The sun climbed higher, and the heat in the mountains began to rise.
Ning Chuan stood at the bottom of the cliff, feeling the heavy harvest in the basket on his back, his heart 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 all gathered!
Next came the tedious yet crucial preparation process, following the ancient method recorded in the Ten Thousand Herb Appraisal.
"Nine-Steaming Nine-Sun-Drying, discard the dross and retain the essence..."
Ning Chuan recalled the requirements of the pill formula.
This was by no means something that could be done in a day or two. It also required a specific environment and equipment, making it impossible to complete at home in Holy Soul Village without easily arousing his parents' suspicions.
His gaze swept over the steep cliff face and the secluded valley below. This place was rarely visited and made for a natural hiding spot, but it likewise lacked the conditions for preparing medicine.
"Looks like I can only rely on the Station again," Ning Chuan thought to himself.
Ning Chuan did not hurry down the mountain. Instead, he found a concealed corner hidden by dense shrubs and massive rocks, then set down his basket.
After carefully 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 from the basket he had brought into the Station with him and carefully placed them on the platform.
The Century-Old Polygonatum exuded a dense, earthy aura; the huge Poria carried a rich fungal fragrance; and the Century-Old Polygonum Multiflorum displayed cloud-brocade patterns across its cut surface.
The three spiritual herbs lay quietly together. Though they had not undergone any treatment, their medicinal fragrances had already begun to mingle, drawing the eye.
"Station," Ning Chuan commanded, "according to the Foundation Establishment Pill formula recorded in the Ten Thousand Herb Appraisal, perform the Nine-Steaming Nine-Sun-Drying ancient preparation method on these three herbs. Remove impurities, refine their essences, temper and purify their medicinal properties, and bring them up to the standard required for pill refinement."
After a pause, he added, "If the required supplementary 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 a way."
"Command accepted. Analyzing target medicinal ingredients and preparation requirements..." "Plan generated: the Nine-Steaming Nine-Sun-Drying ancient preparation procedure can be carried out within the Station's built-in Simulated Medicine Furnace environment." "Simulation environment: can perfectly simulate the effects of Rootless Water (pure water vapor) and Morning Dewdrop (Supreme Yin Spirit Dew)." "Preparation process: slow-steam over a gentle flame, moisten with the essence of Morning Dewdrop, then expose to simulated sunlight. Repeat nine times to cyclically purify the medicinal properties." "Estimated duration: internal Station time flow can be adjusted. External time required: approximately one shichen." "Points consumed: 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 outside while risking exposure, it was an incredible bargain.
"Execute!"
"Command confirmed. Points consumed: 30. Current points: 109." "Preparation procedure initiated."
At the center of the platform, no Decomposition Beam lit up. Instead, a semitransparent virtual medicine furnace, seemingly fashioned from glazed crystal, slowly rose into view.
The three herbs were lifted by an invisible force and placed into the furnace.
There was no firewood beneath the furnace, yet soft, dawnlike motes of light brimming with vitality gathered there, forming a warm, gentle flame that slowly heated it.
Inside the furnace, pure water vapor spread through the air, soaking into the herbs. At the same time, exceedingly tiny, crystal-clear phantom dewdrops continuously fell and blended into the vapor, bringing with them a cool and pristine aura.
The herbs slowly revolved within the furnace, receiving the steaming vapor and the nourishment of the dewdrops.
After a while, the gentle flame extinguished. Simulated sunlight shone down from above the platform, enveloping the medicine furnace for the "sun-drying" stage.
And so the cycle repeated.
Ning Chuan's spiritual body stood to one side, watching the miraculous scene with complete focus.
He could clearly sense that under the Station's precise control, the impurities in 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 begin arising between them.
The entire preparation process was quiet and efficient, carrying a unique rhythm.
More than half a day passed within the Station, yet less than one shichen passed outside.
"Ding!" "The Nine-Steaming Nine-Sun-Drying ancient preparation method has been completed."
The phantom of the virtual medicine furnace dispersed, and the three herbs appeared once more on the platform.
Their forms had changed dramatically!
The originally massive Poria and Fo-Ti had shrunk by nearly half, yet their textures had become denser and finer, their colors deeper and more restrained, as though all their essence had been condensed within.
The Polygonatum had likewise become firmer, and the horny luster across its cut surface had grown even more pronounced.
A purer, richer medicinal fragrance spread out. Merely taking a breath of it made one feel refreshed and utterly at ease.
"Obtained: Prepared Centennial Polygonatum Essence x1" "Obtained: Prepared Centennial Poria Essence x1" "Obtained: Prepared Centennial Fleeceflower Root Essence x1" "Medicinal ingredients now meet the requirements for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill."
"Success!" Ning Chuan happily and carefully stored the three prepared herbs 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 checked the sky. There was still some time before noon.
He did not immediately head down the mountain.
Going home with a basket that was more than half empty would inevitably arouse suspicion.
His mother in particular was meticulous and would surely question him about everything.
"I still need some cover." After pondering for a moment, he came up with an idea.
Ning Chuan picked up his medicinal hoe and woodcutter's knife again. Around this untraveled valley and the base of the cliff, he began searching for common, ordinary herbs that were not very old.
Panax Notoginseng for stopping bleeding, Dandelions for clearing heat, Plantain Herb for dispelling dampness...
He even dug up several common wild mountain mushrooms.
These herbs were not especially valuable. Villagers occasionally gathered them for a little extra money or for personal use, making them perfect camouflage.
Before long, his basket held quite a few ordinary herbs, making it look as though he had enjoyed a plentiful harvest.
Ning Chuan carefully inspected everything. Once he confirmed that the lingering aura of the three spiritual herbs had been concealed by the scent of the ordinary herbs, and that the basket's weight was reasonable, he nodded in satisfaction.
"That should do it."
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.
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