Even those reputed alchemists in Medicine King Valley likely do not possess the expertise of Xia Ningchang.
"What kind of constitution does Senior Sister have?" Yang Kai asked, turning his head.
Meng Wuyou responded gravely, "She has the Medicine Spirit Sacred Body!"
"Is it related to alchemy?"
"Indeed." Meng Wuyou nodded. "This constitution is extraordinarily rare, appearing once in a millennium or more. Those with the Medicine Spirit Sacred Body experience no side effects from consuming any elixir. As you may know, all medicine has some toxicity; although many elixirs assist in cultivation and can significantly enhance one's power, there are limits to their consumption. The Medicine Spirit Sacred Body, however, is akin to the finest alchemical furnace. Any harmful substances are refined away upon ingestion. Your Senior Sister has reached the peak of the Separation and Union Realm in just five years. Were it not for my deliberate suppression of her cultivation, she would likely have ascended to the True Element Realm by now."
Yang Kai was astonished. To achieve the pinnacle of the Separation and Union Realm in just five years—he had cultivated for over a decade and was still at the same stage. And this was after suppression; without it, she might surpass even Su Yan?
Yang Kai felt profoundly inadequate, realizing that his talent was worlds apart from this Senior Sister's.
Indeed, she was the greatest genius of Lingxiao Pavilion!
However, Xia Ningchang's rapid growth was undeniably linked to her access to numerous precious elixirs.
Meng Wuyou continued, "The Medicine Spirit Sacred Body has even more advantages. When paired with compatible divine arts, it allows for the alchemical transformation of any energy into pills. Even the spiritual energy of heaven and earth can be refined into elixirs if she wishes."
If the energy of heaven and earth can be transformed, then the sunfruit is certainly no challenge.
Yang Kai could foresee that this Senior Sister would undoubtedly become the greatest alchemist in the world. With such a unique constitution, no one could rival her.
"This time, Ningchang needs to advance to the True Element Realm, but before that, she must refine a particular substance. This substance is unattainable for her alone," Meng Wuyou said seriously.
"So you need my help?" Yang Kai asked.
Meng Wuyou nodded.
"What is this substance?"
"The Nine Yin Condensation Dew. This substance is highly beneficial for refining True Element. Were it not for my desire to have Ningchang refine it, I would not have suppressed her cultivation."
To advance from the Separation and Union Realm to the True Element Realm, one's energy must transform into True Element, a significant qualitative leap. This process is common for all martial artists, but if enhanced by rare treasures, the quality of the True Element can be improved.
The Nine Yin Condensation Dew is evidently such a treasure, and a superior one at that.
"The Nine Yin Condensation Dew itself possesses spirituality and is difficult to obtain. It will dissipate into spiritual energy if touched by those unqualified. Only those with pure Yang energy can control it, and the Yang energy must be sufficiently pure, which is why I sought you out."
"How should we proceed?" Yang Kai asked.
Meng Wuyou became impatient, "Why so many questions? You will be informed when the time comes."
Yang Kai pinched his nose, perplexed by Meng Wuyou's sudden outburst.
"Where is this substance? When should we set out?"
"Inside Black Wind Mountain, there is a gathering place for the Nine Yin. On the seventh day of the seventh month, when Yin energy accumulates, the Nine Yin Condensation Dew will appear, absorbing the worldly Yin energy."
"That's not far off." Yang Kai calculated and realized that the seventh day of the seventh month was only a few days away. The journey into Black Wind Mountain would also require considerable time.
"Therefore, if you're free, I want to leave as soon as possible. If we miss this opportunity, we will have to wait another year," Meng Wuyou said earnestly.
"I am available at any time," Yang Kai replied with a smile.
"Then come to the Contribution Hall in two days. I need to prepare some materials," Meng Wuyou instructed.
"Alright, it's settled."
After agreeing, Yang Kai left.
Watching his departing figure, Meng Wuyou sighed softly, his expression contemplative and unreadable. After a long pause, he spoke, "Disciple, are you certain you want to proceed with this?"
Xia Ningchang, in her flowing attire, nodded gently, "Yes."
Meng Wuyou said, "In fact, you could advance to the True Element Realm without refining the Nine Yin Condensation Dew, though your future strength would be somewhat lower."
Xia Ningchang smiled lightly, "But to assist Master, isn't purer True Element better? Master saved and raised me; I wish to help him in return."
"But… sigh, perhaps you should reconsider?"
Meng Wuyou had left two days for Xia Ningchang to reflect.
Xia Ningchang blushed, "It's nothing. I don't dislike him."
Meng Wuyou sighed deeply, "That kid is getting off easy."
Recalling Yang Kai's indifferent demeanor, Meng Wuyou felt a pang of irritation. He had not realized how much benefit Yang Kai was about to gain from this.
Hopefully, nothing untoward will happen! This small place is not meant to be a permanent home for my disciple. Meng Wuyou's thoughts were tangled with worry and concern.
Yang Kai did not return to Su Yan's small pavilion but went back to the small wooden house he had been away from for several days. Despite his absence, the house was as pristine as ever, with no dust to be seen. He wondered who might have been cleaning it.
Although Meng Wuyou had been vague, Yang Kai had gathered enough information to understand the location and purpose of their mission.
Since the Nine Yin gathering place would be filled with Yin energy, his True Yang energy, being its natural nemesis, would be effective. However, his current strength was somewhat lacking, and without storing some Yang liquid, he might struggle to sustain himself.
Fortunately, with Xia Ningchang's help in refining the sunfruits into pills, he had a good source of Yang liquid.
Four sunfruit trees, each bearing three fruits, had been refined into twelve vibrant red pills. Each pill could yield three drops of Yang liquid, resulting in thirty-six drops in total.
These drops would be invaluable for both combat and resisting Yin energy, essential for his survival.
Yang Kai spent an entire day absorbing the effects of the twelve pills. He discovered that he had accumulated not just thirty-six but a full forty drops of Yang liquid, adding to the few drops already in his dantian. His reserves were now quite substantial.
At last, he had some resources for the journey.
Not only had he gained this Yang liquid, but after refining the final fruit, Yang Kai's cultivation had also progressed to the fourth layer of the Opening Yuan Realm.
The breakthrough had come without warning, smoothly and effortlessly, without any prior psychological preparation.
Reflecting on it, Yang Kai suspected that the pills he had taken recently were influential—the several bottles from Su Yan followed by the twelve sunfruit pills had amassed a tremendous amount of energy, making such a breakthrough unsurprising.