Chapter 51: The Green Lotus Pill Is Complete, and Plans Are Laid for the Purple Mansion

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Beyond Boundary County, three figures were racing eastward.

Zhao Hong carried Zhao Rui and Zhao Jun far beyond Boundary County before finally coming to a stop.

He glanced at the two young men. The grand elder of the Purple Palace Zhao Clan wore a complicated expression.

“This time, I was mistaken.”

“I thought we were the mantis stalking the cicada, with the oriole waiting behind us. I never imagined a dragon from beyond the river would appear.”

Zhao Rui could not help feeling shaken. “That Jiang Sheng was far too terrifying. In barely a quarter of an hour, he slew so many Foundation Establishment cultivators!”

Zhao Hong turned and gazed toward Qingping Mountain, which lay blurred in the darkness.

“This time, the two of you have witnessed a true prodigy.”

“Do not imagine that the Zhao Clan is so extraordinary. In Hai Commandery, our clan may still be considered a force to be reckoned with, but across the whole of Qingzhou, what are we worth?”

“And although the three great sects of Qingzhou may command awe throughout the province, once they leave Qingzhou, are they not just like everyone else?”

“Keep a heart filled with reverence and devote yourselves to cultivation. The future of the Zhao Clan will depend on you.”

With that, Zhao Hong hurried away with Zhao Rui and Zhao Jun.

What had happened in Boundary County was far too significant. So many Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators of Hai Commandery had died at once, which was undoubtedly advantageous to the Zhao Clan. He needed to return to the clan immediately and arrange a new redistribution of the resources in Hai Commandery.

Meanwhile, within Qingping Mountain, Jiang Sheng was cautiously examining the Jade-Green Lotus before him.

For this lotus, he had crossed Qingping Mountain and journeyed to Hai Commandery. First, he had slain a Blackflame Serpent on the verge of entering the Purple Palace realm. Then he had lain hidden in Hai Commandery for several months, killing so many Foundation Establishment cultivators. Was it not all for this moment of harvest?

“A treasure such as the Jade-Green Lotus must either be consumed immediately or stored with spirit jade,” Jiang Sheng said as he took a palm-sized jade box from his storage pouch.

“This box contains a little spirit-jade essence. It should be able to preserve the lotus temporarily without affecting it.”

“At the first quarter of the Rabbit Hour, the lotus platform will detach. At that time, place it in this box, and we will return to Clear Profound Temple.”

Bai Shang listened quietly to Jiang Sheng’s instructions. When he had finished, the fox nodded.

“I shall follow your arrangements, Daoist.”

A man and a fox waited silently within the abandoned mansion. When the time came to the Rabbit Hour, and the sun rose above the horizon, the lotus platform naturally broke free from its stalk.

Jiang Sheng’s hand moved with lightning speed. He caught the platform in the jade box, sealed the box, and placed it into his storage pouch.

“Let us go.”

Bai Shang looked back at the familiar cavern dwelling, a trace of melancholy in his eyes. He had the feeling that he would not be returning here for quite some time.

Morning mist still lingered throughout Qingping Mountain.

Formed from the night’s dew, it would not fully disperse until midday.

The man and fox flew through the mountain ranges of Qingping Mountain. Beneath them stood green pines and emerald cypresses, shrouded in drifting clouds and mist. On either side rose peak after peak, each touched by threads of golden light.

From time to time, birds swept across the sky and beasts cried out through the valleys. Watching the countless living creatures in the mountains awaken, Bai Shang was filled with deep emotion.

Although the lotus was already in hand, Jiang Sheng’s nerves remained taut. Only after returning to the familiar Clear Profound Temple did he finally relax.

Qing Yun and Qing Man seemed to have made their home outside the temple. When they saw Jiang Sheng and Bai Shang return, the two foxes were overjoyed.

“Daoist and brother-in-law have returned! Did everything go smoothly?” Qing Man asked impatiently.

Jiang Sheng gave a slight nod. “Everything went smoothly. We can begin preparing to refine the pills.”

With a wave of his hand, Jiang Sheng sent a surge of power into the Flowing Radiance Jadewater Formation, opening a gap. He, Bai Shang, and the three foxes then entered the temple.

