Raise a sword!

In the blink of an eye, three days have passed.

However, news of what happened at Liu's birthday banquet had already spread.

Many forces in the Southern Mountain Region now know that the Northern Foothills Cangshan Sect has produced a remarkably talented individual who, at the ninth level of Qi Refining, can refine second-tier pills beyond his current level, and even created his own on the spot.

"Original creation? It's one thing for others to talk about it, but why is Senior Sister making fun of it?"

In the small house in Bibo Harbor, Jiang Peng sat at the kitchen doorway with a bowl of hand-pulled noodles in her hand, trying her best to dispel the rumors.

"I already said that it wasn't a second-tier pill formula that I created myself. Rather, the medicinal properties and pharmacology of several spiritual materials were already explained in the inheritance I learned. I just followed the steps to refine a batch of low-grade second-tier pills."

Jiang Peng emphasized this point.

"There are countless variations in the second-tier pill formulas. Second-tier pills place more emphasis on spirit and essence, and the pills refined by each second-tier alchemist will be slightly different."

"Moreover, the final pill was only a low-grade second-tier pill, belonging to the lowest level among second-tier pills!"

"Even so, it's still a second-tier pill, and it even has the power to prolong life." Sun Yinxi's eyes were full of admiration. "Master Liu is right. Junior brother, you are good in every way, but you lack a bit of sharpness... Such a pill, and you only gave it the lousy name of 'Second-Tier Turtle Essence Pill'."

"It originally came from the Turtle Essence Pill."

"Then it should have a more impressive name. This elixir prolongs life, why not call it the Tortoise Longevity Elixir?"

Jiang Peng silently slurped up his noodles.

Why not call it Guishou Dan (Turtle Longevity Pill)?

Because after tasting the 'Second-Order Turtle Essence Pill' that day, images of alchemy immediately appeared in his mind.

It was still the same golden cauldron, and the same alchemist whose face was obscured.

In the new alchemy scene, several more kinds of spiritual materials are used, and the alchemy techniques are also more complex.

The resulting elixir was called the Longevity Elixir.

[Turtle Longevity Pill: Mid-grade, Rank 3, for prolonging life]

Clearly, Jiang Peng's initial guess was correct; the Guiyuan Pill was indeed simplified from a high-level pill.

But he didn't expect that the original version of the Turtle Essence Pill was actually a third-tier longevity elixir, a true treasure that could extend the lifespan of a Golden Core cultivator.

Seeing that Jiang Peng remained silent, Sun Yinxi didn't press the matter further.

She went into the kitchen, skillfully scooped out noodles, added gravy, stirred it well, and then sat down next to Jiang Peng with her bowl in hand.

"The Liu family invited us over," Sun Yinxi said casually.

"Is it time to discuss the matter of the Mysterious Heart Leaf?"

"Um."

After the meal, the two went to the Liu clan's territory again.

Led by Liu Xian, Jiang Peng and Sun Yinxi arrived at the main hall, where they met Liu Zhu, the clan chief who was waiting there.

Liu Zhu politely stood up to greet them, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, he led Jiang Peng and the other person to sit down.

"The Liu family has always maintained good relations with the Cangshan Sect, and the supply of Xuanxin leaves will remain unchanged." Liu Zhu immediately reassured Jiang Peng and the other person.

Then Liu Zhu looked at Jiang Peng.

"Afterwards, the Liu family will send younger members to join the Cangshan Sect... Liu Xian should have already told Friend Jiang that after the younger members of the clan enter the Cangshan Sect, they want to become disciples of Biwu Peak."

Jiang Peng gave a slight bow.

"My master is still alive, so I cannot agree to this matter directly."

Liu Zhu nodded and said, "Even if the Liu family disciples cannot learn the legacy of Senior Danyangzi, it is enough to receive guidance from Young Friend Jiang."

If that was all there was to it, Jiang Peng didn't hesitate any longer and immediately agreed.

But then he added, "However, my cultivation is almost at the peak of Qi Refining, and I will be preparing for Foundation Establishment in the next few years, so I won't have much free time."

