Chapter 108: The Flawed Jade Agate Mushroom (Fourth Update)

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Qin Ming carefully took the jade box and examined it closely. Inside was a piece of chalcedony ganoderma, but there was a fractured gap in the middle, seemingly damaged by some tool. The medicinal potency had leaked out, almost entirely depleted. Moreover, this ganoderma was less than a hundred years old. Compared to the three hundred years of potency required by the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe, it was far from sufficient. For others, this chalcedony ganoderma would be nearly useless, but for Qin Ming, that was not an issue.

“I wonder, Senior Shen, under what conditions would you be willing to sell it?” Qin Ming asked straightforwardly.

“Three thousand spirit stones, or equivalent value,” Shen Yuanxiong said after a moment’s thought.

Qin Ming weighed the jade box, frowned, and said, “That price seems a bit steep, considering the medicinal properties are barely a tenth of their original strength.”

“Well, in that case, I’ll lower it to two thousand five hundred spirit stones,” Shen Yuanxiong replied, his face twitching slightly as he realized his initial price was too high.

“Deal,” Qin Ming said calmly on the surface, but inwardly he was overjoyed. He had expected to pay a hefty sum to obtain a piece of chalcedony ganoderma, but the price was much lower than anticipated. With this ganoderma, he could revive it and accelerate its growth to produce several portions—enough for his pill refining needs.

He unhurriedly took out spirit stones from his storage pouch and handed them to Shen Yuanxiong. The transaction was complete.

“Since Senior Shen has other important matters at home, we won’t keep you any longer. We’ll be going now,” Qin Ming said, his mood brightening now that his goal had been achieved.

Shen Yuanxiong was courteous. “Why not stay a while longer? I’ll have someone give you proper hospitality.”

“No, thank you, Senior Shen. Please attend to your affairs first.”

“Very well. I apologize for any neglect. Once I’ve handled my matters, I will visit you both at Mirror Snow Pavilion for a proper drink,” Shen Yuanxiong said as he opened the door and politely escorted them out.

As they walked through the courtyard corridor, a burly man with a full beard and dark skin charged in, radiating the aura of early Foundation Establishment stage cultivation. Upon seeing Shen Yuanxiong, he cursed and said, “Hurry up, Old Ghost Shen! I want that half-dead chalcedony ganoderma of yours!”

“I have other use for it,” Shen Yuanxiong replied.

The bearded man approached and noticed the two companions of Shen Yuanxiong—one was none other than Gu Qingzhao of Mirror Snow Pavilion. He immediately toned down his demeanor and cupped his fists politely. “Pavilion Master Gu is here as well.”

Gu Qingzhao nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

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The little Qi Refinement cultivator, Qin Ming, was completely ignored by the bearded man. Shen Yuanxiong frowned and shot him a glare, saying, “Luo Rong, what are you making such a fuss about? You’re too late. I’ve already sold that chalcedony ganoderma to Daoist Qin.”

“What? Daoist Qin?” Luo Rong exclaimed in disbelief.

Shen Yuanxiong glanced at Qin Ming and introduced, “This is Daoist Qin, an honorary guest of Mirror Snow Pavilion.”

“He’s a genuine second-rank pill master,” he added.

Luo Rong was taken aback, then addressed Qin Ming anew, “So you are Pill Master Qin—truly a prodigy!”

Yet he still mustered courage to ask, “Would you consider parting with that chalcedony ganoderma? I’m willing to pay double the spirit stones.”

“That item is of great use to me. I’m afraid I cannot sell it,” Qin Ming rejected directly.

Luo Rong was stunned. This little Qi Refinement cultivator seemed fearless due to his second-rank pill master status. Seeing Gu Qingzhao nearby, he said no more. After changing expressions a few times, he sighed, “Ah, it seems this is not meant to be.” With that, he excused himself and left awkwardly.

“Ah, Luo Rong is always like that. Please don’t take it personally,” Shen Yuanxiong said with a smile.

Just as he left, a commotion arose at the courtyard gate. A dignified elderly man with golden hair, clad in a yellow robe and walking with hands behind his back, slowly entered the compound. Shen Yuanxiong greeted the two and hurried to meet him.

“Pill Master Sun, please rest in the side chamber. Everyone has arrived; we will begin shortly.”

Gu Qingzhao introduced to Qin Ming, “This is Pill Master Sun Jinnian of Canghai Immortal City.”

Qin Ming nodded.

Sun Jinnian saw Gu Qingzhao and Qin Ming, nodded perfunctorily, and entered the side chamber.

Currently, Pill Master Sun held a position second only to the Golden Core True Immortal in Canghai Immortal City.

After Qin Ming and his companion left, Sun Jinnian sat calmly, sipping tea, and asked Shen Yuanxiong, “What is Gu Qingzhao doing here?”

Shen Yuanxiong recounted the recent events in detail.

When Sun Jinnian heard that the little Qi Refinement cultivator beside Gu Qingzhao was not only a second-rank pill master but had also refined the Rejuvenation Pill, a subtle change flickered across his face.

He commented coldly, “That young friend Qin seems to possess extraordinary talent in pill refinement—able to produce the Rejuvenation Pill.”

“Moreover, he likely carries a highly advanced pill master’s legacy.”

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“Hearing you say that, I’m even tempted to take him as a disciple,” Shen Yuanxiong admitted, surprised by Pill Master Sun’s high appraisal.

Since Shen Yuanxiong knew nothing about pill refining, he asked, “Is he capable of producing the Foundation Establishment Pill?”

“Of course. The difficulty in refining the Rejuvenation Pill is even slightly higher than the Foundation Establishment Pill,” Sun Jinnian explained slowly. “In pill refinement, mastery of one formula often leads to mastery of many. If he can refine the Rejuvenation Pill, he will certainly be able to produce the Foundation Establishment Pill.”

Shen Yuanxiong was stunned. “Ah?!”

He suddenly felt as if he had missed something important.

“But since he took that defective chalcedony ganoderma, I suppose he still won’t be able to refine it?”

Sun Jinnian seemed amused. “Hmph, there are countless secret pill refining techniques. Perhaps he has a method to compensate for the medicinal potency.”

At that moment, Shen Yuanxiong recalled Luo Rong’s words.

“Why does it feel like you sold that chalcedony ganoderma at a loss?”

Sun Jinnian said, “Enough. Go prepare; I’ll wait here. Recently, my pill refining skills have improved somewhat. This time, I guarantee to help you successfully refine a batch.”

Those words reassured Shen Yuanxiong greatly. He beamed and went off to make preparations.

...

Meanwhile, Qin Ming, having secured the crucial primary ingredient, felt a great burden lifted from his heart. He still needed two rare auxiliary ingredients, but they were not as hard to find as the spirit ganoderma. With careful searching, he believed he could gather them soon.

Qin Ming stayed in Canghai Immortal City an extra day to inquire about the whereabouts of these two auxiliaries, but to little avail.

That day, while searching for clues in a medicinal herb shop, a familiar voice called out from behind.

“Daoist Qin, what a coincidence!”

Qin Ming turned at the sound and saw the bearded cultivator smiling and greeting him. It was none other than Luo Rong, the Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.