Inside, Tian Ming’an had already heard the commotion and was waiting in the front hall with the little fox Bai Ying.

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When he saw his master return, Tian Ming’an immediately stepped forward.

“Master.”

“Your cultivation has not fallen behind during these past six months.” Sensing Tian Ming’an’s cultivation level, Jiang Sheng finally revealed a trace of a smile.

Once everyone had gathered, Jiang Sheng said with a smile, “The Jade-Green Lotus is now in hand. Bai Daoist and I will soon begin refining the Green Lotus Pills.”

“I do not have many of the spiritual herbs required to refine them. Bai Daoist, would you be willing to take care of this matter?”

Bai Shang nodded. “To be honest, Daoist Jiang, I still possess some of the spiritual medicines needed for the Green Lotus Pills.”

Qing Man added, “The Azure Fox Clan still has some medicinal materials that can be used for pill refinement.”

Jiang Sheng considered this and set a time. “In that case, Bai Daoist and Qing Daoist, go and retrieve the medicinal materials. I will spend a day adjusting my condition. We shall begin refining tomorrow at the Dragon Hour.”

Bai Shang and Qing Man left the temple to fetch the medicinal materials, while Jiang Sheng quietly meditated in the front hall.

Pill refinement was a serious undertaking, especially when refining a precious pill such as the Green Lotus Pill. Naturally, he needed to restore himself to peak condition.

The following day at the Dragon Hour, Bai Shang and Qing Man returned with the required materials, and Jiang Sheng had completed his preparations.

Bai Shang followed Jiang Sheng to the rear hall to refine the pills, while Qing Man and Qing Yun stood guard outside, ready to provide spiritual power at any moment.

Within the rear hall, Jiang Sheng and Bai Shang stood facing each other on opposite sides, with a second-tier pill furnace between them.

As Jiang Sheng activated his Foundation Establishment True Fire and began heating the furnace, Bai Shang immediately took out the various spiritual herbs.

Once the furnace had glowed red and its internal temperature had stabilized, Bai Shang, without waiting for Jiang Sheng’s instructions, placed the breath-gathering grass and fragrant orchid grass inside.

An hour later, night-crossing vine and yellow autumn root were added as well.

When the four spiritual medicines began to liquefy, Jiang Sheng placed a Jade-Green Lotus seed into the furnace. After waiting five breaths, he added the Celestial Origin Fruit and the nightshade fruit.

At that point, the principal ingredient and all the auxiliary ingredients had entered the furnace. Only then could the refinement of the Green Lotus Pills be said to have officially begun.

This batch took a full five hours to refine. It began during the Dragon Hour and was not completed until the Rooster Hour.

After Jiang Sheng added a measure of Hundred-Grass Dew to the furnace, the three masses of medicinal liquid gradually transformed into three flawless, round pills of jade-green hue.

The moment the three precious pills emerged from the furnace, a faint fragrance spread through the hall. Pill vapors rose into the air, finally forming the shape of a green lotus. They lingered for a full quarter of an hour before slowly dissipating.

Qing Man and Qing Yun were both delighted by the sight. It meant that the Green Lotus Pills had been successfully refined.

Sure enough, Jiang Sheng’s voice soon came from within the hall.

“The first batch is complete. Help Bai Daoist adjust his condition. Tomorrow at the Dragon Hour, we will continue refining.”

After resting for one night, Jiang Sheng and Bai Shang resumed their work. Having become familiar with the process, Jiang Sheng used two Jade-Green Lotus seeds this time.

While the rear hall was ablaze with activity, Tian Ming’an sat in the front hall reading the Daoist scriptures with solemn concentration.

Bai Ying would occasionally glance toward the rear hall, then look back at Tian Ming’an.

“Your master is refining pills. Aren’t you curious?”

“Curious about what?” Tian Ming’an asked.

“About how the pills are coming along, how many can be refined, and whether you’ll get any when they are finished. Aren’t you curious about any of that?” Bai Ying asked.

