Chapter 26 - Double Happiness

Looking at the Mountain and River Gathering Spirit Furnace in front of him, Ning Changge’s eyes were filled with joy. This alchemical furnace had cost him a lot of effort, but the results were excellent.

“According to my calculations, this Mountain and River Gathering Spirit Furnace can definitely be considered a first-class artifact!”

A first-class artifact corresponded to the Foundation Establishment stage. As for a first-class superior artifact, it was already the limit of Ning Changge’s current abilities. He had been completely focused on crafting it this time, and the results were quite impressive.

“The Mountain and River Gathering Spirit Furnace is inscribed with many prohibitions beneficial for alchemy, such as the Ninefold Spirit Fire Restriction. It can produce vigorous spiritual flames just by absorbing the surrounding natural spiritual energy, without me having to do anything. According to my calculations, it can increase my pill success rate by fifty percent!”

Ning Changge’s lips curled into a slight smile. This was a tremendous boon for him. Increasing the pill success rate by fifty percent meant that the effect of each pill he consumed would be equivalent to three normal pills.

“Not only that, thanks to the special nature of the Spirit Gathering Stone itself and the Ninefold Gathering Spirit Restriction I inscribed, this furnace also has the effect of gathering natural spiritual energy!”

“It can gather natural spiritual energy on its own, forming nine drops of spiritual liquid every day!”

“While this spiritual liquid might not compare to Ascension Pills, it has the advantage of being long-lasting and a continuous source of power. It will provide me with significant assistance on my path of cultivation!”

“My prospects on the Dao have just greatly increased!”

Ning Changge couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“The only regret is that the potential of this Spirit Gathering Stone hasn’t been fully unleashed, mainly due to my current cultivation level. But it’s not a big problem. When I break through to the Foundation Establishment stage in the future, I can refine it again and improve it. By then, the Mountain and River Gathering Spirit Furnace will definitely reach new heights! It might even become a second-class artifact or a spiritual treasure!”

Ning Changge was very intelligent. After discovering this, he had left room for future improvements in the furnace’s creation process.

“The furnace is complete, and I can continue with alchemy! With the spirit herbs brought back by my senior brothers, coupled with the Mountain and River Gathering Spirit Furnace, I won’t have to worry about spiritual pills for some time!”

Ning Changge’s eyes were filled with anticipation. Improving his strength and pursuing longevity, he was content with his life at Wudang.

…

Days passed. Wudang remained peaceful, and so did the scripture chamber. Normally, no one would disturb Ning Changge. Occasionally, Song Qingshu would come to keep his little martial uncle company. Under Ning Changge’s influence, the mischievous child had grown quite well.

Ning Changge glanced at Song Qingshu, who was meditating, and smiled faintly.

[You have deduced the true principles of the Lesser Alchemy Dao, continuously experimented, used valuable herbs such as ginseng and Polygonum multiflorum as the main ingredients, supplemented with various herbs to balance their properties, and created the Jiazi Pill recipe!]

The Jiazi Pill!

This was a special pill Ning Changge had created to enhance the strength of Song Yuanqiao and the others. During their last trip to Mount Song, he had felt that their strength had diminished somewhat, even with the protection of his talismans.

During his leisure time, he had created this pill recipe. Some herbs lacked spiritual properties, making them perfect for refining the Jiazi Pill. Although each person could only take one, it could significantly boost their internal energy, allowing Song Yuanqiao and the others to make great strides in their cultivation.

Ning Changge smiled.

Alchemy began.

The Mountain and River Gathering Spirit Furnace proved to be exceptionally useful. It brought him surprises every time, and sometimes, he even produced top-quality Pills.

Ning Changge calmly practiced alchemy.

Song Qingshu, who had woken up at some point, watched Ning Changge alchemy with admiration in his eyes.

“Do you want to learn?”

Ning Changge didn’t turn around, but his voice carried a hint of a smile.

The age difference between the two wasn’t significant, but Ning Changge looked like a teenager now, while Song Qingshu was still a young boy.

Song Qingshu’s eyes lit up with longing, but he quickly shook his head.

“This is your unique skill, Junior Martial Brother. If I were to covet it, wouldn’t I be worse than a beast?”

Despite his young age, Song Qingshu had a sense of propriety.

“This unique skill can be passed down to you, but the time is not right yet.”

According to Ning Changge’s calculations, once he reached the Golden Core stage and his lifespan extended to thousands of years, he would have the time to pass down this skill. By then, he could establish a sect, gather the wisdom of all living beings, and accelerate his own path of cultivation.

Ning Changge had extraordinary talent, but he never underestimated others. The wisdom of all living beings was also extraordinary and could serve as nourishment for his growth, allowing him to fully unleash his innate talent.

Song Qingshu’s eyes were filled with joy.

“Thank you, Junior Martial Brother!”

He was filled with anticipation, imagining that one day he could follow in his Junior Martial Brother’s footsteps. It would be a wonderful thing.

“Deliver these seven Jiazi Pills to our Senior Brothers. For the next few days, I’ll be in seclusion. Focus on your own cultivation and don’t come to the scripture chamber.”

“Yes, Junior Martial Brother!”

Song Qingshu respectfully withdrew.

Ning Changge slowly closed his eyes.

Immortality was a lonely path. If he had someone to accompany him, even if it was only for a short while, it would be a good thing.

These days, he had reached a critical point for another breakthrough.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

…

Several days later, after consuming a rising spirit pill, Ning Changge’s body emitted strands of spiritual light. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth was continuously drawn to him, and under the tempering of the Eternal Verdant Art, it transformed into abundant spiritual power.

His aura suddenly increased by a notch!

Ning Changge opened his eyes, a joyful expression in them. “The Seventh Layer of Qi Refinement, successfully breakthrough! At this point, I have officially entered the later stage of Qi Refinement. With my greatly increased spiritual power, I can more freely control magical weapons. It’s also time for me to study the art of sword manipulation!”

Controlling a sword through the air, this was an instinctual desire, even more anticipated than flying through the clouds. His spiritual power was insufficient in the past, but now it had finally met the criteria.

As he slowly got up, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He then heard Song Yuanqiao’s voice coming from the distance, saying, “Junior martial brother, double happiness is here!”