Ksitigarbha Lotus's Whereabouts

After seeing Chu Qian, Song Wen returned to his cave abode and took out the Pill Formula for the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Given Song Wen's current Alchemy skills, refining the Foundation Establishment is not difficult.

After studying the Pill Formula for a day, he took out the Pill Furnace, summoned the Earthcore Smelting Flame, and put various Alchemy materials into the Pill Furnace one by one.

Five days later, the first batch of Foundation Establishment was successfully refined, but only three pills were produced.

Five days later, the second batch of Foundation Establishment was successfully refined, yielding four pills.

After two days of recuperation, Song Wen opened the furnace again and obtained four pills.

The number of pills produced in one batch of Foundation Establishment is usually three to five, and three batches yield eleven pills, which Song Wen was quite satisfied with.

With the Foundation Establishment in hand, Song Wen flew to Limitless Island. After informing Chu Qian via Message Jade Slip, he went to the Mission Hall and received an Alchemy mission.

Then, he went to the Tide-Listening Pavilion and met with Chu Qian.

Song Wen found a private room and waited for a while before Chu Qian rushed over.

"Extreme Yin Jiyin, has the Foundation Establishment been successfully refined?" Chu Qian asked impatiently as soon as he entered the private room.

Song Wen nodded, raised his hand, and two jade bottles appeared on the table.

"The three furnaces yielded a total of eleven pills, all of which are here."

Chu Qian picked up a jade bottle, opened it, and found five pills inside. The pills were about the size of a thumb, round and plump, and exuded Spiritual Qi.

A look of surprise appeared on his face. "Senior's alchemy skills are truly remarkable. You have successfully refined all three batches of pills."

What truly surprised Chu Qian was not Song Wen's Alchemy skills, but that Song Wen hadn't concealed the Foundation Establishment. If Song Wen had only produced two batches of pills, he wouldn't have been able to determine their authenticity.

"You flatter me, young friend," Song Wen said.

Chu Qian raised the jade bottle in his hand, "Senior, this bottle is mine now."

Then, he used his spiritual power to lift another jade bottle and push it in front of Song Wen.

"This bottle is for the senior."

Song Wen accepted the jade bottle and said, "Then young friend has suffered a bit of a loss."

As agreed, the pills would be split equally between the two.

There are now eleven Foundation Establishment Foundation Establishment in total, which cannot be divided equally, Chu Qian took the one that was the least available.

"I am already very satisfied to have received five Foundation Establishment. Senior, you have spent a lot of time and effort Alchemy, so you should receive more," Chu Qian said.

Song Wen said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

As he spoke, Song Wen was about to put away the jade bottle.

"Senior, wait a moment," Chu Qian suddenly said.

"Young friend, is there anything else?" Song Wen asked.

"If I may be so bold as to ask, what are your plans regarding these Foundation Establishment, Senior?" Chu Qian asked.

"I'll keep two; I haven't decided on the others yet," Song Wen said.

Chu Qian's expression brightened. "Senior, could you sell it to me? I'll offer two thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stone."

Song Wen narrowed his eyes slightly. Four Foundation Establishment and two thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stone —this price was already quite high.

"Young friend, aren't you afraid of losing money by asking such a high price?"

Chu Qian said, "Senior keeps his word, and I will not hide anything. These Foundation Establishment are not for sale. Although my father and I are in the inner sect, we have close ties with some Lineage in the outer sect, and the Foundation Establishment are provided to these Lineage."

Song Wen nodded slightly but did not reply.

Chu Qian's words had already touched upon the power struggle within Limitless Island, and Song Wen did not want to get involved.

Wherever there are people, there is a world of its own.

Within large factions, forming cliques and vying for power are commonplace. Chu Qian and his father Chu Lingyun, intended to use these Foundation Establishment to win over their subordinates.

Song Wen poured out two Foundation Establishment Pills from the jade bottle and handed the bottle to Chu Qian.

Chu Qian took the jade bottle, counted out two thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stone, and handed them to Song Wen.

Payment and goods settled.

Chu Qian was in high spirits. "Thank you for your help, senior. If you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask, and I will never refuse."

A smile played on Song Wen's lips. "There is indeed something I need your help with, young friend."

