Chapter 1554: Reunion with Qi Luo
The next morning, at dawn.
Blood Brilliance City.
West District.
A small courtyard.
Song Wen sat at a stone table in the courtyard, a teacup in his hand, slowly sipping the Spirit Tea.
Though he rarely had such leisure time, Song Wen’s brow remained furrowed in thought.
“Gu Que,” Song Wen asked in his sea of consciousness, “are the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit and Taiyin Netherfire truly essential for breaking through to Great Ascension?”
To find these two spiritual objects, Song Wen had scoured every shop in Blood Brilliance City, as well as the nearby markets and ghost markets. Apart from confirming that the Divine Blood Gate possessed both items, he had gleaned no other useful information.
Gu Que hesitated briefly, as if organizing his thoughts, before slowly replying.
“To date, cultivators in the mystic realm have discovered no pills or Spirit Herbs that reliably increase the chances of reaching Great Ascension. They have only identified certain auxiliary spiritual objects. The reason for this lies in…”
“The Great Ascension Realm is achieved when a cultivator refines their physical body, divine soul, and spiritual power to perfect harmony, preparing them for the Tribulation Crossing. Simply put, if your physical body is sufficiently robust, your divine soul sufficiently condensed, and your spiritual power sufficiently vast and pure, advancing to Great Ascension will come naturally.”
“However, a cultivator’s lifespan is finite. Even with a lifetime of diligent cultivation, it’s nearly impossible to simultaneously push all three aspects to the critical threshold for breakthrough. Therefore, external aids become essential. Any spiritual object or secret art that enhances the refinement of the physical body, divine soul, or spiritual power must be collected and cultivated to maximize the chances of reaching Great Ascension.”
“The Blood Jade Ginseng, Nine Aperture Profound Connection Mushroom, and the Longxin Orchid, Vermilion Moon Lotus, and Dragon Blood Grape you obtained on the Western Rong Continent are all Spirit Herbs capable of refining your spiritual power. However, the Ten-Thousand-Year Nine-Orifice Profound-Mysterious Ganoderma is far more potent than the others. The Taiyin Netherfire also serves to refine spiritual power, though its effects aren’t as immediate as those of the Spirit Herbs. Its advantage lies in its sustained efficacy and compatibility with your cultivation technique, the Corpse King’s Rebirth Art.”
“As for your divine soul, the Soul Source Essence provides ample assistance, eliminating the need for further resources.”
“With this, the only remaining issue is strengthening your physical body. The Ten Thousand Poisons Body technique you cultivate is among the most advanced body refinement techniques in the entire mystic realm. Theoretically, reaching a certain level in the third layer of this technique should be sufficient to push your physical body to the threshold of Great Ascension.”
“However, cultivating the Ten Thousand Poisons Body requires refining various highly toxic substances. Unfortunately, this technique originates from the immortal realm, and many of the poisons mentioned within it simply don’t exist in the mystic realm. The Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit is one of the rare exceptions—a highly toxic substance both recorded in the technique and found within the mystic realm.”
After listening to Gu Que’s explanation, Song Wen nodded slightly and sincerely said, “Thank you.”
The ‘Longxin Orchid, Vermilion Moon Lotus, Dragon Blood Grape, and other spiritual objects’ mentioned by Gu Que were obtained by Song Wen from the demon races he slaughtered during his rampage across the Western Rong Continent years ago.
“Besides the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit and Taiyin Netherfire, you shouldn’t overlook any other spiritual objects that can aid in cultivating the Ten Thousand Poisons Body and refining your spiritual power. The more thoroughly you prepare, the greater your chances of a successful breakthrough to Great Ascension,” Gu Que advised.
“Alright,” Song Wen said, draining his cup of tea in one gulp. He strode out of the courtyard.
Regarding the search for the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit and Taiyin Netherfire, Wang Qi was merely an outer sect steward at the Divine Transformation Stage. Song Wen couldn’t place too much hope in him and needed to explore other avenues. He would have to find a way to connect with members of the Divine Blood Gate who possessed higher cultivation levels and greater authority.
Moreover, the third layer of the Ten Thousand Poisons Body cultivation technique mentioned numerous highly toxic substances, and the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit was certainly not the only one in the mystic realm. However, Song Wen currently only knew of this one—or rather, Gu Que only knew of this one. After all, it was Gu Que who had informed Song Wen about the Divine Blood Gate’s possession of the Sky-Blue Glazed Fruit.
Perhaps he could gather more Spirit Herb manuals, poison cultivator compendiums, or other such texts. These might reveal other highly toxic substances.
With a clear direction now, Song Wen acted with greater purpose.
He went directly to various shops, purchasing Spirit Herb manuals and poison cultivator compendiums. These texts were generally quite inexpensive, and Song Wen bought nearly every one he came across, planning to review them thoroughly later.
After exploring most of Blood Brilliance City, Song Wen found himself back at the Immortal Herb Hut.
Making connections with members of the Divine Blood Gate who possessed higher cultivation levels and greater status would ultimately depend on Wang Qi.
Song Wen currently held the status of a sixth-tier pill refiner. While his skills were considered advanced, his status as a rogue cultivator was somewhat humble. Without a proper introduction, it would be difficult for him to access the true inner circles of the Divine Blood Gate.
Entering the shop, Song Wen glanced toward the counter and surveyed the spacious interior, but he couldn’t find Wang Qi anywhere.
After inquiring with a shop attendant, Song Wen learned that Wang Qi was currently hosting honored guests in the rear courtyard.
It was just past noon, with several hours remaining before dusk and the shop’s closing time.
Unhurried, Song Wen strolled leisurely through the shop, examining the various spiritual objects on display with keen interest.
However, the wait stretched on for over an hour.
It wasn’t until Shen Hour (3-5 PM) that Wang Qi finally emerged from the rear courtyard, bowing obsequiously as he escorted a woman out of the shop.
The woman possessed a graceful figure, clad in a crimson-purple gown tailored to accentuate her alluring curves. Her hair was styled in an elegant updo, revealing a slender, fair neck that framed her exquisitely beautiful face, making it even more striking.
Her full, crimson lips and slightly upturned phoenix eyes gave her the appearance of a peony in full bloom—mature and alluring, yet radiating an inviolable dignity.
The moment she appeared, the clamor within the shop fell silent, and all eyes were instantly drawn to her.
The woman seemed accustomed to such attention, paying it no mind as she strode out of the shop with her head held high and chest thrust forward. Even Wang Qi’s fawning farewells failed to elicit a glance.
As she stepped outside, Wang Qi’s gaze lingered on her swaying waist and peach-like hips before sweeping the room and settling on Song Wen.
“Alchemist Ye Hua, I apologize for keeping you waiting.”
Wang Qi approached Song Wen with a hearty, enthusiastic greeting.
“You visited our humble establishment just yesterday, Pill Refiner. Is there something urgent you require?” Wang Qi asked again.
Song Wen’s gaze remained fixed on the woman, who had already reached the shop’s entrance and was preparing to take flight.
It wasn’t lust that held his attention. He wasn’t the type to be rooted to the spot by a beautiful woman.
His intense focus stemmed from recognition—he knew who she was.
Qi Luo!
They had shared a brief, fleeting romance on Qicang Island.
TL/N: Qi Luo appeared in Chapter 1059.
(End of the Chapter)