Within the Spirit Pool.
Ripples shimmered across the water. As Fang Qing performed the Water Control Art, streams of water separated into layers, each carrying its own medicinal properties as they were continuously tempered and fused...
"Refining spiritual powder really is different from refining spirit water... The final pellet-forming technique demands much more."
Remembering his previous failure, Fang Qing's gaze deepened as his hands continuously shifted through seals. "Out!"
Whoosh!
The spirit-energy-rich spring water continually evaporated, until a layer of strange medicinal powder finally emerged.
The powder was pitch-black. Merely catching its scent made one feel invigorated.
"First-Order high-grade Spirit-Concentrating Powder... success!"
Fang Qing put away the packet of Spirit-Concentrating Powder, and at last a trace of a smile appeared on his face. "It truly wasn't easy... I heard the Five Dragons Society is still failing at it."
Even with the main ingredient, he had still failed to refine it.
As for the Five Dragons Society, they could not find the primary material at all and had substituted other ingredients. Failure was naturally an even more common occurrence.
Thinking of the vast resources invested for this purpose, even Fang Qing could not help but feel a pang of heartache.
"But all of it is worthwhile... Once I possess Spiritual Sense, I can attempt to refine Second-Order pills during Late Qi Refinement and challenge the Hundred Arts of Immortality True Disciple position?"
"Even if I fail to become a True Disciple, I can still try refining Foundation Establishment Pills myself!"
"As I am now, I can only be considered a reasonably competent First-Order high-grade alchemist..."
By rogue cultivator standards, anyone capable of refining any First-Order high-grade pill was unquestionably a First-Order high-grade alchemist.
But within a Core Formation sect, the requirements were somewhat higher. One needed to refine at least three different First-Order high-grade pills to receive certification.
Fang Qing knew his own situation best. He had only barely gained a little experience in refining Spirit-Concentrating Powder after consuming massive amounts of resources.
If he switched to another First-Order high-grade pill, while it would not be as difficult for him to begin as it was for other First-Order mid-grade alchemists, he would still have a hard time getting started without failing seven or eight times.
"Fortunately... my proficiency in refining Spirit-Concentrating Powder is already sufficient. My success rate will keep rising from here on."
Fang Qing had that confidence.
Carrying the newly refined Spirit-Concentrating Powder, he entered his cultivation chamber.
He sat cross-legged and regulated his breathing, calming his mind...
Once his condition had returned to its peak, Fang Qing no longer hesitated and swallowed a dose of Spirit-Concentrating Powder.
The medicine melted the moment it entered his mouth, like a stream of cool water. Yet it did not enter his stomach, instead rising directly into his mind.
"Mm..."
In that instant, Fang Qing felt incomparably clear-headed, his thoughts racing at high speed... Many difficult questions accumulated over his past cultivation and alchemy seemed on the verge of being solved as easily as a knife splitting bamboo.
Unfortunately, the sensation came swiftly and departed just as swiftly.
As the cool current dissipated, something within his sea of consciousness seemed ready to burst forth. It was also like a patch of fertile earth, teeming with life, where tender shoots were about to break through the soil...
Time slipped away without his noticing.
One hour, two hours...
Fang Qing exhaled a long breath and suddenly opened his eyes.
His gaze was gentle, like a clear spring, yet within it lay a profound gleam impossible to fathom.
"After taking it just once, I already feel as though I'm about to condense Spiritual Sense?"
Fang Qing touched the space between his brows. "Could it be because I have diligently cultivated the Horse-Head Vajra Protector Divine Art all this time, and my body refinement is now comparable to the peak of First-Order mid-grade body refinement?"
This strange technique cultivated both essence and spirit. He felt that the "mental power" he had accumulated had long since met the requirements for Spiritual Sense; he had merely lacked an opportunity.
And now, Spirit-Concentrating Powder was that opportunity!
"Spirit-Concentrating Powder is only beneficial for condensing Spiritual Sense. That does not mean success is guaranteed."
