Chapter 31
: The Path of Alchemy Ruins a Life
Anyone who follows the path of body refinement, no matter how high their cultivation level, is guaranteed to be a poor wretch, without exception.
Anyone who enters the path of alchemy is doomed to a dead end, needing to pile up a huge amount of spirit stones to have even the slightest chance of climbing out.
If you encounter either of these two types of people.
Don't even think about it. You absolutely have to stay far away, otherwise, it won't be long before they start eyeing those two spirit stones in your pocket.
"However, this fellow Daoist Ma doesn't seem like that kind of person..."
Just as Li Changsheng was thinking.
The horseman leading the way suddenly turned his head, glanced at Li Changsheng, and then his gaze fell on Liu Quan, whose face was cold. A look of struggle and embarrassment appeared on his face. After hesitating for a moment, he opened his mouth and said:
"Brother-in-law..."
Liu Quan's expression immediately changed, and he hurriedly raised his hand, "Stop! I don't have any spirit stones, and your sister doesn't have any either."
Ma Dao blushed and said awkwardly, "No, brother-in-law, I don't want to borrow spirit stones, I just want to..." He glanced at Li Changsheng, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I want to sell the 'Spirit Gathering Array' at the 'Fish Pond'."
No spirit stones will be borrowed.
Selling "Spirit Gathering Arrays"? ...
Liu Quan was taken aback, but then he realized that his brother-in-law had his eye on Li Changsheng. He frowned and shouted:
"What about the 'fish pond'? Without a 'spirit-gathering array,' once the spiritual energy in the 'fish pond' dissipates, won't your Ma family's 'fish pond,' which has been nurtured for over a hundred years, be wasted?..."
At this point, he scoffed:
"How could you even think of that? You might as well sell the 'fish pond' too..."
The words had just left his mouth.
Liu Quan's expression immediately changed. Looking at the ashamed Ma Dao, he said incredulously:
"Don't tell me you really have that idea?... "
Ma Dao hesitated for a moment, then nodded, his expression resolute, and said, "Brother-in-law, I'm about to succeed!..."
[Remember 101 Reading Network, the fastest novel website on the entire internet, with a wide book library. Choose from 111.com]
As he spoke, his face filled with longing:
"After frying the elixir a hundred times, its essence will naturally reveal itself!"
"Once I absorb the essence of the pill, I'm sure I'll become a rank-one 'Alchemist'."
As if imagining himself becoming an "alchemist" in the future, Ma Dao raised his head high and said proudly:
"Once I become an 'alchemist,' this mere 'fishpond' will be within my grasp..."
Liu Quan's face was ashen, his fists clenched and unclenched, but he finally suppressed the urge to wake up his clueless brother-in-law, and said in a cold tone:
"My surname isn't Ma. Go tell your sister."
Having said that, he ignored Ma Dao's suddenly changed expression and strode forward.
"No, brother-in-law, my sister is just a woman, what would she know..." Ma Dao quickly caught up and hurriedly explained.
But no matter what he says.
Liu Quan kept a cold face throughout, and only uttered four words.
Go find your sister.
Li Changsheng, who was following behind the two, had a strange look on his face.
He retracted his previous mistaken idea.
This fellow Daoist Ma must have gone mad from alchemy.
In order to enter the path of alchemy, they even wanted to sell their ancestral property.
This is insane!
However, Ma Dao's offer to sell the "Spirit Gathering Array" piqued his interest, but he remained silent.
After all, a business that's rushed isn't a business.
Judging from Liu Quan's expression, he clearly disagreed. He didn't want the deal to fall through because of this, and he didn't want to offend the other family.
The fishpond isn't far away.
It is less than a kilometer away from the hill.
The three of them walked for a short while before arriving at the "fish pond" passed down by the Ma Dao family.
From a distance.
On the surface, a "fish pond" is just an ordinary fishpond.
But as it drew near.
You can then see the difference between it and an ordinary fishpond.
The pond water shimmered, radiating a jade-like ethereal quality, and one could vaguely see colorful fish fry, no bigger than the palm of one's hand, rising and falling within it.
