Extracting all things: My attributes grow infinitely.

Before Tie Xuan's body had even cooled down, the Starry Sky Mirror had already begun to shine.

The warm starlight surged into the lifeless body like a tide, the shattered bones reformed, and the broken meridians were reborn inch by inch.

A moment later, Tie Xuan opened his eyes, turned over and knelt down in front of Jiang Chuan.

"Greetings, Master."

His voice was respectful and devout, a stark contrast to the weapon refiner who had just moments before clamored to kill and plunder.

Jiang Chuan didn't look at him.

He was closing his eyes, feeling the newly surging, powerful true energy within his body.

The feedback from his fourth-stage Qi Refining cultivation was like a torrent bursting its banks, flowing into his limbs and bones along the enslavement mark on the Starry Sky Mirror.

The meridians widened continuously under the influence of true energy, and the amount of true energy stored in the dantian increased at an almost frantic rate.

In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, that true energy was completely stabilized.

Jiang Chuan slowly opened his eyes.

A faint glimmer of starlight flashed deep within his pupils.

He broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining so naturally.

"That's already at the fourth tier."

He muttered to himself, his tone tinged with emotion.

If those outer disciples who have painstakingly cultivated for a hundred years to barely reach the threshold of Qi Refining knew that someone had advanced three levels in just two years, their Dao hearts would probably shatter on the spot.

But Jiang Chuan knew very well that the path he was taking was completely different from normal cultivation.

He doesn't need to retreat into seclusion for arduous cultivation, nor does he need to comprehend the Great Dao.

They haven't even taken the step of accepting it yet.

All he had to do was one thing.

Find the right goal.

Control him.

Then they can sit back and reap the benefits.

"With my current strength, coupled with the Starry Sky Treasure Mirror, a top-grade spiritual artifact, I should be able to easily defeat a Qi Refining Stage 5 opponent."

Jiang Chuan quickly estimated his own combat strength in his mind.

Tie Xuan was at the fourth level of Qi Refining, but he couldn't even last the time it takes to drink a cup of tea in front of him.

While the amplification effect of the Starry Sky Mirror certainly played a role, the more important factor was that the Flower Serpent's [Measuring Heaven Light] divine ability precisely countered the cultivator's innate divine ability.

If the opponent were a fifth-level Qi Refining cultivator, the outcome would be uncertain.

However, with the added blessing of the Starry Sky Treasure Mirror's three forms.

His chances of winning are at least 70%.

"Skipping one level is the safest option."

Jiang Chuan secretly made his plans.

He used his fourth-level Qi Refining cultivation to fight against a fifth-level Qi Refining cultivator, and his magical treasures and divine abilities were enough to make up for the difference in their cultivation levels.

It would be risky to attempt a Qi Refining Stage 6 challenge, which would be two stages higher than the previous one.

He is not a gambler.

There is no need to take unnecessary risks.

Then, the next target becomes obvious.

Shen Henian, Qi Refining Stage 5.

This person was his prey from the very beginning.

This person has only been on the path of immortality for a little over forty years, yet his alchemy skills have already reached the second level of Earth Fire, and his talent for cultivation far surpasses that of the likes of Yun Danzi.

If Shen Henian hadn't failed to be selected in this alchemy competition, he would have been one of the most dazzling rising stars on Yuanling Mountain.

"Fifth level of Qi Refining, second level of Earth Fire, top-notch talent in cultivation, and outstanding mastery of alchemy."

The more Jiang Chuan thought about it, the more he felt that this person was practically tailor-made for his next target.

More importantly, he had already planted a pawn next to Shen Henian during the alchemist assessment.

This piece has never been used.

We've been waiting for this day.

Jiang Chuan glanced at Tie Xuan beside him and said, "Take me to your cave."

"yes!"

Tie Xuan responded respectfully.

His cave dwelling was located in a remote stone mountain outside the Immortal Alliance.

The scene inside the cave made Jiang Chuan raise an eyebrow slightly.

The four stone walls were covered with all kinds of magical artifacts, ranging from low-grade to mid-grade, roughly numbering no less than thirty or forty.

In the center was a refining furnace about half a person's height. The flames at the bottom of the furnace had not been completely extinguished, indicating that Tie Xuan was still refining something before leaving.

"Did you refine all of these?"

Jiang Chuan casually picked up a short knife, the blade gleaming with a faint, cold light.

It's in good condition.

Although it is only a low-grade spiritual weapon, the crafting technique is quite skillful.

"Reporting to Master, these were all refined by me in my spare time."

Tie Xuan quickly replied, "I have been immersed in the art of weapon crafting for over eighty years. Although I am not as good as those great weapon crafters in the inner sect, I still have some reputation in the outer sect."

Jiang Chuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the magical artifacts before finally settling on an inconspicuous wooden box in the corner of the cave.

The wooden box was entirely black, with no decorations on its surface, yet it exuded a chilling and unsettling aura.

"What is that?"

Tie Xuan followed his gaze, his expression changing slightly, but he still answered honestly, "Master, that's a box I use to store 'special materials'."

"Open."

