Chapter 278
Youth-Preserving Pill
Chapter 278 Youth-Preserving Pill
tide Yue lowered her head.
Tears rolled down again, condensing into pearls, and fell to the ground with a tinkling sound.
This time, the moonlight power within the teardrop seemed even purer and more concentrated.
Qingheng whispered in Chen Jinshu's mind, "Jinshu, these tears... seem even better than the ones before!"
Chen Jinshu looked at the girl, his brows furrowing slightly: "You don't want to?"
"I... agree."
She lowered her head, her voice tinged with surprise.
"As long as my master doesn't abandon me."
As Xiyue spoke, she then channeled a drop of blood from her wound into the contract.
Her body trembled, a trace of pain flashed in her glassy golden eyes, and then a tiny blue lotus mark appeared.
Chen Jinshu could clearly feel that a faint but pure soul connection had appeared in his sea of consciousness.
Chen Jinshu took out one of his spare blue robes from his storage bag and handed it over: "Put this on first."
The girl took it and awkwardly put it on.
The robes were too big for her, but at least they covered up her disheveled state.
"What's your name?" Chen Jinshu asked.
“tide Yue,” the girl answered softly, “Xi as in tide, Yue as in moon.”
"tide Yue".
Chen Jinshu repeated it and nodded: "From now on, I will call you that. My name is Chen Jinshu."
On her shoulder,
The shady tit curiously poked its head out, sizing up its new companion.
Qingheng also materialized and landed on the table, her blue eyes looking at Xiyue with curiosity and friendliness: "Don't be afraid, Jinshu is a good person. From now on, we'll be companions!"
With a wave of her small hand, Qingheng sent the teardrops flying to her.
She closed her eyes, sensing intently, and then her emerald eyes shone brightly:
"Jinshu! It really works! I can absorb this lunar power! At most three months... no, two months! I will definitely be able to temporarily replenish my source and unleash the 'Green Vine Domain'!"
The next moment, Chen Jinshu channeled a stream of pure and gentle green wood spiritual energy into Xiyue's battered body through the threads of the contract.
The whip marks and strangulation marks sent a cool, tingling sensation through them, and they began to heal and scab over at a speed visible to the naked eye.
tide Yue was stunned, and subconsciously raised her hand to touch the wound on her shoulder that no longer stung.
"This is……"
"The contract is complete."
Chen Jinshu withdrew his hand, his gaze falling on her: "Since you are my spirit master, I will not let you drag your injured body along. Work diligently in the future, and you will have your own opportunities. If you harbor any disloyal thoughts..."
She didn't finish speaking, but tide Yue's soul trembled slightly as she clearly sensed the chilling will hidden within that connection, a will powerful enough to instantly erase her sanity.
“tide Yue understands.”
She quickly bowed down, her forehead touching the ground again, this time the movement was no longer stiff, but rather filled with genuine reverence:
"Thank you for bestowing this name upon me, Master... Xiyue will certainly do her utmost and have no other intentions!"
"Get up."
Chen Jinshu walked to the table and sat down, suddenly becoming more interested: "Since you say you are good at weaving silk, let me weave something for you to see."
"Yes!"
tide Yue quickly propped herself up, her fishtail shifting uncomfortably on the wooden floor, and found a spot against the wall to sit down.
She took a deep breath, clasped her hands together in front of her chest, and her fingertips emitted a faint moon-white glow.
tide Yue closed her eyes, her thick, dark blue eyelashes trembling slightly, and began to chant a song with strange syllables.
The song was not in a human language; it was ethereal, melodious, and carried a rhythm like the ebb and flow of the sea.
As she chanted, a hazy, moon-white light began to emanate from her body.
The points of light converged and gradually condensed into extremely fine, shimmering threads in her clasped palms.
The silk threads moved automatically without wind, beginning to intertwine, weave, and tuck.
Qingheng leaned closer curiously, her emerald eyes fixed on it: "Is this the mermaid silk?"
"It is... Soft silk."
tide Yue opened her eyes, her forehead already covered in fine beads of sweat, clearly indicating that this action had taken a toll on her: "I collected the essence of the moonlight, mixed it with my own water spirit energy, and woven it into silk."
It is impervious to water and fire, exceptionally flexible, can ward off dust and filth, and also has a slight calming and soothing effect.
The silk threads in her hands wove faster and faster, gradually forming a palm-sized, thin, moon-white square handkerchief.
The handkerchief has a watery sheen on its surface, is cool to the touch, extremely soft, yet has a subtle resilience that makes it difficult to tear.
Chen Jinshu took the handkerchief, and a wisp of bluish-white flame rose from her fingertips, gently scorching the corner of the handkerchief.
laugh! !
Where the flames licked, the handkerchief remained completely still, without even a trace of scorch.
