Chapter 51: Lacking Materials

True to form, Chen Jingzhai did not care much about anything else going on, on the outside, as he was only focused on alchemy. However, what he was doing was addicting, especially after discovering the upside of spiritual stones.

The procurement of spiritual stones could also accumulate experience in alchemy and improve one’s strength in pill alchemy. Outsiders could not have imagined reaping benefits in such large numbers.

The four maids thought that their young master was some kind of zealot in pill alchemy. At first, they were a little worried. However, now they were pretty at ease with what he was doing. Every day, they would stay at his place of seclusion for a while and then take turns going about their daily routines.

Silkworm habitats, medicine gardens, and floral gardens, among others, were places they frequented in their daily activities. For the rest of the time, as long as Chen Jingzhai stayed in seclusion, they would be quiet and cultivate.

It is worth mentioning that Chen Jingzhai made Bigu Elixir just for them during this period. One Bigu Elixir could satisfy their hunger for seven days without the need to eat. With the help of Bigu Elixir, the four girls continued to cultivate diligently. Their cultivation elevated very quickly with the addition of the Ningqi Elixir and spiritual stones that Chen Jingzhai had rewarded them with.

If others on the outside heard of the type of treatment they were receiving, even casual disciples would go crazy with envy.

In the second month at Daoxuan Peak, Chen Jingzhai had successfully produced a Grade 2 elixir.

The more advanced form of Ningqi Elixir was called Ningyuan Elixir. It could be taken directly, and after processing, it could increase the spiritual qi inside the body.

The main type of elixir used by the Foundational Cultivator to cultivate was still those 36 pills.

Chen Jingzhai did not continue to stay in seclusion once this elixir was made. However, he did not go directly to Deacon Hall. Instead, he went to the side residence of the Peak Master with the elixir.

He went to see Peak Master Yang directly.

“Not bad.” Peak Master Yang poured out a Ningyuan Elixir, and after swallowing it, he nodded. “Top-grade Ningyuan Elixir. Just one pill can save early stage foundational cultivators more than six months of hard work.”

“According to the rules, now that I have produced a Grade 2 elixir, I am a Grade 2 pill alchemist,” said Chen Jingzhai. “I came here today to ask senior brother Yang to allow me to produce Foundation Establishment Pills.”

His White Crane Cloud Tree Celestial Cauldron was a Grade 2 spiritual item. As such, it could only produce Grade 2 elixir. And among all of the Grade 2 elixirs, the Foundation Establishment Pill had the highest value.

One Foundation Establishment Pill could increase the chance of cultivators of the Meditation Plane to break through to the Foundation Plane.

Whether it was cultivators from the celestial clans or rogue cultivators, all had a strong desire for the Foundation Establishment Pill, except for those possessing two-element Spirit Root and cultivators with celestial bone.

This kind of genius talent did not need to use the Foundation Establishment Pill to advance to the Foundation Plane. However, when they cultivate, breaking through to the Foundation Plane is a matter of course.

Even so, the value of the Foundation Establishment Pill was still immeasurable, especially for the celestial clans. Take Daoxuan Peak as an example, which had about 4,000 to 5,000 casual disciples in the Meditation Plane.

If they had enough Foundation Establishment Pills, then many more inner disciples could be promoted to the Foundation Establishment Plane in the years to come compared with that of the previous years.

Once there were more disciples in the Foundation Establishment Plane, the number of candidates with the potential to become Golden Core Sage would increase dramatically. And for the branches, even the addition of one more Golden Core Sage held great significance. This was the kind of elixir that could affect the strength and prosperity of branches. Therefore, the Foundation Establishment Pill was tightly controlled among the celestial clans. Not only was it difficult to come by, even between the branches, but it was also not something everyone could obtain.

According to the rules of the Luo Sheng Sword School, Chen Jingzhai was now a Grade 2 pill alchemist. However, he was now qualified to obtain the recipe for the Foundation Establishment Pill and could use the clan’s resources to produce Foundation Establishment Pills. That was his reason for going to Peak Master Yang directly.

“Little junior brother, of course, I am agreeable for you to produce the Foundation Establishment Pills, but this is not up to the Peak Master.” Peak Master Yang smiled wryly as he continued, “The main reason is that there are no main ingredients for producing the Foundation Establishment Pill at the peak.”

“Is it the Heavenly Spirit Fruit or the Ice Spirit Flower that’s lacking?” Chen Jingzhai asked in surprise.

“Both are in short supply, but the direst shortage pertains to the Phantom Heart Grass,” said Peak Master Yang. “The entire clan requires Phantom Heart Grass. Elixir Peak had attempted to plant Phantom Heart Grass in the past but had failed without exception.”

