Chapter 118: Testing the Pill

Zhou Tianyang’s face lit up with surprise.

At his current realm, progress in cultivation was extremely slow. To reach the Thirteenth Layer of Qi Refinement and attempt Foundation Establishment would take at least twenty years—a period that would place him well into his seventies! With his aptitude, the chances of successfully achieving Foundation Establishment at such an age were dismally low.

Upon learning that Chen Luo was an alchemist, he had promptly expended considerable effort to acquire the formula for the ‘Spirit Explosion Pill’ from elsewhere, hoping Chen Luo could provide him with some pills to accelerate his cultivation speed.

To his astonishment, it took only a few days for Chen Luo to successfully refine the Spirit Explosion Pill.

How could he not be overjoyed?

“First-grade pill, devoid of any toxicity.” A hint of pride surfaced on Chen Luo’s face, mirroring the arrogance often seen in external alchemists. “Concocting this spirit pill required immense dedication and resources.”

“You’ve truly outdone yourself, brother.” Zhou Tianyang’s expression ignited with fervor. If Chen Luo could consistently produce Spirit Explosion Pills, advancing his cultivation realm would no longer be a concern. Perhaps within his lifetime, he might even glimpse the threshold of Foundation Establishment as a cultivator.

“The unfortunate part is that refining these Spirit Explosion Pills is arduous; despite using numerous spirit medicines, I managed to create just one.”

“What do you mean by ‘not much’? Did you use them all?!?”

Zhou Tianyang’s expression faltered momentarily. Even as the head of the Loose Cultivators Union, hearing about all the ingredients being burned up left him feeling dizzy. How could such vast quantities of spirit materials be consumed in just one day?

It was incredibly extravagant.

Alchemists were like bottomless pits, both loved and detested for their resource consumption.

“Before the path to enlightenment, what do minor losses matter? If it allows me to reach the Thirteenth Layer of Qi Refinement faster, my chances at Foundation Establishment greatly increase.” Chen Luo displayed a hint of displeasure, seemingly implying that Zhou Tianyang failed to appreciate the value involved.

“In principle, you’re right…”

Zhou Tianyang dared not press further. Alchemists often had eccentric temperaments, and having finally managed to connect with one, he wouldn’t jeopardize this relationship over such a trivial matter.

However, those precious ingredients…

Just thinking about the wastage made Zhou Tianyang’s heart ache as if bleeding internally. Those were three months’ worth of supplies; any future requests would require trading additional resources.

“If Brother only needs beginner or intermediate pills like Qi Nourishing Pills or Spirit Gathering Pills, I can easily concoct them, but their effects…” Chen Luo’s face showed disdain, as if disapproving of Zhou Tianyang’s lack of ambition.

“Spirit Explosion Pill, we must focus on the Spirit Explosion Pill!” Zhou Tianyang exclaimed, his eyes reddening, teeth gritted.

He was now firmly trapped. Having invested so much, he couldn’t let it all go down the drain, could he?

No matter how high the loss, it was better than having no hope at all! After years spent mingling in Woodmount City, joining the Loose Cultivators Union had been solely for that glimmer of opportunity. With this chance now within reach, there was no way he could back down.

“Regarding the losses, can my friend help control them somewhat? Acquiring these spirit materials isn’t easy,” Zhou Tianyang suggested cautiously, adopting a conciliatory tone.

“No problem. The initial attempt with the Spirit Explosion Pill naturally led to higher losses. Subsequent refinements won’t be as wasteful. With ten sets of ingredients, we should at least yield one or three Spirit Explosion Pills.”

Initially, Chen Luo wanted to say just one pill, but fearing he might scare off Zhou Tianyang, his ‘investor,’ he added two more.

“Three pills? No issue!”

Zhou Tianyang’s mind began racing with possibilities.

With three pills, the profits would significantly increase. He could report to the union claiming only one Spirit Explosion Pill per twenty sets of ingredients, allowing him to pocket five extra pills each time. This connection held immense promise for his own Foundation Establishment aspirations!

“I’ll leave it in your capable hands, brother. Currently, I don’t have any spare spirit medicines, so I’ll need to sell this first Spirit Explosion Pill to acquire more materials.” Chen Luo reluctantly handed over the ‘Spirit Explosion Pill’, his face reflecting deep reluctance and disappointment.

A First-Grade Spirit Explosion Pill was highly valuable.

“Excellent. I’ll make arrangements right away and have the spirit materials delivered tonight.”

