Mortal Alchemy

“Four or five months…”

Mu Luofei said with a smile, “Then, Junior Brother, you must break through and return as soon as possible. I will have things I need you for then.”

Chen Ping’s expression faltered, and he lowered his voice, “Is there news about the Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk?”

Mu Luofei gently shook her head, “I can’t be sure yet, but we need to prepare.”

She was already twenty-five years old. How many more years could she delay Foundation Establishment?

The older she got, the lower the probability of success.

“Alright,” Chen Ping nodded, “I will finish my business and return as soon as possible.”

“Junior Brother Chen, you must succeed,” Mu Luofei covered her mouth and giggled:

“Don’t let the situation be that I’ve reached Foundation Establishment, and you’re still in Qi Refining.”

“Hahaha!” Chen Ping laughed heartily:

“That would be fine too. After all, for so many years, Senior Sister Luofei’s cultivation has always been faster than mine.”

“Just don’t let Senior Sister Luofei become like Uncle-Master Li Erniu after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.”

After Li Erniu broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, he not only remained obsessed with Mu Luofei but also completely cut ties with Chen Ping and the others.

A clever glint flashed in Mu Luofei’s beautiful eyes:

“Maybe.”

Chen Ping smiled on the surface, but his heart was bitter. Mu Luofei had enough foundation, and she could attempt a breakthrough as long as she found a Foundation Establishment spiritual item.

Chen Ping had collected two Foundation Establishment spiritual items, but the matter of Foundation Establishment was still up in the air.

Not only was his aptitude poor, but his foundation was also terribly lacking.

Cultivators from immortal clans would soak in medicinal baths from a young age to improve their bone structure, giving them a huge advantage in the spiritual power and physical transformation stage.

And the spiritual power and physical transformation stage had almost cost Chen Ping his life twice.

All the probabilities of success in Foundation Establishment were theoretical. In reality, it depended on one’s own foundation and cultivation situation. Anyway, Chen Ping was determined to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill before attempting Foundation Establishment.

Time waits for no one.

Chen Ping stood up, cupped his fist, and said, “Senior Sister Luofei, you were the first person I visited upon returning to the Mu family, but I still have trivial matters to attend to and cannot stay long.”

Mu Luofei understood Chen Ping, “Then, Junior Brother Chen, hurry up and go. I will naturally come to find you later.”

As she said this, her earlobes turned slightly hot. After all, Chen Ping had left her the restriction token for his Daoist temple back then.

But she didn’t want to reveal or mention this matter.

“Alright,” Chen Ping stood up, bowed, and then left the Affairs Hall. He did not return to his Daoist temple in the Pill Hall but instead took out his flying gourd and headed to White Sand Market.

On the way, the Mu family disciples coming to the Affairs Hall were, as before, all with numb, desperate, and dull expressions, filled with repression.

Chen Ping was very afraid that he would become like these people in the future.

Cultivating for a lifetime, only to end up with nothing.

After flying for two hours, Chen Ping arrived at White Sand Market, which was still bustling with activity.

Stepping into Myriad Treasures Pavilion, Zhou Ying was a little surprised to see Chen Ping:

“Fellow Daoist Chen is indeed a trustworthy person. It’s almost been a year.”

In almost a year, Zhou Ying had become even more alluring than before. Every frown and smile had a soul-stirring charm.

Her temperament was more composed, and she had better control over herself.

Clearly, she had used Chen Ping’s Body Tempering Pills to secure her position.

Chen Ping smiled and said, “If there are no special reasons, Chen will naturally not break his promise.”

Zhou Ying stood up from behind the counter, “Please come with me to the private room for a chat.”

She walked in front, stepping lightly, and the silk ribbon around her waist outlined her slender waist and curvy hips. Just her back view was alluring enough.

Chen Ping couldn’t help but think to himself, “This Fellow Daoist Zhou’s skills have greatly improved.”

The first time he saw Zhou Ying, she had a cold aura. How long had it been, and she had transformed into such a charming and alluring woman.

