Chapter 152 - I’ll Have To Go back and Ask My Eldest Senior Brother
Chapter 152: I’ll Have To Go back and Ask My Eldest Senior Brother
“Fellow Daoist Ye Ping, who taught you to refine non-poisonous pills?”
Elder Xu Chang asked.
He knew that his question was a bit presumptuous, but he understood even better that he had to ask it.
“Elder, it’s my second Senior Brother, but forgive me for not being able to go into details.”
Ye Ping did not answer entirely. He could only tell Elder Xu Chang that his second Senior Brother had taught him how to refine pills.
However, he could not tell him that it was Xu Luochen.
“That’s alright.” Elder Xu Chang nodded. He just needed to know who taught him how to refine the non-poisonous pill. However, even so, Elder Xu Chang was quite surprised.
The refinement of non-poisonous pills was indeed taught to him by Xu Luochen. In that case, did it mean that Ye Ping’s second Senior Brother was also a supreme alchemist? Since he was Ye Ping’s senior brother, he should not be too old.
At the thought of it, Elder Xu Chang couldn’t help but feel a little upset. He initially thought that he was the best alchemist in Jin Nation, but he did not expect Jin Nation to be full of hidden experts. Indeed, he had been too complacent previously.
“Fellow Daoist Ye Ping, can this method allow me to refine pills in bulk? I mean basic pills, not Foundation Establishment pills as such. I just need simple pills like Qi and Blood pills and Physique Pills.”
Elder Xu Chang asked. However, at this point, he was a little nervous.
Ye Ping could not help but start contemplating.
‘Can they be refined in bulk?’
He really didn’t know how to answer.
The refinement of non-poisonous pills did not require any medicinal herbs, pill furnace, heat, or alchemy methods. As long as he was willing to, he would be able to refine it with a thought and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
However, the effect of the pills depended on his own spiritual energy.
For example, the Foundation Establishment Pill that he refined just now had basically drained him out of his spiritual energy.
Hence, at the thought of this, Ye Ping couldn’t help but shake his head and say, “Elder Xu, it’s extremely difficult to do it with an individual’s strength, but theoretically, if there are tens of thousands of alchemists who have mastered the method to refine non-poisonous pulls, it shouldn’t be difficult to refine this basic Qi and Blood Pills and Physique Pills.”
Ye Ping answered. He thought that it would be difficult to refine the pills in bulk. After all, there was a limit to the Dharmic powers of cultivators.
For example, if Ye Ping refined the so-called Qi and Blood Pill and Physique Pill, his Dharmic powers would be drained after refining thousands of pills. However, it would be difficult to refine more in bulk.
“It’s not difficult if tens of thousands of alchemists can master the method to refine non-poisonous pills?”
Elder Xu Chang swallowed his saliva. He could understand what Ye Ping meant, but he wanted to know the specifics and hence continued to ask.
“Fellow Daoist Ye Ping, suppose, I mean suppose, there are 10,000 alchemists of the Foundation Establishment realm who learn how to refine non-poisonous pills and there are enough medicinal herbs, would it be possible to refine in bulk?”
When Elder Xu Chang said that, his heart pounded rapidly and his eyes were full of expectation.
“This…” Ye Ping fell silent for a while. He said, “It has nothing to do with medicinal herbs. The refinement of non-poisonous pills does not require any medicinal herbs as they can be replaced with Spirit Stones. With enough Spirit Stones, it is theoretically possible for 10,000 Foundation Establishment realm alchemists to refine millions of non-poisonous Qi and Blood Pills.”
Ye Ping did not give a definite answer either but it was enough.
Elder Xu Chang was excited. He couldn’t help but clench his fist, his eyes full of excitement.
Even Elder Xu Chang could hardly suppress the excitement in his eyes.
But he soon calmed down again.
Firstly, the method of refining non-poisonous pills must be very difficult to learn. It could not possibly be learned by every single person.
Secondly, 10,000 Foundation Establishment realm alchemists was a large number as there are few in the first place. There might be many in the entire Jin Nation, but most of them were in their respective sects. If they were mobilized all of a sudden, it would certainly lead to suspicion. Besides, it was hard to find so many alchemists.
Hence, it was just in theory.
However, for the Jin Nation, it was very difficult. But for the Great Xia Dynasty, it was quite an easy task. At most, the Jin Nation would be sacrificed to the Great Xia Dynasty, and with the power of the Great Xia Dynasty, it would be possible to have millions of alchemists, let alone a hundred thousand.