After persuading Liu Quan along the horse path, he walked to the "fish pond" with a stern face, made a hand seal with his fingers, and pressed it down in front of him.
The air rippled slightly.
In the blink of an eye.
A pale white door, about the height of a person, appeared.
"Is this the 'Spirit Gathering Array'...?"
Upon seeing this strange scene, Li Changsheng's eyes lit up.
Turning around, Ma Dao noticed his interested expression, his eyes brightened for a moment, he smiled at him, and beckoned:
"Fellow Daoist Li, hurry and enter the formation. The spiritual energy outside is scarce, and the spiritual energy inside the formation dissipates too quickly..."
Having said that, he went through the doorway first.
Liu Quan nodded to him and followed him inside.
Upon entering the "Spirit Gathering Array".
Li Changsheng keenly sensed that the spiritual energy in the air was several times more concentrated than that in the outside world, and it was also quieter and more refreshing.
It is quite similar to several of the halls of the "Lingtian Temple".
However, its effectiveness is significantly weaker.
"So the 'Spirit Seed Hall' is also set up with a 'Spirit Gathering Array'..."
Li Changsheng seemed to realize something and followed the two to the fishpond.
"Fellow Daoist Li, please wait a moment. I'll go and catch a few 'rice paddy fish' fry for you to see."
Upon entering the "fish pond," Ma Dao became much more serious. After saying a few words, he went into a nearby wooden hut, took out a landing net, and headed towards the "pond" fish pit.
At this time.
Liu Quan walked to Li Changsheng's side, looked at the fishing path, shook his head and sighed, and said:
"Young Li, you mustn't follow his example in the future. The art of 'spiritual plants' is one of the myriad arts of cultivation, profound and extensive."
"Mastering this skill is enough to benefit you immensely. Don't even think about cultivating 'alchemy' or 'weapon forging,' those things are not something that small-time practitioners can master..."
Li Changsheng wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "Uncle Liu, don't worry. I'm just a beginner. I haven't even figured out how to cultivate 'paddy fields' yet, let alone 'alchemy' or 'weapon forging'."
He paused, then joked:
"Even if I wanted to cultivate, I have no spirit stones and no connections..."
"It's best for a person to have self-awareness..."
Liu Quan smiled and nodded, then hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice, "Young Li, tell me the truth, do you want to buy a 'Spirit Gathering Array'?"
Li Changsheng gave him a strange look. Didn't he not want to sell the "Spirit Gathering Array" on the horse road? Why did he suddenly bring this up again?
He nodded without hesitation:
"Of course I want to."
He paused, then shook his head and said:
"Unfortunately, I lack spirit stones for now. I can only acquire the Spirit Gathering Array once my 'Destiny Seed' matures."
Liu Quan smiled and said, "I bet when we get back, Ma Dao will definitely ask you to sell him the 'Spirit Gathering Array.' If you really want to buy it, just agree. As for the 'spirit stones'..."
"Don't you have 'spiritual spring water'?"
"Ma Dao needs this for alchemy. Just trade him 'spiritual spring water,' and he'll definitely agree."
Li Changsheng was secretly delighted, but feigned hesitation and said, "But what will happen to his 'fishpond' if the 'Spirit Gathering Array' is gone...?"
"It's alright."
Liu Quan waved his hand and said, "Without his sister's approval, he wouldn't dare sell the 'Fish Pond,' a first-tier 'Spirit Gathering Array.' What he's selling you is probably a low-grade 'Spirit Gathering Array' that was phased out a few years ago."
Fearing that Li Changsheng might misunderstand, he quickly explained:
"I've seen that low-grade 'Spirit Gathering Array.' Although it's been used for over ten years, the array plate and array flags are very well maintained, almost like new. It should last another ten or twenty years without any problem."
At this point, Liu Quan shook his head and sighed:
"That 'Spirit Gathering Array' was specially commissioned by Ma Dao's father to be crafted by a certain weapon refiner in order to expand his 'Fish Pond'. It can cover an area of up to thirty acres, and the cost of it is no less than that of a first-tier 'Spirit Gathering Array'..."
