Wasted Spiritual Root to Embark on Demonic Cultivation

Chapter 25

”There’s no Supreme Cold Blood Pill available. The sect’s treasure vault releases only a few bottles each year, and they can only be exchanged with contribution points. Last year, the price was around one thousand.”

Wang Yu frowned deeply.

”One bottle?”

Normally, pills are sold by the bottle, each containing nine pills. Only those with special effects, such as the Foundation Establishment Pill or the Core Formation Pill, used to break through realms—are sold individually.

There are also pills for dispelling illusions, enhancing divine sense, or cultivating special techniques, and so on.

Hearing Wang Yuʼs question, the person couldnʼt help but roll their eyes.

”One pill.

”The Cold Blood Pill isn’t a typical pill for boosting cultivation. Its effects last a whole year. Depending on its grade, the benefits vary.

”Low-grade and mid-grade pills can increase spiritual power by around ten to twenty strands. After consuming five pills, the effects completely wear off.

”High-grade pills can boost around forty strands of spiritual power. They take a long time to refine, and after about nine pills, a pill barrier will form.
”Supreme-grade Cold Blood Pills can increase eighty to one hundred strands of spiritual power. A Qi Refining mid-stage cultivator would need to meditate for a full year to completely digest one. They must be used together with Fasting Pills. After twelve pills, a pill barrier will form.”

The so-called pill barrier is often misunderstood as pill poison.

That’s not the case. Pills are refined from the essence of heaven and earth using intricate alchemical techniques. How could there be any toxicity?

However, taking too many causes the body to develop resistance, which is referred to as the pill barrier.

It is a restriction imposed by heaven and earth on the path of alchemy. Otherwise, everyone could ascend just by consuming pills, losing the true essence of cultivation.

The Cold Blood Pill has excellent effects and is tailor-made for cultivators practicing the Cold Blood Technique. Its price is considered extremely high among first-rank pills.

After a quick calculation, Wang Yu realized it would be more economical to refine the pills himself.

So he asked again:

”Will taking low or mid-grade Coldblood Pills affect the results of using high-grade ones later?”

”Of course it will. After all, itʼs the same pill. The medicinal properties are the same. If you can, itʼs best to take the high-grade ones directly. If you have connections, you can ask around at the treasure vault.”

After understanding the situation, Wang Yu bought three kinds of auxiliary herbs. The remaining spirit stones on him were completely spent, leaving only two hundred contribution points.

Actually, it would’ve been best for him to buy and use a high-grade Cold Blood Pill first. Refining alchemical techniques takes time, and each Cold Blood Pill requires a year to refine internally. The two timelines match perfectly.

This would help fill the Idle Slot in Wang Yu’s cultivation and prevent him from making no progress.

Moreover, gaining forty strands of spiritual power would significantly boost his cultivation. Combined with the Idle Slot function, it could shorten his breakthrough time to within three years.

That pace was completely acceptable.

”Five hundred spirit stones...”

Clutching his resolve to make money, Wang Yu began planning his major initiative. Since he had chosen the path of an alchemist, refining pills was the most suitable way to earn money.

Reaching perfection in the Cold Blood Pill would take only half a year. He had to wait until his alchemy skill reached full mastery before he could truly begin refining it. So Slot No. 3 would have a six-month window, which could be repurposed in the meantime.

”Fasting Pill, Spirit Recovery Pill, Yin Nourishment Pill, Flesh Regeneration Pill.”

He mentally listed the more popular first-rank pills. Wang Yu was ready to make another trip to the Alchemy Hall. The formulas for these were inexpensive, as they were common recipes known to many.

While walking through the Evil God Market, someone suddenly stopped him.

”Wang Yu?”

Because of previous encounters, Wang Yu immediately grew alert.

”And you are?”

”You should’ve heard of me. Su Qingshan.”

His appearance was plain and unremarkable, his skin slightly dark, but his eyes were exceptionally sharp, brimming with edge and clarity. The whole person exuded confidence and vitality, enough for one to overlook his otherwise ordinary looks.

”It is actually Brother Su in person. Forgive my rudeness.”

