322: Prepare medicinal materials

Under the strict orders of the Xiao Family's Old Ancestor, Xiao Zhen, and the almost fanatical personal supervision of Elder Qiu, the entire Xiao Family's resources were fully mobilized.

Not only were all the precious medicinal ingredients, originally reserved for breaking through to the Seventh-Rank Alchemist stage, taken from the family's medicine vault, but they also spared no expense, using a large amount of gold coins and connections, to send top-priority procurement requests to several nearby cities that were on good terms or had trade relations with the Xiao Family.

Under heavy rewards, there are always brave men; or rather, in the face of the Xiao Family's irresistible high prices, the efficiency was astonishing.

In just over half a day, batches of precious medicinal ingredients were delivered to the Xiao Family's mountain base by fast horses, and even personally escorted by Xiao Family experts, arriving continuously.

Finally, after Elder Qiu's careful inventory and comparison, they miraculously gathered enough medicinal ingredients to refine four sets of yuan-shaping creation pill!

Although a few of the main ingredients were slightly lacking in age, their medicinal properties were generally sufficient, which was the limit of what could be achieved in such a short time.

However, the Xiao Family's large-scale and high-profile acquisition of top-grade medicinal ingredients naturally attracted the close attention and various speculations from other forces in the surrounding cities.

"What is the Xiao Family doing? Green Spirit Vine, seventh-tier magic cores—are they crazy? Buying so many top-grade medicinal ingredients?"

"Could it be that Elder Qiu's alchemy skills have made another breakthrough, and he's preparing to challenge the Seventh-Rank Alchemist realm?"

"Highly possible! If the Xiao Family can truly produce a Seventh-Grade Alchemist Master, then its influence in this region will be incomparable!"

"Hiss~ I must report this to the family quickly! If the Xiao Family succeeds, we might all have to depend on them in the future!"

For a time, the surrounding forces were restless, and various scouts were dispatched to gather information, filling the air with a tense atmosphere.

Everyone realized that if the Xiao Family truly produced a Seventh-Grade Alchemist Master, the power dynamics of the surrounding forces would likely be reshuffled!

The appeal of a Seventh-Grade Alchemist Master was enough to attract many powerful individuals, and the rise of the Xiao Family would be unstoppable!

Xiao Zhen was well aware of the undercurrents outside, but he had no time for other concerns at the moment.

He solemnly handed the storage ring containing the four sets of precious medicinal ingredients to Jiang Donghua, with a hint of fatigue on his face, but more of anticipation, and said with a smile.

"Young Friend Jiang, all the power the Xiao Family can muster has been used, and for now, we can only gather these four sets of medicinal ingredients for the pills."

"The age of the medicinal ingredients might vary slightly, but they are the best quality we could find at the moment. Next, whether the pills can be successfully refined will depend entirely on you, Young Friend!"

Jiang Donghua took the storage ring, and with a slight sweep of his Soul Power, he clearly sensed the mountain of rare medicinal ingredients piled inside, especially the powerful energy emanating from the main ingredients.

He was also shaken, not expecting the Xiao Family's efficiency to be so high and their sincerity so profound!

He looked up, his gaze sincere as he met Xiao Zhen's eyes, and said in a deep voice.

"Senior Xiao, the Xiao Family's strong assistance this time, Jiang Donghua will engrave it in his heart."

"I, Jiang Donghua, owe this favor! In the future, should the Xiao Family have any need, I, Jiang, will do my utmost!"

Hearing Jiang Donghua's resounding promise, Xiao Zhen, the Old Fox, immediately burst with uncontrollable joy in his eyes!

What did he expend so much effort for, even at the cost of a large amount of family resources?

Was it not for a favor from this young powerhouse with limitless potential?

The promise of a powerhouse suspected to possess a Spirit Realm Soul and very likely to become an Eighth-Grade Alchemist Grandmaster in the future was worth far more than these four sets of medicinal ingredients!

"Young Friend, you overstate it! Our friendship is based on understanding, why speak of favors!"

Xiao Zhen spoke politely, but the smile on his face could not be hidden, and he nodded with satisfaction.

Upon hearing that Jiang Donghua was preparing to start refining pills and mentioned Pill Lightning, Xiao Zhen immediately solemnly agreed.

"Young Friend, rest assured! The matter of Pill Lightning is on this old man! I will never let any lightning interfere with you!"

However, Jiang Donghua shook his head slightly and said.

"Senior, the pill refining location should not be in this secret chamber. The emergence of a seventh grade high-tier medicinal pill will trigger Pill Lightning of extraordinary power. If refined here, it might destroy this healing chamber and even affect the structure of the mountain base."