She then took out a small bottle of cold pool water from her storage bag and dripped a drop onto her handkerchief.
Water droplets rolled off, but the cloth remained dry and untouched.
"good."
Chen Jinshu nodded, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "What is the value of this item?"
After catching her breath, tide Yue whispered, "If we were to use the market price for human cultivators... this size would be worth several hundred mid-grade spirit stones."
If a complete robe were to be woven, it would require at least... several thousand.
She added, "However, weaving silk consumes a great deal of my primordial moonlight and mental energy, and I can only weave two pieces of this size each day at most."
To weave a ritual robe, the owner needs to provide treasures imbued with the power of moonlight or pure water essence to accelerate the process and improve its quality.
Chen Jinshu pondered for a moment and handed the handkerchief back to Xiyue: "Keep this handkerchief for your own use."
"You should rest and recover tonight. Starting tomorrow, weave one square of silk each day; I will prepare the materials for you."
With a flick of her wrist, a jade bottle appeared in her palm, containing three Grade 2 Nourishing Essence Pills: "These pills can help you restore your vitality. Take good rest."
tide Yue accepted the jade bottle with both hands, her azure eyes welling up with genuine tears: "Thank you, Master!"
Chen Jinshu said no more and turned to walk into the quiet inner room.
Qingheng winked at Xiyue and whispered, "Jinshu is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. If you follow her, as long as you behave, you won't suffer any losses!" After saying that, she turned into a green light and disappeared into Chen Jinshu's hair.
……
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
In the past few days, Chen Jinshu spent his days visiting various shops and material stores in the city, purchasing seeds of spiritual plants and minerals unique to southern Xinjiang, and inquiring about more detailed information about the Blackwater Marsh.
Or he might refine elixirs in the quiet room of the inn, mainly to refine the Moon Essence Youth-Preserving Pill, as well as the Moon Essence Stone and Water Spirit Jade Essence to prepare for Xiyue's silk weaving.
tide Yue stayed obediently in her room, weaving a piece of "soft silk" every day as instructed.
Chen Jinshu carefully collected each piece of those silk threads, as thin as cicada wings and shimmering with moonlight.
On the evening of the fourth day, Chen Jinshu summoned Xiyue to his side. "Today I need ten drops of your 'Moonlight Tears'."
She took out a small, clear crystal cup: "Don't force yourself. Stop if you feel uncomfortable."
"Yes."
tide Yue took the small cup and walked to the window.
Tonight is a full moon, its clear light shining like silk through the windowpane onto her.
She looked up at the moon, her azure eyes reflecting a hazy, moonlit glow, and once again sang that ethereal ballad.
This time, the singing was more mournful and desolate than when she was weaving silk.
Gradually, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.
The teardrops were not transparent, but rather, like concentrated moonlight, they shimmered with a crystalline, warm, milky-white halo.
Tears rolled down, transforming into round, translucent pearl-like solids the size of a little finger, which fell one by one into the crystal cup.
Ten teardrops of moonlight, together amounting to no more than half a cup.
tide Yue's face was noticeably paler, her breathing was slightly labored, and the luster of her azure fishtail had dimmed somewhat.
Chen Jinshu handed her a bottle of Grade 3 Jade Marrow Rejuvenation Pill that he had prepared beforehand: "Take this and regulate your breathing. You don't need to weave silk tomorrow. Take good care of yourself."
"Thank you, Master."
tide Yue took the pill and retreated to the side to sit cross-legged and regulate her breathing.
Chen Jinshu then took the ten Moonlight Teardrops into the inner quiet room.
In the center of the quiet room, the Mysterious Female Incense Burner was already placed in front of him.
On the table beside the stove, dozens of medicinal herbs that had already been prepared were neatly arranged: a hundred-year-old "Snow Jade Lotus Stamen", "Condensed Fat Grass", "Jade Rose Flower", and several auxiliary herbs to harmonize the medicinal properties and strengthen the body's foundation.
The main ingredient for refining the Moon Essence Youth-Preserving Pill is the mermaid's tear, which contains the power of the primordial essence of the moon.
This elixir is ranked at the top of the third grade. Although it does not directly improve cultivation, it has the miraculous effects of preserving youth, delaying aging, and nourishing the skin and soul. It is a priceless treasure for female cultivators who need to preserve their youth or whose foundation has been damaged, causing premature aging.
Chen Jinshu sat cross-legged in front of the furnace, a bluish-white flame igniting at his fingertips. With a flick of his finger, several auxiliary medicines were thrown into the furnace one after another.
The fire in the elixir surged, and the fragrance of medicine gradually rose.
Two hours later, the medicinal liquid in the furnace had been refined to a crystal clear, fragrant, and refreshing bluish-green color.
With a solemn expression, Chen Jinshu opened the crystal cup, wrapped the ten Moonlight Teardrops in spiritual power, and carefully placed them into the furnace.
