With the augmentations of Grandmaster Level Wind-Riding Technique and a Transcendent Saint Level Divine Wind Talisman, the Insect External Incarnation swiftly left the Town Demon Alliance headquarters and disappeared without a trace.

Three figures reacted quickly, casting spells and giving chase.

They were still a step too late; just after leaving the Town Demon Alliance headquarters, they could no longer sense the presence of the Insect External Incarnation.

You can't escape!

Outside the Town Demon Alliance headquarters, Miao Cheng hid underground and, seeing Xu Yi leave, decisively pursued him.

He was a tracker sent by the Nascent Soul Cultivator from the Demon-Sealing Tower. He had been hiding underground all this time to monitor Xu Yi, and the pursuit had lasted nearly a year.

Throughout the year, Miao Cheng had remained for a long time in the lightless depths, constantly vigilant of Xu Yi, not daring to slacken for a moment.

Doing such work, the Golden Core Cultivator felt a smoldering frustration.

Locking onto Xu Yi's primary form meant escaping from this bitter existence.

Unfortunately, after nearly a year of tracking, he had never discovered his target's true self.

The only clue was the River Mountain Bag he had picked up in an alley, from which the Qilong Pill had also come.

His real self has to be in the Eastern Forest Market City!

With hope so near, it wouldn't take much longer to find that secretive, elusive fellow.

Miao Cheng hadn't pursued him for even three hundred yards when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his brain.

The sensation came quickly but disappeared just as fast.

Briefly dazed, he lost sight of his target.

The silently scattered tracking marks, too, vanished without a trace.

Not good, he's discovered me!

Miao Cheng sped through the earth, evading one restrictive ward after another as he traversed the Eastern Forest Market City, searching for Xu Yi's whereabouts.

Alas, Xu Yi was as if evaporated from the world, nowhere to be seen.

No matter what methods he used, he couldn't find the slightest trace.

The task assigned by the Nascent Soul Ancestor came with a handsome reward. Miao Cheng, a Golden Core cultivator, was confident that a mere Foundation Establishment Completion cultivator like Xu Yi couldn't possibly escape his grasp.

Throughout the year, Miao Cheng had been extremely cautious. Except for brief moments when he had to surface for air, he had never left the underground, all to prevent being accidentally discovered.

He didn't understand how he'd been discovered, and his mind was filled only with panic.

The mission has failed... I can't bear the Ancestor's wrath.

Jia Ren, taking on the appearance of Xu Yi, blended into the crowd like an ordinary cultivator.

The Insect External Incarnation transformed into the Sonic-Thief Mosquito King and was stored within the River Mountain Bag.

Jia Ren didn't head straight back to his rented cave dwelling but changed his location several times, using secret techniques to check if anyone was following.

For this reason, he temporarily rented a courtyard to divert attention.

After confirming multiple times that there were no followers, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The crisis with the Insect External Incarnation is temporarily resolved.

The only remaining concern was the Qunxing Archipelago.

With Xu Yi's disappearance, those coveting the Insect External Incarnation Secret Art would surely turn their attention to Star Pole Island.

His decoy dwelling left on Star Pole Island could attract others' attention; he hoped Qingzhu Island would remain undisturbed...

Jia Ren had exchanged for the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus. With everything prepared, he returned to the rented cave dwelling, ready to concoct the Golden Core Formation Pill.

Concocting the Golden Core Formation Pill was no easy task. As this was his first attempt, he was determined not to waste the precious, hard-to-come-by ingredients.

He took out the oft-reviewed Jiejindan Formula, pondering the details, perfecting his technique.

After optimizing the Qilong Pill Prescription, adjustments were made to the Jiejindan Formula; theory on paper could not compare to hands-on practice.

For three consecutive days, he repeatedly reviewed everything to ensure there were no issues, preparing for alchemy.

Just then, the Communicative Dharma Pearl flared with light inside the River Mountain Bag.

The number of Communicative Dharma Pearls he had sent out was limited, making it easy to identify his target.

Has the fish taken the bait?

He picked up the Communicative Dharma Pearl, and Xue Feng'e's voice came from within, "Daoist Shi, I have a favor to ask. Might you help me concoct the Golden Core Formation Pill?"

Helping others concoct the Golden Core Formation Pill?

The bait is effective, but the fish hasn't completely taken it.

"Then, what's the cost of alchemy?"

Jia Ren wasn't familiar with Xue Feng'e and wouldn't help with alchemy for free.

He didn't refuse, as he still wanted to obtain the Nascent Soul Secret Formation from Xue Feng'e.

"I can help with concocting the Golden Core Formation Pill. After the alchemy is successful, I'll take one Golden Core Formation Pill as payment."

"How does that sound, Daoist Xue?"

One Golden Core Formation Pill as payment for alchemy was already a sky-high price.

Jia Ren was supremely confident in his alchemy skills, assured the quality of his concocted elixirs was worth more than their cost.

The quality of Golden Core Formation Pills could differ greatly even if they were the same type.

