Chapter 70: Chapter 70: The Master Behind the Scenes
Nangong Ao nodded, then flipped his palm, handing a rather old-looking pill formula to Ji Chen.
"Spirit Storage Pill..."
Ji Chen began to peruse it without hesitation.
He understood that this was a Seventh Grade Elixir, and the ingredients needed for its refinement were extremely rare.
Putting the ingredients aside, a Seventh Grade Elixir, such a rank, was not something that could be refined by ordinary people.
An Alchemist was already a rare profession, it had always been so since ancient times, and even thousands of years ago in the Profound Domain, there were likely only a few who could refine Seventh Grade Elixirs.
"I have collected some of the ingredients for this Spirit Storage Pill, but there are still two of the most important ones missing."
Nangong Ao continued, "But from the looks of it now, even if all the ingredients were gathered, finding an Alchemist capable of refining the Spirit Storage Pill might not be an easy task either."
Because of the rarity of the ingredients, to ensure success, the Spirit Storage Pill needed to be refined by at least a Seventh Grade Alchemist.
Only in this way could there be a greater assurance of successful refinement, without ruining the hard-earned ingredients.
Ji Chen did not speak. After a moment of silence, he suddenly smiled, "Actually, if the elder trusts me, I might be able to help with this pill."
"Could it be you know a Seventh Grade Alchemist?" Nangong Ao couldn’t help but feel a surge of delight upon hearing this.
Ji Chen shook his head, "Not exactly, but what I mean is that I might be able to help you refine the Spirit Storage Pill."
"You?"
Hearing this, Nangong Ao was momentarily stunned, scrutinizing Ji Chen, "Aren’t you a Second Grade Alchemist? How could you possibly refine a Seventh Grade Elixir? Has the world changed so much during the years I was trapped in the Saint’s Dojo that even a Second Grade Alchemist can make Seventh Grade Elixirs now?"
"I am indeed just a Second Grade Alchemist, but that’s merely the alliance’s certification. In truth, I could refine Fourth Grade Elixirs long ago, and my spiritual power has improved somewhat during the fifteen years trapped in the dojo, so now I should be capable of refining Fifth Grade Elixirs, which technically makes me a Fifth Grade Alchemist."
"A Fifth Grade Alchemist!"
Nangong Ao’s face showed even more surprise, "At your age... if you don’t count the fifteen years in the Saint’s Dojo, you seem to be under twenty, yet you already have such attainments as a Fifth Grade Alchemist?"
Even with Nangong Ao’s composure, after learning this news, he was incredibly surprised.
A Fifth Grade Alchemist under twenty.
Such a figure, not to mention in today’s era, even looking across the entire Profound Domain, or even the whole Beiyou, there might not be a second person throughout history.
But after the surprise, he couldn’t help but frown, "Even if you truly have the attainments of a Fifth Grade Alchemist, this Spirit Storage Pill is a Seventh Grade Elixir..."
"So I ask the elder to give me some time."
Ji Chen spoke, "If all goes well, I can guarantee I’ll advance to a Seventh Grade Alchemist within three years."
It was not out of arrogance.
Having cultivated the Supreme Scripture, he indeed had this confidence.
After all, in his previous life, he became a Ninth Grade Alchemist at the age of twenty, which was all because of the Supreme Scripture.
"Three years..."
"I’ve endured for so many years, what’s another three years."
Nangong Ao said, "Since there’s nowhere else to go, I’ll stay here in your Lingyun Sect for this time. Since I’ve benefited from you, I can still help with some troubles."
Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on Ji Chen’s face.
This was, after all, his ultimate goal.
Having such a formidable figure from the Ancient Era as a guardian was naturally a boon for the Lingyun Sect.
And Nangong Ao understood Ji Chen’s intentions quite well.
In truth, even if the latter didn’t help him refine the Spirit Storage Pill, merely helping him escape from the Saint’s Dojo was enough for Nangong Ao to offer protection to Lingyun Sect.
"Forgive my impudence, but may I ask, what stage is your current cultivation at?" Ji Chen, curious, couldn’t help but ask.
With his Spiritual Sea injured, his cultivation has declined, but from what the other said, at his peak, Nangong Ao was a genuine Void Realm expert!
Similar to Meridian Formation and Spirit Transformation Realms, the Void Realm is divided into nine layers, and beyond the ninth layer is Nirvana!
Nirvana refers to the legendary Saint Realm!
In his past life, Ji Chen had been in such a realm.
It can be imagined that the cultivation Nangong Ao once possessed was not far off from Ji Chen’s in his previous life.
But facing Ji Chen’s query, Nangong Ao merely chuckled, not giving a direct answer, but saying, "Rest assured, though my cultivation now is far from what it was back then, as long as I’m here, not just anyone can invade your Lingyun Sect."
"I’m not boasting, even the strongest Purple Cloud Sect in the Profound Domain today, should they come, I have countless ways to make sure they never return."
Hearing this, Ji Chen felt greatly reassured.
This undoubtedly gave him immense security.
At least during the time Nangong Ao was guarding, Lingyun Sect could develop wholeheartedly without worrying about troubles finding them.
"Junior Brother."
As the two chatted, a gentle voice came from outside the Drunken Ink Residence courtyard.
It was Fang Qingyao who had arrived.
Ji Chen welcomed her into the courtyard.
"I heard you were back, so I came to see. How was the trip to the Emperor Ye’s Ancient Ruins, no accidents right?"
She asked, knowing that after the Queen of Chu’s birthday, Ji Chen went to the Profound Domain Holy City and entered Emperor Ye’s Ancient Ruins.
Fang Qingyao naturally knew what kind of place Emperor Ye’s Ancient Ruins were; within those ruins, even well-established geniuses faced significant risks of falling.
Ji Chen’s safe return relieved her, prompting her to visit at once.
"Nothing unexpected happened, however, there was some discord with the Sword King Sect..."
Ji Chen began, briefly explaining these matters to her.
After hearing him, Fang Qingyao frowned tightly, "That might indeed be a serious problem. The Sword King Sect is one of the top sects in the Profound Domain; if they were to come looking..."
"It’s no issue, let them come if they wish, with Elder Ao here, nothing will happen." Ji Chen smiled faintly.
At this, Liu Qingcheng turned her attention to Nangong Ao, earlier puzzled as to who this disheveled old man was.
Now, from Ji Chen’s words, this must be a figure of remarkable background, one who’d stand up for the Lingyun Sect?
Could it be, the reason Ji Chen has transformed so much in these few short months is all because of this elder?
Is he the mysterious master behind Ji Chen?