Chapter 393: 3rd Rank Alchemy Room

A month later.

Old He, the senior array master of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall’s construction team, hurried to Cold Jade Peak.

He soon met Shen Xuan.

With him, they rode the Silver-Horned Celestial Horse, soaring clouds and mist, taking a tour around Cold Jade Peak.

A Tier Three Spirit Vein, spanning several hundred miles, rich in Spiritual Qi.

Apart from True Master Cold Jade’s Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, Shen Xuan, Liu Bingyu, and the recently arrived Li Ruyi have their cave mansions.

Most of the spiritual land on Cold Jade Peak is in a state of neglect, undeveloped.

Several Qi Cultivation cultivators of the Ding Family, under Ding Yixuan’s lead, opened some Ice Lakes and Spirit Plant Gardens at the foot of Cold Jade Peak.

The entire Cold Jade Peak felt like a paradise, rarely visited by anyone.

Shen Xuan wanted to construct an Alchemy Room to delve deeply into the Alchemy Dao, naturally wanting the best.

"Old He, look around Cold Jade Peak, for an Alchemy Room site, where would be the best location."

"Snow Lotus Terrace, Sky Wolf Ridge, and Sinking Moon Valley, these three spots are best."

Old He smiled and said, "If Senior Brother Shen is only building a Fire Technique Alchemy Room, Sinking Moon Valley is the best spot."

"For a dual-row Water Technique and Fire Technique Alchemy Room, Snow Lotus Terrace is best. The Spiritual Spring there is clear, the Earth Fire pure."

Shen Xuan nodded, "Old He, we see eye to eye!"

Old He waved his hands repeatedly, "I am unworthy. Senior Brother Shen is a sect prodigy, Old He has neither virtue nor ability to dare compare with Senior Brother Shen!"

Shen Xuan took out a Jade Scroll, containing the Alchemy Room design he and Li Ruyi crafted.

"Take a look. Can it be done?"

Old He swept his Divine Sense over it, his voice trembling slightly.

"Senior Brother Shen, this is a Tier Three Alchemy Room design?"

"Yes, is there a problem?"

Shen Xuan planned for long-term practice in the Alchemy Dao.

A Tier Three Pill Master with a Tier Three Alchemy Room is quite reasonable.

"Senior Brother Shen, this..."

"Speak frankly."

"The spirit vein at Snow Lotus Terrace is only Tier Two Top Grade."

"Nonsense, is it necessary for you to say, do I not know?"

"Even if building a Tier Three Alchemy Room, its effect will only be Tier Two Top Grade."

Old He explained, "Only True Master Changsheng in the whole Cyan Cloud Sect has a Tier Three Alchemy Room."

"That’s built within his Grotto Heaven Blessed Land."

Shen Xuan nodded.

"Old He, I understand your point."

"You needn’t worry about that. I only ask, can you build a Tier Three dual-row Water Technique and Fire Technique Alchemy Room according to this design?"

This was a painstaking design by Shen Xuan and Li Ruyi, revised several times.

All kinds of alchemy facilities were completely equipped.

An Alchemy Room is not merely a room for refining pills.

Storage for ingredients, processing ingredients, consecrating Spirit Water, wind-fire control, Pill Master rest, emergency treatment, apprentice rest, waste pill disposal, all require specialized rooms.

In the alchemy chamber, many precious materials must be used to condense Spiritual Qi, shield noise, remove dust and impurities, prevent fires and explosions, and so on.

A good Alchemy Room fully utilizes the Pill Master’s skills, significantly boosting the Pill Success Rate,

while a poor Alchemy Room causes unrest in the Pill Master’s mind, not only reducing the Pill Success Rate but also potentially causing explosions, poisoning, fires, and various dangerous situations.

Old He’s face turned red.

"Senior Brother Shen should not underestimate Old He. In the entire Cyan Cloud Sect, if Old He can’t build it, no one can!"

"Then that’s good. Please start work soon. When can it be finished?"

"Senior Brother Shen’s Alchemy Room requires a considerable workload. It will take two years to complete."

Shen Xuan gave Old He a sideways glance.

"Too slow."

Old He gritted his teeth and said, "A year and a half!"

Shen Xuan gently shook his head.

"Forget it, I’ll ask someone else."

"One year! Day and night without rest, Old He and the brethren will fight to finish it in a year!"

"Faster would compromise the quality of the Alchemy Room."

"Does it really need a year?"

"At least a year! Some projects need some time set after the preliminary work before proceeding to the next step."

