Preparing the Three Herbs

The sun rose higher, and the heat in the mountains began to steam upward.

Ning Chuan stood at the base of the cliff, feeling the weighty harvest in the basket on his back. His heart was filled with satisfaction and joy.

The three main herbs for the Foundation Establishment Pill—Century-Old Polygonatum, Old Pine Poria, and Cloud-Patterned Fleeceflower—were finally complete!

Next came the tedious yet crucial processing steps, following the ancient methods recorded in Ten Thousand Herb Appraisal.

"Nine-steaming, nine-sun-drying, discarding the dross and preserving the essence..."

Ning Chuan recalled the requirements of the pill formula.

This was by no means something that could be accomplished in a day or two. It also required a specific environment and equipment. It would be impossible to carry it out at home in Holy Soul Village, and it would easily arouse his parents' suspicions.

His gaze swept over the steep cliff face and the secluded valley below. This place was rarely visited, making it a natural hiding spot, but it still lacked the conditions needed to process the herbs.

It looks like I can only rely on the Station again, Ning Chuan thought.

Ning Chuan did not rush down the mountain. Instead, he found a concealed corner hidden by dense shrubs and huge boulders, then set down his basket.

After cautiously observing his surroundings and confirming that it was relatively safe, he sank his consciousness into his mind.

"Enter the Station. Spiritual Body Entry."

Light and shadows shifted, and the cold metal platform reappeared.

Ning Chuan first took out the three main herbs he had brought into the Station along with the basket and carefully placed them on the platform.

The Century-Old Polygonatum gave off a heavy, earthy aura; the enormous poria carried a rich fungal fragrance; and the Century-Old Polygonum Multiflorum had a cross-section patterned like colorful clouds.

The three spiritual herbs lay quietly together. Though they had yet to undergo any treatment, their medicinal fragrances had already begun to mingle, making them impossible to ignore.

"Station," Ning Chuan commanded, "according to the requirements of the Foundation Establishment Pill formula recorded in Ten Thousand Herb Appraisal, process these three herbs using the ancient Nine-Steaming Nine-Sun-Drying method. Remove impurities, refine their essence, temper their medicinal properties into something mild and pure, and bring them up to alchemy standards."

After a pause, he added, "If the required auxiliary materials—Rootless Water and Morning Dewdrop—can be simulated or synthesized by the Station, use those first. If they must be obtained externally, I'll find another way."

"Instruction accepted. Analyzing target herbs and processing requirements..."

"Plan generated: the ancient Nine-Steaming Nine-Sun-Drying process can be performed within the Station's built-in Simulated Medicine Furnace environment."

"Simulation environment: capable of perfectly reproducing the effects of Rootless Water (pure water vapor) and Morning Dewdrop (Supreme Yin Spirit Dew)."

"Processing procedure: slowly steam over a gentle fire, infuse with the aura of Morning Dewdrop, then expose to simulated sunlight. Repeat nine times to cyclically purify the herbs' medicinal properties."

"Estimated duration: internal Station time flow can be adjusted. External time required: approximately one shichen."

"Point cost: 30 points, including environmental simulation and energy guidance."

"Execute?"

One shichen? That fast? Ning Chuan was delighted. The Station had once again demonstrated its power.

Thirty points was no small amount, but compared to spending time and effort in the outside world while risking exposure, it was more than worth it.

"Execute!"

"Instruction confirmed. Points consumed: 30. Current points: 109."

"Processing program initiated."

At the center of the platform, no Decomposition Beam lit up. Instead, a translucent phantom of a medicine furnace, seemingly made of glass, rose into the air.

The three herbs were lifted by an invisible force and placed into the furnace.

There was no firewood beneath the furnace, yet specks of soft, dawn-like light brimming with vitality gathered together, transforming into a warm gentle fire that slowly heated the medicine furnace.

Inside, hazy pure water vapor spread out and soaked the herbs. At the same time, tiny, crystal-clear phantom dewdrops continuously fell into the vapor, bringing a cool and pure aura with them.

The herbs slowly revolved within the furnace, receiving the steaming of water vapor and the nourishment of dew.

After a while, the gentle fire went out. Simulated sunlight shone down from above the platform, enveloping the medicine furnace for the sun-drying phase.

The cycle repeated again and again.

Ning Chuan's spiritual body stood nearby, watching the miraculous scene with complete focus.

He could clearly sense that under the Station's precise control, the impurities within the three herbs were refined and stripped away bit by bit. Their medicinal properties became purer and gentler, while some wondrous resonance and fusion seemed to arise between them.

The entire process was quiet and efficient, carrying a unique rhythm.

More than half a day passed within the Station, yet less than one shichen had elapsed outside.

"Ding!"

"Ancient Nine-Steaming Nine-Sun-Drying processing complete."

The phantom medicine furnace dissipated, and the three herbs reappeared on the platform.

Their forms had changed completely!

The originally massive poria and Polygonum Multiflorum had shrunk by nearly half, yet their textures had become firmer and finer, while their colors grew deeper and more restrained, as if all their essence had been condensed within.

The Polygonatum had also become denser, and the horny luster on its cut surface was even more pronounced.

An even purer, richer medicinal fragrance spread through the air. Just one breath of it was enough to refresh the mind and relax the entire body.

"Obtained: Processed Centennial Polygonatum Essence ×1"

"Obtained: Processed Centennial Poria Essence ×1"

"Obtained: Processed Centennial Fleeceflower Root Essence ×1"

"The herbs now meet the requirements for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill."

"It worked!" Ning Chuan happily gathered the three processed herbs and carefully stored them in the platform's storage area.

At this point, the most difficult and time-consuming preliminary preparations for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill had been completed!

He exited the Station, and his consciousness returned to his body.

Ning Chuan opened his eyes and looked at the sky. There was still some time before noon.

He did not immediately head down the mountain.

Returning home with a basket that was more than half empty would inevitably arouse suspicion.

Especially his mother. She was meticulous by nature and would definitely question him about everything.

I still need some cover.

After pondering for a moment, Ning Chuan came up with an idea.

He picked up his medicine hoe and machete again and began searching the rarely visited valley and cliff base for common, ordinary herbs that were still young.

Panax notoginseng for stopping bleeding, dandelion for clearing heat, plantain herb for dispelling dampness...

He even dug up several common wild mushrooms.

These herbs were not particularly valuable. Villagers occasionally gathered them to exchange for a little money or use them themselves, making them perfect for cover.

Before long, his basket was filled with quite a few ordinary herbs, making it look as though he had enjoyed a bountiful harvest.

Ning Chuan carefully checked everything and confirmed that the lingering aura of the three spiritual herbs had been covered by the scent of the ordinary herbs, while the weight of the basket was also reasonable. Only then did he nod in satisfaction.

That should be enough.

He slung the basket onto his back, carefully climbed out of the valley along the path he had taken in, and headed toward Holy Soul Village.