The moment the teardrop entered the furnace, the azure medicinal liquid inside suddenly boiled, bursting forth with a soft, moon-white radiance that mingled and flowed with the azure and white color of the elixir fire.
Before long, a cool and calming fragrance of medicine spread out, and under Chen Jinshu's deliberate control, it drifted out through the restrictions of the meditation room.
In the inn's corridor, several female cultivators passing by stopped in unison and sniffed the air.
"This fragrance... is so unique! It refreshes the mind and body, and even the skin seems to feel a sensation!"
"It smells like medicinal pills... Could it be that an alchemist is refining pills?"
"This fragrance is definitely not from an ordinary elixir! Go and find out more!"
……
The next morning.
Chen Jinshu went straight to Baicaoge, the largest alchemy shop in the inner city.
The shopkeeper was a middle-aged female cultivator in the early stage of the Golden Core realm. Her surname was Su, and she was beautiful and capable.
She had already heard about the strange fragrance from the shop assistant last night, and when she saw Chen Jinshu enter, she immediately greeted him with a big smile: "Fellow Daoist, your presence is an honor! Are you here to sell pills?"
Chen Jinshu said nothing, but took out a jade bottle and handed it over.
Manager Su took the bottle, uncorked it, and took a light sniff. His face instantly changed color.
The fragrance of the elixir was clear and refreshing, yet also carried a warm and vibrant energy. Just one whiff was enough to make one feel a slight tremor in their soul and a subtle sense of rejuvenation in their skin.
"This is……"
She poured a pill into her palm.
The pill was about the size of a longan, with a warm, moon-white color throughout. Three layers of pale golden halos flowed across its surface, and several fine silver lines naturally formed on its body.
"Moonlight Youth-Preserving Pill!"
Shopkeeper Su gasped, his eyes blazing with unbelievable fervor: "Top-grade third rank! Three layers of pill aura! And natural pill patterns! This..."
Could this have been crafted using authentic ancient methods and refined with the pure essence of moonlight?
Her fingers trembled with excitement as she stared intently at Chen Jinshu: "Fellow Daoist! How many of these pills are there? My Hundred Herbs Pavilion is willing to buy them all at the highest price!"
No! If you wish to sell this pill exclusively to our establishment, the price and commission are all negotiable!
Chen Jinshu said calmly, "Only one bottle, three pieces. Name your price."
"Three..."
Shopkeeper Su was slightly disappointed, but immediately said, "A Moon Essence Youth-Preserving Pill of this quality is a rare find even in the entire Southern Frontier!"
Our pavilion is willing to offer 20,000 mid-grade spirit stones for each item!
This price is several times that of a regular top-grade third-rank pill.
Before Chen Jinshu could answer, a hurried female voice came from the doorway: "Wait! I'll offer 22,000!"
A female cultivator dressed in a magnificent purple robe and with her face covered by a light veil walked in quickly, followed by two maids who were in the late Foundation Establishment stage.
Her gaze was fixed intently on the jade bottle in Manager Su's hand, her aura clearly that of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator.
"Madam Liu?" Manager Su frowned slightly.
"Manager Su, I am determined to obtain this pill."
Madam Liu spoke with an undeniable air of authority, turning to Chen Jinshu and nodding slightly: "Fellow Daoist, my husband is the deputy city lord of Nutao City, and he is currently preparing gifts for my mother's birthday."
This elixir suits my needs perfectly. I humbly request that you part with it, fellow Daoist; the price is negotiable.
As soon as she finished speaking, several more people walked in through the door. They were all female cultivators, with cultivation levels ranging from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, and each of them had eager eyes.
"I am willing to pay 23,000!"
"Twenty-five thousand!"
"Thirty thousand! Fellow Daoist, I am the daughter of the elder in charge of the Listening Waves Pavilion, and this pill is of utmost importance to me!"
In just a quarter of an hour, this small bottle of pills attracted seven or eight female cultivators to bid against it, and the price soared, creating an almost frenzied atmosphere.
Manager Su's expression changed several times before he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Thirty-five thousand! This establishment will offer thirty-five thousand per piece!"
Upon hearing this price, the other female cultivators looked unwilling but had no choice but to back down.
Madam Liu stared intently at the jade bottle, snorted coldly, and turned to leave.
Although Chen Jinshu appeared calm on the surface, his heart was already churning with turbulent emotions.
She accepted the three pills for a total of 100,500 mid-grade spirit stones, and also received a "Heaven" VIP jade token, the highest grade from the Hundred Herbs Pavilion.
As they left the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, Qingheng's mind leaped with joy: "Jinshu, Jinshu! We're rich! All thanks to Xiyue!"
Chen Jinshu's lips unconsciously curved into a smile: "As expected. In places where elixirs are scarce, such special elixirs are naturally highly sought after."