Translator: CinderTL
Song Wen led Le Liang into his Cultivation Cave, produced some High-Grade Spirit Tea, brewed it, and poured tea, treating him with utmost courtesy.
After a round of insincere flattery, the two men became somewhat familiar.
Through casual conversation with Le Liang, Song Wen cleared up some of his doubts: why the Wu Ji Sect was critically short of Third-Tier Alchemists.
Twenty years ago, during the Northern Region War, the Wu Ji Sect's forward base was ambushed by the Demon Race. Except for Yin Shuo, who was personally stationed at the front lines and managed to escape, everyone else was wiped out, becoming food for the demons. This included six Third-Tier Alchemists.
In addition, over the past thirty years, the Wu Ji Sect had lost another four Third-Tier Alchemists due to reasons such as depleted lifespans, accidental deaths, and cultivation of Corpse Dao techniques leading to qi deviation.
This left the Wu Ji Sect in a dire situation, with no Third-Tier Alchemists available.
At the same time, Song Wen learned about his salary.
As a Vice Hall Master, Song Wen would receive ten High-Grade Spirit Stones from the Wu Ji Sect each month. To earn more Spirit Stones, he would need to complete sect missions.
After exchanging pleasantries for a quarter of an hour, Le Liang finally got to the point and explained his purpose.
"Fellow Daoist Gou Jun, our sect has some transactions with the Southern Domain Cui Clan. These involve three types of pills: the Ghost Shadow Pill, the Soul Return Pill, and the Ghost Force Pill. We're entrusting you with the responsibility of refining these three pills."
As he spoke, Le Liang handed Song Wen a jade slip.
"This contains the Pill Formulas and specific quantities for each of the three pills. You can collect the necessary Spirit Herbs from the sect's Zhenbao Hall. You're free to mobilize any low-tier Pill Refiners from the Alchemy Hall who are willing to assist you."
The Ghost Shadow Pill, Soul Return Pill, and Ghost Force Pill are First-Tier, Second-Tier, and Third-Tier pills, respectively. Naturally, Song Wen wouldn't need to personally refine the First- and Second-Tier pills. That's why Le Liang had mentioned Song Wen could mobilize low-tier Pill Refiners.
Song Wen accepted the jade slip, examined its contents, and asked with a puzzled expression, "All three of these pills are used in the cultivation of Ghost Dao techniques. The Cui Clan specializes in the Ghost Dao and should be highly proficient in refining them. Why would they purchase them from our Wu Ji Sect?"
"The Cui Clan has a massive demand for these three types of pills, but their own pill-making capabilities can't meet their needs. Fortunately, our Wu Ji Sect has several Spirit Fields perfectly suited for cultivating the Spirit Herbs required for these pills. Considering this, the sect has decided to produce these three types of pills in exchange for the resources we need from the Cui Clan."
After explaining the rationale, Le Liang continued, "The next exchange is scheduled for a year from now, Fellow Daoist Gou Jun. Remember, do not delay the transaction."
Song Wen nodded in agreement. "Rest assured, Hall Master. I will do my utmost."
The jade slip specified a quantity of one hundred Ghost Force Pills.
Refining a batch of Ghost Force Pills takes about three days, yielding three to five pills per batch.
In other words, Song Wen could produce a hundred Ghost Force Pills in just two to three months.
As for the other two types of pills, Song Wen didn't plan to refine them himself. Instead, he would have the lower-tier Pill Refiners in the Alchemy Hall handle the task. After all, the Wu Ji Sect would cover their compensation, so it wouldn't cost him a single Spirit Stone.
After seeing Le Liang off, Song Wen made his way to the Wu Ji Sect's Alchemy Hall.
The Alchemy Hall occupied its own mountain peak, and only those from Alchemy Peak were permitted to enter without authorization.
Song Wen entered the Great Hall located halfway up the mountain.
The hall was bustling with activity, but most of the cultivators present were at the Qi Refining Stage. Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators were scarce, and not a single Golden Core cultivator could be seen.
