Chapter One Hundred Eleven: The Elixir

Chapter 111: Elixirs
Chapter 12: Passing Down the Profound Method on Spirit Mountain, Soaring Alone Through Ten Thousand Miles of Clouds (Part 21)

Ye Hua nodded and said, “Since the elder of the Drizzle Pavilion has already inspected and made the decision, I believe there will be no bias. Then let it be as you say!”

The elder in the green robe smiled and nodded. “Since you have agreed, I shall present you with eight hundred gold refined ore! Please wait a moment.” With that, he stood, bowed slightly, and slowly withdrew. Upon reaching a pillar, a green light flashed, and he vanished without a trace.

Ye Hua watched the elder leave, then stood and leaned on the railing, gazing at the drifting clouds in the sky. Inwardly, he pondered, “This ‘Sacred Trace Chart’ is a unique treasure of the Confucian school. Although Confucian cultivation methods are widespread, I myself have never practiced them, so I cannot unleash the true power of this chart. Moreover, my Illusory Moon Treasure Mirror is also a mystical artifact; it may not necessarily be inferior to this ‘Sacred Trace Chart.’ As for the gold refined ore I’m exchanging for, I wonder what kind of miraculous elixirs it can procure.”

Just as Ye Hua was lost in thought, he heard the sound of a formation opening behind him. Turning, he saw the elder reappear, holding a round tray covered with a colorful embroidered silk cloth. The elder approached with a smile and said, “Thank you for waiting, young friend.” Ye Hua turned and stepped forward. The elder smiled warmly, “Please, have a seat.”

He lifted the cloth from the tray, revealing an exquisite gourd. The elder said, “Please take a look.”

Ye Hua nodded, reached out, and took the gourd. A strand of his consciousness slipped inside. After a moment, he smiled and said, “This Heaven and Earth Gourd indeed contains eight hundred gold refined ore. Thank you for your kindness!” He then produced the ‘Sacred Trace Chart’ again and handed it to the elder.

The elder nodded, took the chart, and placed it inside the tray. Smiling, he asked, “Does young friend require anything else?”

Ye Hua replied, “I wish to seek some foundational cultivation and qi-nurturing elixirs, as well as some antidote pills at the Drizzle Pavilion. Might I have a look?”

The elder laughed, “Of course. Please follow me.” He led the way. After several dozen steps, they arrived before a long cabinet. The elder waved his right hand, and the cabinet doors slowly opened, revealing nothing but swirling colorful mist inside.

With another wave, the mist roiled, purple light flickering, gradually revealing hundreds of porcelain bottles.

The elder said, “Young friend, these elixirs are all suitable for use by cultivators below the Three Truths Realm, and each is a top-quality product. Please take a look.”

Ye Hua reached out and picked up a white jade bottle. On it was inscribed “Supplemental Pill” and “Fifty Gold Refined Ore.” He had heard of the Supplemental Pill before; it was balanced in medicinal power and beneficial to the internal qi and essence of various sects’ inner cores, a rare and precious elixir. Still, fifty gold refined ore was somewhat extravagant.

He shook his head and returned the bottle, then picked up another white jade porcelain bottle labeled “Three Yang Pill” and “Thirty Gold Refined Ore.”

This Three Yang Pill was unfamiliar to him, and he wondered about its effects. Just then, the elder, as if sensing his curiosity, stepped forward with a smile. “If you wish to know the effects and ingredients of the Three Yang Pill, simply tap the three characters ‘Three Yang Pill’ lightly.”

Ye Hua chuckled softly, “I didn’t expect such a marvelous and meticulous preparation.” With that, he followed the elder’s instruction and touched the inscription with his index finger.

Indeed, the white jade porcelain bottle gleamed with white light, and golden characters floated into the air. Concentrating, Ye Hua read:

“Three Yang Pill, a top-grade lower-class elixir, refined over forty-nine days using True Fire of the Nine Departures, True Water of the Sunshade, Milkwood, Yellow Dragon Horn, and Spirit Flower of Maling. It greatly aids cultivators of the Seven Treasures Realm in restoring their cultivation, especially effective for those specializing in water-based cultivation methods.”

