txolops Chapter 304 Stubbornness and the Alchemy Slave
Chapter 304 Stubbornness and the Alchemy Slave
Under Zhou Lingyan's guidance.
Li Ping successfully rented a three-tiered cave dwelling covering a hundred acres from the market.
In fact, the cave dwelling he rented was considered one of the lower-end types among the third-tier cave dwellings.
The reason why the rented cave was so small was mainly because Li Ping did not plan to live there permanently.
Once I replace Zhou Lingyan's identity, figure out the specifications of the teleportation array in the Cloud Mist Mountains, and then successfully repair the teleportation array.
He should go to the Great Zhou.
There's no need to waste spirit stones here. To be honest, the rent for a third-tier cave dwelling is still quite expensive.
However, his choice greatly disappointed Zhou Lingyan.
She had originally guessed that Li Jingyu's ability to form a core as a rogue cultivator must have been due to some extraordinary opportunity and that he must be quite wealthy.
But now, in front of such a beautiful female cultivator, he disregarded his pride and rented such a poor cave dwelling, revealing his empty pockets.
"It seems he's already used up most of his opportunities in order to break through to the Core Formation stage and refine magic weapons," Zhou Lingyan thought to herself.
Normally, she would have already turned and left, leaving Li Jingyu with only her back turned. A poor wretch who couldn't even afford a decent cave dwelling wasn't qualified to be her guest.
But who could blame her when Li possessed the third-tier Yin-Yang Star Flame she needed?
Therefore, Zhou Lingyan looked around the cave dwelling and said with a dignified smile, "I must say, Fellow Daoist Li's cave dwelling... is quite unique. Well, Fellow Daoist Li still needs to tidy up the newly rented cave dwelling, so I will come to congratulate you on your housewarming another day."
Li Ping cupped his hands in greeting: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, please go ahead with your business. Once everything is ready, I, Li, will certainly invite you to a banquet."
Watching Zhou Lingyan's departing figure, Li Ping couldn't help but show a thoughtful expression on his face.
He could sense the change in Zhou Lingyan's attitude towards him. Before, when he was too lazy to pay attention to her, she was practically clinging to him.
But when Li Ping began to plot against her and wanted to take her place, so his attitude softened, she became indifferent towards him.
"He's playing hard to get with me now." Li Ping shook his head.
He did indeed want Zhou Lingyan, or more precisely, her soul. He wanted to search her soul to understand the general situation of the Hehuan Sect and Zhou Lingyan's main connections.
"However, she is still a Core Formation cultivator who has been cultivating for many years. Even if I use all my magic weapons and puppets, I may not be able to take her down in a short time. So I can't make a move in the market." Li Ping thought to himself.
A moment later, he took out a black jade bottle from his storage bag, which contained about half a bottle of purple powder.
These purple powders are called "Soft Dragon Powder," which is actually a kind of anesthetic. It was used as bait by the Dragon-Hunting Clan on the shores of the East Sea in ancient times to lure dragons.
Once swallowed, even a third-tier dragon with its powerful physique would fall into a coma within a short time.
Back then, when he returned to the Immortal City from the Jiang Kingdom, he happened to encounter Hua Hong using the Soft Dragon Powder to ambush Wei Yiling. After killing Hua Hong, he obtained the remaining half from his storage bag.
"If even a third-tier dragon can't withstand it, a Core Formation cultivator probably can't either," Li Ping said, his eyes gleaming.
The only question is, how did he poison Zhou Lingyan?
Core Formation cultivators are not like low-intelligence third-tier dragons; they wouldn't foolishly swallow Soft Dragon Powder.
Furthermore, although Zhou Lingyan appears to be flirtatious on the surface, she actually protects herself with her inner energy at all times, making it not so easy to plot against her.
"I can't exactly put poison on the big bird, can I?"
……
the other side.
