158: The Danxia landforms of the Eastern Regions are beginning to show their potential.

Leaving the Northern Domain's Ice Plains, the further east one traveled, the warmer and more humid the climate became. The Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth also seemed to carry a hint of herbal fragrance and human activity. Mountains and rivers gradually grew more picturesque, great rivers surged, and the number and frequency of Cultivators encountered along the way were far beyond what was seen in the Northern Domain. Occasionally, one could even spot large-scale cultivation cities built upon Spiritual Veins, presenting a scene of prosperity.

The Eastern Domain is the most prosperous and flourishing land for Alchemy in the cultivation world, known as the "Origin of the Pill Dao." Countless Pill Dao Sects and aristocratic families stand tall, and there are even ancient Pill Dao giants like the Medicine King Sect and Hundred Grass Valley. The Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering is a once-in-a-century Pill Dao feast, attracting Cultivators from the entire cultivation world and even other regions, who come to seek Medicinal Pills, trade spirit materials, or exchange Alchemy insights, making it an unprecedented spectacle.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Lin Xuan and the four women still subtly disguised themselves, concealing some of their aura. They pretended to be Sect Disciples attending the grand gathering to broaden their horizons, blending in with the flowing crowds, thus not standing out.

One day, they passed through an area called the "Liuxia Mountain Range." Amidst the mountains, clouds and mist swirled, and rays of light shimmered. Especially on the highest peaks, from a distance, the mountain tops seemed to be enveloped by colorful Pill Clouds that lingered, and the air was filled with a rich medicinal fragrance and pure Fire Spiritual Qi.

"What incredibly rich Pill Qi and fire veins!" Yun Shang exclaimed. Her Star Spirit Body was sensitive to energy. "It seems there must be a large Alchemy Sect or a top-tier Alchemist's Immortal Cave nearby."

Lin Xuan also nodded slightly. On the System map, this area was marked as "Danxia Mountain," one of the famous Alchemy Holy Lands in the Eastern Domain. It was said that the mountain contained several high-quality Earth Fire Spiritual Veins, which nurtured countless rare Spiritual Plants and attracted a large number of Alchemists to set up their Pill Furnaces there.

"There's still some time before the Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering. Why don't we stay here for a while to gather information? Perhaps we can find some clues about the nirvana phoenix blood pill in advance," Lin Xuan suggested. The nirvana phoenix blood pill is a seventh-grade Spirit Pill, and its main ingredients are difficult to find. It would be best if they could find something here.

Everyone naturally agreed.

The five descended their escape light and landed in a bustling Cultivator town called "Danxia Town" on the outskirts of Danxia Mountain. The town was not large, but it was lined with shops, most of which dealt in Alchemy-related businesses, selling various Spiritual Plants, Pill Furnaces, fire seeds, and even offering Earth Fire Chamber rentals. The air was filled with various medicinal fragrances, and most of the Cultivators passing by carried a faint aura of Pill Fire.

After finding a quiet inn to stay, Lin Xuan took the four women to stroll around the town. He appeared casual, but his Divine Sense was keenly collecting all sorts of information.

Lin Xuan stopped in front of a Spiritual Plant shop named "Hundred Herb Pavilion." The shopkeeper was an old man in the Late Foundation Establishment Stage. Seeing Lin Xuan and the others' extraordinary demeanor, he warmly greeted them.

"What do you need, honored guests? Our shop has a complete range of Spiritual Plants, all of superior quality. We even have freshly picked 'Crimson Essence Ganoderma' and 'Jade Marrow Flower' in stock!"

Lin Xuan's gaze swept over the counter, finding nothing particularly rare. He casually asked, "Shopkeeper, have you heard any news about phoenix blood vine or nirvana flower in this area?"

These two were the most crucial main ingredients for refining the nirvana phoenix blood pill, extremely rare in the world.

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper's face showed a troubled expression: "The two items you mentioned, honored guest, are legendary seventh-grade Spirit Medicine, rarely seen. My small shop has been operating for many years and has never acquired them. However..." He paused, lowering his voice, "It is said that three days from now, the Danxia Pavilion in the mountains will hold a small Alchemy exchange. Several Pill Dao Great Masters will attend then, and perhaps they might have clues, or you might be able to exchange for some unexpected good things at the exchange."

