For a moment, Ye Qing throat felt dry.
"…Understood. When the tier-three ice-type demon core arrives in two and a half months, I'll respond then."
"Then I won't see you out~"
He rose and watched Ye Qing depart, weighing the storage pouch in his hand. Inside were a full thousand stalks of the rare soul-path herb—Wailing Ghost Bloom.
"Major powers really are something. Their collection capabilities are no joke. Still… I should keep an eye out for ruins tied to the ancient Heavenly Soul Sect."
As he inspected the materials, Wang Yu also slotted the [Soul Origin Pill] formula into the placement panel, temporarily replacing the demonic corpse technique.
Tier-two pill formulas weren't trivial. And since he always pursued perfection, he hadn't had the materials before, so the panel had been fully occupied.
Thus, the formula was still at beginner level.
[Placement Slot 5: Soul Origin Pill (Tier-Two / Soul)]
"Soul Origin Pill (0/100): One batch every ten days, five years to perfection."
Wang Yu blinked.
"Ten days?"
His [Ice Spirit Pill] had taken only a year to perfect—one batch per day, not ten. Why the difference?
"Is it because the Soul Origin Pill is special?"
He couldn't say. The placement panel had always been mysterious. Even after years of use, he hadn't fully unraveled its secrets.
Still, the description implied that each batch took ten full days.
Ten days later—
The panel's feedback arrived. As the insights flowed into his mind, Wang Yu finally understood the difference.
The Soul Origin Pill required not just materials, but a special technique: infusing intent into the pill. It demanded a continuous stream of spiritual sense to permeate the concoction.
A slow, meticulous process—hence the longer time.
"Five years… Compared to others, I should be grateful."
By then, it would be time for the second Treasure Exchange. He was counting on that to help him gather even rarer materials and artifacts.
—
Two and a half months later—
The tier-three ice-type demon core arrived. Wang Yu didn't speak much with Ye Qing. He learned that Jin Miaoshan was still in seclusion, dealing with a difficult situation.
She would see his message as soon as she emerged.
Wang Yu's expression was complicated.
He didn't want such a convenient channel to break down. But with the distance between them, he had no choice but to wait.
Whether Jin Miaoshan could seize the opportunity of the Prajñā Heart Sutra—that was up to fate.
—
Some time later.
In a sealed chamber beneath Spiritridge Manor—
A surging coldflame roared with violent fluctuations. The entire room, protected by formation arrays, was nearly filled with ice.
In theory, Wang Yu should have refined a [Frostwyrm Pill], consumed it, and used it to assist the flame's advancement.
But—
He had no tier-three pill furnace (still being custom-made~).
Nor did he possess the tier-three [Frostwyrm Alchemy Art]. So he used another method: let the flame evolve on its own.
He had all the materials prepared. Using alchemical techniques, he unleashed the flame's full power. The coldflame responded with its primal instincts—burning, blooming, freezing.
These were its expressions of power. But its instinct was to evolve.
The pre-treated medicinal liquids, guided by Wang Yu's alchemy, coated the flame's core. He activated the [Twelve Flame Spirit Seals], prompting the flame to refine itself.
This was a technique recorded in the [Frostwyrm Alchemy Art]—a method to elevate flame rank.
Wang Yu wanted early access. He wasn't going to wait 120 years to perfect the tier-three technique. So he took a shortcut.
Once the furnace arrived, he could attempt tier-three pill refinement. Even if only low-grade, it would be a new trump card.
The chamber was dangerous.
But the coldflame was his own creation. Even when unleashed, it remained dependent on him. His powerful physique easily withstood the cold and heat.
With spiritual sense monitoring and occasional true essence support—
Everything progressed smoothly.
—
Several days later—
The advancement neared completion. The flame turned ice-blue and viscous, clinging to Wang Yu's seated form like a parasitic worm.
"Hiss—"
Even with their natural bond, he felt bone-deep cold and the scent of scorched flesh. He inhaled sharply.
At last, the coldflame's evolution succeeded. It now resembled a frost wyrm—likely due to the repeated infusion of demon core essences.
Its instinct had shaped its form.
Most importantly—it had gained a trace of sentience.
Wang Yu used the [Flame Collection Seal] from the [Frostwyrm Alchemy Art] to reclaim it. The process was smooth. No resistance.
"From now on, your name is—Frostwyrm Alchemical Flame."
Reaching tier-three was Wang Yu's current limit—and the technique's upper bound. Without further opportunities, the flame would not evolve again.
But he had a fallback.
Once the [Frostwyrm Alchemy Art] was repaired, he could use the placement panel to push it to tier-four.
That would be a matter for years down the line. For now, the Frostwyrm Flame was both his alchemical fire and a powerful offensive tool.
Used with [Flame Shaping Technique], its power would rival peak-tier-two spells—stronger than [Profound Yin Palm].