As Zhou Lingyan flew towards her cave, she thought to herself, "Although Li is a poor man, he is still a Core Formation cultivator with a magic treasure protecting him. I can't forcefully kill him in the market, lest I attract the interference of those hypocrites."
The Donghua Mountain Market is jointly governed by both the righteous and the demonic paths.
The academy has always wanted to reclaim its own spiritual land, but it is hampered by the four major demonic sects in front and the secret interference of the Western Wilderness kingdoms behind, making it impossible for them to fight alone.
However, if members of the demonic path act recklessly on Donghua Mountain, it would give the academy an excuse to attack.
Even though she was a Core Formation cultivator, Zhou Lingyan was unwilling to challenge the order established by the righteous and demonic paths.
"We can only try to lure him out of the market, or... poison him!" Zhou Lingyan said seriously, her brows furrowed slightly.
However, Core Formation cultivators are protected by their inner essence and magical treasures, so poisons that can bring them down are rare and extremely precious. Even a Core Formation cultivator like Zhou Lingyan, who has accumulated years of experience, would find their value painful.
Zhou Lingyan took out a palm-sized white clean bottle from her storage bag.
A ruthless glint flashed in her eyes: "A bottle of Soul-Silencing Liquid. I used half a bottle to ambush the Fiery Old Monster last time, and the remaining half can be used on me, Li."
The Soul-Silent Liquid is a notorious poison refined by the Spirit Control Sect. Even a Core Formation cultivator will lose their ability to resist it in a short time if they ingest it. If they do not take the antidote in time, they will lose all their life force and their soul will dissipate.
It cost her a great deal to exchange it from a Core Formation cultivator from the Spirit Control Sect, whom she was on good terms with.
"Taking down Li Jingyu, obtaining the Yin-Yang Star Flame from him, and getting more treasures while exploring the ancient cultivator's cave—it'll all be worth it!" Zhou Lingyan silently made up her mind.
"Taking down Li Jingyu, obtaining the Yin-Yang Star Flame from him, and getting more treasures while exploring the ancient cultivator's cave—it'll all be worth it!" Zhou Lingyan silently made up her mind.
……
Several days later.
As expected, Li Ping held a banquet in the newly rented cave dwelling to entertain the Core Formation cultivators who had lived on Donghua Mountain for a long time.
This naturally included Zhou Lingyan, Old Monster Chi Lei, Song Yushu, and others.
After receiving his invitation, some Core Formation cultivators gladly accepted the invitation, while others declined due to other commitments.
What surprised Li Ping the most was...
Feng Guan, who exchanged the Condensing Essence Pill from him and successfully formed his core not long after, had actually perished during an exploration of an ancient cultivation cave.
"In the Inheritance Illusion, in order to obtain the third-tier weapon refining inheritance, True Immortal Liehuo once wiped out an entire immortal cultivation family, obtaining a Core Formation spiritual item and a map of an ancient cultivator's cave."
Li Ping frowned slightly: "Later, True Immortal Liehuo explored that ancient cultivator's cave, but after several attempts, he was not only seriously injured but also gained nothing. Could it be that Feng Guan died in the same ancient cultivator's cave?"
Regarding Feng Guan's plight, Li Ping could only say: What a waste!
He had already formed his golden core and could live comfortably for five hundred years, yet he still couldn't let go of his rebellious thoughts.
He rushed off to explore the ancient cave dwelling, only to die inside, his promising life turning into nothing.
Li Ping took this as a serious warning and would stay far away from similar incidents in the future.
To risk one's life for treasure—how utterly foolish!
What treasure could be more important than one's own life?
If it were him, he would rather lie down and wait to die.
In fact, if he hadn't awakened his unparalleled talent after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, he probably would have already established his family and settled down.
……
Ten days later, Li Ping's housewarming party was officially held.
