Chapter 97: The Spirit Vein, the Spirit Stone Ore (Seventh Update, Seeking Subscriptions)

Deep within the Xieyue Valley, there is actually a place with such a dense concentration of spiritual energy?

Luo Chen was surprised, then seemed to realize something.

However, he did not rush to explore it.

Instead, he went out and showed his face to Gu Caiyi and the others, indicating that he was fine.

He knew very well that if anything really went wrong, Uncle Mi Shuhua would definitely come to visit him.

At that time, his findings from the exploration would likely be exposed.

By evening, most of the alchemists in the Alchemy Hall had left, and the pills they had refined today were specially stored in the pill cultivation room.

Luo Chen greeted Gu Caiyi, saying he would be returning late today as he planned to try refining the Jade Marrow Pill.

Gu Caiyi had no objections.

Currently, the work of refining the Jade Marrow Pill was being done solely by Luo Chen.

The other apprentices and furnace workers were only learning some of the techniques he had taught them.

After most of the alchemists had left, leaving only a team of guards, Luo Chen returned to the stone house.

"Let me see if this lower-level spirit vein branch really exists!"

Lifting the stone slab, Luo Chen descended into the underground mine.

He chose a mine tunnel that extended downward, released a small puppet, and followed it step by step.

"Blocked?"

"This path is also blocked, let's try another tunnel."

"The direction seems to have deviated."

"It looks like I need to use some means!"

When he was blocked again at the end of a sealed tunnel, Luo Chen realized that the place had not yet been discovered by anyone.

Therefore, there was no direct tunnel leading there.

If it were before, he would have had to use a magical tool to dig through, bit by bit.

But now, he had another method.

Mountain-Breaking Palm!

Surging spiritual energy flowed through his meridians.

As Luo Chen struck the ground with his palm, a dull thud echoed.

Large chunks of rock exploded, and Luo Chen did not dodge, allowing the debris to hit his body.

Then, under the protection of the mid-grade magical robe, the debris fell off.

"It seems quite deep!"

After a moment of contemplation, Luo Chen continued the action.

Palm after palm, again and again!

Occasionally, he would encounter some unmined Star Silver ore, which he would cut with the Jade Green Knife magical tool with great difficulty.

In the process, the proficiency of the Mountain-Breaking Palm began to increase.

"This is still a secular martial art, the utilization of spiritual energy is still somewhat crude."

"But that's good, it doesn't consume as much spiritual energy."

Luo Chen glanced at the attribute panel, watching the proficiency of the Mountain-Breaking Palm increase, and nodded in satisfaction.

After about an hour, Luo Chen had to stop.

"Damn, how deep is it!"

"I won't be able to break through today, I'll continue tomorrow!"

If he delayed any longer, it would be too late to return home.

Zhou Yuanli and Liu Qiang, the two bodyguards, were still waiting for him in the Xieyue Valley.

Luo Chen stopped and turned to leave the narrow tunnel.

Before leaving, he used a large rock to block the tunnel.

...

"Did Luo Chen come to the main hall to see me today?"

Mi Shuhua had just finished a conversation with a newly moved cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage when he heard Mi Junping's report.

He was very curious.

"What does that boy want from me?"

Mi Junping disliked Luo Chen very much. The benefits he had received from the gang were too many.

And he still seemed unsatisfied.

Compared to the benefits he had received, the value he had created for the Mountain-Breaking Gang and the Mi family was far from enough.

"Ha, what could he want? He must be looking for more benefits. That guy is simply insatiable!"

Seeing her daughter's attitude, Mi Shuhua frowned.

His daughter was still too petty.

She only cared about short-term gains and losses, unable to see the long-term benefits.

Compared to what he had invested, the value Luo Chen could bring in the future was immeasurable!

And Mi Junping, in her early years, had lost control and formed a relationship with a cultivator, even having a child.

As a result, despite his full cultivation, she could never advance to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Forced by circumstances, Mi Shuhua had to use the hard-earned Foundation Establishment Pill as a reward.

The second generation of the Mi family had no one!

Fortunately, among the third generation, there were still a few worth cultivating.

After some thought, Mi Shuhua said, "Has Mi Li returned home? Call her over, I have something to ask."

Mi Junping did not like her daughter very much.

It was because of that man and this daughter that she could not advance to the Foundation Establishment stage.

But under the gaze of her Foundation Establishment father, she had no choice but to go and fetch Mi Li.

Soon, Mi Shuhua learned most of what Luo Chen had done in the Alchemy Hall today.

Promoting an old cultivator to the head of the furnace workers, was he being kind?

That head had gone out with Luo Chen, and it was said that Luo Chen had asked about cultivation issues, indicating that he was facing some difficulties in his practice.

