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Chapter 268 The Art of War Pill, the Spiritless Divine Weapon, and the Deal with Miao Kuo (5K)

Reaching the seventh level of the Fire Separation Technique requires refining one hundred Soul Strengthening Pills.

The Soul Strengthening Pill is a compound pill, meaning it possesses multiple attributes.

It belongs to both the strengthening pill category and the recuperative pill category.

In other words, it has two effects: one is to enhance the power of the primordial spirit, and the other is to heal damage to the primordial spirit.

Judging from its effects alone, one can tell how complex and difficult this elixir is to refine.

Indeed, the Soul Strengthening Pill is already within the scope of pill refining for fifth-grade alchemists.

A fifth-grade alchemist, which is Miao Kuo's rank, is considered to be above average in the entire Tiandan City.

It should be noted that the most skilled alchemist in Tiandan City is only a sixth-grade alchemist.

"If you need to refine a Soul Strengthening Pill that only a fifth-grade alchemist can make at the seventh stage, what about the next few stages?"

The joy they had just felt vanished with the appearance of the Soul Strengthening Pill.

According to the principle of one grade per transformation, seven transformations result in five grades, eight transformations in six grades, and nine transformations in seven grades.

It's not impossible. Having possessed the panel for so long, Su Chen knows its nature perfectly well.

Su Chen suddenly realized that mastering the Nine Revolutions Fire Technique was much more difficult than he had imagined.

"These aren't the key issues. My real fear is that I won't be able to buy the pill formulas at all!"

After learning that the next stage was the Soul Strengthening Pill, Su Chen inquired and found that no one in the market sold the Soul Strengthening Pill formula.

According to Miao Kuo, this fifth-grade elixir formula is something that can be kept as a family heirloom and passed down through generations.

In particular, a fifth-grade pill formula with detailed steps could guarantee a lifetime of comfort for anyone with sufficient strength to possess it.

Naturally, no one would be foolish enough to sell them.

Unless it's a pill like the Yuan Shi Dan, which, due to its special nature, has its formula contributed by the Pill Alliance for all pill refiners to study and refine.

However, there are not many pills like Yuan Shi Dan in the entire Tian Dan City.

"In any case, let's get our hands on the Yuan Shi Dan first, so that we won't be unable to buy it when we have the chance to obtain the formula for the Qiang Hun Dan later."

Su Chen thought to himself, "Although the recipe for the Soul Strengthening Pill is rare, it is not non-existent."

To be on the safe side, if Su Chen were to find out about the pill formula, he would inevitably have to spend a lot of money to buy it.

Therefore, making money is imperative, and this is a good opportunity to improve the skill of refining Yuan Shi Dan.

Since Su Chen did not intend to sell Yuan Shi Dan through the Miao family, he could only rely on selling it himself to earn Ling Yuan Dan.

This is also a helpless move.

After all, he had only been practicing alchemy for a short time. From the time he started learning alchemy to the time he successfully refined a fourth-grade Yuan Shi Pill, it had only been about five years.

This speed of alchemy was not fast for him, but it was astonishingly fast for Miao Kuo, an alchemist who had only reached the fifth rank after a lifetime of alchemy.

Although Su Chen could explain that he only knew how to refine Yuan Shi Pills and could not be considered a true fourth-grade alchemist.

But the defensive heart is indispensable.

Su Chen didn't want to cause any further trouble, so he decided to keep the matter a secret.

When you don't want to cause trouble because of one thing, you often end up causing a lot of trouble because of another thing.

This law also applies quite well to Su Chen.

In order to sell the Yuan Shi Dan, Su Chen disguised himself and sold it in batches.

I have quite a few Yuan Shi Pills on hand, and if I sell them all in the same pill shop, it will inevitably attract attention.

Su Chen thought he had been careful enough, but for some reason, after leaving the third pill shop, he was inexplicably targeted.

Although they finally managed to get rid of their opponent, it also served as a reminder to Su Chen.

He changed his clothes every time he went to a pill shop, but he still couldn't avoid this trouble.

He later learned that even though he tried to reduce the number of Yuan Shi Pills he sold, he was still being targeted because of the quality of the pills and his status as a rogue cultivator.

The Yuan Shi Dan he refined was not only of high quality, but also contained extremely pure Yuan energy.

These alchemy shops all have professional alchemists who can appraise the pills, so they can naturally tell that these pills are several grades higher than superior-grade pills.

Yuan Shi Dan is a scarce medicinal herb in the Holy Yuan Kingdom. Now that such a high-quality herb has appeared on the market, any knowledgeable person, whether a large or small pill shop, will be tempted to buy it.

However, some alchemy shops want to establish long-term cooperative channels, while others want to find behind-the-scenes alchemists to seize opportunities.