"Danxia Pavilion? Alchemy exchange?" Lin Xuan's heart stirred. This was a good Opportunity to gather information.

"Thank you for the information, shopkeeper." Lin Xuan cupped his hands in thanks, casually bought a few auxiliary Spiritual Plants of good age, and then left the shop with the four women.

Back at the inn, Lin Xuan informed everyone of the news he had gathered.

"I've heard a little about Danxia Pavilion," Su Wanqing said coolly. "It's a rather famous Alchemist organization in the Eastern Domain. Although not a Sect, it gathers many Loose Cultivator Alchemists and Pill Dao enthusiasts. Its leader, Old Man Danxia, is even a sixth-grade Alchemist, holding a respected position."

"A sixth-grade Alchemist?" Qu Feiyan's charming eyes flickered slightly. "He has some skill. However, we are looking for the main ingredients for a seventh-grade pill. Can they have any clues?"

"Regardless, this is an Opportunity," Lin Xuan mused. "Even if there are no clues about the main ingredients, communicating with local Alchemists and understanding the current state of Pill Dao in the Eastern Domain will do us no harm."

After deciding to participate, the next step was how to obtain qualification. According to the shopkeeper, the Danxia Pavilion's exchange was not entirely open, requiring a certain level of Alchemy attainment or rare Pill Formulas and spirit materials as a "door-knocker."

This was not difficult for Lin Xuan. His own Alchemy attainment was extraordinary, and he had a massive database of Pill Formula knowledge returned by the System. After a brief thought, he chose a Pill Formula obtained from the System, of a moderate grade (fifth-grade) but ingeniously conceived and relatively rare in the Eastern Domain, called the "Ice Heart Soul Cleansing Pill," as his introduction.

Three days later, at the mid-slope of Danxia Mountain's main peak, in front of an ancient pavilion nestled among green pines and cypresses, Lin Xuan and the four women presented the Pill Formula and their name cards (they had temporarily fabricated an identity as overseas Loose Cultivator Disciples).

After the gate-keeping boy examined the Pill Formula, a look of surprise appeared on his face, and he respectfully invited the five inside.

The interior of the pavilion was much larger than it appeared from the outside, clearly utilizing a spatial Formation. In the center was a huge atrium, above which was the area shrouded by the colorful Pill Clouds, and below was a white jade paved square. Dozens of Cultivators were already there, conversing in groups of three or five. Most of these Cultivators wore Alchemist robes, their aura either fiery hot or gentle as water, clearly all individuals deeply immersed in the Dao of Alchemy.

The arrival of Lin Xuan and the four women attracted many gazes. Nothing else, Su Wanqing's cool detachment, Qu Feiyan's seductive charm, Gongsun Yu's lively cuteness, and Yun Shang's starlight aura were simply too eye-catching. And Lin Xuan, standing in their center, with his profound aura and handsome features, naturally became the focal point.

"Who are these people?" An old man in a crimson Alchemist robe with a ruddy complexion walked forward, his gaze lingering on Lin Xuan for a moment, then sweeping over the four women behind him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He was one of the organizers of this exchange, the fifth-grade Alchemist, Chi Yangzi.

"Overseas Loose Cultivator, Lin Fan, I have brought a few Junior Sisters to disturb you and witness the style of the Eastern Domain's Pill Dao," Lin Xuan said, neither humble nor arrogant, cupping his hands.

"Little Friend Lin is too polite." Chi Yangzi felt Lin Xuan's unfathomable aura and dared not be presumptuous, returning the bow. His gaze fell on Lin Xuan. "Judging by your aura, Little Friend, you don't seem to specialize in Pill Dao?"

Lin Xuan smiled slightly: "I merely have a superficial understanding and dare not show off in front of Senior. This trip is mainly to inquire about two types of Spirit Medicine." He directly stated his purpose.

"Oh? What kind of Spirit Medicine is it that Little Friend values so highly?" Chi Yangzi asked curiously.

"phoenix blood vine, nirvana flower," Lin Xuan calmly spoke the two names.

In an instant, centered around Chi Yangzi, a small area around them fell silent. Many Alchemists who heard these two names showed expressions of shock and disbelief.

