Dashing Student

The Yuan Condensing Pill can elevate a Foundation Establishment Cultivator by a small realm without any side effects.

Though effective only for the first pill each cultivator consumes, it saves a tremendous amount of painstaking cultivation time, thus it's extremely rare and sought after.

However, the Yuan Condensing Pill is a sixth-grade elixir pill, and one of the required spiritual medicines is the Seven-star Begonia Grass.

Although it's currently impossible to refine it, Chen Nan doesn't mind starting to collect the materials now.

Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly recalled something and said instead, "Fairy Qing Yao, actually, my greatest strength lies in medical skill."

"If you don't mind, could I take a look at your esteemed father's condition?"

Chen Nan said this to make the Medicine Immortal Valley owe a favor to the Qingshan Sect.

It's essential to know that the current courteous behavior from several third-tier sects towards the Qingshan Sect is due to their ability to refine seventh-grade elixir pills.

But refining elixirs requires spiritual medicines, and the Medicine Immortal Valley is skilled in cultivating them. If the two sects establish a cooperative relationship, there will never be a shortage of spiritual medicine sources in future.

Previously, due to negligence, Qing Yao almost offended Chen Nan, this alchemist, so she didn't hesitate for a moment and quickly said, "If you are willing, young master, that would be wonderful."

"Alright, Fairy Qing Yao, please wait a moment. Let me make a few arrangements before returning with you now."

After saying this, Chen Nan discussed a few matters with elders from other three sects and promised that the refined elixirs would be prioritized for sale to them. Only then did he leave with Qing Yao.

Qing Yao was anxious to return, and the distance of a hundred li on the flying boat took no more than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

This was Chen Nan's first visit to the Medicine Immortal Valley. Even before entering the valley, he could smell the fragrance of spiritual medicine emanating from within, which made him raise his eyebrows in surprise.

After entering the Medicine Immortal Valley, his astonishment grew, for the conditions here were far superior to those of the Qingshan Sect.

Although both are non-mainstream sects, how can there be such a big gap?

Passing through patches of spiritual herb fields, the two arrived at a small courtyard at the end of the valley, surrounded by bamboo, lending the place an air of tranquility and elegance.

As they walked along the stone path into the courtyard, Qing Yao stepped forward and opened a room door, releasing a dense medicinal scent.

Chen Nan looked up and saw a middle-aged man lying on the sickbed, his face pale and breath faint as if he were trapped in some kind of nightmare.

"Young Master Chen, this is my father Qing Xuan. Although poisoned before, at least he was conscious, but now he has been in a coma for many days."

Qing Yao, looking at her father, had deep sorrow in her eyes.

"Don't worry, Fairy. Let me examine Uncle first," Chen Nan said.

Chen Nan stepped forward and placed his hand on Qing Xuan's wrist. A strand of pure mana flowed along his meridians into Qing Xuan's body. What he discovered left Chen Nan greatly alarmed.

At this moment, Qing Xuan's body was like a blazing furnace, constantly scorching his meridians and organs, which led to the depletion of blood and qi and the loss of life.

The mere proximity gave Chen Nan the sensation of being burned by flames. Qing Xuan seemed like a massive burning furnace.

If it weren't for Qing Xuan's Golden Core level five cultivation, he would likely have perished long ago.

"Young Master Chen, how is my father?" Qing Yao asked anxiously, holding on to a thread of hope.

"Sigh." Chen Nan sighed. "For Uncle to hold on until now is a miracle. Even though the Spirit Cold Pill can alleviate the fire poison, it's merely a drop in the ocean."

Qing Yao, of course, knew this. After her father fell into a coma, many physicians were invited to examine him, and their conclusions were similar.

Which was that Qing Xuan wasn't going to make it this time.

Hearing Chen Nan say so out loud, Qing Yao couldn't help herself; her eyes instantly reddened.

"Young Master Chen, is there no other way? If there is, I, Qing Yao, would repay you even if I had to work like a beast!"

"Have Uncle take a Spirit Cold Pill to ease it for now. I'll think of a way," Chen Nan said softly.

This situation is exceedingly tricky even for him; the fire poison within Qing Xuan is not simple, and ordinary methods are already useless.

Qing Yao felt slightly disappointed in her heart, but this outcome was something she had long been mentally prepared for, so she didn't blame anyone. Instead, she gently supported her father and fed him the Spirit Cold Pill.

As the pill was ingested, its effects promptly took hold. Qing Xuan's body temperature rapidly decreased, and a hint of color returned to his face, but he still did not wake up.

Chen Nan went into the courtyard and began pondering methods to deal with the fire poison.

From what he knew, there are essentially two ways to eliminate fire poison. The first is to use a higher-grade cold ice attribute elixir to counteract the fire poison.

The other method is to use Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire, to attack poison with poison, swallowing the fire poison.

Both methods are beyond what Foundation Establishment cultivators could achieve. High-grade elixirs are out of reach, not to mention the high-grade spiritual medicines required.

As for Heaven and Earth Spirit Fire, it is exceedingly rare and nearly unattainable, cherished by some high-grade alchemists as their lifeline, not something minor Foundation Establishment cultivators could covet.

More realistically, Qing Xuan is beyond saving.

Qing Yao didn't know when she'd arrived before Chen Nan and, seeing his furrowed brow, couldn't help but speak softly.

"Young Master Chen, I'm aware of my father's situation and am mentally prepared. You need not blame yourself, I am the one making things difficult for you."

"Not at all." Chen Nan smiled. "With the Spirit Cold Pill, it should allow your esteemed father to hold on for quite some time, and maybe a solution will be found."

These words were purely comforting, and Qing Yao was well aware, but she still nodded gratefully.

Chen Nan didn't leave because he wanted to further discuss cooperation matters with the Medicine Immortal Valley and stayed at the valley.

That evening, Qing Yao had some dishes and wine brought over to express her gratitude to Chen Nan for refining the Spirit Cold Pill.

"Young Master Chen, in any case, thank you very much. This well-aged Seven-star Begonia Grass is yours. Please do not disdain it."

Qing Yao said while taking out a long wooden box from her sleeve. Inside was a verdant spiritual medicine plant with seven leaves, each having seven light dots representing the seven stars in the sky.

The rich spiritual energy emanated from the box, making Chen Nan's eyes light up instantly. Such a spiritual medicine plant would be priceless outside.

"Then I shall graciously accept."

He cupped his hands and readily took the wooden box.

After the two had a few drinks together, Chen Nan finally broached the real purpose of this visit.

"Fairy, I see that though your Medicine Immortal Valley has secret techniques to cultivate spiritual medicines, it lacks alchemists. The difference in profit between selling spiritual medicines and elixir pills can be tenfold or even a hundredfold."

"Haven't you considered looking for an alchemist?"