The next day, Wang Jianqiang consumed another Perfect Cloudmist Pill, and as expected, his cultivation base broke through to the seventh level of Qi Refining.
The following day, he successfully refined three more Perfect Cloudmist Pills.
Instead of continuing his cultivation, he took the three Perfect Cloudmist Pills and headed to the Hall of External Affairs.
***
Hall of External Affairs
When Dong Rou received the three Perfect Cloudmist Pills from Wang Jianqiang, she was mentally prepared, yet she couldn't help but feel a shock in her heart.
At the same time, she felt a growing sense of regret.
Wang Jianqiang was indeed a genius in pill refining; the Perfect Elixirs, which only existed in legends, could actually be successfully refined consecutively.
Unfortunately, his level in the Dao of Alchemy was too low, unable to refine higher-level elixirs, and he was nearing his lifespan limit, destined to be unable to establish a foundation, losing his value for cultivation.
Otherwise, he would definitely be valued by the sect.
"The Cloudmist Pill without Pill Poison has effects far superior to ordinary Cloudmist Pills. Each can be exchanged for 3,500 Spirit Stones, totaling 10,500 Spirit Stones for the three pills. After deducting the 8,000 Spirit Stones for the Cloudmist Pill Formula, there is a surplus of 2,500 Spirit Stones."
After putting away the Perfect Cloudmist Pills, Dong Rou looked at Wang Jianqiang, "Is there anything else you wish to purchase?"
Wang Jianqiang pondered for a moment, "Elder Dong, may I ask how much the Foundation Pill Formula costs?"
Dong Rou's heart trembled, and she stared intently at Wang Jianqiang, "Have you become a Second-Rank Alchemist?"
Wang Jianqiang had a unique talent for refining elixirs without pill poison.
If he could refine the Foundation Establishment Pill, the pill he refined would not only be free of any pill poison, but its potency would likely far exceed that of ordinary Foundation Establishment Pills.
In this way, he might not be without hope of establishing a foundation.
Once he established a foundation, he could extend his lifespan by a hundred years, giving him ample time to advance further in both cultivation and the Dao of Alchemy.
If he could become a Second-Rank Advanced Alchemist before her lifespan ran out...
Thinking of this, a wave of emotion stirred in Dong Rou's almost lifeless heart.
Wang Jianqiang did not expect such a strong reaction from Elder Dong to his casual inquiry, and he awkwardly shook his head, "I can't."
He just felt that he was not far from the tenth level of Qi Refining and wanted to understand the market for the Foundation Pill Formula in advance to prepare.
Upon hearing this, the light in Dong Rou's eyes dimmed instantly.
Indeed, he was just a Qi Refining cultivator; how could he become a Second-Rank Alchemist?
She gave a bitter smile and sat back in her chair, but ultimately answered Wang Jianqiang's question, "The Foundation Pill Formula is priced at one million Spirit Stones.
However, the Foundation Pill Formula is of great significance; it is a Tier-One Restricted Pill Formula. Outer disciples have no right to purchase it, even if you really have one million Spirit Stones, you can't buy it."
What?
Wang Jianqiang was dumbfounded.
Outer disciples actually have no right to purchase the Foundation Pill Formula!
Then how could he establish a foundation?
Buy ordinary Foundation Establishment Pills?
Not to mention the great difficulty for outer disciples to obtain Foundation Establishment Pills, making it hard to acquire. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Even if he could easily obtain them.
He knew very well how poor his talent was.
With ordinary Foundation Establishment Pills, even if he didn't consider pill poison and consumed them like candy, it would be difficult to successfully establish a foundation.
Only the Perfect Foundation Pill was his hope for establishing a foundation.
And to refine the Perfect Foundation Pill, he must first obtain the Foundation Pill Formula.
Dong Rou's words were like a bolt from the blue to him.
Seeing Wang Jianqiang's face turn ugly, Dong Rou's expression shifted, "You seem very eager to obtain the Foundation Pill Formula?"
Wang Jianqiang nodded, lost in thought.
