After leaving Tantai Chan's herb garden, Wang Yu felt momentarily lost. In truth, he could choose to leave the Reverse Blood Sect now. However, the Crimson Kite Demon Domain and the Taihu Spirit Domain were separated by natural barriers and fortified passes. As a mere Qi Refining cultivator, how could he possibly cross them?
Realistically, relying on a major sect was the only way for a cultivator with his aptitude to continuously advance on the cultivation path. Qi Refining cultivators had a lifespan of one hundred fifty years; it was best to break through to Foundation Establishment before the age of one hundred.
Previously burning ten years of lifespan, according to the theory of blood and energy, affected the younger, more abundant years rather than the tail end.
For Wang Yu, this deadline was before ninety years old. He still had seventy-three years to prepare, which should be sufficient.
"Coldblood Pill..."
On his way out of the Evil God Market, Wang Yu blended into the passing disciples, heading towards the Coldblood Market.
His mind was slightly unsettled because he discovered the Placement Rack had changed.
**[Slot 3: None]**
This change delighted him. By this logic, another slot would be born when he broke through to the late Qi Refining stage. Estimating this way, achieving Foundation Establishment seemed very close, and even Golden Core wasn't beyond reach!
He selected the technique for placement.
**[Slot 3: Coldblood Art]**
**[Coldblood Art (51/100): Fifty-six practices per day. Mastery achievable in half a year.]**
Compared to half a year ago, the progress bar had increased by half, and the daily practice count had significantly grown. These were the hidden benefits from his realm breakthrough and meridian expansion.
The Yin-cold spiritual power circulated throughout his body, strengthening his physique daily, especially his blood, which became denser and its temperature dropped, perfectly matching the "Heavenly Yin Blood" required by the [Corpse Demon Secret Method].
Even with two slots working simultaneously, the time for the next realm breakthrough was postponed to eight years later. He needed external assistance; relying solely on the Placement Rack was no longer enough.
After some thought, he decided to place something else first.
**[Slot 3: Coldblood Pill]**
**[Coldblood Pill (0/100): Twelve practices per day. Mastery achievable in half a year.]**
This move actually enhanced his mastery of a single pill formula, closely linked to his alchemy skill.
Once the Frost Python Alchemy reached perfection in a year, and he mastered the Coldblood Pill flawlessly, his failure rate when personally refining pills would be almost zero.
As the exclusive pill formula accompanying the technique, its effect in assisting cultivation must be remarkable, worthy of greater investment.
His next goal was to collect two complete sets of medicinal ingredients within a year and solve issues like obtaining a pill furnace and an earth fire room.
Upon reaching the Coldblood Market, Wang Yu went straight into the Ice Snow Pavilion.
Zhao Shang was indeed sitting in his usual spot, his voice reaching from afar.
"Junior Brother Wang, haven't seen you for half a year. Your appearance is completely renewed. Congratulations."
"Proper recuperation just alleviated the state of deficiency in both blood and energy. I hope you've been well, Senior Brother Zhao."
While they exchanged superficial pleasantries, Zhao Shang said with interest, "Junior Brother, you were gone for six months. The position in the Ice Snow Pavilion is very precious. I couldn't bear to see it wasted."
"So I temporarily rented it to an inner sect junior brother at the late Qi Refining stage. You won't blame me, will you?"
Wang Yu: "..."
Late Qi Refining stage, inner sect junior brother!
With these two conditions stated, could he get it back? He was thoroughly disgusted. Recalling how this person secretly sold Room 29 half a year ago, several malicious plans surfaced in his mind.
"Senior Brother Zhao, I was away on a mission. Your actions seem inappropriate."
Zhao Shang narrowed his eyes. He dared to do this for two reasons:
First, he bullied Wang Yu's insufficient cultivation and extremely poor aptitude, which basically left no possibility of self-improvement and forced reliance on external help.
Second, when Fatty Duan brought him last time, although he mentioned Wang Yu was personally appointed by True Disciple Su, Duan Ping's own words hinted that he should make things difficult for Wang Yu.
If he wasn't afraid, why should Zhao Shang fear?
Wang Yu had no direct channel to True Disciple Su. What could he do if his room was taken? As long as it was nominally justified. Releasing an aura belonging to the late Qi Refining stage, Zhao Shang reminded him to show respect.
"Wang Yu, I'm helping you generate income. The inner sect senior brother isn't using your room for free. This is the rental fee, payable annually."
The next moment, a black shadow was thrown at him. Wang Yu quickly stepped back to dodge.
Seeing it was a single spirit stone bouncing repeatedly on the ground, he almost laughed in anger. Was he treating him like a beggar?!!
"Fine, fine—
"Senior Brother Zhao's methods are superb. I admit defeat."
Choosing not to make threats, Wang Yu didn't even feel like going upstairs to negotiate. He turned and left the Ice Snow Pavilion.
Just wait.
True Disciple Su had invested the Corpse Demon Secret Method, one thousand contribution points, the promised second-grade ice corpse arm, and the outer disciple token in him.
All these were just scraps from a true disciple's perspective, but the frequency was high, and there was clearly an intention to nurture him.
Zhao Shang didn't know this information, and Fatty Duan wouldn't tell him.
If one day True Disciple Su looked for him and couldn't find him, Zhao Shang would be in trouble. A guy who was insatiably greedy deserved this calamity.
The [Essence-Qi Room] wasn't very meaningful for Wang Yu, given his terribly poor aptitude. While a normal triple spiritual root cultivator could benefit greatly, he could only improve from "1" to "1.01"—more useless than a chicken rib.
Losing it wasn't a pity.
After calming his mind and organizing his thoughts, recalling the information gained at Tantai's herb garden, Wang Yu considered applying for a position at the Xu Family Pill Shop.
The Frost Python Alchemy had been placed for about two months now.
**[Slot 2: Frost Python Alchemy (Remnant Method)]**
**[Frost Python Alchemy (16/100): Twelve practices per day. Mastery achievable in ten months.]**
He had already reached the beginner level and could attempt pill refinement. He had learned the fire control hand seals and pill condensation seals, all through practical experience.
He might not qualify as an alchemist, but working as a furnace-tending alchemy assistant shouldn't be a problem. The Xu Family Pill Shop wouldn't open for another two months, so he had time to look around.
Glancing back at the Coldblood Market, Wang Yu left leisurely, showing no trace of his earlier anger.
**Evil God Market.**
This place was a mix of disciples from all nine peaks, with complex and intertwined backgrounds, difficult to untangle.
Wang Yu had his Black Blood Disciple Order, so accommodation wasn't a worry. Each market had an area specifically for ordinary cave residences.
After all, they were within the sect; empty rooms in the Ten Reverse Blood Markets were available for staying. After one night,
**The next day,**
considering he wasn't the only one on Coldblood Peak cultivating the "Coldblood Art", he went out to various shops to inquire if finished Coldblood Pills were available and to collect the relevant medicinal ingredients.
This investigation went very smoothly.
At the [Precious Pill Pavilion] run by the sect's Alchemy Hall, he successfully found large quantities of ingredients and the Coldblood Pill itself.
"How much is this?" The attendant behind the counter was likely a formal disciple of the Alchemy Hall. If Wang Yu wanted, he could join after passing the assessment. Joining such departments came with a "basic salary," completely different from ordinary disciples.
"Low-grade Coldblood Pill, three hundred spirit stones."
"Mid-grade Coldblood Pill, four hundred spirit stones."
"High-grade Coldblood Pill, five hundred spirit stones."
(End of Chapter)