Immortality and Cultivation: This old man seeks enlightenment through mere survival.

the other side.

Jiuyou has already returned to Yunli Mountain...

On the cliff shrouded in clouds and mist.

Lu Zaian sat cross-legged, placing his palms on the back of his Nine Netherworld clone. The ever-flowing essence of immortality, like a warm stream, slowly entered his body, helping him repair the hidden injuries and overexertion caused by continuous fierce battles.

"Your continuous and forceful use of [Law of Heaven and Earth] and extreme activation of [Abyss Demonic Runes] have significantly depleted your physical body's resources."

Fortunately, your foundation is extremely solid, which is why your cultivation was not damaged at its core..."

While treating his injuries, Lu Zaian analyzed the situation as if talking to himself.

Although the [Demon's Descent] state granted him terrifying power to contend with the Core Formation stage, the burning abyssal demonic runes were one of the core origins of the Nine Netherworld clone.

Like a cultivator's life essence, it is extremely difficult to replenish once it is depleted.

Even if Lu Zaian's true form possesses the essence of immortality, it cannot directly compensate for this primordial demonic rune originating from the demonic abyss of another world.

It can only recover slowly on its own, and a rough estimate suggests it will take at least six months...

"Perhaps... we can try to devour the remnants of the Mist Demon King to accelerate the recovery of the magic runes."

The Nine Netherworld clone spoke slowly, its voice weak yet still calm.

"After all, they both belong to the origin of the Demon Abyss and have similar energy properties."

"The Mist Demon King?" Lu Zaian's eyes narrowed slightly.

In this battle, Jiuyou not only severed Qingming's arm and brought glory to Tianqing River, but also seized the [Mist Nightmare Army Flag], preventing Qingming Zhenren from using the mist tide to strengthen himself.

The Mist Demon King was reduced to a mangled body, and it required him to devour a massive amount of flesh and blood to recover. Lu Zaian disdained to use it, as it would be against the natural order.

If it were used to restore the demonic runes of the Nine Netherworlds, it would be making the best use of it.

After resting for a while, Jiuyou took out a storage bag and handed it to Lu Zaian:

"These are some raw jade ore that I casually collected from the bottom of the Azure River. Take a close look and see if they are similar to Fire Poison Crystal Ore?"

Although he could discern some clues, his ability to analyze materials and perceive with divine sense was far inferior to that of the original Lu Zaian.

Lu Zaian took it and took out a piece of green jade about the size of his palm.

The jade is entirely bluish-green, with what appears to be wisps of water vapor flowing slowly within it. Its surface is as smooth as a mirror, warm to the touch, yet it subtly exudes a chill that penetrates to the bone.

Lu Zaian immersed his consciousness into it, carefully sensing that a pure and gentle watery spiritual energy was nourishing his consciousness.

However, at the same time, an extremely subtle and insidious poison, like a bone-deep infection, is also quietly eroding the body.

"As expected... its structure is extremely similar to that of the Fire Poison Crystal Ore, except that one is water-based, cold and corrosive to the soul; the other is fire-based, violent and burning to the body."

Lu Zaian drew a conclusion.

"Does that mean that it can also be forged into a 'Yin Yuan Pill' similar to the 'Yang Yuan Pill' using the alchemy techniques of the Crimson Forging Immortal Workshop?"

Jiuyou's eyes lit up, and he pressed for an answer.

If this method works, the value of the Tianqinghe jade mine will be immeasurable.

Lu Zaian also fell into thought:

"Although jade is rare in the Northern Sky Domain, it was usually polished by cultivators and worn on their bodies to assist in the cultivation of water-attribute techniques, or used as an auxiliary material for refining water-type magic weapons."

After all, the resources in the Northern Airspace surpass those in the most barren Liushi Domain, and no one has yet gone to such lengths to forge the ore itself into pills as the people in Liushi Domain have.

"However, if this method succeeds, the value of the jade will skyrocket..."

With a thought, Lu Zaian sent a message to Su Xuanhuo to come over.

The Nine Netherworld clone then flickered and disappeared into the clouds and mist of the mountain cliffs.

Before long, Su Xuanhuo, who had received the summons, arrived at full speed.

He still carried a faint aura of alchemical fire, clearly indicating that he had just been refining pills.

"Su Xuanhuo greets the Mountain Lord! May I ask what brings you here?"

He bowed respectfully, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

During his years of wandering in Yunli Mountain, relying on the peace and resources of this place, he not only successfully broke through to the mid-stage of the second level in alchemy;

Granddaughter Su Li's cultivation level has also steadily improved;

The entire remnant of the Crimson Forging Immortal Workshop was able to recuperate and rebuild.

