Within the spirit pool.
Azure waves rippled. As Fang Qing performed the Water Control Technique, streams of water separated into layers, each carrying its own medicinal properties, constantly tempering and fusing…
“Refining spirit powder truly differs from refining spirit water… The pill fusion technique in the final step has much higher requirements.”
Recalling his previous failure, Fang Qing’s eyes deepened. His hands continuously changed seals: “Emerge!”
Splash!
Spirit-rich spring water continuously evaporated, ultimately revealing a layer of strange medicinal powder.
This powder was lacquer-black in color. Just a whiff of it gave one an invigorating feeling.
“High-grade first-rank Spirit Condensing Powder… success!”
Fang Qing stowed away this packet of Spirit Condensing Powder. A trace of a smile finally appeared on his face. “It really wasn’t easy… I heard the Five Dragons Association is still failing over there.”
He possessed the main materials, yet still failed in refining.
Meanwhile, the Five Dragons Association could not find the main ingredients at all, making substitutions with other materials, so failure was even more common.
Thinking of the massive resources he had invested for this, even Fang Qing couldn’t help feeling some heartache.
“But all this is worth it… As long as I possess divine sense, I can attempt to refine second-rank pills once I reach late-stage Qi Refinement and strive for the True Inheritance of the Hundred Immortal Arts?”
“Even if I don’t obtain the True Inheritance, I can still attempt to refine my own Foundation Establishment Pill!”
“With my current self, I can only be considered a quasi high-grade first-rank alchemist…”
By loose cultivator standards, being able to refine any single high-grade first-rank pill would definitely qualify one as a high-grade first-rank alchemist.
However, in Core Formation sects, the requirements were higher. One needed to refine at least three different high-grade first-rank pills to complete certification.
Fang Qing knew his own limits. It was only because he had consumed a massive amount of resources that he barely possessed some experience in refining Spirit Condensing Powder.
If he switched to another high-grade first-rank pill, although it wouldn’t be as difficult to start as for other mid-grade first-rank alchemists, without failing eight or ten times, it would still be hard to gain entry.
“Fortunately… my proficiency in refining Spirit Condensing Powder is already sufficient. From now on, my success rate will continuously rise.”
Fang Qing possessed this confidence.
He took the newly refined Spirit Condensing Powder and entered his secluded meditation chamber.
He sat cross-legged, regulated his breathing, and settled his mind…
After waiting until his condition recovered to its peak, Fang Qing no longer hesitated and consumed a dose of Spirit Condensing Powder.
This medicinal powder melted upon entering his mouth, like a clear stream. Yet it did not enter his abdomen; instead, it ascended directly to his mind.
“Mmh…”
In an instant, Fang Qing felt his spirit become incomparably clear and his thoughts operate at high speed… Many accumulated difficulties in cultivation and alchemy all gave him the feeling that they were about to be readily resolved.
Unfortunately, this feeling came quickly and left just as quickly.
Following the dissipation of the cool flow, within his sea of consciousness, it seemed as though something was about to burst forth, or like a vibrant earth where tender sprouts wished to break through the soil…
Time passed unknowingly.
One hour, two hours…
Fang Qing exhaled a long breath and suddenly opened his eyes.
His eyes were warm and lustrous, like a clear spring, hiding a profound, unfathomable gleam within.
“To think that after taking it just once, I already feel the verge of condensing divine sense?”
Fang Qing touched the spot between his eyebrows. “It seems… this is because I have diligently cultivated the Horse-Head Vajra Guardian Divine Technique, and now my body tempering is already comparable to the peak of mid-grade first-rank?”
This wondrous technique cultivated both essence and spirit. He felt that his accumulated spiritual power should have long since met the requirements for divine sense; he only lacked an opportunity.
And now, Spirit Condensing Powder was that opportunity!
‘Spirit Condensing Powder is merely beneficial to condensing divine sense; it doesn’t guarantee success.’