With the medicinal pill in hand, Zhou Tianyang hastily departed. He had completely forgotten his original purpose for visiting as obtaining the Spirit Explosion Pill took precedence.

Eager to examine it thoroughly, he returned to the rear of Zhou Manor.

Zhou Tianyang entered his secret chamber and instructed his subordinates, “I am going into secluded cultivation. Unless it’s urgent, no one is to disturb me.”

“Yes, sir!” The masked black-clad figures promptly acknowledged and swiftly dispersed, securing the area around Zhou Tianyang’s secret chamber.

Outside, Chen Luo silently materialized near the Zhou Manor. Standing on the rooftop of a neighboring restaurant, he maintained a distance that allowed him to sense Zhou Tianyang within the secret chamber.

Having absorbed Wan Ming’s knowledge, Chen Luo’s ability to restrain his aura had significantly improved. Combined with insights from his Foundation Establishment brain, he effortlessly followed Zhou Tianyang without being detected.

Inside the secret chamber, Zhou Tianyang opened the bottle and poured the medicinal pill into his palm. The smooth, round pill felt warm, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance.

“What exquisite potency,” Zhou Tianyang marveled, deeply inhaling with a look of pure delight. From the moment he held this Spirit Explosion Pill entrusted by Chen Luo, selling it never crossed his mind.

Zhou Tianyang took a deep breath, his face filled with delight. From the moment he received Chen Luo’s ‘Spirit Explosion Pill’ for sale, he never intended to part with it.

As for the spirit materials consumed by Chen Luo, Zhou Tianyang could simply find an excuse later and have the organization replenish them. Considering all his contributions, taking a couple of medicinal pills seemed justified.

“A first-grade pill! I didn’t expect this Chen fellow’s pill-concocting skills to be so exceptional.”

Examining the medicinal pill in his hand, Zhou Tianyang pinched it between two fingers and swiftly swallowed it whole. He casually tossed the pill bottle aside without even waiting to activate his cultivation technique. Instantly, the potency of the medicine erupted within him.

“True to its name, the Spirit Explosion Pill is indeed powerful…”

Drops of sweat appeared on Zhou Tianyang’s forehead, veins bulging visibly as the spiritual energy inside him ignited like a raging inferno.

“This is far more intense than the description given within our alliance. Truly deserving of being a first-grade pill!”

Zhou Tianyang’s expression contorted, as scorching spiritual energy coursed through his body, each circulation feeling like a thousand knives scraping against his insides. Most alarmingly, he found himself unable to concentrate; the only option was to let the medicinal power surge unchecked, completely forgetting about controlling it with his cultivation technique.

One cycle, two cycles…

Pff!!

Unable to withstand the pressure, Zhou Tianyang suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, splattering it on the wall. Overwhelmed, he crashed into the adjacent wall and then crumpled onto the floor, writhing in agony. His clothes tore into tattered rags, making him resemble a beggar with disheveled hair, as his hands frantically clawed at his chest and abdomen.

“This isn’t the Spirit Explosion Pill?! You deceitful bastard, Chen Luo! How dare you sell counterfeit medicine!”

During his struggle, Zhou Tianyang rolled uncontrollably across the ground, incessantly cursing Chen Luo’s entire family with remarkably vivid and ear-piercing language.

“But that can’t be!” Confusion filled Chen Luo’s face as he secretly observed Zhou Tianyang from afar. In creating this ‘Spirit Foundation Pill,’ he had merely added one strand of Spirit-Draining Grass and adjusted the ingredient proportions slightly. At worst, it could alter the efficacy but should never turn it into a toxic pill.

After about an hour, Zhou Tianyang’s curses gradually weakened, and his movements became less frenzied.

The intense spiritual energy circulated fiercely within him for a hundred cycles before slowly dissipating. As the effects of the medication waned, Zhou Tianyang’s thrashing body finally stilled, except for occasional spasms in his legs. He lay motionless, covered in blood, his clothes torn and hair disarrayed, deep scratch marks marred his chest and back. Collapsed on the ground, it was hard to tell if he was still alive or not.

Witnessing this scene left Chen Luo feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Having finally found Magistrate Zhou as a supplier, he couldn’t let him perish so easily. Just as Chen Luo hesitated whether to enter and help “preserve Big Brother Zhou’s assets,” Zhou Tianyang suddenly rolled over and sat up. His expression swiftly changed from anger to delight.

“Hahaha!! It’s real! This Spirit Explosion Pill is truly effective.”

