The Jiejindan Formula differs from the Qilong Pill Prescription; I obtained it well before the latter, offering more time and occasions to contemplate it.

The subsequent optimizations were theoretical, armchair strategies, but they were built upon my extraordinary Alchemy Skills. If Jia Ren hadn't been fully confident, how could he dare waste the hard-to-come-by materials for Golden Core Formation Pills?

The Earth Fire ascended, meticulously refining materials under his Extraordinary Saint Level control of it.

Thirty-two days passed. The materials had fused, and the effects of the improved recipe far exceeded expectations.

Upon evaluating the medicinal properties, Jia Ren determined he could craft three Golden Core Formation Pills of decent quality.

"Dragging Pill Technique!" Jia Ren executed the art. "Excellent, I've drawn out two additional Golden Core Formation Pills!"

The lid of the Alchemy Furnace opened, revealing five golden pills exuding a strong Elixir aroma.

With the Suoling Formation in place, there was no need to worry about the Elixir's potency or aroma leaking.

It wasn't that he wished to line his own pockets, but... Jia Ren's Alchemy Skills were outstanding. He had mastered an Extraordinary Saint Level Earth Fire control technique, and his alchemy time was much shorter than that of ordinary alchemists. This was a secret he did not wish to expose. While still under the protection of others outside, it was safer to refine several more batches of Golden Core Formation Pills.

One batch would be used to exchange for Town Demon Alliance contribution points, to redeem the crafting method of the Demon-Sealing Tower Magical Treasure. The second batch would be used to fulfill his obligation. One more Golden Core Formation Pill than expected; I can exchange it for something good. He wouldn't consume ordinary-quality Golden Core Formation Pills; he would save them for exchanging for treasures in the future.

Jia Ren was not in a rush to continue alchemy. He sat cross-legged in meditation, recovering his consumed Spiritual Power, as well as his Essence, Energy, and Spirit, seizing the chance to cultivate the Star God Art and the Seven Revolutions Mysterious Primordial Secret Technique.

A month elapsed, and he began the second batch of alchemy unhurriedly.

With the experience from the first alchemy session, the second batch went even more smoothly, the alchemy process flawless and fluid.

The time shortened to twenty-seven days. The second batch of Golden Core Formation Pills was ready, and their quality far surpassed the previous batch.

I'll use this batch to fulfill my obligation!

Jia Ren had no intention of crafting a third batch of Golden Core Formation Pills. He packed up the Cloud Fantasy Thousand Luo and the Spirit Locking Formation Plate, then deactivated the Formation.

"Fellow Daoists, I've successfully completed the task!" he said, wiping sweat from his forehead as he strode out of the Alchemy Room.

In the courtyard, the Mei father and son were still playing chess. Their attention, however, was not entirely on the game, as they occasionally glanced towards the Alchemy Room.

As long as the Golden Core Formation Pills weren't ready, they couldn't feel at ease.

They immediately entered the Alchemy Room, their gazes fixed on the crimson Alchemy Furnace radiating intense heat.

"Many thanks, Master Shi," the Xi Jian Pavilion Master said, suppressing his excitement. "May I inquire about the quality of the Elixir?"

"Collect!"

He cast the pill-collecting spell. Under their expectant gazes, the Alchemy Furnace opened, releasing three streaks of golden light. The flawless Golden Core Formation Pills were particularly eye-catching.

"The quality of these Elixirs... it's almost at Grandmaster Level, isn't it?"

An Alchemy Grandmaster cannot achieve Grandmaster Level quality for every type of Elixir they refine. However, their minimum standard is far above that of ordinary alchemists. Once they master an Alchemy Recipe, a Fine Elixir is the guaranteed baseline.

The three flawless golden pills, devoid of Elixir Patterns, were nonetheless Top Grade Golden Core Formation Pills. Each one could increase the probability of successfully forming a Golden Core by forty percent.

"Thank you so much, Master Shi! We are extremely grateful!" Mei Chengyan's eyes shone with barely concealed jubilation.

The Golden Core Formation Pills were crucial for him to smoothly form his Golden Core.

The Sword Washing Pavilion's Young Master couldn't guarantee he would even obtain Golden Core Formation Pills, let alone those of higher quality.

He would have to wait for several decades, perhaps even a century, for the Sword Washing Pavilion to accumulate enough Town Demon Alliance contribution points to exchange for a new Thousand-Year Snow Lotus. Only then would it be his turn.

