Chapter 1277: Manifestation Of Earth Virtue (II)

Tinglan nodded in agreement, her voice sinking, "Indeed. And the geomancy resembles Manifest Earth, the pathway later known as one of the two Sovereign Earths within the Sheji[1]. This is the Dao of the She Immortal. I have been troubled by this for a long time and consulted several Daoists. Their opinion was... the She Immortal Dao is the foremost among earth-aligned immortal Dao. It is best not to investigate too deeply."

The Earth Virtues were numerous and complex. Li Ximing had heard of no fewer than six, and faintly sensed how immense this Dao must have been in ancient times. The two Sheji earth Daos were even more renowned. Though the Green Pine Supreme Yang Dao lineage was noble, its backing had either vanished or secluded itself. It might well prove inferior to Sheji, so her unease was understandable.

They quickly slipped into the cave dwelling. Tinglan's eyes brightened as she exclaimed, "What fine True Fire. This is... a True Fire of the Three Phases lineage, is it not? Truly ancient."

That single sentence clearly revealed the knowledge of the Green Pine Supreme Yang Dao lineage. Li Ximing nodded lightly. His divine ability had already sheathed the pill furnace in its entirety. Tinglan swept it with her spiritual sense and laughed, "You truly are bold. Refining such a high-grade spirit pill with nothing more than a Qi Cultivation Realm furnace!"

It was an elegant way of calling the furnace shabby, but her tone was pleasant. Li Ximing said, "This pill came to me through sudden inspiration and is not yet complete. Fortunately, it has already reached the nurturing phase. Your pill requires Boundless Water-Fire and will not need this furnace, so there is no conflict."

Tinglan folded her arms and smiled at the mention of her pill. "Your family's formation has already been reinforced with Mountain Profound Pins, and I could not even find your shadow. If not for Houfu receiving word, I might have worked for nothing."

Though she spoke jokingly, there was some sincerity mixed within. Li Ximing apologized repeatedly and answered, "Though delayed, misfortune turned to blessing. My alchemical skill has increased greatly, and I am now far more confident in refining your spirit pill."

Tinglan let out a soft laugh, then said seriously, "It cannot be delayed any longer. I urgently need this pill. Otherwise, knowing your temperament, I doubt I would have come all the way to the outer-sea. I have the Heavenly Origin Essence already, and I have also brought the Boundless Water-Fire. As for the pill furnace..."

The beauty of Tinglan's features took on a solemn weight, "I have even borrowed the spirit artifact Profound Owl Crossing Scene Furnace for you."

Such an array of preparations... this pill is no ordinary thing.

Li Ximing was now highly confident in refining the Heavenly Quintessence-Expelling Pill, especially with a superior furnace and talisman qi aiding him. He nodded slightly and answered, "Then let us choose a location to refine the pill. Your batch requires the purification of spirit items, which is time-consuming. It is better to begin sooner."

He considered, "To refine a pill of this level, one should ideally have an appropriate treasured land... though I do not know if Dong'a King Sea has one."

Being an alchemist, Li Ximing spoke from experience. Tinglan began weighing her options. Li Ximing glanced at her and smiled, "Why not do this instead? Purifying spirit items is a lengthy process but not sensitive to location. I will refine the materials here first. Meanwhile, you may ride your immortal carriage to search for a suitable treasured land. Once I finish purifying the spirit items, we will move on to pill formation at the proper site."

Tinglan nodded slightly, finding the plan reasonable, though she still kept a measure of caution. She replied, "This plan is fine, and it is not that I distrust you. The Boundless Water-Fire may remain here for you to refine with. However, the Profound Owl Crossing Scene Furnace was borrowed from Great Xiukui Temple, so I cannot leave it behind. I can only let you use my Treasure-Elephant Furnace, a Foundation Establishment Realm dharma furnace, instead."