Old He vowed, "Senior Brother Shen, rest assured. Old He has a century of construction reputation in the sect, with everyone saying he’s honest, I dare not deceive you!"

He truly dared not deceive Shen Xuan.

This Shen Xuan, who appeared elegant and cultured, ranked among the top as a ruthless figure in the sect.

Zhao Shun, a True Master’s direct disciple in the Spirit Pill Hall, had some friction with Shen Xuan due to external Pill Master tributions.

Shen Xuan not only slapped him twice but beat him until he looked like a pig.

In the Law Enforcement Hall, Shen Xuan accused him of false charges, sending Zhao Shun to the Yin Shā Cave for thirty years of confinement.

Thirty years!

Even if the Zhao Family greased palms, it would take more than a decade to get out.

The proud Tier Two Pill Master, a True Master’s direct disciple, wasting more than a decade in the Yin Shā Cave; what cultivation path could be left?

This incident taught everyone in the sect an unmistakable truth.

Shen Xuan was not to be provoked.

Narrow-minded, avenging even the slightest grievance.

Crucially, this person was exceptionally smart, had superior battle power, was invincible in his sect tier, backed by Cold Jade Peak and Little Gu Peak, two formidable mountains.

Anyone who offended him ended up in a miserable state, even if they were a True Master’s direct disciple, such as Lei Yaoyang of Celestial Thunder Peak or Zhao Shun of Changsheng Peak.

The path was cut off, akin to being useless.

Moreover, Shen Xuan’s retribution was open and aboveboard.

Under the sect’s banner, leaving no room for critique.

As for private vengeance.

It was even more impossible.

Lately, rumors about Shen Xuan have grown more rampant.

There’s talk that Shen Xuan, while training in the East Mountain Sea Domain, was bullied by a certain cultivation clan, and he directly killed their clan’s Fake Pill True Master.

Nie Wuhen, the Core Formation seed of Divine Sword Sect, a Foundation Establishment Perfection Sword Cultivator, tried to stand up for that clan, but was beaten by Shen Xuan to the point of having his lifebound flying sword treasure and Core Formation spiritual objects stolen.

Divine Sword Sect dispatched a Golden Core True Master to apologize to True Master Ling Xiao, only then to ransom back Nie Wuhen’s lifebound flying sword and Core Formation spiritual objects.

No smoke without fire.

Though these tales sound strange.

Shen Xuan, being the party involved, acted as if he heard nothing.

Neither acknowledging nor denying.

The sect didn’t prohibit rumors.

Divine Sword Sect didn’t stand out to refute them.

It’s clear, with names and facts, these tales are mostly true.

Old He dared not pretend or deceive in front of Shen Xuan.

"How much is the cost?"

"Three million Spirit Stones."

Old He explained with some unease, "Senior Brother Shen uses Tier Three Alchemy Room standards, employing only the best materials."

The construction industry’s costs are full of hidden charges.

Old He dared not overcharge.

But he also couldn’t let himself and his men work for free all year.

Three million Spirit Stones is considered a fair price.

After deducting material and labor costs, he can only earn about four hundred thousand.

And he needs to set aside some to grease the wheels with the relevant personnel.

"Three million Spirit Stones? That’s a bit steep."

Old He said with a bitter face, "Senior Brother Shen, by heaven and earth, Old He truly didn’t dare to ask for more."

In his heart, he was thinking, at most, lowering by two hundred thousand.

Otherwise, he’d rather not take it.

Shen Xuan gazed at Old He and then suddenly smiled.

"Three million it is then. I won’t talk about the price anymore. But regarding quality, Old He, you must personally oversee it."

Upon hearing Shen Xuan not haggling, Old He’s old face immediately bloomed into a smile.

"Senior Brother Shen, when Old He handles matters, you can rest assured!"

"If there’s a quality issue, Old He will come to see you with his head!"

Old He breathed a sigh of relief, feeling great.

This is a major project.

A near Tier Three Alchemy Room.

In the future, when taking on projects, he can use this as a signboard.

Later on, when he gets old and can’t do it anymore, he can boast about it for a lifetime.

Shen Xuan’s expression turned serious.

"All materials for the Alchemy Room must be top quality, absolutely no inferior goods."

"Understood."

"Understanding is good. You’re an expert, I won’t say more."

Shen Xuan touched on the point.

Anyway, at that time, he would surely go and supervise.

If it doesn’t meet his requirements, Old He can forget about getting the final payment.

"That’s settled then. Copy the design plan and prepare to start work early."

