Chapter 14: Grand Sun Nine Refinement Visualization Method

In the small courtyard, Gu Jinlai tended to his wounds and changed into a new set of clothes.

"Too fragile,"

he lamented, "The reason why the Qi Refining Realm is said to be leagues apart from the Blood Exchange Realm is because True Qi can transform in myriad ways, increasing attack power and protecting the body. However, this so-called True Qi Barrier is no better than steel armor. Even at the Hugging Pill level, where True Qi is profound, it is at most equivalent to heavy steel armor or low-grade Treasure Armor. A Blood Exchange Martial Artist with a top-grade Treasure Sword could break through the True Qi Barrier."

Leather armor, iron armor, and steel armor correspond subtly to weapons, top-grade weapons, and supreme weapons.

Besides, iron and steel armor can be thickened, with those weighing up to fifty kilograms being termed heavy armor.

Body Refining elites, strong and robust, can charge into battle in iron armor and still have energy after half an hour.

Refining organs Fierce Warriors can carry fifty kilograms of heavy iron armor over ten miles as if walking on flat ground.

This is where their strength lies.

A Gang Condensation Level Expert, even when surrounded by thousands, can rely on the fierce Gang Qi to break out.

However, just three hundred elite soldiers, fearless and fierce, can cause a Gang Condensation Level Expert to fall right there.

Unless a Gang Condensation Level Expert wields a Treasure Sword, it is tough to sever the iron armor of an armored elite with one strike; he must unleash Gang Qi to rip apart the elite soldier along with the armor.

But Gang Qi, formed from condensed True Qi, is limited. A Gang Condensation Level Expert might manage thirty or forty bursts, but not eighty or a hundred.

Facing three hundred elite soldiers, it's hard to avoid a fate of exhaustion and death in battle.

The same goes for those at the Hugging Pill level.

This was why Gu Xiangyang dared to say that it was nothing to take down two or three Hugging Pill level practitioners with three hundred elites, eighty Fierce Warriors, and forty Hundred-man Captains from the Gu family.

Similarly, it was the confidence that City Lord Zhang Yuhua, overseeing six thousand elites, had to watch the endless strife among the four major powers of Changjun City from a position of strength.

"Unfortunately, although heavy armor is good, its weight of over a hundred kilograms greatly impedes the agility of Hugging Pill Masters. Being faster in one step means being faster in all steps, and in single combat or sect skirmishes, few wear armor,"

said Gu Jinlai.

Unlike weapons,

armor...

Beyond its defensive power, its weight and impact on agility were crucial.

That's why, although the defensive power of heavy steel armor was comparable to that of Treasure Armor, and some heavy steel armors weighing over a hundred kilograms even matched up to top-grade Treasure Armor, they weren't rated as Treasure Armor.

"To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools. I need to change my sword and arrange for Treasure Armor soon, but armor, reportedly heirloom quality and five times more expensive than swords, costs tens of thousands to a hundred thousand taels for a piece of low-grade armor,"

Gu Jinlai sensed the smell of poverty.

As an elder of the Purgatory Demon Sect, he only made sixty thousand a year.

In other words, he would have to save for two years without spending on anything to afford one piece of low-grade Treasure Armor.

Besides, don't think that buying Treasure Armor is a one-time expense; the maintenance costs are also significant.

Sometimes, a fierce battle could damage the Treasure Armor.

"No wonder some cultivators integrate the blood of devils and fierce beasts into their bodies to refine their physique. Although their physical strength cannot match that of real devils, at the Gang Condensation and Hugging Pill levels, they can withstand ordinary blades and arrows,"

Gu Jinlai said regretfully as he tended to his injuries.

...

"Elder Gu, good news, great news, truly fantastic news!"

The next morning, Zhang Xiu arrived at Gu Jinlai's residence, all smiles, "The Palace Master heard of Elder Gu's slaying of the devil, eliminating a major threat to Changjun City, and has decided to activate the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map just for you. Soon you will be able to obtain the Refining God Technique you desire."

"The Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map is going to be activated?"

