Looking at Bright Moon Market, where the flow of people had grown ever sparser, Wei Zhong felt a touch of melancholy at how things remained while people changed.
After spending some Spirit Stones to gather the remaining medicinal ingredients needed for a Foundation Establishment Pill, Wei Zhong went to visit Ning CanKun, only to discover that his face, too, had taken on signs of age.
After asking around, he learned that Ning CanKun was already over one hundred and thirty years old, not far from the one-hundred-and-fifty-year lifespan limit of Qi Refining cultivators.
"Brother Chu isn't young anymore either, is he?"
Wei Zhong nodded. In terms of his true lifespan, he was actually far older than Ning CanKun, but as Chu Zhong, this alter ego of his, he was still twenty or thirty years younger.
"I heard Pill Master Shen went to the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range?"
Ning CanKun nodded.
"That is indeed the case. The situation in the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range has been very stable these past years. The sect intends for him to use the mountain's abundant resources to advance to a second-grade pill master.
"Not only that, Pill Master Duan, the Pill Hall Master, went with him as well.
"If you wish to refine pills, brother, you can seek out the other pill masters in the Pill Hall. Though their skill is inferior to Hall Master Duan's, they can still refine most pills."
"To be honest, brother Ning, what I wish to refine this time is a Foundation Establishment Pill."
Ning CanKun revealed a startled, doubtful expression.
"Could it be that you...?"
Wei Zhong immediately revealed his cultivation at the great perfection of Qi Refining.
A bitter smile appeared on the latter's face.
"Over a hundred years old, yet Foundation Establishment is within reach. Foundation Establishment is within reach."
Perhaps he had thought of himself, with little lifespan remaining. Ning CanKun's despondency deepened. Wei Zhong did not disturb him, merely waiting quietly for him to settle his emotions.
A moment later, Ning CanKun spoke.
"Foundation Establishment Pills are difficult to refine; only a second-grade pill master can do it. At present, Pill Master Qi is the only person in the sect capable of refining this pill.
"You can go to Cloud Pill Pavilion. It is Pill Master Qi's own shop. Just make an appointment with the shopkeeper.
"Few people would refuse a commission for such a precious pill as a Foundation Establishment Pill."
Wei Zhong clasped his fist in thanks.
"Brother Ning, once I establish my foundation, I'll come drink with you."
A few traces of a smile appeared on his wrinkled face.
"Then I'll wait for that." After considering his words, he added, "Remember, brother—with your age, if your first Foundation Establishment attempt fails, there will still be a second. Do not force your way through the barrier and leave yourself with injuries."
"Thank you for the reminder, brother. Then I'll be off."
"May your Foundation Establishment succeed!"
"May your Foundation Establishment succeed!"
The two clasped their fists and bade each other farewell.
Following Ning CanKun's directions, Wei Zhong found Cloud Pill Pavilion. He had concealed his identity and bought pills here several times before, so he was familiar with the route.
This time, he had come under Chu Zhong's identity.
The moment he entered the shop, the shopkeeper warmly came forward.
Business at the shop had plummeted these days. Most ordinary cultivators who came through the door only bought low-grade pills, whose profits were pitifully thin.
Only high-stage Qi Refining cultivators like Wei Zhong allowed the shop to earn a little grease.
"Does your shop accept commissions to refine Foundation Establishment Pills?"
The shopkeeper was startled, then immediately overjoyed.
"Yes, yes! Honored guest, please come upstairs for a talk. I'll invite Pill Master Qi at once.
"Pill Master Qi is a renowned second-grade pill master of our Azurewood Sect. He has successfully refined Foundation Establishment Pills many times and will certainly not disappoint you, Fellow Daoist."
Wei Zhong followed him upstairs. Before long, a maidservant brought up Spirit Tea, while the shopkeeper sat nearby with a smiling face, chatting idly with Wei Zhong.
Especially after hearing that Wei Zhong was a nearby spirit farmer, not only did the shopkeeper show no hint of mockery, his enthusiasm actually increased by several degrees.
Even the maidservant behind Wei Zhong, who was kneading his shoulders, said, "For Senior to have persisted in cultivation until now, you must possess great perseverance beyond that of ordinary people."
Wei Zhong did not reply, merely smiled and continued sipping his Spirit Tea.