Old He swallowed his saliva: "About that, Senior Brother Shen. The cost of the Alchemy Room is quite high, could you..."

His voice paused for a moment.

Old He took a deep breath.

"Senior Brother Shen, could you advance some deposit?"

He had no choice.

Constructing an Alchemy Room costing three million Spirit Stones is the largest project he has taken on.

A substantial amount of Spirit Stones needs to be fronted in the early stages.

The risk is considerable.

He has a family and dozens of people depending on him for meals below, not daring to stake everything on it and take reckless chances.

"How much?"

"The norm is thirty percent."

Shen Xuan nodded.

"No problem. You go back and prepare. In a few days, I’ll have someone deliver it to you."

"Great! Thank you, Senior Brother Shen, for the favor."

Old He nodded and bowed, maintaining an extremely low posture.

As long as he could receive Spirit Stones.

Even if to make him learn to bark like a dog on the ground, it wouldn’t be a problem.

...

In the afternoon, Lv Zhengying, who had received the message, hurried to Cold Jade Peak.

Shen Xuan’s Cave Mansion.

Drinking Mist Shadow Spirit Tea, Lv Zhengying felt as if he were floating like an immortal.

"Excellent tea!"

"A friend from Divine Sword Sect gifted it. Tier Two Upper Grade Spirit Tea, can slightly enhance comprehension."

Shen Xuan said with a smile, "But, Junior Brother Lv, looking at you, the effect seems limited."

"I’ve reached the pinnacle of my comprehension!"

Lv Zhengying said with a smile.

In this lifetime, he deemed it worth it.

From a minor marquis in the Mortal World, he transformed into a Foundation Establishment Elder in a major sect of Song Country.

Soon, he would establish the Lv Cultivation Clan, becoming the family’s patriarch, flourishing the branches and leaves, glorifying the ancestors.

Of course, it depends on who he compares with.

Compared to the brothers in the clan back in the day, he’s like a Divine Dragon in the sky.

Compared to the senior brother in front of him, it’s incomparable.

"Right, these materials, help me sell them for Spirit Stones."

Shen Xuan took out the bear hide, bear gall, bear paw, bear tendon of the Ice Mountain Bear King, as well as the shark skin and sharp teeth of the Invisibility Demon Shark.

"Good stuff! Senior Brother Shen, not keeping them for refining a Magical Treasure?"

"Recently, I’m preparing to cultivate the Alchemy Dao, build an Alchemy Room, purchase medicinal materials, needing Spirit Stones for turnover."

Shen Xuan explained.

The demon cores of the Ice Mountain Bear King and Invisibility Shark were the most valuable, which Shen Xuan kept.

The other parts were mostly used for refining Magical Treasures.

At present, he did not lack Magical Treasures.

He even had a Spiritual Artifact Spirit Embryo, a Purple Gold True Water Seal.

"Senior Brother Shen, I have some Spirit Stones here, you can take and use them first."

Lv Zhengying enthusiastically said.

"No need. I have my own methods. These materials, to me, aren’t of much use, hence I let you take them to handle."

Shen Xuan understood.

At Tier Two Middle Grade and above, the purchasing power of Spirit Stones sharply declines.

The sect’s control is superficial.

The rarity and demand exceeding supply of Spiritual Objects is the essence.

Aside from sect rewards, occasionally circulating for auction, most Tier Two Upper Grade Spiritual Objects require barter trade.

This firmly convinced Shen Xuan in pursuing the path of a Pill Master.

As long as high-tier Spirit Pills can be refined.

They can be used as bargaining chips to exchange for high-tier Spiritual Objects.

Such as the Tier Three and above Water Demon Essence Blood he urgently needed.

The most important thing currently is first to successfully develop the improved version of the Purifying Foundation Pill.

First enhance his own Dao Foundation quality.

Then use the Purifying Foundation Pill to amass wealth and exchange for Tier Two Top Grade and above Water Demon Essence Blood.

Lv Zhengying put away the materials.

"Senior Brother Shen, there’s something I feel should be brought to your attention."

"Wang Fugui’s lifespan has come to an end, he’s about to breathe his final breath. He wants to see us one last time."

Lv Zhengying looked at Shen Xuan and softly spoke.

"Wang Fugui is leaving?"

Shen Xuan was momentarily stunned.

Soon, he came to his senses.

Wang Fugui was just a year younger than them, already one hundred and twenty-two years old.

With a Lower Grade Spirit Root, at Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer.

At this age, within the Qi Cultivation Realm, it was considered a long life.