Tie Xuan hesitated for a moment, but ultimately dared not disobey and stepped forward to open the box.

A strong stench of blood immediately filled the air. Inside the box, more than a dozen storage bags were piled up haphazardly, each one lingering with a faint trace of resentment.

Jiang Chuan picked up one of the storage bags and probed it with his divine sense.

There weren't many things inside: a few broken magical artifacts, a few bottles of ordinary-looking pills, and an identity token.

The token is engraved with a name: Zhao Yuanqing.

"You killed the owners of these storage bags?"

A layer of cold sweat beaded on Tie Xuan's forehead, and his voice trembled slightly: "Reporting to Master, I have been operating in the outer sect for many years, and occasionally... occasionally I encounter some ignorant cultivators who covet my weapon-refining skills and try to force me to sell them. I had no choice but to..."

"Alright, no need to explain."

Jiang Chuan threw the storage bag back into the box: "I'm not interested in your past deeds. As long as you follow my orders from now on, what can you do even if you're a heinous tyrant?"

Tie Xuan felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude.

Jiang Chuan walked around the cave and collected all the mid-grade spiritual artifacts.

Although these spiritual artifacts are not as good as that bronze mirror, they are still genuine mid-grade spiritual artifacts, perfect for serving as provisions for the Starry Sky Mirror.

After packing his things, he walked to the stone table in the center of the cave and sat down, taking out a communication jade talisman from his pocket.

"Wen Ziyu".

He sent a divine thought into the jade talisman, saying, "Come here to see me."

Wen Ziyu arrived very quickly.

This once highly anticipated alchemy genius still maintains his arrogant demeanor, looking down on everyone, but he is as submissive as a dog in front of Jiang Chuan.

"Your subordinate, Wen Ziyu, greets your master."

Jiang Chuan sat on the prayer mat, looking down at him, and asked bluntly, "How has your relationship with Shen Henian been these past six months?"

Wen Ziyu raised his head, a look of undisguised smugness on his face. "Reporting to Master, I have lived up to your expectations. Shen Henian is extremely satisfied with me and has clearly stated that he will formally accept me as his personal disciple."

"Oh?"

Jiang Chuan pondered for a moment.

Although Shen Henian was exceptionally talented in alchemy, he did not have a wide network of connections on Yuanling Mountain.

His eagerness to take Wen Ziyu as his apprentice was probably not solely due to his appreciation of Wen Ziyu's talent.

More importantly, because...

His defeat at the Dan conference made him realize his isolation and helplessness.

A fire alchemist without his own power base is ultimately like a tree without roots on Yuanling Mountain. He needs to cultivate a successor who can uphold his reputation, and Wen Ziyu happens to be the most suitable candidate.

……

Jiang Chuan confirmed some information about Shen Henian through Wen Ziyu.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind.

A plan to lure the snake out of its hole was thus devised.

He first called over another person.

Zhao Tian.

The Starry Sky Mirror trembled slightly, and a divine imprint lit up in the sea of ​​consciousness. A moment later, Zhao Tian appeared there.

This was a mole whom Shen Henian had planted by Yun Danzi's side for five years.

He is now one of Jiang Chuan's most loyal servants.

Jiang Chuan said, "Zhao Tian, ​​you were ordered by Shen Henian to infiltrate Yun Danzi's inner circle. He should have trusted the information you provided without a doubt."

"Exactly."

Zhao Tian replied, "I have been sending intelligence to Shen Henian every half month, and this has been going on without interruption for the past few years."

"very good."

Jiang Chuan nodded slightly and then assigned a task to someone.

After hearing this, Zhao Tian smiled knowingly, "Master is trying to lure the snake out of its hole."

"good."

Jiang Chuan said calmly, "Shen Henian is a cautious person. If you set a trap rashly, he will easily notice that something is wrong. But if you and Wen Ziyu join forces, I don't believe he will not take the bait."

Zhao Tian accepted the order and left.

Wen Ziyu remained kneeling in place, quietly waiting for Jiang Chuan's next instructions.

Jiang Chuan's gaze fell on him, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips. "Next, it's your turn to go on stage."

An hour later.

In Shen Henian's alchemy room on Yuanling Mountain.

Shen Henian sat cross-legged in front of a bronze alchemy furnace, with blue flames surging at the bottom, refining a batch of spiritual pills.

The gloom on his face had faded somewhat compared to six months ago.

Although the blow of failing to be selected in the Dan competition was heavy, his mood improved a lot after taking Wen Ziyu as his disciple.

If we wait another ten years, until the next Alchemy Conference is held, that will be the time for him to make a name for himself.

Just then, a communication jade talisman suddenly lit up.

Shen Henian probed with his divine sense, and his brows twitched slightly.

It was a message from Zhao Tian.

He probed the jade talisman with his divine sense, and after a moment, an undisguised look of surprise appeared on his handsome face.

"A thousand-year-old spirit mushroom?"

He muttered to himself, a burning glint in his eyes.

The Thousand-Year Spirit Fire Mushroom is a top-grade main ingredient for refining precious pills, a rare item that even Earth Fire Alchemists would fight tooth and nail to obtain.

