Extracting all things: My attributes grow infinitely.

The last rays of the nine-round blazing sun had not yet dissipated from the cave.

Jiang Chuan withdrew his hand, feeling the surge in his cultivation level.

Fifth stage of Qi Refining.

Things will fall into place naturally.

"A top-grade spiritual weapon, what a pity."

Jiang Chuan glanced at the scattered fragments of the Green Wood King Cauldron and clicked his tongue expressionlessly.

If this high-grade spiritual artifact remains intact, it can be used to feed the Starry Sky Treasure Mirror.

Shen Henian, kneeling to the side, quickly said, "Master, it's no pity! This cauldron is my natal magic weapon. It only needs to be refined with my lifeblood for another three to five years to be restored to its original state!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuan turned his head and looked at Shen Henian, whose face was full of unwavering loyalty, and asked directly, "Do you know any cultivators at the sixth level of Qi Refining? Preferably the kind who have a low profile and can disappear for a while without anyone noticing."

Shen Henian immediately understood his meaning and, with a troubled expression, advised, "Master, this matter is probably not appropriate."

"You are unaware of this."

"Within the Immortal Alliance, the fifth level of Qi Refining is an invisible threshold."

"Once you cross this threshold, it means there is a great chance of laying a foundation in the future."

"Such talents are either already inner disciples or have caught the eye of an inner elder or mountain lord."

"Taking action against them could very well backfire!"

His words were sincere.

Given his current status, it's even less likely that he would deceive himself.

Jiang Chuan nodded, somewhat regretfully. It seemed that this unorthodox path of rapid advancement could not be continued for the time being.

but.

He has another wicked path!

Subduing Shen Henian and acquiring his knowledge of alchemy is secondary.

This person has only been cultivating for a few decades, yet his cultivation level has already reached the fifth stage of Qi Refining. Even if we disregard his dazzling title as a genius in alchemy, he is still an absolute genius in cultivation!

Shen Henian's understanding of cultivation far surpasses that of the flower snake.

With his addition.

This will undoubtedly allow us to further improve the Blood God Transformation Technique!

Jiang Chuan did not waste his value and immediately assigned him a task.

The next two months.

With the combined efforts of Shen Henian and Hua She, the improved version of the "Blood God Transformation Technique" was further refined, increasing the efficiency of spiritual energy refining by a full 30%.

This means that with the same number of disciples, it is now possible to condense higher-grade spiritual energy!

Jiang Chuan also recruited nearly a hundred more low-level disciples through Shen Henian's connections.

Most of these people are the most inconspicuous members of the outer sect, and some of them never even reach the threshold of acceptance in their entire lives.

But in Jiang Chuan's hands, they acquired a different kind of value!

The second, third-grade [Qi in the Furnace] was refined.

The third way...

When refining the fourth [Furnace Qi], Shen Henian modified the technique again, and the final [Furnace Qi] he condensed actually reached the third grade, third level, which was half a grade higher than the previous three!

"Four Paths, Three Grades of Qi in the Furnace!"

Jiang Chuan sat cross-legged in the secret chamber of the alchemy room, with four bright white lights floating in front of him.

Each ray of light radiated an intensely hot aura.

Four orbs of light slowly rotated in front of him, pushing the surrounding temperature to a level that even ordinary Qi Refining cultivators could not withstand.

Shen Henian and Hua She stood to the side. The former spoke, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "According to my calculations, if Master can devour these four third-grade [Furnace Qi] together, the primordial Qi he ultimately condenses will be at least second-grade, third-level. With a bit of luck, he might even reach the threshold of second-grade, second-level!"

"Second Rank, Third Tier..."

Jiang Chuan repeated the number to himself, a barely concealed burning desire flashing in his eyes.

But his greed was not satisfied.

"What are you still hesitating about, Master?"

The flower snake couldn't help but speak.

She just couldn't understand it.

The second grade of primordial Qi is a grade that most cultivators wouldn't even dare to dream of.

Looking across the entire Immortal Alliance, those who can refine a second-grade Origin Qi are probably few and far between among Foundation Establishment True Immortals!

Jiang Chuan raised his eyelids and glanced at her.

He then asked, "Is it possible to refine it to an even higher quality?"

The flower snake was taken aback.

He subconsciously turned his head to look at Shen Henian.

Shen Henian frowned slightly, pondered for a moment before speaking, "Master, refining another third-grade Qi from the furnace might raise the final grade by a small level, but the risk of you suffering a backlash will also increase!"

"And please forgive my bluntness."

"Although there's a small difference between Rank 2, Stage 2 and Rank 2, Stage 1, the actual difference in their assistance to Foundation Establishment isn't significant!"

After a long silence, Jiang Chuan finally said, "What I want is not second-grade, first-level, but first-grade!"