‘But as long as I take it several more times, I will definitely be able to condense divine sense!’
Fang Qing was fairly satisfied with his cultivation progress.
‘With my current sixth layer Qi Refinement cultivation, mid-grade first-rank body tempering arts, large quantities of talismans, and the Sea-Transforming Pearl… against ordinary late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators, might I have the power to fight?’
‘The next True Inheritance Grand Competition is about five years away… If I wish to compete, there may be a chance? However, in the dharma combat competition, they’ll definitely be veteran ninth layer Qi Refinement experts, perhaps even at Qi Refinement perfection—I still cannot underestimate them… On the contrary, for the True Inheritance of the Hundred Immortal Arts, if I can condense divine sense and refine second-rank pills, there might be some hope?’
‘Wait… doesn’t that mean I would be competing with the Five Dragon Scions and Gong Susu’s faction?’
‘The Great Dao lies ahead; these things don’t matter. The key is to stay steady… First, let me see if there are channels to obtain second-rank demon cores.’
Fang Qing had accumulated considerable wealth over the past few years. Gathering a full set of Foundation Establishment Pill medicinal materials was not much of a problem.
But refining it himself still presented considerable difficulties.
…
The next day.
On Myriad Treasures Island, within a waterside pavilion.
“Haha… Come, fellow martial brothers and sisters, taste this. This is the Jade Heart Spirit Fish caught during this sea voyage. Steamed, its flavor is absolutely superb, paired with Vermillion Fruit Wine brewed from spirit rice and vermillion fruits… Supposedly several elders are fond of this.”
Hua Lian raised his jade chopsticks, his face full of enthusiastic smiles.
This was a gathering of fellow disciples, and Fang Qing was among them. He looked around and discovered many familiar faces at the banquet: Huo Tianhuo, Ming Lingzhen, Li Yusu, and even Zha Zhu were present.
This woman’s cultivation had actually reached late-stage Qi Refinement, causing Fang Qing to sigh with emotion inwardly.
“Congratulations, Senior Sister, on advancing to late-stage Qi Refinement.”
He raised his cup and offered congratulations to Zha Zhu.
“I also only recently cultivated to the perfection of Qi Refinement layer six, then attempted a breakthrough in seclusion, and succeeded.”
Zha Zhu smiled slightly. “Martial Brother Fang… no, Junior Brother, didn’t you also break through to Qi Refinement layer six during this secluded session?”
Fang Qing had used the Dao Birth Pearl to conceal a layer of cultivation. Now, he appeared to have just entered Qi Refinement layer six.
This cultivation speed was already enough to make people cast sidelong glances.
For example, Li Yusu beside him was only at Qi Refinement layer four and merely drank upon hearing this.
Hua Lian had similarly cultivated to Qi Refinement layer six. He drank a cup of Vermillion Fruit Wine and smiled. “Junior Sister Zha, with such rapid progress, I believe that in five years you’ll be enough to compete for the grand position of True Inheritor disciple.”
“My cultivation is shallow; I should wait fifteen years instead.”
Zha Zhu did not continue the topic.
After three rounds of wine, Hua Lian finally got to the main matter. “Everyone… my fleet is about to set out taking advantage of this fishing season. I’ve already rented a Three-Mast Great Warship from the sect. I wonder if you all are interested?”
The cultivators exchanged glances, all smiling and nodding. “Naturally.”
Over the years, by following Hua Lian, they had earned quite a bit.
Even Zha Zhu, after some consideration, agreed.
Clearly, having reached late-stage Qi Refinement where progress was slow, she needed to earn resources herself.
Furthermore, going out to sea to fish could also temper dharma combat ability.
“Fellow Daoist Fang… what about you?”
Seeing that most people had agreed, the smile on Hua Lian’s face deepened as he looked at Fang Qing.
“I still need to enter seclusion to concoct pills…”
Fang Qing shook his head. He had always been a lone wolf; even going out to sea was no different.
