The higher the grade of the formation, the higher the cost.
It's unexpected that there's such a hidden formation here, which shows how much Bai Nianyuan values this matter.
Wait until we land on the island.
Bai Nianyuan led Chen Shuangbai into the active volcano, where they found an extremely large interior space. A pill-making chamber had been created by human hands, drawing on the earth's fire, which could be used by Alchemist to refine pills.
Inside the alchemy chamber stood a white jade Pill Furnace, carved with various auspicious beasts, indicating that it had been carefully prepared.
Chen Shuangbai looked around and found that the place was not only secluded, but also had a high-grade Pill Furnace. He nodded in satisfaction.
"This place is nice."
Upon hearing this, Bai Nianyuan couldn't help but beam with joy.
"I discovered this many years ago, and it took me a lot of materials to build it over the years. I guarantee that no one else will be able to disturb your alchemy."
Bai Nianyuan then took out another handful of shimmering, precious materials, piled them aside, and pointed to them, saying, "There are five sets of materials here. Fellow Daoist, please feel free to try them. If it's still not enough, I'll send someone to find more!"
Chen Shuangbai looked at them and saw that the spiritual materials were all very well preserved.
If you make five... try a few more times, and you might actually succeed.
This elixir is not called the Life-Extension Pill, but rather the Aging-Delay Pill.
Based on the current classification of pills in the cultivation world, this pill should belong to the second tier. As for which grade of the second tier... that remains unknown.
Given Chen Shuangbai's current alchemy skills, it's definitely worth a try.
If it succeeds, everyone will be happy.
If it doesn't work out... that's not a big deal. Anyway, the young master of White Feather Cave said that it wouldn't matter if it didn't work out.
Consider it a learning experience.
only...
Chen Shuangbai then carefully deduced the situation.
If one wanted to refine this pill, even if it took several months, it might take up to half a year... Chen Shuangbai wasn't in a hurry, but she had previously promised Gao Hao to help him with the matter of that secret realm.
After considering it for a moment, Chen Shuangbai said, "I can refine pills, but I have other important matters to attend to in the next two months, so I will be back later... I should be back before the storm season arrives."
"Of course, if it's you, fellow Daoist..."
Chen Shuangbai thought to herself, "I can't appear too anxious, lest this person think..."
After pondering for a moment, Bai Nianyuan slowly said, "So that's how it is... Well, there's no rush of a month or two anyway. If you have important matters to attend to, please go and deal with them first."
"Once that matter is resolved, you can return to Swan Immortal Market to find Nianyuan. Nianyuan will be waiting for you there."
"Fellow Daoist Bai, you're exaggerating."
After exchanging a few more words, Bai Nianyuan escorted Chen Shuangbai out of the great formation, watching her ride the azure-white escape light eastward.
"Young Master, is this person... trustworthy?"
A Demon Cultivator from White Feather Cave appeared silently and respectfully inquired.
"Have no idea."
Bai Nianyuan shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the direction Chen Shuangbai had left. "But he is the most suitable candidate we can find right now. He comes from across the country, has no ties to local forces, possesses considerable skill in Dao of Alchemy, is meticulous, and has his own agenda."
Bai Nianyuan was able to determine that Chen Shuangbai's Dao of Alchemy skills were quite advanced because of the Spirit-Nurturing Clam Shell Pearl that Chen Shuangbai was trying to purchase.
Although these Shell Pearl are rare, they are mainly purchased by Alchemist.
In addition, Bai Nianyuan his early years and knew most of the more outstanding sects on the mainland, so he immediately recognized the pattern on Chen Shuangbai.
" The Jade Spring Sect has a long history and profound expertise in alchemy, making it quite famous throughout the land... This Fellow Daoist Chen comes from the Jade Spring Sect and has come to purchase the Shell Pearl from the Spirit-Nurturing Clam; we can only turn to him."
The Demon Cultivator remained silent, bowed, and withdrew.
After leaving the island protected by the great formation, Chen Shuangbai returned to Swan Market to retrieve the Shell Pearl from the Spirit-Nurturing Clam. He then purchased a batch of local specialties before leisurely departing.
He traveled as he made his way towards the Jade Wave Immortal Market.
On the way, they heard news about their fellow disciples.
This day.
He landed on a relatively populated island, concealing his presence and the aura of Foundation Establishment cultivator, and disguised himself as Qi Refining cultivator, blending into the crowd and drinking tea in an inn.
I overheard two people sitting next to me chatting away about recent events at sea.
"Have you heard...? The direct descendant of the Black Wall Cave Master, that Black Spirit Python that wreaked havoc on the Deer-Chasing Sea, was slain by that Sword Immortal Qingying!"
Sword Immortal Qingying?!
Since it was rare to hear news about sword cultivators, Chen Shuangbai paid more attention to it.
The more he listened, the stranger it seemed.
"Wait... this description sounds like Qianlan's?"
After thinking about it carefully, Chen Shuangbai suddenly realized.
After Fu Qianlan became a disciple of True Person Mei, True Person Mei had the sect reforge her flying sword. He vaguely remembered that True Person Mei personally named it [ Qingying ].
As for the Black Wall Cave... it is a demon cave composed of a group of Black Spirit Python, and it is also one of the Sixteen Demon Caves.
The Black Spirit Python carries some dragon blood, so its potential is not weak, making it a powerful tribe among the Sixteen Demon Caves.
Why do the two conflict?
Chen Shuangbai pricked up her ears and listened intently.
The two cultivators appeared to be in the mid-to-late stage of Qi Refining, dressed in ordinary Rogue Cultivator attire, and were talking animatedly, clearly enjoying the matter.
"... That's right! I heard that the Black Spirit Python, relying on its status as a direct descendant of the Black Wall Cave, has been running rampant in the Deer-Chasing Sea for many years, devouring passing cultivators, plundering merchant ships, and committing all sorts of evil deeds. Several small immortal markets have suffered at its hands!"
"But its cultivation has already reached the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, and it has thick skin and flesh. Relying on its bloodline talent, it can also spew poisonous miasma and black water, making it impossible for ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators to deal with!"
Another person chimed in, their tone filled with excitement and awe. "They say this Black Spirit Python had its eye on a passing sword immortal. Seeing that the sword immortal was a female cultivator with a handsome appearance, it harbored improper thoughts, angering the sword immortal, who then rewarded it with three Sword Qi."
"One strike pierced through its protective demonic aura, another severed its tail, and the last one... hehe, sliced off half its head!"
"That beast didn't even have time to let out a few screams before it was dead beyond dead!"
The two talked animatedly, attracting many passersby. Some busybodies added fuel to the fire, and before they knew it, even more people had gathered around.
Chen Shuangbai was certain that the sword immortal they were talking about was Fu Qianlan.
"But why were you fighting that Black Spirit Python?"
The Black Spirit Python of Black Wall Cave is just as violent and unreasonable as the Crimson Fire Crow. Now that its direct descendant has been killed, it will most likely become enemies with Fu Qianlan and kill her.
But upon closer listening, Chen Shuangbai breathed a sigh of relief.
Because Fu Qianlan had already left this area of water, and then I thought about it again...
"All three of us possess sword talismans bestowed by True Person Mei. Once the Golden Core sword talisman is activated, unless a powerful cultivator in the mid-to-late Golden Core stage makes a move... we are most likely safe."