However, at this level, it was not something Xu Chang could reach.
Thinking of this, Xu Chang asked the third and most important question.
“Fellow Daoist Ye Ping, can you show the academy the non-poisonous alchemy method?”
That was the third question and also a request. In fact, when Xu Chang said this, he felt ashamed too.
Ye Ping was a student of the Jin Nation Academy and not only did he not get to learn anything, but he even gave some pointers to the elders. That was embarrassing and shameful in the first place. Yet, they wanted him to contribute his alchemy techniques.
To put it bluntly, the Jin Nation Academy was just shameless.
Hence, after Xu Chang said that, he dared not look at Ye Ping anymore. Even though he had lived for a few hundred years, he didn’t have the cheek to do that.
Indeed, after hearing that, Ye Ping frowned too.
It was not that he felt that the Jin Nation Academy was greedy, but rather, Xu Luochen was the one who taught him the method of pill refinement.
To put it bluntly, if Xu Luochen did not give him the permission, Ye Ping would not have spread the secret method at all. He wouldn’t spread it even if he died.
“Elder, please forgive me. My Senior Brother imparted this to me, I didn’t create it, so I have no right to hand it over.”
Ye Ping turned down his request.
Although he was polite and cared about etiquette, he was not a fool and just because he would share, he wouldn’t give away everything.
Hearing Ye Ping’s words, Elder Xu Chang was not shocked either. Instead, he seemed to have a premonition.
After all, he felt that it made sense. Not only did he not manage to learn anything, Ye Ping was even asked to reveal his precious alchemy techniques. Who would be willing?
However, Xu Chang was very clear about how important the refinement method of non-poisonous pills was.
At the thought of this, Xu Chang couldn’t help but speak up.
“Fellow Daoist Ye Ping, I understand that I might have gone overboard, but this matter concerns the Jin Nation, the Great Xia Dynasty, and the people.”
“I know that this might sound hypocritical but that’s indeed how I feel. How about this? Fellow Daoist Ye Ping, ask your Senior Brother if he’s willing to share it with us.”
“As long as your Senior Brother is willing, the Jin Nation and the entire Great Xia Dynasty will go all out in exchange for the supreme pill refinement method.”
Xu Chang bit the bullet and said.
It was his last resort. To be frank, if not for the fact that the non-poisonous pill involved a lot of things, he really wouldn’t be willing to do it.
Having lived for hundreds of years, he no longer cared about fame or fortune.
After hearing his words, Ye Ping stayed silent for a long time.
He could tell what Elder Xu Chang meant. The non-poisonous pills had too great of a significance and they didn’t want to give it up.
However, Ye Ping was well aware that he could not reveal it casually.
When Ye Ping was hesitating, Elder Xu Chang continued.
“Fellow Daoist Ye Ping, ask your brother or bring him over. We can have a good talk. This matter really concerns too many things. I’m willing to guarantee with my life that we will not snatch it away from you.”
“I’m doing this for the people of the Great Xia Dynasty and Jin Nation. I don’t have any selfish reasons.”
At this point, Elder Xu Chang knelt down in front of Ye Ping agitatedly and bowed to him. He even kowtowed to show his sincerity.
“Elder Xu Chang, hurry and get up.”
Ye Ping hurriedly helped Elder Xu Chang up.
He sighed and said, “Elder Xu, his quality really makes the late generation feel emotional, but I’m really in no place to promise anything. However, I can go back and ask that Senior Brother of mine.”
“If he is willing, everything is fine. But if he is not, let’s forget about this matter.”
Ye Ping decided to make a trip back.
He had been in the academy for more than half a month.
Before coming, he said that he would go back every once in a while.
Now with this opportunity, it was just the right time for him to go back and visit his master and Senior Brothers. He wondered if Su Changyu had returned yet.
More importantly, Ye Ping felt the need to ask his master about the secret of the Qingyun Dao Sect.
If there was really some sordid past, he would have to keep a low profile in the future. Otherwise, if he caused trouble for the sect, Ye Ping wouldn’t forgive himself.
“Okay, okay, okay.”
“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ye Ping, thank you so much.”
Elder Xu Chang kowtowed several more times on the ground.
No matter how Ye Ping pulled him, he refused to get up.
Soon, Elder Xu Chang left because he had to go to the Academy Master to explain the situation.
After Elder Xu Chang left, Ye Ping left too.
However, he did not leave the Jin Nation Academy.
