20 20 Qi Refinement Level 6_1

A nine-story tall blue loft with a plaque that reads "Hundred Herbs Pavilion" in golden characters, this is a shop opened by the Chen Family, mainly dealing in the business of Spiritual Medicine.

On the eighth floor, Chen Yishan was speaking with a man of robust build and middle age, whose gaze was commanding and who exuded a powerful Spirit Pressure, clearly indicating that he was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

"Uncle Seven, you didn't find a second-stage Purple Patterned Fire Centipede?"

Chen Yishan asked curiously.

They had received news that the Purple Patterned Fire Centipede, a creature listed on the Heaven and Earth Exotic Insect List, had appeared in the Qianzhu Mountain Range. A team of Qi Refining Cultivators was sent to exterminate them, but one of the late-stage Qi Refining Cultivators had perished.

Being capable of raising a second-stage Purple Patterned Fire Centipede could significantly enhance the strength of the Chen Family.

If a second-stage Purple Patterned Fire Centipede appeared in the Qianzhu Mountain Range, it could also threaten the safety of the marketplace; therefore, the Chen Family dispatched Foundation Establishment Cultivators to look for it.

"No, the appearance of these two Purple Patterned Fire Centipedes was very sudden, perhaps they were left behind by some Cultivators," the middle-aged man speculated.

Chen Yunhu, mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Some Cultivators fought in the Qianzhu Mountain Range, pursuing and evading each other, and items from their person could possibly have fallen. Moreover, if a Cultivator died from grave injuries and carried insect eggs, it was possible that the eggs could hatch. Such incidents had indeed occurred before.

"Could it be related to the Five Poisons Sect?"

Chen Yishan speculated.

The Five Poisons Sect was an organization of Evil Cultivators that had caused the deaths of many Cultivators. Its leader, the Five Poisons Hermit, raised five types of poisonous insects; this Evil Cultivator organization had been recently annihilated by the Cultivators of Spirit Control Sect, and the Five Poisons Hermit had fought his way out of tight encirclement, disappearing without a trace.

The Spirit Control Sect had offered a substantial reward for capturing the Five Poisons Hermit.

"It probably isn't related! He also raised a Purple Patterned Fire Centipede, but that was a second-stage one. Even if he died in Qianzhu Mountain Range, and the Purple Patterned Fire Centipede laid eggs and hatched, it couldn't have quickly advanced to late-stage first level. The Heaven and Earth Exotic Insect List's Spirit Insects have significant Divine Skills, and they require even more Cultivation Resources to advance. That's common knowledge," Chen Yunhu stated.

"But what if he really did die in Qianzhu Mountain Range! If someone else found the Five Poisons Hermit's corpse, that would be a huge find," Chen Yishan said.

Chen Yunhu's interest was piqued; the reward from Spirit Control Sect was indeed substantial.

"That's true. I'll organize a team and conduct a thorough investigation in the mountains. Hopefully, we'll find something. By the way, make sure to treat Friend Chu well. If you can establish a dual cultivation partnership with her, it would be very beneficial for your future development," Chen Yunhu instructed.

"She doesn't even spare me a glance. She wanted a Snow Cloud Fox, so I immediately announced a reward and managed to get one for her. She merely thanked me," Chen Yishan said, feeling somewhat frustrated.

"The Chu Family has Core Formation Cultivators at its helm and ranks among the foremost Cultivator families in Qin Country, brimming with experts. It's normal for her to have high standards. If you can't form a dual cultivation partnership, at least having her as a friend is good; at the very least, you don't need another enemy," Chen Yunhu advised.

"I understand, Uncle Seven," Chen Yishan agreed, then, struck by a thought, he asked curiously, "Speaking of which, it's odd. What is a Chu Family Cultivator doing here in Qianzhu Valley? This place is hardly comparable to Purple Maple Valley."

"I'm not sure. They seem to be looking for someone. I inquired with Taoist Friend Chu, and he said they are seeking the Five Poisons Hermit, but I feel that's not the case. Find an opportunity to inquire with Friend Chu and see if you can uncover their true purpose," Chen Yunhu ordered.

Chen Yishan nodded and agreed to do so.

······

Half a year swiftly passed.

Shen Long sat cross-legged on a stone bed, his eyes slightly closed, his body enveloped in a blue halo.

After a while, the blue halo around Shen Long dispersed, and he opened his eyes, exhaling a long breath of turbid air.

"Qi Refinement Sixth Level!"

Shen Long showed a look of joy.

It had taken him over a year to advance from the fifth level to the sixth level of Qi Refinement, a speed of progression that he had not even dared to dream of.

Shen Long was well aware that if he hadn't taken some Qi Nourishing Pills, his cultivation speed wouldn't have been so fast. In the past, he could only take one Qi Nourishing Pill per month, but now he could take several in a month, which naturally sped up his cultivation.

Shen Long stood up, stretched lazily, cooked a pot of Spirit Rice Meal, and quickly finished it.

He cooked another pot of Spirit Rice Meal and brought it into the Spirt Control Tower.

A series of cheerful screeching noises arose as the Iron Tail Scorpion crawled toward Shen Long. After more than half a year of training, the Iron Tail Scorpion had grown very close to him, and Shen Long fed it some Golden Bead Spirit Rice from time to time.

Even so, Shen Long's expenses had increased, but fortunately, they were still acceptable to him.

Shen Long took out a ceramic pot, poured out the Spirit Rice Meal, and let the Iron Tail Scorpion eat.

The Iron Tail Scorpion quickly devoured the pot of Spirit Rice Meal, but it wasn't satisfied and let out a sharp screech.

"Its appetite is even bigger than mine."

Shen Long talked to himself and cooked another pot of Golden Bead Spirit Rice.

After eating two pots of Spirit Rice Meal, the Iron Tail Scorpion finally seemed content.

With a thought from Shen Long, the scorpion's stinger suddenly struck the ground on the right, producing a muffled sound, yet the ground showed no trace of impact.

Soon, its stinger struck the ground on the left.

Shen Long nodded in satisfaction. Now, with just a thought from him, the Iron Tail Scorpion would act on his command. The only downside was that its attack was a bit weak. However, its ability to hide underground was not easy to detect, which had its pros and cons!

"Go play by yourself!"

Shen Long waved his hand, and the Iron Tail Scorpion returned to the pool, which it enjoyed as its little den.

Shen Long left the Spirt Control Tower, collected the Spirit Stones from the soundproofing array, and stood up to leave.

He was planning to go to the Martial Training Garden to practice spells, but Taoist Friend Qin approached him with a smile on his face.

"Taoist Friend Shen, you've had a breakthrough. Congratulations!"

Qin Qing noticed that Shen Long's aura had grown significantly stronger and he congratulated him with a smile.

"Taoist Friend Qin, are you about to go into the mountains to hunt Monster Beasts?"

Shen Long asked. After resting for more than half a year, it was time to go into the mountains.

Qin Qing nodded and said, "Taoist Friend Xu is calling us over."

They arrived at the Qingzhu Courtyard, where Xu Lei and the other six were gathered, and Ye Yuqing had also advanced to the sixth level of Qi Refinement.

Xu Lei was somewhat surprised to find that Shen Long had advanced to the sixth level of Qi Refinement.

He was still trying to overcome a bottleneck and was stuck at the seventh level of Qi Refinement.

"After resting for more than half a year, it's time to go into the mountains. Our target this time is a late-stage, rank-one Fire Cloud Clam, whose nest is deep in the Qianzhu Mountain Range. There are more than twenty stalks of Fire Cloud Grass in the nest," Xu Lei said.

"There are two Fire Cloud Clams in total. They can release the Fireball Technique to injure enemies and breathe out flames," Sun Yang added.

"Now that we've got all the information, let's set off. The sooner we go, the sooner we return," Qin Qing said.

Shen Long and the others had no objections, as Spiritual Medicine could sell for quite a few Spirit Stones.

Last time he had obtained a stalk of Ten-Year Three-Leaf Grass, and Shen Long still had it with him.

After leaving the marketplace, Xu Lei summoned the Green Cloud Boat, boarded it, and Sun Yang and the others hurried to follow.

With a spell from Xu Lei, the Green Cloud Boat glowed with a green light, carrying them high into the sky.

Three days later, the Green Cloud Boat appeared above a vast expanse of green bamboo forest.

With a change in Xu Lei's incantation, the Green Cloud Boat slowly descended and landed in an open area. Shen Long and the others got off and applied a defense to themselves.

Xu Lei applied a defense to himself and walked ahead, with Shen Long and the other seven following behind.