NOVEL NEXT Chapter 58: Extraction Successful!
Golden Spring Lane.
Zhou Xun arrived in front of Old Daoist Chuyun's cave mansion.
He took out a Sound Transmission Talisman, whispered a few words, and then threw it into the cave mansion, turning into a flame that flew inside.
After a moment, the door of the cave mansion opened from the inside, revealing the figure of Elder Yun.
"Alchemist Zhou, your visit brings such honor to my humble abode, please come in!"
Seeing that it was Zhou Xun visiting, Old Daoist Chuyun appeared pleasantly surprised, and also a bit flattered.
A Foundation Establishment Cultivator personally visiting a Qi Refining Cultivator was indeed a rare occurrence in the entire White Cloud Immortal City.
Old Daoist Chuyun's cave mansion was similar in layout to Zhou Xun's.
Upon reaching the reception hall, Old Daoist Chuyun took out an exquisite jade bottle.
"Alchemist Zhou, have a taste of this Peach Blossom Brew!"
"This was brewed from the blossoms of a Tier One High-Grade Spiritual Peach Tree. It was quite a challenge for me to obtain just this small bottle!"
The old daoist spoke slowly.
Only a distinguished guest like Zhou Xun was worthy of its presentation.
"Oh? I've heard of the renowned Peach Blossom Brew, today I must have a good taste!"
Hearing this, Zhou Xun's eyes lit up.
Peach Blossom Brew was famed to be one of the three great spirit wines of Xui Country, and its annual production was extremely limited.
Who knows where Master Chuyun acquired it from.
Old Daoist Chuyun smiled slightly, then with a twist of his hand, two exquisite jade carved wine cups appeared on the table.
He picked up the jade bottle, gently pulled out the cork, and a tantalizing aroma filled the entire hall, as if one were in a peach blossom garden in spring.
"What a fine wine!"
The wine was slightly red, pouring into the cup with a crisp, flowing sound.
"Alchemist Zhou, please!" Elder Yun toasted.
"Please!"
Zhou Xun raised the cup and drank it all in one go.
As the liquid flowed down his throat, an indescribable feeling surged in his chest. The rich and mellow aroma with a hint of sweetness made him feel as though entering a world full of stories.
As it reached the abdomen, a surge of pure spiritual power rose, racing around his belly.
Zhou Xun immediately activated the Spirit Wood True Technique to refine it.
Just one cup saved him at least a month of arduous cultivation.
It truly deserved to be one of the three great spirit wines of Xui Country.
In terms of taste, none of the spirit wines he had tasted before could compare.
Sipping the Peach Blossom Brew, Zhou Xun began to speak of the purpose of his visit.
"Daoist Chuyun, I have come today to ask a favor!"
"Please speak, Alchemist Zhou!"
Old Daoist Chuyun heard this, collected his expression, and solemnly responded.
"When I broke through to Foundation Establishment, my alchemy technique simultaneously advanced to Tier Two Middle-Grade, so I intend to open a Pill Workshop!"
"I've already rented the shop, but still lack a manager to oversee it, and after much thought, I believe Daoist Chuyun is the most suitable, hence my visit to invite you!"
"If Daoist Chuyun is willing, I am willing to offer an annual salary of one hundred!"
"Of course, as a Tier One High-Grade Talisman Maker, if you wish to refine talismans in your spare time, that is not a problem either!"
"Or you could place the talismans in the shop for sale without any commission!"
Zhou Xun spoke slowly, laying out all the terms.
"This matter is significant; please allow this humble daoist some time to consider it!"
Hearing this, Old Daoist Chuyun didn't immediately agree.
Zhou Xun nodded in agreement.
The invitation for him to be the shopkeeper was quite sudden, and it's normal for him to take some time to think before responding.
Even Zhou Xun would do the same.
Old Daoist Chuyun pondered earnestly, while Zhou Xun tasted the Peach Blossom Brew, patiently waiting.
After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Old Daoist Chuyun raised his head and looked at Zhou Xun.
It seemed that he had come to a decision.
