Cultivation: Start From Simplifying Martial Arts Techniques

“What’s the price?”

“Recently, no alchemist has had the time to refine Summoning Elixir. This bottle can be used for a trial. If it works, the formula will be sold directly to the customer,” the shopkeeper explained with a smile.

Directly selling the formula? This surprised Chen Fei for a moment.

In Immortal Cloud City, selling formulas was a rare occurrence; usually, they sold finished medicinal products. After all, medicinal products could provide a steady income over time.

Formulas, on the other hand, often resulted in a one-time transaction, which might not be worth it. However, for something like Summoning Elixir, which was likely rarely used, it made sense to offer the formula in limited quantities.

The limited demand for it might imply a lower value to some, but for those who needed it, its value would be extremely high. Formulas, being tradable, didn’t necessarily mean a loss for the shopkeeper.

Chen Fei picked up the bottle from the counter, opened the cap, and a pungent odor filled the air. In an instant, Chen Fei recognized several ingredients within.

None of them were rare spiritual herbs, just some aged common medicinal herbs.

Chen Fei glanced at the shopkeeper, and since there was no objection, he carefully dropped the Summoning Elixir onto the piece of tree heart.

As the tree heart slowly absorbed the elixir, after just a moment, a faint ripple emanated from within, and it seemed like the overall spirituality of the tree heart had become more active.

Chen Fei’s eyes brightened; it seemed that the Summoning Elixir was indeed effective.

“How much for the formula?”

“Ten pieces of elemental stones, and the customer must guarantee not to spread it,” the shopkeeper said with a smile.

Chen Fei furrowed his brows slightly. Ten pieces of elemental stones were somewhat expensive, and the restriction not to spread it would make it useless if Chen Fei didn’t know how to refine it.

Chen Fei looked up at the shopkeeper, realizing that they had recognized him long ago. It seemed that the shopkeeper was well-informed about all the Aperture Tempering realm cultivators in the vicinity of Immortal Cloud City.

Chen Fei’s skill in alchemy was not a well-kept secret; it was one of the labels attached to him.

It made sense that they were directly selling the formula, as it was evident that Chen Fei could use it. This was a well-calculated transaction.

After some contemplation, Chen Fei ultimately agreed to the deal. This was the most responsive the tree heart had been in these past few days. If even the Summoning Elixir didn’t work, Chen Fei would have to give up in the short term.

He would have to wait for another opportunity in the future to try awakening Baka again. However, the longer Baka’s self-sealing lasted, the lower the chances of successfully awakening it. After all, its spirituality was dwindling over time, and dissipation seemed inevitable.

The shopkeeper wore a smile on their face. They had made a good deal by exchanging an obscure formula for ten elemental stones. If others needed it in the future, they could continue selling the formula. With the agreement not to spread it, and given the influence of the Yu family, it was unlikely that anyone would risk offending them for just ten elemental stones. It would be too much of a loss.

Chen Fei obtained the formula and explored the Ocean Pavilion for a while, broadening his horizons.

The spiritual tools from the Endless Sea, in comparison to those in Immortal Cloud City, are more refined in craftsmanship and even have many unique functions.

“This is the Origin Hidden Pearl. During ordinary times, you can infuse a portion of your elemental energy into it, and when you need to use it, you can withdraw it,” the shopkeeper explained.

Chen Fei’s eyes brightened. This was indeed a useful auxiliary spiritual tool. However, after inquiring about the price, Chen Fei decisively moved on to the next item.

There were many similar exquisite spiritual tools, but their prices were quite high, extinguishing any desire Chen Fei had for shopping.

Half an hour later, Chen Fei walked out of the store. Standing on the street, he looked back at th Ocean Pavilion.

“Items like spiritual tools are all external to oneself. Only techniques and cultivation are fundamental!”

Chen Fei consoled himself inwardly, then vanished from the spot. When he reappeared, he was already at the entrance of the Alchemist Alliance.

As Chen Fei entered the alliance, he noticed that it was much quieter inside compared to the bustling streets. Qin Jinglan, upon seeing him, couldn’t help but flash a brilliant smile.

