Seeing that Zhang Ergou did not fully believe his explanation.
Shi Wuhen knew that if he didn't produce the pill recipe, he would definitely not gain Zhang Ergou's understanding.
Then, Shi Wuhen waved his hand and set up a barrier in Zhang Ergou's room.
Seeing Shi Wuhen's caution, Zhang Ergou's expression also became solemn. It seemed unlikely that Shi Wuhen was lying to him.
However, Zhang Ergou, accustomed to caution, still waited for Shi Wuhen's next move.
After setting up the barrier, Shi Wuhen carefully took out a sheepskin scroll from his storage ring.
He carefully unrolled it, and Zhang Ergou leaned in to inspect it.
"A fifth-grade pill recipe, the Five Beasts Blood Condensation Pill?"
Zhang Ergou's heart stirred. What Shi Wuhen had taken out was actually a fifth-grade pill recipe. This was the first time he had seen such a high-grade pill recipe.
The highest-grade pill recipe he had seen before was a third-grade one from Old Man Qiao.
Zhang Ergou naturally understood the preciousness of a fifth-grade pill recipe.
No wonder Shi Wuhen was so careful and cautious. At this point, Zhang Ergou finally understood why Shi Wuhen hadn't taken out the pill recipe earlier.
After all, a fifth-grade pill recipe was too valuable.
With a casual glance, Zhang Ergou used his Six Paths Samsara Eyes to commit the contents of the Five Beasts Blood Condensation Pill recipe to memory.
Shi Wuhen did not know that the pill recipe he obtained with great effort was so easily stolen by Zhang Ergou.
Zhang Ergou saw that the recipe indeed recorded, as Shi Wuhen had said, that it required spiritual fire for refinement.
At this moment, he also believed Shi Wuhen's words.
"Martial Uncle, please put it away. Your disciple does indeed possess spiritual fire, but I still hope Martial Uncle can keep it a secret for me."
Zhang Ergou said solemnly.
Seeing that Zhang Ergou had only glanced at the pill recipe and then stopped looking, Shi Wuhen thought even more highly of him.
He recalled that when he showed the Five Beasts Blood Condensation Pill recipe to Qiao Yanyun, the old man had held the recipe for over an hour.
Only then did he reluctantly return it. If Shi Wuhen hadn't asked for it, Qiao Yanyun would have wanted to swallow it whole.
In comparison, the difference in their temperaments was vast, and the superiority was clear.
It was no wonder Zhang Ergou had become a third-grade alchemist in less than two years.
With such a temperament, Shi Wuhen felt it was only a matter of time before Zhang Ergou surpassed Qiao Yanyun, which further deepened his good impression of Zhang Ergou.
Zhang Ergou naturally didn't know that his actions had earned Shi Wuhen's approval.
If he had known, he would have burst into laughter. Shi Wuhen had no idea that his prized fifth-grade pill recipe had already been stolen by him.
Regarding Zhang Ergou's request to keep the spiritual fire a secret, Shi Wuhen readily agreed.
He still needed Zhang Ergou's help, and exposing Zhang Ergou's spiritual fire would only bring trouble upon himself.
Furthermore, Zhang Ergou, being a Golden Core stage cultivator and an alchemist at such a young age, had immense potential. Shi Wuhen did not want to be resented by such a promising young man.
Seeing Shi Wuhen nod and promise, Zhang Ergou was relieved.
"May I ask, Martial Uncle, what is it you need me for?"
Although Shi Wuhen had produced a fifth-grade pill recipe, Zhang Ergou did not believe that Shi Wuhen was looking for him to help refine a fifth-grade pill.
After all, he had just told him that he could only refine third-grade pills.
"I'm looking for you for two reasons: first, to confirm if you possess spiritual fire, and second, if one day you can refine fifth-grade pills, would you be willing to refine the Five Beasts Blood Condensation Pill for this old man?"
Shi Wuhen looked at Zhang Ergou nervously, fearing that Zhang Ergou would refuse.
Fifth-grade alchemists were rare, but alchemists with spiritual fire were even rarer. If Zhang Ergou refused.
Then he didn't know how long it would take to find a suitable person.
When he showed the pill recipe to Qiao Yanyun, he had held great hope.
But the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.
When Qiao Yanyun shook his head and said he didn't even have a ten percent chance of refining the Five Beasts Blood Condensation Pill, Shi Wuhen was disheartened on the spot.
But when all hope seemed lost, he unexpectedly heard news of Zhang Ergou's alchemical skills. Even more surprisingly, Zhang Ergou possessed rare spiritual fire.
Although Zhang Ergou could only refine third-grade pills at present.
Having hope was much better than despair...
When Shi Wuhen left Zhang Ergou's room with a satisfied smile, the sky had already turned pale.
The Misty Sect disciples who had guarded the courtyard all night had no chance to disturb Zhang Ergou again.
Because next, the highlight of the Two Sect Grand Competition would begin.
The final for the Golden Core stage disciples.
...
When Zhang Ergou and his group arrived at the competition venue, people from other sects were already seated in the stands.
"Why are these people here so early today?"
"You don't know this? Today is not only the final for the Golden Core stage disciples but also determines how many spots each sect will have in the upcoming secret realm."
"But does arriving early or late affect the outcome?"
"It's a matter of psychological effect. Those smaller sects are hoping to secure a spot, thus ushering in glory for their sect."
Zhang Ergou listened to the discussions of the disciples around him, their words filled with disdain for the smaller sects.
Although Zhang Ergou considered himself not overly noble, he certainly didn't have a condescending attitude.
If he hadn't met Chunyang Zhenren in the back mountains of Xinshan Village back then, he would still be digging in the earth somewhere.
Therefore, throughout his journey, Zhang Ergou had cultivated diligently, which allowed his cultivation to break through at a speed far exceeding that of his peers.
Hearing the disciples of the Misty Sect disparage the smaller sects, Zhang Ergou remained silent. He was not a saint and could not change others' perceptions.
Soon, as Zhang Ergou and his group arrived, the people from Liuhai Sect also entered the venue.
The competition grounds became crowded, but fortunately, each sect had its designated seating, so there was no major chaos.
However, the atmosphere today was exceptionally tense. Clearly, everyone understood the significance of today's outcome.
Conversely, Zhang Ergou felt no tension at all.
After all, he already possessed numerous treasures, and the opportunities within the secret realm held little attraction for him.
However, to become stronger, it was not only about seeking more treasures and opportunities.
More importantly, it was the tempering through battle, becoming stronger in actual combat.
Zhang Ergou had always believed that mere meditation and cultivation could not make him truly powerful.
It was actual combat that would make him more resilient and determined.
Possessing cultivation without corresponding combat strength was merely a castle in the air.
...
As Zhang Ergou fell into thought, the atmosphere in the venue changed, and two figures leaped onto the stage.
"Wow, it's them?"
From the stands, a wave of exclamation erupted...