The next day.
Wang Jianqiang swallowed another Perfect Cloudmist Pill, and as expected, his cultivation surged, breaking through to Qi Refinement, Seventh Layer.
The following day, he refined three more Perfect Cloudmist Pills in succession.
Instead of continuing his cultivation, he carried the pills to the Hall of External Affairs.
——
When Dong Yue received the three Perfect Cloudmist Pills, even though she had been mentally prepared, her heart still trembled.
And yet, regret only deepened within her.
This man was indeed an alchemy prodigy. To consecutively refine legendary, so-called "Perfect Pills" that should have existed only in myths—what greater proof was needed?
Unfortunately, his alchemy rank was too low, incapable of refining higher-tier pills. Worse, his lifespan was waning. Without Foundation Establishment, he would inevitably perish, stripping him of all long-term value.
Otherwise, the sect would have already placed him under heavy protection.
"Cloudmist Pills without pill poison. Their efficacy far surpasses ordinary versions. Each is worth 3,500 spirit stones. Three in total—10,500."
"After deducting the 8,000 owed for the formula, you have 2,500 stones left."
Tucking away the pills, Dong Yue looked at him. "Do you wish to purchase anything else?"
Wang Jianqiang hesitated, then asked, "Elder Dong, how much does the Foundation Establishment Pill formula cost?"
Dong Yue's heart jolted violently, her gaze snapping to him. "Have you… become a second-tier alchemist?"
If so, with his talent for refining pill-poison-free elixirs, then the Foundation Establishment Pills he refined would not only be pure but also vastly more potent than ordinary ones.
In that case, he might not be without hope of breaking through.
If he reached Foundation Establishment, he would extend his lifespan by a century—ample time to further his cultivation and alchemy.
If, before her own years ran out, he advanced to second-tier high-grade alchemist…
The long-stilled embers in Dong Yue's heart flickered with dangerous hope.
But Wang Jianqiang blinked, taken aback by her intensity, and awkwardly shook his head. "No. I just wanted to understand the price, to prepare ahead."
The light in her eyes extinguished in an instant.
Of course. He was still merely in Qi Refinement. How could he possibly be second-tier?
She let out a bitter smile, sinking back into her chair. Still, she answered, "The Foundation Establishment Pill formula costs one million spirit stones."
"But the formula is of grave importance. It is classified as a restricted item. Outer disciples cannot purchase it. Even if you had a million stones, you would not be allowed to buy it."
"What?"
Wang Jianqiang froze.
So outer disciples had no right to the Foundation Establishment Pill formula!
Then how was he supposed to build his foundation?
Buy ready-made pills?
Not only were they extremely difficult for outer disciples to acquire, but even if he obtained them… he knew his own aptitude well.
With ordinary Foundation Establishment Pills, even if he swallowed them like candy and ignored the pill poison, his chances would remain pitiful.
Only Perfect Foundation Establishment Pills held hope for him.
But for that, he needed the formula.
Dong Yue's words struck him like a thunderclap.
Seeing the gloom darken his face, she hesitated. Was it unwillingness in her heart, or that same reckless yearning for a miracle?
Before she could stop herself, she said softly, "If you can become a second-tier alchemist, come find me. I will help you obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill formula."
Wang Jianqiang blinked in shock, then broke into delighted laughter.
A silver lining amid the storm!
"My thanks, Elder Dong."
He bowed deeply, then exchanged all his remaining spirit stones for medicinal herbs before departing.
Dong Yue stared after him, her heart caught in a daze.
——
"Greetings, Elder Dong."
A clear, melodious voice rang out.
Dong Yue turned.
At the counter now stood a young woman, her features delicate, her skin fairer than snow.
Her long black hair spilled over her shoulders, her violet dress reaching just past her knees, revealing slender, pale calves.
Her chest, though not as staggering as Dong Yue's, was nonetheless… remarkable.
This young woman was Su Yutong, one of the few outer disciples besides Wang Jianqiang who had left an impression on her.
Su Yutong had joined the sect three years ago.
By the rules of the Hehuan Sect, all who had entered within five years were still considered novices.
Yet in only three years, she had reached Qi Refinement, Eighth Layer—a testament to her extraordinary talent.
With such beauty and talent combined, her fame in the outer sect was unmatched. Many gossips had already named her one of the "Three Beauties of the Outer Sect."
"Buying or selling?" Dong Yue asked, her tone cold as ever.
Su Yutong, long accustomed to this, pressed her lips together slightly. "Disciple wishes to buy Cloudmist Pills."
"What quality?"
"The higher, the better."
Dong Yue nodded, directly producing five Perfect Cloudmist Pills—those recently sold by Wang Jianqiang.
"These are the finest in stock. Price: five thousand stones each."
Su Yutong's eyes widened.
Cloudmist Pills, though prized among first-tier high-grade pills, usually cost only three to five hundred!
Dong Yue's eyes flickered with meaning. "These are not ordinary. You will not regret buying them."
But Su Yutong's heart scoffed.
Not ordinary? At the end of the day, they were still Cloudmist Pills. How much stronger could they be? One pill worth ten? Impossible.
Still, since Elder Dong had made the recommendation, she couldn't openly reject it.
"One Perfect Cloudmist Pill, and ten ordinary ones."
Dong Yue's discerning eye immediately saw through the little calculation in her mind.
She shook her head silently.
Once Su Yutong experienced a Perfect Pill, she would certainly regret not buying more.
But she didn't bother to explain.
She handed over one Perfect Cloudmist Pill and ten common-grade ones.
After Su Yutong paid and left, Dong Yue was about to put away the remaining four Perfect Cloudmist Pills when suddenly—
A beautiful young woman rushed into the hall, her eyes instantly locking onto the pills on the counter.
"Elder Dong, are those Cloudmist Pills… refined by Senior Brother Wang?"
Dong Yue looked up. She remembered this one well.
Not for her fame or talent, but for her obsession.
Ever since she bought a Perfect Green Spirit Pill, she had been visiting daily, waiting, pouncing on every pill Wang Jianqiang sold.
Every single Perfect Green Spirit Pill in recent days had been monopolized by her.
Seeing her burning eyes, Dong Yue gave a cold nod. "Yes."
The young woman's face lit with joy. "Then… may disciple buy them?"
"Of course," Dong Yue replied, as detached as ever.
"All four—I want them all."