Zhao Tian said in the interrogation.

Yun Danzi discovered this Ganoderma lucidum in a secret realm in the southwest.

Yun Danzi originally intended to keep it all for himself, but there was an extremely troublesome restriction on the outer perimeter of that secret realm, which he was unable to break with his cultivation level. Therefore, he had no choice but to temporarily retreat to the alchemy room.

"Old Ghost Yun really got lucky."

Shen Henian snorted coldly and tapped his knee lightly with his fingers a few times.

He did not doubt Zhao Tian's intelligence; for the past six months, Zhao Tian had been reporting Yun Danzi's movements to him every two weeks.

But he didn't rush to set off.

Although the Thousand-Year Spirit Fire Mushroom is precious, there are too many variables in the secret realm, and it would be unwise to rush in rashly.

He needs to send someone to verify this first.

Who should we send?

Shen Henian pondered for a moment.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the alchemy room.

Wen Ziyu pushed open the door and entered, bowing respectfully.

"Master, what are your instructions for summoning me here?"

Shen Henian raised his head and looked at his prized disciple.

He had witnessed Wen Ziyu's progress in alchemy over the past six months. The boy was exceptionally talented, quick-witted, and, most importantly, extremely respectful to his master.

"Ziyu, I have something to ask you to do."

Shen Henian briefly recounted the information Zhao Tian had sent, then took out a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it over.

"Go to that secret realm and verify for your master whether the Spirit Fire Mushroom really exists."

Wen Ziyu took the jade slip, probed it with his divine sense, and a perfectly timed look of surprise appeared on his face.

"A thousand-year-old spirit fire mushroom? That's an extremely rare treasure!"

"That's why I need you to go," Shen Henian said slowly. "But you must also remember that your cultivation is still shallow. If there is danger in that secret realm, you don't need to force your way in. Just make sure the Ganoderma lucidum is there."

"Disciple understands!"

Wen Ziyu put the jade slip into his sleeve, bowed, and turned to leave the alchemy room.

Shen Henian watched his figure disappear outside the door and nodded slightly.

This disciple is reliable and trustworthy.

Wen Ziyu's trip lasted a whole day.

Shen Henian wasn't in a hurry.

If the Thousand-Year Spirit Fire Mushroom were so easy to obtain, Yun Danzi would have gotten it long ago, and it wouldn't have been his turn.

The communication jade talisman did not light up again until the evening of the following day.

Shen Henian probed with his divine sense, and Wen Ziyu's urgent voice immediately rang out in his sea of ​​consciousness.

"Master! Your disciple has confirmed that a Ganoderma lucidum does indeed grow in that secret realm!"

His voice was extremely rapid, tinged with an undisguised urgency, "But that Ganoderma lucidum isn't the thousand-year-old Spirit Fire Ganoderma! It's...it's..."

"But what?"

Shen Henian frowned.

"It's a ten-thousand-year-old Purple Gold Fungus! And it has grown for at least tens of thousands of years, making it an absolute top-grade treasure!"

Wen Ziyu's excited voice didn't seem fake.

Shen Henian suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with an uncontrollable, intense light.

Ten-thousand-year-old purple-gold mushroom!

That is a rare and precious ingredient!

If he could use it as the main ingredient to refine a top-grade precious pill, he could even increase his chances of success by 20% when he establishes his foundation in the future!

He turned and strode towards the door, simultaneously demanding sharply into the communication jade talisman, "Where is that Ganoderma lucidum?!"

"It's right there in that secret realm!"

Wen Ziyu's voice grew increasingly urgent, "But there's an ancient restriction within that secret realm, and my cultivation isn't high enough to break it!"

Shen Henian paused for a moment.

"good!"

He said decisively, "You stay there and keep watch; I'll set off right now!"

The light on the communication jade talisman slowly faded.

Shen Henian stood at the entrance of the alchemy room, taking a deep breath to forcefully suppress his surging emotions.

A thousand-year-old purple-gold mushroom, a top-grade precious material.

This opportunity came at just the right time.

He turned and walked to a stone cabinet in the corner of the alchemy room. He took out a palm-sized jade box from the cabinet, which contained several high-grade barrier-breaking talismans.

These barrier-breaking talismans were acquired from the inner market by him at the cost of most of his savings. They were specially prepared to break ancient restrictions, and using them on the ten-thousand-year-old Purple Gold Mushroom was making the best use of them.

He put the jade box into his sleeve and was about to leave when he suddenly stopped.

How could a thousand-year-old Spirit Fire Mushroom turn into a ten-thousand-year-old Purple Gold Mushroom?

The thought involuntarily flashed through his mind.

But he quickly dismissed his doubts.

Zhao Tian was his informant, and the intelligence he had passed on over the past six months had never been flawed.

Wen Ziyu was his personally taught disciple; it's impossible that the two of them conspired to deceive him.

"Perhaps it was just a mistake that was identified."

Shen Henian shook his head, stopped thinking about it, and strode out of the alchemy room.

A streak of blue light shot up through the air on the mountain road, speeding off in the southwest direction.