At the Hall of External Affairs.
Wang Jianqiang approached Dong Yue, as usual letting his eyes linger on the towering peaks before him.
The Hehuan Sect was filled with beauties, yet such a breathtaking scale—he had only ever seen on Dong Yue herself.
"Buying or selling?" Dong Yue asked, her tone as cold and detached as ever.
But the next instant, her gaze froze.
Her lazy posture snapped upright.
Wang Jianqiang's eyelids twitched, fearing that her twin peaks might burst forth from their confines.
Yet Dong Yue paid his wandering eyes no mind; her attention was locked on Wang Jianqiang.
Qi Refinement, Sixth Layer!
In less than two months, he had advanced from the Third Layer all the way to the Sixth!
At this rate, he might truly reach Foundation Establishment!
But then…
Her gaze flickered, only to dim again as she slumped back into her seat.
Impossible.
Such progress could only be due to Perfect Green Spirit Pills.
Astonishing as they were, they were still only mid-grade, first-tier pills.
Once Wang Jianqiang reached the Seventh Layer, their effects would inevitably plummet.
And the higher his realm, the weaker the effect would become.
Reaching the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement with just Perfect Green Spirit Pills was already unrealistic—let alone stepping into Foundation Establishment.
Besides—
Even if he truly did reach the Tenth Layer before his lifespan ran dry, with his mediocre aptitude, the odds of successful Foundation Establishment would be abysmal.
Wang Jianqiang, of course, had no idea what thoughts churned through Dong Yue's mind.
Her sudden rise and fall startled him, but he didn't dwell on it.
"I want to purchase the formula for the Cloudmist Pill."
He had already decided before coming.
Among high-grade, first-tier pills, the Cloudmist Pill was top-tier—its medicinal power was both potent and gentle, perfectly suited for him.
Dong Yue's eyes flashed.
A high-grade, first-tier formula?
Could it be… he had already become a high-grade, first-tier alchemist?
Hadn't he just advanced to mid-grade not long ago?
She studied him deeply, realizing she could no longer fully see through this "nephew-disciple."
"The Cloudmist Pill formula costs eight thousand spirit stones."
Wang Jianqiang's face stiffened. "So expensive?!"
The Green Spirit Pill formula had only cost two hundred stones. Cloudmist was merely a grade higher, yet the price had skyrocketed beyond reason!
Normally, Dong Yue would not have bothered to explain—take it or leave it.
But for reasons she herself could not name, she found herself offering him a rare patience.
"Low-grade and mid-grade formulas are far too common. The sect places little value on them, so they're cheap."
"High-grade formulas, however, are restricted items. Their prices are naturally far higher."
Wang Jianqiang finally understood, though embarrassment soon crept onto his face.
He had thought his spirit stones and three Perfect Green Spirit Pills would be more than enough for both the formula and ingredients. Yet now, he couldn't even afford the formula alone.
Just as he considered buying only materials for Perfect Green Spirit Pills to raise funds, Dong Yue seemed to sense his dilemma.
"Lacking spirit stones?"
Awkwardly, he nodded. "I only have five hundred stones… and three Perfect Green Spirit Pills."
The Perfect Nourishment Pills had long been consumed. Beyond the first batch of ten, the ones he made afterward were already gone.
Dong Yue fell into brief thought, then said, "I have the authority to allow you to purchase the Cloudmist Pill formula on credit. You need only repay within two months."
Wang Jianqiang froze.
This ice-cold elder… offering him such special treatment?
"Could it be… she's fallen for me?"
The thought thrilled him, but he quickly shook it off.
No matter. It was a good thing regardless.
"My thanks, Elder Dong."
He bowed deeply.
Then, exchanging his three Perfect Green Spirit Pills for stones, he bought a trove of medicinal ingredients and departed.
Dong Yue watched his retreating figure, her flawless features clouded in confusion.
"I already know he cannot possibly reach Foundation Establishment… So why do I still cling to this foolish hope?"
"For a Qi Refinement cultivator to refine a Perfect Pill is already a miracle. Perhaps… because he created such a small miracle, my heart dares to yearn for a greater one."
"But if miracles could be created at will… they would not be called miracles."
With a sigh, she sank into silence.
——
Back at his residence, Wang Jianqiang immediately took out the Cloudmist Pill formula. Pressing the jade slip to his brow, he absorbed its contents.
Moments later, the system's prompt rang out.
Ding. Inferior formula detected. Upgrading requires 30 cultivation points. Proceed?
The cost had risen sharply compared to the Nourishment and Green Spirit Pills.
Fortunately, he had made good use of the past two weeks—training diligently, refining pills whenever free, even while "interacting" actively with Chen Jiaojiao.
His cultivation points had climbed back to fifty.
"Yes."
Ding. Cloudmist Pill formula successfully upgraded to Perfect Cloudmist Pill formula.
He then spent his remaining twenty points to raise his Alchemy level from mid-grade, first-tier, to high-grade.
Still, instead of immediately attempting the Perfect Cloudmist Pill, he warmed up first: refining Perfect Nourishment Pills for stock, then Perfect Green Spirit Pills to steady his hand.
Just as he prepared for the main event, Chen Jiaojiao came knocking for pills.
Naturally, he entertained her generously.
Half an hour later, he had "invested" in a project worth billions.
Legs trembling, he escorted her out.
"Jiaojiao, I picked up a rare pill the other day at the Hall. I've been reluctant to use it… but I'll give it to you."
After careful thought, he produced a Perfect Green Spirit Pill.
He was convinced the system's "Virtue & Vice" tab was no simple feature. If he could max out someone's favorability, its true function would reveal itself.
"This is… a Green Spirit Pill?"
Chen Jiaojiao inspected it closely, shock spreading across her delicate face.
"No, its power far exceeds any normal Green Spirit Pill!"
Recovering, she asked in disbelief, "You're really giving this to me?"
"Of course."
Wang Jianqiang smiled kindly and nodded.
"Uncle Wang… you're too good to me."
Eyes glistening, she thanked him before leaving.
Ding. Virtue & Vice +20.
A quick glance at his panel showed her favorability had risen to eighty.
"Not far from the maximum."
Satisfied, he hobbled back to his room.
After resting, he returned to his furnace.
As expected, with his Alchemy now at high-grade, first-tier, he could refine the Perfect Cloudmist Pill without issue.
And as always—his success rate was one hundred percent.
In just half an hour, his first Perfect Cloudmist Pill emerged.
After regaining his spiritual strength, he swallowed it whole.
Its energy surged through him, propelling his cultivation to the latter stage of Qi Refinement, Sixth Layer.
Just one more pill would push him into the Seventh!
"Two of these rival a hundred Perfect Green Spirit Pills… The power of the Perfect Cloudmist Pill is truly terrifying."
Brimming with excitement, Wang Jianqiang stoked his furnace once more.