Finding his divine sense blocked outside the room, Jiang Chen mused to himself, 'Sigh, it seems that both Qiu Liaoxi and Ning Xian are being cautious. They've set up a shielding formation to keep their conversation about alchemy inheritance private.'
'Whenever inheritance comes up, they're bound to disclose their own histories. This definitely includes many unique and significant storylines that are crucial for me to understand.'
'It looks like I really need to take a closer look...' he contemplated quietly.
Having decided on his course of action, Jiang Chen quickly began to formulate a plan.
The protective formation Qiu Liaoxi had established was efficient, but not excessively complex. An overly sophisticated formation could attract unwanted attention and lead to complications.
Thus, with his divine sense at the Middle-stage of the Spiritual Awakening realm, Jiang Chen had the ability to break through the formation if he was sufficiently close. Yet, such an action would undoubtedly cause a commotion and expose his presence.
He could have also sought assistance from his uncle, Jiang Xingtai. This would undoubtedly have made it easier to penetrate the formation.
However, as the patriarch of the Jiang Clan, Jiang Xingtai was a man with many responsibilities. And with the conversation in the room about to start, it was too late to call upon him.
Furthermore, Jiang Chen preferred to keep outside involvement to a minimum, to avoid any unforeseen complications.
'I must amplify my divine sense,' Jiang Chen thought determinedly and immediately issued a mental command to his system, 'Open the System Mall!'
Instantly, a window panel materialized before him. Jiang Chen quickly navigated to the Artifacts and Others categories, searching for the treasure he needed.
Soon, he found what he was looking for: an auxiliary treasure named the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade, priced at 600 Villain Value points. It was more costly than a standard Spiritual Awakening-level cultivation method. However, its ability to significantly enhance one's divine sense to the level of someone in the Half-step Mysterious Platform realm, along with its reusability, made it a highly cost-effective investment.
'System,' Jiang Chen commanded decisively, 'Redeem the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade!'
[Ding! 600 Villain Value points deducted. Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade*1 successfully redeemed!]
Instantly, a small, flame-shaped, flat black jade stone appeared in Jiang Chen's hand, emitting a faint glow.
Without a moment's delay, Jiang Chen pressed the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade against the space between his eyebrows. The treasure seamlessly integrated into his skin, forming a black flame-like pattern.
Having completed the process, Jiang Chen took a deep breath and focused all his divine sense into the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade. The divine sense immediately became much denser; although the total volume decreased, the quality was significantly enhanced.
In a short amount of time, it reached the level of a divine sense akin to the Half-step Mysterious Platform realm.
It's important to note that the highest realm achieved by cultivators in Autumn Glory City was the Mysterious Platform realm.
Then, with just a thought, Jiang Chen's divine sense navigated its way into the Vast Spirit House, discreetly penetrating the room that was protected by the formation.
Inside the room, Qiu Liaoxi and Lin Feng were seated opposite each other, while Ning Xian sat to the side, her expression calm and collected.
"Lin Feng," Qiu Liaoxi started, presenting an alchemy manual, "Ning Xian and I come from the neighboring Bright Cloud Continent, from a place known as Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain..."
Lin Feng listened with rapt attention.
As it happened, the Ning Clan was once a prominent clan from the Purple Bamboo Spirit Mountain in the Bright Cloud Continent. Their downfall began with a book titled 'Thousand Green Pill Heart Records,' which led to a catastrophic event.
As a result, the Ning Clan faced near annihilation. Ning Xian, with Qiu Liaoxi's help, was one of the few who managed to escape. They took refuge in the Mysterious Truth Continent, specifically in Autumn Glory City.
They have been living in secrecy for fifteen years.
Qiu Liaoxi slid the alchemy manual toward Lin Feng and spoke with solemn urgency. "This Thousand Green Pill Heart Records is now in your hands. Along with it comes the inherited karma, so never forget the enmity of the Ning Clan!"
"Rest assured, Master, and Ning Xian, those who have wronged you will face a fate far worse than death!" Lin Feng declared with a burning resolve. His temperament had grown increasingly fiery, and his words were tinged with a discernible chill.
"Good, I trust you completely!" Qiu Liaoxi nodded, her aged face breaking into a smile. With Lin Feng's Medicinal Spirit Body and the Thousand Green Pill Heart Records, the chances of avenging their clan were significantly high.
Lin Feng then took the alchemy manual. Accompanying it was a secret key, essential for accessing the manual's contents.
Without this key, simply having the manual wouldn't reveal its secrets.
