Chapter 824: Pill Refining.
The sword master's blade and Shi Lang's sword intent collided, and the former stepped back. He opened up the distance between the two of them. However, Shi Lang had not even moved an inch away from the spot he was standing at.
The sword master replied, "You had this capability from the first blow, why did you not use it?"
Shi Lang opened his eyes slowly and said, "All my life I wielded the sword to defend myself, protect my beliefs and my people. I never looked at a sword or any other weapon as means of killing, or tools to show off my worth in the world.
All these tests mean nothing to me, however, while I was exchanging blows just now, I realized that if showing off my worth can end this trial then I would not hold back."
The sword master fell in a thought before he said, "You are good, both with words and with your blade. I hope that you step in the realm of a sword saint."
Shi Lang cupped his fist and said, "Thank you for guiding me."
The sword master said, "My name is Alan Makki. Thank you for the spar."
The person then nodded at Tsuu Ching and left the place. Shi Lang asked, "Tell me what is the next thing I need to do?"
He did not forget to store his wooden sword back in the space ring, it was a tool he used to teach Shi Tao, and Yu Xeidi with, he was not going to put this place here. Tsuu Ching said, "The next trial is for you to refine a pill."
Shi Lang raised his brow and asked, "So, you are asking for proof of my skill?"
Tsuu Ching nodded and said, "Master Barre will give you a pill formula. You will have to create a superior level pill to pass the trial."
Shi Lang nodded and said, "Let's go, what are you waiting for?"
Tsuu Ching said, "Let's take a walk."
Shi Lang shrugged his shoulders as he did not mind going on for a walk. Hou Bing sat on his shoulder. The Terran enjoyed the scenery of the place. This secret realm seemed to be a complete world in itself. Tsuu Ching said, "When I had come here, this secret realm had nothing apart from the terrain variation and vastness. No spiritual energy."
The Terran nodded and Tsuu Ching told him how the survivors of the purge managed to salvage the situation. Shi Lang replied with a compliment, "You people are unique and strong. You have the wills that suit a cultivator and you were not afraid to explore the path of Dao with the ideas you believed were correct."
Tsuu Ching nodded and said, "That was the only reason we were called demons."
Shi Lang sighed as he gazed at a bunch of children running on the side as they entered the residential area, and said, "You have done the best that you could, and you are not alone anymore. If your people show up outside the secret realm, those undying old men would cower in fear."
Tsuu Ching nodded and said, "I know that, but we have found peace here. We do not wish to embroil ourselves in the situation outside. The young ones are free, but we only go out when we need to break through."
Shi Lang realized that Tsuu Ching was telling him that the people here would not be coming outside the secret realm. He did not mind that, and said, "I respect your decision Tsuu Ching, tell your people that. However, if you do not mind, I have a proposal."
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Tsuu Ching nodded and Shi Lang said, "I have a faction of people under me, and your sister-in-law is the sect mistress of the War Maiden sect too. If you do not mind, we would like to send a few top level young talents over here and have them train under the guidance of the elders here. Do not worry, the location will be kept secret. I will make sure of that."
Tsuu Ching pursed his lips and Shi Lang said, "There is a lot for people to learn here, and they would be able to help the people outside. This exchange will revive the reputation of the so-called demons. You people are following extreme spiritual cultivation, and you should be named like that too."
Tsuu Ching chuckled and said, "You get a bit too worked up in such things. Forget about it all, I will discuss things with the elders but no guarantees."
Shi Lang nodded and said, "I do not want any, however, I would like to repay this debt. When the younger generation from here wishes to see the world outside, have them look for me. I will help them."
Tsuu Ching nodded. Soon the two people arrived before the building known as the Pill Tower. This tower was ten floors high, and the entire surface was carved with intricate designs. Shi Lang clapped his hand and remarked, "Remarkable craftsmanship."
Tsuu Ching smiled at him, and said, "Come inside."
The two people went inside and Master Barre appeared in the main lobby. The people present in the lobby all bowed to Tsuu Ching and Master Barre while they gazed at Shi Lang with curiosity. They had known that an outsider was amongst them but they never saw him up close.
Master Barre bowed to Tsuu Ching and said, "Young Master Shi, this is the pill you will need to refine."
Shi Lang took the jade slip while the people were surprised and confused by why Master Barre called Shi Lang, young master. Terran read the formula and said, "How long do I have before I have to refine this pill?"
Tsuu Ching said, "Six hours."
Shi Lang nodded and asked, "How many tries?"
Master Barre replied, "Two."
It was not a problem, because Shi Lang had an idea in his mind. He said, "Let us begin now."
Tsuu Ching was confused and asked, "Boss, are you sure you want to do it? This pill is not a simple one."
Shi Lang shrugged and said, "I know that I will fail in the first attempt, but it is a formula that I have never come across, however, unless I try, I will not know what I am missing."
Tsuu Ching looked at Master Barre who nodded and said, "Very well, then you will have six hours, and two tries."
Shi Lang agreed and Master Barre brought him to a refining room. Shi Lang took out his cauldron and said, "Xiao Ching, my spiritual energy is still sealed."
Tsuu Ching nodded and poked his acupoints and Shi Lang sensed the familiar sensation of warmth moving around his body. Master Barre waved his hand to a disciple, who brought two sets of ingredients from the side.
Shi Lang did not get to the refining right away, he first inspected the ingredients. Familiarizing with their properties and textures. He was using his sensory ability on these herbs to get a perfect replication of their structure in his mind. After half an hour, the Terran began to extract and refine the herb essence from the herbs using a normal flame conjured by his spiritual fire.
He was not in a hurry to use the Heavenly Lotus Flames in his dantian. That thing was too unpredictable to be used in a pill refining.
While Shi Lang was busy extracting the essence, Tsuu Ching asked, "Master Barre, what pill did you give him?"
Master Barre shook his head and said, "You can only know after the trial, Your Excellency."
Tsuu Ching sighed and replied, "This is too strict of you."
The old man smiled as he watched Shi Lang work carefully. After fifteen minutes, when the herbal essence was extracted, Shi Lang made a grab gesture and removed them from the cauldron. Then he began to combine them, one drop at a time.There were seven herbs in the mix, he did not want to miss anything and cause a failure.
However, the next moment, Shi Lang was correct, the cauldron shivered and Shi Lang stopped refining, followed by which everyone heard a gentle bang inside the cauldron. Tsuu Ching sighed and wanted to say something when Shi Lang said, "Shut up I am focusing."
Tsuu Ching nodded and left the place, Shi Lang in the meantime, sat down on the ground and began to run simulations in his mind. Everything was taken into account, how these herbs reacted when put to refinement. The people were confused, they had never seen anything like this, but they understood that Shi Lang only had two trials and now only one was left for him.
Couple of hours passed, when Shi Lang opened his eyes and asked, "Master Barre? Can I refine this pill outside in the open?"
Barre was surprised but Shi Lang said, "You will know why I am asking this shortly. Please."
The old man nodded and they moved outside, in front of the pill tower.
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