Chapter 33: Five Qi Chaoyuan Pill, Bodhi Pill

"You’re the one who just competed with me for the Fiery Fire Qi Exposure Technique, making me spend an extra ninety thousand Primordial Stones!"

Wang Tao’s eyebrows were as sharp as blades. As he flared up in anger, his face took on an incredibly severe expression.

"At an auction, the highest bidder wins. That’s how it works. Anyone is free to bid. You used your influence to bully others, breaking the rules. You may seem impressive, but you’ve actually made everyone here resent you. From now on, the Treasure Auction will most likely bar you from entry."

As Ning Jiang spoke, he glanced toward the adjacent corridor.

Two figures in black robes walked over, their bodies exuding the aura of the Innate Realm.

"Young Master Wang, please leave now. You are barred from all future Treasure Auctions. Furthermore, all members of the Wang Family are banned for one year."

This was a Steward from the Treasure Auction. His tone was firm, showing no regard for Wang Tao’s status.

"What!"

Wang Tao was furious, but he just snorted coldly when he thought about the background of the Treasure Auction.

’Even my Wang Family is wary of that mysterious woman.’

Besides, he had indeed gone too far this time. If he set a precedent of using power to suppress others, and everyone from his Wang Family started bidding like that, how could the auction house continue to operate?

"You’d better hope you don’t fall into my hands!"

Wang Tao shot Ning Jiang a vicious glare before leading his men away.

He didn’t dare to make a move on the Treasure Auction’s territory.

Moreover, Ning Jiang had Zheng Zhiyuan, an expert at the Peak of the Postnatal Realm, with him. He had also spent lavishly, suggesting he was a man of status and background. To be safe, Wang Tao decided he should investigate him after all.

After Wang Tao left, Ning Jiang’s group of three also departed from the auction house.

Afterward, Ning Jiang visited several medicinal herb shops on Changle Street, buying a large quantity of ingredients for nearly eight thousand Primordial Stones before returning to the Drunken Moon Pavilion.

The Alchemy Room.

A Flame burned brightly, roaring with intensity.

Ning Jiang methodically placed the medicinal ingredients into the Pill Cauldron one by one. Under the high heat, the ingredients melted into liquids and mixed together.

The entire room was filled with a medicinal fragrance.

Beside him, Zheng Zhiyuan watched with a nervous expression. Ning Jiang was currently refining the Antitoxic Pill for the Bone-Eroding Poison.

His wife’s life depended on this!

As time passed, his palms became slick with sweat.

Two hours later, Ning Jiang placed the Golden Summit Silver Snake Grass, which he had obtained from the auction, into the Pill Cauldron. It was the final ingredient.

Watching the Golden Summit Silver Snake Grass melt inside the Pill Cauldron, Zheng Zhiyuan knew this was the critical moment.

If even the slightest mistake occurred now, all previous efforts would be for naught.

But Ning Jiang remained as calm as still water. With his experience, failure in Alchemy was simply not a possibility.

Half an hour later, all the ingredients finally coalesced into a single, emerald-green Elixir.

"It’s done."

Ning Jiang retrieved the Elixir and handed it to Zheng Zhiyuan. "Go. This Elixir can neutralize the Bone-Eroding Poison."

Zheng Zhiyuan took it but hesitated for a moment. "Golden Summit Silver Snake Grass is a poisonous herb. Is this Elixir really safe?"

"Good question. In fact, I can tell you that this Elixir is a poison pill. A normal person would surely die after taking it."

Ning Jiang’s tone was calm. "However, your wife has been afflicted with the Bone-Eroding Poison. This Elixir is perfect for fighting poison with poison, neutralizing both its own toxicity and that of the Bone-Eroding Poison. Don’t worry. I still need you to work for me, so I won’t harm your wife."

"Remember, the moment your wife takes this Elixir and recovers from her injuries, your life is mine from that point on."

Ning Jiang’s gaze suddenly turned sharp, like a blade reflecting a cold light. "In this world, no one can betray me!"

