Chapter 18: Exchanging for the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade
"Ah, it appears that both Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian exercise caution."
"They've activated a shielding formation while discussing the alchemy manual inheritance."
"When the subject of inheritance arises, they'll undoubtedly reveal their own backgrounds."
"This surely involves numerous original plot lines that hold great significance to me."
Jiang Chen murmured to himself, "It seems essential to take a peek..."
Having made up his mind,
He immediately set out to devise a solution.
The formation method selected by Qiu Liaoxi was effective, yet not overly advanced.
Otherwise, the formation method alone might arouse suspicion and invite trouble.
Therefore,
With Jiang Chen's Middle-stage Spiritual Awakening Realm divine sense, he could forcibly breach the formation if close enough.
However, doing so would inevitably create a disturbance and reveal his presence.
Enlisting his uncle Jiang Xingtai's help would undoubtedly allow him to easily see through the formation.
Nonetheless, as the head of the Jiang Clan, Jiang Xingtai is a busy man, and with the conversation in the room about to commence, it's too late to summon him.
Moreover, Jiang Chen prefers to minimize involvement, lest unexpected variables arise.
"I must amplify my divine sense."
Jiang Chen immediately issued an inward command, "Open the System Mall!"
Instantly,
A window panel materialized.
Jiang Chen promptly accessed the "Artifacts" and "Others" categories, seeking the treasure he required.
Before long,
He discovered an auxiliary treasure to amplify his divine sense: the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade.
The Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade is priced at 600 Villain Value points!
This is more expensive than an ordinary Spiritual Awakening Realm secret technique.
However, it can significantly amplify divine sense to the level of a half-step Mysterious Platform Realm and can be used repeatedly.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, it is very high!
"System."
Jiang Chen issued the command without hesitation, "Redeem the 'Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade'!"
[Ding! Deducting 600 Villain Value points, successfully redeeming the 'Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade'!]
Immediately,
A small, flame-shaped, flat black jade stone materialized in Jiang Chen's hand, radiating a faint glow.
Without hesitation, Jiang Chen swiftly pressed the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade against his forehead.
Instantly, the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade melded into his skin, creating a black flame-like pattern.
"Divine sense, activate!"
Jiang Chen inhaled deeply and channeled all his divine sense into the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade.
Immediately,
The divine sense grew much denser; while the total amount diminished considerably, the quality vastly improved.
In no time,
It attained the level of half-step Mysterious Platform.
It is worth noting that the highest realm cultivator in Autumn Glory City merely reached the Mysterious Platform Realm.
Subsequently,
With a mere thought, Jiang Chen's divine sense stealthily permeated the formation of the room in Vast Spirit Residence.
Within the room,
Qiu Liaoxi and Lin Feng sat facing each other.
Ning Xian, on the other hand, sat to the side, maintaining a composed expression.
"Lin Feng,"
Qiu Liaoxi began as she produced an alchemy manual, "Ning Xian and I hail from the neighboring Bright Cloud Continent, the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain..."
Lin Feng listened attentively.
As it turned out,
The Ning Clan was once one of the major families from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain in the Bright Cloud Continent. However, due to a book called 'Thousand Green Pill Heart Records', they endured a tremendous catastrophe.
Consequently, the Ning Clan was decimated.
Only Ning Xian, with the assistance of Qiu Liaoxi, managed to escape. They fled to the Mysterious Truth Continent and sought refuge in Autumn Glory City.
They have been in hiding for fifteen years!
"This Thousand Green Pill Heart Records is now entrusted to you."
"With it comes the inherited karma, so never forget the enmity of the Ning Clan!"
Qiu Liaoxi pushed the alchemy manual toward Lin Feng and spoke gravely.
"Rest assured, Master, and rest assured, Ning Xian!"
"Those who have wronged you shall suffer a fate worse than death!"
Lin Feng appeared resolute. His temperament had been fiery lately, and his words carried a slight chill.
"Good."
"I have faith in you!"
Qiu Liaoxi nodded, and a smile emerged on her aged face.
With Lin Feng's Medicinal Spirit Body and the 'Thousand Green Pill Heart Records,' the likelihood of exacting revenge was significantly high!
Subsequently,
Lin Feng took the alchemy manual in hand.
Alongside it was a secret key, specifically designed for accessing the manual's content.
