The entirety of Shaxing City is vast, divided by the city lord, Yu Quanzhen, into five major areas: four districts (east, west, south, and north) plus a central city. Of course, a place like the Lower City couldn't be included.
After walking through the brightly lit streets for over ten minutes, Ming Qi arrived at the East City District the old man had mentioned.
The East City District was naturally far superior to the Lower City District. Both the opulence of the buildings and their layout were organized, creating a neat and beautiful appearance. It also housed a significant number of the core bases of the Immortal Path mercenaries.
Ming Qi had barely stepped into the East City District, barely taking in the surroundings, when he felt a sudden rush of wind. A figure flashed before him. It was the old man he had met a few days ago.
"Haha, young friend, you've achieved a breakthrough so quickly! Congratulations!"
The old man's face was kind and radiant, and he was genuinely delighted to see Ming Qi arrive.
"I've made some progress, fortunately. Remembering my promise to my senior, I hurried here."
Ming Qi always maintained a low profile. If someone was polite to him, he would naturally respond with a touch of courtesy. This was Ming Qi's way of treating others.
"I'm truly delighted to have you here, young friend. Please come this way."
The old man led the way, swiftly guiding Ming Qi through several tall, wide buildings until they arrived in front of a small courtyard.
"Please."
The old man pushed the door open and entered, his manner very polite.
Upon entering, Ming Qi was immediately struck by a faint medicinal aroma.
The room was simply constructed, with two separate rooms on either side and a reception hall in the middle. What was unique was that in the very center of the hall stood a large, exotic plant, planted in a square jade basin.
The plant's branches and leaves looked crystal clear, like stars in the night sky. Between these pearl-like branches and leaves, dangling were purple beads resembling gemstones.
"Senior, what is this? It looks so beautiful?" Ming Qi asked curiously, standing before this bizarre plant.
"Oh, this? I don't know what it is. I just used it for admiration."
The old man smiled and gestured for Ming Qi to sit down. Da Bai crawled down beside Ming Qi.
"San Lang, I know what this thing is!"
Just as Ming Qi sat down, Da Bai's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
Ming Qi turned around in surprise and looked at Da Bai.
This old man was so familiar with the Martial King-level Yu Quanzhen that he was clearly a powerful figure. How could Da Bai know something that even he didn't know?
"I've heard from my mother that this kind of thing only exists in my true hometown. It's said to be called the Loulan Ancient Tree."
"Loulan Ancient Tree?"
Ming Qi was surprised. The name was indeed a bit strange, and he also became intrigued by Dabai's origins. Judging from Dabai's words, it was obvious that it wasn't native to Yanshan.
"Yes, it seems to be a sacred tree worshipped by the Sky Fox Clan. As for its use, I don't know."
Dabai continued to explain.
"Sky Fox Clan, sacred tree?"
Ming Qi was filled with questions when the old man brought out a cup of steaming tea and placed it on the table in front of him.
Seeing Ming Qi staring at the plant before him, he immediately asked curiously, "Young friend, do you know what this is?"
Shaking his head with a smile, Ming Qi said, "If even you can't identify it, I naturally have no chance of knowing."
Taking a sip from his tea, Ming Qi asked, "Senior, are you planning to use the Golden Heavenly Fire to refine an elixir?"
The old man nodded and said, "Yes, I do intend to refine a rare elixir, but unfortunately, I've never been able to reach the right temperature. This has become a source of worry for me. Fortunately, I met you..."
At this moment, a door opened nearby, and a young woman in green emerged.
The girl's light green dress enveloped her delicate figure, making her look incredibly fragile. She had a long, oval face, a pointed chin, and eyes like a pool of autumn water. Long, flowing hair reached down to her waist.
What a sickly beauty!
The green-clad girl's appearance immediately captivated Ming Qi.
"Xiao Qi, you're awake! Come meet the guests."
The old man saw the girl push the door open and immediately pulled her over.
"Oh."
The girl walked a few steps obediently to Ming Qi and said shyly, "Hello, my name is Xiao Qi."
"Hello."
Ming Qi returned the favor with a faint smile and watched the girl sit down in the chair next to the old man.
"Alas."
The old man sighed and said, "Xiao Qi is my only granddaughter. Poorly, she seems to have been born with a strange congenital disease. Not only can she not cultivate, but her health is getting weaker and weaker. The elixir I want to refine is to cure her."
Ming Qi nodded and said directly, "I understand your intentions, senior. Since that's the case, let's not delay and get started."
"Okay!"
The old man's expression brightened. He stood up and pointed to a door at the back of the hall. "My alchemy room is behind this. Please follow me."
Following the old man into the alchemy room, Ming Qi saw a huge alchemy furnace set in the center. Mysterious patterns were engraved on the furnace and on the floor as well. A quick glance revealed that there were numerous carvings throughout the room, even on the walls. Needless to say, these strange patterns were related to alchemy.