Chen Jingzhai frowned immediately. A short supply of these critical ingredients was not something he anticipated as an obstacle.

He knew that the ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill were scarce. However, he thought that the clan was powerful enough that even if the ingredients were rare, there should have been enough stored in backup. He didn’t expect this kind of shortage.

“Elixir Peak is in charge of all the medicinal ingredients and spiritual plants for the clan,” said Peak Master Yang, “But it is also in charge of the allocation of Foundation Establishment Pills. The number of Foundation Establishment Pills received by Daoxuan Peak every two years does not exceed the number of fingers on my two hands.”

“So little?” Chen Jingzhai was truly taken by surprise. “That’s only enough for about one cauldron!”

“Exactly,” Peak Master Yang said with a mirthless smile. “And it has to be made by a Grade 3 pill alchemist to ensure that there’s no waste.”

“It seems that I have to be at least a Grade 3 pill alchemist to produce Foundation Establishment Pills.”

Chen Jingzhai laughed at himself inside. He had initially thought that he could earn more spiritual stones by producing Foundation Establishment Pills.

He thought it might be best to work together with Daoxuan Peak—for them to supply the necessary ingredients and for him to charge a fee for making the pills. He thought this was a sure way to eliminate all worries about sales or prices. However, he did not expect that this proposal would be a nonstarter.

Elixir Peak was in charge of the share of Foundation Establishment Pills, so naturally, they would have the main ingredients. But it was impossible to hand them over to some Grade 2 alchemist for fear of potential failure and waste.

Even if Chen Jingzhai was a more junior Master-Uncle, there could be no exception.

“That’s not entirely true,” Peak Master Yang said, with some hesitation.

“I am asking for some guidance from senior brother.” Chen Jingzhai hurriedly bowed to him, thinking there might still be a chance for the tides to turn.

“Both Ice Spirit Flower and Heavenly Spirit Fruit have been planted in Elixir Peak. Although their price is dear, they can be harvested after a period of time,” explained Peak Master Yang. “The key is the Phantom Heart Grass.”

“Does the senior brother know where the Phantom Heart Grass might be found?” Chen Jingzhai asked.

“You know of the Blessed Land, but do you know of the secret zone?” Peak Master Yang asked instead of answering.

“Of course, I’m aware of it.” Chen Jingzhai looked at him in surprise. “You mean…”

“In three days, in the depths of the Luanyun Mountain Range, a secret zone will open up.” Peak Master Yang nodded. “It is a natural secret zone that belongs to the sect, and the Phantom Heart Grass may be found inside.”

“May be found?” Chen Jingzhai frowned slightly. “You mean to say that no one has ever found the Phantom Heart Grass there?”

“Because that is the secret zone gauged by Elder Hong from Tianyan Peak thirty years ago.” Peak Master Yang looked at him and continued, “It is only opening up for the first time, so even I cannot be sure of anything.”

Chen Jingzhai’s brows relaxed a bit as he nodded. “I, too, have heard the name Tianyan Peak—stealing the secret of heaven and detecting the key to all things. I guess that’s close enough. Dare I ask senior brother when the secret zone will be officially opened?”

“This may be a coincidence. It’s three days from today,” Peak Master Yang said solemnly. “Headmaster Fuyun has already announced the mission to explore the secret zone. Each branch only allows their inner disciples to participate in the mission, and it’s limited to ten people from each branch.”

“Can I participate in the mission?” Chen Jingzhai asked.

“You want to go in?” Senior brother Yang shook his head. “You don’t have to do this. The first time the secret zone is opened, it is bound to be fraught with danger. Although each branch gets a quota of ten people, often only disciples from the Complete Foundation Plane are allowed to participate. I will give them the mission and have them bring the Phantom Heart Grass.”

“I understand senior brother’s concerns. However, I loath to miss the opportunity of exploring this secret zone myself.” Chen Jingzhai was silent for a while and then continued, “First of all, I have already built the foundation, but I still need the time to polish the foundation slowly. This opportunity to go to the secret zone is just the experience I need. Secondly, it is necessary for me to communicate and exchange with the inner elites of each branch. I may be a Master-Uncle, but I am from the hidden branch, after all. Even if I just reaped the benefit without doing anything, even if the others said nothing, I would feel it was not well-deserved.”

“Forget it then!” Peak Master Yang said when he heard his reply. “Since you are interested in it, I can’t stop you. Just go to the Deacon Hall to sign up for the mission. But, remember, be careful in all things, and don’t force anything.”

“Junior brother, remember my words well!” In return, Chen Jingzhai bowed in acknowledgment and then left with a smile.

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