His own Heaven's Will Single-Intent Method pill was about to form, and Li Ximing had in fact hoped to send her away. After all, this great medicine had been produced from a Supreme Yin lineage spirit item, and she had once been a subordinate of the Origin Mansion; he feared she might notice. But hearing about the furnace, he could only mutter inwardly,

Very good, very good. Even cultivators who do not refine pills have furnaces far better than mine.

Whether it was the Treasure-Elephant Furnace or the Profound Owl Crossing Scene Furnace, either one outclassed his Furnace In The River by ten whole streets. He minded nothing of it and replied with a smile, "It doesn't matter."

Tinglan then produced a palm-sized clay vessel, smooth and etched with many gold-white lines. Holding it carefully, she said, "This Upper-Minister Vessel is also a spirit artifact. It was forged by Zimu in the past. This portion of Boundless Water-Fire cannot flee or escape. Even if it is lost, it will burrow back from the great void."

Boundless Water-Fire was extremely precious, and her words served as a discreet warning. When she opened the lid, a cluster of glowing flames leapt out. The indigo and bright blue intertwined as the dual forces shone together. The cave's spiritual energy withered at once, and the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard buzzed anxiously, its flames warping, on the verge of ruining the pill.

But Li Ximing held up a hand to lightly grasp it, and the Boundless Water-Fire immediately settled, obediently stilling in his palm, the two colors stabilizing into a mottled sphere.

Tinglan clearly relaxed, lifting the hand she had been pressing tensely on the lid. She nodded in impressed relief, "Fellow Daoist, your skill is remarkable!"

The Boundless Water-Fire was fierce by nature and had been deeply refined into an artifact. It could not be refined away, only borrowed. That made controlling the flame far more difficult. Her repeated warnings earlier had been well-founded.

When she saw how Li Ximing had handled it effortlessly, she felt half the task was already accomplished. Pleased, she drew a jeweled box from her sleeve and said softly, "All the pill ingredients are in this treasure box. Most have two portions. A few are so rare that if they are ruined, you will have to adjust accordingly."

Li Ximing examined the contents with his spiritual sense and was stunned. His heart grew cautious instead,

This matter is far too important to Purple Smoke Gate. If I succeed, all is well. If I fail... it will be both embarrassing and offensive.

The woman in autumn-yellow robes gestured lightly and drew a massive pill furnace woven of gold and ivory hues from her sleeve. Each of its four sides was cast with an elephant head and gleaming with spirit light. This was undoubtedly the Treasure-Elephant Furnace.

Tinglan passed the dharma artifact into his hands as though shedding a great weight. Her tone grew lighter, and she quickly took her leave, backing away a few steps to exit the range of the Boundless Water-Fire before slipping into the great void.

Li Ximing observed the intertwined indigo-blue flame resting in his palm, a trace of envy rising in his heart, "This spiritual flame was not meant for alchemy. Wielding such a thing in combat would be nearly invincible. No wonder Zimu specially refined it into an artifact. Sever spiritual energy during escape and at least enemies cannot descend beside you out of thin air. It would be even more formidable in ambushes..."

He could certainly feel the rawness of the flame, but controlling it was easy with Valley Wind Leading Fire. The Upper-Minister Vessel had been ingeniously crafted, granting the flame a degree of autonomy. Even though Tinglan had taken the artifact vessel with her, what remained in his hand was not conjured fire but the Boundless Water-Fire itself.

Daoist Master Zimu's handiwork... judging by age, he must be extremely old by now. Whether his disappearance is real or feigned... who can say...

He urged the Boundless Water-Fire, adjusted the Treasure-Elephant Furnace, and one spirit item after another rose and fell into the furnace.

The Heavenly Quintessence-Expelling Pill will be troublesome, but there will be enough time for the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard to finish nurturing the pill!

1. 社 (Shè) is the Earth God, representing the land, soil, and territory of a country. 稷 (Jì) is the Grain God, representing agriculture, harvests, and the livelihood of the people. ☜