Chapter 234

Chapter 234: Fifteen Li Qi Sea

In the following days, Fang Lie focused on refining herbs. The Four Seas Alliance had delivered several shiploads of spiritual materials, which he processed into nearly a thousand bottles of Spirit Liquid for making various spirit pills.

Using the Sending-Home Art, Fang Lie transported these liquids along with White Jade Divine Fish into the Cycle of Fire. At his urging, the old bird reluctantly activated the formation to teleport the items directly to his spiritual mansion.

To expedite deliveries from Wanxing Sea, Fang Lie had installed a small teleportation array in his residence. While not powerful enough for long-distance travel, it allowed the old bird to send items through the Cycle of Fire.

Fang Huo managed the incoming supplies. The sentient Alchemy Cauldron "Two Two Two" now resided in the mansion, autonomously producing high-quality spirit pills without Fang Lie’s supervision – the greatest advantage of such awakened equipment.

With materials secured, Fang Lie began closed-door cultivation.

Seated in a mist-filled chamber dense with Spiritual Energy, he consumed a seed from the Thousand-Year Water Lotus and initiated his Cycling Energy practice.

The seed dissolved into cooling streams that permeated his limbs, bringing profound comfort. These energies coalesced into surging waves that poured into his Qi Sea, merging seamlessly with his Magic.

True to its reputation, the Thousand-Year Water Lotus seed produced exceptionally pure Magic. Observing internally, Fang Lie saw a white energy pillar continuously feeding his expanding Qi Sea.

The Linglong Qi Locking Tower responded by accelerating its purification cycle. Dao pattern karp swam vigorously through the Qi Sea, some merging with the nurtured treasures.

After prolonged immersion, the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams Dao Robe had evolved from third-rank to Fourth-Rank lower-grade. Combined with its Shield Expert secret technique, it could now deflect some fifth-rank treasures.

The Devouring Heaven Chaos Halberd manifested as a black dragon, actively devouring Dao pattern karp to strengthen its spirit. Meanwhile, the Nirvana fire nascent fetus’s shadow slept peacefully like an infant, exhaling Dao pattern karp like soap bubbles with each breath.

A month later, Fang Lie completed absorbing all lotus seeds. His Qi Sea now spanned fifteen li, its Magic multiplied in volume and refined to pure cyan clarity.

‘Wealth truly smooths cultivation,’ Fang Lie mused privately. ‘With ample resources, progress comes effortlessly. No wonder Mo Lanyun – younger than me – boasts a Three-thousand-mile Qi Sea.’

The rescued Mo Lanyun’s cultivation level had repeatedly astonished him. Traditional methods – even with premium spirit pills and lifelong Jade Pool meditation – couldn’t explain such power.

Now understanding, Fang Lie realized she must consume treasures like Thousand-Year Water Lotus seeds regularly. While rare for him, such resources flowed freely in Mo family’s deep reserves. Countless heaven-sent treasures – peerless pills, natural wonders, or rare demon beast parts – could safely accelerate cultivation.

Fang Lie calculated grimly: after the Linglong Qi Locking Tower ambush, he needed 120,000-li Qi Sea to reach Golden Pool advancement. With mere hundred-year Lifespan, conventional cultivation wouldn’t suffice.

‘Resources like these seeds might be key,’ he concluded. ‘Wanxing Sea abounds with spiritual essences. Time to procure more.’

Decision made, Fang Lie emerged and ascended the Purple Tower’s summit, summoning Mao San and Gou Si via message.

The pair arrived promptly. After bows, Mao San blurted, "Master! The Four Seas Alliance Steward grows desperate awaiting you!"

"Huh? What’s going on?" Fang Lie asked curiously.

"Over the past month, the Four Seas Alliance sent dozens of ships loaded with herbs. The steward in charge said you had an agreement to exchange spirit pills, but since you weren’t available, he grew anxious," Mao San explained.

"Also, that scoundrel likely had other tasks assigned by the Four Seas Alliance for you," Gou Si added.

"I see," Fang Lie nodded. "Have him come later. Anything else?"

"Master, the Mo Fang Shop has been rebuilt. Should we reopen it?" Mao San asked.

"Yes. Display Purple Beard’s fifth-rank treasure—the black and white earth’s magnetic orbs. Specify we’ll only trade them for spiritual energy from heaven and earth that boosts cultivation," Fang Lie ordered.

"Ah?" Mao San gasped. "Master, spiritual energy can be bought directly! Trading a fifth-rank treasure isn’t worth it!"

"I need vast quantities. Without valuable offers, no one will part with their reserves," Fang Lie replied dismissively.

"Vast quantities?" Gou Si frowned. "Master, I’ve heard spiritual energy elements can clash or complement each other. Using them carelessly might cause conflicts and backlash!"

"Relax. As a Great Pill Master, I know this well," Fang Lie chuckled.

"My mistake!" Gou Si said hastily. "Any other orders?"

"From now on, gather all information about spiritual energy. Acquire it at any cost when opportunities arise. Understood?" Fang Lie stated gravely.

"Yes!" Mao San and Gou Si answered in unison.

"Dismissed. Carry on as usual. Send the Four Seas Alliance steward here," Fang Lie waved them off.

"At once!" The two hurried out.

Soon, a gray-robed elder entered. His ruddy face bore iron-like skin, muscles bulging—a clear sign of body cultivation.

But he wasn’t arrogant like most body cultivators. Instead, he humbly bowed to Fang Lie. "Li Li pays respects to the Manor Lord!"

"Rise." Fang Lie tossed him a Sumeru Bag. "Inspect these spirit pills."

These pills had been refined by Two Two Two, placed on the teleportation array by Fang Huo, then sent through the Cycle of Fire via the old bird’s aid. To Fang Lie, retrieving them was effortless across any distance.

Unaware of this, Li Li scanned the bag with his divine sense and gasped. "Over a thousand top-grade spirit pills without impurities! Did you refine all these in one month?!"

"Indeed." Fang Lie smiled. "Satisfactory?"

"Astonishing!" Li Li exclaimed. "Producing so many top-grade pills monthly would shame even Xuan Sect’s Great Pill Masters!"

"Don’t underestimate them," Fang Lie said. "Xuan Sect leads in alchemy. Their masters likely surpass me."

"You’re too modest! They’d never achieve this with such low-grade materials!" Li Li fawned, though Fang Lie sensed hidden probing.

Not wanting to expose secrets, Fang Lie changed topics. "Does your alliance leader have other requests?"

"Ah yes!" Li Li produced another Sumeru Bag. "The alliance leader sends this."

Inside lay three fifth-rank Fire-element Treasures: a sword, gauze armor, and a large seal.

*Perfect,* Fang Lie thought. *The Devouring Heaven Chaos Halberd will feast. More Minor Formless Chaos Divine Lightnings incoming.*

Storing them, he asked, "Anything else?"

"We’ve made progress investigating poison Gu insect breeding, but need more time. Also, the Four Seas Alliance’s triennial grand auction occurs in two months. Dao friends from hundreds of thousands of li will attend with countless treasures. The alliance leader personally invites you." Li Li presented an ornate invitation.

Fang Lie glanced at it. "I’ll attend if free."

"Excellent! There’s another matter…" Li Li hesitated. "A Wind Tribulation Immortal suffered cultivation deviation and needs a rare Baoyuan Pill for recovery. It requires a fifth-rank wood-element Great Demon’s core. Having heard of your skills, he humbly requests your aid."