As Zhou Tianyang sat upright, his injuries began to heal rapidly, and his aura surged, breaking through from the initial stage of the Eleventh Layer to the Twelfth Layer of Qi Refinement.

The bottleneck that had stalled him for over seven years was successfully overcome by the potency of the Spirit Explosion Pill. The advancement brought immense excitement, overshadowing the intense pain he endured during its consumption; he chose to conveniently ignore those memories.

After stabilizing his new realm, Zhou Tianyang’s aura gradually settled. He quickly tidied his disheveled hair and started assessing the gains from his period of secluded cultivation.

His successful breakthrough, beyond the seven years of accumulated effort, was primarily due to the ‘Spirit Explosion Pill’ provided by Chen Luo. The pill, with its brutally forceful method, shattered his ‘Perfection’, allowing it to reorganize his internal meridians, ultimately leading to his triumphant advance.

“It must be due to the exceptionally high quality of the Spirit Explosion Pill causing such intensity.”

Recalling his breakthrough experience, Zhou Tianyang couldn’t help but shudder slightly. He never wanted to go through that again in his lifetime. However, the prospect of future progress towards Foundation Establishment stirred his heart despite himself.

“The medicinal pill seems fine; it’s just somewhat hard to endure during consumption.”

Outside, Chen Luo quietly stepped back, a hint of disappointment flashing across his face.

He had already mentally prepared to ‘safeguard’ Big Brother Zhou’s belongings, only for him to unexpectedly pull through.

After waiting another quarter of an hour, ensuring there were no lingering issues with Zhou Tianyang, Chen Luo turned and left.

With Zhou Tianyang’s assistance, he now understood the effects of his Spirit Foundation Pills. The potency was unquestionable, as it allowed Zhou Tianyang, at the Eleventh Layer of Qi Refinement, to break through to the Twelfth Layer. Such a medicinal pill would undoubtedly be highly valued if released on the market, scarce yet sought after.

As for the pain experienced during ingestion, Chen Luo deemed it negligible.

Which solo cultivator can’t handle a bit of hardship?

Returning to his small courtyard, Chen Luo once again entered the alchemy room.

Using the same method as before, Chen Luo commenced another round of pill concoction. This time, the process for creating the Spirit Foundation Pills went exceptionally smoothly. Experience counts; with his prior knowledge, it became much easier.

After hiding away the remaining ingredients, Chen Luo rose to collect the pills and seal the furnace.

He deliberately left some herbs unused, claiming they were consumed only to follow the standard reimbursement procedure. It was a habit carried over from managing projects in his previous life—a reminder not to forget one’s roots.

“Should I try one myself?”

Gazing at the medicinal pill in his hand, Chen Luo felt slightly tempted. He had been stuck at the tenth layer of Qi Refining for quite some time, nearing a breakthrough.

Holding the pill, Chen Luo hesitated momentarily, then finally gritted his teeth and took one.

The pill dissolved instantly upon entering his mouth.

With Zhou Tianyang’s experience fresh in mind, Chen Luo wisely chose not to resist. Despite being prepared, he barely managed to withstand the surge. The moment the medicinal power exploded, all the spiritual energy within him was compelled to circulate rapidly. Without actively using the ‘Comprehending Spirit Art,’ his spiritual energy began moving on its own accord. External spiritual energy forcefully breached the state of ‘Perfection’ inside him, injecting additional spiritual force.

“Such potent medicinal effects?”

Chen Luo finally understood why Zhou Tianyang had coughed up blood.

After reaching the tenth layer of Qi Refinement, spiritual energy within the body forms a cycle, achieving a state of ‘Perfection’. Cultivators inherently exist in this ‘perfect unity’ condition. When the power of the medicinal pill forcibly tears open a breach, allowing external spiritual energy to rush in, the balance is disrupted. Unable to react swiftly, the cultivator inevitably sustains injury.

Pain!

Chen Luo experienced it firsthand, feeling disoriented and unable to consciously activate his cultivation technique.

Fortunately, unlike Zhou Tianyang, he had over a hundred additional ‘brains’ at his disposal.

With seven Foundation Establishment-level minds and one hundred Late Stage Qi Refinement-level minds, they all sprang into action. They began actively helping him channel the surging spiritual energy. Although still somewhat uncomfortable, the pain remained within manageable limits.

As circles of spiritual energy circulated through Chen Luo’s body, his aura fluctuated accordingly. Finally, after completing a hundred cycles, the boundary within his realm abruptly loosened, signaling a successful breakthrough.

He reached the Eleventh Layer of Qi Refinement!