Hmm, so the reason he came to see me is related to this.

"In the afternoon, Hall Master Luo successfully refined a batch of Jade Marrow Pills," Mi Li said softly.

"He indeed has a great talent for alchemy, far surpassing the second and third generations of our Mi family," Mi Shuhua sighed.

"The refining process seemed to have some issues, and Hall Master Luo's eyes were bleeding."

When he heard this, Mi Shuhua could not sit still.

"What happened?"

The urgency and concern in his expression were genuine.

Mi Li pursed her lips, feeling a bit sad.

Her grandfather had never cared about her like this.

She managed to say, "Hall Master Luo said it was due to excessive use of the Spirit Eye Technique from refining too many pills recently."

Mi Shuhua paced in the room, his brows furrowed.

This was indeed a problem.

The Spirit Eye Technique, though simple, is actually quite dangerous among low-level spells.

It is said that in the sect, elders would advise disciples not to use it frequently.

First, it can easily offend higher-level cultivators.

Second, it can harm one's eyes.

I was too hasty!

Luo Chen is just a sixth-layer Qi Cultivation child, and making him refine pills every day will indeed harm him.

Previously, I thought Mi Junping was too petty, but now it seems I was also shortsighted.

Who cultivates an alchemist without investing at least ten or a hundred years?

After some thought, Mi Shuhua took out a jade bottle from his storage bag.

"Mi Li, give this to Luo Chen tomorrow and tell him to drop a drop in his eyes after each refining session."

Seeing the jade bottle, Mi Junping was shocked and blurted out, "Father, this is the Clearing Pearl Liquid you got from the auction, why give it to that boy!"

Mi Shuhua glanced at her and said coldly, "This item is not very helpful for cultivation, and I have no use for it, why can't I give it to him?"

Mi Junping stammered, muttering that it would cost a lot of spirit stones.

Sighing, Mi Shuhua could not help but say, "Junping, be more generous in your daily life. Recently, people have told me that you are too harsh on the gang's cultivators, reducing or even withholding their rewards."

"Father, those wandering cultivators don't deserve..."

"If this continues, the Mi family will lose the support of the Mountain-Breaking Gang."

"But with you, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, what does it matter if we lose support?"

"How long do you think I will live?"

Upon hearing this, Mi Junping covered her mouth, a terrifying thought crossing her mind.

Could her father's lifespan be running out?

Mi Shuhua shook his head, not explaining further, and gestured for them to leave.

Mi Li led her dazed mother away, holding the jade bottle.

Under the moonlight, she glanced at the courtyard where Mi Shuhua was, feeling a bit panicked.

Recently, the Mi family, as a local Foundation Establishment family, had been in a prominent position, controlling the Mountain-Breaking Gang.

Everyday, they welcomed and sent off people, living a life of luxury and power.

But if Mi Shuhua were to fall, what would happen to the entire family?

She did not dare to think further.

...

...

"Given to me by the gang leader?"

Before starting the refining, Luo Chen curiously took the jade bottle.

Shaking it, he heard the sound of water rippling inside.

Mi Li said softly, "This is the Clearing Pearl Liquid. Hall Master can drop a little in his eyes after each refining session to effectively relieve eye fatigue."

Clearing Pearl Liquid!

Hearing the name, Luo Chen was momentarily stunned.

This is a good thing!

The Green Yuan Pill Manual records this spiritual medicine.

It has excellent auxiliary effects for low-level alchemists.

But ordinary alchemists rarely have the means to buy it.

The reason is simple: this spiritual liquid comes from the Jade Cauldron Domain's top sect, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect!

As a sword cultivator sect, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect is known for its combat prowess and has little to boast about in terms of alchemy.

But as a major sect, it cannot be constrained in everything.

They have their own alchemists who serve the sect.

The Clearing Pearl Liquid is one of the spiritual medicines they developed.

Or rather, it is not the Clearing Pearl Liquid, but the Clearing Liquid!

Sword cultivators use sword pills in combat.

The method to control sword pills is primarily through mental awareness.

But some enemies cannot be dealt with by mental awareness alone, and visual and auditory senses are needed.

Thus, the alchemists of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect developed the Clearing Liquid.

Long-term use can cause a sword cultivator's eyes to undergo incredible changes—seeing through illusions and perceiving the void.

The Clearing Liquid is a top-tier spiritual medicine, usually supplied only to Foundation Establishment disciples and Golden Core cultivators.

But if a medicine only serves internally, it loses much of its value.

So, the Jade Cauldron alchemists modified the ingredients and developed a weaker version of the Clearing Liquid, the Clearing Pearl Liquid.