Tian Ming’an shook his head. “Pill refinement is Master’s affair. He certainly will not fail. As for how many pills are refined, and whether I receive any, that depends on Master, not me. Why should I trouble myself over matters beyond my control? It is better to complete my studies properly.”

With that, Tian Ming’an continued with his lessons, his composure utterly unlike that of someone his age.

Bai Ying blinked, staring at him in complete bewilderment.

Jiang Sheng and Bai Shang continued refining pills for four full days.

On the first day, they used only one Jade-Green Lotus seed. On each of the remaining three days, they used two.

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When the four days of refinement ended, they had obtained eighteen Green Lotus Pills in total.

Although they had not achieved the maximum possible use of the lotus seeds, the result was more than enough for Jiang Sheng and Bai Shang’s three foxes.

After completing the refinement, Jiang Sheng took out three jade bottles and handed them to Bai Shang.

“I promised you half of the pills. These are nine Green Lotus Pills. Please keep them safe.”

Bai Shang carefully accepted the bottles, then bowed deeply to Jiang Sheng.

“Daoist, you have kept your word. Bai Shang is deeply impressed.”

Jiang Sheng shook his head, a faint smile in his eyes.

“Keeping one’s word is nothing extraordinary. Without you, I would not have obtained these Green Lotus Pills at all. Besides, I also received the lotus platform.”

“Our karmic debt has been settled. You may return.”

Bai Shang bowed once more to Jiang Sheng, then departed Clear Profound Temple with Qing Yun, Qing Man, and Bai Ying.

Watching the three adult foxes and one young fox fly into the distance, Jiang Sheng turned to Tian Ming’an.

“Well?”

Tian Ming’an did not hesitate for long. “They are all straightforward and sincere people. They are candid and forthright, and do not resemble evil spirits.”

“That is why I was willing to settle this karmic connection in full.” Jiang Sheng smiled.

He casually tapped Tian Ming’an on the head, then rolled his neck.

“Tomorrow, I will enter seclusion once more. This time, it will be to break through into the Purple Palace realm. Perhaps by the time I emerge, the next year will already have arrived.”

“And perhaps that Golden Core cultivator will attack while I am still in seclusion. Will you hide down the mountain?”

Tian Ming’an shook his head. “Your disciple will not hide.”

“Very well. Since I still have time today, ask whatever questions you have about cultivation. Tomorrow, I will enter seclusion.”

Tian Ming’an told Jiang Sheng about the problems he had encountered during this period. After offering guidance, Jiang Sheng tested Tian Ming’an on his techniques as well. Only then, satisfied, did he return to the front hall and enter seclusion.

When the doors of the front hall were sealed once more, Jiang Sheng gazed at the portrait of the founding ancestor and bowed.

“Honored Ancestor, your disciple Jiang Sheng has descended the mountain to gain experience. After traveling this far, I have finally obtained the opportunity to establish my Purple Palace.”

“Your disciple has resolved to break through into the Purple Palace realm in preparation for the great enemy ahead. I ask that you bear witness.”

With that, Jiang Sheng sat cross-legged upon the meditation cushion. Three small jade bottles rested before him.

After regulating his aura until it was perfectly rounded and flawless, Jiang Sheng swallowed one translucent jade-green Green Lotus Pill.

In an instant, pure and immense spiritual energy surged into his dantian. His own spiritual power transformed it, carrying it through the meridians throughout his body, refining and purifying it again and again until it became drops of spiritual liquid within his dantian.

It took Jiang Sheng more than a month to fully refine the medicinal power of a single Green Lotus Pill.

That was only because he possessed a Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, and his natural constitution was extraordinary.

For Bai Shang and the other foxes, a single Green Lotus Pill would have taken two or three years to refine.

After finishing the refinement of one pill, Jiang Sheng did not rest. He swallowed another Green Lotus Pill and continued refining it.

In the blink of an eye, summer rain turned into autumn winds, and autumn winds became winter snow.

Half a year passed. Jiang Sheng consumed six Green Lotus Pills in total, finally pushing his spiritual power to a state close to perfection.

As he slowly opened his eyes, a profound understanding welled up within him.

“In seven days, the time will be right for me to establish my Purple Palace.”

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