"With Alchemist Zhou personally inviting, how could I decline? I ask Alchemist Zhou to take care of me in future!"
Saying this, he stood up and saluted Zhou Xun:
"Chuyun greets the Master!"
...
Returning to his cave mansion, Zhou Xun checked the Yuan Condensing Grass.
In at most three or four days, it should yield results.
The following days for Zhou Xun were spent entirely on refining elixirs, aside from cultivation.
In the Cultivation Room.
Zhou Xun cast the final spell, and the crimson Alchemy Furnace in front of him automatically opened, releasing five lustrous white elixirs.
Tier One Top-Grade Life-Extending Pills.
Sufficient to extend the lifespan of a Qi Refining Cultivator by nearly ten years.
Zhou Xun crafted this elixir naturally due to the imminent arrival of Song Zhishu.
Song Zhishu had previously gifted Zhou Xun with a Tier Two Low-Grade Wood Element Ginseng, which was extremely beneficial for Zhou Xun at that time.
It was used by Zhou Xun to enhance his Spirit Root Talent.
Zhou Xun naturally felt thankful.
Thus, he refined this batch of Tier One Top-Grade Life-Extending Pills to repay the kindness of the gift.
Besides this bottle of Life-Extending Pills, there lay before Zhou Xun over a dozen bottles of elixirs of various sizes, all results of his recent refining efforts.
At the very least, they were all Tier One High-Grade Elixirs, including even a bottle of Tier Two Middle-Grade Yuan Gathering Pills.
This was Zhou Xun's way of announcing his breakthrough to Tier Two Middle-Grade Alchemist to the outside world.
Now that he had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, he could be considered a backbone force within the whole Xui Country. Even if he showcased his talents, he didn't have to worry about elimination by others.
What's more, being an Alchemy Master is beneficial for all cultivators.
After finishing the refining, Zhou Xun cleaned up and put away the Alchemy Furnace.
Then he took out the Yuan Condensing Grass for inspection.
Now that four days had passed, whether it succeeded or failed, there should be a result.
The Yuan Condensing Grass, now removed, was vibrant and even more lush than before due to Zhou Xun's sacrificial refining.
This was the remarkable strength of a Lifebound Spirit Plant.
After successful sacrificial refining, the plant could grow without needing Spiritual Soil.
And it could be stored inside the cultivator's body.
Seeing the Yuan Condensing Grass, Zhou Xun's heart stirred.
In an instant, the spirit grass was absorbed into his body, taking residence at Zhou Xun's Dantian.
With a thought, the spirit plant appeared outside his body.
A feeling of being one with two bodies.
As though the Yuan Condensing Grass was a part of his body.
"Finally, the Lifebound Spirit Plant has been successfully refined!"
"Next, it is time to attempt using the Spring Condensation Scripture to extract the spirit medicine essence!"
...
Zhou Xun left the Yuan Condensing Grass outside his body.
Then, activating the spell from the Spring Condensation Scripture, he pointed at the Yuan Condensing Grass.
Instantly, a feeling of his body being drained overcame him.
Similarly, a green light dot appeared above the Yuan Condensing Grass.
"Indeed!"
A Lifebound Spirit Plant is still a spirit plant and can indeed be used to extract essence with the Spring Condensation Scripture.
His hypothesis was correct.
In the future, he could use Lifebound Spirit Plants to elevate the level of spirit medicines, then extract the essence to enhance his Spirit Root Talent.
His previously stagnant Spirit Root Talent could soon advance again.
Moreover, Zhou Xun found no significant damage to his foundation after extracting the Yuan Condensing Grass.
As for that bit of divine soul that had split off, it returned to Zhou Xun.
Zhou Xun speculated that this was due to the short sacrificial refining time of his Lifebound Spirit Plant.
If, in the future, he timed the cultivation of his Lifebound Spirit Plant within certain limits, the damage to his foundation could be minimized to an acceptable level.
Next, it's time to open the shop, collect spirit medicines, cultivate Lifebound Spirit Plants, enhance his talents, and focus on cultivating!