216: Technological integration and the concept of "Purifying Elixir"

The successful operation of the Alchemy Workshop was like injecting fresh water into 'Bedrock Base'. The professional abilities of Mu Wanqing and the Danxia Peak Disciples quickly won everyone's respect. The stacks of Medicinal Pills in the warehouse gave combat personnel like Zhao Iron Pillar plenty of confidence, allowing them to be more unrestrained during training.

However, Youyi's gaze did not linger solely on basic Medicinal Pill production. He keenly realized that what Mu Wanqing brought was not just Alchemy techniques, but a profound understanding of the 'spirit net's' influence mechanism. This, combined with the ancient technology studied by Senior Brother Zhang and Ying, might spark unexpected results.

He gathered Mu Wanqing, Senior Brother Zhang, and Ying in the base's 'Technical Discussion Room'—a room converted from an original storage closet, its walls covered in sketches of various energy circuits and data tablets.

"Senior Sister Mu, you mentioned before that the 'soul cleansing pill' can purify spiritual power to a certain extent and weaken dependence on the 'spirit net'," Youyi said, getting straight to the point. "Combining our experience in fighting the 'spirit net' with the information Senior Brother Zhang and the others obtained from the ancient database, could we... create a more powerful version?"

Hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Mu Wanqing's cool eyes. "What do you mean, Junior Brother Wen?"

Senior Brother Zhang pushed up his glasses and took over. "According to our research, the 'spirit net's' infiltration and control of Cultivators are mainly manifested in two aspects: first, a certain 'marker' or 'protocol' implanted in the spiritual power Origin causes the spiritual power to involuntarily circulate through the 'spirit net' and be secretly siphoned; second, the amplification and guidance of mental emotions, which breeds Heart Demons and creates negative nourishment."

Ying pulled up a complex energy simulation diagram on the side, pointing to several key nodes. "Ancient civilizations seemed to have had similar technological approaches to combat this, which they called 'Information-Level Purification' and 'Rule-Level Shielding'. However, most of the specific methods are missing."

Mu Wanqing carefully looked at the energy diagram, which she couldn't quite understand but could feel the exquisiteness of. She pondered, "The principle of the 'soul cleansing pill' is to use the medicinal properties of several rare herbs to gently wash spiritual power, rinsing away some 'Impurities' and temporarily soothing the mind. Its effects are limited, and the herbs are hard to find. If we go by what you all said, perhaps we can change our approach..."

She picked up a specialized pen and drew a simplified Medicinal Pill model on a nearby blank wooden board. "No longer limited to the medicinal properties of plants, could we introduce energy? For example... Star Power?"

She looked at Youyi. "Junior Brother Wen, the Star Power you possess is pure and vast. It seems to naturally have a certain rejection and purification effect against the pervasive erosion of the 'spirit net'. If we can guide and seal it into a pill, perhaps..."

"Like a battery... er, like a 'Seed' carrying purification energy!" Youyi understood her meaning instantly and added excitedly, "After the user swallows the pill, this 'Seed' will continuously release pure star energy within their body. On one hand, it will wash away and dilute the 'spirit net marker', and on the other, it will stabilize the mind and resist Heart Demon interference!"

"Theoretically feasible!" Senior Brother Zhang also became excited. "We can design a miniature, slow-release energy structure using the Medicinal Pill as a carrier! This is more discreet and more lasting than directly inscribing shielding Formations on the body!"

Ying added, "And we can create different levels of 'purification Seeds' based on the quality of the Medicinal Pill to suit Cultivators of different cultivation levels."

A brand-new concept, merging Alchemy, energy technology, and ancient knowledge, gradually became clear—to develop a new type of Medicinal Pill, tentatively named the 'spirit purifying pill'!

The goal: To contain a 'purification Seed' composed of pure Star Power inside. Once consumed, it can continuously purify spiritual power contaminated by the 'spirit net' for a period of time, stabilize the mind, weaken the 'spirit net's' harvesting efficiency, and lay the foundation for completely breaking free from 'spirit net' dependence!