Upon reading this, Ye Hua smiled wryly, then withdrew his hand and returned the bottle.

Seeing Ye Hua carefully selecting, the elder refrained from interrupting and sat back down on a wooden chair, closing his eyes to rest. Some time passed before Ye Hua joyfully exclaimed, “Done!”

The elder opened his eyes and saw Ye Hua holding five porcelain bottles, a pleased expression on his face as he approached. He smiled, “Have you chosen, young friend?”

Ye Hua smiled in return, “Indeed. Thank you for your assistance.”

The elder studied the bottles briefly and nodded. “Silver Transformation Pill, Platinum Pill, Yellow Jade Pill — three foundational cultivation elixirs; Jade Heart Pill and Purple Orchid Pill — two healing and detoxifying elixirs. Hmm, young friend’s insight is truly excellent. These pills are rare treasures for someone cultivating metal elemental methods such as yourself.”

Ye Hua smiled slightly. “You flatter me, elder. Please inform me of the total cost.”

The elder nodded. “The five pills total one hundred and sixty-eight gold refined ore.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Hua reached into the Heaven and Earth Gourd and withdrew one hundred and sixty-eight pieces of gold refined ore, handing them to the elder, who accepted them.

Ye Hua smiled, “Thank you for your trouble this time, elder.”

The elder laughed, “It is my duty; no trouble at all. May I ask if young friend has any other needs?”

Ye Hua shook his head, “Not for now. I will return when necessary.”

The elder nodded, “Very well. I shall escort you back to the main hall.”

Ye Hua nodded, and the two returned through the teleportation formation to the grand hall. Once there, Ye Hua briefly inquired about other magical treasures and elixirs but found no further needs. After lingering a while, he bid farewell and departed.

Upon exiting the Drizzle Pavilion, Ye Hua let out a long breath. Now that the elixirs were prepared, only departure remained. Looking up, he saw the sun near its zenith. If he left the capital for Cold City today, he might not arrive in time. It would be better to set out early the next day.

He had heard that recently, every day cultivators gathered at the Divine Martial Arena before the imperial city, forming groups to journey to Cold City. Tomorrow, he could join them, traveling with others for mutual support along the way.

With this in mind, he headed toward the Divine Martial Arena, the most renowned place in the capital, where emperors had long reviewed their troops. No one in the capital did not know of it.

When Ye Hua arrived, the sun was slightly past noon. Aside from standing guards, no other cultivators were present. Ye Hua was puzzled.

“Could it be that all cultivators have already departed today? Or have none arrived yet for tomorrow?”

As he wondered, three figures slowly approached from afar: two burly men and an elder, all dressed as Taoist priests with matching robes, clearly from the same sect.

The three looked around, surprised by the sparse presence of cultivators. They then noticed Ye Hua standing there and approached him. One of the burly men called out, “Young brother!”

Ye Hua cupped his fists politely. “May I ask what you need?”

The man smiled awkwardly. “We are disciples of Zhenyue Palace at Five Clouds Peak of Mount Hua. May I ask if you know about the gathering here to journey together to Cold City?”

Ye Hua nodded. “I came for the same reason. This Divine Martial Arena is nearly empty; I assume everyone has left today. We'll have to wait until tomorrow.”

Another burly man looked surprised. “You’re also heading to Cold City?”

Ye Hua smiled. “Why not? Although Cold City is dangerous, I must go and see for myself, to confront that Ying Demon.”

The elder nodded approvingly. “Such ambition in youth is admirable. May I ask which sect you hail from? Do you have masters accompanying you?”

Ye Hua replied, “I am Ye Hua, from the Wutai lineage, but currently I travel alone, without any masters.”

The elder’s eyes flashed with a strange expression. “Could it be that you, with your cultivation, intend to journey alone to Cold City?”

Ye Hua blushed slightly, understanding the elder’s concern over the dangers a Seven Treasures Realm cultivator would face alone on such a journey. Embarrassed, he said, “I hope you won’t laugh at me.”

The burly man chuckled suddenly. “Uncle Wang, since this young friend is alone, why not let us accompany him? It’s better to have support.”

The elder considered briefly and nodded. “That would be wise.”