There weren't many cultivators who came, only six. Apart from the four familiar faces—Zhou Lingyan, Old Monster Chi Lei, Song Yushu, and Daoist Zhichen—the remaining two were cultivators from the righteous and demonic paths stationed at Donghua Mountain.
Xiu Yunfan of the Nine Nether Sect and Wei Zhao of the Crimson Flame Sect.
Since Li Ping intends to reside in Donghua Mountain for an extended period, they naturally want to come and investigate on behalf of their respective forces, and also try to see if they can recruit Li Ping into their sects.
Including Li Ping, there were a total of seven Core Formation cultivators.
Apart from the Crimson Thunder Old Monster, who was in the mid-stage of Core Formation, all the other cultivators were in the early stage.
However, according to Li Ping's knowledge...
Both the righteous and demonic paths actually have mid-stage Core Formation cultivators stationed at Donghua Mountain, but given Li Jingyu's status and position, he is unable to persuade them to come.
Unless Li Jingyu displays the skills of a third-tier alchemist, he will naturally be sought after by all high-level cultivators.
But there's too little time now, and he hasn't had a chance to reveal his identity as a master alchemist.
The seven sat in the courtyard. Li Ping invited Old Monster Chi Lei to the main seat, while he himself sat in the lower seat.
After declining a few times, Old Monster Chi Lei sat down with a smile.
During the banquet, Li Ping frankly informed everyone present that he was a third-level alchemist, and that they could come to him if they needed alchemy services in the future.
At the same time, he asked the cultivators present to spread the word to their friends that there was a third-level alchemy master in Donghua Mountain who was outsourcing alchemy.
Upon hearing that Li Ping was actually a third-tier alchemist, the cultivators present were all surprised, and their attitude towards Li Ping became much warmer.
For cultivators, pills that enhance their cultivation are a necessity.
After obtaining the millennium-old elixir, they would inevitably need to ask an alchemist to refine it into a pill. If they could maintain a good relationship with a third-level alchemist, it would undoubtedly be a great benefit.
Old Monster Crimson Thunder chuckled and said, "I never expected Fellow Daoist Li to be a third-tier alchemist. My apologies for my disrespect. Hehe... If I ever ask you to refine pills in the future, Fellow Daoist Li, you mustn't refuse!"
Li Ping smiled and nodded: "It's no offense at all. If you have any needs for alchemy, I will do my best to help."
He can also refine third-tier pills himself.
However, even if all the thousand-year-old spiritual herbs stored on him were refined into pills, the resulting innate spiritual energy would not be enough for the Nourishing Life Technique's power to absorb.
Since Gray Island needs to cultivate the Radiant Starwood, and the First Golden Core cultivator cannot take pills to enhance their cultivation, it is certainly impossible for him to waste Gray Island's resources to cultivate a thousand-year-old spiritual herb.
Refining pills for other Core Formation cultivators not only brings a good reward, but also allows one to absorb innate spiritual energy.
Why wouldn't he do it?
Next, the others also spoke up, saying they would help Fellow Daoist Li promote his work and also asking him for some discounts.
Li Ping smiled and agreed to each one.
During the meal, his gaze frequently fell on Zhou Lingyan as he pondered how to use the Soft Dragon Powder on her.
……
After the banquet, the monks rose to take their leave.
Before leaving, Song Yushu reminded him again.
He cautioned against getting too close to Zhou Lingyan, suspecting that Feng Guan's death might also be related to her. If he was right, Zhou Lingyan was involved in the recent deaths of two Core Formation cultivators.
If Li Jingyu doesn't want to become the third fallen cultivator, he'd better stay away from Zhou Lingyan.
Clearly, he frequently paid attention to Zhou Lingyan's actions during the meal, which Song Yushu mistakenly interpreted as him having special feelings for Zhou Lingyan.
Li Ping smiled slightly and didn't say anything more.
He was not familiar with Song Yushu and had no idea what kind of person he was. It was impossible for him to open up to Song Yushu just because the other party gave him a few words of advice.