Therefore, he felt even more awe and gratitude towards Lu Zaian.

Lu Zaian tossed him the piece of raw jade:

"This is a unique jade mine in the Northern Sky Domain, called Green Jade. Take a look and see if its internal structure and spiritual energy attributes are similar to Fire Poison Crystal Mine?"

Although Lu Zaian is 90% certain, it's still safest to let a professional take a look.

Su Xuanhuo was taken aback upon hearing this. He took the jade with both hands, and his expression immediately became focused and serious.

A spiritual light emanated from his fingertips as he gently stroked the cut surface of the jade. He then closed his eyes and carefully examined it with his divine sense for a long time, even bringing his nose close to inhale its scent.

After a long while, he finally opened his eyes, stroked his beard, and solemnly said:

"Reporting to the Mountain Master, regarding the internal spiritual energy crystal structure of this jade, the distribution of water-attribute spiritual energy, and the chilling, soul-corroding poison it contains..."

It is indeed 90% similar to the Crystal Fire Poison Ore! It's practically a mirror image of water and fire!

"In your opinion, could you use the Crimson Forging Pill Technique to forge it into a 'Yin Yuan Pill' similar to the Yang Yuan Pill?"

Lu Zaian asked with a hint of expectation.

Upon hearing this, Su Xuanhuo first frowned, his face showing difficulty. After pondering and feeling uneasy for a long time, he frankly said:

"Mountain Lord, please see the truth!"

The alchemy techniques of my Liushi Domain have been adapted and optimized by our ancestors over thousands of years based on the characteristics of fire poison crystal ore.

Its core lies in precisely removing 'fire toxins' while preserving the essence of fire.

Alchemists must adjust the frequency, force, and spiritual energy attributes of the forging hammer in real time according to the strength and distribution of fire and poison in each piece of ore in order to successfully create an elixir.

This method has achieved an extremely delicate balance…

Lu Zaian nodded; he knew this all too well.

It was precisely because of the extremely barren environment of the Liushi Domain that the cultivators there were forced to hone a certain skill to its fullest extent.

The more perfect it is, the less it can be optimized.

Because even the slightest change can cause drastic fluctuations...

Is there really no other way?

At this moment, Su Xuanhuo changed the subject, his tone tinged with trepidation yet also with a hint of excitement:

"However... if you, Mountain Lord, are willing to personally lend a hand, with your unparalleled control over your divine soul and your exquisite manipulation of water-based spiritual energy..."

"I am confident that I can optimize a basic alchemy method suitable for Qingyu within three months!"

"I?"

Lu Zaian was slightly taken aback.

"Not bad!"

Seeing that Lu Zaian didn't blame him for his almost "passing the buck" suggestion, Su Xuanhuo breathed a sigh of relief and quickly explained in detail.

"The key difficulty in optimizing this technique lies in the need for the soul to accurately perceive and guide the removal of yin toxins without damaging the essence of water."

Firstly, most of the disciples of my Crimson Forging Immortal Workshop are of the fire attribute, and their spiritual power clashes with this jade, making it difficult for them to work with it.

Secondly, there are no precedents to follow, and a large number of valuable samples may be destroyed during the experimental optimization process;

Thirdly, and most importantly, your divine soul is powerful, and you cultivate the supreme water-based technique. If you were to lead the core experiment, the success rate would be maximized, and the time and losses could be greatly reduced! However…”

He paused, a look of shame on his face:

"I fear this action would interfere too much with your own quiet cultivation, Master..."

The boss assigns a task, but the student lacks the necessary skills and then demands the boss's cooperation in return.

Su Xuanhuo was somewhat apprehensive.

"It doesn't matter."

Lu Zai'an waved his hand, interrupting his concerns.

"It's just a matter of putting in some effort and spending some time. Being able to personally participate in the innovation and optimization of a new alchemy technique is a joy for me. How can it be considered a disturbance?"

Upon hearing this, Su Xuanhuo breathed a long sigh of relief, deeply moved: "The Mountain Lord is truly wise and magnanimous!"

If it were any other cultivator who was focused on improving their cultivation level, they would most likely refuse such "trivial matters" that required a lot of time and energy.

I don't know.

Lu Zaian was originally immortal and had a strong interest in exploring the unknown and studying various skills. For him, participating in the optimization of a new alchemy technique was a form of cultivation and enjoyment.

.........