Chu Qian's expression froze. His words just now were merely polite; did he really take 'Extreme Yin' seriously?

"Don't worry, young friend, it's nothing difficult. It's just inquiring about two kinds of spiritual materials."

Chu Qian's expression relaxed considerably. "May I ask which two kinds of spiritual materials Senior wishes to inquire about?"

"Ksitigarbha Lotus and Five-Colored Gold"

After several years of collecting the spiritual materials needed to refine the Blood Sea Seal, only the Ksitigarbha Lotus and Five-Colored Gold are currently missing.

Chu Qian said, "Senior, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. These two spiritual materials are far too rare, and I don't even have any relevant information."

"There's a quest in the Quest Hall: to purchase the Yellow Springs Tainted Flame, with a reward of a Ksitigarbha Lotus. I'd like to ask you to inquire who posted this quest," Song Wen said.

Chu Qian looked troubled, hesitated for a long time, and then spoke.

"To be honest, I know who issued the mission. However... the sect has orders that the true identity of the mission issuer cannot be revealed."

Upon hearing this, Song Wen understood that this was merely an excuse. It was highly likely that the person who issued the mission possessed such high status and power that Chu Qian dared not easily reveal their true identity.

His face suddenly fell, and he looked displeased.

"Such a trivial matter has caused you so much trouble, young friend. It seems I was presumptuous. I have been completely honest and open, and even offered all my Foundation Establishment, yet I still cannot gain your trust."

After saying this, Song Wen stood up and was about to leave.

"Extreme Yin, please wait a moment. I can tell you the name of the publisher, but you must not reveal it. Otherwise, I will have no place in the inner sect." Chu Qian hurriedly called out to Song Wen.

Song Wen turned around, waiting for Chu Qian's next words.

"It's Yuan Qing."

"The one you're referring to, young friend, could it be Yuan Qing Golden Core Yuan Qing of the Inner Sect?"

Chu Qian lowered his voice and said, "That's right. He is a Peak Golden Core Stage cultivator, one of the strongest cultivators below the Nascent Soul. Moreover, he is also the personal disciple of Ye Hua, the Demon Venerable. Senior, please remember, this matter must never be revealed, otherwise, neither of us will be able to stay on Limitless Island."

"Don't worry, young friend, I understand the importance of this matter."

Song Wen gave Chu Qian a deep look and nodded.

This incident served as a reminder to him that while the information about those who issue and complete missions in the Mission Hall is kept secret for outer sect cultivators of Limitless Island, some inner sect cultivators can easily obtain any information from the Mission Hall.

This means that one must be extremely cautious when issuing and accepting missions in the Mission Hall, especially when dealing with valuable treasures, to avoid bringing disaster upon oneself.

After chatting for a while, the two walked out of the private room together.

As they approached the main hall of the Tide-Listening Pavilion, a voice suddenly called out to Chu Qian.

"Nephew Chu, I never expected to meet you here."

Chu Qian looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was an elderly man with gray hair.

The old man was thin and emaciated, with sunken eyes and a heavy aura of death emanating from him—a typical image of a demonic cultivator.

A hint of wariness flashed in Chu Qian's eyes, then he bowed respectfully, clasped his hands in greeting, and said to the old man.

"Greetings, Senior Yu."

The old man gave a cold laugh. "Nephew, there's no need for such formalities. I've heard from the other Golden Core elders in the inner sect that you've been buying Jade Marrow Fungus and Seven-Star Grass from all over the place. You're going to great lengths to collect so many Foundation Establishment Pill materials. I wonder what your purpose is?"

Chu Qian's respectful expression remained unchanged. "To be honest, I have only mediocre talent in cultivation. In order to obtain a chance to form my fortuitous opportunity, I have no choice but to engage in commerce. Collecting materials for Foundation Establishment Pills is merely to earn a meager amount of Spirit Stone."

The old man said, "I see. May I ask how many Foundation Establishment you have refined, young friend? Could you sell some to this old man?"

"The Foundation Establishment is not so easy to refine. So far, I haven't even gathered enough spiritual materials," Chu Qian said with a disappointed look.

The old man smiled mockingly, "Not even a single batch of Foundation Establishment has been refined yet? What a pity!"