"There's no top-grade Coldblood Pill. A few bottles flow out of the sect's treasure vault annually, only exchangeable with contribution points. Last year, I think it was priced at one thousand."
Wang Yu frowned deeply.
"A bottle?"
Normally, pills were sold in bottles, nine pills per bottle. Only pills with special effects were sold individually, like Foundation Establishment Pills or Golden Core Pills for realm breakthroughs.
And others for dispelling illusions, increasing spiritual sense, cultivating special spells... etc.
Hearing Wang Yu's words, the person couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"One pill!
"The Coldblood Pill isn't an ordinary spiritual pill for increasing cultivation. Its effect lasts a full year. The benefits vary based on the grade."
"Low and mid-grade can increase roughly ten to twenty flows of spiritual power. After taking five pills, the effect is completely lost."
"High-grade can increase around forty flows of spiritual power, requiring significant time to refine. Around nine pills will produce pill resistance."
"Top-grade Coldblood Pill can increase eighty to one hundred flows of spiritual power. A mid-Qi Refining cultivator needs to meditate for a year to fully digest it. Must be used with Fasting Pills. Twelve pills will produce pill resistance."
So-called pill resistance is often mistaken for pill toxicity.
Actually, it's not. Pills are essences gathered from heaven and earth, produced through exquisite alchemy—where would toxicity come from?
Taking too many builds a certain drug tolerance in the body, hence it's called [Pill Resistance].
It's the limitation imposed by heaven and earth on the alchemical path. Otherwise, everyone could ascend by taking pills, losing the true essence of cultivation.
The Coldblood Pill has excellent effects, tailor-made for cultivators practicing the "Coldblood Art". Its price is quite expensive among first-grade pills.
Doing a quick calculation, he found it more cost-effective to refine it himself.
So he asked again, "Would taking low or mid-grade Coldblood Pills first affect the efficacy of later high-grade ones?"
"Naturally, it would. After all, they are the same type of pill with identical medicinal properties. If possible, it's best to directly take high-grade ones. If you have connections, you can also inquire at the treasure vault."
After understanding the situation, Wang Yu bought three auxiliary ingredients, completely spending his loose spirit stones, leaving only two hundred contribution points.
Actually, buying one high-grade Coldblood Pill to take first was best. Firstly, placing the alchemy skill took time; refining one Coldblood Pill required a year, which aligned perfectly.
It could fill Wang Yu's gap period, preventing zero progress.
Moreover, forty flows of spiritual power could greatly enhance his cultivation. Combined with the Placement Rack, he estimated it could be reduced to within three years.
This speed was completely acceptable.
"Five hundred spirit stones..."
Harboring the obsession to earn money, Wang Yu was planning his grand scheme. Since he intended to follow the alchemist path, refining pills was the most suitable way to make money.
The Coldblood Pill would reach perfection in just half a year. He would truly start only after the alchemy skill also reached perfection. So, Slot 3 had a half-year gap and could be temporarily used for something else.
"Fasting Pills, Spirit Restoration Pills, Yin Food Pills, Flesh Regeneration Pills."
Mentally listing the popular first-grade pills, Wang Yu prepared to go to the Alchemy Hall again. Such pill formulas were sold cheaply since they were common formulas known by many.
While walking in the Evil God Market, someone suddenly stopped him.
"Wang Yu?"
Having had a previous encounter, Wang Yu instantly became alert.
"Who are you?"
"You've probably heard of me. Su Qingshan."
His appearance was ordinary, with slightly dark skin, but his eyes were very sharp, exuding a keen edge. His overall demeanor was confident and spirited, enough to make people overlook his ordinary looks.
"So it's Brother Su in person. My apologies, my apologies."
"I'm ashamed. Would you honor me with a drink together?"
...
...
**Eight Treasures Restaurant.**
A spirit food shop opened in the Evil God Market, reportedly the private property of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. The spirit food had good effects but was slightly expensive.
Yet, twelve dishes were served, filled to the brim—delicacies from land and sea, fine wine and excellent food—truly making Wang Yu feel overwhelmed by favor.
After all, the latter was a genius who made a name for himself in the previous Outer Disciple Competition. After pledging to a true disciple, he had already broken through to the late Qi Refining stage.
The path he took was different from the disciple promotion route.
From the start, he aimed for a steward position. Whether outer or inner disciples, upon breaking through to Foundation Establishment, they could serve as stewards within the sect, granted a private asset by the sect—either land or property given to you, to decide what to do with it.
Most cultivators without backing chose this. Those with any connections would strive for the true disciple position, as the resources a Nascent Soul seed could obtain were far beyond what a steward could compare to.
If Wang Yu wanted long-term development in the Reverse Blood Sect, he could only take this path.
They raised their glasses and drank together.
"I wonder how Brother Su found me and for what purpose."
Su Qingshan smiled. "Your white hair is really conspicuous among the disciples; hard to miss. As for finding you, it's just an invitation. Interested?"
Wang Yu showed a look of understanding. Next time he went out, he planned to wear a black robe with a hood. "Please, speak freely."
Picking up a tender, watery spirit bamboo shoot, Su Qingshan raised an eyebrow. "How about dealing with Zhao Shang?"
Wang Yu's heart stirred. It seemed this person had also been exploited by Zhao Shang. But outwardly, he remained calm, even somewhat bitter. "Brother Su must be joking. I'm only at the early Qi Refining stage; how could I deal with Zhao Shang?"
"Naturally, I'll take action. I heard the [Essence-Qi Room] you had in the Ice Snow Pavilion was taken by him and openly sold to someone else. Aren't you angry?"
"Angry, so what?" Wang Yu tasted a spirit food prepared like braised pork belly, his eyes lit up, and he took a few more pieces.
With Su Qingshan's strength, able to defeat an eighth-layer Qi Refining cultivator while at the sixth layer, and now having broken through to the late stage, he indeed had a good chance against Zhao Shang.
After Wang Yu ate a few more bites, Su Qingshan spoke. "You have a good relationship with True Disciple Su. If you pretend to go up to Coldblood Peak, Zhao Shang will definitely panic. If he follows..."
Su Qingshan made a throat-slitting gesture, killing intent fully revealed.
Although the plan seemed simple, it was very practical.
The success rate was quite high. But Wang Yu countered, "Brother Su was recognized by the true disciple during the Outer Disciple Competition and excels in combat. Your relationship should be closer than mine. Why not go to him?"
Su Qingshan paused while pouring wine, narrowed his eyes, and said, "It's not that I don't want to, but I can't. Recently, among the ten true disciples on Coldblood Peak, one has stood out and is about to attempt core formation. How could the true disciple's mind be on us?"
Taking a sip of spirit fish soup, Wang Yu nodded. "Yes. So Zhao Shang is emboldened and exploitative."
"The true disciple stands too high; they're less deterrent than the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Ice Snow Pavilion."
"Then Brother Wang means—"
"Apologies." Wang Yu stood up and cupped his hands. "It's not that I'm unwilling, but my cultivation is too low. If I could break through to the mid-Qi Refining stage and have some self-preservation ability, this could be done."
"But now, I'm only at the third layer of Qi Refining. Zhao Shang could kill me easily. The risk is too great. I hope Brother Su understands."
"In that case, I won't force you. Eat!"
(End of Chapter)