This explains why, apart from the two initial alchemy shops that didn't recognize his value and didn't send anyone to follow him, all the subsequent shops did.

After finding out the reason, Su Chen stopped selling Yuan Shi Pills.

To be precise, it means that this high-quality Yuan Shi Dan will no longer be sold.

He began to deliberately lower the quality of the Yuan Shi Dan.

Fortunately, Su Chen's refining skills were limited, and he hadn't reached the point of perfecting the Yuan Shi Dan.

After adapting for a period of time, Su Chen gradually lowered his skill level and produced a batch of inferior Yuan Shi Pills.

He sold it again, and although the price was not as high as the previous Yuan Shi Dan, at least no one continued to follow him.

To this end, he sacrificed dozens of pseudonyms.

But this can't go on forever. Su Chen can't just suppress his alchemy skills to make money.

Moreover, this thing can't be suppressed.

It's like a faucet; if you press down here, water will flow out from the gap.

Moreover, Su Chen also planned to max out his Yuan Shi Dan experience to refine the Qiang Hun Dan.

He quickly came up with a solution: instead of suppressing the refining technique of the Yuan Shi Dan itself, he reduced the infusion of Yuan power.

During this period, while selling Yuan Shi Dan, he also observed the market's reaction.

Thanks to the pure and complete Yuan Power within the pills, the first batch of Yuan Power Pills to appear on the market were extremely popular.

Some Yuan Shi Dan pills have even seen their prices skyrocket due to the presence of Yuan energy that is more widely available, breaking historical price records for Yuan Shi Dan pills.

This discovery made Su Chen realize that the reason why his Yuan Shi Pill was so popular was not because of his refining skills, but because of the Yuan power within it.

Based on this, he came up with this solution.

Even Su Chen hadn't expected that the Yuan Power he had poured in would be so sought after.

However, this is quite normal; perhaps Su Chen cannot be considered a powerful fourth-grade alchemist.

However, in the area of ​​refining Yuan Shi Dan, he is the most skilled in Yuan Shi among fourth-grade alchemists, and also the most skilled in alchemy among martial artists at the Shi realm.

The combination of the two had an extraordinary effect, which is why it caused a sensation throughout Tiandan City.

After verification, Su Chen confirmed that his idea was correct.

The power of Yuan Qi was reduced, and the Yuan Qi Pills sold thereafter were almost identical to those refined by ordinary fourth-grade alchemists.

With the market back to normal, Su Chen's process of selling Yuan Shi Dan became much less troublesome.

Good news comes one after another.

Su Chen resolved his concerns about selling Yuan Shi Dan and also obtained information about the recipe for Qiang Hun Dan.

To his surprise, the Miao family actually possessed the formula for the Soul Strengthening Pill, and it was in Miao Kuo's possession.

After going around in circles, things seem to have come full circle.

After thinking for a long time, Su Chen finally decided to buy the pill formula from Miao Kuo under an assumed identity.

On this day, he found Miao Kuo.

"You want to buy the Soul Strengthening Pill?"

Miao Kuo looked at the gentle and refined young man in front of him and was somewhat surprised by his age.

If he hadn't learned that the other party was the alchemist who had refined the batch of Yuan Shi Pills that caused a sensation in Tian Dan City, he probably wouldn't have even met him.

Now that he has met the other person, he is starting to doubt the truthfulness of their words.

After all, he had never seen such a young fourth-grade alchemist before.

Su Chen ignored Miao Kuo's probing; the other party's investigation was of no use to him.

He nodded, took out a Yuan Shi Pill from his pocket, and revealed his identity.

After examining the pills, Miao Kuo finally believed the other party's identity.

Because Su Chen didn't take out just one Yuan Shi Pill, but a full ten.

As far as Miao Kuo knew, the batch of Yuan Shi Dan circulating in the market were sold at high prices through various channels.

The fact that Su Chen could produce ten Yuan Shi Pills at once was enough to demonstrate his identity.

“It’s not impossible for you to buy the Soul Strengthening Pill, but I have one condition.” Miao Kuo didn’t waste any words.

Su Chen asked, "What are the conditions?"

"I have a pill formula here. If you can help me refine the pills in the formula, I will give you the Soul Strengthening Pill for free."

"Okay, but I need an annotated version of the Soul Strengthening Pill recipe."

Su Chen agreed without hesitation and even added an extra sentence.

Although Miao Kuo didn't know why Su Chen cared about whether there was an annotation, he didn't care.

He took out the pill formula, shook his head and said, "Don't agree so quickly. You should take a look at the pill formula first."

As he spoke, Miao Kuo took out a prescription and handed it to Su Chen.

Su Chen lowered his head and began to read intently, while Miao Kuo sat to the side without disturbing him.