Arriving in the alchemy room, the old man pointed to the largest, strange pattern beneath the alchemy furnace and explained to Ming Qi, "This is a big reason I live in Killing Star City."
"Is this a magic circle?"
Looking at the layers of patterns on the ground, Ming Qi immediately realized that this seemed to be a method of drawing on the alchemy fire that already existed between heaven and earth through the magic circle.
"Indeed, it's precisely because I can draw upon the Green Seedling Heavenly Fire from the Heavenly Fire that I set up the alchemy furnace here."
The old man gazed at the furnace, sighing with emotion. He then said, "You might not believe this, my friend. Although I'm an alchemist, I'm completely incapable of generating the alchemy fire myself. I've come this far by relying on the alchemy fire that already exists between heaven and earth to refine my elixirs."
"Then... if you can't generate the alchemy fire, why did you choose to be an alchemist?"
Ming Qi didn't understand this. Alchemists are a rare breed, and one of the basic requirements for becoming one is the ability to generate the alchemy fire. The old man couldn't generate the alchemy fire, yet he was able to become an alchemist. Perhaps he had received some extraordinary opportunity.
"Hehe, that's all in the past. Let's not talk about it. Now, let me tell you what elixir I want to refine."
"Okay."
Ming Qi responded, and the old man handed him an elixir recipe.
Seeing the name at the top of the recipe, Ming Qi's heart raced.
Qian Kun Creation Pill!
An Earth Immortal-level elixir!
Even alchemists at the Martial King level wouldn't dare attempt an Earth Immortal-level elixir!
Behind the elixir's name, a dense list of hundreds of ingredients was laid out, many of them rare and precious treasures. Ming Qi was dazzled by the sheer number of ingredients.
"Senior, what exactly is Miss Xiao Qi suffering from? Does it require such a difficult-to-refine elixir to cure?"
Ming Qi held the elixir formula, puzzled. The Qian Kun Creation Pill, an Earth Immortal-level elixir, held a faint hint of the Way of Heaven within it, possessing miraculous powers capable of seizing the power of heaven and earth. Legend has it that a Qian Kun Creation Pill could not only transform an ordinary mortal into a congenitally powerful being, but also open up their meridians and stimulate their potential, and even possess the miraculous power of bringing the dead back to life.
The old man's face was solemn. After a moment's silence, he said, "To be honest, Xiao Qi doesn't have a congenital illness. Instead, she was the victim of a conspiracy. A Black Curse has been cast upon her. If it's not removed promptly, she won't live past the age of fifteen."
"Black Curse!"
Upon hearing these four words, Ming Qi exclaimed in surprise.
Another Black Curse!
"What? Young man, you know about the Black Curse too?"
Seeing Ming Qi's surprised expression, the old man asked hurriedly.
Nodding, Ming Qi briefly recounted the Black Soul Curse he had witnessed.
Finally, Ming Qi asked, "Can this Qiankun Creation Pill truly break the curse on Miss Qi?"
"I'm not sure, but after decades of research, I've determined that only this kind of pill can be created before Xiao Qi turns fifteen. If not, well..."
Ming Qi nodded, set the recipe aside, and said, "Senior, let's begin."
The old man carefully closed the door and approached the furnace.
"Young friend, this is your only chance. Please give me your full assistance."
Ming Qi knew this. If this Qiankun Creation Pill could be easily refined, why would the old man go to such great lengths, gathering all the ingredients and still not daring to start the furnace?
"I'll do my best."
After hearing Ming Qi's words, the old man waved his right hand, and a stream of innate energy flew out, passing through the room one after another. In the blink of an eye, the nine silver lamps surrounding the furnace were illuminated.
The old man flicked his sleeves, and jade boxes and bottles of all sizes filled the table.
"These are all materials I've painstakingly collected over decades. Many are unique, and obtaining them again is incredibly difficult." The old man extended his finger and pointed at them one by one.
"This is Hanlan, which I collected from the icy lands north of North Pole City. This is the Demon Pill of the Mysterious Fire Snake, which I obtained by hunting a Level 6 Mysterious Fire Snake alone in the Southern Wilderness. This is Qingshui Ice Crystal, and there's also the Nine-Turn Resurrection Grass. This is the Crane Dance Lotus..."
As the list of names came up, Ming Qi's heart began to race. He wondered how much effort and risk-taking this tableful of items had taken, and how many near-death experiences had it taken. It was clear how important Xiao Qi was to the old man.
"Don't worry, senior. I'll do my utmost to help you complete the elixir!"
"Wait a minute. To be on the safe side, let me first test the power of your Golden Heavenly Fire so I can be more confident."
The old man was cautious and prudent, not rushing to begin refining the Qiankun Creation Pill right away. With everything already in place, he could calmly test it beforehand.