Cultivating Immortality in Two Realms

Inside the Spirit Pool.

The emerald waves rippled, and as Fang Qing used his water control technique, streams of water stratified, each carrying its own medicinal properties, continuously refining and fusing...

"The process of refining spirit powder is indeed different from that of spirit water... The final step of combining the pills requires a higher level of skill."

Recalling his previous failure, Fang Qing's eyes darkened, and his hands rapidly changed hand seals: "Go!"

Splash!

The spring water, rich in spiritual energy, evaporated continuously, eventually revealing a layer of strange medicinal powder.

The powder is jet black, but just smelling it gives one a feeling of invigoration.

"A top-grade, first-tier Spirit Concentration Powder... is complete!"

Fang Qing carefully put away the packet of calming powder, and a smile finally appeared on his face: "It's really not easy... I heard that the Five Dragons Society is still failing."

He had the main ingredients, but still failed to refine them.

The Five Dragons Society, on the other hand, couldn't find the main ingredients at all, so they used other materials as substitutes, and failures became even more common.

Even Fang Qing felt a pang of regret at the enormous resources invested in this project.

"But it's all worth it... As long as I possess divine sense, I can attempt to refine second-tier pills during the late stage of Qi Refining and break through to the True Inheritance of the Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation?"

"Even without the true teachings, you can still try to refine Foundation Establishment Pills yourself!"

"Right now, I can only be considered a first-tier high-grade alchemist..."

If we follow the standards for independent cultivators, anyone who can refine any type of first-grade high-quality pill is definitely a first-grade high-quality alchemist.

However, the requirements are higher in the Core Formation sects. At least three different first-grade high-quality pills must be refined to complete the certification.

Fang Qing knew his own situation; he had only managed to gain a little experience in refining "Mind-Concentrating Powder" after consuming a lot of resources.

If it were another type of high-grade first-level pill, although it wouldn't be as difficult for a first-grade mid-level alchemist to master, it would still be very difficult to get started without failing ten or eight times.

"Fortunately... my proficiency in refining the Mind-Concentrating Powder is already sufficient, and the success rate will continue to increase from now on."

Fang Qing had this confidence.

He took the newly refined "Mind-Concentrating Powder" to the secluded meditation room.

Sit cross-legged, regulate your breathing and calm your mind...

Once he was back to his peak condition, Fang Qing no longer hesitated and took a mouthful of Concentration Powder.

The pill melts instantly upon entering the mouth, like a clear stream, but it doesn't go into the stomach; instead, it rises directly to the mind.

"Waaah..."

In an instant, Fang Qing felt his mind was incredibly clear and his thoughts were racing... Many of the difficulties he had accumulated in his cultivation and alchemy seemed to be about to be resolved.

Unfortunately, this feeling came and went quickly.

As the cool air dissipated, something seemed about to burst forth from his mind, or perhaps it was a vibrant land with tender shoots about to break through the soil...

Time slips away unnoticed.

One hour, two hours...

Fang Qing let out a long breath and suddenly opened his eyes.

His eyes were gentle, like a clear spring, yet they concealed a deep and unfathomable brilliance.

"Just one dose, and I already feel like I'm about to condense my divine consciousness?"

Fang Qing touched his brow: "It seems... it's because I've been diligently practicing the 'Horse-Head Vajra Protector Divine Art,' and now it's comparable to the peak of the mid-level first-tier body refinement?"

This strange cultivation method cultivates both essence and spirit. He felt that his accumulated spiritual power should have already met the requirements of his divine sense, and he was only missing an opportunity.

And now, the Concentration Powder is the perfect opportunity!

"The Concentration Powder is only beneficial for concentrating spiritual awareness; it doesn't guarantee 100% success."

"But if I take it a few more times, I will definitely be able to condense my divine consciousness!"

Fang Qing was fairly satisfied with his own cultivation progress.

"With my current Qi Refining Level 6 cultivation, mid-grade first-tier body tempering technique, and a large number of talismans and Sea Transformation Pearls... I might be able to put up a fight against an average late-stage Qi Refining cultivator?"

"There are still about five years until the next True Disciple Grand Competition... If I want to compete, I might still have a chance? However, the opponents in the magic duel are definitely seasoned Qi Refining Ninth Level masters, perhaps even at the Qi Refining Perfection stage, so I can't underestimate them... On the other hand, the True Disciples of the Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation, if they can condense their divine sense and refine second-tier pills, might have some hope?"

"Wait a minute... does this mean I have to compete with the Fifth Prince and Gong Susu?"

"With the Great Dao ahead, none of this matters. The key is to remain stable... Let's first see if we have any channels to obtain second-tier demon cores."

Fang Qing has accumulated a considerable fortune over the years, so gathering enough ingredients for a Foundation Establishment Pill shouldn't be a problem.

However, refining it yourself presents considerable challenges.

……

The next day.

Wanbao Island, inside a water pavilion.

"Haha... Come, fellow disciples, have a taste. This is the 'Emerald Spirit Fish' caught on this voyage. Steamed, it tastes absolutely amazing. Paired with 'Vermilion Fruit Wine' made from spirit rice and vermilion fruit... It is said that several elders are fond of this."

Hua Lian held up the jade chopsticks, his face full of enthusiastic smiles.

This was a gathering of fellow disciples, and Fang Qing was among them. He looked around and found that there were many familiar faces at the table, including Huo Tianhuo, Ming Lingzhen, Li Yusu, and Lian Chazhu.

This woman's cultivation had actually reached the late stage of Qi Refining, which made Fang Qing secretly sigh.