He obtained this prescription by chance; it was incredibly profound and contained information about a fifth-grade elixir called the "Military Intent Pill."

After obtaining the formula, Miao Kuo studied it for several years, but still couldn't figure it out. He had been a fifth-grade alchemist for decades, but still hadn't found the opportunity to break through to the sixth grade.

Ever since obtaining this prescription, Miao Kuo had a feeling in his heart.

Once I refine the Military Spirit Pill, I might have a chance to reach the threshold of a sixth-grade alchemist.

After reaching the fifth rank of alchemist, the alchemist's level becomes related to their cultivation realm.

He is currently only a Nascent Soul Realm martial artist and has not yet grasped the true meaning of martial arts. If nothing unexpected happens, he can only be a fifth-grade alchemist in this lifetime.

But the appearance of Bingyi Pill gave him hope, and he wanted to go further on the path of alchemy.

Even if one's cultivation level has not reached the Dharma Aspect Realm, one can still refine sixth-grade pills.

This is why he took out the pill formula. The Soul Strengthening Pill was just one of many pill formulas for him, but the Military Intent Pill was the key to whether he could reach a higher level.

If Miao Kuo could exchange the Soul Strengthening Pill for the qualification of a sixth-grade alchemist, he would definitely do it without hesitation.

The question now is whether Su Chen can refine the Military Intent Pill.

If he could successfully refine it, that would be ideal, then he could learn from its methods and ask for advice on how to refine it.

If he cannot succeed in refining it, it only means that his good fortune has not yet arrived.

This behavior also involves an element of gambling; if the gamble is right, everything will be fine, and if it's wrong, there's no loss.

"How is it?" Miao Kuo asked eagerly as soon as Su Chen finished reading.

Su Chen did not give a clear answer, but said vaguely, "I'll try my best."

“Okay, you can ask me any questions you have.” Miao Kuo didn’t mind.

After exchanging experiences with Miao Kuo for a while, Su Chen took the recipe for the Military Intent Pill and left the Miao residence. He then changed back into his original attire and sneaked back home.

With his abilities, no one in the Miao family could discover his whereabouts, so there was no need to worry about being exposed.

"Brother Xiang, where did you go? I've been looking for you for ages and couldn't find you."

As soon as Su Chen returned to the courtyard, he was taken aback when a beautiful young woman in green clothes walked towards him.

Six years have passed, and the little girl has grown up.

Miao Xingxing has grown from a little girl into a grown woman.

The young girl stood gracefully, dressed in a light white dress. Her face was pretty and delicate, and her large eyes were clear and bright, like lakes. Her black ponytail fell to her chest. Her pure appearance exuded youthful charm.

"I just went out for a bit," Su Chen replied calmly.

Over the years, Miao Xingxing had become quite familiar with him and would often run into his yard.

Su Chen was tormented by her quite a bit.

It was only after Su Chen told her some classic novels from his past life that things calmed down, but this also led to her coming to see him more frequently.

It got better as he grew up. He became more sensible, and the difference between boys and girls was another factor. Nevertheless, Miao Xingxing still visited Su Chen frequently.

"Is there something you need?" Su Chen looked at the energetic girl, who was blinking her big eyes and smiling at him.

The girl giggled and said, "Brother Xiang, you're not that old, so why do you stay in the yard all day like my grandpa? Why don't you come with me on an autumn outing today?"

"It's time for another autumn outing!" Su Chen thought to himself.

After practicing alchemy, he became increasingly insensitive to time.

In previous years, it was always the young girl who reminded him that autumn was coming, and then took him on an autumn outing.

She called it an autumn outing, but actually she was pestering him to tell her stories.

"Tell me, what story do you want to hear this time?" Su Chen asked, shrugging.

The young girl smiled radiantly: "The story of the ruthless empress!"

After returning from the autumn outing, Su Chen began to study the Military Intent Pill.

Like other alchemical formulas, the formula for Bingyi Dan also contains many annotations by Miao Kuo, which are his related insights, mostly his speculations.

"It seems even Miao Kuo hasn't fully grasped this pill formula," Su Chen murmured.

Even a fifth-grade alchemist like Miao Kuo couldn't refine this pill, so Su Chen naturally wasn't very confident either.

The reason he agreed to Miao Kuo's request was because he saw a certain passage in the prescription:
"The Bingyi Dan contains the essence of divine weapons."

It is very similar to Yuan Shi Dan, which is infused with the power of Yuan energy, while Bing Yi Dan is infused with the intent of divine weapons.

Miao Kuo also mentioned this point.

When he was refining the Military Intent Pill, he sought out many martial artists wielding divine weapons and asked them to lend him their weapons in the hope of successfully refining the pill.