He wouldn't tell anyone about his plan to deal with Zhou Lingyan.
Just as Song Yushu was reminding Li Ping.
Zhou Lingyan smiled charmingly: "Fellow Daoist Li, I have just gathered enough ingredients for a batch of Thousand Dragon Pills. I will come to find you again in a few days."
Upon hearing Zhou Lingyan speak, Li Ping immediately abandoned Song Yushu and smiled, "It's a small matter. If Fellow Daoist Zhou needs to refine pills, I'm always available."
Seeing this, Song Yushu shook his head inwardly, but ultimately said nothing more, cupped his hands in farewell, and left.
The other Core Formation cultivators also left one after another, and soon the cave returned to tranquility.
Only Li Ping stood in the courtyard.
Recalling Song Yushu's reminder, he was speechless.
Song Yushu probably thought he was bewitched by Zhou Lingyan's beauty.
He really wanted to tell Song Yushu.
I didn't even accept your tender and beautiful junior sister whom you carefully raised, so how could I possibly be attracted to Zhou Lingyan?
Of course, saying such things might lead to Song Yushu becoming villainous, so it's not appropriate.
……
A few days later.
Zhou Lingyan indeed paid a visit to Li Ping, asking him to refine some pills for her.
According to the rules of alchemists, especially since Zhou Lingyan wanted to refine a batch of pills of the third-grade lower level, which were intended to enhance cultivation.
To prevent alchemists from embezzling spiritual herbs, she had to watch over Li Ping while he was refining pills.
Enter the alchemy room.
Li Ping pointed to a spot not far away: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, please sit over there."
"Yes, I'll follow Fellow Daoist Li's arrangements." Zhou Lingyan nodded with a charming smile.
Then, Li Ping added, "However, please do not make a sound to interfere when I am refining pills, otherwise I will not be responsible if it fails."
In fact, with the blessing of the Tree of Inheritance, it is virtually impossible for him to fail in alchemy.
The main reason for saying this was to avoid appearing too special compared to other alchemists.
Zhou Lingyan nodded obediently.
Li Ping then took out the alchemy furnace, and with a flick of his finger, he released a straight line of fire that landed beneath the furnace.
Under the scorching heat of his alchemical fire, the temperature inside the alchemy room began to rise sharply.
Judging that the temperature was about right, Li Ping casually waved his hand, using his magic to control a spiritual herb to fall into the alchemy furnace. Then he closed his eyes and patiently purified the pill.
Refining a third-tier pill is a long process.
A thousand-year-old spiritual herb is equivalent to a third-tier spiritual object. Even for a Core Formation cultivator, it takes a considerable amount of time to purify its useful components.
The time that follows.
One by one, the medicinal herbs were put into the alchemy furnace by Li Ping to extract their essence, and a faint fragrance gradually filled the alchemy room.
Sometime about twenty days later—
Li Ping gave a soft shout: "Open!"
A layer of seven-colored light suddenly pushed open the furnace lid, and a rich medicinal fragrance instantly filled the entire alchemy room. In the light medicinal mist, ten cyan elixirs the size of pigeon eggs could be vaguely seen floating.
Li Ping smiled slightly, using his magic to control ten spirit pills to float in front of Zhou Lingyan: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, I have not failed you."
"Thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Li." Zhou Lingyan checked the pills and, finding them to be correct, smiled and waved to put them away.
She asked Li Ping to refine elixirs, mainly to build a closer relationship with him so that she could poison him.
However, the medicinal ingredients in a batch of Thousand Dragon Pills are quite valuable, and she would feel heartbroken if she ruined them. Now that the pills have been successfully produced, she is genuinely happy.
"This is the remaining half of the reward." Zhou Lingyan waved her hand, and a storage bag landed in front of Li Ping.
It contained the payment for hiring Li Ping to refine elixirs.
Prior to this, she had already paid half of the fee as a deposit.
