Chapter 321: Ice Flower Hibiscus Jade
In the days that followed, Ye Chen's life returned to its calm and uneventful routine.
Every day, besides cultivating, he would go to the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce's medicine shop to pick up medicinal ingredients for alchemy.
In his spare time, he would also occasionally guide the Crimson Nether Flame Prison Carving to help it with its transformation.
Of course, there was also Hongyu Pill Venerable, who would visit from time to time to ask for advice on the many difficulties she had recently encountered in alchemy.
Sometimes, Ye Chen would even personally demonstrate the alchemy process for her.
She was always astounded, watching with endless praise, and her estimation of Ye Chen would rise significantly each time.
After spending these past few days with him, Hongyu Pill Venerable even began to feel that Ye Chen was far more than just a Sixth Grade Alchemist.
He was only limited by his cultivation level, which was why he could only refine Sixth Grade pills.
Her thoughts were indeed correct, but of course, Ye Chen wouldn't bother explaining much.
This continued until one day, when Hongyu Pill Venerable visited again and personally gave Ye Chen the Jade Pendant she wore.
The Jade Pendant was a stunning turquoise color, carved with a scene of soaring dragons and dancing phoenixes. A single glance was enough to feel one's mind being drawn deep inside, unable to break free.
"This Jade Pendant has many wondrous uses, but for me, I have no need for it at the moment."
"I want you to have it."
Hongyu Pill Venerable said with a gentle smile.
Ye Chen accepted the Jade Pendant. The turquoise pendant still seemed to hold the warmth of Hongyu Pill Venerable's body. It was warm and smooth to the touch, and he could even catch a faint, pleasant scent from it.
"Is this... Ice Flower Hibiscus Jade?"
Ye Chen murmured, rubbing the Jade Pendant in his hand. He raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Young Master Ye has a keen eye. This Ice Flower Hibiscus Jade is rarely seen in the outside world. I never thought you would recognize it with a single glance," Hongyu Pill Venerable said with a laugh.
"Ice Flower Hibiscus Jade has the effect of calming the mind and refreshing the spirit. When cultivating, it can also enhance a Cultivator's comprehension abilities."
"Furthermore, the draconic and phoenix dao patterns carved on this Jade Pendant are also quite extraordinary. It seems they can subtly connect to the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi..."
A look of astonishment appeared on Ye Chen's face. This Jade Pendant was an incredibly valuable object, yet Hongyu Pill Venerable had given it to him so casually.
The reason he was so knowledgeable about Ice Flower Hibiscus Jade was, of course, because he had used a great deal of this material while repairing the Profound Armor Combat Puppet.
Ice Flower Hibiscus Jade possesses an extremely powerful capacity to both contain and attract Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
Whether used for cultivation or to maintain things like Arrays and spiritual puppets, it has unique and astonishing applications.
As for the piece of Ice Flower Hibiscus Jade in Ye Chen's hand, the draconic and phoenix dao patterns carved on it were clearly the work of a master.
If not for Ye Chen's own profound skill in the dao of Arrays, he likely wouldn't have even noticed this subtle detail.
"Young Master Ye has helped me so much with my alchemy. I have no way to repay you, so I can only offer this Jade Pendant."
Hongyu Pill Venerable said softly, "Of course, if there is anything else Young Master Ye needs help with, as long as it is within my power, I will surely do everything I can to assist you!"
Ye Chen smiled faintly and said casually, "I accept the sentiment."
In truth, while he had been guiding Hongyu Pill Venerable these past few days, she had occasionally used the authority at her disposal to take out quite a few Spirit Medicines from the medicinal repository for Ye Chen to use in his alchemy.
It could be said that Hongyu Pill Venerable had also helped him a great deal.
He hadn't guided Hongyu Pill Venerable in expectation of any repayment. They had simply met by chance, gotten along well, and were learning from each other to improve together. That was all.
"Young Master Ye, for the next little while, I may need to enter seclusion to cultivate and consolidate what I've learned these past few days."
"If you need me for anything, just go outside my room and use this Jade Pendant to call for me. I will naturally be able to sense it."
After a little more small talk, Hongyu Pill Venerable soon took her leave.
However, just before she left, the way she looked at Ye Chen seemed to contain a different sort of meaning.
If Ye Chen knew what this Jade Pendant truly meant to her, one has to wonder if he would have accepted it so readily.
...
'Seclusion, huh?'
'I've been idle these past few days. It's about time I also went into seclusion to push for the Peak of the Primordial Mansion Realm.'
'Then, at the Peach Blossom Banquet, I can get my hands on an Immortal Peach and use its Spiritual Power to break through to the Divinity Transformation Realm!'
Ye Chen let out a long breath, suddenly feeling a great sense of loneliness.
Just two nights ago, after informing Ye Chen, the Crimson Nether Flame Prison Carving had also begun its seclusion.
It was said that it had successfully comprehended the method of transformation and had now reached the critical period.
As long as its transformation was successful, it would be able to break through to the Divine Might Realm.
This speed undoubtedly shocked Ye Chen.
The transformation method he had taught it was incredibly profound and extremely difficult; it was by no means a technique that could be comprehended easily.
'But how much time has passed?'
'The Crimson Nether Flame Prison Carving has actually managed to comprehend it?'
'It seems the Crimson Nether Flame Prison Carving not only has a powerful bloodline, but this fellow I've tamed is also an exceptionally gifted prodigy.'
'Once I step into the Divinity Transformation Realm, I'll take a trip to the Black Triangle Zone.'
'First, I'll find those factions that offended me and settle the score, and then I'll pay a visit to the Xuanwu Tribe.'
Ye Chen's eyes flickered as he finalized his upcoming plans in his mind.
The Xuanwu Tribe was mysterious and unfathomable, as elusive as a divine dragon that shows its head but never its tail.
While he was cultivating on Kunlun Mountain, no one from the Xuanwu Tribe appeared at all.
Yet at the very end, a certain Mr. Yun had suddenly appeared, claiming to be from the Xuanwu Tribe and insisting on taking Ye Chen away no matter what.
This left Ye Chen completely baffled. He had never had any dealings with the Xuanwu Tribe, so what was it about him that had attracted their attention?
'No matter what, as long as I am strong enough, I can fear nothing!'
Soon, Ye Chen also began his secluded cultivation.
And during his cultivation, he finally discovered the miraculous nature of the Jade Pendant from Hongyu Pill Venerable.
With just a thought, an unusually vast amount of Spiritual Power from the surrounding heaven and earth gathered toward him, working even better than a Spirit-Gathering Array.
After one hour, a vortex of Spiritual Power had formed in a five-meter radius around Ye Chen!
This astonished Ye Chen, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude toward Hongyu Pill Venerable.
'The origin of this Jade Pendant is definitely not simple.'
'Yet Hongyu Pill Venerable gave such a precious Spiritual Object to me!'
'Come to think of it, I don't think I even know Hongyu Pill Venerable's real name.'
...
"This Cloud Mist Tower Ship will stop at about seven or eight locations during its voyage."
"Yan Province is where the Cloud Mist Tower Ship will make its longest stop."
"According to the ship's announcement, it'll be for about three days."
"And we are about to arrive in Yan Province now."
On the observation deck at the top of the ship, the figures of Xu Ao and Mu Liuji could be seen!