"The cultivation world is filled with treasures for nourishing the physical body, but few spirit wines are as affordable and effective as Azure Vine Intoxication. Moreover, its raw materials are abundant in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, further reducing production costs.
The Azurewood Sect has been developing the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range for decades, and countless cultivators have been injured in battles with demon beasts. While this spirit wine can't heal injuries, it strengthens the physical body, reducing the likelihood of getting hurt.
Its affordability makes it particularly popular among Qi Refining cultivators, resulting in remarkable sales. My friend Brother Shen earns a fortune in spirit stones every year from this spirit wine alone.
I heard he obtained the recipe from you, Brother Chu, but hasn't compensated you yet. If you were to handle this yourself..."
Wei Zhong listened, realization dawning. The Azurewood Sect's extensive development of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range had indeed fueled the immense popularity of Azure Vine Intoxication.
"Brother Luo, you flatter me. I lack the capability for such an undertaking. 'A commoner is innocent, but possessing a treasure invites trouble.'"
"I was merely a Qi Refining cultivator back then, with no ability to manage such an undertaking. Fellow Daoist Shen, on the other hand, was already a True Inheritance disciple of the Azurewood Sect, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and a Pill Refiner. It's only right that he should oversee this matter."
"You're remarkably generous, but my good brother is likely feeling uneasy about it."
Wei Zhong chuckled inwardly. Cultivators valued mental clarity above all else. How could Shen Yuqi find peace after unjustly gaining so much from him?
It would have been better if Shen Yuqi had paid promptly. Instead, he had used a personal favor, and Wei Zhong had even advanced to Foundation Establishment, becoming Shen Yuqi's peer.
If this karmic debt remained unresolved, it could disturb Shen Yuqi's mental state, ultimately hindering his progress on the Dao Path.
"I bet my friend is now fretting about how to repay this favor," Wei Zhong mused. Shen Yuqi was a Pill Refiner, and Wei Zhong desperately needed an Alchemy Inheritance. Could he leverage this connection?
He recalled Liu Di, the First-Tier Pill Refiner he had killed. Liu Di's Storage Pouch contained no complete Alchemy Inheritance, only scattered notes and occasional records of his experiences.
Such fragmented knowledge couldn't be integrated into the system panel as a new skill, rendering cultivation impossible.
Wei Zhong pondered for a moment, then softly said, "I wonder if True Disciple Shen possesses any alchemy techniques not inherited from the Azurewood Sect. Anything that could guide this Daoist onto the path of alchemy would suffice."
Luo Mingyan turned to Wei Zhong in surprise. "Brother Chu, you want to learn alchemy? It's not an easy craft to master. Even with a proper inheritance, it's difficult to grasp without a Master's guidance. Not to mention the cost of practice materials—even I find it daunting."
Wei Zhong blushed slightly. "Thank you for the warning, Brother Luo. I'm simply too curious about alchemy..."
Seeing Wei Zhong's unwavering determination, Luo Mingyan abandoned further dissuasion. He resolved to inform his friend about this matter upon returning.
Noticing Luo Mingyan's silence, Wei Zhong sensed an opportunity. *Perhaps Luo Mingyan's visit wasn't entirely about probing Shen Yuqi's intentions.*
"I can relay your request," Luo Mingyan continued. "But since you're so focused on alchemy, don't neglect your spirit wine brewing. If Azure Vine Intoxication could be upgraded to Second-Tier, its market wouldn't be limited to Qi Refining cultivators. Imagine how many Foundation Establishment experts would come knocking!"
Wei Zhong merely smiled.
"Brother Luo, you flatter me. Second-Tier Spirit Wine is incredibly difficult to brew. Even if I successfully develop a Second-Tier Wine Recipe, the production costs would skyrocket. At that point, the value of Azure Vine Intoxication might not even surpass that of the current First-Tier version."
Luo Mingyan nodded.