“Brother Fang, behaving like this is rather inconsiderate.”
Hua Lian’s smile stiffened. Before he could speak, Yu Taohua beside him immediately said.
Fang Qing remained silent. In reality, Hua Lian’s fleet was now quite famous. Fellow cultivators who went to sea with him suffered few casualties and gained abundant harvests, and the two of them had decent personal relations.
To outsiders, his actions indeed seemed somewhat ungrateful, rejecting the face that had been offered.
But to Fang Qing, what did face count for?
Right now, he was single-mindedly thinking only of entering seclusion to concoct pills, consume Spirit Condensing Powder, and strive to condense divine sense as soon as possible!
“Well… my sincere apologies. I’ll punish myself with three cups.”
Fang Qing raised his wine cup and drank them down in succession.
After the banquet ended and everyone departed, Yu Taohua was somewhat indignant. “Senior Brother Hua Lian, look at this Fang Qing—truly incapable of appreciating kindness! Which time haven’t we returned with full pockets? Now even Senior Sister Zha is giving face and joining with interest, yet only he acts so aloof?”
“Forget it. Each person has their own aspirations.”
Hua Lian shook his head. “This Junior Brother Fang was already able to refine Ginseng-Green Spirit Water years ago. His alchemy skills are praised even by the Five Dragon Scions… Presumably his wealth is abundant, and he looks down on the income of us poor fishermen…”
Between his words, there was considerable regret.
…
Within his cave abode.
Fang Qing sat cross-legged and consumed a portion of Spirit Condensing Powder.
Splash!
This time, the cool airflow rushed straight to his mind, making his spiritual platform clear. The spot between his eyebrows stirred restlessly, and suddenly a sharp pain arose, as if a third eye were opening.
“This is… divine sense?”
Fang Qing closed his eyes, yet could clearly see the area several feet around him. He could even inwardly observe himself, seeing the dense black water dharma power within his qi sea and dantian.
His thoughts operated at high speed under the blessing of divine sense.
“I… seem to have become smarter.”
Fang Qing recalled his past. All his life events were vivid as if before his eyes, as if he had gained a photographic memory.
Whether it was techniques like the Scripture of Observing the Black Mausoleum, the Five Dragons Pill Scripture, or even the Plum Blossom Yi that he previously couldn’t understand at all—all seemed to have clues now, allowing him to study and gain entry.
“As expected… after gaining divine sense, whether in cultivation or studying the Hundred Immortal Arts, it’s all like having divine assistance…”
Delight appeared on Fang Qing’s face. However, he did not go read books. Instead, he sat cross-legged in meditation and consumed several drops of Ginseng-Green Spirit Water.
The moment divine sense was born had brought him a sudden flash of inspiration, allowing him to sense the opportunity to break through the bottleneck of the seventh layer of the Commentary on the Water Classic!
Boom!
As the Ginseng-Green Spirit Water entered his abdomen, it immediately gave birth to threads of dharma power, merging into his dantian.
Not only that, Fang Qing’s mind stirred slightly. The Dao Birth Pearl spun, and the accumulated Ji Water dharma power primal qi that he had been cultivating during this period—because his black water dharma power had reached its limit—came surging down, as if he had consumed half a boundary-breaking pill.
Splash!
The turbulent dharma power fluctuations nearly burst his dantian.
Fortunately, Fang Qing relied on his divine sense. Like a skilled fisherman, despite the raging waves, he maintained his boat’s steady forward course.
Crack!
Finally…
He didn’t know how much time had passed when Fang Qing seemed to hear the sound of a silver vase suddenly shattering and water bursting forth.
Within his body, black water dharma power surged mightily, violently breaking through its restraints and entering a whole new realm!
“Qi Refinement layer seven, achieved!”
Sensing his own dharma power fluctuations, the corners of Fang Qing’s mouth curved up slightly. “Late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators hold an entirely different status within the sect… I now qualify to compete for True Inheritance.”