"pity…"
Anyone who enters the path of alchemy is doomed to a dead end, needing to pile up a huge amount of spirit stones to have even the slightest chance of climbing out.
If you encounter either of these two types of people.
Don't even think about it. You absolutely have to stay far away, otherwise, it won't be long before they start eyeing those two spirit stones in your pocket.
"However, this fellow Daoist Ma doesn't seem like that kind of person..."
Just as Li Changsheng was thinking.
The horseman leading the way suddenly turned his head, glanced at Li Changsheng, and then his gaze fell on Liu Quan, whose face was cold. A look of struggle and embarrassment appeared on his face. After hesitating for a moment, he opened his mouth and said:
"Brother-in-law..."
Liu Quan's expression immediately changed, and he hurriedly raised his hand, "Stop! I don't have any spirit stones, and your sister doesn't have any either."
Ma Dao blushed and said awkwardly, "No, brother-in-law, I don't want to borrow spirit stones, I just want to..." He glanced at Li Changsheng, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I want to sell the 'Spirit Gathering Array' at the 'Fish Pond'."
No spirit stones will be borrowed.
Selling "Spirit Gathering Arrays"? ...
Liu Quan was taken aback, but then he realized that his brother-in-law had his eye on Li Changsheng. He frowned and shouted:
"What about the 'fish pond'? Without a 'spirit-gathering array,' once the spiritual energy in the 'fish pond' dissipates, won't your Ma family's 'fish pond,' which has been nurtured for over a hundred years, be wasted?..."
At this point, he scoffed:
"How could you even think of that? You might as well sell the 'fish pond' too..."
The words had just left his mouth.
Liu Quan's expression immediately changed. Looking at the ashamed Ma Dao, he said incredulously:
"Don't tell me you really have that idea?... "
Ma Dao hesitated for a moment, then nodded, his expression resolute, and said, "Brother-in-law, I'm about to succeed!..."
[Remember 101 Reading Network, the fastest novel website on the entire internet, with a wide book library. Choose from 111.com]
As he spoke, his face filled with longing:
"After frying the elixir a hundred times, its essence will naturally reveal itself!"
"Once I absorb the essence of the pill, I'm sure I'll become a rank-one 'Alchemist'."
As if imagining himself becoming an "alchemist" in the future, Ma Dao raised his head high and said proudly:
"Once I become an 'alchemist,' this mere 'fishpond' will be within my grasp..."
Liu Quan's face was ashen, his fists clenched and unclenched, but he finally suppressed the urge to wake up his clueless brother-in-law, and said in a cold tone:
"My surname isn't Ma. Go tell your sister."
Having said that, he ignored Ma Dao's suddenly changed expression and strode forward.
"No, brother-in-law, my sister is just a woman, what would she know..." Ma Dao quickly caught up and hurriedly explained.
But no matter what he says.
Liu Quan kept a cold face throughout, and only uttered four words.
Go find your sister.
Li Changsheng, who was following behind the two, had a strange look on his face.
He retracted his previous mistaken idea.
This fellow Daoist Ma must have gone mad from alchemy.
In order to enter the path of alchemy, they even wanted to sell their ancestral property.
This is insane!
However, Ma Dao's offer to sell the "Spirit Gathering Array" piqued his interest, but he remained silent.
After all, a business that's rushed isn't a business.
Judging from Liu Quan's expression, he clearly disagreed. He didn't want the deal to fall through because of this, and he didn't want to offend the other family.
The fishpond isn't far away.
It is less than a kilometer away from the hill.
The three of them walked for a short while before arriving at the "fish pond" passed down by the Ma Dao family.
From a distance.
On the surface, a "fish pond" is just an ordinary fishpond.
But as it drew near.
You can then see the difference between it and an ordinary fishpond.
The pond water shimmered, radiating a jade-like ethereal quality, and one could vaguely see colorful fish fry, no bigger than the palm of one's hand, rising and falling within it.