Seeing this, Dong Rou, driven by some deep-seated dissatisfaction or a longing for miracles, spoke impulsively, "If you can become a Second-Rank Alchemist, come find me, and I'll help you obtain the Foundation Pill Formula."
Hearing Dong Rou's words, Wang Jianqiang was stunned, then a look of joy appeared on his face.
It was truly a case of finding a way out of a dead end.
"Thank you, Elder Dong."
He gratefully bowed to Dong Rou.
After exchanging all his Spirit Stones for spiritual herbs, he bid farewell to Dong Rou and left.
Dong Rou watched Wang Jianqiang's departing figure, momentarily lost in thought.
***
"Greetings, Elder Dong."
A clear and pleasant voice called out.
Dong Rou returned to her senses to find a young woman had somehow appeared at the counter.
She had a delicate appearance, her skin fairer than snow.
Her long black hair draped over her shoulders, and her purple silk dress just reached her knees, revealing slender, fair legs.
Her chest was full, not as astonishing as Dong Rou's, but still impressive.
This young woman was Su Yutong, one of the few outer disciples besides Wang Jianqiang who left a deep impression on her.
Su Yutong entered the sect three years ago.
According to the Hehuan Sect's rules, disciples who joined within five years are considered newcomers.
Although Su Yutong was a newcomer, she reached the eighth level of Qi Refining in just three years, showcasing her remarkable talent.
Her stunning looks combined with her strong talent made her highly renowned in the outer sect, being listed as one of the Three Great Beauties of the Outer Sect by many admirers.
"Buying or selling items?" New chapters come out on g.com first.
Dong Rou's voice remained as cold as ever.
Su Yutong seemed accustomed to Dong Rou's attitude, pursed her red lips, "Disciple wishes to buy some Cloudmist Pills."
"What quality do you want?"
"Naturally, the higher the quality, the better."
Dong Rou nodded and directly took out the five Perfect Cloudmist Pills obtained from Wang Jianqiang.
"These are currently the highest quality Cloudmist Pills in the Hall of External Affairs, priced at... five thousand Spirit Stones each."
Hearing this price, Su Yutong was taken aback.
Although Cloudmist Pills were among the top in efficacy among First-Rank Advanced Elixirs, their value was only around three to five hundred Spirit Stones, right?
As if seeing through Su Yutong's thoughts, a hint of deeper meaning flashed in Dong Rou's eyes, "These Cloudmist Pills are quite extraordinary; you won't regret buying them."
Su Yutong was inwardly skeptical.
Extraordinary?
No matter how extraordinary, they're just Cloudmist Pills. Could one be worth ten?
However, since Dong Rou kindly recommended them, she didn't want to reject her offer.
"Give me one Perfect Cloudmist Pill, and ten ordinary Cloudmist Pills."
Dong Rou, with her vast experience, immediately saw through Su Yutong's little scheme.
She shook her head.
She was certain that Su Yutong would regret this decision after trying the Perfect Cloudmist Pill.
But she didn't continue to explain.
She took out one Perfect Cloudmist Pill and ten ordinary Cloudmist Pills and handed them to Su Yutong.
After Su Yutong paid the Spirit Stones and left, Dong Rou was about to put away the remaining four Perfect Cloudmist Pills on the table when a beautiful woman suddenly rushed into the Hall of External Affairs.
Her gaze swept over the counter, then fixed intently on the four Perfect Cloudmist Pills on the table.
"Elder Dong, are these four Cloudmist Pills the ones sold by Senior Brother Wang?"
Dong Rou looked at the beautiful woman in front of the counter.
She had a deep impression of this woman.
Not because of her fame or talent, but because ever since she bought a Perfect Azure Spirit Pill some time ago, she had been coming to the Hall of External Affairs every day, as if possessed.
During this time, every Perfect Azure Spirit Pill Wang Jianqiang sold to the Hall of External Affairs was bought by her.
Seeing her eager expression, Dong Rou nodded, "Yes."
The woman was overjoyed, "May I buy them?"
"Of course," Dong Rou replied coldly.
"I'll take all four of these pills."
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan