Zou Renhe smiled as he stowed away the spirit stones. “The Crimson Blood Brew isn’t difficult to make. It will be drinkable in just two months. However, wine quality depends not just on the raw materials, but also on aging. The longer it is stored, the better the effect.”

Wang Hao nodded. “That’s fine. As you can see, business in the shop is just average. Once the wine is ready, put a few jars on the shelves first. Let the rest slowly age.”

Zou Renhe nodded, noting down the instructions. Then, he took out the Sky-Overturning Seal and handed it to Wang Hao, saying, “Master, I won’t deceive you. My grandfather obtained this seal while exploring the ruins of an ancient cultivator. At the time, it was still a spiritual artifact. Later, it was damaged somehow and degraded into a magical instrument. But my grandfather said that if one could find earth-attribute spiritual materials to repair it, its original power could be restored! It is a pity that both my father and I had poor aptitude and never broke through to the late stage of Qi Refining. We had neither the strength nor the need to repair the Sky-Overturning Seal. Now that it is given to you, Master, I hope you treat it kindly!”

There’s such a backstory? Then this is indeed extraordinary, Wang Hao thought. Maybe this whimsical purchase will actually yield a treasure.

Keeping his expression calm, he said, “It’s a pity that earth-attribute spiritual materials are highly valuable. I’d also need to find a suitable artifact refiner to repair it. The cost would be nearly the same as buying a brand new second-tier spiritual artifact!”

Zou Renhe smiled awkwardly. He had tried selling this thing for years. Even when he talked his lips off, there were no buyers precisely because of such concerns. Truth be told, if Wang Hao had offered only a hundred spirit stones, he would have agreed to that too.

Wang Hao then took Zou Renhe to meet Wang Yanzhi, handing over the subsequent matters to him. Wang Hao returned to his room to prepare for alchemy. He had just discovered that a batch of medicinal herbs in his farm had matured. He could now attempt to break through and become a second-tier low-grade alchemist.

Wang Hao took out the Purple Light Furnace. Casting a spell, the Purple Light Furnace hummed, growing with the wind before landing steadily on the ground.

Wang Hao was already familiar with alchemy, but several failed breakthrough experiences told him he must be extra careful.

As the herbs were added, the volume of medicinal liquid increased. Past this point, Wang Hao’s spiritual sense would usually become strained. He would often fail at the next step—mixing the medicinal liquid to form the pill liquid! In the few lucky times he entered the next step, he would also fail due to the exhaustion of his spiritual sense.

But now, with his spiritual sense strengthened, he felt much more at ease. Even mixing the pill liquid brought no great pressure. It was only during the later pill condensation stage that his control became insufficient again. Continuously refining for three hours consumed a huge amount of Spiritual Power and spiritual sense, leading to this situation.

Wang Hao gritted his teeth and persevered. Simultaneously, he unhesitatingly abandoned most of the medicinal liquid, keeping only one clump. Finally, he persisted. As a fragrance wafted out, Wang Hao extinguished the flame and opened the furnace. Inside lay a round pill—precisely a Qi Gathering Pill!

Sniffing lightly, he detected no off odors, and the pill fragrance was strong. But as for the effect, he would have to try one!

However, he didn’t dare test the pill himself. Even with his minor success in body refinement, he could not withstand the potency of a pill meant for Foundation Establishment. He naturally didn’t dare to take it, so he went to find Old Wang.

He quickly went to Wang Yanzhao’s room. “Old Wang, look at the good thing I brought you!”

Wang Yanzhao frowned, about to scold him for the intrusion, but when he saw the round pill flying toward him, he hurriedly caught it and lifted it to look. “A Qi Gathering Pill!”

He looked delightedly at Wang Hao. “You refined this?”

“Yes. Quick, taste it and tell me how the effect is! Tell me so I can adjust!” Wang Hao smiled proudly.

Now Wang Yanzhao had no mind to scold him. He inspected it, found no flaws, put it in his mouth, and closed his eyes. After a full quarter of an hour, he opened his eyes and said, “Not bad. Your heat control is still lacking. This relates to your cultivation. Wait until you reach the eighth layer of Qi Refining; once your spiritual sense and Spiritual Power strengthen, your heat control will become more adept.”

Wang Yanzhao then carefully asked about the refining process, giving pointers until late into the night. Wang Hao returned to his own room, recalled the advice for a while, and then slept deeply.

The next day, Wang Hao woke early. Just as he was leaving his room, he encountered Chu He and Chen Qing.

“Brother Chu, Fairy Chen, you’re looking for me so early? Is there something important?”

“Indeed, we have a matter to discuss with Brother Wang!” Chu He gestured an invitation. “Please, let’s move to the tea house for a detailed talk!”

Today he had nothing planned, so Wang Hao nodded and agreed. The three quickly arrived at the Wenxian Teahouse and requested a private room.

After the waiter poured the tea and closed the door, Chen Qing said, “The two of us have a matter to ask for Brother Wang’s help. But this is also an opportunity!”

“Please explain clearly!”

Knowing they had only known each other for a short time, if it was a trivial matter, he would definitely help. But if it was too dangerous, he would definitely not participate!

So Chen Qing slowly explained. The Qing Yuan Sect stores fruits from their Condensing Essence Fruit trees and adds occasional third-tier demon cores hunted by elders. Thus, every five years, they refine a furnace of Foundation Establishment Pills for the disciples.

But the Qing Yuan Sect has many disciples. Who should receive one and who should not? Thus, besides requiring ten thousand contribution points to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill, the sect also requires disciples to complete a dangerous task. This serves as both assessment and training. They can ask for help, but the number is limited to four people, and they must be at the Qi Refining stage.

Soon, it would be the time for the five-year Foundation Establishment Pill distribution again. The auction that Wang Hao and Wang Yanzhao were preparing to attend was also a method the Qing Yuan Sect used to attract people to Qing Yuan Market. Each auction always featured at least one Foundation Establishment Pill!

“So Brother Chu wants to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill?” Wang Hao looked at Chu He.

Chu He nodded. “Yes. I have already been at the ninth layer of Qi Refining for years. So, please, Brother Wang, lend me a hand!”

Wang Hao hesitated slightly. Such a task—simple as it sounded—certainly carried high danger. He was about to refuse.

“Brother Wang, don’t rush to refuse. This hunt targets a poisonous python, only second-tier low-grade. We have already prepared the Four Symbols Formation, so there is not great danger. And I invite Brother Wang for a reward.” Saying this, he handed over a map. “An ancient cultivator’s cave dwelling I discovered accidentally. But back then, I was alone and my Spiritual Power was low, so I was unable to break the formation to enter. Now we can join forces to break it. I promise the gains will be split into four equal shares. Brother can choose first!”

“An ancient cultivator’s cave dwelling?” Wang Hao didn’t take the map, his gaze shifting. “After all these years, who knows if the cave dwelling is even still there? Even if it is there, what is inside is hard to say!”

“Brother worries about the gains? Indeed, I dare not guarantee them.” Chu He frowned in thought, then said, “How about this: if there are no gains, I will give Brother two second-tier low-grade spirit talismans as a reward. How does that sound?”

Wang Hao still didn’t hurriedly agree. Two spirit talismans were worth a few hundred spirit stones. He asked instead, “May I ask why Brother Chu chose me? Knowing we have only met twice, our mutual understanding is lacking. Also, my strength is low. Why not choose other Senior Brothers to help?”