343: Chapter 343 Sword Pill

Head Xu Changqing had made it clear: If he wanted to go to the Mingxin Sect in Canghai Prefecture, he had to refine more Medicinal Pills in advance, as he could not be left waiting.

Su Cheng took one month to refine and deliver all the subsequent Medicinal Pills.

The Medicinal Pills had already been prepared, but he still needed to maintain a facade. Although one month was quite absurd, Su Cheng explained that he had some leftovers from previous Alchemy sessions that he had intended to keep for himself.

During this month, Su Cheng constantly practiced his Spells and also purchased a large number of Talismans and some Formation Flags.

Tianlan Province was too far from Canghai Prefecture, and he would have to pass through Taining Province on the way. Su Cheng had not forgotten about the Xuanyin Sect in Taining Province, nor the fact that Duanmu Bei had yet to settle the score regarding the Nether Abyss Exotic Fire.

Su Cheng never acted on impulse when heading out; he ensured all necessary preparations were made. With his current strength, it was difficult for anyone below the Golden Core Stage to harm him.

However, against those above the Golden Core Stage, as long as they did not exceed the Middle Stage, he should be able to escape if he exerted his full strength.

On the day the Medicinal Pills were ready, Su Cheng went to Zixiao Peak.

Head Xu Changqing had already written the letter of introduction.

The gist was: 'Our Sect Disciple, Su Cheng, has attained significant accomplishments in the Dao of vegetation. Hearing that your Sect's Dao-Enlightenment Tree is ailing, I have specially sent him to take a look. It would be fortunate if he could be of any help, but if not, I ask for your Sect's indulgence.'

The wording was humble but carried significant weight; the Mingxin Sect would not dare to disregard the Face of the Chief of the Danding Sect's Alchemy Hall.

Su Cheng put away the letter, thanked Head Xu Changqing, and turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, Head Xu Changqing's voice came from behind him again.

"Wait."

Su Cheng turned around, puzzled, and saw Head Xu Changqing take a pill from his sleeve.

The pill was entirely golden-red and the size of a fingernail, with two hair-thin cracks running across its surface. The spiritual power fluctuation was so intense that it made Su Cheng's Sea of Consciousness tremble slightly.

"Chief, what is this?"

"A Sword Pill," Head Xu Changqing said, placing the pill on the table and pushing it over. "It was personally refined by Deputy Head Han Cang of the Law Enforcement Hall and cost him two years of cultivation. Each time it is activated, one crack disappears, and its power is equivalent to a full-strength strike from a Late Golden Core Stage cultivator. Once used twice, the pill will shatter on its own."

Su Cheng stared at the small object on the table, his heart stirring. This was truly a life-saving Sharp Weapon to have on one's person.

Head Xu Changqing said: "With you heading to Canghai Prefecture, the journey is long, and the Sect cannot send an Elder to accompany you. It is your freedom to go out, and I cannot and should not stop you, but your cooperation with the Alchemy Hall is not over yet; you cannot die out there."

The words were blunt, but Su Cheng laughed instead.

Regardless of whether the motivation was profit or a desire to cherish talent, Head Xu Changqing had been nothing but kind to him over the past few years.

Providing Medicinal Pills, spiritual materials, Sect connections, and even helping him establish ties with the Giant Spirit Sect and the Fentian Sect.

Adding all of that up, Su Cheng was not someone who did not know how to be grateful.

"Chief, this thing..."

"It is impossible for me to give it to you for free," Head Xu Changqing interrupted him. "You will refine thirty supreme grade Medicinal Pills for the Alchemy Hall Disciples and accept no remuneration other than the Spirit Medicine."

Su Cheng was stunned. Only thirty?

With the efficiency of the creation furnace, this would not even take two days of work.

The value of the Sword Pill far exceeded thirty supreme grade Medicinal Pills; no matter how one looked at it, Head Xu Changqing was simply finding a pretext to give it to him.

Su Cheng did not pretend to decline. He put the jade box into his Storage Pouch and bowed. "Fifty pills. I will refine them when I return."

Head Xu Changqing smiled and said: "You are quite generous."

"I am incredibly grateful for the Chief's kindness toward me."

Head Xu Changqing waved his hand, said nothing more, and went back to attending to his own affairs.

Su Cheng excitedly accepted the Sword Pill, bowed to him, and turned to leave.

Returning to Qingmu Peak, Su Cheng went straight to the mountaintop.

Elder Qingmu sat cross-legged on the bluestone platform at the mountaintop, surrounded by a dozen floating Spirit Medicines; he was Cultivating.

Su Cheng stood at the edge of the stone platform and waited for a moment, not making a sound to disturb him.

About ten breaths later, Elder Qingmu finished his practice, and the Spirit Medicines slowly fell back to the ground and returned to their respective places.