"Congratulations, Senior Sister, on advancing to the late stage of Qi Refining."

He raised his glass to congratulate Chazhu.

"I only recently reached the sixth level of Qi Refining perfection, then I went into seclusion to try it out, and I broke through."

Cha Zhu smiled slightly: "Master Fang... Junior Brother, didn't you also break through to the sixth level of Qi Refining during your seclusion this time?"

Fang Qing used the Dao Sheng Pearl to conceal a layer of his cultivation, and now it appears that he has only entered the sixth level of Qi Refining.

This speed of cultivation is already quite remarkable.

For example, Li Yusu, who was standing next to him, had only just reached the fourth level of Qi Refining and only drank alcohol upon hearing this.

Hua Lian had also cultivated to the sixth level of Qi Refining. He drank a cup of Vermilion Fruit Wine and said with a smile, "Junior Sister Cha's cultivation has improved so much. I think she will be able to compete for the position of a true disciple in five years."

"My cultivation is shallow, so I'll wait fifteen years."

Cha Zhu did not respond.

After several rounds of drinks, Hua Lian finally got down to business: "Gentlemen... my fleet is about to set sail during this fishing season. I've already rented three large warships from the sect. I wonder if any of you are interested?"

The cultivators exchanged glances, then smiled and nodded: "Of course."

Over the years, they have made quite a bit of money by following Hua Lian.

Even Cha Zhu, after some consideration, agreed.

Clearly, he has reached the late stage of Qi Refining, where his cultivation progress is slow, and he needs to earn resources on his own.

Furthermore, going out to sea to fish can also hone one's combat skills.

"Fellow Daoist Fang...and you?"

Hua Lian's smile widened as he looked at Fang Qing, seeing that most people had agreed.

"I still need to go into seclusion to refine elixirs..."

Fang Qing shook his head. He had always been a lone wolf, even when he went out to sea.

"Brother Fang, this is rather inhumane."

Hua Lian's smile froze, and before he could speak, Yu Taohua immediately spoke up.

Fang Qing remained silent. In fact, Hua Lian's fleet was now quite famous. His fellow sailors who went to sea with him suffered few casualties and reaped rich rewards. Moreover, the two had a good personal relationship.

His behavior, in the eyes of outsiders, does indeed seem somewhat shameless.

But what does face matter to Fang Qing?

He is now single-mindedly focused on refining pills in seclusion and taking "Mind-Concentrating Powder" in order to condense his divine consciousness as soon as possible!

"This... I'm really sorry, I'll punish myself with three drinks."

Fang Qing raised his wine glass and drank it all in one go.

After the banquet ended and everyone left, Yu Taohua said indignantly, "Senior Brother Hua Lian, look at Fang Qing, he really doesn't know what's good for him! When have we ever not made a fortune? Now even Senior Sister Cha has to give him face and is tempted to join, but he's the only one who's so high and mighty?"

"Never mind, everyone has their own ambitions."

Hua Lian shook his head: "This Junior Brother Fang was able to refine Ginseng Green Spirit Water several years ago. His alchemy skills were praised even by the Five Dragon Princes... He must be very wealthy and look down on the income of us poor fishermen..."

There was a hint of regret in his words.

……

Inside the cave.

Fang Qing sat cross-legged and swallowed a dose of "Mind-Concentrating Powder".

Whoosh!

This time, a cool breeze rushed into his mind, making him feel clear-headed. His brow was restless, and suddenly a sharp pain shot through him, as if a third eye had been opened.

"This is... divine consciousness?"

Fang Qing closed his eyes, yet he could clearly see the area several feet around him, and even look inwards to see the black water magic power swirling within his dantian.

With the blessing of divine consciousness, his mind worked at lightning speed.

"I... I think I've become smarter."

Fang Qing recalled everything that had happened to his family, as if he had acquired a photographic memory.

Whether it's the "Guan Heiling Jing" or other cultivation methods, or the "Wu Long Dan Jing," or even the "Mei Hua Yi" which I couldn't understand before, I seem to have a clue about them and can delve into them.

"As expected... after gaining divine consciousness, whether it's cultivation or studying the various arts of immortality, it's as if I have divine assistance..."

Fang Qing's face lit up with joy. He immediately stopped reading the book, sat cross-legged, and swallowed a few drops of Ginseng Green Spirit Water.

The instant his divine consciousness was born, he was struck by a sudden inspiration and sensed an opportunity to break through the bottleneck of the seventh level of the "Commentary on the Waterways Classic"!

Boom!

As the ginseng-infused spiritual water entered his abdomen, it immediately generated wisps of magical power that mixed into his dantian.

Not only that, Fang Qing's mind stirred slightly, and the Dao Sheng Pearl spun around. During this period, because the Black Water magic power had reached its limit, the Yuan Qi of the [Ji Shui] magic power he had switched to cultivating accumulated and rolled down, as if he had swallowed half a breakthrough pill.

Splash!

The surging and powerful magical energy almost burst his dantian.

Fortunately, Fang Qing relied on his own divine sense, like a skilled fisherman, to keep his boat moving steadily forward despite the raging waves of the sea.

Click!

at last……

Time passed, and Fang Qing seemed to hear the sound of a silver bottle suddenly breaking and water gushing out.

Within his body, the black water magic surged mightily, breaking free from its restraints and entering a completely new world!

"Seventh level of Qi Refining, done!"

Fang Qing felt the fluctuations in his own magical power and a slight smile appeared on his lips: "The status of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator within a sect is completely different... I am now qualified to compete for the true discipleship."