Chapter 128: Chapter 129: Promise
After bidding farewell to Ye Jingyu and Ye Jingyong, Ye Jingcheng continued on his way to Ye Haiyun’s home.
However, in his mind, the words of both of them still lingered.
He was currently at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer and had been cultivating for four or five years. As long as the Jade Qilin Snake advanced once more, he felt confident he could break through to the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.
However, the Taiyi Sect only auctioned a Foundation Establishment Pill once every ten years.
Most of these were taken by the Xu Family and the Mo Family.
Each time, only two to three fell into the hands of the Four Great Foundation Establishment Clans.
As for those that fell into the Ye Family’s hands, it was estimated to be one or two every twenty years.
According to the family hierarchy, he would have to wait until after Ye Jingyu and Ye Xingyu to get a Foundation Establishment Pill.
As for whether there were others in the Xing Generation, Ye Jingcheng wasn’t sure, but he assumed there were more at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.
Moreover, there were several cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer who had also participated in the Inner Hall meetings, making them his competitors as well.
The conditions for the family to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill were twofold: fifteen thousand Contribution Points and queuing according to family contribution.
Ye Jingcheng’s only advantage was that he was the most talented Alchemist in the family.
But even so, he felt it wasn’t secure enough, unless he also participated in the Taichang Market auction, where there were slightly more Foundation Establishment Pills available, but likewise, the competition was fiercer.
And it was even more dangerous. Relatively speaking, it was much easier for sect disciples like Ye Jingteng to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.
As he walked, Ye Jingcheng arrived at Ye Haiyun’s small courtyard.
The spiritual medicine in the Spirit Field was as lush as always, seemingly even more verdant under the nourishment of the spring rain.
The earthworm that came out to greet Ye Jingcheng extended itself again.
Ye Jingcheng ignored it, as he didn’t find the gesture particularly hospitable.
As he arrived at the entrance to the courtyard, he looked up to see a tree full of Spiritual Apricot Flowers.
The Spiritual Apricot Tree had blossomed, blooming elegantly and fragrantly.
Under the Spiritual Apricot Tree, Ye Haiyun sat brewing tea.
His complexion was neither very good nor very bad, but much improved compared to a year ago.
Ye Jingcheng took out a Spirit Talisman and continued with the transmission.
"Jingcheng, next time, just come on in directly!" Ye Haiyun spoke.
Ye Jingcheng showed a wry smile. Although Ye Haiyun had given him an Array Talisman, Ye Jingcheng still felt it inappropriate to just rush in disregarding everything.
He still thought it wise not to fully believe everyone’s polite words.
"Fourth Grandpa, I have a few questions I’d like to ask you!" Ye Jingcheng didn’t dwell on the matter but instead brought up issues he had encountered with alchemy in recent years.
Ye Haiyun answered each one.
After answering, Ye Jingcheng conveniently took out the newly acquired Spring Tea.
"Fourth Grandpa, last time you said the Red Fragrant Tea was too strong, this time it’s my own tea, it shouldn’t be too strong!" Ye Jingcheng offered the Spirit Tea.
Ye Haiyun immediately showed discontent in his eyes.
For an Alchemist, the Spirit Field should naturally be used to grow necessary Spirit Medicines and to study their properties.
Ye Jingcheng bringing tea to win favor was shortsighted, picking up sesame seeds while discarding watermelons.
Hence, Ye Haiyun was quite displeased.
"Fourth Grandpa, rest assured, I only planted three Tea Trees." Ye Jingcheng quickly remembered that the Ye Haiyun in front of him was not Ye Haitian.
If it were Ye Haitian, he might even encourage growing more Spirit Tea.
Ye Haiyun, not scolding him was already considered good.
Hearing Ye Jingcheng say there were only three, Ye Haiyun’s expression softened considerably.
He took the Spirit Tea and sipped it, his eyes immediately altering.
The taste and aroma of tea don’t lie, and neither do the expressions of those who savor it.
At this moment, Ye Haiyun truly detected a difference, viewing the apricot flowers and landscape as much more fitting.
"Fourth Grandpa, I feel that drinking this tea can calm a restless mind. Drinking it before alchemy improves the results!" Ye Jingcheng articulated.
"It does have that effect. What is this tea called? I’ll have the family Spirit Medicine Garden grow some!" Ye Haiyun spoke.
"This tea is called Spring Tea, gifted by Sixteenth Uncle!" Ye Jingcheng said.
Ye Xinghan’s Spirit Tea was not as good as what Ye Jingcheng grew himself, but he wouldn’t say that; he’d only praise the quality of the seeds from Ye Xinghan.
As for why his seeds turned out better, he could easily push that question onto Ye Xinghan.
"Fourth Grandpa, how’s the pill formula you were researching last time?" Ye Jingcheng asked probing once more.
He was, of course, referring to the Red Flame Pill.
Being a Tier One Top-grade Alchemist may not enhance his priority for getting Foundation Establishment, but if he could help develop a pill formula to enhance Demon Beast bloodlines, it certainly could.
"Not very smooth!" Ye Haiyun shook his head, speaking with grave seriousness about alchemy.
But for him, unaware of the Spirit Pill’s effects or the specific pill formula, creation was truly difficult.
"Fourth Grandpa, I tried refining it, and even from the pill residue, my Spirit Beast showed a desire!" Ye Jingcheng retrieved a Jade Talisman, along with some pill residue.
This Jade Talisman recorded the Alchemy Method for the Red Flame Pill, although the medicinal theory and pill formation method were incorrect.
Ye Jingcheng did not want to take credit for such an outstanding creation of a pill formula, but Ye Haiyun could.
Moreover, Ye Haiyun would undoubtedly be more determined to nurture him.