"Another trump card upgraded. Not bad."
With the advancement complete, Wang Yu had some breathing room. Time to reorganize his cultivation system.
Even a City Lord needed time to consolidate.
—
"Daoist Qingyang."
"City Lord."
Since joining the manor, Qingyang had gained a better cultivation environment than in Inkveil Sect—but fewer resources.
Back there, he held real power and could access the sect's treasure vault.
Here, Wang Yu held the reins. Qingyang couldn't expect the same privileges. His benefits as First Retainer were actually less than before.
Yet his loyal disciples were thrilled. The manor's conditions were far better than hauling rocks in Inkveil.
Even the unlucky miners who'd joined recently had been assigned to the City Patrol—essentially city guards. The pay and treatment exceeded expectations.
This time, Qingyang came not to complain—but because of his new role. As a subordinate, he addressed Wang Yu by title.
"You came to see me?"
"Yes." Qingyang hesitated. "I'm seeking materials to forge my life-bound artifact. I asked Manager Ye… but he seemed unwilling to help."
Wang Yu frowned. "Mm… Spiritridge's branch is low-tier. One or two tier-three items is fine, but more than that—he lacks the authority."
"Then does the City Lord have a way? If not, I'll try my luck at the Yanluo Ghost Market."
"Forging your life-bound artifact is important."
Wang Yu pondered. With the wealth from two early Core Formation enemies, Qingyang had the means. His problem was the same as most rogue cultivators—
Access.
As First Retainer, Wang Yu had to help. And he had an idea—one that served his own goals too.
"Three options.
"First, wait five years for the second Fragrance Gathering. Many new guests will attend. You can propose a treasure exchange then.
"Second, visit the Purplegold Chamber in the north district. They handle trade between Spiritridge and the Ghost Market. Use the manor's channel. Wait for news before going.
"And third…"
The first two could proceed in parallel. Qingyang needed many materials. Tier-one and two were easy. Tier-three was the challenge.
He leaned forward.
"What's the third? Is it risky?"
"A little."
Wang Yu unfurled a map of Yunling Province.
"When the Sacred Sect built Spiritridge, its formations, spirit veins, and scale were all designed for a tier-three city.
"But a century ago, the Tuoba Clan seized control and downgraded it to Foundation Establishment level. The branch pavilion's status dropped too.
"Why? Because the city lacked high-tier consumers. The manor didn't spend. The branch couldn't earn. So its grade fell.
"The three major clans in the city hoarded their wealth—unwilling to risk it for Core Formation breakthroughs.
"Even the Core Formation sects outside the city have noticed the shrinking high-end market."
Different positions brought different perspectives.
Wang Yu used to focus on individuals. Now, he looked at the city as a whole. Qingyang's request might help him push Spiritridge forward.
"…That's true," Qingyang murmured.
"I've spent most of these years in seclusion. By the time I noticed, the branch had already dropped to Foundation level."
Wang Yu spread his hands.
"Merchants chase profit. Cultivator guilds are no different. Without big spenders, inventory piles up. Naturally, the branch gets downgraded.
"But now that I'm here—buying plenty—they still won't upgrade the branch. So we need another route."
Qingyang understood.
"You mean… Tianbao Pavilion?"
Wang Yu didn't answer directly. He pointed to the map.
"Here's Moshan City—home to Tianbao Pavilion's main branch in Yunling. Crimson Kite is dangerous.
"But you could invite Elder Jinhua, the Fragrance Sect Master, the Purple Dragon Mountain Lord, and the InkveilSect Master"
Wang Yu continued, tapping the map. "Invite them to Moshan City, where Tianbao Pavilion's main branch is located. It's risky to travel through Crimson Kite Territory alone—but with a group of Core Formation cultivators, the journey becomes manageable."
He handed Qingyang a scroll.
"This contains the list of tier-three treasures I'm seeking. You'll deliver it in my name."
The scroll was filled with Wang Yu's personal requests—rare materials, artifacts, and spiritual items. He had an excess of low-grade spirit stones, and his wealth grew steadily each year. He was eager to convert it into high-value resources.
After all, hoarding spirit stones was less stable than investing in rare spiritual goods.
Qingyang took the scroll with both hands, his expression solemn.
"I understand. I'll make the arrangements."
Wang Yu nodded.
"Good. This isn't just about your artifact—it's about restoring Spiritridge's status. If we can reestablish high-tier trade, the city's cultivation ecosystem will flourish again."
Qingyang's eyes gleamed with purpose.
"I'll do my part."
With that, the meeting ended. Wang Yu returned to his cultivation chamber, his thoughts already shifting toward the next phase: refining the [Soul Origin Pill], mastering the [Minor Asura Slaughter Fist], and preparing for the second Treasure Exchange.
(End of Chapter)