Chapter 333 Rewards, Participation in the Pill Gathering

Shen Wen had indeed underestimated the threshold of a Ninth Grade Pill.

During these past few days, he had been soaking himself in Old Man Shennong's herb garden.

This was a space opened up by Old Man Shennong himself, specifically used for cultivating medicinal ingredients.

Being accompanied daily by those rare medicinal ingredients seldom seen in the outside world, he truly understood what "Ninth-Grade" meant.

Eighth Grade Pills involve refining the Fusion of medicinal power.

Ninth Grade Pills involve refining the rules of heaven and earth.

To carry the rules of heaven and earth, the medicinal ingredients themselves must first contain the power of rules.

"This one," Old Man Shennong casually plucked a small grass that was pale gold all over and handed it to Shen Wen.

"Nine-Leaf Golden Ginseng, I have cultivated it for two hundred years. It has already developed spirituality, knowing how to avoid danger and absorb the essence of the sun and moon."

"Only by using it as medicine can it carry the rules."

Shen Wen took the Nine-Leaf Golden Ginseng, sensed the faint spiritual fluctuations within it, and nodded.

Two hundred years.

A single medicinal ingredient takes two hundred years.

In that entire herb garden, how many years would those medicinal ingredients even more precious than the Nine-Leaf Golden Ginseng take to Cultivate?

He suddenly understood a bit why Ninth-Grade Alchemists were so rare.

It wasn't a lack of talent; it was that they couldn't afford the time.

Without a foundation like Old Man Shennong's, no matter how good one's talent was, they wouldn't be able to gather the Materials to refine a Ninth Grade Pill.

"Don't think too much." Old Man Shennong leaned on his cane and walked forward slowly, "You just need to thoroughly understand the medicinal properties of these ingredients; for the rest, I'll back you up."

Shen Wen followed behind him, passing through one herb field after another, committing those rare medicinal ingredients he had never seen before to memory one by one.

The days passed one by one like this.

...

Zi Yan's cultivation rose extremely quickly.

The terrifying nature of the Dragon Phoenix Bloodline was fully revealed after her Breakthrough to Dou Zong.

The residual power from refining the dragon phoenix origin fruit was absorbed by her bit by bit, and her cultivation soared like it was on a rocket.

On this day, she found Shen Wen.

"Brother Shen Wen, I'm leaving."

Zi Yan stood before him, her face, which had lost its childishness, carried a look of seriousness.

She wore a purple-gold dress embroidered with Dragon Phoenix patterns, and her aura was already approaching that of a Dou Zun.

Shen Wen looked at her and nodded, "Are you ready?"

Zi Yan nodded vigorously, "Those twelve Ancient Dragons have already gone back first. Someone on East Dragon Island was contacted secretly, saying they are willing to support the descendant of the Dragon Emperor."

She paused, then suddenly threw herself into Shen Wen's arms, her arms tightly encircling his waist.

"Brother Shen Wen, I will miss you."

Shen Wen smiled and rubbed her head, "It's not like you're not coming back."

Zi Yan rubbed against his chest and said in a muffled voice, "Once I finish handling the clan's affairs, I'll return. At that time, I'll bring Brother Shen Wen a big gift."

Shen Wen didn't ask what the gift was, only saying, "Be careful. Although those Ancient Dragons have been converted by me, you'll still have to rely on yourself if something really happens."

"I know."

Zi Yan looked up at him, light swirling in her purple-gold eyes.

"Brother Shen Wen has helped me build such a foundation; if I still can't control Dragon Island, I'll just stay obediently by Brother Shen Wen's side from now on and go nowhere."

Shen Wen smiled.

He lowered his head and gave her a light kiss on the forehead.

"Go on."

Zi Yan's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't dodge.

She let go of him, stepped back two paces, gave him a deep look, and then turned around.

In the next moment, a streak of purple-gold light soared into the sky, sweeping toward the distance.

Shen Wen stood where he was, watching the light disappear into the horizon before withdrawing his gaze.

This girl is growing up after all.

...

Cai Lin was also leaving.

"The yin-cold power of the Nine Serene Yellow Springs is beneficial for tempering my Physical Body."

She stood before Shen Wen, her expression cold, but her tone had softened slightly.

"It just so happens that news came from Yao Ming's side saying the bottom of the Yellow Springs has been cleaned out, so I can Cultivate there in peace."

