Consuming a Corpse Pearl
In a Quiet Manor, Ye Sen and a voluptuous woman in a golden dress sat in a stone pavilion, while a tall, slender young man in a yellow shirt reported to them.
"We asked many Core Formation Cultivator, but none of them recognized Lin Qian. We guess she comes from another cultivation Immortal Realm, or she changed her name."
The young man in the yellow shirt reported.
Huang Kun, Core Formation Mid Stage cultivator, is the deputy head of the Intelligence Hall of Medicine King Valley.
"Perhaps! This woman dared to refine pills with Third-Rank Spirit Fire in public; she must have a remarkable background. There's no need to inquire about her origins anymore."
Ye Sen gave the order.
"Yes, Uncle-Master Ye."
Huang Kun agreed and left.
"Many Alchemist have come to this Medicine King Assembly, but this woman is the most mysterious."
"That's what the woman in the golden dress said."
Tong Yun, Nascent Soul Middle Stage.
"Anyway, we adhere to the principles of fairness and justice, so nothing will happen. Of course, we should also keep an eye on this woman, lest she be killed."
Ye Sen said seriously.
······
About two weeks later, Shen Long opened his eyes and could feel that his whole body was full of power.
He took some Golden Sun Jade Liquid, and the body-strengthening effect was quite good. His physical body was further enhanced, truly worthy of being the Zhou Clan's secret medicine.
Shen Long entered the Spirit Control Tower and arrived at the third floor. After his modifications, the third floor had become a vast, dense forest.
He came to a small flower bed, took out a Cyan Gourd, uncorked it, tilted the gourd down, and a stream of clear water flowed out, watering the spirit flowers. The Corpse Bead also rolled out.
A burst of blue light appeared, and the Tree Man materialized, taking root in the ground to absorb the clear water.
"So, is this water poisonous?"
Shen Long asked.
"It's not poisonous! If it were poisonous, I would definitely feel unwell."
"The Tree Man said."
"That's good!"
Shen Long nodded and exited the Spirit Control Tower.
He took out a red Communication Disk, cast a spell, and the voice of Master Ice Silkworm rang out. "Shen Long, you've finally emerged from seclusion. The results of the alchemy competition are about to be announced. Come to the competition venue quickly."
"Yes, Master."
Shen Long agreed, put away the Communication Disk, and left the Green Silkworm Courtyard.
He arrived at the competition venue and found that tens of thousands of cultivators had gathered there, most of them at the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Ye Sen sat on the Main Platform with a solemn expression. All the Alchemist had finished refining pills. Only a small number of contestants had successfully refined High-Grade Medicinal Pill, while most of them were just there to make up the numbers.
After a short while, Ye Sen stood up and said, "The results of the alchemy competition are as follows: Zhou Yuliang, Lin Qian, Ye Hongyao, Zhao Feng, Lin Qing, Wang Yueyue, Gan Le, Shen Long, Xu Xin, and Liu Yue. Please come forward to receive your awards."
Shen Long's entry into the top ten was unexpected for many. Master Ice Silkworm was very excited. Apart from Lin Qian, the other six all came from powerful forces. Shen Long's eighth-place ranking was already quite good.
The Alchemist of Medicine King Valley are highly skilled in alchemy, but they only sent Ye Hongyao and Zhao Feng to participate. If all the Third Rank Alchemist from Medicine King Valley participated, Shen Long would have no chance of getting eighth place.
Shen Long obtained ten spirit medicine that were eight hundred years old. These were all spirit medicine that Core Formation Cultivator could use to refine pills that could enhance their Law Power.
After accepting the reward, Shen Long and the others expressed their gratitude.
"The Medicine King Assembly is now concluded. You may make yourselves at home!"
After saying this, Ye Sen left the venue.
Shen Long and the others also left one after another. Master Ice Silkworm and Shen Long returned to the Green Silkworm Courtyard together.
"Shen Long, you have brought honor to our Spirit Control Sect this time. You will receive a reward upon your return to the sect."