"But if I take it a few more times, I will definitely be able to condense Spiritual Sense!"
Fang Qing was fairly satisfied with his cultivation progress.
"With my current Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement cultivation, First-Order mid-grade body-refining techniques, a large number of talismans, and the Sea-Transforming Pearl... I might be able to fight an ordinary Late Qi Refinement cultivator?"
"There are still around five years until the next True Disciple Grand Competition... If I want to contend for it, perhaps I do not have no chance? But the combat side will surely be filled with veteran Qi Refining Ninth Layer experts, perhaps even cultivators at Qi Refining Great Perfection. I still cannot afford to underestimate them... On the other hand, the Hundred Arts of Immortality True Disciple position might offer some hope if I can condense Spiritual Sense and refine Second-Order pills?"
"Wait... wouldn't that mean I'll be competing against Five Dragons Child and Gong Susu?"
"The Great Dao lies ahead. None of that matters. The key is to be steady... First, I should see whether there is a source for Second-Order Demon Cores."
Over the past few years, Fang Qing had accumulated quite a fortune. Gathering one set of Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients would not be much of a problem.
But refining them himself still presented no small difficulties.
The next day.
Myriad Treasures Island, inside a waterside pavilion.
"Haha... come, fellow brothers and sisters, have a taste. These are Jadeheart Spiritfish caught during this fishing season. Steamed, their flavor is unsurpassed. Pair them with spirit rice and Vermilion Fruit Wine brewed from Vermilion Fruit... I hear several elders are particularly fond of this combination."
Hua Lian held jade chopsticks, his face full of warm smiles.
This was a gathering of fellow disciples, and Fang Qing was among them. Looking around, he found quite a few familiar faces at the table: Huo Tianhuo, Ming Lingzhen, Li Yusu, and even Zha Zhu.
This woman had actually reached Late Qi Refinement, making Fang Qing sigh inwardly.
"Congratulations, Senior Sister, on advancing to Late Qi Refinement."
He raised his cup and offered Zha Zhu his congratulations.
"I only recently reached Qi Refinement Sixth Layer Great Perfection. Then I went into seclusion to give it a try, and ended up breaking through."
Zha Zhu smiled faintly. "Junior Brother Fang... didn't you also break through to the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement during this seclusion?"
Fang Qing had used the Dao-Born Pearl to conceal one layer of his cultivation. He now appeared to have only just entered the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement.
Such cultivation speed was already enough to make others take notice.
For example, Li Yusu beside him had only barely reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement. Hearing this, he merely drank.
Hua Lian had likewise reached the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement. After drinking a cup of Vermilion Fruit Wine, he laughed. "With Junior Sister Zha's cultivation advancing so rapidly, I think you will be more than capable of competing for the True Disciple position in five years."
"My cultivation is still shallow. I will wait another fifteen years."
Zha Zhu did not pursue the topic.
After several rounds of wine, Hua Lian finally got to the main matter. "Everyone... my fleet is preparing to set out during this fishing season. I have already rented a Three-Tusk Warship from the sect. Would any of you be interested?"
The cultivators exchanged glances, then all smiled and nodded. "Naturally."
Over the years, they had earned quite a bit by following Hua Lian.
Even Zha Zhu agreed after some consideration.
Clearly, having reached Late Qi Refinement, her cultivation progress had slowed, and she needed to earn resources herself.
Moreover, going out to sea to fish could also temper one's combat abilities.
"Fellow Daoist Fang... what about you?"
Seeing that most had agreed, Hua Lian's smile widened as he looked toward Fang Qing.
"I still need to remain in seclusion to refine pills..."
Fang Qing shook his head. He had always been a lone wolf, and that remained true even when he went to sea.
"Brother Fang, that is rather lacking in human feeling."
Hua Lian's smile stiffened. Before he could speak, Yu Taohua beside him immediately spoke up.