The Mei father and son had taken a gamble by inviting Shi Bai to perform the alchemy.

One batch yielded three Golden Core Formation Pills. He would take one to consume, give one to Master Shi as payment, and the last one... he would exchange for three ordinary Golden Core Formation Pills to take back to the Sect to report.

It was as if they had gained an extra Top Grade Golden Core Formation Pill for free.

Mei Shuye placed the three Golden Core Formation Pills into a Jade Vase. He then took out two White Porcelain Jade Vials, handing one to Jia Ren.

In addition, there was a Storage Bag filled with Spirit Stones.

"Many thanks, Master Shi. These Spirit Stones are an additional reward," Mei Shuye said.

Jia Ren accepted the Jade Vial and the Storage Bag without ceremony.

The Storage Bag contained a total of one hundred thousand Spirit Stones—an unexpected bonus.

"Pavilion Master Mei, do you happen to have any Superior Grade Spirit Stones? I would like to exchange for some."

"If you have more Superior Grade Spirit Stones, I am willing to trade Elixirs for them," Jia Ren added.

The Xi Jian Pavilion Master surely had a reserve of Superior Grade Spirit Stones. The Nascent Soul Secret Formation required a large amount, so I should try to obtain as many as possible.

Elated from acquiring the Top Grade Golden Core Formation Pills, Mei Shuye was very keen. He took out a total of twenty-five Superior Grade Spirit Stones and exchanged them for Grandmaster Level Spirit Origin Pills from Jia Ren.

This quantity exceeded Jia Ren's expectations.

Individuals of higher status, strength, and position generally possessed more Superior Grade Spirit Stones.

"Master Shi, words cannot express our gratitude," Mei Shuye said.

"If we need Elixirs refined in the future, could we trouble you? The remuneration will certainly not disappoint you."

Six eyes fixed on him, their gazes intensely fervent.

If they could befriend an Alchemy Grandmaster, the benefits would be immense.

"My time is very precious; I'm afraid I won't be able to spare any," Jia Ren replied.

"I have other matters to attend to and cannot stay long."

He had no desire to become an exclusive alchemist for others and thus decisively refused.

Once the alchemy was complete, he had no intention of lingering. He turned to leave, casting a discreet glance at Xue Feng'e before he departed.

"I'll see Master Shi out." Xue Feng'e hurriedly followed, afraid that if she were a step too slow, the Top Grade Golden Core Formation Pill would slip through her fingers.

Mei Chengyan watched Xue Feng'e's retreating figure, a hint of gloom flickering in his eyes.

He hadn't paid much attention before, but now, the more he thought about it, the more questions arose. The Sword Washing Pavilion couldn't even manage to invite an Alchemy Grandmaster, so how did Xue Feng'e succeed in getting one to help? Could there be some secret affair between them? For some reason, Mei Chengyan couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that he was being cuckolded.

"Father, why don't we just seize that fellow Shi and force him to refine Elixirs for us? If the Sword Washing Pavilion could obtain an Alchemy Grandmaster, how could we fail to rise to prominence..."

Before Mei Chengyan could finish, his father cut him off. "Enough!"

"This man is not a Loose Cultivator. Loose Cultivators cannot obtain the Jiejindan Formula. He must have refined a considerable number of Golden Core Formation Pills; otherwise, his Alchemy Skills couldn't be so exquisite. An ordinary faction cannot nurture a Third Rank Alchemy Grandmaster. Don't bring a devastating catastrophe upon the Sword Washing Pavilion."

An Alchemy Grandmaster capable of refining Golden Core Formation Pills of such exceptionally high quality undoubtedly holds an extraordinary status and position.

In any Sect, his presence would ensure a continuous emergence of High-Order Cultivators.

Even the top Sects in the Western Wasteland Domain would treat him as an honored guest, offering him utmost protection.

Pill Master Shi came to this courtyard. Who knows how many eyes are watching this place? And who knows how many powerful experts are secretly protecting him?

The Sword Washing Pavilion, seize an Alchemy Grandmaster? The price could be the annihilation of the Sword Washing Pavilion, a legacy of a thousand years. He did not want to become the eternal sinner of the Sword Washing Pavilion.

"Daoist Shi, let me see you out."

Xue Feng'e chased after him. The two left, one after the other. Once they were far from the courtyard and had entered a deserted alley in the Market, a sound-isolating barrier was activated.