Sensing Chen Ping’s gaze, Zhou Ying’s cheeks flushed slightly, “This Fellow Daoist Chen…”

She thought of how Chen Ping had saved her life a few years ago, and how he had even applied healing talismans to her vital areas.

Arriving at the private room, the two sat opposite each other, and Zhou Ying said:

“Fellow Daoist Chen, there is still no news about the Tier 2 demonic core and Hundred-Year Spiritual Milk that you asked the family to inquire about.”

“But rest assured, Fellow Daoist, the family has been doing its best to handle this matter. This concubine also needs Foundation Establishment spiritual items.”

Chen Ping understood. Although Zhou Ying dressed maturely and alluringly, referring to herself as 'this concubine,' she was not yet married or had a Daoist partner.

Only then did he realize that Zhou Ying was young and also qualified to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Chen Ping nodded. He thought the Guo family shouldn’t be perfunctory about the Foundation Establishment spiritual item matter.

Chen Ping said, “Alright, I understand.”

Chen Ping took out seventy-two bottles of Body Tempering Pills from his storage bag, “Fellow Daoist Zhou, these are the Body Tempering Pills for the next year.”

“Sev… seventy-two bottles…” Zhou Ying’s cherry lips parted slightly. Realizing she had lost her composure, she quickly covered her mouth with her small hand, extremely surprised:

“Fellow Daoist Chen actually brought out so many Body Tempering Pills.”

Chen Ping said with a smile, “What, Fellow Daoist Zhou can’t handle it?”

“No,” Zhou Ying giggled, “It’s just that before, Fellow Daoist Chen only brought out eighteen bottles of pills… This concubine can take all these Body Tempering Pills.”

“That’s good,” Chen Ping said with a grin, “The cooperation with the Guo family has been quite pleasant. My Senior Brother decided to deepen the cooperation with the Guo family, so he asked me to bring out so many Body Tempering Pills this time.”

If Zhou Ying tasted the sweetness of the Body Tempering Pills, he didn’t believe that the Guo family behind her wouldn’t seriously inquire about the news of Foundation Establishment spiritual items for Chen Ping.

Last time he took out eighteen bottles, and this time he took out seventy-two bottles, which meant that the initiative was on Chen Ping’s side. Who could say whether he could take out more pills?

Although he had helped Zhou Ying, if he really wanted the Guo family to do things, Chen Ping still needed enough chips himself.

Hearing this, Zhou Ying’s beautiful eyes showed excitement, “Fellow Daoist Chen, rest assured, the Guo family’s cooperation with Fellow Daoist Chen is definitely sincere.”

“Not to mention, this concubine still owes Fellow Daoist Chen a life-saving grace.”

“Please rest assured about the Foundation Establishment spiritual item matter.”

“Alright,” Chen Ping’s goal was achieved.

Then Zhou Ying gave Chen Ping three thousand one hundred and sixty-eight spiritual stones. Chen Ping’s wallet had four thousand spiritual stones again, but he had many materials for Body Tempering Pills in his storage bag.

But then he would have to spend money.

Chen Ping said, “Fellow Daoist Zhou, my White Jade Flying Boat is damaged. Do you know any refining masters who can help me repair it?”

He took out the shrunken, unactivated White Jade Flying Boat.

“…A White Jade Flying Boat worth three thousand spiritual stones,” Zhou Ying was even more surprised by Chen Ping’s wealth.

She couldn’t help but wonder which family Chen Ping was a direct descendant of. There were no immortal clans surnamed Chen near White Sand Market.

Zhou Ying suppressed her surprise and said with a smile, “This concubine recently met a refining master from the Eastern Xuan Sect. This concubine can ask this master to repair Fellow Daoist’s White Jade Flying Boat, which may cost two or three hundred spiritual stones.”

“Okay, the price is also reasonable,” Chen Ping said, “Then I’ll have to trouble Fellow Daoist Zhou.”

“I also want to purchase a batch of alchemy materials, as well as some Vitality Pills, Fasting Pills, and Qi Recovery Pills…”

After so long, the supplies seized from Liu Ziyan and others had been almost used up.

A thousand spiritual stones were spent like water.