The woman in the blue dress sighed softly, "There's no other way. If we don't make a decisive cut now, the losses will only be greater later. As for the Kong Family... alas, we'll just have to take it one step at a time."
Wei Shiqin, however, suddenly looked up, "I still don't want to give up like this. Perhaps... we could try having someone else refine the Soul Quenching Pill."
The woman in the blue dress frowned, "Alchemist Liu is an established second-grade alchemist. Even our merchant guild's headquarters treats him with great respect. Besides him, where else would you find another second-grade alchemist to refine pills for us?"
Wei Shiqin seemed to come alive, her eyes flashing, "Allow me to keep it a surprise for now, but I'd like to ask you, sister, to give me the remaining spiritual materials for the Soul Quenching Pill. I want to make one last attempt. If it still doesn't work, then I'll truly admit defeat."
The woman in the blue dress couldn't help but ponder. She knew her younger sister's personality.
Wei Shiqin never did anything without a degree of certainty. If she dared to say this, she must have some confidence.
The woman in the blue dress was also a decisive person.
Soon, she said, "Alright, but I can only give you three months. During this time, the preparations for the Soul Quenching Pill can continue, but after three months, if it's still not working, we must shut everything down."
"And you should also know the importance of the Soul Quenching Pill's recipe. The person you find must be absolutely reliable and cannot leak it!"
Wei Shiqin immediately nodded, "Don't worry, sister. I understand that."
After speaking, Wei Shiqin seemed to recall something and quickly said, "Oh, sister, it just so happens that I need to borrow something from you."
After Wei Shiqin finished speaking, the woman in the blue dress frowned, looking troubled, "Does it have to be this item? I was actually planning to use it to build goodwill with Steward Li from the Black Marsh Immortal City's City Lord's Mansion."
Wei Shiqin nodded, "With this item, I'll have a much better chance of getting that person to help refine the pill, and they'll keep it a secret for us."
The woman in the blue dress thought for a moment and then decisively said, "Fine, I'll give it to you then."
After the woman in the blue dress left.
Wei Shiqin picked up a piece of red paper that resembled a flower petal.
Just as she was about to pick up her brush to write on it, ripples spread across its surface, and a line of small text appeared.
Wei Shiqin was stunned at first, then a smile curved her lips. She used her slender jade hand to write a reply on it.
One day later.
Ning Fa arrived at Tianshui Market alone and headed straight for Tongbao Pavilion.
His strength was now vastly different from before. Coupled with the two life-saving divine artifacts bestowed by Ning Zhongyuan, he dared to come.
However, to minimize any unexpected events, he still wore a magic tool in the form of a hat that could conceal his features.
It could block the divine sense perception of Qi Refining Cultivators.
This high-grade magic artifact was also something he had exchanged from the family's treasure vault.
Since he had contacted Wei Shiqin beforehand, he went directly to the third floor.
Soon, Ning Fa saw Wei Shiqin, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
She was wearing a goose-yellow dress, her skin like congealed fat, and her posture was gracefully beautiful.
She was kneeling by the tea table, elegantly preparing tea.
Seeing Ning Fa arrive, she smiled charmingly, extended her jade hand, and invited Ning Fa to sit.
Ning Fa smiled, sat down casually, and then unceremoniously picked up a cup of tea and drank it in one gulp.
"Good tea!"
Ning Fa exclaimed, then he carefully observed Wei Shiqin, and couldn't help but praise, "Sister Shiqin, it's been a while. You've become even more beautiful."
Wei Shiqin playfully shot him a glance.
Then her gaze sharpened, and she exclaimed in surprise, "You've advanced to Late Qi Condensation?"
Ning Fa was taken aback.
Was this woman really this happy about his advancement?
Had their relationship reached this point?
Ning Fa couldn't help but feel a bit suspicious, finding it somewhat strange.
He chuckled, "It's all thanks to your blessings, Sister Shiqin. I was just lucky to advance."
Wei Shiqin smiled subtly, "You never come to my place without a reason. Are you here about the Cloud Crystal Liquid?"
Ning Fa immediately praised, "Sister Shiqin, your insight is truly remarkable. The Cloud Crystal Liquid is indeed a major reason for my visit. To be honest, this Cloud Crystal Liquid is related to a secret technique I'm cultivating. Now that I've reached Late Qi Condensation, my need for this spiritual liquid will only increase. I implore Sister Shiqin for your help."
The Cloud Crystal Liquid had been out of stock for half a year.
Even with Wei Shiqin's connections, she couldn't procure it quickly.
Fortunately, Ning Fa had already cultivated the Ancient Source Thunder Scripture to the perfect completion of the second layer half a year ago, otherwise, it would have been quite troublesome.
However, cultivating the third layer of the Ancient Source Thunder Scripture required the Nine Revolutions Purple Yuan Powder, and even a larger quantity.
This had become a major concern for Ning Fa, so his trip here, seeking information about the Huang Family, was secondary.
The biggest reason was the Cloud Crystal Liquid.
Wei Shiqin said with a slight headache, "Within a radius of several thousand miles, only the Xue Family has the capability to stably supply Cloud Crystal Liquid. But half a year ago, for some reason, the Xue Family issued an order prohibiting the export of Cloud Crystal Liquid. I'm already trying to find ways to gather it from elsewhere for you, but the journey is too long and will require some time."
"The Xue Family..."
Ning Fa muttered to himself, finding the situation troublesome.
Wei Shiqin continued, "From what you're saying, you came here for another reason. Tell me about that too."
Ning Fa chuckled and then briefly explained the situation with the Huang Family.
Given their relationship, he was confident that Wei Shiqin wouldn't be foolish enough to betray him to the Huang Family.
After a moment's thought, Wei Shiqin decisively agreed, "No problem. I'll give you detailed intelligence on the Huang Family before you leave."
Wei Shiqin's easy agreement made Ning Fa even more suspicious.
Wei Shiqin was being too agreeable today.
He suddenly said, "Sister Shiqin, is there something you need me to do? Just say it directly."
Wei Shiqin gave a slight smile and then explained about the Soul Quenching Pill, though she didn't specify the exact name of the pill formula.
Ning Fa was astonished, "You think too highly of me. I've only just entered the Late Qi Condensation stage. How could I refine a Second-grade Pill, especially an ancient one?"
Wei Shiqin smiled gently, "I cultivate a secret art for observing qi. I've noticed before that your spiritual power and divine soul are far stronger than cultivators of the same level, and it's even more apparent after you advanced to Late Qi Condensation. Even I, a cultivator at the Ninth Level of Qi Condensation, am willing to concede."
"With your current spiritual power and divine sense, you should be barely able to refine a Second-grade Pill. As for your alchemy talent, it's the greatest I've ever seen. I believe you might be able to refine it."
Ning Fa's eyes flickered.
Wei Shiqin continued, "Don't rush to refuse. Take a look at this first."
Saying that, she lifted her hand, and a white jade box appeared. A yellow sealing talisman was affixed to it.
This showed that what was inside the jade box was extraordinary.
As Wei Shiqin tore off the talisman.
"Crack—"
A blue arc of electricity immediately sprang from the surface of the jade box, followed by a dragon's roar.
"Boom!"
The entire jade box exploded, and a blue dragon, several feet long, flew out from within.
Blue arcs of electricity swirled incessantly around its body, splattering blue ichor.
It emanated an extremely terrifying spiritual pressure.