Divine Level Witch Doctor

However, Zhao Yuan didn't intend to use up all the Dixiu and Ghost Grass. He only picked a portion, saving the rest to transplant into his medicinal herb cultivation base.

If the Dixiu and Ghost Grass could be successfully cultivated, then in the future, he would have an inexhaustible supply!

The materials and tools were all ready, but Zhao Yuan didn't rush to start making the powder. Instead, he first set up a Qi Absorption Moon Gazing Array on the spot.

This Array could draw in the surrounding Spiritual Qi and Moonlight Essence. Empowered by these energies, not only would the success rate of crafting the powder increase dramatically, but the finished powder's medicinal effects would also be enhanced!

The moment the Qi Absorption Moon Gazing Array formed, Zhao Yuan immediately sensed an ineffable energy gathering around him.

His current Cultivation had yet to reach the Qi Listening Realm. His perception of Qi was just a vague sensation; he could not yet clearly 'see' or 'hear' it.

Besides Zhao Yuan, Bone Woman and Xiaoyang also noticed the change in the surroundings.

As a Ghost Demon and a Spirit Monster, their perception of Qi was innate and far beyond Zhao Yuan's.

Bone Woman and Xiaoyang didn't hesitate for a moment. They immediately activated their respective Cultivation Techniques. While guarding Zhao Yuan, they absorbed as much of the Spiritual Qi and Moonlight Essence surging in from all directions as they possibly could.

Even Zeng Rui rushed out of the Ghost Residence to join them in absorbing these wonderful resources.

Zhao Yuan didn't stop them. The Qi Absorption Moon Gazing Array was drawing in an abundance of Spiritual Qi and Moonlight Essence—far more than was needed for the Qi Condensing Powder. Letting Bone Woman and the others absorb some would also increase their strength. 'So why not?'

Then, Zhao Yuan began the next step of his preparations.

To make the powder, the medicinal herbs first had to be dried. Otherwise, they couldn't be crushed into powder.

A proper medicinal workshop would have professional drying equipment, but there was none here in Jinhua Village. Zhao Yuan had to find another way.

Fortunately, he had previously picked up some techniques from Hao Li of the Tripod Cuisine School. Among them was a method for drying food ingredients, which could be applied to drying medicinal materials as well.

Zhao Yuan took out a Marching Shovel from his Storage Ring Space, quickly dug a pit in the ground to build a simple earthen stove, and set up the Nine Fire Exquisite Tower inside it.

This Array from the Tripod Cuisine School allowed Zhao Yuan to precisely control the fire's intensity and temperature, drying the medicinal herbs as quickly as possible without scorching them!

Afterward, Zhao Yuan placed all the medicinal herbs into the earthen stove, gathered some dry branches and fallen leaves from the surroundings, piled them on top of the herbs, and lit a fire.

Empowered by the Nine Fire Exquisite Tower, the fire quickly grew. Raging flames filled the entire earthen stove, and crimson tongues of fire licked outwards, dispelling the darkness and cold.

Amazingly, although the medicinal herbs in the earthen stove were engulfed in flames, they weren't burning. They were simply being rapidly dehydrated and dried.

This was the effect of the Nine Fire Exquisite Tower, the marvel of the Tripod Cuisine School!

The fire burned for a full hour. When it died down, the herbs inside the earthen stove had transformed from their fresh state into dry, hard, and shriveled husks—a clear sign they were completely dried.

Zhao Yuan fetched an herb cutter and began slicing the dried herbs.

Half an hour later, the preparations were finally complete. It was time to begin the most crucial step: pounding the ingredients into a fine powder.

Following the method taught on the Information Leaf, Zhao Yuan first took two measures of Ginseng and three measures of Astragalus Root, placed them together in the Brass Mortar, and pounded them. Once the herbs were ground into a fine, evenly mixed powder, he added the other ingredients according to the proper sequence and ratio.

The whole process went quite smoothly, until the Dixiu and Ghost Grass were added to the Brass Mortar. Then, the situation suddenly changed!

Zhao Yuan clearly felt a powerful resistance emanating from the Brass Mortar, making the grinding process incredibly difficult.

This phenomenon had been described on the Information Leaf, so Zhao Yuan was prepared and did not panic. Taking a deep breath, he summoned all his strength and pushed through the resistance, continuing to grind.

Large beads of sweat broke out on Zhao Yuan's forehead and streamed down his face. This just went to show how extraordinarily powerful the resistance released by the two Spirit Medicinal Materials was!

In fact, aside from its highly secret formula, the immense resistance encountered during the crafting process was another key reason why so few people could successfully create Qi Condensing Powder!

Not every Pill Master could overcome this immense resistance!

Furthermore, the resistance wasn't constant; it grew stronger as he continued to grind. By the end, Zhao Yuan had to resort to the force-channeling techniques of the Mountain-Breaking Fist. He had to put his all into every single strike just to barely overpower the resistance and continue his work!

Gradually, the ingredients inside the Brass Mortar were ground ever finer.

Though panting and out of breath, Zhao Yuan didn't forget to count his strikes.

After the one hundred and eighth strike, Zhao Yuan stopped. He set the pestle aside, reached into the Brass Mortar, and pinched a bit of the powder between his fingers. He then brought it to his nose and sniffed. A satisfied smile spread across his face. "It's done!"

According to the method taught on the Information Leaf, when making Qi Condensing Powder, one must pound it exactly one hundred and eight times—no more, no less.

All the ingredients had to be ground as fine as premium flour; smooth to the touch, without a hint of grit. Moreover, the aroma of the well-mixed powder had to be slightly spicy with a thread of fresh fragrance woven through it.

Anything less would be a failure.

Even Zhao Yuan himself hadn't expected that, despite it being his first time making Qi Condensing Powder, his luck was so good that he succeeded on the first try!

Elated, Zhao Yuan removed the finished Qi Condensing Powder from the Brass Mortar.

The batch yielded enough for five portions. After setting aside his own dose and two portions for Cheng Haoyu, he had exactly two left over, which he could sell to Hao Li and Ying Ji.

Zhao Yuan wrapped four of the portions individually in paper, placed them in his Storage Ring Space, and planned to deliver them to Cheng Haoyu and the others after the New Year. The remaining portion, he poured directly into his mouth and swallowed.

He had forgotten to bring water, so he could only swallow it dry. He choked and coughed repeatedly, but thankfully he didn't spray out the powder, otherwise the loss would have been huge.

Immediately, he sat down cross-legged, activated the Creation Technique, and began absorbing the medicine's efficacy to assault the barrier to the Qi Listening Realm!

Time ticked by, second by second.

Suddenly, Zhao Yuan heard a clap of thunder ring in his ears! Before he could open his eyes to check, he felt hurricanes assailing him from all directions, like thousands of sharp blades constantly cutting at him. The intense pain almost made him cry out.

Zhao Yuan was startled at first, but he quickly calmed down.

'I had a similar experience when I broke through to the Marrow Cleansing Realm. This must be the tribulation that comes with a breakthrough—a trial of sorts!'

'I can only reach the new realm if I endure this. Otherwise, I'll be stuck here, unable to advance!'

Zhao Yuan clenched his jaw, enduring the soul-shattering thunder and the hurricane winds that felt like death by a thousand cuts.

'I don't know how long this will last. I just know I have to endure it!'

'The longer I can hold out, the better!'

'Ideally, I'll be able to hold on until this ends on its own!'