Chapter 25: Pill Strategy

“There are no supreme-grade Frigid Blood Pills. The sect's treasury releases a few bottles each year, which can only be exchanged for contribution points. Last year, the price was apparently a thousand.”

Wang Yu frowned deeply.

“A bottle?”

Normal elixirs are primarily sold in bottles, with nine pills per bottle. Only those with special effects, such as realm-breaking pills like Foundation Establishment Pills and Golden Core Pills, are sold individually. This also includes pills for dispelling illusions, enhancing spiritual sense, or cultivating special techniques.

Hearing what Wang Yu said, the person couldn't help but roll their eyes.

“One pill!

“The Frigid Blood Pill is not an ordinary spirit pill used to increase cultivation. Its effects can last for a full year, and the benefits vary according to its grade.

“Low-grade and mid-grade pills can increase spiritual power by approximately ten to twenty streams. After consuming five pills, they will completely lose their effectiveness.

“High-grade pills can increase spiritual power by around forty streams, but they require a significant amount of time to refine. After approximately nine pills, 'pill-blockage' will occur.

“Supreme-grade Frigid Blood Pills can increase spiritual power by eighty to one hundred streams. Mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivators require a full year of meditation to fully digest them and must use them in conjunction with Bigu Pills. Pill-blockage will occur after twelve pills.”

What is referred to as 'pill-blockage' is often mistakenly interpreted as 'pill-poison.' This is not the case. Elixirs are fundamentally created from the essences of heaven and earth through sophisticated alchemy; thus, they contain no inherent toxicity. When too many elixirs are consumed, the body develops a certain resistance, which is why it's called 'pill-blockage.' It is a limitation imposed by heaven and earth on the path of alchemy. Otherwise, everyone could simply consume pills to ascend, thus losing the true essence of cultivation.

The Frigid Blood Pill is highly effective and custom-made for cultivators practicing the Frigid Blood Art. Among first-tier elixirs, its price is considerably high.

After a quick calculation, he realized that refining them himself was more cost-effective. So he asked again.

“Will taking low-grade or mid-grade Frigid Blood Pills first affect the efficacy of subsequently taking high-grade Frigid Blood Pills?”

“Naturally, it will. After all, they are the same type of elixir with identical medicinal properties. If circumstances allow, it's best to consume the high-grade ones directly. If you have connections, you could also inquire at the treasury.”

After grasping the situation, Wang Yu purchased three types of auxiliary herbs, completely depleting his remaining spirit stones and leaving him with only two hundred contribution points. In fact, it would have been best for him to first acquire and consume a high-grade Frigid Blood Pill. This is because the process of setting up alchemy requires time, and a single Frigid Blood Pill takes a year to refine, making the two timings align perfectly. This would bridge Wang Yu's idle period, ensuring he wouldn't stagnate without progress. Furthermore, forty streams of spiritual power would significantly boost his cultivation. When combined with the idle cultivation slot, he estimated he could achieve his goal within three years. This speed was completely acceptable.

“Five hundred spirit stones…”

Driven by his obsession with making money, Wang Yu was formulating his grand plan. Since he intended to pursue the path of an alchemist, refining elixirs was the most suitable way to earn wealth. Achieving mastery with the Frigid Blood Pill would only take half a year, but he would certainly wait until his alchemy skill was also perfected before truly beginning. Thus, the third slot had a six-month window of availability that could be utilized first.

“Bigu Pills, Spirit Recovery Pills, Yin Food Pills, Muscle Regeneration Pills.”

Mentally listing the more popular first-tier elixirs, Wang Yu prepared to visit the Alchemy Hall again. The formulas for these elixirs were very inexpensive, given that they were common and widely known.

As he was walking through the Evil God's Market, someone suddenly stopped him.

“Wang Yu?”

Having had previous encounters, Wang Yu instantly heightened his vigilance.

“Who are you?”

“You should have heard of me, Su Qingshan.”

His appearance was unremarkable, and his skin was slightly dark. However, his eyes were exceptionally sharp, revealing a keen edge. He exuded confidence and vigor, enough to make one overlook his plain looks.

