Chapter 137: Spirit-Extending Pill

Now that the Dragon Serpent Sword had been successfully forged, Yang Xiao made a request, saying, "Next, I would like to refine some medicinal pills on my own. I wonder if Lady Lingling would be so kind as to lend me this artifact-forging chamber?"

"Since it comes to refining pills, I am afraid I can be of little help, as no one in our family has ever practiced alchemy. Therefore, I shall wait for you in the outer room, and Brother Yang Xiao may forge to his heart's content right here," Lingling readily agreed.

With that, Lingling left the room. Yang Xiao first placed a sound-insulating protective barrier around the area and checked that there were no surveillance devices of any kind nearby. Only then did he take out the thousand-year-old black ginseng he had acquired at the Heavenly Sword Sect's marketplace. Originally, he had planned to use this black ginseng to refine a longevity pill. However, later at the marketplace of the Auspicious Jade Blessed Land, he had come across a manual titled "Miscellaneous Formulae of Exotic Pills," which recorded a peculiar pill called the Spirit-Rejuvenating Pill. Miraculously, this pill possessed the ability to replenish spiritual power. Such medicinal pills were exceedingly rare and could prove immensely useful in future unexpected situations.

The Spirit-Rejuvenating Pill used the thousand-year-old black ginseng as its main ingredient. Yang Xiao happened to carry some of the other required ingredients on his person, and even for the scarcer materials he lacked, he could easily substitute simpler ones. Consequently, Yang Xiao naturally intended to forge these Spirit-Rejuvenating Pills.

When Yang Xiao left the Heavenly Sword Sect, he had already processed some herbs into powder form and brought them along precisely for alchemy use at any time and place. Because certain spiritual herbs were difficult to store, reducing them to powder could greatly extend their shelf life. Thus, Yang Xiao had naturally ground up a portion of the spiritual herbs he usually cultivated to prepare for any eventualities.

Now, these powdered spiritual herbs came in remarkably handy. Although Yang Xiao still lacked a few of the materials for the Spirit-Rejuvenating Pill, fortunately, they could all be found substitutes for. While the substitutes might slightly diminish the medicinal efficacy, having these Spirit-Rejuvenating Pills would still provide Yang Xiao with tremendous assistance, granting him a means of self-preservation should he encounter danger and find his spiritual power depleted.

At worst, after leaving the Auspicious Jade Blessed Land, he could search for those precious auxiliary ingredients of the Spirit-Rejuvenating Pill to complete the refinement properly. While currently residing within the Auspicious Jade Blessed Land, achieving this was simply impossible, as such spiritual herbs did not exist within the blessed land at all.

Having prepared everything, Yang Xiao commenced the refinement. This time, by fully utilizing the thousand-year-old black ginseng, he successfully produced dozens of Spirit-Rejuvenating Pills, consuming a major portion of the auxiliary materials in the process.

Nevertheless, such results meant his hard work had not been in vain.

Of course, these Spirit-Rejuvenating Pills were forged with the assistance of the mysterious jade fragment. Otherwise, had any other alchemist attempted the refinement, managing to successfully brew even one or two such pills would be considered a remarkable feat; achieving the output Yang Xiao accomplished was utterly out of the question.

Having successfully refined the Spirit-Rejuvenating Pills, Yang Xiao proceeded to forge two more spiritual treasures. One was a scepter-like treasure crafted by combining the thousand-thunder threads he possessed with the thunder crystals he had obtained from the Barren Thunder Land. Because this treasure contained an astonishingly potent concentration of lightning power, it successfully reached the caliber of a supreme spiritual treasure.

Looking at the scepter crackling with arcs of lightning, Yang Xiao named it the Thunder Emperor Scepter.

The other spiritual treasure was the Blood-Thirst Bead he had acquired from Wang Hai. This bead was already an advanced spiritual treasure, but after Yang Xiao integrated the blood-writing crystals he had obtained at the Auspicious Jade Blessed Land market into it, the Blood-Thirst Bead likewise transformed into a supreme spiritual treasure.

Consequently, the number of supreme spiritual treasures in Yang Xiao's possession now stood at three. Such a quantity was by no means inferior to the number of supreme spiritual treasures owned by many Core Formation cultivators. Compared to Qi Condensation cultivators or even Revolution-cycle cultivators of lower tiers, Yang Xiao could truly be called a wealthy man.

Seeing that all three treasures he had materials for had successfully transformed into supreme spiritual treasures filled Yang Xiao with exceptional joy. With this, he would be able to handle any opponent he might face with complete composure.

After Lingling had waited for a short while in the neighboring room, Yang Xiao emerged from the artifact-forging chamber with a calm and unruffled expression.

"Brother Yang Xiao's pill refining must have been a success, otherwise you wouldn't be so leisurely," Lingling said with a radiant smile as she saw him step out.

"Indeed, I managed to refine a few. Lady Lingling's forging room is truly exceptionally convenient; otherwise, refining these pills would have been a rather difficult task for me," Yang Xiao remarked. While half of his words were merely polite pleasantries, the other half stated the absolute truth. Lingling's forging chamber was indeed of a remarkably high grade, incomparable to ordinary workshops.

"Brother Yang Xiao flatters me. I should think it is your supreme skill that allowed you to complete the refinement in such a short time," Lingling replied with modesty. "Brother Yang Xiao is proficient in both artifact forging and alchemy, and your cultivation is so profound—it is truly enviable. I hope you will be able to offer this humble younger sister a pointer or two in the future."

"I hardly dare presume to offer pointers. Lady Lingling's forging techniques are likewise exceptionally brilliant. It would not be amiss for us to learn from each other's strengths and mutually improve in the future," Yang Xiao said.

"That's right. When you were contending with Feng Wei at the marketplace, you mentioned that the black tiger soul within the Soul-Capture Gourd was acquired from the Auspicious Jade Blessed Land. I wonder where in the blessed land this location is? I happen to be extremely interested in it and wish to go explore," Yang Xiao stated, finally bringing up what was on his mind.

"Indeed, that black tiger soul should have been obtained from the Beast Sea within the Auspicious Jade Blessed Land. However, that spirit beast was evidently at the pinnacle of intermediate spirit beasts, possessing a cultivation equivalent to a late Qi Condensation cultivator. Therefore, it could not have been obtained by Feng Wei or Feng Shen; it must have been acquired by their grandfather and refined into the Soul-Capture Gourd. Why? Does Brother Yang Xiao intend to go to the Beast Sea? There are likely considerable dangers lurking there, as it is rumored that quite a few spirit beasts comparable to mid-to-late Qi Condensation cultivators reside there, and there is even a terrifying spirit beast equivalent to a Revolving Core realm cultivator. What are you planning to do there? Unless it is a matter of utmost urgency, I advise you not to take such unnecessary risks," Lingling said with a hint of worry.

"Rest assured, I shall go and return swiftly. I am merely seeking a special material, which is why I am compelled to take this risk. However, I believe that as long as I do not venture too deeply, no trouble should befall me there," Yang Xiao reassured her.