Time passed bit by bit.
Su Yuqing examined the jade scroll handed over by Qin Ming, his expression constantly changing, his face showing a rather spectacular range of emotions.
So much so, his whole being became absorbed in the content of the jade scroll, forgetting he was still sipping tea with Qin Ming.
Qin Ming quietly waited beside him, not interrupting his study.
Just like this, more than an entire hour passed.
Su Yuqing finally snapped out of the jade scroll, somewhat incredulously asking Qin Ming:
"Brother Qin..."
"Tell me the truth, where did you get this Nascent Soul Pill Formula?"
"If Iām not mistaken, this Nascent Soul Pill Formula should be in possession of a few major Nascent Soul sects as a mainstream orthodox formula."
"Iād wager only a few Nascent Soul Old Monsters have it, how could such a confidential formula find its way to you?"
Qin Ming hadnāt expected this formula to be an item kept under lock and key by the major sects.
But he couldnāt possibly tell Su Yuqing that he farmed it himself, could he?
Thus, Qin Ming solemnly assured Su Yuqing:
"Brother Su, rest assured, the origin of this formula is absolutely secret, known only to the two of us."
Seeing Qin Ming speak so, Su Yuqing didnāt pursue it further, nodding gravely instead.
Because if this formula had been obtained through other means, being discovered by a great power like Lihuo Palace would spell certain death.
At the same time, Su Yuqingās face also revealed an excited expression.
"The Nascent Soul Pill Formula that countless cultivators yearned for, we finally have it in hand!"
This gave him a glimmer of hope for breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.
After all, the family forces under Lihuo Palaceās control were kept in check precisely because of the lack of a path to ascend to the Nascent Soul stage, forced to obediently follow orders.
"So, Brother Su, do you grasp this formula?"
Qin Ming, seeing Su Yuqing so happy for the first time, inquired.
"Naturally, give me a few months to study this formula, and I will fully comprehend it."
"At that time, Iāll give you my insights on refining the Nascent Soul Pill and the substitutes for the Divine Wood Pillās materials," Su Yuqing said with a smile.
Qin Ming was immediately delighted, "That would be wonderful!"
"Here! Let me toast to you!"
"By the way, Brother Su."
"I also have some spiritual materials here, obtained from the ghost creatures during the Southern Wildernessā ghost plague. Do you think thereās a way to refine them into pills?"
Following this, Qin Ming handed over two Soul Pills acquired from the bodies of the Golden Toad Ancestor and Master White Bone to Su Yuqing for inspection.
"This... this is..."
"Brother Qin, you have quite a few good things here! This should be Ghost King Soul Pills of the late-stage Golden Core level, right?" Su Yuqing said, scrutinizing the Soul Pills with great fondness and suspicion.
"Haha! It was pure luck!" Qin Ming replied ambiguously.
"These two Soul Pills can be used to refine a kind of Tier Three Spiritual Pill called āSoul-Stabilizing Pillā, which helps increase Golden Core Stage cultivation. Its greatest effect, however, is aiding cultivators in breaking through the late-stage Golden Core bottleneck."
"I happen to have the other auxiliary materials for refining Soul-Stabilizing Pills, how about you leave them to me for refining? Iāll take only two pills as my share."
"The remaining pills will be delivered to you, what do you think?" Su Yuqing suggested with bright eyes.
Qin Ming nodded in agreement, "Then letās do as Brother Su suggests."
Subsequently, the two continued to drink heartily and chat joyously.
After three rounds of drinks, Su Yuqing pulled out a jade scroll from his robes and handed it to Qin Ming, saying:
"Brother Qin, your visit has brought me many surprises and delights."
"I canāt accept your formula for nothing, here are all my insights and experiences in refining pills throughout my journey of cultivation."
"At the start, I constantly perfected and improved the āYin Yang Separation and Reunion Spirit Control Techniqueā, combining it with my familyās Tier Four Alchemy Inheritance to create this comprehensive āSource Dao Pill Scriptureā. I believe it will aid you on your alchemical path as well."
"However, these are my lifeās work and the familyās secret techniques, please do not pass them on."
Qin Ming looked at the jade scroll in Su Yuqingās hand, knowing well its significance.
Without fussing, he accepted Su Yuqingās generous gift: "Many thanks, Brother Su."
"Haha, no need for thanks, youāve learned what you needed from me anyway, this is just the last bit."
"I didnāt expect you could cultivate your Alchemy Skill to this extent."
"Almost catching up to me."
After this,
Qin Ming and Su Yuqing had long and heartfelt discussions over two days, then decided it was time to depart.
"Brother Su, I must tend to the Spirit Field back home, so Iāll take my leave. If you have time, feel free to visit Five Elements Mountain as my guest, Iāll always welcome you."
"If there are any Spirit Plants you need me to cultivate, donāt hesitate to ask, haha!"
"Brother Qin, you said it. Now that youāre in Great Jin, Iāll surely take the chance to pester you often."
Before leaving, Qin Ming took a thousand pounds of Tier Three Jade Emperor Spirit Rice from his storage pouch and gifted it to Su Yuqing.
Since Su Yuqing was so generous, even imparting his lifelong learnings and Tier Four Alchemy Inheritance, Qin Ming couldnāt be stingy himself.
Afterward,
Su Yuqing quietly saw Qin Ming out.
"Brother Su, no need to see me off; if you have messages for me, hand them to Hua Tianxiong of the Thousand Mechanism Trading Company, and heāll pass them along," Qin Ming said.
"Oh? I didnāt expect Brother Qin to have connections with him," Su Yuqing remarked, somewhat surprised.
"Hehe! Rest assured, Brother Su, he is reliable."
Hearing Qin Mingās assurances, Su Yuqing nodded in agreement.
"By the way, your Five Elements Mountain territory is adjacent to the Demon Raceās land and near Divine Dao Mountainās Southern Border, be cautious," Su Yuqing advised kindly, recalling something.
"To my knowledge, Divine Dao Mountain dared to go to war with Lihuo Palace because they are secretly supported and funded by the Great Li Yin Demon Sect."
"Who knows what moves they might make in the future."
Qin Ming suddenly remembered something, and immediately pulled out several jade scrolls from his storage pouch, handing them to Su Yuqing.
"Brother Su guessed correctly."
"I stumbled upon some Yin Demon Sect members a few days ago and eliminated them. Inside, youāll find correspondence between them and Divine Dao Mountain. It seems these two factions are colluding and plotting something."
"However, the information might be insignificant since Old Demon Tianās rank was too low to access crucial intelligence."
"Such vital information must be in the hands of higher-ups."
"Brother Su should also be cautious; being part of a family under Lihuo Palaceās influence means getting embroiled in sect conflicts could lead to disaster."
"As for me, I can always abandon the Spirit Field and retreat to the Southern Wilderness."
Su Yuqing examined the jade scrolls closely, his expression serious and thoughtful.
"I didnāt expect the Yin Demon Sectās Tian the Demon to fall at your hands, Brother Qin..."
"This intelligence is critical for us."
"Just a coincidence, then. Brother Su, take care."
"Yes, Brother Qin, take care as well."
Then, as Su Yuqing watched, Qin Ming transformed into a Cyan Rainbow Escape Light and departed from Longting Lake.
...