Accumulating large amounts of spirit power had always been one of the most grueling stages for Cultivators.
Limited by the intensity of regional Spirit Qi Waves and the concentration of protein-like substances in the body, Golden Core Realm cultivators needed at least ten years to accumulate enough spirit power—and that was for those with decent Cultivation Talent. For those with poorer talent, there was no upper limit. Plenty took a hundred or even two hundred years.
No matter how talented these Golden Core cultivators were, they should not even think about breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm anytime soon.
Thus, most Golden Core cultivators would not choose to sit around converting spirit power. Instead, they would seek external assistance to break through—for example, Pills!
At the Foundation Establishment Realm and below, the demand for Pills was not yet obvious. But upon reaching the Golden Core Realm, Pills that increased cultivation became a hot topic.
Who could refine what kind of Pill, who would refine a certain Pill as long as they were provided with rare Spirit Herbs and Spirit Flowers, who was willing to offer however many Spirit Power Stones to purchase some spirit medicine or spiritual pill...
Different levels meant different topics of conversation.
As for Dharma Artifacts, they became less important instead. Everyone's Dharma Artifacts were more or less the same. Once they acquired a decent one, they could use it for years. Pills, however, were different—they would be completely gone after just a day or two in the stomach!
All in all, once one reached the Golden Core Realm, the demand for all kinds of Pills that increased spirit power became unimaginably great. A single pill was hard to come by.
As for Su Hao, did he lack Pills?
The answer was yes! And badly! Although