"We need a place that is spacious enough and can withstand the bombardment of Pill Lightning."

Xiao Zhen immediately realized his oversight upon hearing this and inwardly cursed himself for not thinking it through.

The Pill Lightning of a seventh-grade pill had power comparable to a full-strength attack from a Dou Zong, so it indeed could not be refined inside the mountain.

Just then, Elder Qiu's eyes lit up, and his face was full of enthusiastic, even somewhat fawning, smiles. He quickly stepped forward and said.

"Master Jiang! Come to my place! Behind the door of my alchemy room, there's an open-air alchemy platform that I use year-round!"

"The terrain there is open, it draws pure earth fire, and with constant pill refining, the pill aura permeates the area, which greatly benefits the success rate and quality of pill refining! It absolutely meets your requirements!"

At this moment, where was the arrogance and doubt Elder Qiu had shown earlier?

His gaze towards Jiang Donghua was filled with reverence and an almost worshipful fanaticism.

To be able to observe a Master Alchemist with a Spirit Realm Soul refine a seventh grade high-tier medicinal pill up close was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him, an Alchemist who had been stuck at the peak of the sixth-grade for many years!

He wished he could treat Jiang Donghua like an ancestor.

Jiang Donghua glanced at Elder Qiu and nodded.

"That would be excellent. Please lead the way, Elder Qiu."

"I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare! It is my honor to serve Master Jiang!"

Elder Qiu quickly waved his hand, his posture extremely humble.

Soon, the four arrived at Elder Qiu's exclusive alchemy area.

Pushing open a heavy vault door inscribed with fire-prevention array patterns, the view suddenly opened up.

This was a huge platform built against the mountain, with the ground paved with high-temperature resistant obsidian. In the center was a massive bronze pill furnace, connected below to a surging vein of earth fire.

The platform was spacious on all sides, offering an excellent view, with blue skies and white clouds overhead.

The air was filled with a rich medicinal fragrance and pure fire-attribute energy, clearly a top-tier alchemy venue.

Jiang Donghua looked around and couldn't help but nod.

This place was indeed excellent. Whether it was the quality of the earth fire, the environment, or the space, it was far superior to those alchemy rooms in the Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy.

He casually praised it.

"Elder Qiu's alchemy place is truly extraordinary. It's much better than my teacher Mo Xuan's residence back then."

He had said this casually, but to Elder Qiu's ears, it was like celestial music!

To be praised by this mysterious Master Jiang made his old face flush with excitement, and he quickly humbly replied.

"Master Jiang, you flatter me! My humble abode is simple and unsightly, truly unsightly!"

As Jiang Donghua walked to the center of the platform and began to inspect the pill furnace and adjust the earth fire, Elder Qiu, rubbing his hands, his face filled with extreme eagerness and caution, took a few steps closer and asked in a nearly pleading tone, in a hushed voice.

"Um, Master Jiang, I have an impolite request—I wonder if you would allow this old man to observe you refining pills from the side?"

"This old man promises to be absolutely quiet, not make any sound, and certainly not disturb you! I only wish to witness the Master's demeanor and learn a thing or two!"

After speaking, he nervously looked at Jiang Donghua, his heart pounding, afraid of being refused.

Jiang Donghua paused his actions upon hearing this and glanced at Elder Qiu.

He understood an Alchemist's desire to observe high-level pill refining.

Moreover, although Elder Qiu had been somewhat arrogant before, he was, after all, a venerable figure of the Xiao Family and had provided the venue, so allowing him to observe was no harm.

"You may."

Jiang Donghua nodded faintly.

"Really?! Thank you, Master Jiang! Thank you, Master Jiang!"

Elder Qiu could hardly believe his ears and was so excited he almost jumped!

His wrinkled old face instantly bloomed into an incomparably brilliant smile, like a blooming chrysanthemum, and he repeatedly bowed to Jiang Donghua, tears of gratitude in his eyes.

Xiao Han, standing by, watched Elder Qiu, who was usually so high and mighty, now so obsequious and visibly overjoyed in front of Jiang Donghua. He almost wanted to laugh, but seeing his grandfather Xiao Zhen's stern gaze, he had to forcefully hold it in, though his shoulders couldn't help but twitch.

Jiang Donghua said no more, took a deep breath, and his eyes became incredibly focused.

With a flick of his sleeve, stalks of medicinal ingredients, emitting brilliant spiritual light and immense energy, flew out of his storage ring as if summoned, hovering around his body.