BXBX NOVEL Chapter 197 - 196: Spiritual Treasure Transformation Interrupted Midway
Chapter 197 - 196: Spiritual Treasure Transformation Interrupted Midway
In the gloomy basement, barrels of green water emitting an ominous aura gave off an unsettling feeling.
A few shadowy figures entered the basement, their faces lighting up with grim smiles at the sight of the barrels.
There was hardly any light here, so when the figures smiled, their faces were obscured except for their starkly white teeth.
“Hehehe, these are the fruits of our month-long labor. If successful, it will definitely revolutionize the Nine Provinces!” The leading figure laughed.
“Who put out the light? We, the Lingbao Sect, can surely afford to light a candle. Light it up.”
“I just thought the darkness added the right ambiance.” A Lingbao Sect elder scratched his head, conjuring up numerous sparks to illuminate the basement.
With the light, the true situation in the basement was unveiled.
Hundreds of wooden barrels were neatly lined up, the green water within them pulsating with a rich life force. Consuming a single mouthful could equal a decade’s worth of intensive cultivation for a junior cultivator.
The green water was steeped with various spiritual treasures.
The Sect Master of the Lingbao Sect, accompanied by several elders, meticulously recorded the conditions of the green water in each barrel.
“This barrel’s potion bath is ineffective. The spiritual treasure shows no sign of transformation.”
“The potion bath in this barrel is also useless. The spiritual treasure is unresponsive.”
“Hmm, there’s some change in this bath. The spiritual treasure seems to….” An elder lowered his voice, “It’s grown hair.”
The Sect Master of the Lingbao Sect glared at the elder, silencing him.
After examining the conditions of all the spiritual treasures, the group felt disappointed. A month’s worth of experiments had shown no signs of progress; none of the spiritual treasures had undergone any changes.
Except for the one that had grown hair.
“Don’t lose heart. The transformation of a spiritual treasure can be equated to the spirit of the treasure coming into being, a major event that isn’t bound to be smooth sailing!”
“The Yin Yang Heaven Seal, as the foremost treasure of the Nine Provinces, and an immortal artifact left behind by Dao Ancestor. We can’t possibly achieve its greatness in just a month. It would be strange if we could.”
“We must believe that hard work will pay off. As long as we persist, make bold assumptions, and verify carefully, success will belong to us!” The Sect Master of the Lingbao Sect cheered on his elders.
“Recall again, what is the tenet of our Lingbao Sect?”
“Overthrow the Alchemy Peak!” The elders replied with vigor.
“Right, that’s to overthrow the Alchemy Peak!” The Sect Master of the Lingbao
Sect was satisfied with the elders’ response, “The Potion Bath for Spiritual Treasure Transformation is our first step to surpass the Alchemy Peak! And it’s a crucial step!”
“It’s time to let the Alchemy Peak know who truly has the upper hand in the path of Alchemy!”
“Sect Master, on a side note, why do we have to conduct experiments in secret? Isn’t it better to openly research the transformation laws of beasts, plants, transformation tribulations, and apply these experiences to transforming the spiritual treasure potions? These piecemeal experiments seem inefficient.”
“Ignorant. Jiang, the Human Emperor, is on the side of the Dao Sect. You can tell by his frequent dealings with the Dao Sect that he definitely supports the Alchemy Peak. If he knows we potentially can surpass the Alchemy Peak, wouldn’t he take action?”
The Sect Master of the Lingbao Sect elucidated his reasons to everyone.
In fact, the real reason was that he had heard from the White Marsh Emperor that Jiang Li had been troubled for a while by the essence of the spiritual treasure. If Jiang Li knew someone was bold enough to attempt to transform spiritual treasures, he would undoubtedly give the Lingbao Sect a hard time.
The Lingbao Sect could only expedite their research on the Transformation Potion, cook the raw rice into porridge, and leave Jiang, the Human Emperor, in a position to merely restrict and not prohibit their actions.
After all, this was not demonic cultivation and there was no reason for prohibition.
However, this couldn’t be openly discussed, as it might dishearten the elders.
The authority of the Human Emperor was not to be trifled with in the Nine Provinces. If the elders knew that the transformation of the spiritual treasure could disrupt the order of the Nine Provinces and cause distress to the Emperor, they might stop exploring the possibility of spiritual treasure transformation with him.