“Young Master, you’re here!”

Qin Jinglan gave a slight nod as she greeted him. It had been some time since she last saw Chen Fei. Recently, she had heard many rumors about the mystic realms, and due to the Yu family’s involvement, news about the mystic realms had spread widely.

All the sects had suffered heavy losses, and everyone who had come out was severely injured. Therefore, Qin Jinglan had also heard about Chen Fei’s injuries.

Seeing Chen Fei safe and sound now, Qin Jinglan felt genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart.

However, when Qin Jinglan thought about the purpose of Chen Fei’s visit to the Alliance, her expression became somewhat peculiar.

“What’s the matter?” Chen Fei noticed Qin Jinglan’s expression and couldn’t help but ask.

“Master, the number of missions you usually accept has decreased significantly in recent times,” Qin Jinglan said, leading Chen Fei to the counter and showing him the mission list.

Chen Fei examined the list of commissioned tasks, and his brow furrowed slightly.

Before entering the mystic realm, the number of missions to refine various spirit pills within the Alchemist Alliance had already been decreasing. After all, initially, there were many tasks for refining pills, which the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had utilized their own resources for. However, as their resources were consumed, the task of refining pills gradually shifted to the sect itself.

According to Chen Fei’s estimation, perhaps in another two to three years, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect would no longer need to send tasks to the Alchemist Alliance.

Chen Fei’s original plan was to take advantage of this time to refine as many pills as possible and accumulate cultivation resources.

However, now, as he looked at the commissioned tasks on the list, he realized that the number of tasks for refining pills had decreased by almost sixty percent compared to over a month ago.

Was the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect not in a hurry anymore?

But with the addition of the Yu family near Immortal Cloud City, the situation had become more complicated. The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect should be more eager to strengthen their power during such times. There was no reason for them to retreat now.

“Yu Family…”

A sudden thought crossed Chen Fei’s mind, linking it to the words of the shopkeeper at the Ocean Pavilion just now, that there were no available slots for refining the Summoning Elixir. Could it be that the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had shifted these refining tasks to the Yu family?

If that were the case, it would explain the drastic reduction in the number of missions.

If the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had indeed transferred the refining tasks to the Yu family, they would certainly not be as strict as the Alchemist Alliance. For example, there wouldn’t be requirements like having to produce three Spirit Snow Pills. By entrusting these tasks, it would create a sweet deal with the Yu family and increase their interaction. With increased interaction, naturally, their relationship would become closer.

The quickest way to get closer to someone is to involve them in mutual interests. This applies to individuals, and it also holds true for factions and powers.

What the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect lacked right now was a newly awakened Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivator. Sacrificing some basic Aperture Tempering realm pills wouldn’t impact the sect’s overall situation.

Given the pros and cons, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect’s choice was quite natural.

The only drawback was that Chen Fei’s benefits had suddenly shrunk, and this narrowing would continue to accelerate. It was no longer possible for Chen Fei to open one or even two acupoints every month, as he did before.

Because there weren’t as many resources to harvest anymore.

“Help me take on this task,” Chen Fei said, pointing to the list, which included three batches of Spirit Snow Pills.

Recently, Chen Fei needed to seriously consider how to expand his profits in the realm of alchemy or with elemental stones. The Alchemist Alliance could no longer provide him with the same pleasant surprises as before.

In Immortal Cloud City, or any place with martial cultivators, anything that could enhance a martial cultivator’s strength was in high demand. This included pills, martial techniques, spiritual weapons, and various rare materials.

Chen Fei possessed the skills for alchemy but lacked a source of rare materials.

As for martial techniques, most belonged to the Primordial Sword Sect, so Chen Fei couldn’t sell them. Core martial techniques like the Suppressing Dragon Elephant Technique were out of the question for trading as well.

Unless Chen Fei could somehow monopolize a mystic realm all by himself! He would need a mystic realm’s resources to support his growth.

However, all the discovered mystic realms were controlled by various sects, and there was no chance for Chen Fei to claim one.

So, should he consider selling spiritual weapons?

Or perhaps the spirit essence of the Slaughter Spirit Technique?