Gu Jinlai was also pleasantly surprised, "Is that Upper Devil head enough to exchange for a Refining God Technique?"

"It should be. Let's go to the Demon Refining Hall,"

said Zhang Xiu, leading him hurriedly toward the Demon Refining Hall.

The Demon Refining Hall was, as always, bustling with life.

Refiners of the organs, Blood Exchange, Qi Refining, and Gang Condensation mingled there, exchanging insights, idly roving about, or testing their skills in combat.

Among these people, some were affiliated with the Demon Refining Hall, and others were disciples recruited by Zhang Xiu and Yun Guantian, the three vice hall masters, over the past decade.

"Elder Gu, come with me,"

said Zhang Xiu, leading Gu Jinlai straight to the main hall.

Inside the main hall, a dozen people were already waiting.

Gu Jinlai glanced over,

and among the dozen, half were at the Hugging Pill level, while the remaining were at the Gang Condensation Realm.

When Zhang Xiu entered, six people simultaneously bowed: "Master."

"Mm,"

Zhang Xiu acknowledged them and said to Gu Jinlai, "Activating the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map is not without cost. Since many recently wished to exchange for elixirs and treasures, I and the hall master decided to call them all over."

Gu Jinlai nodded his head.

Looking at the six people greeting Zhang Xiu...

Three of them were at the Hugging Pill level!

As a Vice Hall Master of the Demon Refining Hall, Zhang Xiu held a high position and had the power, ample time, and sufficient resources to train disciples, but having taught three at the Hugging Pill level was a testament to his ability.

One day a teacher, a lifelong father.

These people were part of his force.

They also best illustrated why he was called a "Refining God Giant."

"Gentlemen, I will begin activating the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map with the hall master. If you wish to change your requests, now's still the time,"

said Zhang Xiu.

"No need."

"I'm asking for ten Qi Refining Pills."

"Thank you, Palace Master Zhang."

A few people responded with a bow.

Zhang Xiu asked them and then turned to Gu Jinlai, "Elder Gu, give me the Qiankun Talisman, a great and proper Refining God Technique, right?"

"Right."

Seeing that everyone else handed their Qiankun Talisman to Zhang Xiu, Gu Jinlai didn't think twice and pulled out his own.

Zhang Xiu took the Qiankun Talisman, took a deep breath, and even forced a smile, "Elder Gu, please wait a moment."

Having said that, he quickly left.

"Finally... I can obtain the Refining God Technique."

Gu Jinlai's emotions surged within him.

The original "Gu Jinlai" was ultimately a person who had succeeded in Refining God; even though his Six Desires Demon Skill had been disabled, his foundation remained intact. As long as he obtained the Refining God Technique, he would soon be able to return to the Refining God Realm.

Even if the foundation left by "Gu Jinlai" couldn't allow him to quickly revisit Refining God, he also had Qing Lian to help him.

He diverted part of his attention to the tiny person in his spirit world.

Fang Cai's entire body was as blood with karma.

By slaying him, he had gained another Qingguang.

If the foundation of "Gu Jinlai" couldn't help him return to Refining God, he could use the Qingguang to enhance the Refining God Technique.

In any case, after today, he would quickly escape this fate of almost being expelled from Changjun City.

With that thought, Gu Jinlai felt relaxed and cheerful and sat down to observe from the side.

After glancing at Zhang Xiu's few disciples, he couldn't help but think of himself.

"Four disciples, too few. Once I return to Refining God, I want to take ten… forty disciples! Train all of them to the Qi Refining Realm, forty Qi Refinings, specialized in Battle Formation; even Refining Gods must avoid their sharpness."

Gu Jinlai even pondered whether he should move to Red Wind City at that time.

The Gu family's headquarters were in Red Wind City.

He planned to invent some items suitable for the current environment, sell them, and earn millions, tens of millions of taels in income. With this money, recruit troops and nurture clan members.

If he could be like Zhao Yuhua, commanding six thousand elites, Lin Xiao would immediately come knocking at the door, offering heavy compensation and pleading for peace.

