not small," Jiang Linglong said with a slight sparkle in her eyes upon seeing the Xuanyu Ginseng. She smiled and added, "This pill isn't too difficult to refine; I should be able to produce at least five pills."
"These pills will benefit Mingwei and Rumeng. May I take two after refining?"
Elian smiled slightly.
"That's only fair."
Seeing him agree, Jiang Linglong retrieved a furnace and auxiliary ingredients, leading Elian to the pill refining chamber.
Observing the refining process of a third-tier low-grade pill was a rare opportunity, especially when guided by a high-level alchemist like Jiang Linglong.
"The Xuanyu Pill is a third-tier low-grade pill. Besides the third-tier Xuanyu Ginseng, it requires two high-tier second-grade auxiliary spirit herbs," Jiang Linglong explained as she simmered the ingredients, her brows relaxed with a trace of a smile.
"One of these was not available in Tianxu Mountain, but a mature plant from the Mu Clan in Yu County was delivered to me years ago."
Elian's eyes glimmered slightly as he smiled faintly.
"The Mu Clan is quite shrewd, playing both sides."
"They don't lose out either," Jiang Linglong replied calmly.
"I often require herbs from their spirit herb gardens for pill refinement. Over the years, I've shared several Foundation Establishment Pills with them."
As they spoke, the auxiliary herbs were ready. Elian then prepared the Xuanyu Ginseng and placed it into the pill furnace.
Jiang Linglong activated the fire energy, refining the Xuanyu Ginseng with a composed expression.
"Refining third-tier spirit herbs is exceedingly difficult. To separate the medicinal properties from the impurities requires immense patience," she remarked.
Despite her words, her process seemed effortless. In just three days, she had extracted the liquid essence of the Xuanyu Ginseng. After repeatedly refining it with the auxiliary ingredients, she condensed six portions of medicinal liquid.
The pill formation process went smoothly, and after three more days of tempering with gentle fire, six Xuanyu Pills emerged from the furnace.
"It's done," Elian said with a delighted expression as he looked at the six pills.
Even after Jiang Linglong kept two pills, four remained, enough for the Chen and Wei Clans to split evenly.
With the refining complete, Elian didn't leave immediately. Instead, he put out a Green Yuan Ganoderma, intending to use the opportunity to elevate his pill-refining skill to high-tier second grade.
Over the years, his alchemy expertise had steadily advanced, already nearing the threshold of high-tier second grade. With Jiang Linglong's guidance and multiple observations, he had an 80-90% chance of success.
Seven days later, Elian successfully refined the Green Yuan Pills, producing two in his first attempt.
"You have a decent talent for alchemy," Jiang Linglong remarked with a smile as she looked at the two Green Yuan Pills.
However, Elian didn't immediately consume the pills to break through to the later stages of Foundation Establishment. Having just reached the sixth level recently, he still needed four to five years to accumulate sufficient spiritual energy to attempt the seventh level.
In the following days, he refined two furnaces of Explosive Essence Pills, yielding a total of twelve pills. With this completed, Elian prepared to leave. Before departing, he said:
"In eight or nine years, another beast chaos will descend. The great immortal clans of Yu County have discussed forming an alliance with Tianxu Mountain for joint defense."
"I was planning to gather everyone for such discussions in a few years," Jiang Linglong replied with a nod.
"However, relying solely on Yu County and Tianxu Mountain may not be enough to withstand this calamity."
"The three counties of the Bianzhou Region must unite," Elian said gravely. "If we fight separately, we cannot resist the Purple Mansion Demon Clan. It's clear that the Qingyang Sect can no longer be relied upon."
"True," Jiang Linglong agreed.
"Once you return, communicate with the immortal clans. In a few years, I will summon everyone to Tianxu Mountain to establish the alliance."
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D