Translator: Cinder Translations
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"Senior Ji Yin, the blue-scaled snake stew is ready," An Tong said as she approached, carrying a bronze basin while flying through the air.
As soon as she landed, she noticed Zi Yun in the pavilion. After a mont of stunned silence, she quickly apologized.
"I'm sorry, Senior. I didn't know you had a guest."
Song Wen waved his hand. "It's fine. Since the stew is ready, bring it over. Let Daoist Zi Yun have a taste as well."
Zi Yun smiled slightly. "It seems I'm in luck today, getting to try the West Region's unique blue-scaled snake at your place."
Song Wen replied, "An Tong's culinary skills are quite good; I guarantee it won't disappoint you."
After An Tong placed the bronze basin on the stone table, she intended to call her sister to leave, but Song Wen stopped her.
"Sit down and join us. This blue-scaled snake is originally yours; it wouldn't be right for us to overshadow the hosts."
"Senior Ji Yin, this..." An Tong hesitated.
"Daoist Zi Yun and I share a bond forged through adversity. You don't need to be so formal," Song Wen reassured her.
Zi Yun added with a smile, "Please, both of you, sit. As Ji Yin said, there's no need to be reserved."
Then she asked, "By the way, may I ask your nas?"
Before arriving on the island, Zi Yun had noticed the two won.
Initially, she assud they were Song Wen's concubines. However, upon observing further, she realized this wasn't the case.
When interacting with Song Wen, the two won only showed respect and reverence, without any other emotional undertones.
"Senior, my na is An Tong, and my younger sister is An Yin. We were originally rogue cultivators but were later enslaved by bandit cultivators. It was thanks to Senior Ji Yin that we escaped. He not only saved us but also provided us with a safe place to live and never asked for anything in return. To my sister and , Senior Ji Yin's kindness is akin to being reborn."
An Tong's tone was filled with sincere gratitude.
Zi Yun glanced at Song Wen.
"I didn't expect Daoist Ji Yin to be such a kind-hearted person."
Both An Tong and An Yin nodded in agreent, their gazes toward Song Wen full of gratitude.
Song Wen, however, was slightly taken aback. This was the first ti he had heard himself described that way.
"Daoist, you flatter . Co, try An Tong's cooking," Song Wen said, changing the subject.
"This blue-scaled snake certainly lives up to its reputation—so fresh and delicious! An Tong, your cooking skills are exceptional..." Zi Yun exclaid after tasting a piece of snake at.
In no ti, the stew in the bronze basin was finished, mostly by Song Wen and Zi Yun.
An Yin and An Tong were rather reserved, only eating a few bites symbolically.
After they cleaned up and left, Zi Yun said, "Ji Yin, I ca here this ti with a favor to ask."
"Daoist, feel free to speak," Song Wen replied.
Zi Yun explained, "I've gathered two sets of spiritual herbs needed for the Nascent Spirit Pill with my master's help. I then consulted a senior fourth-rank alchemist about the process of refining the pill. However, the senior told that for a pill like the Nascent Spirit Pill, which uses spiritual herbs beyond the ordinary fourth rank, having only two sets of ingredients gives no guarantee of success, even for him."
"This ti, I ca to ask, which senior did you and Zhu Yin approach to refine your Nascent Spirit Pill? I originally intended to ask Zhu Yin, but since she isn't in Wu Ji Sect, I had no choice but to co to you."
Song Wen pondered for a mont before replying truthfully.
"To be honest, I refined the Nascent Spirit Pill myself."
Zi Yun's pupils slightly contracted, and her expression grew excited. Her voice raised by two octaves.
"You've already refined the Nascent Spirit Pill?"
Song Wen nodded.
"Yes!"
"How many sets of ingredients did you use in a single batch, and how many pills were successfully refined?" Zi Yun continued asking.
"A single batch required five sets of ingredients, and I successfully refined two pills—one for myself and one for Zhu Yin," Song Wen replied.
In truth, Song Wen had refined three Nascent Spirit Pills in one batch, but he couldn't reveal this to Zi Yun.
"Your alchemy skills are truly remarkable."
Zi Yun gazed at Song Wen in a daze, her eyes carrying a hint of expectation.
"Daoist, would you be willing to help refine the Nascent Spirit Pill? Whatever reward you desire, feel free to ask. As long as it's within my ability, I'll do my utmost to fulfill your request."
When Song Wen decided to reveal that he had refined the Nascent Spirit Pill himself, he had already considered what he should ask for in return.
After a mont of feigned contemplation, he said, "When I entered Illusory Spirit Valley, both you and your master showed kindness to . Refining the Nascent Spirit Pill for you is sothing I should do without compensation. However, I currently find myself in urgent need of sothing, so I must shalessly make a request."
Zi Yun's lips curled into a subtle, aningful smile.
A request made negotiations possible. Mutual benefit was the foundation of any deal.
"Daoist, please feel free to speak."
Song Wen said, "What I require is the collected insights and experiences of the seniors in your sect on forming the Nascent Soul."
The Nascent Soul Insights were a compilation of the successes and failures of predecessors attempting to form their Nascent Soul. They were invaluable to cultivators preparing for this critical step.
Zi Yun frowned slightly. "You want the Nascent Soul Insights?"
To soone from a major sect like Zi Yun, these insights were easily accessible.
However, for rogue cultivators or disciples from smaller sects, such knowledge was a priceless treasure.
In major sects, advancing to the Nascent Soul stage was relatively common, while for smaller sects, producing a single Nascent Soul cultivator was as difficult as scaling the heavens. This disparity stemd, in part, from the lack of such guidance.
The importance of predecessor insights was evident even in the matter of refining the Nascent Spirit Pill.
Song Wen, with access to alchemical notes, succeeded in refining the pill. anwhile, a fourth-rank alchemist, without such guidance, was unsure of success even with two sets of ingredients.
After so deliberation, Zi Yun's gaze turned resolute.
"Alright, I agree," she said firmly. Then, with a solemn tone, she added, "But you must swear to never leak the Nascent Soul Insights."
Song Wen's face lit up with joy, and he imdiately replied, "Of course. I also hope that you can keep the matter of refining the Nascent Spirit Pill a secret."
Both sides had gained what they wanted. They exchanged a knowing glance and smiled in mutual understanding.
"When can you start refining the pill?" Zi Yun asked.
"Anyti," Song Wen said. "However, the current situation in Wu Ji Sect is unstable. Refining the pill requires over forty days of uninterrupted focus, and now is not the right ti."
Zi Yun nodded. "Given Wu Ji Sect's current state, your Ji Yin Island is indeed unsuitable for refining the pill."
She paused briefly before continuing, "Ji Yin, as an outer elder of Wu Ji Sect, if war breaks out between the sect and the demon clans, you'll likely be among the first sent to the frontlines. Rather than face such a fate, why not co with to Liangyi Sect?
"With your alchemical skills, you could certainly beco an honored alchemist elder on Liangyi Sect's Alchemy Peak. There, no one would force you into the chaos of war unless you wished it."
(End of the Chapter)
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