Under Ning Jiang’s gaze, Zheng Zhiyuan, despite his Cultivation at the Peak of the Postnatal Realm, felt his heart tremble violently.

’What kind of gaze is that?’

His eyes held neither joy nor sorrow. In his sight, all living beings were like ants and weeds. It was as if he were a supreme Venerable, looking down upon the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers, a Sovereign of life and death.

"I will not forget what I’ve said."

Zheng Zhiyuan took a deep breath, expressed his thanks, and left.

"Little brother, he is an expert at the Peak of the Postnatal Realm, after all, just one step away from the Innate Realm. If our strength surpassed his, we wouldn’t need to fear his disloyalty. But right now, the master is weak while the subordinate is strong. We must be on guard," Ning Yu’an said worriedly after Zheng Zhiyuan left.

"Sister An, your concern is not without reason. The human heart has always been difficult to fathom. As the saying goes, the sky is not the highest peak—the human heart is."

In his past life, Ning Jiang had roamed the heavens and earth as a Legendary Venerable. What kind of human nature had he not witnessed?

"The human heart is fickle. Since ancient times, the only thing that can truly control it is strength. That is an eternal truth. Honestly, with my methods, I could have easily left a hidden failsafe in that Elixir. But I chose not to. If you use someone, don’t doubt them; if you doubt them, don’t use them."

"Sister An, don’t worry. Zheng Zhiyuan’s eyes are righteous; he seems to be an upright man. Plus, his devotion to his wife shows that he is a person of sentiment and integrity. More importantly, even if he were to betray me, I have ways to deal with him."

Hearing this, Ning Yu’an nodded. Her little brother’s every word and action now seemed to possess a kind of Magic Power, inspiring unwavering belief.

Next, Ning Jiang remained in the Alchemy Room and continued his Alchemy. The pile of medicinal ingredients he had bought on Changle Street was about to be put to use.

He was now going to refine a Five Qi Chaoyuan Pill.

Refining the Five Qi Chaoyuan Pill required far less time and fewer ingredients than the previous Antitoxic Pill, making the process much easier.

Just one hour later, the Elixir was complete.

’With this Elixir, my Cultivation can advance another step.’

The Five Qi Chaoyuan Pill was five-colored. The "Five Qi" refer to the five major organs of the human body: the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys.

The liver’s qi is azure, the lungs’ is white, the heart’s is crimson, the kidneys’ is black, and the spleen’s is yellow.

After consuming the Five Qi Chaoyuan Pill, Ning Jiang began his attempt to break through to the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.

If someone else had refined this Five Qi Chaoyuan Pill, the success rate would likely be less than twenty percent. But the one Ning Jiang personally refined was at least ten times better in quality.

Without any surprises, the aura around him swelled. His entire body’s True Qi surged, rising steadily. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he smoothly broke through from the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer to the Ninth Layer.

"Success." Ning Jiang opened his eyes.

After stepping into this Realm, his True Qi was refined into his five major organs, increasing their strength dozens of times over. Unlike before, when certain attacks could cause his Inner Strength to reverberate and rupture his organs, resulting in severe internal injuries.

A Martial Artist at the Ninth Layer, however, had organs as tough as steel and had no fear of Inner Strength blasting into their body.

BOOM!

He threw a punch. The Fist Power was heavy and deep, rumbling as it flew. It packed a force of ten thousand catties.

This was the result of his sinews, bones, flesh, and organs erupting with power all at once. Now, a single punch or kick from him could kill a tiger or an elephant.

’With my current strength, I should have the power to protect myself in the Demon Mist Mountain Range.’

’But before I go, I should refine some Elixirs for Sister An first.’

Ning Jiang reined in his thoughts and once again immersed himself in Alchemy.

This time, he was going to refine the Bodhi Pill!

The word "Bodhi" refers to enlightenment and wisdom—a great awakening that allows one to see their true nature.

Simply put, this pill could greatly enhance a person’s comprehension, having the same effect as an Enlightenment Pill.

