Chapter 2795: Awakening Elixir

Desolate City is the closest market town for the human race to the Savage Lands. The streets were bustling with people and noisy with carriages, creating a lively atmosphere.

In a secluded manor, Wang Changsheng sat on a stone bench as a tall, slender middle-aged man reported to him. After escaping from the beastmen, Wang Changsheng left the Savage Lands. He encountered no particularly formidable seventh-tier demonic beasts on his journey and successfully returned to Desolate City.

"Senior Brother Liu and the others haven't returned yet?"

Wang Changsheng frowned. According to their agreement, if they encountered a powerful enemy and got separated, unable to find each other, they were to return to Desolate City and wait. The Wang family had many clan members stationed in Desolate City, primarily tasked with gathering intelligence and collecting cultivation resources. Wang Yongsheng was the person in charge.

"Yes, Ancestor," Wang Yongsheng replied truthfully, "we've had people monitoring the entrances and exits, but there's been no sign of Senior Liu and the others."

"Understood. Have someone keep an eye out for them." Wang Changsheng gave a few instructions, then dismissed Wang Yongsheng.

The Bi-pupil Rat scurried out from his robes, climbed onto his shoulder, and let out a series of excited squeaks. With a flick of his right hand, Wang Changsheng produced an exquisite azure jade box. Opening it, a Seven-Star Jade Ganoderma came into view. This Seven-Star Jade Ganoderma was over 30,000 years old. He wondered if the Bi-pupil Rat could transform upon consuming it.

It would be even more effective if refined into an Enlightenment Elixir. Among the ancient texts Wang Chuanming brought from the Profound Spirit Grotto-heaven, besides cultivation techniques, there were also elixir recipes, talisman crafting manuals, wine formulas, and formation texts, including the formula for the Enlightenment Elixir.

The Enlightenment Elixir is a sixth-tier pill. The older the main ingredient, the Seven-Star Jade Ganoderma, the more potent the refined elixir would be. Once the Wang family gathered the other necessary spiritual herbs, Liu Hongxue could refine the Enlightenment Elixir. The Bi-pupil Rat had evolved from an ordinary mouse into a spirit beast, reaching its current stage by consuming numerous spiritual elixirs and miraculous medicines, gradually evolving towards a Sky-Devouring Rat.

The Bi-pupil Rat's ability to summon the Sky-Devouring Rat's spectral form merely indicated its significant potential. In terms of bloodline, however, it couldn't compare to a Mirage Dragon or a Qilin Turtle. The Bi-pupil Rat was too many generations removed from its origins, resulting in a considerable gap compared to the direct descendants of the Sky-Devouring Rat.

Seeing the Seven-Star Jade Ganoderma, it let out excited chirps and tried to eat it, but Wang Changsheng stopped it. "It will be more effective if refined into a pill," Wang Changsheng explained. He then took out a five-thousand-year-old Golden Jade Ginseng and fed it to the Bi-pupil Rat. The Bi-pupil Rat seemed to understand Wang Changsheng's words. It ate the ginseng but continued to gaze longingly at the Seven-Star Jade Ganoderma.

Wang Changsheng put away the Seven-Star Jade Ganoderma and walked towards a nearby azure pavilion. He entered a private chamber, sat on an azure meditation cushion, and began to meditate and regulate his breathing.

More than a month quickly passed. A communication talisman flew into the chamber. Wang Changsheng caught it, and as he crushed it, Wang Yongsheng's voice emerged: "Ancestor, Senior Liu and the others have returned. They are outside."

Wang Changsheng rose and went outside, where he saw Liu Qingfeng and his two companions. Song Yunlong's face was slightly pale, Niu Pan looked a bit worn, but Liu Qingfeng appeared unchanged.

"Senior Brother Liu, you're finally back! What happened?" Wang Changsheng asked curiously.

"We encountered an attack from Integration-stage Lizardmen, which caused a delay, but fortunately, we suffered no major harm," Liu Qingfeng explained, his tone flat, as if describing a trivial matter.

"It's fortunate that Daoist Liu's divine powers are immense; he led us to break through the encirclement. Otherwise, we would have been stuck in the Savage Lands forever," Song Yunlong added, a lingering look of fear on his face.

The Lizardmen were masters of concealment. Six Integration-stage Lizardmen had ambushed them, forcing Song Yunlong to even use his Life-Substitute Pearl to avoid certain death. Niu Pan had also suffered a loss of vital essence. Liu Qingfeng, using his formidable divine abilities, slew two Integration-stage Lizardmen and led them through the encirclement. Without him, they would likely not have survived.