"this……"

Shen Henian gave a wry smile. He exchanged a glance with the flower snake before carefully speaking, "Master, it's not that I'm unwilling to help, but... first-grade spiritual energy simply doesn't exist."

"Does not exist?"

Jiang Chuan cast an inquiring glance at him.

Shen Henian sighed before slowly explaining, "First-grade spiritual energy is called 'Source Qi,' which originates from the primordial energy born at the beginning of the creation of the world."

"It is said that there are only forty-nine innate primordial energies in the world."

"Every one used is one less."

"From ancient times to the present."

"It has already been almost completely consumed."

"Of the three source energies I know of, one transformed into the Sun Star, one into the Moon Star, and the whereabouts of the third are unknown."

"As for the first-grade spiritual energy that cultivators talk about, it is actually just a derivative that has been tainted with a trace of 'source qi'. To put it bluntly, it is at most second-grade first level."

Jiang Chuan suddenly realized, and upon hearing this, he also suddenly remembered an old story.

The opening of the "True Fire Alchemy Record of the Sun" states: "The sun is the origin of all yang, the source of the ultimate yang of heaven and earth."

He initially thought it was just exaggerated embellishment of the technique.

Looking back now.

The sun itself was originally formed from a first-grade source of Qi!

Thinking about this, Jiang Chuan understood perfectly well that his attempt to recreate the first-grade Origin Qi through acquired means was utterly impossible.

after all.

How many people would he need to refine to reach the terrifying power of the Sun Star?!

"No wonder, even someone as powerful as the Crimson Blaze True Lord only had two strands of second-grade spiritual energy left in his Daoist scriptures."

Jiang Chuan sighed deeply.

He turned around, his gaze falling on the four third-grade [Furnace Qi] surrounding him. He remained silent for a moment before speaking again: "You just said that there are still three first-grade source Qi in the world. One has transformed into the Sun Star, one into the Moon Star, and the whereabouts of the other are unknown."

"Exactly."

"Is there any clue about that one path that has disappeared without a trace?"

Shen Henian's expression changed slightly: "Master, you wouldn't be thinking of... finding that Origin Qi, would you?"

Jiang Chuan pursed his lips.

A bead of sweat appeared on Shen Henian's forehead. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Master, that Source Qi has been lost since ancient times. Countless Golden Core True Monarchs have spent their entire lives searching for its whereabouts without success. In my opinion, it would be safer for you to refine this Second Grade Furnace Qi first. As for the Source Qi, we can discuss it further after you have established your Foundation..."

You're overthinking it.

Jiang Chuan interrupted him casually: "I was just asking casually. Second-grade Foundation Establishment is enough. First-grade and such are just some vague legends. I'm not that ignorant."

Shen Henian breathed a sigh of relief and quickly bowed, saying, "Master is wise."

A faint look of helplessness appeared on Jiang Chuan's face; what he had just said wasn't entirely false.

It's not that they don't know their own limitations.

Rather, it's because he knew all too well what he was doing.

The second- or third-grade furnace qi is an opportunity for any cultivator to achieve instant advancement.

If it were him who had just joined the Immortal Alliance a year ago, he probably would have refined it without saying a word.

But he is no longer the novice who knew nothing about cultivation.

The more you understand the rules of this world.

The more he understands, the more he realizes it.

Some thresholds, once crossed, offer no turning back.

"That's enough."

Jiang Chuan shook off the unrealistic thought in his mind.

It's a second-rank official.

but.

The quality of the Qi in this furnace can be improved even further!

Four paths and three grades of Qi in the furnace.

Even with good luck, one can only refine a single rank-two, second-stage Origin Qi.

What if it's condensed from five or six paths?

There are definitely some differences.

Even if it's only one level higher, that's still a real improvement.

However, as Shen Henian said, the risk of being burned to ashes by the backlash increases with each additional Qi he refines in the furnace.

He needs to be careful to strike a balance in this matter.

He pondered for a long time.

Jiang Chuan finally made up his mind.

Let's refine it again!

At that time, the Qi from the five third-grade furnaces will be absorbed together, and the primordial Qi after being condensed and unified will at least reach the level of second grade first stage!

Having made up his mind, he no longer hesitated and instructed the two men to continue searching for suitable candidates.

But just a few days later...

An unexpected message suddenly arrived.

Jiang Chuan took out a communication jade talisman from his pocket. The talisman was vibrating slightly, and his expression changed slightly after seeing its shape.

Bai Qiuhan.

There was still a year and a half until the time they had agreed upon. What did he want to do by sending this message now?

Jiang Chuan suddenly had a bad feeling.

He opened the messaging app.

An illusory scene immediately unfolded before my eyes.

As expected of an inner disciple, even the communication jade talisman includes real-time video feeds...