Shen Wen looked at her without speaking.

Cai Lin felt a bit uneasy under his gaze and turned her head away, "I'm just going to Cultivate, it's not like I'm not coming back."

Shen Wen reached out and pulled her into his arms.

Cai Lin's body stiffened slightly, then relaxed, leaning against his shoulder.

"Regarding One Thought, I have already settled things with Xiao Yi Xian," she said softly. "With her looking after her, I can rest easy."

Shen Wen nodded and lowered his head to sniff her hair.

"Go on."

Cai Lin gave a hum of agreement but didn't move.

After a moment, she gently pushed him away, gave him a look, and turned to leave.

The slender figure disappeared out the door, and only then did Shen Wen withdraw his gaze.

The residence felt a bit emptier again.

...

Xiao Yi Xian and Dan Chen went to the Pill Tower.

Both were Alchemists—one with the Calamity Poison Body and the other with the Supreme Pill Body—and their passion for Alchemy was higher than anyone's.

The Pill Tower had specialized refining Elders for guidance and a vast number of Pill Formulas to consult, which was much better than staying in the residence and figuring things out on their own.

Cao Ying stayed at the residence to nurse her pregnancy and handle various miscellaneous affairs. Tang Huo'er accompanied her, and the two spent all day together discussing fire control methods.

On this day, Shen Wen returned from Old Man Shennong's and saw the two sitting in the Flower Hall, each with a clump of flame in front of them.

The Green Lotus Core Flame in Cao Ying's palm was as warm and smooth as jade; under her control, it transformed into various shapes, sometimes blooming like a lotus, sometimes winding like a traveling dragon.

The Nine Dragon Lightning Flame in Tang Huo'er's palm was completely different from before.

The flame was purple-gold, with nine dragon shadows faintly moving within it; every movement was accompanied by low dragon roars.

As the flame flickered, the surrounding air distorted slightly, exuding an extremely overbearing pressure.

Shen Wen's footsteps paused.

Seeing him enter, Tang Huo'er looked up, a hint of pride in her eyes.

"How is it?"

Shen Wen walked up to her, his gaze falling on the purple-gold flame, and sensed it carefully for a moment.

"Is this... a Heavenly Flame?"

Tang Huo'er nodded, "After the Fire Phoenix Body Origin and the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame fused, it became like this. I don't know what kind of fire it's considered, but it's much stronger than the previous Nine Dragon Lightning Flame."

"Then what were you two doing just now?"

"Discussing whether the Immortal Nirvana Scripture or the Crimson Emperor Fire Sovereign Qi is stronger..." Tang Huo'er stuck out her tongue; she was also amazed by these two Cultivation Techniques.

Shen Wen raised an eyebrow, "Who won?"

Cao Ying gave a light snort and didn't speak.

Tang Huo'er smiled, "Sister Ying lost."

Cao Ying glared at her, "That's because Husband is good and let you obtain the Fire Phoenix Body."

Tang Huo'er laughed even louder.

Shen Wen watched the two bickering, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.

Just then, that familiar mechanical voice suddenly rang in his mind—

[Ding! Detected that Mistress Tang Huo'er's favorability toward the Master has increased. Current favorability: 20%!]

[Reward: Flying Immortal Art]

[Ding! Detected that Mistress Tang Huo'er's favorability toward the Master has increased. Current favorability: 30%!]

[Reward: God Ferrying Art]

[Do you wish to receive the rewards?]

With a thought, Shen Wen replied: Receive all.

In the next moment, two streams of information flooded into his mind.

Flying Immortal Art, God Ferrying Art...

Both are techniques of the Empress Ruthless; the former is the pinnacle of attack, capable of transforming all of the possessor's power into Flying Immortal Light.

The more power, the stronger the might.

Shen Wen sensed them carefully for a moment, a strange look flashing in his eyes.

This Cultivation Technique shares a similar wonder with the Great Universal Salvation Technique. If the two were combined...

He suddenly felt a sense of anticipation.

Next time he encountered a Dou Sheng, he could give it a try.

...

Regarding the Pill Gathering, Shen Wen hadn't intended to get involved.

He was now a Grade 8 Alchemist; participating in this kind of competition for the younger generation would be somewhat like bullying.

But Xuan Danzi didn't think so.

"You go." That childish face wore an unquestionable expression. "Bring back first place."