“It is indeed Brother Su in person. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner.”

“I'm embarrassed to ask, but would you do me the honor of sharing a drink?”

The Eight Treasures Pavilion was a spirit food shop in the Evil God's Market, reportedly a private property of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Its spiritual food was effective but somewhat expensive. At this moment, however, a lavish spread of twelve dishes, including mountain delicacies, seafood, and fine wine, truly overwhelmed Wang Yu. After all, Su Qingshan was a genius who had gained fame in the last Outer Sect Grand Competition. After pledging allegiance to a True Disciple, he had already broken through to the late stage of Qi Condensation. His path differed from the standard disciple promotion route. From the outset, he had aimed for the position of an elder. Regardless of whether they were outer or inner disciples, anyone who broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage could serve as an elder within the sect. They would receive private property granted by the sect, such as land or real estate, and could decide how to use it. This path was primarily chosen by cultivators without significant backgrounds. Anyone with even a slight connection would strive for the True Disciple position, as the resources available to a Nascent Soul seed far surpassed what an elder could ever obtain. If Wang Yu wished to establish himself long-term within the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect, this was the only path available to him.

They raised their cups and drank together.

“Brother Su, I wonder how you came to find me, and what is the purpose of this meeting?”

Su Qingshan smiled. “Your white hair is quite noticeable among the disciples; it's hard to miss. As for finding you, it's simply to extend an invitation for something. Are you interested?”

Wang Yu showed an expression of realization, making a mental note to wear a hooded black robe next time he went out. “Please speak freely,” he said.

Picking up a tender, succulent spiritual bamboo shoot, Su Qingshan raised an eyebrow and said, “How do you feel about dealing with Zhao Shang?”

Wang Yu's heart stirred. It seemed this person had also been exploited by Zhao Shang, but he maintained a calm facade, even showing a hint of bitterness.

“Brother Su, you jest. I am merely in the early stage of Qi Condensation; how could I possibly contend with Zhao Shang?”

“Of course, I will be the one to act. I heard he seized your Essence Qi Chamber in the Ice Snow Pavilion and brazenly sold it to others. Aren't you angry about that?”

“What good would anger do?” Wang Yu tasted a spiritual dish prepared like braised pork, his eyes lighting up as he took several more pieces.

Given Su Qingshan's strength, he was capable of defeating an eighth-level Qi Condensation cultivator while only at the sixth level. Now that he had broken through to the late stage of Qi Condensation, he indeed stood a strong chance against Zhao Shang.

After Wang Yu had eaten a few more bites, Su Qingshan finally spoke.

“You have a good relationship with True Disciple Su. If you were to feign a trip to Frigid Blood Peak, Zhao Shang would surely become anxious. If he were to pursue you…”

Su Qingshan made a slicing gesture across his throat, revealing clear killing intent.

Though the plan seemed simple, it was highly practical. The success rate was quite high, but Wang Yu retorted with a question.

“Brother Su, you were highly regarded by the True Disciple during the Outer Sect Grand Competition and are skilled in combat techniques. Your relationship should be closer than mine. Why not seek him out yourself?”

Su Qingshan paused his wine-pouring and narrowed his eyes. “It's not that I don't want to, but rather that I cannot. Recently, one of the ten True Disciples on Frigid Blood Peak has distinguished himself and is preparing to attempt Core Formation. How could the True Disciple's attention be on individuals like us?”

After sipping some spiritual fish soup, Wang Yu nodded.

“Indeed, that's why Zhao Shang acts with such impunity and has become so accustomed to exploitation. The True Disciples are too highly placed; their deterrent power is not as immediate as that of the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Ice Snow Pavilion.”

“Then, Brother Wang, you mean—”

“My apologies.” Wang Yu stood up and cupped his hands. “It's not that I'm unwilling, but rather that my cultivation is too low. If I could break through to the mid-stage of Qi Condensation and possess even a small degree of self-preservation, then this matter would be feasible. However, I am currently only at the third level of Qi Condensation. Zhao Shang could effortlessly kill me, and the risk is simply too great. I ask for your understanding, Brother Su.”

“In that case, I won't press the matter. Please, eat!”