"This is the Golden Core Formation Pill."

The still-warm Golden Core Formation Pill was handed over. Xue Feng'e took the Jade Vase and confirmed it was indeed the same Golden Core Formation Pill she had seen earlier.

The quality of the Golden Core Formation Pill far exceeded her expectations. She knew it would be impossible to obtain such a pill from anyone other than Shi Bai.

"Daoist Shi, you truly are a person of your word. Luo Yuzhu's judgment was indeed correct."

"This is the promised Xuanling Cha Infant Secret Array."

Xue Feng'e had lied. She had been carrying the Xuanling Cha Infant Secret Array with her all along; claiming it was elsewhere was a precaution for her own safety.

If she hadn't witnessed Shi Bai's extraordinary skill in refining Golden Core Formation Pills, she would never have dared to make this trade.

Her eyes swept over Jia Ren's face repeatedly. She had to admit, Luo Yuzhu's ability to judge people was far superior to her own.

Jia Ren took the Jade Slip containing the Xuanling Cha Infant Secret Array and studied it carefully.

This was a Formation he had never seen before, so incredibly complex that it made his head spin, even though he was well-versed in Formations. The Xuanling Cha Infant Secret Array was genuine. Every single formation pattern was ingeniously crafted. If someone unfamiliar with Formations tried to alter even a single stroke, it would create a flaw, instantly recognizable. Xue Feng'e wouldn't risk offending me by secretly modifying the Xuanling Cha Infant Secret Array. Other than antagonizing me, it would bring her no benefit.

"Our transaction is complete. Let us part ways here."

Jia Ren put away the Jade Slip and turned to leave.

"Daoist Shi, won't you leave a Communication Bead? In a few years, I must return to my clan. My ancestors left behind some notes that might be helpful to you."

The ancestral notes were merely a pretext; she didn't want to miss the opportunity to connect with an Alchemy Grandmaster.

With his help, her future cultivation path would be much smoother.

Jia Ren glanced at Xue Feng'e, left a Communication Bead, and then departed.

After confirming no one was following him, he returned to his residence.

Continue refining Golden Core Formation Pills? Or exchange for the refinement method of the Demon-Sealing Tower Magical Treasure? There was still a Nascent Soul Cultivator in the Demon-Sealing Tower, which was a constant source of unease. I can refine Elixirs elsewhere; there's no need to stay here any longer. The sooner I leave, the safer I'll be. So, how should I acquire the refinement method for the Demon-Sealing Tower Magical Treasure next? Use the Town Demon League Command Token from Star Pole Island? Or find someone else to help with the exchange? The first option would draw trouble to Star Pole Island. Attracting Golden Core Cultivators might be manageable, but if it attracted Nascent Soul Cultivators, the consequences would be endless. And this time, it wouldn't be a Wooden Stake Nascent Soul that's attracted. As for the second method, Jia Ren didn't have anyone he could trust to help. Others would unscrupulously pocket the Golden Core Formation Pills and might even expose him, leading to even greater trouble. Are there any other methods?

Jia Ren walked on, his brow often furrowed in thought.

Just then, his gaze fell upon a Foundation Establishment Cultivator who looked to be at death's door.

This was the elderly Cultivator he had seen when he first arrived at the Eastern Forest Market, the one who wanted to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills for his descendants.

The third method is to disguise myself as someone else, use their Zhenguai Alliance Order, and go to the Town Demon Alliance to exchange for the desired refinement method of the Demon-Sealing Tower Magical Treasure. My Thousand Illusion Face Technique is at too low a level. Even an Extraordinary Saint Level Thousand Fantasies Face might not deceive the Formations within the Town Demon Alliance. The fourth method is... to disguise myself as someone else and find a way to lure a Town Demon Alliance Steward out of their headquarters to make the exchange, thus avoiding the Alliance's Formations. This method isn't entirely foolproof. It involves four Golden Core Formation Pills, a significant interest, and there's the risk that the Internal Affairs Director might embezzle them. There's one more method: I go in my true form. Jia Ren could become a Bizarre-Suppressing Guard and personally go to the Town Demon Alliance to exchange for the refinement method of the Demon-Sealing Tower Magical Treasure. My Insect External Incarnation can wait outside as backup. If I encounter danger, I can use its secret technique to swap our positions. This way, my true body could escape danger, but the price might be... the destruction of the Insect External Incarnation.

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