Pill Guide

"There are no Top-Grade Cold Blood Pills. A few bottles flow out of the Sect Treasury each year, and they can only be exchanged for Contribution Points. Last year, I think the price was around one thousand."

Wang Yu frowned deeply.

"One bottle?"

Ordinary pills were generally sold by the bottle, with nine pills per bottle. Only pills with special effects were sold individually, such as breakthrough pills like Foundation Establishment Pills and Core Forming Pills.

There were also pills that dispelled illusions, enhanced Divine Sense, aided the cultivation of special arts... etc.

Hearing Wang Yu's words, the man could not help rolling his eyes.

"One pill!

"Cold Blood Pills are not ordinary spirit pills that increase cultivation. Their effects can last an entire year, and the benefits they bring vary according to their grade.

"Low- and Mid-Grade pills can increase spiritual power by roughly ten to twenty strands. After taking five, they will completely lose their effect.

"High-Grade pills can increase spiritual power by around forty strands, but they require a great deal of time to refine. Pill Barriers will arise after about nine pills.

"Top-Grade Cold Blood Pills can increase spiritual power by eighty to one hundred strands. A Qi Refining Mid Stage cultivator needs a full year of meditation to digest one completely. They must be taken together with Fasting Pills, and a Pill Barrier will only arise after twelve pills."

What was known as a Pill Barrier was often mistaken for pill poison.

In truth, that was not the case. Pills gathered the essence of heaven and earth and were created through exquisite alchemy—where would any toxicity come from?

When the body consumed too many, it developed a certain resistance to the medicine, hence the name [Pill Barrier].

It was a restriction heaven and earth had imposed upon the Dao of alchemy. Otherwise, everyone could swallow pills and ascend, and the true meaning of cultivation would be lost.

Cold Blood Pills had outstanding effects and were tailor-made for cultivators of the Cold Blood Art. Among first-tier pills, they belonged to a rather expensive grade.

After making a quick calculation, Wang Yu found that refining them himself was still more cost-effective.

So he asked again.

"Would taking Low- and Mid-Grade Cold Blood Pills first affect the effectiveness of taking High-Grade Cold Blood Pills later?"

"Of course it would. They are the same type of pill, after all, and their medicinal properties are identical. If you have the means, it is best to take High-Grade pills directly. If you have connections, you can also ask over at the Sect Treasury."

After understanding the situation, Wang Yu bought three supplementary ingredients. The scraps of Spirit Stones on him were completely spent, leaving him with only two hundred Contribution Points.

In truth, it would have been best for him to buy and take a High-Grade Cold Blood Pill first. For one thing, placing alchemy required time, while a Cold Blood Pill took a year to refine. The two fit together perfectly.

It could fill Wang Yu's blank period and keep him from making no progress at all.

Moreover, forty strands of spiritual power could greatly increase his cultivation. Combined with the Placement Slot, he estimated it could be shortened to within three years.

That speed was entirely acceptable.

"Five hundred Spirit Stones..."

Clinging to the obsession of making money, Wang Yu was planning his grand scheme. Since he intended to walk the path of an Alchemist, refining pills was the most suitable means of earning money.

It would only take half a year to perfect Cold Blood Pills. He would certainly wait until his alchemy was perfected before truly starting, so the third slot would have a half-year vacant period that could be moved out and used first.

"Fasting Pills, Spirit Recovery Pills, Yin Food Pills, Flesh Regeneration Pills."

As he counted the more popular first-tier pills in his heart, Wang Yu prepared to make another trip to the Alchemy Hall. These sorts of Alchemy Recipes sold cheaply, after all. They were all common recipes, and quite a few people knew them.

As he walked through Evil God Ward, someone suddenly stopped him.

"Wang Yu?"

Having experienced what happened before, Wang Yu instantly raised his guard.

"Who might you be?"

"You should have heard of me. Su Qing Shan."

His appearance was utterly ordinary, and his skin was slightly dark, yet his gaze was exceptionally sharp, with an edge of brilliance showing through. He seemed confident and high-spirited, enough to make people overlook his plain appearance.

"So it is Brother Su himself. Forgive my disrespect, forgive my disrespect."

"I am ashamed. Could you grant me the honor of sharing a drink?"