With the key now in his possession, Lin Feng began to delve into the alchemy manual. He focused his modest divine sense, activated the key, and started to explore the manual. Almost immediately, he uncovered a trove of alchemical knowledge!
The alchemy manual was a comprehensive catalog of tens of thousands of spiritual plants and a wide array of medicinal materials.
Moreover, it included an extensive collection of pill formulas – covering cultivation, healing, body forging, and more.
Remarkably, the insights in the manual extended beyond the Heavenly Origin realm, reaching into the Inquiring Journey realm.
Lin Feng, already blessed with the Burning World Red Lotus and exceptional alchemy talent, found himself rapidly absorbing numerous formulas with just a cursory glance!
'Fantastic!' Lin Feng thought excitedly, his spirits lifted, 'With my alchemy talent, I can definitely become an alchemy grandmaster!'
'Alchemy grandmasters are always esteemed wherever they go, never lacking in cultivation resources. Consequently, I'll be able to progress to higher realms more swiftly.' he mused with determination and continued to absorb the knowledge from the alchemy manual, much like a parched sponge soaking up water.
...
Meanwhile, in a nearby residence, Jiang Chen was lost in deep contemplation, reflecting on the revelations he had overheard. 'Thousand Green Pill Heart Records! The Ning Clan was once a major force in the Bright Cloud Continent, certainly no less formidable than my Jiang Clan.'
'The fact that such a powerful clan was brought to its knees indicates the extraordinary nature of this alchemy manual. It's a pity that access to its contents is locked behind a secret key, making theft unfeasible.' he pondered, rubbing his chin and immersed in deep thought.
Lin Feng's acquisition of the alchemy manual was sure to bring him substantial benefits. However, Jiang Chen had no regrets about his earlier decision not to interfere with Lin Feng becoming Qiu Liaoxi's disciple.
It was evident that Ning Xian played a vital role in Lin Feng's main storyline.
Yet, could this central narrative be so easily altered? Attempting to disrupt Lin Feng's discipleship might have prompted Heavenly Fate to introduce new elements, ensuring the main storyline continued regardless.
Moreover, such interference could risk alienating Ning Xian and Qiu Liaoxi, significantly increasing the difficulty of gaining Ning Xian's favor.
It simply wasn't worth the risk. Therefore, Jiang Chen chose not to interfere when Lin Feng pursued discipleship under Qiu Liaoxi.
If Lin Feng had access to the alchemy manual, so be it. Transforming that knowledge into actual combat ability would take time and resources, likely keeping him occupied.
'In the upcoming period, Lin Feng will surely devote himself to his studies and cultivation,' Jiang Chen contemplated, envisioning Lin Feng's future focus.
'I, too, must prioritize my own cultivation and growth. Strength is the cornerstone, even more critical than cunning strategies!' he reflected with resolve, and then he withdrew his divine sense. The extended use of the Spirit Condensation Bianstone Jade to enhance his divine sense and monitor the scene beyond the formation was starting to take its toll on him.
Although he had temporarily ceased his extensive surveillance of the Vast Spirit House, Jiang Chen wasn't planning to ignore the situation entirely. Near the inn, various cultivators from the Jiang Clan discreetly kept watch over the area.
Regarding Ning Xian, Jiang Chen remained vigilant. He promptly took out his transmission jade token to relay new instructions.
In the following days, the Jiang Clan's cultivators were tasked with finding patients to send to the Vast Spirit House for treatment, ostensibly to support the business operations there.
However, this was actually Jiang Chen's strategy to keep Ning Xian busy and limit her interactions with Lin Feng.
Additionally, these patients had complex and challenging conditions. Lin Feng, being a novice in alchemy, would find himself unable to participate in treating such advanced cases, effectively preventing any chance for him to work closely with Ning Xian.
With this dual-layered strategy in place, Jiang Chen was confident that Lin Feng would find it difficult to forge a closer relationship with Ning Xian.
Jiang Chen recognized that Lin Feng's progress in alchemy would be swift, and this tactic might only serve as a temporary obstacle. Yet, he was also mindful of his own rapid growth and development, which was not to be underestimated.
Entering a chamber designated for secluded cultivation, Jiang Chen settled down and took out eight pills from his Moondust Ring. Each pill was of top-grade quality, known as Clearing Mind Awakening Spirit Pills.
It's important to understand that the quality of refined pills is categorized into four grades: Low, Middle, Upper, and Top. The distinction between these grades lies in the amount of medicinal power and the level of impurities present in the pill.
Therefore, for a pill to be classified as top-grade, it must encapsulate the full medicinal power of its components while being completely free of impurities.