Longevity through Upgrading Buildings

The success rate for ordinary Pill Masters fluctuates between two to three pills.

It is said that some unreliable Loose Cultivators can only produce one pill from the ingredients for a Foundation Establishment Pill, yet people still seek them out for its creation...

That's why Ji Yuan recently went to the Pill Hall on Four Corners Island, intending to take on orders for brewing Foundation Establishment Pills.

For this purpose, he crafted several batches of Tier Two Elixirs on-site, proving his prowess as a Tier Two Pill Master.

As for the price he set...

Typically, a Pill Master charges around 80 Mid-grade Spirit Stones for crafting one batch of Foundation Establishment Pills, but Ji Yuan decisively quoted 100 Mid-grade Spirit Stones.

Of course, he has different confidence backing this price.

He guarantees every batch of Foundation Establishment Pills will yield at least three pills.

Ji Yuan had considered secretly retaining the fourth Foundation Establishment Pill he crafted but refrained because before others ask for pill crafting, contracts with significant consequences are signed, preventing some Pill Masters from secretly withholding pills.

But even without withholding, a price of 100 Mid-grade Spirit Stones per batch... is enough to earn a substantial amount.

Not to mention using others' materials to improve one's alchemical experiences; many Alchemists do this.

A primary money-making avenue for Pill Masters is crafting elixirs for others.

However, for Ji Yuan, crafting other pills yields less profit than crafting his own; thus, he doesn't bother with this avenue.

But Foundation Establishment Pills are different.

Materials are scarce.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have sought out Four Corners Island.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you to craft them, but I won't pay you now."

Du Wanyi said, once again handing the two Jade Boxes to Ji Yuan, "But you'll have to wait until I have all the other materials ready before proceeding."

"Fine, since second sister has returned from the Nine Nether Cave Heaven, there's no rush for anything."

"Right."

The two returned indoors, Du Wanyi immediately lay down on her favorite soft chair, curling up like a wounded little fox.

"Fourth brother... I'm glad you didn't go to the Nine Nether Cave Heaven."

Du Wanyi whispered.

"You know? Even Feng Yichen died inside."

"What? He died inside?"

Ji Yuan was genuinely surprised upon hearing this; he had assumed among all Qi Cultivation Stage disciples of the Water Dragon Sect, Feng Yichen was the least likely to die. Never expected he would meet his end...

A prominent figure in the Water Dragon Sect, hailed as the Pseudo Spirit Root disciple most likely to reach Foundation Establishment.

Yet he died inside the Nine Nether Cave Heaven.

Indeed, it seems avoiding risks was the right choice.

"Yes, after we came out, even the Golden Core Elder was quite shocked upon hearing the news."

"What about Han Feiyu?"

"He did make it out alive, but he's badly injured, probably needing half a year to a year to recover." Du Wanyi recalled something else, "Furthermore, remember the two Qi Cultivation ninth layer disciples from Cloud Rain Marsh who joined Water Dragon Sect with us?"

"It was Chu Jingtong from Black Water Square and Sang Zhongyuan from Huaiyin Square, right."

Ji Yuan naturally remembered them; they had once taken his spot to go to Liancheng Mountain.

"Correct, I even ran into the two inside Nine Nether Cave Heaven, traveled with them for a while, but ultimately never saw them come out."

If they didn't come out, it meant they died inside.

Ji Yuan lightly stroked the Jade Pendant at his waist, slowly speaking, "Cultivation is a path of great pursuit; no one is immune from death."

"Indeed, very few came out alive this time; it's reported that other sects also had fewer survivors than before, although the Corpse Transporting Mountain sect had a comparatively higher number of survivors."

"Perhaps they were more cautious."

"Okay, let's not talk about them; do you know how I acquired those two thousand-year Illusion Spirit Grass? Actually, only one was picked by me; the other came through fortunate coincidence. As I was preparing to leave because the Nine Nether Cave Heaven was about to close, I stumbled upon two disciples from Joy Palace and Medicine King Valley fighting, played the role of the witty bystander, and reaped the benefits."

"Didn't expect that the Medicine King Valley disciple's Storage Bag contained a thousand-year Illusion Spirit Grass."

Recalling this, Du Wanyi felt both joyful and a bit fearful.

"What was it like inside the Nine Nether Cave Heaven, second sister? Tell me more?"

Though Ji Yuan didn't go there, he was somewhat curious about it.

Asking others might not be convenient, but with Du Wanyi, there was no hesitation.

...

Meanwhile.

Water Dragon Island, inside the main hall.

Master Xuan Shui calmly looked at Han Feiyu standing before him, "You mean, you went with Feng Yichen to that place, he died inside, and you risked your life to retrieve that item?"

"Indeed."

Han Feiyu stood with hands clasped.

"Where is that item?"

Master Xuan Shui inquired.

Han Feiyu extended his hands, suddenly producing a pure white bracelet that floated between his palms, emitting a glowing white light. As soon as it appeared, the entire hall was filled with an aura captivating the soul.

Master Xuan Shui's breathing quickened upon seeing the bracelet.

This thing... he's been dreaming of acquiring for over two hundred years; it finally landed into his hands today; how could he not be overjoyed?

"It's this, this is the treasure..."

With a mere thought, Master Xuan Shui let the bracelet fall into his hands.

He was truly relieved now.

With another thought, he forced a drop of blood onto the bracelet. Once the blood recognized ownership, the bracelet was immediately stored away inside his Storage Bag.