Upon seeing Song Wen enter and sensing the aura he exuded, the cultivators' expressions shifted to one of reverence. They immediately made way for him.
At the same time, curiosity flickered in their eyes. They wondered about the identity of this unfamiliar cultivator.
Song Wen approached a stone counter where several beautiful female cultivators stood behind it.
"Senior..."
A Qi Refining Stage cultivator at the eighth level of cultivation, standing closest to Song Wen, was about to speak when a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator in the Early Stage shoved her aside.
The former, feeling resentful, turned to glare at the latter, only to meet a fierce, menacing gaze.
The Qi Refining Stage cultivator immediately fell silent, swallowing her displeasure and obediently retreating to the side.
"Junior Shu Niang greets Senior," the Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator said obsequiously. "Forgive my ignorance, Senior, for I did not recognize you. May I ask for your name?"
Song Wen remained silent, simply tossing his identity token onto the counter.
Shu Niang picked up the identity token, examined it carefully, and immediately stepped out from behind the counter. Holding the token in both hands, she bowed deeply and said, "Greetings, Vice Hall Master Gou Jun."
Her upper body was clad in a tube top and a long robe. As she bowed, a vast expanse of snow-white skin flashed before Song Wen's eyes.
Song Wen took the token and spoke slowly, "Help me release a message. The sect needs to refine a batch of Ghost Shadow Pills and Soul Return Pills. Any alchemist capable of refining these two pills and interested in participating in this mission should meet me here at noon three days from now."
"Yes!" Shu Niang replied with a flattering smile. "Vice Hall Master, do you have any other instructions?"
"Prepare a Pill Refining Chamber for me," Song Wen said.
Shu Niang raised her hand and gestured toward the depths of the Great Hall.
"A First-Class Alchemy Room is currently available. Please follow me, Vice Hall Master."
With that, she swayed her hips and glided gracefully forward.
Deep within the Great Hall, three tunnels carved into the rock led deeper. Shu Niang guided Song Wen into the rightmost tunnel.
"The sect's Pill Refining Chambers are divided into three classes: First-Class, Second-Class, and Third-Class. First-Class chambers are the most abundant in Spiritual Qi, fortified with the strongest Formations and Restrictions, and least likely to be disturbed," Shu Niang explained as they walked.
Soon, they arrived before a Pill Refining Chamber.
Shu Niang produced an Array Disk and activated the Restriction and stone door of the Pill Refining Chamber.
"Vice Hall Master, please enter," she said, bowing at the entrance.
Song Wen stepped inside, surveyed the chamber for a moment, and nodded with satisfaction.
At that moment, Shu Niang spoke again from the doorway. "Vice Hall Master, do you have any other instructions?"
Song Wen raised his hand and tossed his identity token to her. "Take my token to the Zhenbao Hall and retrieve ten portions of Spirit Herbs for the Ghost Force Pill."
Shu Niang's expression brightened with joy, as if serving Song Wen was an immense honor. She caught the token and replied eagerly, "Vice Hall Master, please wait a moment. I will go at once."
With that, she hastily mounted her sword and flew away.
Song Wen took out the Ghost Force Pill formula and began to study it carefully.
About half an hour later, Shu Niang returned, handing him a storage pouch. "Vice Hall Master, the Spirit Herbs have been retrieved."
Song Wen nodded and accepted the pouch. "Vice Hall Master, is there anything else you require my assistance with? Whatever it may be, I will do my utmost to fulfill your request."
Shu Niang's voice held a hint of coquettish charm. Unintentionally, she adjusted her chest wrap, revealing an even larger expanse of snow-white skin.
Song Wen remained completely unfazed, responding calmly, "No, that won't be necessary. You may leave."
"Yes, Vice Hall Master."
Shu Niang, her expression tinged with disappointment, set down Song Wen's identity token and the Alchemy Room's Array Disk before departing.
(End of the Chapter)
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