“Is Sect Master Huang present?”
A formidable voice echoed throughout the Lingbao Sect, sending chills down the Sect Master’s spine.
Why has Jiang, the Human Emperor, come?
Damn it!
No, no, calm down. From the tone of the Human Emperor, it doesn’t seem like he’s here to reprimand. He probably has not discovered this place yet.
With this thought, Sect Master Huang Chengdan gathered some confidence, quickly left the basement, and went to greet Jiang Li.
“Respected Human Emperor, it is an honor to have you here. I apologize for not greeting you earlier.”
“Sect Master Huang, you are too polite. I came here to request a herb…” “We don’t have any Transformation Herb here.” Huang Chengdan promptly denied.
“Hmm? I didn’t mention the Transformation Herb.
“A slip of the tongue, a slip of the tongue. What herb did you ask for?” “The Quenching Heart Herb, it’s the antidote for the Dissolution Scatter…” “We don’t concoct potion baths.” Huang Chengdan continued to deny.
“I didn’t mention potion baths.”
Realizing that he was overly nervous, Huang Chengdan explained, “I have recently been experiencing a backlash from excessive cultivation, and my mind is often not clear. I hope the Human Emperor can understand.” “Does it matter? Should I find a doctor… Oh, you are the doctors.”
“It’s a minor issue. I’ll be fine after a while.” Huang Chengdan changed the subject, “You wanted the Quenching Heart Herb, right? We have it here.”
Huang Chengdan led Jiang Li to the herb storehouse, which held tens of thousands of types of herbs. It would overwhelm anyone who wasn’t well-versed in plants, herbs, and vegetation.
Although Jiang Li was not adept at Alchemy, he remembered the appearance of all the herbs in the Nine Provinces easily. To him, everything in the storehouse was well-organized and not at all chaotic.
“How many do you need?”
“Just one will suffice.”
Huang Chengdan took out a Quenching Heart Herb from the pool of Rootless Water and handed it to Jiang Li.
[Congratulations Host for completing the task]
After receiving the herb, Jiang Li did not leave immediately, but looked at the Quenching Heart Herb and asked thoughtfully, “Sect Master Huang, you are a great authority in Alchemy, and there’s something that puzzles me. I came here to seek guidance.”
“I’m all ears.”
“I was just wondering, it is said that Alchemy is a process of extracting the essence from plants and herbs while discarding the dross. The pills produced in this way are naturally the most spiritual objects in the universe. It’s said that the inspiration for the Great Dao of Golden Core in ancient times originated from this.”
“That’s the idea.” Huang Chengdan, who was delighted to hear Jiang Li praising pills, was a man with deep-seated affection for Alchemy. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have aimed to surpass the Alchemy Peak and become the Sect Master of the Lingbao Sect.
“Since pills are the most spiritual, it’s not impossible for them to develop spiritual intelligence and transform into human forms.” As Jiang Li spoke, he continued walking out.
“I wonder, if a pill were to transform into a human form, identical to an ordinary person, how would Sect Master Huang treat that pill?”
“Could you still conduct Alchemy in peace, or consume the pill, and what would your relationship with the pill be?” “Has Sect Master Huang ever considered these questions?”
Huang Chengdan was stunned.
The things Jiang Li spoke of sounded like fairy tales. The idea of a pill transforming into a human form had never crossed Huang Chengdan’s mind. How could that be possible?
If it really did transform… Huang Chengdan followed along with this train of thought. only to realize that he had no clue how to proceed. This raised too
many ethical issues, and he couldn’t figure it out.
“Considering Sect Master Huang has found it difficult, there’s no need to put me in a tight spot either.” Jiang Li laughed as he slapped Huang Chengdan’s shoulder, “Hahaha, I just thought of this on the spot and was making casual conversation. Sect Master Huang, don’t worry about it.”
How could Huang Chengdan not know that the Human Emperor was implying: If you realize that the transformation of a pill can cause numerous problems, you should also understand that the transformation of the spiritual treasure can bring about the same. You will not trouble me, and I will not embarrass you, we will maintain a peaceful facade, which is beneficial for all.
After Jiang Li left, Huang Chengdan took the initiative to cease the Spiritual Treasure Transformation Potion Bath project, and destroyed all experimental data..