Master Mei responded in detail to Wang Hong's inquiries about Alchemy. Wang Hong had always explored Alchemy on his own, accumulating countless doubts and uncertainties. Today, everything suddenly became clear, and he felt that his Alchemy skills had improved significantly.
Wang Hong felt sorry for digging out the Qiu Long Tea, but he couldn't reveal it yet. He decided to keep it to himself for now.
"Alright, we'll conclude today's session. You may leave now," Master Mei declared after explaining various Alchemy techniques.
"Thank you, Master Mei, for your guidance. Disciple takes his leave," Yuan Yong said as he led the two out of Master Mei's room and headed downstairs.
"Junior Brother Wang, our Pill Hall holds an Alchemist exchange meeting every month. It's mainly for sharing Alchemy experiences and exchanging Alchemy materials. If you have time, remember to join," Yuan Yong told Wang Hong. As for Tang Wan'er, she grew up in the sect and was familiar with Pill Hall, so Yuan Yong didn't need to say much to her.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Yuan."
"Junior Brother Wang, no need to be polite. As fellow Pill Hall Alchemists, we should take care of each other in the future."
Everyone was willing to befriend Wang Hong, considering his outstanding talent in Alchemy.
After being escorted out of Pill Hall's gate, Tang Wan'er turned to Wang Hong.
"Junior Brother Wang, it's time to fulfill your bet! A real man keeps his word, and with someone as resolute as Junior Brother Wang, I believe you will honor your promise."
She was a bit worried that Wang Hong might try to renege on the bet, especially considering the significant value of half a jar of Spirit Bee Royal Jelly, which was worth thousands of Spirit Stones.
Even she felt a twinge of heartache, but fortunately, she won. Otherwise, she'd be the one feeling regret.
To her relief, Wang Hong didn't hesitate and readily took out five Jade vials, each containing an ounce of Spirit Bee Royal Jelly.
"Sister Tang, can I trade for your Lionhead Spirit Mushroom? Just a small portion will do; I want to taste it," Wang Hong asked after handing over his lost bet.
"What do you plan to offer in exchange? I'm not interested in ordinary items," Tang Wan'er replied.
"Sister Tang, how about exchanging it for Spirit Bee Royal Jelly?" Wang Hong suggested. He had plenty of Spirit Bee Royal Jelly, more than he could use.
"That's acceptable. But how much Spirit Bee Royal Jelly do you have?" This royal jelly was a consumable with cosmetic and Alchemy benefits, and she wouldn't mind having more.
"Two ounces, is that enough? I only need a small portion."
"No, at least three ounces. I can cut off half of the plant for you."
After some hesitation, Wang Hong reluctantly agreed with a pained expression.
Tang Wan'er took out a piece of spirit wood from her Spirit Beast pouch. On it grew a Lionhead Spirit Mushroom, resembling a lion's head, slightly larger than a bowl. Using a small knife, she cut it in half, revealing the tender, white flesh inside. She handed half to Wang Hong and, in return, took the three vials of Spirit Bee Royal Jelly he offered.
Tang Wan'er stored the remaining Lionhead Spirit Mushroom, then turned and left, in a very good mood.
After winning the bet, Wang Hong obtained a total of eight ounces of Spirit Bee Royal Jelly. Tang Wan'er speculated that Junior Brother Wang's Spirit Bee Royal Jelly might have been squeezed dry by her.
Despite feeling a bit lightheaded from just using a secret technique, it didn't dampen her good mood.
With a new delicacy in hand, Wang Hong, in high spirits, hummed a tune as he headed in the opposite direction.
Back at his cave mansion, he entered the Space and split the half of the Lionhead Spirit Mushroom. One half was directly planted in the Space soil. Although planting Lionhead Spirit Mushroom was usually impossible, he had confidence in the Space soil.
The other half was planted on a second-tier fruit tree. Wild Lionhead Spirit Mushrooms parasitized on spirit wood, absorbing Spiritual Energy for their own use.
He intended to cultivate a second-tier Lionhead Spirit Mushroom and then make a deal with Sloppy old man.
Other second-tier Spiritual Objects might not impress the old man, but Wang Hong knew that exquisite food definitely would.
His cave mansion still lacked a powerful formation. Although he had moved the small Five Elements Formation from before, it was too small, only covering his cultivation room.
He wondered if he could ask Sloppy old man for help in arranging a formation. Having interacted with him multiple times, Wang Hong felt that the old man's character was reliable when not influenced by significant interests.
As for situations involving significant interests, how many people could remain true to themselves? Family members turning against each other and brothers fighting were not uncommon in the face of substantial benefits.
In the following days, Wang Hong made preparations. Although joining Pill Hall as a second-tier Alchemist provided significant security, he still had regular tasks to complete.
It had been a while since he registered for Foundation Building, and it was likely that he would soon be assigned experiential tasks.
One day, he dug out the Devilish Vine with the longest history from the Space, then bound it to a piece of spirit wood.
When he first acquired this Devilish Vine, it was only six hundred years old. Now, it had reached a thousand years. If it were outside, it would be challenging to deal with. Once an item approached it, the vine would entangle it and absorb Spiritual Energy and essence blood.
However, the Devilish Vine seemed to have no reaction to his Nascent Soul body, and Wang Hong easily bound it using controlled items.
He stored this thousand-year-old Devilish Vine in his Storage Bag and headed straight to the market.
Entering the Myriad Treasures Tower, Wang Hong spoke to the welcoming maidservant, "I plan to refine a Spiritual Weapon. Could you please inform your refining tool master, so I can meet with him?"
"Of course, please come this way," the maid led Wang Hong to a quiet room and prepared a pot of Spirit Tea for him.
"Please wait a moment; I'll go and fetch our refining tool master." The maid then left the room.
After a while, an old man entered the room. He was in the mid Foundation Building cultivation level, with white hair.
"May I ask, friend, are you here to refine a Spiritual Weapon? Do you have the refining tool materials?" The old man asked first.
"Exactly, I have a refining tool material. I'm not sure if your shop can refine it into a Spiritual Weapon, so I wanted to inquire," Wang Hong replied.
"As long as the friend's material is qualified, we can naturally refine it into a Spiritual Weapon. Please show me the material first." The old man spoke with pride, similar to how Alchemists tended to be.
Wang Hong looked around and said, "My item is relatively large. I'm afraid this room may not be able to accommodate it."
"Oh! Please follow me," the old man said and walked out of the room, with Wang Hong following closely behind.
The old man led Wang Hong to a spacious courtyard. "Friend, see if this place is big enough for your material."
"Good! No problem." Wang Hong said, taking out the thousand-year-old Devilish Vine from his Storage Bag.
[Read at /shanefreak, and heartfelt thankyou for your support!]