Without the secret key, merely possessing the alchemy manual would not unlock its knowledge.
Instantly,
With the secret key in hand, Lin Feng commenced reading the alchemy manual!
He channeled his modest divine sense, activated the secret key, and then probed the alchemy manual, immediately uncovering a wealth of alchemy knowledge!
The alchemy manual cataloged tens of thousands of spiritual plants and various materials for medicinal use.
Additionally, it contained a vast number of alchemy formulas.
There were formulas for cultivation, healing, body forging... all sorts of formulas.
Furthermore, the knowledge within the alchemy manual transcended the Heavenly Origin Realm, reaching the Inquiring Journey Realm!
With Lin Feng's possession of the Burning World Red Lotus, his alchemy talent was already unparalleled.
A cursory glance, and he had already absorbed numerous formulas!
"Fantastic!"
"With my alchemy talent, I can definitely become an alchemy grandmaster!"
"Alchemy grandmasters are always esteemed guests wherever they go, never lacking in cultivation resources!"
"As a result, I can advance to higher realms more rapidly!"
"..."
Lin Feng was overjoyed and continued to absorb the knowledge in the alchemy manual like a parched sponge soaking up water.
In a nearby courtyard,
Jiang Chen found himself deep in thought.
"Thousand Green Pill Heart Records!"
"The Ning Clan was originally a major clan in the Bright Cloud Continent, surely not weaker than my Jiang Clan."
"For such a force to collapse, it seems that this alchemy manual is truly extraordinary."
"Regrettably, the knowledge within the alchemy manual can only be accessed with a secret key, rendering theft impossible."
Jiang Chen rubbed his chin, lost in contemplation.
Lin Feng's acquisition of the alchemy manual would undoubtedly bring him immense benefits.
However, he didn't regret refraining from preventing Lin Feng from apprenticing under Qiu Liaoxi initially.
Ning Xian was clearly a crucial part of Lin Feng's main storyline.
Could the main storyline be altered so easily?
By thwarting Lin Feng's apprenticeship, his protagonist status might likely trigger other variables, causing the main storyline to persist.
Furthermore, such actions could potentially antagonize Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, significantly escalating the challenge of winning Ning Xian over.
It simply wasn't worth the risk.
Thus, Jiang Chen did not intervene when Lin Feng sought apprenticeship under Qiu Liaoxi.
If Lin Feng acquired the alchemy manual, so be it.
Transforming knowledge into combat prowess required time and resources, enough to keep him preoccupied.
"In the upcoming period,"
"Lin Feng will surely dedicate his time to studying and cultivating."
"I too need to focus on my own cultivation and improvement. Strength is the foundation, even compared to schemes!"
Jiang Chen's eyes sparkled, and he retracted his divine sense.
Utilizing the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade to amplify his divine sense and continuously observing the scene beyond the formation for an extended period placed a substantial strain on him.
However,
Though he had temporarily halted his all-encompassing surveillance of Vast Spirit Residence, it did not imply that he would overlook everything.
Near Vast Spirit Residence, the eyes of Jiang Clan cultivators covertly monitored the area.
As for Ning Xian, Jiang Chen would not let his guard down.
He took out his transmission jade token.
Jiang Chen instructed the Jiang Clan cultivators to search for patients to be sent to Vast Spirit Residence for treatment, under the pretense of attending to the business of Vast Spirit Residence.
In reality, this was to keep Ning Xian occupied and minimize her time spent with Lin Feng.
Furthermore,
These patients presented rather challenging ailments.
Lin Feng, having only just embarked on the path of alchemy, could not partake in treatments at such a level, thus preventing any opportunity to collaborate with Ning Xian.
With this double safeguard,
Lin Feng would certainly be unable to establish closer contact with Ning Xian.
Jiang Chen was aware that Lin Feng's growth would be rapid, and this method wouldn't hinder him for long.
However,
His own rate of development was not to be underestimated either!
Exiting the courtyard and entering a secluded chamber,
Jiang Chen sat down and retrieved eight pills from the Moondust Ring, all of which were of Top Grade quality.
These were Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pills!
It should be noted that each refined pill had four quality grades: Low, Middle, Upper, and Top Grade.
The higher the quality grade, the more potent the medicinal power, with a vast difference between each grade.
Top Grade quality was the finest!
Without hesitation, Jiang Chen picked up a Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pill and popped it into his mouth.