Unfortunately, none of the many Divine Intent Realm martial artists I encountered were able to succeed.

Later, he discovered that to refine the "Soldier's Will Pill," one must rely on a spiritless divine weapon.

The term "spiritless divine weapon" refers to a divine weapon that does not possess the spirit of a divine weapon, but still embodies the essence of a divine weapon.

Such a divine weapon was something Miao Kuo had never even heard of, let alone found.

He used a lot of connections but still couldn't find such a divine weapon, and even wasted a lot of favors in the process.

When a martial artist learned of his idea, he directly advised him to give up this far-fetched idea, stating that there had never been a spiritless divine weapon in the Ten Directions World.

Spiritless divine weapons are extremely rare, even in the secret realms or worlds where divine weapons are born. Once they appear in the Ten Directions World, they will surely cause bloodshed.

In the past, among countless worlds, there appeared divine weapons without spirits, attracting countless powerful individuals to vie for them.

Later, a fierce battle broke out, and the place where the spiritless divine weapon was born was affected, resulting in widespread death and destruction.

Of course, these are all Miao Kuo's guesses and may not be true.

However, Su Chen hoped it was true, because he really did have a spiritless divine weapon.

The Heaven-Slaying Blade has not yet been born with the spirit of a divine weapon, but due to certain special reasons, it can use the intent of a divine weapon. Isn't that a divine weapon without a spirit?

With this in mind, Su Chen immediately threw himself into endless research.

Spring goes and autumn comes, another year has passed.

This day.

"Hua Wuque wants to see me? That name sounds familiar!"

Even Miao Kuo himself had almost forgotten about his deal with Su Chen.

After thinking for a long time, he finally remembered Hua Wuque's identity, and suddenly sat up in shock, saying hurriedly, "Quick, let him in."

Not long after, Su Chen strode into the courtyard. Neither of them had changed much in appearance after a year apart.

As soon as Miao Kuo saw Su Chen, he couldn't wait to ask, "Have you successfully refined the Soldier's Intent Pill?"

His voice trembled, tinged with eagerness, as he stared intently at Su Chen, hoping to find the answer on his face.

Without needing to say more, Su Chen nodded: "Yes, I have fulfilled my mission."

"Let me see!" Miao Kuo was momentarily stunned, then urged excitedly.

Su Chen took out the pills and handed them to Miao Kuo.

Miao Kuo stretched out his trembling hands and stared blankly at the bottle in front of him.

He took a deep breath, his face tense, and then carefully opened the bottle.

Suddenly, a sharp divine weapon intent surged forth, then vanished in an instant.

"It really is the War Intent Pill!"

Miao Kuo poured out the pills, ignoring the injuries on his hands, and after carefully examining them for a while, tears streamed down his face.

"You, how did you become one?"

"The divine weapon intent within is not the divine weapon intent of a spiritless divine weapon, but rather the divine weapon intent formed by the combination of the martial arts true intent of the divine weapon's master and the divine weapon's intent."

Su Chen shared his experience from the past year with a sigh.

Miao Kuo's guess was wrong. The divine weapon intent required by Bingyi Dan is the product of the combination of the martial arts true intent of the divine weapon warrior and the divine weapon intent, not the so-called spiritless divine weapon intent.

Over the past year, he has failed countless times and is almost driven to the brink of despair.

Fortunately, the final result was gratifying.

He inadvertently infused his martial arts essence into the Bingyi Pill, and almost succeeded.

This made him realize the problem, so he tried to infuse it with the true meaning of martial arts and the essence of divine weapons.

After numerous failures, he finally succeeded in refining the Soldier's Will Pill.

"Hahaha, I see, that's how it is!"

Upon learning this, Miao Kuo burst into laughter, tears welling in his eyes.

After failing for so long, he had given up hope, but unexpectedly he succeeded in the end.

For a moment, he felt an urge to cry tears of joy.

Fortunately, it was contained in the end; otherwise, it would have been quite embarrassing.

"Thank you for telling me, Young Master Hua. Here is the recipe for the Soul Strengthening Pill, which I will give to you as a gift!"

After a long while, Miao Kuo calmed his excitement and handed the Soul Strengthening Pill formula, which had been sealed away for a year, to Su Chen from inside the room.

Su Chen took the pill formula and noticed that there were two different handwritings on it.

The new handwriting has re-annotated a lot of content, detailing the steps and experience of refining elixirs.

It seems that Miao Kuo still hopes that Su Chen can refine the Military Intent Pill, so he added new notes to the pill formula.

Carrying the recipe for the Soul Strengthening Pill, Su Chen returned to his residence with great joy.

A year has passed; it's time to refine the Soul Strengthening Pill!
(End of this chapter)