"Seventh-grade Spirit Medicine?!" Chi Yangzi gasped, his gaze towards Lin Xuan completely changed. Anyone inquiring about these two Spirit Medicines either had an extraordinary background or had grand ambitions! He scrutinized Lin Xuan again, finding the young man even more mysterious.

"These two Spirit Medicines, this old man has only seen records of them in ancient texts. In reality... I'm afraid only the Medicine King Sect, with its profound heritage, or certain ancient ruins might possess them," Chi Yangzi sighed, shaking his head. "What Little Friend seeks is likely as difficult as ascending to the heavens."

Lin Xuan had anticipated this and was not disappointed. He continued to ask, "Then, Senior, do you know if any Sect or Great Master might display or trade such Spirit Medicine at this Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering?"

Chi Yangzi pondered for a moment, then said, "To my knowledge, the Medicine King Sect has prepared many of their most treasured items for this grand gathering, so there might be spiritual items of similar grade appearing. But what exactly they are, is yet unknown. Furthermore, Daoist Master Miao Dan seems to have been collecting high-grade Spirit Medicine in recent years. He has a wide network of friends, so he might have some connections."

Medicine King Sect, Daoist Master Miao Dan. Lin Xuan silently noted these two names.

Just then, the colorful Pill Clouds above the atrium suddenly surged violently, and a rich medicinal fragrance accompanied by majestic Spiritual Qi descended from the sky, enveloping the entire square!

Everyone looked up, only to see within the center of the Pill Clouds, myriad rays of light, and vaguely visible were several pill phantoms the size of longans, emitting different precious lights, floating within!

"It's the Danxia Pavilion Master! The Pavilion Master is trying to refine the 'Seven-Colored Soul Nurturing Pill' again!" an Alchemist shouted excitedly.

The Seven-Colored Soul Nurturing Pill, a sixth-grade top-tier Spirit Pill, was said to have miraculous effects in nourishing the Divine Soul and enhancing Comprehension Ability. Its refining process was extremely complex and difficult.

However, the pill phantoms in the Pill Clouds flickered, and the light sometimes strengthened and sometimes dimmed, indicating that the refining process had encountered immense difficulties and could fail at any moment!

The Alchemists in the square all held their breath, watching the sky nervously.

Lin Xuan also looked up, his Divine Sense subtly extending, sensing the minute changes in energy flow within the Pill Clouds. With the System's precise analysis of energy trajectories and his own profound Alchemy foundation, he quickly discovered the problem—the Earth Fire power was waning, causing the Five Elements balance to break at the moment of pill Formation!

Just as the Pill Clouds violently shook and were about to dissipate, Lin Xuan suddenly pointed his fingers like a sword, and with a gentle tap, he pointed towards a certain Earth Fire induction port below the atrium from a distance!

A subtle yet incredibly precise stream of spiritual power, containing the Concept of Primordial Evolution, like a divine stroke, instantly merged into the Earth Vein!

"Buzz—!"

The originally somewhat sluggish Earth Fire power, as if injected with a stimulant, surged fiercely, hot and stable! The Pill Clouds in the sky, which were about to dissipate, seemed to find support, instantly stabilizing. The colorful light shone brightly, and the several pill phantoms solidified and rounded at a visible speed!

A moment later, the colorful light receded, the Pill Clouds dispersed, and seven Spirit Pills of different colors, perfectly round and flawless, emitting a refreshing medicinal fragrance, slowly descended from the atrium, caught by a jade plate that appeared out of thin air.

The Alchemy was successful!

The entire venue was silent, all eyes focused on the seven glowing Seven-Colored Soul Nurturing Pills, and then, they all simultaneously turned to Lin Xuan, who had just withdrawn his finger, his expression as calm as still water.

That finger just now seemed simple, yet it was exquisitely precise, something that only someone who had reached an extremely high Realm in Alchemy and energy control could achieve!

Chi Yangzi and the others looked at Lin Xuan with shock and awe.

From deep within the pavilion, an old but pleasantly surprised voice slowly came:

"Which Fellow Daoist lent a hand? This old man, Danxia, is extremely grateful. Please come in for a chat!"

A new Opportunity seemed to have quietly opened because of this casual gesture.