If the alchemy fails, the deposit will not be refunded.
If the alchemy is successful, she will need to pay the remaining half of the fee.
Suddenly, Zhou Lingyan wiped the sweat from her forehead: "Oh dear... Fellow Daoist Li, it's so hot in your alchemy room. Would you mind if I took off my outer garment?"
Li Ping couldn't help but glance at her in surprise.
A Core Formation cultivator is impervious to heat and cold, so why would they be afraid of heat?
……
Zhou Lingyan complained of the heat.
Finally, Li Ping extinguished the alchemical fire and opened the door to the alchemy room, allowing fresh air to flow in instead of letting Zhou Lingyan undress.
Li Ping believes:
Core Formation cultivators aren't fools. He had only lived on Donghua Mountain for less than a month and was a stranger to Zhou Lingyan. It was impossible for her to be completely unguarded towards him.
Therefore, we cannot be too hasty in dealing with her.
Moreover, Zhou Lingyan has a flirtatious and provocative air about her. With his burning appearance, it seemed that Li Ping could eat seafood right now if he wanted to.
But if she really couldn't even control her own desires, she wouldn't have been able to form a golden core in an environment like the Joyful Union Sect; she would have long since become a furnace for other cultivators.
Therefore, taking off his clothes under some pretext could be a ploy to lure Li Ping into a trap, or it could be a test of his abilities.
Li Ping won't take the bait; he has plenty of patience.
Upon seeing Li Ping's actions, Zhou Lingyan no longer mentioned taking off her clothes, but simply glared at him before taking her leave.
Now, their hopes of opening the ancient cultivation cave rest on Li Jingyu.
When Zhou Lingyan went to ask Li Jingyu to refine pills, Old Monster Chi Lei and Old Demon Wu were actually keeping an eye on the situation there.
Therefore, as soon as Zhou Lingyan returned, they couldn't wait to ask what had happened.
Upon hearing Old Monster Chi Lei's question, Zhou Lingyan gently shook her head: "When Li Jingyu was refining pills, he used pill fire, not Yin-Yang Star Flame. As for whether he couldn't use it because he hadn't yet removed the remnant soul imprint of the Fiery Old Ghost within the spirit flame, or whether he felt it was unnecessary to use Yin-Yang Star Flame, I don't know."
"Is that so..." Old Monster Crimson Thunder's eyes showed a thoughtful look.
While he was pondering, Wu Laomo on the other side spoke up with dissatisfaction: "Didn't you say that guy was quite fond of you? How come you can't even find out this little bit of information now? I don't have time to stay on Donghua Mountain and wait for you to dawdle."
"Fellow Daoist Wu, please calm down." Zhou Lingyan smiled and shook her head. "It is true that Li has many feelings for me, but being in a new environment, he will inevitably be wary of everything for a while. If I were to make a move against him now, wouldn't that be alerting him?"
Old Monster Chi Lei nodded in agreement: "Junior Sister Zhou is right. During the banquet that day, I also noticed that Li's gaze often fell on Junior Sister Zhou, which shows his intentions. With Junior Sister Zhou's charm, it won't be long before he wins her over."
Old Demon Wu curled his lip and said nothing more.
He was not a cultivator trained by the Hehuan Sect, but a native demonic cultivator from the Western Wilderness who joined the Hehuan Sect as a guest elder after reaching the Core Formation stage.
Therefore, his style of doing things was more like that of a hermit, and he did not think much of the two people's cautious approach.
In his opinion, why bother with all that trouble?
If we can find a way to lure Li Jingyu out of the market, the three of us can work together to capture him, and then we'll naturally get our hands on the Spirit Flame.
Not only will they obtain the Spirit Flame, but the three will also be able to divide the treasures left behind by Li Jingyu.
Wait, wait... when exactly?