Fang Qing remained silent. In truth, Hua Lian's fleet had gained some renown in recent years. Fellow cultivators who went to sea with him suffered few casualties and returned with plentiful gains, and the two of them had a fairly good personal relationship.
To outsiders, Fang Qing's conduct indeed carried the air of being given face and refusing it.
But what was face worth to Fang Qing?
Right now, his heart and mind were wholly fixed on secluded alchemy, taking Spirit-Concentrating Powder, and striving to condense Spiritual Sense as soon as possible!
"About that... I'm truly sorry. I'll punish myself with three cups."
Fang Qing raised his wine cup and drank three cups in succession.
After the banquet ended and everyone departed, Yu Taohua said resentfully, "Senior Brother Hua Lian, look at Fang Qing. He truly doesn't know what's good for him! Haven't we returned brimming with gold and jade every time? Now even Senior Sister Zha is tempted to join us and willing to give us face, yet he alone acts so lofty?"
"Forget it. Every person has their own aspirations."
Hua Lian shook his head. "Several years ago, Junior Brother Fang could already refine Ginseng Green Spirit Water. Even Five Dragons Child praised his alchemy skills without end... He must have a substantial fortune and looks down on the income of poor fishermen like us..."
His words carried considerable regret.
Inside the cave abode.
Fang Qing sat cross-legged and swallowed a dose of Spirit-Concentrating Powder.
Whoosh!
This time, the cool current rushed straight into his mind, clearing his spiritual platform. The space between his brows stirred restlessly before a sudden stabbing pain struck, as though a third eye had opened.
"This is... Spiritual Sense?"
Fang Qing closed his eyes, yet he could clearly see several feet around himself. He could even inspect his own body and see the misty Black Water Dharma Power within his qi sea dantian.
With the support of Spiritual Sense, his thoughts moved at astonishing speed.
"I... seem to have become smarter."
Fang Qing recalled his past, and every experience was vivid in his mind, as though he had gained an eidetic memory.
Whether it was techniques such as the Black Ridge Contemplation Scripture, the Five Dragons Alchemy Classic, or even the Plum Blossom Divination that he had previously been completely unable to understand, all of them now seemed to offer clues that he could study and use to enter the gate.
"As expected... once one possesses Spiritual Sense, both cultivation and the study of the Hundred Arts of Immortality are like receiving divine aid..."
Joy appeared on Fang Qing's face. Yet he did not immediately go read. Instead, he sat cross-legged in meditation and swallowed a few more drops of Ginseng Green Spirit Water.
At the instant his Spiritual Sense had been born, inspiration had come to him naturally, and he sensed the opportunity to break through the bottleneck of the seventh layer of the Water Classic Commentary!
Boom!
The Ginseng Green Spirit Water entered his stomach and immediately generated strands of Dharma Power, which flowed into his dantian.
Not only that, Fang Qing's mind stirred slightly. The Dao-Born Pearl spun around, and the Origin Qi of Winnowing Basket Water Dharma Power that he had accumulated during this period, while his Black Water Dharma Power had reached its limit, came pouring down in great torrents. It was as though he had swallowed half a breakthrough pill.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The surging fluctuations of Dharma Power nearly burst his dantian apart.
Fortunately, with his Spiritual Sense, Fang Qing was like a seasoned fisherman. No matter how the sea raged with tempestuous waves, he still kept his own boat sailing steadily forward.
Crack!
Finally...
After an unknown amount of time had passed, Fang Qing seemed to hear the sound of a silver flask suddenly shattering, water bursting forth.
Within his body, Black Water Dharma Power surged mightily, violently breaking through its restraints and entering an entirely new world!
"Qi Refinement Seventh Layer, achieved!"
Feeling the fluctuations of his Dharma Power, Fang Qing's lips curved slightly. "Late Qi Refinement cultivators hold an entirely different status within the sect... I am qualified to compete for True Disciple now."
Before you continue