Chapter 274: Foundation Pill Formula

Time passes quickly for cultivators, and a year had swiftly gone by. On a tall mountain, Wang Changsheng stood before a vast expanse of spirit fields while Wang Mingsen spoke to him. Nearby, Wang Qingzhi was squatting in front of a patch of white grass, holding a thick ancient text.

Wang Qingqi stood beside Wang Qingzhi, carefully observing the growth of the spirit herbs.

After their ten-year lease expired, the Wang family renewed it, now leasing thirty acres of spirit fields, all dedicated to cultivating spirit herbs.

Qingyue Market, established jointly by the five sects of the Wei Kingdom, was relatively safe.

Wang Mingsen, a Spirit Planter who specialized in cultivation and managed all the spirit herbs grown on the thirty acres of fields, stated truthfully, "Changsheng, the White Moon Grass is mature. It can be used to refine Qi Nourishing Pills. Qingqi is a top-tier First Grade Alchemist; he knows best about this."

Wang Qingqi stood up and walked over. He nodded and said, "Uncle Twenty-two is right. The White Moon Grass is growing well and will certainly be fine for alchemy. The Purple Cloud Flowers, however, still need a bit more time."

"If Qingqi says it's good, then there's definitely no problem. In a couple of days, we'll send someone to harvest the White Moon Grass and give it to Qingqi for alchemy. Qingzhi, let's go."

Wang Qingzhi acknowledged him and walked towards Wang Changsheng.

"Uncle Twenty-two," Wang Qingzhi asked curiously, looking at Wang Mingsen, "The texts say that ten-year-old White Moon Grass emits an astringent smell. Why don't these have that smell?"

Wang Mingsen smiled slightly and explained, "After White Moon Grass matures, it does emit an astringent smell, but it doesn't last long—it dissipates in two or three days. If you had come two days earlier, you would have smelled it. Now the astringency is completely gone, so naturally, you can't smell it. That scent isn't pleasant anyway."

"So that's how it is," Wang Qingzhi suddenly understood. "No wonder it's different from what the texts describe."

"The texts can't possibly explain everything so clearly. For instance, in alchemy, they might say to open the furnace when you smell a strong medicinal aroma. But how would a novice alchemist know how strong the smell should be before opening the furnace? If you're interested in cultivation techniques, come here more often when you have time, and your uncle will teach you."

Wang Qingzhi cautiously glanced at Wang Changsheng, seemingly asking for his approval.

"If you're interested in cultivation techniques, you can certainly learn more from Uncle Twenty-two," Wang Changsheng said. "However, you mustn't neglect your cultivation. Also, you're not allowed to come here alone secretly; you must always be accompanied."

Wang Changsheng knew his son was quiet and loved reading. Since it was rare for Wang Qingzhi to show interest in cultivation techniques, Wang Changsheng didn't object, as the family indeed needed talents in this area.

"Understood, Father," Wang Qingzhi replied with a simple, honest smile.

"Uncle Twenty-two, we'll be going now. We'll visit you again another day."

Wang Changsheng bid farewell to Wang Mingsen and left with Wang Qingqi and Wang Qingzhi.

Not long after, the three of them appeared on a bustling street.

"Ninth Uncle, Fourth Brother, Ninth Brother, please wait!"

As they passed the Wang Family General Store, a familiar voice reached their ears. Wang Changsheng turned his head and saw Wang Qingyuan sitting behind the counter, speaking with a customer.

Wang Qingyuan quickly stepped out and transmitted a message: "Ninth Uncle, there's a big deal that I can't decide on; I need your judgment."

"A big deal?" Wang Changsheng was a bit surprised and glanced at the customer inside the store.

A black-faced man in his forties, at the seventh level of Qi Refining, sat in the store. He seemed nervous when he saw Wang Changsheng looking at him.

"A Foundation Establishment Pill formula!" Wang Qingyuan explained via spiritual transmission, his expression solemn. "I don't understand alchemy, so I don't know if it's real or fake."

"A Foundation Establishment Pill formula?" Wang Changsheng's expression grew serious, and he stepped inside.

"Junior Lin Xiao greets Senior Wang." The black-faced man was quite nervous and performed a junior's salute.