After persuading Liu Quan along the horse path, he walked to the "fish pond" with a stern face, made a hand seal with his fingers, and pressed it down in front of him.
The air rippled slightly.
In the blink of an eye.
A pale white door, about the height of a person, appeared.
"Is this the 'Spirit Gathering Array'...?"
Upon seeing this strange scene, Li Changsheng's eyes lit up.
Turning around, Ma Dao noticed his interested expression, his eyes brightened for a moment, he smiled at him, and beckoned:
"Fellow Daoist Li, hurry and enter the formation. The spiritual energy outside is scarce, and the spiritual energy inside the formation dissipates too quickly..."
Having said that, he went through the doorway first.
Liu Quan nodded to him and followed him inside.
Upon entering the "Spirit Gathering Array".
Li Changsheng keenly sensed that the spiritual energy in the air was several times more concentrated than that in the outside world, and it was also quieter and more refreshing.
It is quite similar to several of the halls of the "Lingtian Temple".
However, its effectiveness is significantly weaker.
"So the 'Spirit Seed Hall' is also set up with a 'Spirit Gathering Array'..."
Li Changsheng seemed to realize something and followed the two to the fishpond.
"Fellow Daoist Li, please wait a moment. I'll go and catch a few 'rice paddy fish' fry for you to see."
Upon entering the "fish pond," Ma Dao became much more serious. After saying a few words, he went into a nearby wooden hut, took out a landing net, and headed towards the "pond" fish pit.
At this time.
Liu Quan walked to Li Changsheng's side, looked at the fishing path, shook his head and sighed, and said:
"Young Li, you mustn't follow his example in the future. The art of 'spiritual plants' is one of the myriad arts of cultivation, profound and extensive."
"Mastering this skill is enough to benefit you immensely. Don't even think about cultivating 'alchemy' or 'weapon forging,' those things are not something that small-time practitioners can master..."
Li Changsheng wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "Uncle Liu, don't worry. I'm just a beginner. I haven't even figured out how to cultivate 'paddy fields' yet, let alone 'alchemy' or 'weapon forging'."
He paused, then joked:
"Even if I wanted to cultivate, I have no spirit stones and no connections..."
"It's best for a person to have self-awareness..."
Liu Quan smiled and nodded, then hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice, "Young Li, tell me the truth, do you want to buy a 'Spirit Gathering Array'?"
Li Changsheng gave him a strange look. Didn't he not want to sell the "Spirit Gathering Array" on the horse road? Why did he suddenly bring this up again?
He nodded without hesitation:
"Of course I want to."
He paused, then shook his head and said:
"Unfortunately, I lack spirit stones for now. I can only acquire the Spirit Gathering Array once my 'Destiny Seed' matures."
Liu Quan smiled and said, "I bet when we get back, Ma Dao will definitely ask you to sell him the 'Spirit Gathering Array.' If you really want to buy it, just agree. As for the 'spirit stones'..."
"Don't you have 'spiritual spring water'?"
"Ma Dao needs this for alchemy. Just trade him 'spiritual spring water,' and he'll definitely agree."
Li Changsheng was secretly delighted, but feigned hesitation and said, "But what will happen to his 'fishpond' if the 'Spirit Gathering Array' is gone...?"
"It's alright."
Liu Quan waved his hand and said, "Without his sister's approval, he wouldn't dare sell the 'Fish Pond,' a first-tier 'Spirit Gathering Array.' What he's selling you is probably a low-grade 'Spirit Gathering Array' that was phased out a few years ago."
Fearing that Li Changsheng might misunderstand, he quickly explained:
"I've seen that low-grade 'Spirit Gathering Array.' Although it's been used for over ten years, the array plate and array flags are very well maintained, almost like new. It should last another ten or twenty years without any problem."
At this point, Liu Quan shook his head and sighed:
"That 'Spirit Gathering Array' was specially commissioned by Ma Dao's father to be crafted by a certain weapon refiner in order to expand his 'Fish Pond'. It can cover an area of up to thirty acres, and the cost of it is no less than that of a first-tier 'Spirit Gathering Array'..."
"pity…"