Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 234: Some Guidance

“What? No hope?!”

Qin Lu stood up abruptly, his hands slamming onto the table. The sudden movement rattled the teacups in the elegant reception room.

Opposite him sat Xi Ren, the Foundation Establishment alchemist of the [Hundred Apricot Grove]. The old man wore pristine white robes and a Daoist cap, his demeanor calm despite Qin Lu’s outburst.

“Easy, Fellow Daoist, easy,” Xi Ren soothed, stroking his long white beard. “This old man didn’t say your friend cannot be treated. I said I cannot treat him. My skills are limited.”

Qin Lu exhaled sharply, the tension in his shoulders releasing. He sank back into his chair.

“Don’t scare people like that,” he grumbled. “Please, explain.”

“Hehehe…” Xi Ren chuckled like a mischievous imp. He took a slow sip of tea before continuing. “From your description, he was struck by a demonic cultivator using a formation. Not only was his arm severed, but a powerful demonic energy has invaded his meridians. It’s like a parasite, preventing his Spiritual Qi from repairing the damage.”

“The [Injury Recovery Pill] is keeping him alive, but it can’t purge the infection. That’s why he remains in a coma.”

“So how do we wake him?” Qin Lu asked urgently.

“You need a medicinal force potent enough to expel that energy,” Xi Ren explained. “Since the demonic cultivator was using a pseudo-Golden Core formation, the residual energy is near that level. To cleanse it, you would need a pill close to the Third Grade.”

He spread his hands helplessly. “I am merely at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. I cannot refine such a pill.”

Qin Lu’s face fell.

A Third Grade pill? That required a Golden Core alchemist. In the entire Flowing Cloud Prefecture, such figures were as rare as phoenix feathers. They were patriarchs and hermit masters, unreachable for a wandering rogue cultivator like him.

“So it is hopeless…” Qin Lu muttered, staring at the floor.

“Hehe. Don’t despair just yet,” Xi Ren said, a twinkle in his eye. “There is another way.”

Qin Lu snapped his head up. “Really?!”

“Naturally! While a Third Grade pill is ideal, a top-tier Second Grade pill refined by a true master might suffice. And there is one person in Shuntian City capable of such a feat.”

“Who?”

“Fan Yueren,” Xi Ren said reverently. “His cultivation is at Foundation Establishment Perfection, and he is undisputed as the greatest alchemist in the city. If anyone can save your friend, it’s him.”

“Fan Yueren…” Qin Lu repeated the name.

It rang a bell. The shop assistant earlier had mentioned him—the only one of the eight master alchemists who didn’t operate a public shop.

“Thank you!” Qin Lu stood up and bowed deeply. “I will find him immediately!”

“Hold on,” Xi Ren cautioned. “One more thing. I hear Fan Yueren is currently preparing to break through to the Golden Core realm. He is in secluded cultivation and rarely sees guests.”

Qin Lu paused. That was a problem. A cultivator at a critical juncture wouldn’t appreciate interruptions.

He sat back down and pulled out a pouch of Spirit Stones. With a wave of his hand, a hundred gleaming stones piled up on the table.

“Fellow Daoist Xi,” Qin Lu said seriously. “Tell me everything about Fan Yueren. His personality, his hobbies, his dislikes… everything.”

“Hehe! Fellow Daoist is too polite!”

Xi Ren swept the stones into his sleeve with a grin. “Fan Yueren is an old friend. Let me tell you…”

Half an hour later.

Qin Lu stood before a large estate with red walls and green tiles. It was quiet, imposing, and clearly belonged to someone of status.

He stepped forward and knocked on the heavy wooden doors.

Creak.

The door opened to reveal a middle-aged man. He was a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator with a flushed face and the distinct smell of alcohol on his breath.

He looked Qin Lu up and down, noting the Foundation Establishment aura but showing little deference.

“Oh, a Foundation Establishment Senior,” he drawled, leaning against the doorframe. “What business do you have with the Fan residence?”

“Little brother,” Qin Lu smiled politely. “Is Fellow Daoist Fan Yueren home?”

“My Lord is home. But he is busy.”

“I have an urgent matter to discuss with him. Could you announce me?”

Qin Lu didn’t wait for a refusal. He reached into his storage bag and produced a red ceramic jar sealed with wax.

“By the way,” he said casually. “I picked up this [Ascension Immortal Brew] on my way here. I don’t drink much myself, so perhaps you’d like it?”

The steward’s eyes widened. The indifference vanished instantly, replaced by a beaming smile.

“Senior is too generous!”

He accepted the jar with both hands, stashing it away before anyone could see. “This brew costs a hundred Spirit Stones a jar! You have excellent taste.”

“Just a small token,” Qin Lu said modestly. ” about that announcement?”

“Of course! Right away! May I ask Senior’s name?”

“Qin Lu.”

“Please wait a moment, Senior Qin!”

The steward bowed and hurried inside, closing the door gently.

Qin Lu let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

“Information is power,” he thought, satisfied.

Xi Ren had warned him that Fan Yueren’s steward was a gatekeeper who often turned away guests unless “properly motivated.” A hundred stones for a jar of wine was a steep price for a door knock, but if it got him inside, it was worth every penny.