Abyss Suppression Hall.
The True Person Bo sat on the jade platform, his carriage above, where the sky was obscured, as if it were a deep abyss, where not a trace of the sky could be seen.
Suddenly.
A cold, watery light flew in from outside and landed on the white jade hall, revealing Shi Yubai's figure.
The head of the Jade Guarding Hall bowed to the seated True Person above and said softly, " True Person, they are all here."
A Jade Slip flew from his hand to True Person Bo's face. The latter's eyes flickered slightly, and he saw through the contents of the slip. He chuckled softly, a sound that echoed loudly in the empty hall.
"They're really impatient."
As the head of the Jade Guarding Hall, Shi Yubai wields considerable power within the sect. In addition to maintaining stability within the sect, he can also carry out punishments when necessary.
On the day Wu Shangxiu flew back in the Flowing Light Cloud Boat, two Foundation Establishment cultivators from who-knows-where used a diversionary tactic to kill all the Jade Spring disciples on the Flowing Light Cloud Boat.
But who could have predicted that Jade Spring was prepared, placing the [ Sharp Mountains and Embracing Rivers Painting ] on the cloud boat and instead suppressing one of the people inside? After returning to Sunken Jade Valley, Shi Yubai interrogated him, making him spill everything he knew.
Shi Yubai respectfully replied, "It's called the Fate-Governing Pavilion, but it's not hard to guess which family gathered the spiritual materials and then hired the Fate-Governing Pavilion to test our family."
It's not hard to guess.
The Jade Spring Sect only has two or three rivals. After eliminating a couple of them, it's easy to figure out which one did it.
As for the Fate-Governing Pavilion...
They are a clandestine force active in the shadows of the cultivation world of the twelve kingdoms, employing numerous assassins who, under the guise of commissioned missions, have committed many cruel assassinations, making them infamous.
Because very few people know exactly where he is, those who want revenge... can't find him, so it's all in vain.
The Jade Spring Sect clearly didn't want to expend manpower and resources to retaliate against the Fate-Governing Pavilion, but the necessary vigilance had now been put on hold.
True Person Bo gave a soft hum, not lingering on the matter, and simply said, "Regardless of their family, we still cannot let our guard down at the Great Buddha Temple and the Heart-Eroding Stronghold, especially the former... The Western Supreme Bliss Chan has been quite powerful in recent years, and it's hard to guarantee that they won't send one or two people to our Jing Kingdom?"
Upon hearing the words "Great Buddha Temple, "Shi Yubai's expression turned quite grim.
He already had a grudge against the Great Buddha Temple, and upon hearing True Person Bo's words, a cold smile crept across his lips as he respectfully replied:
"I understand."
Yi Chongyue valued his disciple highly, not only imparting all his alchemy knowledge to him but also entrusting him with the key to the mountain's treasure vault, making Chen Shuangbai feel somewhat ashamed.
Fortunately, Chen Shuangbai lived up to expectations. During the trip to Azure Light Mountain, he performed exceptionally well, even overshadowing several other sects. He truly gave the Jade Spring Sect a chance to shine, and also made Yi Chongyue, as their master, quite arrogant among his peers.
After he received the [ Profound Yin Crystal Marrow ], he went out to find other Foundation Establishment in the sect to exchange for spiritual materials.
Chen Shuangbai guessed that her master... would probably have to subsidize a lot of it.
He sighed softly, thinking to himself that he would have to repay her kindness someday.
Except for Deer Deep Waters Peak.
Chen Shuangbai rode a cloud and flew to her cave abode.
Verdant Hills Stream.
As the outer array opened, the four servants inside sensed it and looked over. When they saw that it was their master returning, joy appeared on their faces, and they hurriedly knelt down.
"Welcome back, Lord."
Chen Shuangbai waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities. Then he looked at the herb gardens on the left and right sides of the thatched hut and saw a thriving scene. The fragrant flowers and herbs were growing luxuriantly, spirit medicine herbs and flowers were lush and green, growing well. Many of them were already close to maturity.
In front of the thatched hut, there were rows of wooden racks with winnowing baskets on them, filled with various processed medicinal herbs drying in the sun, emitting a mixed medicinal fragrance.
The handsome Daoist priest strolled forward, casually picked up a few pieces, sniffed them, and a look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes. He said, "Very well done."
Upon receiving the lord's praise, the four servants smiled and repeatedly said they didn't deserve it.
Zhiqi stepped forward and presented a ledger, which recorded the details of Chen Shuangbai's comings and goings in the cave abode during the more than six months he was away. A quick glance revealed it to be quite detailed.
He nodded. "Well done. This trip has been somewhat fruitful; this is a reward for you."
He casually took out four bottles of Qi-nourishing pills suitable for mortals and bestowed them upon them. The group was both surprised and delighted, and quickly bowed in gratitude.
"Thank you for the generous gift, Lord!"
Chen Shuangbai collected the dried medicinal herbs and returned to the inner palace behind the waterfall. He took down the incense burner hanging from his waist, and as soon as he channeled his Law Power into it, the incense burner expanded several times before falling to the ground with a buzzing sound.
"My cultivation is now at a very slow and steady stage, and since I happen to have some free time, I might as well refine pills while also studying the Dao of Incense."
He was interested in studying the Dao of Incense, so he asked Lu Zhiyuan from the outer sect to collect various incense recipes for him. He had also collected quite a few in Wind Howling Ford and had studied them for a while, but then he had to put them aside for the time being due to important matters.
Nowadays, spiritual practice requires a slow and steady approach. By using ink painting techniques to refine one's character, I've come up with the idea of studying the combination of Dao of Incense and Dao of Alchemy.
Chen Shuangbai put down the golden censer, took out the dried herbs and flowers, and sorted them into categories.
Some of these medicinal herbs were produced in the Verdant Hills Stream herb garden, while others were obtained from the sect's market or from missions. They were not of high quality, but there were many varieties, which was just right for beginners to practice.
He wasn't a complete novice; he had already practiced incense-making techniques like the Wind Howling Ford Spring-Venerating Daoist Academy, so this was a case of reviewing what he had learned and gaining new insights.
Now, he plans to refine a kind of incense called Five-Incense Pill.
This formula originates from an ancient recipe, using five kinds of mild and fragrant spiritual flowers and herbs as the main ingredients, supplemented with several auxiliary medicines, and refined using alchemy techniques. It is shaped like a misty pill, yet has a unique fragrance.
After being formed into pills, the aroma is subtle and subtle. When lit, it harmonizes the five elements and has a calming and stabilizing effect.
Chen Shuangbai took out five kinds of medicinal herbs one by one, and after thinking for a while, added calamus and mugwort. He used the " Dark Nether Pill Heart Instruction " to extract the medicinal properties from these herbs one by one, and then mixed them with the cold water in the Shattered Star River, slowly kneading them into pills.
But that's not enough...
As night fell, Chen Shuangbai circulated his Cultivation Method, drawing upon the moonlight Moon Lord Divine Manifestation appeared behind him, and with a flick of his jade tablet, the seven incense pills floated in the moonlight, rising and falling as if absorbing the mysteries of the moonlight.
"... It might actually work!"
Chen Shuangbai thus cultivated himself while simultaneously studying Dao of Alchemy and Dao of Incense, making progress in both areas, which was quite enjoyable.