"You don't need to be nervous. We won't force a purchase," Wang Changsheng said kindly. "It's business, after all; both parties must be willing. Please take out the item so I can examine it."

Lin Xiao didn't dare to delay. He honestly took out a blue jade slip and handed it to Wang Changsheng. Wang Changsheng swept his spiritual sense over its contents, showing no unusual expression. He then handed it to Wang Qingqi and transmitted, "Qingqi, you're an alchemist. Take a look and see if there's any problem with the formula recorded on this jade slip."

Wang Qingqi took the jade slip and immersed his spiritual sense into it. A moment later, he withdrew his spiritual sense and transmitted with some uncertainty, "Ninth Uncle, I'm not a Second Grade Alchemist. With my current alchemy level, I can't discern if it's genuine or fake."

The Wang family began as artificers, and while they had collected some pill formulas, they were all First Grade, lacking any Second Grade ones. Since this jade slip contained a Foundation Establishment Pill formula, Wang Qingqi couldn't confirm its authenticity.

Wang Changsheng looked at Lin Xiao and asked, "Young friend Lin, how many spirit stones are you asking for?"

"Fifteen hundred," Lin Xiao replied. "Senior Wang should also be aware of this item's value. If I weren't in need of spirit stones, I wouldn't be selling it."

Wang Changsheng frowned slightly. "But how can you prove this is the original? What if you had someone engrave a copy? Wouldn't I suffer a great loss?" If it truly was a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill formula, Wang Changsheng wouldn't hesitate. However, if it was fake, losing some spirit stones wasn't the biggest concern; being made a fool of would be a great humiliation.

"This jade slip was purchased by this junior at a high price from a family disciple. It is indeed the original."

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng's face showed signs of contemplation.

"Fourth Brother, let me see it," Wang Qingzhi spoke up.

Wang Qingqi handed the jade slip to Wang Qingzhi. Wang Qingzhi took it, but instead of checking its contents, he carefully examined the slip's appearance.

"Father, this jade slip is called a Green Plum Jade Slip," Wang Qingzhi transmitted. "It was a new product from a jade slip workshop that went out of business hundreds of years ago due to poor sales, so not many were made. The plum blossom impression on its surface is almost worn smooth, and the slip itself feels somewhat rounded, which is likely the result of being handled and played with over many years. The jade slip itself should be authentic, but I can't be sure about its content."

Wang Changsheng was somewhat surprised and transmitted curiously, "A Green Plum Jade Slip? How do you know about this?"

Wang Qingzhi gave an embarrassed smile and said sheepishly, "When I was young and learning, I enjoyed reading miscellaneous books. One of them, *Travels of Qingyunzi*, mentioned Green Plum Jade Slips. That workshop engraved plum blossom imprints on the slips, intending to sell them to female cultivators, but they weren't popular and were quickly discontinued."

Wang Changsheng hadn't expected that his usually quiet and reserved son possessed such keen attention to detail. He took the blue jade slip and examined it closely. Indeed, he could vaguely make out half a plum blossom on it, and the slip felt somewhat rounded to the touch. It seemed unlikely that Lin Xiao would specifically acquire a Green Plum Jade Slip just to create a fake. As for altering the contents of the jade slip, Lin Xiao shouldn't have any motive for that.

"Qingyuan, is he a regular customer at the shop? What kind of person is he?" Wang Changsheng transmitted.

"He's a regular customer. He values loyalty and is very fond of his rather plain-looking wife. He and his cultivation partner are always inseparable, but this time, he didn't bring her. When he first arrived, he looked frantic and even refused the tea I offered. If I'm not mistaken, they probably killed someone for their treasure, and his partner suffered severe injuries. He needs spirit stones to buy elixirs to treat her."

Wang Changsheng nodded, having made his judgment.

"Senior Wang, I swear by my heart demon that this jade slip was indeed bought by me at a high price, and its contents have not been altered," Lin Xiao said, his tone growing hurried, as if he was in a rush to go somewhere. "I'm an old customer; I would never sell counterfeit goods to the Wang Family General Store. If you don't believe me, then so be it. I'll take it elsewhere."