He did not plan to fly away from the Jin Nation Academy, but rather, he wanted to use the array formation. Firstly, that would save him some time, and secondly, he would be able to practice the Dao of array formations.
However, Ye Ping did not have the array artifact and materials needed to set up an array formation. Hence, he planned to go see Li Yue.
As the princess of Jin Nation, she ought to have some Spirit Stones.
After leaving, Ye Ping ran into an acquaintance. However, it was not Li Yue but Mo Xuan.
“Junior Sister Mo Xuan.”
Ye Ping called out.
“What’s wrong? Senior Brother Ye Ping.”
Hearing Ye Ping’s voice, Mo Xuan, who was not far away, came running over.
“Junior Sister Mo Xuan, do you have any Spirit Stones with you? Lend me some.”
Ye Ping was rather straightforward. After all, in Ye Ping’s opinion, the disciples who could come to the Jin Nation Academy were all geniuses. Each of them was from an extraordinary background and Spirit Stones meant nothing to them.
‘Huh?’
Mo Xuan was stunned.
“Lend me some Spirit Stones.”
Ye Ping continued to speak, looking very casual.
In the next moment, Mo Xuan put on an awkward but not impolite smile and said, “Senior Brother Ye Ping, I have a nickname. Do you know what it is?”
Mo Xuan said, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
“What?”
Ye Ping was even more curious.
“Three Nos.”
Mo Xuan answered.
‘What do you mean?’
Ye Ping’s eyes were filled with even more bewilderment.
He did not understand what Mo Xuan actually meant.
“No money, no feelings, and no beauty.”
Mo Xuan lowered her head and whispered, feeling slightly embarrassed.
It was not that she couldn’t bear to lend some Spirit Stones to Ye Ping, but rather, she had spent all her savings to come to the Jin Nation Academy. Nowadays, she did not have any taels of silver, let alone Spirit Stones.
“Uh… that’s fine. I’ll go and borrow some from Junior Sister Li Yue.”
Ye Ping did not know what to say, but he could see that Mo Xuan was really penniless.
“Senior Brother Ye, you must not misunderstand me. I really don’t have any money.”
Mo Xuan explained.
“Okay, it’s okay, I’m not that kind of person.”
Ye Ping chuckled bitterly and then left to go borrow some Spirit Stones from Li Yue.
At the same time, in the Academy Master’s hall.
Xu Chang had also informed Li Mocheng of all the problems.
In the Academy Master’s hall.
After hearing Xu Chang’s words, Li Mocheng couldn’t help but be shocked.
“In other words, there’s hope for refining the non-poisonous pills in bulk?”
Li Mocheng’s body was trembling slightly, he didn’t expect that it was really possible to refine the non-poisonous pills in bulk.
“Academy Master, Ye Ping said that it is theoretically possible to do it, but after thinking about it, I think it’s true that as long as you master the non-poisonous pill refinement method, refining in bulk is possible.”
“Although it’s not as efficient as the Great Qian Dynasty’s Universe Creation Tripod, it’d be impressive if we can create non-poisonous pills.”
Elder Xu Chang answered based on years of experience.
“Okay, in that case, I will go to the Jin Nation palace to see the king.”
“Elder Xu, I’ll leave the matters in the academy to you, thank you for your hard work.”
Li Mocheng nodded.
He knew that this matter was too major and he had to make a trip to go see the king of Jin Nation. If he succeeded, the matter of the princess missing in Jin Nation would not be considered much.
The matter of the non-poisonous pill was far more important than that of an unfavored princess going missing. The Great Xia Dynasty could reward the Jin Nation, and if they allowed the Jin Nation to start planning secretly, they would be able to benefit from it.
If the Jin Nation refused to report it… There was some hope of Jin Nation being able to become a dynasty.
That was not impossible.
“Take care, Academy Master. I will look after everything in the academy.”
Elder Xu Chang nodded and watched Li Mocheng leave.
Just like that, two hours passed.
In Jin Nation Academy, Ye Ping returned to his residence.
He was holding a bag with hundreds of superior-grade Spirit Stones in them.
He had to admit that princesses were indeed different from normal people as she was exceptionally generous. She gave him hundreds of superior-grade Spirit Stones in one go.
With the superior-grade Spirit Stones, Ye Ping did not prepare any array artifacts or materials.
Ye Ping arrived in the room.
According to the array diagram in his mind, he took out twelve superior-grade Spirit Stones, and at the same time, he locked on the specific location of Qingzhou, but it was difficult because there were no landmarks.