“Cultivation is not something that can be accomplished overnight,” Liu Zhu said casually. “The Liu family never expects to produce a skilled alchemist in just one or two generations. Having operated in Bibo Port for hundreds of years, the Liu family may not have much else, but they certainly have plenty of patience.”

At this point, Liu Zhu took out two jade boxes containing spiritual materials from his storage bag.

"The two portions of Mystic Heart Leaf are here."

Seeing this, Sun Yinxi immediately handed a storage bag to Liu Zhu, which contained four hundred high-grade spirit stones.

In the Southern Mountain Region, the price of Xuanxin Leaf is generally around two hundred high-grade spirit stones, which is about twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones.

Prices fluctuate slightly depending on the quantity of each harvest, but generally stay within this range.

Including the auxiliary materials for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, the final price for refining a Foundation Establishment Pill is approximately 30,000 spirit stones.

Unfortunately, the Mysterious Heart Leaf is priceless and unavailable; even with spirit stones, it cannot be purchased.

Similarly, the Foundation Building Pill is also like that.

In reality, this is because the various sects and families in the Southern Mountain Region are secretly controlling the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Even the Northern Mountain Sect, which seems to send people to make a special trip for the sake of the Xuanxin Leaf, is actually one of the behind-the-scenes forces controlling the outflow of Foundation Establishment Pills.

After completing the transaction for the Xuanxin Leaf, Liu Zhu brought up another matter.

"The death of my brother Liu Zhi."

Liu Zhu tapped the table lightly.

"Over the years, it's not just your Cangshan Sect that's been investigating; the Liu family has also been secretly investigating this matter... My brother Liu Zhi is a kind-hearted person who never makes enemies, so it wasn't done by an enemy."

"He's traveled this route between Cangshan Sect and Bibo Harbor dozens of times over the past century, so why did something happen to him last time?"

Although Liu Zhu's tone remained calm when the matter was mentioned, Jiang Peng felt a chill run down her spine.

This was merely a chilling killing intent unintentionally revealed by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Soon, a warm feeling dispelled the murderous intent; it was Sun Yinxi who quietly came to Jiang Peng's rescue.

At the same time, Liu Zhu realized that Jiang Peng was only at the Qi Refining stage and apologized, "I've disturbed you, young friend Jiang."

"I am fine."

Liu Zhu continued, "After investigating this matter thoroughly, we finally found two clues."

"First, there is the Chen family on the west side of the mountain range."

"Chen Guo?" Sun Yinxi asked in surprise.

Liu Zhu nodded and added, "Secondly, Feiyan Tower."

Jiang Peng, who was standing next to her, narrowed her eyes.

Nearly ten years have passed since Elder Liu Zhi was injured, yet this matter is still connected to Fei Yan Lou.

"Please convey this message to Master Lü. My brother Liu Zhi cannot have died in vain. The Liu family will surely take revenge for this matter."

"The Cangshan Sect will not allow the culprit who severely injured Senior Brother Liu Zhi to roam freely outside," Sun Yinxi immediately replied.

Liu Zhu immediately took out a letter and handed it to Sun Yinxi.

Thus, the trip to Bibo Harbor came to a successful conclusion.

After leaving the Liu clan's territory, Jiang Peng and Sun Yinxi rested briefly in their small residence before preparing to head straight back to the Cangshan Sect.

After all, Xuanxin Leaf is still on my person, so I can only feel at ease if I send it back to the sect as soon as possible.

However, just as the two left Bibo Harbor, they encountered an unexpected person who stopped them.

The one blocking the way was the monk Miaoyin.

"This humble monk is going to visit a friend on the northern slope; may I ask if you two may accompany me?"

Jiang Peng and Sun Yinxi exchanged a glance.

The monk Miaoyin had a good reputation and was on good terms with Master Liu, so there was no concern that he might have malicious intentions.

Seeing that the two remained silent, Monk Miaoyin smiled and said, "There may be some twists and turns on the road, but I have always been happy to help others."