Eight Treasures Pavilion.

A Spirit Food shop established in Evil God Ward. It was said to be the private property of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Its Spirit Food had excellent effects, though the prices were somewhat expensive.

Yet twelve dishes filled the table at this moment—delicacies from mountain and sea, fine wine and exquisite dishes. Wang Yu was truly flattered by such generous hospitality.

After all, Su Qing Shan was a genius who had made his name in a single battle during the previous Outer Sect Grand Competition. After pledging himself to a True Disciple, he had already broken through to the Qi Refining Late Stage.

The path he walked differed from the path of disciples advancing through the ranks.

From the beginning, he had set his sights on the position of steward. Whether Outer Sect or Inner Disciple, anyone who broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage could serve as a steward within the sect. The sect would grant them a private property, or allocate them land or housing, and they could decide for themselves what to do with it.

This was mostly the choice of cultivators without a background. Anyone with even a little connection would strive for the position of True Disciple instead. After all, the resources a Nascent Soul Seed could obtain were far beyond what a mere steward could compare with.

If Wang Yu wanted to develop in the Inverse Spirit Blood Sect for the long term, he could only walk this path as well.

They raised their cups and drank together.

"I wonder how Brother Su found Wang, and what matter you sought him out for."

Su Qing Shan smiled.

"Your head of White Hair is truly conspicuous among the disciples. It would be hard not to notice you. As for why I sought you out, I simply have a matter to invite you into. Are you interested?"

Wang Yu revealed an enlightened expression. Next time he went out, he would prepare a black robe with a hood. "Please speak freely."

Picking up a bite of crisp, tender Spirit Bamboo Shoot, Su Qing Shan raised his brows. "What do you think of dealing with Zhao Shang?"

Wang Yu's heart stirred. It seemed this man had also been exploited by Zhao Shang, but his expression remained unchanged, even carrying a trace of bitterness.

"Brother Su must be joking. Wang is merely at the Qi Refining Early Stage. How could he possibly deal with Zhao Shang?"

"Naturally, I will make the move. I heard that the [Essence Qi Chamber] you had at Ice Snow Tower was seized by him and openly sold to someone else. Are you not angry?"

"What good would anger do?" Wang Yu tasted the Spirit Food prepared like Braised Pork. His eyes lit up, and he picked up several more pieces.

With Su Qing Shan's strength, he could kill a Qi Refining Eighth Layer cultivator in reverse while at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer. Now that he had broken through to the Qi Refining Late Stage, he indeed had a great chance of dealing with Zhao Shang.

Only after Wang Yu had eaten several more bites did Su Qing Shan speak.

"You have a good relationship with True Inheritor Su. If you pretend to make a trip to Cold Blood Peak, Zhao Shang will surely grow anxious. If he pursues you..."

Su Qing Shan made a throat-slitting gesture, killing intent fully revealed.

Though the plan looked crude, it was very practical.

Its chance of success was quite high, yet Wang Yu asked in return.

"Brother Su was valued by the Esteemed True Inheritor during the Outer Sect Grand Competition and is skilled in Combat Methods. Your relationship should be closer than Wang's. Why not seek him out?"

Su Qing Shan's hand paused as he poured the wine. Narrowing his eyes, he said,

"It is not that I do not wish to, but that I cannot. Recently, among the ten True Disciples of Cold Blood Peak, one has risen above the rest and is about to attempt Core Formation. How could the Esteemed True Inheritor's thoughts still be on people like us?"

After taking a sip of Spirit Fish Soup, Wang Yu nodded.

"Indeed. That is why Zhao Shang has nothing to fear and exploits others as if it were second nature.

"The True Disciple stands too high above us. He is not even as intimidating as the Foundation Establishment Cultivator of Ice Snow Tower."

"Then Brother Wang's meaning is—"

"My apologies."

Wang Yu rose and cupped his hands.

"It is not that Wang is unwilling, but that his cultivation is too low. If I could break through to the Qi Refining Mid Stage and possess one or two shares of self-preservation, this matter could be done.

"But I am only at the Qi Refining Third Layer now. Zhao Shang could kill me with a casual wave of his hand. The risk is too great. Brother Su, please forgive me."

"If that is the case, Su cannot force you. Eat!"