This concept made everyone's heart race. If successful, this would be a strategic weapon for 'Spark' against the harvesting system of the 'Creation Heavenly Court'! It would allow more Cultivators to start breaking free from control unknowingly, like sowing undetectable 'drug-resistant Seeds' in a 'Ranch'!

No sooner said than done! The research and development team was immediately established.

Mu Wanqing was responsible for leading the Pill Formula reconstruction. She needed to find suitable basic herbs that could perfectly merge with Star Power and design a Medicinal Pill structure that could stably carry and slowly release energy. The herbs grown in the base's ecological zone, nourished by star energy, became the first choice; they already possessed faint purification characteristics.

Senior Brother Zhang and Ying were responsible for designing the energy core of the 'purification Seed'—an extremely tiny yet stable star energy circulation structure. They needed to ensure it wouldn't collapse under the high heat of the Pill Furnace and could precisely control its release rate.

Senior Brother Li was pulled in to provide tool support, needing to forge more precise, specialized Pill Furnace components that could assist in energy encapsulation.

The research and development process was not smooth sailing.

During the first experiment, as soon as Mu Wanqing placed the grain-sized 'purification Seed' condensed by Senior Brother Zhang into the Pill Furnace to merge with the medicinal liquid, the entire furnace vibrated violently. The internal energy conflict nearly caused an explosion. Fortunately, the 'Flowing Silver' covering the outside of the Pill Furnace stabilized the structure in time, but the entire batch of herbs was ruined.

"The energy is too overbearing; the medicinal properties cannot carry it," Mu Wanqing analyzed with a slight frown.

The second time, they reduced the energy intensity of the 'Seed'. The Medicinal Pill did form, but the internal 'purification Seed' was too weak, and the effect was almost negligible.

"The balance point between intensity and stability is very hard to grasp." Senior Brother Zhang stared at the failed data records, his brow furrowed.

Youyi did not rush them; he knew this was a Breakthrough from zero to one and was bound to be difficult. He mobilized all the base's resources to support them, encouraging them to try boldly, and even had several meritorious 'Flowing Silver' stay permanently in the Alchemy Workshop to assist in fine-tuning the energy injection process using their sensitivity to energy.

Just as the research hit a stalemate and everyone was deep in thought, Mu Wanqing looked at the failed medicinal dregs at the bottom of the Pill Furnace and suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

"Perhaps... we got the order wrong." She looked up, her eyes shining with the light of wisdom. "Why must we refine the pill first and then inject the 'Seed'? Why not... let the 'Seed' be naturally nurtured during the growth process of the herbs?"

"Like... the Formation of a pearl?" Youyi was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized!

"Exactly!" Mu Wanqing became more excited as she spoke. "We can use star energy to nourish specific mother-plant herbs over the long term, allowing them to naturally absorb and fuse Star Power during their growth, forming a natural 'purification core' perfectly integrated with their medicinal properties! Then we use these special herbs to refine pills!"

This change in thinking was like the clouds parting to reveal the sun!

Directly stuffing an external, condensed energy core into a Medicinal Pill was like stuffing a stone into a glutinous rice ball—conflict was inevitable. But letting energy be naturally nurtured during the growth of life was like a pearl enveloping a grain of sand—perfectly natural!

With the new direction determined, the base's ecological zone had a new task—opening a 'Star Spirit Herb Garden'. Several spirit plants with mild medicinal properties and high inclusivity were selected for directional cultivation by Youyi and Mu Wanqing themselves using pure Star Power.

This was a process that required time and patience, but everyone saw the dawn of hope.

The development of the 'spirit purifying pill' marked that 'Spark's' technological route had begun to move from simple imitation and utilization toward true Fusion and innovation. They were using their own wisdom to create an unprecedented path against the harvesting system.

(End of Chapter)