"Master Ice Silkworm said excitedly."
The Medicine King Assembly has been held many times and has a great influence. Shen Long's ability to rank eighth proves that he has real skills and also proves the strength of the Spirit Control Sect.
"If Senior Brother Qin participated, he should be able to get a good ranking as well."
Shen Long said with a smile.
Qin Shuo was the most skilled Alchemist in the Spirit Control Sect, but he had to go out on business and missed the Medicine King Assembly.
"Senior Brother Qin participated in the Medicine King Assembly but didn't get a good ranking. If there's nothing else, let's go back!"
"Master Ice Silkworm said."
They had a fruitful trip and it was time for them to head back.
Shen Long nodded and left the Green Silkworm Courtyard with Master Ice Silkworm.
After leaving the Marketplace, Master Ice Silkworm summoned the Ice Moon Skiff and boarded it, with Shen Long following closely behind.
"Walk!"
With a low shout from Master Ice Silkworm, the Ice Moon Skiff emitted a blinding white light and flew into the sky, quickly disappearing from sight.
More than two months later, they returned to the Spirit Control Sect and went straight to Liu Zi'an's residence, where they successfully met Liu Zi'an.
Upon learning that Shen Long had placed eighth in the alchemy competition, Liu Zi'an was astonished and praised, "Excellent, Junior Nephew Shen, I knew I hadn't misjudged you."
"They were all trained by the sects."
Shen Long said modestly.
Liu Zi'an summoned Chen Xiao and told him about the matter, instructing him to allocate a large sum of Merit Points to Shen Long Chen Xiao. As a candidate for the 9 Prodigies, Shen Long should be added to the list immediately if new spots become available.
After chatting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Shen Long returned to Golden Roc Peak.
He summoned Qian Dafu and others and told them that he had come in eighth place in the alchemy competition.
"Uncle-Master Shen, once this news spreads, our pill business will be even better."
Qian Dafu said excitedly.
"I'm not taking on any more alchemy business for now. I plan to go into seclusion for a while and focus on my cultivation."
Shen Long gave the order.
"Yes, Uncle-Master Shen."
Qian Dafu readily agreed.
"Uncle-Master Shen, how about we hold a celebration? We can find any excuse to offer our congratulations?"
Qian Dafu suggested.
Shen Long thought for a moment and said, "Forget it, there's no need for that."
After chatting for a quarter of an hour, Shen Long dismissed Qian Dafu and the others. He then placed some Golden-Winged Fire Ant that were about to break through to the Third Rank on Golden Roc Peak and asked Lin Shan to take good care of them.
He entered the Cultivation Room, went into the Spirit Control Tower, transplanted the ten spirit medicine he had obtained into a small valley on the third floor, set up Formation to protect the spirit medicine, and had the Tree Demon guard them.
He fed each of the Spirit Beast, Spirit Insect, Spirit Bird a Beast Rearing Pill, teased them for a while, and then left the Spirit Control Tower.
Shen Long sat cross-legged on a Red Prayer Mat, took out the Corpse Bead, put it in his mouth, and swallowed it. The Corpse Bead would slowly strengthen his physical body.
Shen Long took a Blood Flood Dragon Pill and began cultivating.
Before long, a Red Rosy Clouds appeared on his body, and Red Dragon Scales grew.
In a secluded manor, Liu Zi'an was talking to Chen Xiao.
"Junior Nephew Liu is in seclusion attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul. Increase patrols to prevent anyone from interfering with her."
Liu Zi'an gave the instructions.
"Yes, Uncle-Master Liu."
Chen Xiao readily agreed, then, remembering something, said, "Junior Brother Shen's achievement of such excellent results is truly remarkable. As an ordinary Core Formation Cultivator, it's difficult to deepen his sense of belonging to our sect."
"If a spot becomes available among the 9 Prodigies, let him fill it! Junior Sister Du and the others certainly won't have any objections."
Liu Zi'an gave the instructions.
Chen Xiao agreed; that was his intention as well.