If Wei Zhong couldn't control production costs, even a Second-Tier Azure Vine Intoxication might be less cost-effective for nourishing the physical body compared to other spiritual treasures. Consequently, the spirit stones earned would be even fewer.
"However, Fellow Daoist, if you manage to brew Second-Tier Spirit Wine, even without seeking profit, it would be invaluable for building connections. Your refusal to join our sect as a Guest Elder might limit your opportunities. Perhaps this spirit wine could open some new channels for you."
Wei Zhong naturally understood the logic. High-tier spiritual treasures always held greater value in the eyes of cultivators compared to low-tier ones.
He did have plans to use spirit wine to build connections within the Cultivation World, but not within the Azurewood Sect's territory.
His reason was simple: fear of the sect's envy.
Even a First-Tier Spirit Wine had caught the eye of a Foundation Establishment True Disciple. A Second-Tier version might attract the attention of Core Formation experts.
What if the Azurewood Sect used its power to pressure him?
As a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could he possibly resist? He would likely have to obediently hand over the wine recipe, brew the wine for them, and then be dismissed with a few spiritual treasures. Any subsequent profits would be entirely out of his reach.
Even secretly assassinating the Core Formation cultivator who came to seize it wouldn't solve the problem. Disputes in the Cultivation World were notorious for escalating: defeat the junior, and the senior would come seeking revenge; defeat the senior, and an even older one would appear...
The Azurewood Sect was, after all, a Core Formation-level sect. His peak combat strength was only at the early Core Formation stage. How could he possibly defeat them in a short time?
"I will keep your words firmly in mind, Brother Luo," Wei Zhong said.
After a lengthy and pleasant conversation, Luo Mingyan bid farewell and prepared to leave.
Wei Zhong gifted him several jars of his improved Azure Vine Intoxication, reminding him to deliver another jar to Ning Cankun.
"Fellow Daoist Chu is most thoughtful," Luo Mingyan replied.
Perhaps feeling awkward about leaving empty-handed after receiving a gift, Luo Mingyan retrieved a Lingzhi mushroom from his Storage Pouch.
"This is the Flesh-Eating Mushroom, a unique delicacy from the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range. Unlike ordinary Lingzhi that grow on decaying Spirit Wood, this one thrives on the flesh of dead demon beasts.
It can absorb both the spiritual energy and vital essence from its host while also flourishing in environments rich in spiritual energy.
Please accept this as a congratulatory gift for your Foundation Establishment."
Wei Zhong readily accepted the gift.
As he watched Luo Mingyan depart, Wei Zhong realized his path in alchemy had finally found its footing.
Among the myriad arts of cultivation, alchemy and formations reigned supreme. The Path of Alchemy now lay before him, but the path of formations remained elusive.
He glanced at the drafty Black Lake Island. Its meager Alert Formation was pitifully inadequate compared to the Azurewood Sect's Sect's Grand Formation.
*Should I start with the Azurewood Sect?*
Wei Zhong shook his head. How could he entrust such a closely guarded treasure to outsiders?
It seemed he would need to investigate Han Bamboo City or perhaps venture further into the Outer Prefecture.
But not yet. With his nascent Foundation Establishment cultivation base, such considerations were premature. He would at least wait until the Blood Sea True Monarch affair settled down. With those two seniors handling it, it shouldn't take long.
Wei Zhong returned to his pavilion and re-entered his Grotto-Heaven. Servants would clear away the remnants of the banquet.
That evening, Wei Zhong emerged from his cultivation session to find Xie Linghua guiding a young woman into his pavilion.
The woman wore a light pink gauze dress, her cheeks flushed as if newly initiated into intimate affairs.
She was one of the Li Family's recent offerings, daughters of the clan's prominent figures. In their eagerness to curry favor with Wei Zhong, the Li Family had spared no effort.
Having no interest in managing these affairs himself, Wei Zhong entrusted all decisions to Xie Linghua. If a woman desired, she could join his household; if not, she could remain on Black Lake Island and find other work.
Today—no, this month—it was her turn.