”Forgive my boldness. Might I request the honor of sharing a drink with you?”

…

…

Eight Treasures House.

A spirit-food tavern run by the Evil God Market, rumored to be privately owned by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Its spirit food was known for its excellent effects, though the prices were a bit steep.

At this moment, however, twelve dishes were lavishly laid out. Mountain delicacies and seafood, fine wine and exquisite dishes—all of it left Wang Yu feeling flattered and surprised.

After all, the latter was a prodigy who had made a name for himself in the last Outer Sect Grand Tournament, and after aligning with a Core Disciple, had already broken through to the late stage of Qi Refining.

He had chosen a different path than simply advancing through disciple ranks.

From the start, he had set his sights on the position of Deacon. Regardless of being an outer or inner sect disciple, as long as one broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, one could serve as a Deacon within the sect, receiving a private estate granted by the sect or being allocated land and property to manage as they pleased.

This was often the path taken by cultivators with no background. Those with any connections would aim to become a Core Disciple instead, as the resources available to a Nascent Soul seed far surpassed what a Deacon could ever obtain.

If Wang Yu wanted to develop long-term within the Blood Reversal Sect, this was the only path available to him.

They raised their cups and drank.

”I wonder how Brother Su managed to find me, and for what reason.”

Su Qingshan smiled.

”Your head of white hair really stands out among the disciples. Itʼs hard not to notice. As for why I sought you out, I have a matter to invite you to join. Interested?”

Wang Yu showed a look of realization and made a mental note to wear a hooded black robe next time he went out. ”Please, go on.”

Taking a bite of tender, juicy spirit bamboo shoots, Su Qingshan raised his brows and said, ”How about dealing with Zhao Shang?”

Wang Yuʼs heart stirred. It seemed this one had also been exploited by Zhao Shang, though he kept a calm face and even appeared somewhat bitter.

”Brother Su must be joking. I am merely in the early stage of Qi Refining. How could I possibly deal with Zhao Shang?”

”Naturally, I will handle it. I heard that your room in the Essence Qi Chamber at Ice and Snow Pavilion was taken by him and shamelessly sold to someone else. Are you not angry?”

”And what if I am.” Wang Yu tried the spirit dish prepared in braised pork style. His eyes lit up, and he helped himself to a few more pieces.

With Su Qingshanʼs strength, he had been able to defeat an eighth-layer Qi Refining cultivator while still in the sixth layer. Now having broken through to late-stage Qi Refining, his chances against Zhao Shang were considerable.

After Wang Yu had eaten a few more bites, Su Qingshan finally spoke.

”You are on good terms with True Disciple Su. If you pretend to make a trip up to Cold Blood Peak, Zhao Shang will surely panic. If he gives chase...”

Su Qingshan made a slashing gesture across his throat, the killing intent clear.

The plan sounded crude, but it was quite practical.

The success rate was not low. However, Wang Yu countered with a question.

”Brother Su, you were personally recognized by a True Disciple during the Outer Sect Grand Tournament and are especially skilled in combat techniques. Your connections should be stronger than mine. Why not go through them?”

Su Qingshan paused mid-pour and narrowed his eyes.

”It is not that I don’t want to, but that I can’t. Among the ten True Disciples of Cold Blood Peak, one of them has recently risen to prominence and is about to attempt Core Formation. The True Disciples’ focus is no longer on people like us.”

Drinking a spoonful of spirit fish soup, Wang Yu nodded.

”Exactly. That is why Zhao Shang acts with impunity and exploits others at will.

”True Disciples stand too high above us. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator from Ice and Snow Pavilion is more intimidating.”

”Then what Brother Wang means is—”

”My apologies.”

Wang Yu stood and clasped his hands in salute.

”It is not that I am unwilling, but my cultivation is too low. If I could break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining and have at least some ability to protect myself, then I would consider this.

”But right now, I’m only at the third layer of Qi Refining. Zhao Shang could kill me with a flick of his hand. The risk is far too great. I hope Brother Su understands.”

”If that is the case, I will not press the matter. Let us eat.”