"Did you devise this?" Ye Haiyun looked at the Jade Talisman and the layer of pill residue, momentarily shocked.
"Jingcheng, I’ll experiment. Would you like to join me at the Alchemy Pavilion?" Ye Haiyun’s expression was extremely serious.
He sensed the formula’s viability, and he had a feeling that this Spirit Pill might significantly benefit fire-attribute Spirit Beasts!
"Fourth Grandpa, I was just about to find Grandpa Nine!" Ye Jingcheng nodded in agreement.
Soon, the two of them reached the Pill Pavilion, where Ye Haitian still sat, playing with a bell.
However, recently his days have been going better.
More people have started to invite him for spirit tea.
To this, Ye Jingcheng could only give a helpless smile.
"Fourth Brother," Ye Haitian was a bit surprised to see Ye Haiyun coming.
"I’m going to refine a pill," Ye Haiyun said calmly.
Ye Haitian then looked at Ye Jingcheng.
"I’m just here to watch the pill, Grandpa Nine!" Ye Jingcheng stretched out his hands.
Indicating he didn’t know anything about it.
And in the following time, Ye Haiyun began refining pills, and Ye Jingcheng started observing the alchemy methods once again.
Although Ye Jingcheng was well aware of the Red Flame Pill’s formula, observing Ye Haiyun’s methods of correcting the pill formula was more meaningful to him.
This is the true significance of being an alchemist.
Otherwise, if a false pill formula is purchased in the future, and after refining it several times without success without determining its authenticity, wasting spiritual medicine materials and effort would be utterly ridiculous.
Moreover, corrections are also important, as they involve the pairing of pharmacology and the grasp of various spiritual medicine timings.
This knowledge is what Ye Jingcheng, a quick-learn cultivator, lacks.
Ye Haiyun then refined for three full days, and Ye Jingcheng once again saw Ye Haiyun’s wild side.
His face, under the roasting flames, showed more wrinkles.
After the fifth attempt, he finally succeeded in refining two Spirit Pills.
As the pill furnace flew up, the spirit pills fell into his hands.
"Jingcheng, these pills still need testing, but as long as there’s progress, Grandpa Four guarantees you’ll have a Foundation Establishment Pill before sixty, you’re truly a genius!" Ye Haiyun said, his voice quite excited.
Ye Jingcheng wasn’t so excited initially, but hearing the guarantee of having a Foundation Establishment Pill, he clasped his hands repeatedly:
"Grandson doesn’t dare to claim genius, it’s all thanks to Grandpa Four’s careful guidance."
Ye Jingcheng spoke modestly, but when it came to the Foundation Establishment Pill, this time, he was not modest.
He took out the pill formula, after all, this was what he was after.
"The testing time may be a bit lengthy, probably one or two years!" Ye Haiyun added again.
Ye Jingcheng nodded, finding it similar to when the Ye Family previously purchased the Blood Heart Pill.
To him, this arrangement suits his liking more.
There were still some discrepancies between Ye Haiyun’s pill formula and the one in the Treasure Book.
But Ye Jingcheng naturally wouldn’t amend it; as the Ye Family was willing to test it, he was even more in favor.
Besides, the pill formula couldn’t be rushed.
Similarly, his foundation establishment need not be hurried.
Ye Jingcheng and Ye Haiyun left the Earth Fire Room, and Ye Haiyun went straight away.
"Grandpa Nine, I have some spirit tea here, see if it suits your taste!" Ye Jingcheng, noticing Ye Haitian looking over, understood his intention.
Besides, it wasn’t suitable to leave directly.
By the way, he could also ask about Ye Haitian’s experiences.
Ye Jingcheng continued to take out some Spring Tea.
Giving Ye Haitian a brew, the moment the spirit tea hit the water, a refreshing fragrance filled the hall.
Ye Haitian showed great interest in it.
Sipping a bit, eyes sparkling with admiration: "Good boy, to obtain Xinghan’s spirit tea, and it seems to be among the best!"
"Sixteenth Uncle gave me the tea stems, thanks to you, Grandpa Nine, otherwise, I wouldn’t have a spirit field. Let me know if you want to drink this tea in the future!" Ye Jingcheng said.
"There’s no need for that!" Ye Haitian shook his head, then intended to add.
"Grandpa Nine, I have a few more questions!" Ye Jingcheng interrupted Ye Haitian by asking about alchemy issues.
After asking a few questions, he took his leave.
Giving no chance for Ye Haitian to speak along the way.
Watching Ye Jingcheng’s departing figure, Ye Haitian’s face showed a trace of helplessness.
He hadn’t expected to not only fail in questioning but also get queried by Ye Jingcheng.
However, when Ye Jingcheng was out of sight, Ye Haitian picked up the clan token to begin inquiries.
...
After leaving the Pill Pavilion, Ye Jingcheng went to the Treasure Tower to exchange for a significant amount of alchemy materials.
He also exchanged for a pill formula that enhances water attribute spiritual power.
Tier One High-Grade Green Water Pill.
The effect of this pill, like the Red Ganoderma Pill and Lotus Yellow Pill, increases cultivation for late-stage Tier One cultivators.
The only difference being the attribute.
For Ye Jingcheng,
It’s perfect for improving the Jade Qilin Snake’s diet.
Now the Jade Qilin Snake has broken through to late-stage Tier One, and the Cyan Spirit Pill is no longer very effective for it.
It can start consuming higher quality ones; given his alchemy skills, refining Green Water Pills poses no issue at all.
Moreover, the higher the Jade Qilin Snake’s cultivation, the better its communication beast effect will be for him later.
The more significant the help towards him breaking through Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.
The only downside is that in the early stages, the number of Green Water Pills refined might be relatively low.