This spiritual medicine is not only supplied internally but also sold externally.

The market is average, but the spirit stones earned can offset the losses from producing the Clearing Liquid.

The Clearing Pearl Liquid has no effect on high-level cultivators but is very effective for Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Occasional use can relieve eye fatigue.

Long-term use can help cultivators easily distinguish between Yin Qi, turbid Qi, and other impure energies.

It is said that one of the main ingredients is the rare Yin Beast's Smoky Pearl, which is why it is called the Clearing Pearl Liquid.

Some array masters often purchase this spiritual medicine in bulk.

Holding the jade bottle, Luo Chen was overjoyed.

He did not have any eye fatigue.

When the proficiency of the Spirit Eye Technique reached the Perfect level, this issue was already resolved.

The bleeding from his eyes yesterday was due to the Spirit Eye Technique advancing to the Master level and rooting itself in his eyes.

But he would not refuse such a good thing.

After all, this is a sincere gesture from Mi Shuhua!

"I didn't even ask for it, and he brought it to me."

"Such a good boss, why didn't I meet one in my previous life?"

After some reflection, Luo Chen happily put away the medicine bottle.

He decided to use it when he had time, as the book said it was beneficial for alchemists to use it regularly.

"What are you all standing around for? Start the fire, refine the pills!"

Luo Chen shouted to a group of people.

They all began to work, with Gu Caiyi directing the apprentices to move the ingredients to the alchemy room.

Qu Hancheng, the new head of the furnace workers, assigned six furnace workers to each alchemy room.

Two cultivators were responsible for monitoring the fire, and if one had an issue, the other could take over immediately.

Moreover, Luo Chen was moving around to ensure no mistakes were made.

...

After eating, Luo Chen sat in the house.

He first examined the medicine bottle. With his knowledge of alchemy, he confirmed there were no issues, then dropped a drop into each eye.

After dropping it, he blinked.

"Feels cool and refreshing."

"Other than that, there doesn't seem to be any change?"

"This eye drop is famous, but it doesn't have an immediate effect."

Pouting, Luo Chen put the bottle away.

After all, it was a sincere gesture from Mi Shuhua, so he would use it from time to time!

This bottle would last a month.

After putting away the bottle, Luo Chen rubbed his hands and entered the mine tunnel.

Continuing his gold miner game!

Start digging!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Since he was deep underground, the noise from the Mountain-Breaking Palm did not reach the Xieyue Valley.

Especially since he had blocked the narrow tunnel, it was even more secure.

An hour later, Luo Chen straightened up.

"Damn, it's so deep!"

"But it's almost through, I'll continue tonight!"

In the afternoon, Luo Chen put a lot of effort into refining.

After receiving so many benefits from Mi Shuhua, he had to show some results!

Otherwise, if the other party did not see progress and became discouraged, and the Alchemy Hall was disbanded, where would he go to get benefits?

He had gotten used to having a group of people assist him.

If he had to go back to handling the ingredients, monitoring the fire, and refining the pills himself, he would not be willing.

Moreover, even if he refined the pills, he would have to spend time collecting and bottling them, and then sell them himself.

Thinking about it, it seemed troublesome, unlike the current ease.

...

"Finally, it's almost through!"

Unconsciously, it was already late at night.

He told the two bodyguards that he would stay in the Alchemy Hall tonight, so no one would disturb him.

Luo Chen took a deep breath and used the Mountain-Breaking Palm, now at the Proficient level, to strike down.

A surge of spiritual energy formed a pale green, transparent palm print that suddenly appeared and pressed down.

Puff!

Like an eggshell breaking, the last layer of rock shattered completely.

At the same time, a dense surge of spiritual energy erupted.

Luo Chen was startled, and his activated magical robe moved on its own to guard against any danger.

Everything was fine.

Luo Chen directly descended to the depths and looked around, finding himself in a cave about two meters in diameter.

It was a bit cramped, but it was more than enough for Luo Chen.

His eyes suddenly lit up.

"Spirit Stones!"

On the cave floor, there was a patch of crystalline ore, with specks of silver light scattered on it.

These crystalline ores were clearly the raw form of spirit stones.

Calling them spirit stones is incorrect.

Accurately speaking, these are spirit stone ores!

In the cultivation world, the spirit stones that circulate are all of the same specifications, size, and spiritual energy content.

It is said that spirit stones are produced in spirit veins.

Large sects that occupy spirit veins mine them out and use unique methods to cut the spirit stone ores into uniformly sized spirit stones.

Then, they use these spirit stones as currency to circulate in the cultivation world, purchasing resources from others.

The spiritual energy contained in these spirit stones is imp