Ye Ping could only lock on the territory of Qingzhou that spanned across 22,500 kilometers.
There was a deviation of about a thousand kilometers but the problem wasn’t major. With his current cultivation level, he would be able to rush back to the Qingyun Dao Sect in half a day.
If he was lucky, he would be able to arrive near the Baiyun Ancient City, which was excellent.
At that moment, after Ye Ping arranged the array formation stones, the space in his body lit up.
Immediately after that, Ye Ping’s figure suddenly disappeared.
Jin Nation.
In Qingyun Dao Sect of Qingzhou region.
On a deserted mountain, three figures appeared.
There were two men and one woman.
The man taking the lead was an elder who was dressed in black and was wearing a black bamboo hat.
There were two people behind him, one of whom Ye Ping recognized.
It was Wang Minghao.
The other woman was dressed in green and the expression on her beautiful face looked extremely calm. Her hands had been restrained, but she did not seem to panic at all. Instead, she was calm.
“Although I do not know who ordered you to arrest me, I’m just an unfavored princess. Even if you arrest me, you will not be able to claim any benefits.”
“Let me go, I won’t tell anyone about this matter, and we can even cooperate. The person who dares to instruct you to capture the princess of Great Xia Dynasty is either a rebel or a member of the Fiendcelestial Cult.”
“Let’s work together. If we can wipe out these fiends in one fell swoop, I think the Great Xia Dynasty will give you enough rewards. Besides, we can do it openly without hiding. What do you think?”
The woman in green spoke up. She was extremely beautiful and had an extraordinary aura too. In fact, she didn’t even seem flustered to have been held captive. Instead, she was composed and even discussed with them. She had excellent EQ.
“Tenth Princess, you really deserve to be the princess of the Great Xia Dynasty. If it were anyone else, I reckon they would have hollered loudly or even felt some despair.”
“Not only are you calm, your thoughts are clear too. To be frank, if you get caught by others, they might really be moved by you, but there is one thing you should also be clear about.”
“You’ve got such a high status. Since I have the guts to nab you, I’ve already prepared to face all the consequences. I don’t care about what you said. Dynasty reward? Do it openly? If I wanted fame and fortune, would I have come to catch you despite knowing your identity?”
The man in the bamboo hat spoke. His tone was extremely calm.
Wang Minghao, who was behind him, did not say a single thing.
Several months had passed since the Qingzhou Sword Dao Meet, and ever since he lost to Ye Ping, Wang Minghao had been depressed and out of sorts.
His Dao Heart had taken a blow, but he wanted to fight Ye Ping again.
He wanted to defeat Ye Ping to prove his strength and regain his confidence.
In fact, in order to be able to defeat Ye Ping, he even used the earth fire to burn his body. After a painful process, he condensed an extremely powerful physical body.
Wang Minghao believed that he lost to Ye Ping in physique and not the Sword Dao.
Yes, his physique. The fact that Ye Ping shook him off with one sword was proof that it was not that Ye Ping was good in the Sword Dao, but his physique was just better and he was stronger than most people.
In other words, no matter how good his Sword Dao was, since Ye Ping could shake him away, there was no point in having high attainments in the Sword Dao.
Hence, during this period of time, he practiced like crazy just to be able to defeat Ye Ping the next time he met him.
He was looking forward to it!
He was looking forward to the day that he could meet Ye Ping again and vent the humiliation he felt.
As for the matter at hand.
Wang Minghao didn’t care in the slightest.
He was not afraid that she was the princess of the Great Xia Dynasty.
“We’re here.”
At this moment, Wang Minghao’s master suddenly spoke as he stopped at the deserted mountain.
He spoke slowly.
After looking around, Wang Minghao’s master continued to speak.
“Minghao, as long as you hand over the Great Xia Dynasty Princess to them, you will get what you need. I will then help you build your physical body, so that you will become truly invincible.”
“I never expected someone with an extremely strong physique to appear at the Qingzhou Sword Dao Meet. However, even if I don’t help you build your Foundation Establishment body, you can defeat Ye Ping with your current strength even if you meet him again. Do you understand?”
The old man wearing the black hat said slowly.
He was full of confidence.
“I understand.”
Wang Minghao nodded with confidence in his eyes.
However, at this moment, there was a distortion in the space.
In an instant, the old man in black who was wearing a bamboo hat looked away, his gaze slightly wary.
Soon, a figure appeared.
At the next moment, Wang Minghao was stunned.