Chapter 79

As the pleasant sound of the guzheng music filled the air, a gentle beam of white light illuminated the central independent round platform.

Standing on the platform was a slender old cultivator. Although his hair and temples were tinged with frost, his complexion was rosy and fair, clearly exuding a lively aura.

From Gu Han’s explanation, Chu He learned that this person was the head of Qingling Town and one of the two True Monarch-level elders of Qingling Mountain: Grand Elder Qingyu.

A town as important as Qingling Town naturally required a True Monarch-level senior to preside over it. Otherwise, if a seventh-level transformation beast suddenly appeared, it would be enough to wreak havoc in Qingling Town.

This was the first time Chu He had seen a True Monarch-level expert, so he couldn’t help but take a few more looks. However, no matter how he looked, he couldn’t discern anything. Even if a True Human Realm cultivator had the technique to conceal their aura, looking for too long would make one’s eyes feel hot and uncomfortable, after all, the difference in realms was there.

But this Grand Elder Qingyu, no matter how he stared, did not make him feel any abnormality at all. This also indicated that the other party’s true essence was well-concealed, and his aura was more perfectly harmonized than that of a True Human Realm cultivator.

Grand Elder Qingyu briefly said some polite words and then handed over the subsequent matters to a True Human to preside over, retiring amidst applause.

The following process opened the eyes of Chu He and others, providing them with much gain.

A dazzling array of various pills. Besides those for enhancing cultivation, there were also ones for maintaining youth and targeted beauty... making people’s eyes dazzle.

After this pill conference, Chu He’s horizons indeed broadened significantly.

His previous understanding of pills was limited to general categories like Qi-Benefiting Pills, Essence-Cultivating Pills, and Essence-Condensing Pills, which were just a small part of the gradual-type pills.

Pills mainly made from beast cores, on the other hand, were of the sudden-advancement type. Due to the presence of beast toxins or life souls, they couldn’t be taken daily like the gradual-type pills.

There were also pills made from a balanced mix of herbs and beast cores, taking a moderate path, neither too fast nor too slow.

There were also elemental pills corresponding to the spiritual body attributes, such as fire-type pills for cultivators with a fire spiritual body, which provided greater benefits than Qi-Benefiting Pills or Essence-Cultivating Pills.

At this pill conference, the main focus was not on the herb-based pills, but on the beast core-based pills. Qingzhou was one of the two major regions on the Hao Yuan continent for producing beast cores. If the level of beast core refinement was not up to par, holding a pill conference would be a laughingstock.

Although the Qingling Pill Conference had only been held for a few decades, it had already risen to the top three of such grand events in Qingzhou, thanks to the influence of Qingling Mountain and the continuous introduction of new and powerful items in each session.

Of course, this grand event was not exclusive to the Qingling Mountain sect; many powerful merchants also participated. Famous merchants in Qingzhou, such as the Gu Family Workshop and the Treasure Pill Academy, took turns showcasing their competitive pills.

Later, the mirage of this pill conference would also be released to the market, spreading its influence to neighboring states.

About 40-50% of the merchants present were from outside Qingzhou, and they were all highly focused, calculating in their minds and maximizing the power of their mirage artifacts.

Some cultivators even bought pills on the spot from the dedicated stands below. Even Gu Han was somewhat tempted: he had his eye on a grade 8 fire-type pill.

"Really, you’re going to be a pill master in the future, and you’re actually going to buy pills from others? It’s just a grade 8 Dharma Pill. If you check the scripture hall, you’ll find it there." Chu He was frustrated by his lack of ambition and nudged him.

Grade 8 pill formulas and refining experience were within the capabilities of Earth Fire Sect disciples. Not only did they have the formulas, but the Earth Fire Sect could also provide materials at a discounted price, making it much more cost-effective to refine them himself. No wonder Chu He looked so disappointed.

"If not, next time, Brother Chu, can you get some for me? You know, I can only refine grade 9 Qi-Benefiting Pills now, I don’t have the ability. It’s better to benefit our own people than to let others profit." Gu Han blinked, a hint of cunning in his eyes. He knew that Chu He could currently refine low-grade Essence-Cultivating Pills.

"Hmph, who said you’re our own people? We’ll see when I have time." Chu He gave him a feint and pinched his nose, but his words did not contain a refusal.

"Brother Chu, you can’t say that. I’m Uncle Er to your little White, so we’re naturally closely related." Gu Han, seeing a glimmer of hope, immediately said with a smile.

"Er, Er." Little White, hearing what he said, pointed at him, as Chu He had mentioned these two words, making it easier for him to learn. He knew that "Er" represented Gu Han.

But proper pronunciation was too difficult for him, so it sounded somewhat strange, more like a weird tone, though the little guy’s heart was pure.

"How cute... hehe..." Zhou Weihong, seeing this, couldn’t help but cover his mouth, trying hard not to laugh.

Gu Han’s expression collapsed, and he immediately turned his head, pretending to pay attention to the pill conference on the platform.

Deng Lu, hearing the conversation between Chu He and Gu Han, was deeply shocked: how long had he been in the Earth Fire Sect, and he could already refine low-grade Essence-Cultivating Pills? This was truly astonishing.

When he came to his senses, his gaze towards Chu He had changed, and he also had the intention of befriending him.

Chu He did not notice Deng Lu’s subtle change; he was slightly distracted by Gu Han’s request.

The refinement of fire-type pills would likely be something Chu He would encounter in the future. To advance his own cultivation, he would need to refine a water-fire balanced pill for his own use. Therefore, getting experience with the refinement of fire-type pills would be beneficial for the future.

The pill conference soon came to an end, and many spectators dispersed: some went to negotiate, some returned home, and some went to buy.

As they were leaving, they met Instructor Bai Li. Chu He and Gu Han walked with her, hitching a ride back.

As they were about to leave the venue, Chu He sensed something and suddenly turned his head.

This turn revealed a short cultivator turning into a small alley.

The sudden movement came from a fragment inside the storage ring.

This storage ring belonged to the tall and thin cultivator, and it contained the most items. Although Chu He had previously cleaned it out, there were still some seemingly valuable items left.

For example, a partial formula for Essence-Condensing Pills, a formula for Essence-Cultivating Pills, a treasure tripod, high-grade Essence-Cultivating Pills, and a mysterious item.

That item was an irregular fragment about two fingers wide, covered with extremely intricate runes, layer upon layer, making one’s hair stand on end. It was unknown how many layers of rune arrays were imprinted on it, and spiritual sense could not penetrate it at all.

The most complex rune overlay Chu He had ever seen was not even a tenth of this small fragment. It was estimated that this fragment was likely from a spirit treasure-level artifact.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, the mysterious fragment was showing some movement in the storage ring, though slight, it was very noticeable in the independent space of the storage ring, immediately caught by Chu He’s spiritual sense.

"Is everything well, Young Master Chu?" A voice suddenly came from the side.