An untimely thought flashed through Jiang Chuan's mind.

The scene depicts a dark stone chamber, its walls covered with dense array patterns. In the center, on a cold jade bed, sits a tall, slender figure, his legs crossed.

Bai Qiuhan still had that sinister yet handsome appearance.

But Jiang Chuan frowned after just one glance.

wrong.

His aura was even weaker than when they last met, and his face was shrouded in an extremely subtle ashen color, like a candle flame about to be extinguished.

"Senior Brother Bai, how have you been?"

Jiang Chuan cupped his hands in greeting, his face remaining expressionless, but several thoughts were already racing through his mind.

Bai Qiuhan's injuries are more severe than they were a year ago.

This shows that the backlash from his failed attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage has not been effectively contained.

This might be a good thing for me.

"Junior Brother Jiang."

Bai Qiuhan's voice came from the light screen, tinged with a hint of weariness: "It's been a long time. Junior Brother's aura has become even more refined. Your cultivation progress is much faster than I expected."

"You flatter me, senior brother."

Jiang Chuan responded verbally, but his heart seemed to skip a beat.

The Starry Sky Treasure Mirror's [Deceive Heaven] feature can shield the Foundation Establishment Realm's deductions, making it impossible for Bai Qiuhan to know what happened on his side through causal tracing.

The only explanation is that the other party deduced his progress directly from the changes in his aura.

That level of insight is truly terrifying.

Jiang Chuan then changed the subject: "I wonder if there's any progress on that matter, Senior Brother?"

Bai Qiuhan's smile faded slightly. He remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Junior Brother Lieyang, I made a three-year agreement with you, intending to give you enough time to improve your alchemy skills. But now it seems I can't wait that long."

Jiang Chuan's heart skipped a beat: "What does Senior Brother mean?"

Bai Qiuhan said, "The three-year period we agreed on will probably have to be brought forward."

Jiang Chuan fell silent immediately.

He certainly knew what Bai Qiuhan's words meant.

The Nine-Turn Life-Extending Pill is a Xuan Dan-level pill, and only a Heavenly Fire Alchemist is confident in refining it!

Although he had absorbed the lifelong alchemical knowledge of Meng Yangyu and Shen Henian.

However, they are clearly still far from meeting the requirements of a Heavenly Fire Alchemist.

More importantly, once the elixir is refined, Bai Qiuhan will have no more scruples, and it's uncertain whether he, as the insider, will even survive.

But he has no right to refuse right now.

Communication ended.

Jiang Chuan's face grew increasingly gloomy.

Bai Qiuhan's urging was even more urgent than he had imagined; the agreed-upon time for alchemy was just seven days from now.

His condition is deteriorating.

Or is it that,

He's already realized he's gradually slipping out of control?!

If it were the latter, he would have to be on guard... but facing someone at the ninth level of Qi Refining, or even someone who had half a hand on the Foundation Establishment realm, what could he possibly guard against?!

Jiang Chuan suddenly raised his head, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

After a while.

He arrived at the hidden cave of the flower snake.

The flower snake, who was guarding the place, quickly stood up when it saw him arrive and said, "Master, Alchemist Shen is currently searching for a suitable candidate. It will take at least a month to refine the fifth batch of Qi in the furnace..."

"I can't wait any longer."

Jiang Chuan stated directly, "Open the door! I want to refine the primordial Qi right now!"

The flower snake didn't know what had happened, but dared not disobey Jiang Chuan's orders, so it quickly opened the cave's protective barrier.

A wave of scorching flames suddenly rushed out of the cave.

Jiang Chuan instructed Hua She to keep watch outside.

They then entered the cave.

The cave was filled with intense light, and the terrifying heat instantly turned his clothes to ashes.

Relying on his [Sun Dao Body], Jiang Chuan ignored the effects of the high temperature and sat cross-legged in the center of the cave.

Then he waved his hand.

The four paths and three grades of [Qi in the Furnace] flew directly to his front.

Jiang Chuan took a deep breath, and the method of condensing and unifying flashed through his mind.

"bring it on!"

The stars behind his head rippled outwards, and the bright starlight transformed into a silvery mist that enveloped the four [Furnace Qi] completely. The improved [Blood God Transformation Technique] began to operate within his body.

boom!!

An overwhelming and terrifying aura suddenly erupted from Jiang Chuan's body!

The aura, as tangible as a physical entity, pierced through the isolation array of the cave, penetrated the layers of mountain cliffs, and soared into the sky!

Above the cave, hundreds of feet of clouds were stirred by an invisible force, slowly forming an enormous vortex of spiritual energy.

Within the vortex, four bright, fiery dragon phantoms could be faintly seen roaring and surging.

finally.

They merged into a bright, divine rainbow that pierced through heaven and earth!