"However, Li's alchemy skills are indeed quite good." As she spoke, Zhou Lingyan took out a jade bottle and handed it to Old Monster Chi Lei: "With that level of proficiency, I estimate that my alchemy skills are not far from breaking through to the middle grade of the third rank."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing Zhou Lingyan's words of praise, Old Monster Chi Lei couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. He reached out and took the jade bottle, uncorked it, and immersed his divine sense inside to carefully examine the ten spirit pills at the bottom of the bottle.
After a long while, he let out a soft sigh: "Junior Sister Zhou is right. These ten Thousand Dragon Pills are all top-quality. My alchemy skills should be more than just the initial third level."
“Talented individuals are rare in the cultivation world, especially since I, Li, am still young, unlike the old fiery ghost who is old and won’t live for many more years.” Zhou Lingyan suggested with a smile, but the smile sent chills down one’s spine: “Why not wait until we subdue him and obtain the Yin-Yang Star Flame, then spare his life for the time being, and let him honestly refine pills for us in the years to come.”
Upon hearing this, both Old Monster Chi Lei and Old Demon Wu's expressions changed.
A mid-level alchemist with a skill level approaching the third rank can create exceptionally considerable value.
If this alchemist disregarded his own cultivation and refined pills continuously for twelve hours a day... he could probably earn more resources than a third-tier spiritual vein.
Moreover, they will no longer need to ask others for help when they refine elixirs in the future.
Old Monster Crimson Thunder hesitated slightly: "But that's a Core Formation cultivator after all. Our actions... might backfire!"
Compared to Old Monster Chi Lei, Old Demon Wu was much bolder. His eyes gleamed as he said, "What's there to be afraid of? As long as we plant a fatal restriction in his soul and take away all the magic treasures on his body, he'll have to obey us if he wants to live."
in fact.
Old Monster Chi Lei also thought the possibility of a backlash was not high. The reason he hesitated was mainly because he was old and shrewd and habitually assumed the worst outcome for everything.
Now that both Wu Laomo and Zhou Lingyan believe that controlling Li Jingyu to refine pills will bring more benefits to everyone,
Old Monster Crimson Thunder nodded and agreed.
Immediately, the three began discussing the meal plan for Li Jingyu.
During their casual conversation, they completely disregarded Li Jingyu.
after all.
Li Jingyu was in the open, while they were in the shadows.
Furthermore, they have one mid-stage Core Formation cultivator and two early-stage Core Formation cultivators, totaling three Core Formation cultivators.
It was a three-on-one attack, or perhaps a secret plot.
What could be wrong with that?
Saying "the advantage is in my hands" is an understatement; this is clearly a case of "the dragon riding right into my face"!
……
Cultivating oneself, refining elixirs, making friends with fellow cultivators...
Before he knew it, Li Ping had been at Donghua Mountain for a year.
During this year, he picked up the "Zeshui Health Preservation Manual" again and returned to his original slow pace of cultivation.
After advancing to the Core Formation stage, with his three spiritual roots, the effects of his daily cultivation were truly remarkable.
Li Ping estimated that if he stayed in the third-tier spiritual vein, it would take him about a hundred years to cultivate to the mid-stage of Core Formation.
This speed cannot be described as slow.
After all, many Core Formation cultivators spend their entire lives stuck in the early Core Formation stage and are unable to break through smoothly.
However, it takes a hundred years to break through to the mid-stage of Core Formation. Given the lifespan of a Core Formation cultivator, they are basically destined to never reach the Nascent Soul stage.
If it weren't for the fact that the second-stage body refinement of the "Nine Tribulations True Spirit Holy Scripture" added a hundred years to his lifespan out of thin air.
Li Ping would never choose to major in the "Ze Shui Yang Sheng Jue".
call out!
Just then, a sound transmission talisman flew into the formation and was caught by Li Ping.
"Fellow Daoist Li, may I come in?"
The transmission talisman was torn apart, and Zhou Lingyan's seductive voice came through it.