He opened his eyes, saw Su Cheng standing there, and asked: "Xiao Cheng, what is the matter?"

"Revered Master, this Disciple intends to leave the Sect for a while to go to the Mingxin Sect in Canghai Prefecture."

Elder Qingmu frowned. "Going out of the Sect again? Canghai Prefecture? That is not close; it will take at least two months on the road. You want to go to the Mingxin Sect to use their Dao-Enlightenment Tree to comprehend a Concept? But with your Foundation Establishment Mid-stage cultivation, the safety along the way..."

"Revered Master, do not worry. Chief Xu just gave this Disciple a Sword Pill," Su Cheng said. "It was refined by Deputy Head Han Cang of the Law Enforcement Hall and can unleash two attacks equivalent to the Late Golden Core Stage."

Elder Qingmu's brows relaxed. "Well, since you have that, you can handle any trouble below the Middle Stage of the Golden Core Stage, so I will say no more."

He paused, raised his hand, and pointed toward the Spirit Medicine field area on the mountaintop. "I cannot take out anything more valuable than the Sword Pill, but I do have a few Spirit Medicines. Aside from the dragon beard vine and the soul-nurturing flower, you may choose whatever you like."

Su Cheng was indeed tempted. His Revered Master had planted no less than twenty kinds of third-tier spirit medicines on the mountaintop, and any one of them would be fought over if it were taken out.

However, he thought about it and shook his head.

"Revered Master, this Disciple does not need these Spirit Medicines at the moment. It would be useless to take them now; let us wait until this Disciple returns."

Elder Qingmu looked at him and nodded. "That is fine; the Spirit Medicines will not run away. In any case, these things will eventually belong to you and your Senior Brother."

Su Cheng sat with his Revered Master on the mountaintop for a while, and the two chatted about trivial matters.

When the sun began to set in the west, Chen Yuan ran up.

"Junior Brother! I heard you are leaving the Sect again tomorrow?"

"Senior Brother, where did you hear this news from?"

"Do not ask; just tell me if it is true."

"Yes."

"Then you must let me go with you this time," Chen Yuan said without hesitation. "I have not been to Canghai Prefecture yet; it would be the perfect opportunity to see the world..."

"No," Su Cheng interrupted him. "Senior Brother, your study of Formations and Alchemy is at a critical moment. This trip will take at least half a year; you cannot afford to delay."

Chen Yuan wanted to argue, but was silenced by a look from Elder Qingmu.

"Your Junior Brother is right; stay in the Sect and Cultivate properly."

Chen Yuan pursed his lips; he was unwilling but said nothing more.

That night, the three Revered Master and Disciples had a meal at the stone table on the mountaintop. Elder Qingmu rarely opened a jar of Bixiao Drunk, and the three of them each drank three cups.

After three rounds of drinks, Chen Yuan was already snoring on the table.

Elder Qingmu looked at the sea of clouds in the distance and suddenly said: "Leave early and return early."

Su Cheng responded, helped his Senior Brother up from the table, and escorted him back to his Immortal Cave.

Before leaving, Su Cheng placed a jade bottle on his table containing three top-grade nine-orifice golden spirit pills.

Although one person could only use one, the remaining two would surely be useful someday. Perhaps his Senior Brother would take on a Disciple one day.

The next day, before dawn, Su Cheng had already left the Sect's Formation.

He went to Tianlan Prefecture City first.

In the backyard of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, Fang Zhenhai was already waiting for him.

Fang Zhenhai, now at the Golden Core Stage, had an aura vastly different from before; his Spiritual Pressure was restrained, and his eyes were full of confidence and composure.

"Sir." Fang Zhenhai saluted.

Su Cheng placed three Storage Pouches on the table. "These are all the Medicinal Pills the Chamber of Commerce will need for the next six months. Both first-tier and second-tier are included; the list of quantities and categories is inside. There is also one for the Su Family; have someone deliver it."

Fang Zhenhai took them, then hesitated. "Sir, this subordinate wishes to accompany you. Your journey is long and may not be peaceful."

"No need," Su Cheng shook his head. "You have just reached the Core Formation stage, and your cultivation is not yet fully stabilized. Besides, the Chamber of Commerce has just gained momentum in the Prefecture City and requires you to hold down the fort."

Fang Zhenhai wanted to persuade him further, but was stopped by a look from Su Cheng.

"Very well," Fang Zhenhai nodded helplessly. "Sir, be careful on the journey. This subordinate will wait for your return in the Prefecture City."

Su Cheng went to see Lin Feng again, where he also left a batch of Medicinal Pills and subsequent arrangements.

After leaving the city, Su Cheng took out a new gadget from his Storage Pouch.