Wei Zhong did not have to wait long. After chatting with the two of them for a few moments, he saw Pill Master Qi arrive.
Once he arrived, the shopkeeper and maidservant tactfully left the room.
Somewhat to Wei Zhong's surprise, this pill master before him was not old. He had not even reached middle age, and his face retained the appearance of a young man.
Seemingly noticing the surprise in Wei Zhong's eyes, he explained, "Please forgive the odd sight, Fellow Daoist. I am Qi Yun. I merely look young because I took a few Youth Preservation Pills in my early years."
Youth Preservation Pills? Wei Zhong grew somewhat interested.
"Let us discuss the Foundation Establishment Pill instead."
Qi Yun was also a man of fiery haste, getting straight to the point.
"Fellow Daoist, have you prepared all the materials needed for the Foundation Establishment Pill?"
Wei Zhong nodded and handed over a Storage Bag.
After taking it, the other man sent his spiritual sense inside. Once he had inspected it, a trace of delight appeared on his face.
"Fellow Daoist has prepared everything very thoroughly. The required types and ages of the spirit herbs all meet the requirements. I can begin the furnace and refine the pill within the next few days."
Wei Zhong asked, "What price does Fellow Daoist charge to refine this pill?"
"Three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones. Whether the refinement succeeds or fails, I charge only three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones."
Wei Zhong frowned.
"What is Fellow Daoist's chance of successfully forming the pill?"
The other man raised his right hand and held up four fingers. "Forty percent. I dare guarantee that throughout the current Azurewood Sect territory, no one is more skilled than I at refining this pill.
"Even if Hall Master Duan were here, his success rate in refining Foundation Establishment Pills would only be sixty percent, merely twenty percent higher than mine."
Too low.
Wei Zhong had not expected the pill-forming success rate of these supposedly outstanding pill masters to be so low. With a forty percent success rate, there was a sixty percent chance that the medicinal ingredients he had painstakingly gathered would go down the drain, and he would even have to pay an additional three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
Wei Zhong had a vast fortune, so naturally he did not care. But Chu Zhong was merely a humble spirit farmer; he ought to feel the pain.
After pondering for a moment, Wei Zhong still nodded and took out three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
"Then I'll leave it to Fellow Daoist."
He could not possibly keep waiting for the Pill Hall Master to return. Who knew how long that man would remain in the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range?
Besides, his pill-forming rate was only twenty percent higher anyway. There was not much difference.
Seeing that Wei Zhong had made up his mind, Pill Master Qi smiled and accepted the Spirit Stones.
The two then signed a Spirit Contract, agreeing that Wei Zhong could return here in three days to collect the pills.
"Take care, Senior!"
After returning to his small courtyard, Wei Zhong unusually did not cultivate again. For three days, he did nothing but drink and play with the beasts, irritating Nine Colors beyond endurance. Only Big Gold had a wonderful time playing with Wei Zhong.
They say relaxing like this helps increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment. I wonder whether that's true or not.
In any case, Wei Zhong squandered three days.
Three days later, he went to Cloud Pill Pavilion again and collected the Foundation Establishment Pills.
"I have not failed Fellow Daoist's trust. Two pills were formed: one mid-grade and one low-grade."
Wei Zhong was somewhat surprised and took out one hundred Spirit Stones, preparing to press them into Qi Yun's hand.
The latter smiled and refused, saying, "Three hundred means three hundred, as agreed. Fellow Daoist need not be so courteous. If you have any similar pills to commission in the future, you may come seek out Qi."
Wei Zhong, however, shook his head.
"I do not wish to come seek Fellow Daoist Qi to refine this pill again."
Qi Yun laughed freely.
"Then I wish Fellow Daoist success in Foundation Establishment."
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist."
Failing to give him a gift, Wei Zhong then rewarded the shop's attendants and maidservants with a few Spirit Stones.
Everyone happily accepted Wei Zhong's reward.
In the pill pavilion, generous cultivators like Wei Zhong were few and far between.
When he left, Wei Zhong still wore an irrepressibly delighted expression.
The shopkeeper went up to the second floor, looking as though he wanted to speak but hesitated.
The latter said calmly, "Let them all keep it. It is not easy for someone to give them rewards.
"As for this Fellow Daoist Chu, let him go as he pleases.
"The path of immortality does not hide itself. If he becomes dry bones, whom can he blame?"
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