Eternal Life Begins with Learning

Chapter 416: Chapter 383: Request

Several anxious voice transmissions reached his ears one after another.

With a wave of his hand, Chu Mu conjured a floating projection, displaying a recorded image from the side hall on the second floor of the True Understanding Pavilion.

In the side hall, Fu Song was seated, his gaze frequently darting toward the main hall’s staircase. The anxiety on his face was plain to see.

Chu Mu frowned in thought, somewhat perplexed.

Fu Song was an Elder of the Yun Xiao Trading House stationed in Chixia. With his Fake Pill Cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Perfection realm, he oversaw all of the trading house’s business in Chixia City.

Although their interests had crossed—he had even taken on a disciple of convenience from Fu Song’s side—their connection was strictly business.

’But for him to come in such a rush now, even going so far as to disturb my seclusion... and looking so anxious, too...’

Chu Mu grew pensive. ’The root of this matter can only be one thing... the Two-Patterned Elixir...’

’In the past, I’ve shown my Alchemy Skill in Chixia, but only to trade for common Cultivation resources. I’ve never been as conspicuous as this...’

"Has anything happened in the city involving the Yun Xiao Business Alliance recently?"

Chu Mu asked.

"This... Forgive me, Senior. I do not know."

Chang Er bowed hastily and replied, his voice trembling.

Chu Mu waved his hand, dismissing Chang Er. With another gesture, the projection screen vanished. He took a single step and entered the True Understanding Pavilion.

"Fellow Daoist."

Seeing Chu Mu come upstairs, Fu Song rose to his feet almost reflexively to greet him.

Chu Mu’s heart sank. ’For a Fake Pill Cultivator to act this way, whatever he wants from me must be no simple matter...’

"I apologize for brazenly disturbing your seclusion, Fellow Daoist. I truly have an urgent matter to discuss."

Fu Song got straight to the point.

"Think nothing of it."

Chu Mu smiled, and as he sat down, he picked up the wine jug and poured a cup for Fu Song.

"I hear you’ve been looking for a Spiritual Object that aids in Core Formation?"

Just when he seemed to be getting to the point, Fu Song began to speak evasively.

Chu Mu was taken aback for a moment, but a sense of understanding dawned on him. He nodded. "One must prepare for a rainy day. You never know when you might need it."

"I have a Golden Core Manual that records the experiences and insights of one of my alliance’s Golden Core True Masters during his Core Formation."

As he spoke, he placed a Jade Scroll on the table and pushed it in front of Chu Mu.

"This True Master from my alliance is much like you, Fellow Daoist. He came from the Great Chu Cultivation Immortal World, is an orthodox Immortal Dao Cultivator, and also has a Fire Attribute."

At these words, Chu Mu slowly set down his wine cup. He glanced at the Jade Scroll on the table, then his gaze returned to Fu Song.

’Insights into Core Formation like these are always the most closely guarded secrets of major powers.’

’Even with Fu Song’s position in the Yun Xiao Trading House, obtaining these insights couldn’t have been easy.’

’If he obtained these insights through some personal opportunity, then his request is likely for his own benefit.’

’But if they came from the Yun Xiao Trading House, then the request...’

’After all, even if the trading house granted Fu Song access to such secrets, there would surely be heavy restrictions to prevent the knowledge from being leaked.’

Chu Mu remained silent, lost in thought as he waited for Fu Song to reveal his true purpose.

Fu Song asked, "Fellow Daoist, are you familiar with... Living Pills?"

Chu Mu asked, "Extracting a pill from a living subject?"

"Yes."

Fu Song nodded and asked again, "I recall that the Ancient Technique you cultivate is one of Supreme Yang and Firmness, correct?"

Chu Mu frowned. He was beginning to understand the reason for Fu Song’s visit.

The so-called "Living Pill" technique involved refining a Pill from a part of a Demon Beast—for instance, its bloodline or Demon Pill—while the beast was still alive.

The greatest advantage of this method was that it maximally preserved the efficacy of the harvested Spiritual Materials.

After all, with the Demon Beast still alive and its body so robust, even after a part was removed, its connection to the beast would linger for a short time. The resulting "freshness" of the Spiritual Material was self-evident.

