Ji Yunliang's residence stood in a secluded courtyard on Xuan Yang Peak, surrounded by towering ancient trees and steeped in tranquil serenity.
Zhang Baicheng arrived outside the courtyard and respectfully announced himself. Only after receiving permission did he step inside.
Within the courtyard, Ji Yunliang stood with his hands behind his back beneath an old, gnarled pine.
"Senior Brother Ji!" Zhang Baicheng stepped forward and bowed.
"Junior Brother Zhang, you've come."
Ji Yunliang slowly turned around and nodded. "News has come from Danxia Peak. The Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pill has reached the proper heat. At dawn three days from now, the furnace will be opened and the pills retrieved."
Zhang Baicheng's spirits lifted, and a flicker of eagerness flashed through his eyes.
The Xuan Yang Spirit Merging Pill's great reputation was thunderous in his ears. This pill offered immense benefits to True Origin Realm cultivators, producing unimaginable effects in consolidating one's foundation and tempering True Essence. Its allure was even greater to someone like him, who had yet to take one.
Ji Yunliang continued, "This is a precious pill, and it is not easily refined. The number of finished pills is limited. Based on past precedent and the word Elder Wu has leaked this time, there are generally between ten and thirteen pills when the furnace is opened."
"This time, you will go in my stead."
Zhang Baicheng understood at once.
As the second-ranked True Disciple, Ji Yunliang held an exalted status. In many cases, he no longer needed to personally contend for resources of this sort. Having Zhang Baicheng, a lower-ranked True Disciple, step forward could both represent the Xuan Yang lineage and fit Ji Yunliang's usual style.
"Our Xuan Yang lineage wants three pills." Ji Yunliang held up three fingers.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Baicheng quickly calculated