Then, Gu Jinlai did a little calculation.

"Elites, clad in Iron Armor, one piece of Iron Armor three hundred taels, military salaries two hundred, along with daily expenses… to establish six thousand elites requires eight million taels, and the annual maintenance costs are also more than three million taels!"

This number made him gasp in astonishment.

If he remembered correctly, the Purgatory Demon Sect, with its control over nineteen cities in Red State, collected less than two hundred million in taxes each year.

Changjun City garnered less than ten million a year.

Ultimately, he concluded,

"The value of troops lies in quality, not quantity."

…

Time passed quickly, and two hours soon went by.

At this time, one of Zhang Xiu's disciples invited Gu Jinlai into the inner courtyard.

In a guest room in the inner courtyard, Zhang Xiu and another Hugging Pill disciple were waiting.

As Gu Jinlai entered, the Palace Master solemnly said, "Elder Gu, what you requested is a 'Great Bright Refining God Technique,' correct?"

"Correct."

Gu Jinlai nodded.

However, seeing Zhang Xiu's expression…

"But is it not enough of a contribution?"

"Not at all,"

Zhang Xiu said, handing over the Qiankun Talisman and a Cultivation Technique, "This is the technique bestowed by the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map, Elder Gu will understand upon seeing it."

Gu Jinlai took the Cultivation Technique, rapidly flipping through it, and in a moment, his expression changed dramatically, "The Heavenly Master Refining God Skill?"

"I indeed activated the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map according to Elder Gu's request for a Great Bright Refining God Technique, and this is what the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map bestowed."

Zhang Xiu appeared regretful.

"The Heavenly Master Refining God Skill requires essence as fuel, and qi as kindling, Qi Refining and Divinity Transformation... This system was created a hundred years ago to counteract Demon Spirits. Nowadays, Demon Spirits and Fierce Beasts have merged into Devils, and the Heavenly Master System has been historically outmoded; such a Refining God Technique..."

"Elder Gu's words are mistaken; the Heavenly Master Lineage has been passed down for thousands of years and still has many merits, such as Artifact Refining, Beast Taming. Achieving anything in these two techniques would make one a highly esteemed guest in any sect, with endless wealth and income."

"But what I need is the Hugging Pill Refining God Technique for nourishing the mind, concealing, and Yun Shen."

Gu Jinlai said sternly.

"This technique cannot refine gods?"

"It can refine, but at what cost?"

"Heh."

Zhang Xiu's expression gradually became indifferent, "Elder Gu, does this Grand Sun Nine Refinement Visualization Method match your 'Great Bright' description?"

"Although you say that..."

Just as Gu Jinlai was about to speak, Zhang Xiu interrupted him directly.

"You just need to answer me, yes or no?"

"Yes."

"Then that's correct. If there's anyone to blame, it should be Elder Gu himself for not describing clearly."

"..."

"This is what the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map has bestowed, and I cannot change it,"

Zhang Xiu said, looking at Gu Jinlai, "Elder Gu wouldn't hate me over this, would you?"

Gu Jinlai looked at the two Hugging Pill Masters by Zhang Xiu's side who had been staring at him all along.

After a while, he managed to squeeze out a slight smile, "It's my fault for not being clear enough, causing the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map to misjudge."

"It's best for Elder Gu to think this way."

Zhang Xiu slightly lifted his head, his eyelids drooping, "The Grand Sun Nine Refinement Visualization Method is a top-tier inheritance of the Heavenly Master Lineage, capable of cultivating up to the realm of Primordial Spirit True Monarch and derives many secret techniques, its value is immense. Elder Gu, obtaining this technique is a profound favor from the Heaven and Earth Qiankun Map."

After finishing, he picked up the teacup and sipped.

Serving tea to send off the guest.

Throughout the process, the gaze of his two Hugging Pill disciples never left Gu Jinlai's figure; if he dared to act wildly, he would face the joint attack of the two great Hugging Pill Masters.

"Thank you, Palace Master Zhang, I take my leave."

Gu Jinlai put away the Cultivation Technique, bowed respectfully, and left.