This method of Alchemy was undoubtedly highly unorthodox.

Unless one was pursuing the absolute peak of a Spiritual Material’s efficacy, or a specific Pill Recipe had special requirements for it, there was generally no need to go to such great trouble.

Capturing a Demon Beast alive was not easy, and extracting a Pill from it under such conditions was even more difficult.

’For my bloodline experiments, even though I only used ordinary Tier One Early Stage Demon Beasts, the cost of containing them was far greater than the value of the beasts themselves.’

’This method of live extraction, combined with... Supreme Yang and Firmness...’

’Fu Song... wants to refine a special Elixir.’

’And there was no doubt he’d sought me out because of the Two-Patterned Elixir I revealed at the exchange gathering.’

’A skill like that is rare in the Vast Sea.’

’It’s no surprise he came to me.’

"My alliance’s True Master Yun Xiao needs to refine a special Elixir. The process requires the live-extraction method, and it also needs the energy of Supreme Yang and Firmness to suppress a malevolent presence."

"Your Alchemy Skill is Extraordinary, and you also practice a Supreme Yang and Firmness Method. For refining this Pill, I honestly can’t think of anyone more suitable than you, Fellow Daoist."

"That is why I have come to impose upon you; I hope you can forgive me."

A flicker of light crossed Chu Mu’s eyes. He neither agreed nor refused, but instead asked, "Where is this Pill to be refined?"

Fu Song pondered for a moment before slowly replying, "The Outer Sea."

Chu Mu frowned.

Seeing the change in Chu Mu’s expression, Fu Song added:

"Consider this Golden Core Manual a gift for your troubles, Fellow Daoist."

"When the Pill is complete, I will have an even more generous gift to offer."

"True Master Yun Xiao will absolutely not treat you poorly, either."

Chu Mu fell silent. Then, with a wave of his hand, he tucked the Jade Scroll away. His voice came out slowly, "When do we depart?"

"Whenever you are ready."

"In three days, I will come to the Yun Xiao Trading House."

"Very well."

Chu Mu stood up, and Fu Song rose as well.

They walked to the door side by side, and Chu Mu watched Fu Song depart...

"The Outer Sea..."

Chu Mu murmured, pondering for a moment before turning and walking back to the rear courtyard.

He sat down in the stone pavilion and contemplated for a long time before his attention finally turned to the Jade Scroll Fu Song had left behind.

He already had some understanding of the Golden Core Realm from his study of the Great Sun Scripture’s Golden Core Chapter.

But as for the actual process of forming a Golden Core, he had never experienced it and was still completely in the dark.

When his Divine Sense entered the Jade Scroll, a vast amount of information instantly flooded his perception.

In that instant, it was as if he were in some unknown Secluded Meditation Chamber, his consciousness inhabiting the body of an unknown Cultivator breaking through to the Golden Core Realm. It was a fully immersive experience. The circulation of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, nearing a state of Mixed Element Unity, and the profound mysteries of Core Formation, were all laid bare before him with incomparable clarity.

The sun rose and set, seasons passed. It was as if years had gone by in a flash. When the immersive sensation dissipated, the Jade Scroll suddenly shattered, and Chu Mu slowly came back to his senses.

"Celestial Trace Crystal Stone..."

Chu Mu let out a long breath, a look of pity in his eyes as he gazed at the shattered Jade Scroll.

’Without a doubt, only a Celestial Trace Crystal Stone could contain such a profound and immersive recording.’

’To manifest such profound mysteries related to Core Formation, each viewing must have taken a massive toll on the Celestial Trace Crystal Stone that held the recording.’

With a wave of his hand, the shattered remnants of the Jade Scroll turned to dust. At its core lay a thumbnail-sized Celestial Trace Crystal Stone, now dim and covered in a web of fine cracks. It was clearly spent.

He shook his head. With a surge of his Magical Power, the Celestial Trace Crystal Stone disintegrated.

Closing his eyes, he replayed the immersive experience in his mind.

The gains from this experience had far exceeded his expectations.

He had assumed the Jade Scroll merely contained written information; he never imagined it would be such an immersive experience.

The mysteries of Core Formation had been laid bare before him...

...

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!