Song Yunlong, being a spiritual body cultivator, hadn't participated in many life-or-death battles. With the support of Zhenhai Palace, the Song family didn't require him to lead charges or venture into perilous secret realms; he was meant to focus solely on his cultivation. Perhaps this was also a drawback of spiritual body cultivators. As quasi-Integration cultivators, very few forces were willing to risk them in direct combat or dangerous expeditions.

After Song Yunlong advanced to the Integration stage, he had gained considerable combat experience sparring with Integration cultivators from Zhenhai Palace's local faction. However, this was his first time being ambushed by multiple Integration cultivators, and he suffered a significant loss due to his momentary carelessness. Had Liu Qingfeng not intervened promptly, he would have perished.

"Lizardmen!" Wang Changsheng's expression hardened. It seemed Liu Qingfeng and his companions had truly poor luck, falling into an ambush by six Integration-stage Lizardmen. To break free while so heavily outnumbered was a testament to Liu Qingfeng's formidable strength, which was not to be underestimated.

"We couldn't find the Three-Headed Flood Dragon Turtle. Let's go back; there's no need to waste more time here," Liu Qingfeng said gravely. He hadn't located the Three-Headed Flood Dragon Turtle, but he had acquired a seventh-tier flood dragon hide and its vital scales, which was also a worthwhile gain. These could be refined into a powerful mid-grade Sky-Reaching Spirit Treasure.

Wang Changsheng nodded. Together, they departed from Desolate City and went their separate ways.

On Azure Lotus Island, in a vast manor... Wang Yingjie, Liu Hongxue, and Wang Huayue sat within an azure stone pavilion, engaged in conversation. After returning from Azure Lotus Valley to Azure Lotus Island, they had been instructing their descendants, bestowing spiritual elixirs, and imparting wisdom. Now, Wang Yingjie and Liu Hongxue were preparing to embark on a journey and were briefing Wang Huayue on various matters.

"Father, Mother, I've noted everything you said. Please travel without worry," Wang Huayue said earnestly.

"Wife, let's depart," Wang Yingjie said, a look of anticipation on his face. He and Liu Hongxue left their residence. Just as they were leaving, a streak of blue light approached them; it was Wang Changsheng.

"Greetings, Ancestor!" Wang Yingjie and Liu Hongxue quickly saluted upon seeing Wang Changsheng.

"Oh? Are you two heading out?" Wang Changsheng asked casually.

"We plan to travel for a while. Is there something you need us for, Ancestor?" Wang Yingjie asked, glancing at Liu Hongxue. If he wasn't mistaken, Wang Changsheng was likely looking for Liu Hongxue.

"Come, let's talk at Azure Lotus Peak." Wang Changsheng led them to Azure Lotus Peak, then took out an exquisite jade box and handed it to Liu Hongxue. "I recall our family possesses the formula for the Enlightenment Elixir. I've found the main ingredient. Hongxue, do you think you can refine it?" Wang Changsheng asked, a hopeful expression on his face. While Wang Mousen was also a sixth-tier alchemist, Liu Hongxue's alchemy skills were superior.

"A Seven-Star Jade Ganoderma?" Liu Hongxue gasped, taking the jade box and opening it.

"It should be possible. I'll give it a try." Liu Hongxue didn't want to make a full promise.

Wang Changsheng nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you."

After a brief chat, Wang Yingjie and Liu Hongxue departed. Wang Changsheng released his spirit beasts and insects, allowing them to roam freely. He entered a private chamber, sat cross-legged on a blue meditation cushion, and began cultivating.

Five years quickly passed. A communication talisman flew in. Wang Changsheng crushed it, and Liu Hongxue's voice immediately sounded: "Ancestor, the Enlightenment Elixir has been successfully refined."

Overjoyed, Wang Changsheng immediately exited his residence, disabled the protective formation, and gestured for Liu Hongxue to enter. Liu Hongxue produced an exquisite azure jade box and handed it to Wang Changsheng. Wang Changsheng opened the box to reveal three pale silver pills, each exuding a peculiar, fragrant aroma.

"Enlightenment Elixir. Excellent," Wang Changsheng praised, his face alight with joy.

Liu Hongxue smiled. "An Enlightenment Elixir refined from a 30,000-year-old Seven-Star Jade Ganoderma is bound to be highly effective." She had refined a total of four Enlightenment Elixirs, keeping one for herself and submitting three.