However, compared to the Enlightenment Pill, its effects were more than ten times stronger. An Enlightenment Pill only lasted for a day, while a Bodhi Pill could last for seven. Furthermore, an Enlightenment Pill only provided a limited boost to comprehension, whereas a Bodhi Pill could increase it fivefold.

What did a fivefold increase mean? It could directly transform an ordinary person into a genius.

In his eyes, how could an Enlightenment Pill even be worth a second glance?

The Enlightenment Pill that Wei Yanran treated as a treasure was, just as he had said, nothing but a pile of trash.

The night passed, and dawn broke.

In total, Ning Jiang had refined ten Bodhi Pills.

’Unfortunately, a person can only take the Bodhi Pill seven times. After the seventh dose, it will have no effect at all.’

Afterward, Ning Jiang gave seven of the Bodhi Pills to Ning Yu’an.

He had no need for such an item himself, but after Ning Yu’an took it, her comprehension would multiply, and her cultivation of the Purple Qi Creation Technique would become much faster.

’I’m still a mortal flesh and blood, after all. I need to eat.’ After a full night of Alchemy, Ning Jiang felt hungry.

Only after a Martial Artist breaks through to the Innate Realm and steps into the Spirit Realm can they perform Qi Refining and Grain Avoidance. Their bodies are no longer mortal flesh, but are transformed into a Spirit Body.

After having breakfast at the Drunken Moon Pavilion.

Zheng Zhiyuan came to see him in a hurry.

The moment he saw Ning Jiang, Zheng Zhiyuan fell to his knees. "I, Zheng Zhiyuan, will never forget your great kindness, Young Master. From this day forward, my life is yours."

"It is good that you have come to this realization. Follow me, and I will not treat you unfairly. This Bodhi Pill can increase your comprehension fivefold. Take it, and then try to break through to the Innate Realm." Ning Jiang took out a Bodhi Pill and handed it to Zheng Zhiyuan.

He was bestowing another favor.

"Thank you, Young Master." Zheng Zhiyuan accepted it solemnly, his heart filled with gratitude.

He had already witnessed Ning Jiang’s skill in Alchemy, so he had no doubts.

He was only one step away from the Innate Realm. With this Bodhi Pill, his chances of success would rise to over fifty percent.

"While I am away, you are to stay at the Drunken Moon Pavilion and protect Sister An."

"Young Master, where are you going?" Zheng Zhiyuan asked, startled.

"I’m going to the Demon Mist Mountain Range."

"No." Beside them, Ning Yu’an had only just heard this and was shocked. "The Demon Mist Mountain Range is too dangerous. If you insist on going, I’ll go with you, or you can take Zheng Zhiyuan."

"Sister An, I know you’re worried about my safety, but rest assured, the mere Demon Mist Mountain Range is no threat to me. I’ll be gone for ten days to half a month at the shortest, or a month at the longest. I will be back," Ning Jiang soothed.

Ning Yu’an looked at Ning Jiang’s determined eyes, fell silent for a long moment, and then sighed softly. "Promise me you will return safely."

She paused, a watery glimmer flowing in her dark pupils, and said slowly, "Little brother, you’re all I have now."

Ning Jiang’s heart trembled. It was true. With Ning Changfeng and Li Qingyun’s fates unknown, he was the only one Ning Yu’an had left.

If anything happened to him, it was unimaginable how devastated Ning Yu’an would be.

"Sister An, no matter what happens, I will never leave you alone. That is my promise."

"My promise will not change, even if the heavens fall and the earth splits asunder!"

As he spoke, Ning Jiang opened his arms and embraced Ning Yu’an.

A light blush touched Ning Yu’an’s pretty face, but she didn’t struggle, remaining as pliant as water in his arms.

「Half an hour later.」

Outside Luoyang City.

’This trip to the Demon Mist Mountain Range is, for one, to break through the Postnatal Realm. For another, it’s to find Molten Rock Jade to cultivate the Great Sun Glazed Golden Body. And finally, I need to repair that Innate Spiritual Treasure.’

Among a group of travelers, Ning Jiang and his party rode off, disappearing in a cloud of dust.