A Golden Core Formation Pill could only be taken one at a time. A Golden Core Formation Pill with a 40% success rate for Core Formation and one with a 20% success rate were not in the same league; they were worlds apart.

Anyone not a fool would choose an alchemist with superb skills to concoct the Golden Core Formation Pill, even if the price was higher.

"I can tell you where the Nascent Soul Secret Formation is hidden, the price being the Golden Core Formation Pill you take as payment," Xue Feng'e's voice transmitted from the Communicative Dharma Pearl.

"You can't disclose this information."

The fish has finally bitten the hook!

"Agreed!"

Jia Ren had the ingredients to concoct Golden Core Formation Pills and wouldn't miss a single one, so exchanging it for the Nascent Soul Secret Formation was an excellent opportunity.

Additionally, helping others with alchemy could improve his proficiency level with the Golden Core Formation Pill—why wouldn't he welcome it?

"It's a deal!"

Xue Feng'e informed him of the location, ending the transmission. She watched as the Communicative Dharma Pearl turned into black dust.

"A consumable magic artifact? Truly cautious!"

Amidst her exclamation, her face bore an uncontrollable excitement.

Ever since she knew Jia Ren was an alchemist of high skill, she constantly yearned for a high-quality Golden Core Formation Pill.

The problem was that Xue Feng'e still couldn't trust the other party; the trading risk was too great.

This matter had been dragging on until now.

「Half a month ago」

The Sword Washing Pavilion's Young Master and Sect Master came to Eastern Forest Market City to exchange for a Thousand-Year Snow Lotus, planning to take it back to their sect to refine a Golden Core Formation Pill.

Hearing this news sparked an idea.

Could I use this opportunity to exchange the Nascent Soul Secret Formation for a Golden Core Formation Pill?

The Alchemy Grandmaster refines Golden Core Formation Pills, and the Sword Washing Pavilion gets a high-quality Golden Core Formation Pill.

I earn the Golden Core Formation Pill that the Sword Washing Pavilion gives to Shi Bai as payment.

Shi Bai can receive the Nascent Soul Secret Formation, which I've kept hidden, as the item for the trade.

All three of us can achieve a satisfying result. I'm not afraid to offer the Nascent Soul Secret Formation; since Shi Bai doesn't have the Golden Core Formation Pill yet, my safety will also be guaranteed.

A threefold gain!

Xue Feng'e left her residence and headed to a courtyard not far away.

Inside the courtyard, a young man and a middle-aged man held chess pieces, engrossed in their game.

"Mei Jun, I've contacted that Alchemy Grandmaster. He can refine the Golden Core Formation Pills on our behalf, and his payment will be one pill after the alchemy is complete."

The young man turned his head and looked back with affectionate eyes, "Feng'e, I naturally trust you."

"Thank you for taking the trouble. This way, we'll also be able to use even higher quality Golden Core Formation Pills in the future."

The quality of the Golden Core Formation Pills varied greatly, and their value was not on the same level.

Countless people were willing to exchange ordinary Golden Core Formation Pills for better ones, even if it only increased the probability of successful core formation by a mere five percent.

A pill that increased the probability of core formation by forty percent was far more precious and valuable than an ordinary one; a single such pill could be exchanged for three ordinary Golden Core Formation Pills.

"I hope the Alchemy Grandmaster will not disappoint us."

The Xi Jian Pavilion Master pulled out a Solidifying Yuan Pill with three elixir patterns, his eyes full of mirth.

Is this the place?

Following the location provided by Xue Feng'e, Jia Ren had made his way here.

The formation around this place flickered, obscuring the view of the interior.

The strength of the formation inside the courtyard wasn't high, and its power wasn't formidable.

Xue Feng'e is assisting the Sword Washing Pavilion. Their strongest Supreme Elder is only at the Late Golden Core Stage. If a problem truly arises, I should be able to handle it, Jia Ren mused.

Once he determined the danger was within a controllable range, he sent a Sound Transmission Talisman into the courtyard.

Soon, the formation rippled like water and revealed the entrance to the yard.

Xue Feng'e, a refined-looking young man, and a middle-aged man with snowy temples stood waiting in the yard; apparently, they had been there for some time.

The young man's cultivation was at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage; he must be the Sword Washing Pavilion's Young Master, Mei Chengyan.

The middle-aged man radiated the fluctuations of a cultivator in the Middle Stage of the Golden Core; his identity wasn't clear, but he was likely a senior of Mei Chengyan.

"You must be Master Shi? Please, come in," the middle-aged man greeted warmly.

Entering the yard, Jia Ren carefully scanned his surroundings to confirm there were no others present.

"I am Mei Shuye, the Xi Jian Pavilion Master, and this is my son, Mei Chengyan. Meeting Master Shi is truly a stroke of great fortune for us," he said.

The Xi Jian Pavilion Master showed not a hint of a Golden Core Cultivator's arrogance; his demeanor was amiable.

"Which sect does Master Shi hail from?"

Xue Feng'e didn't reveal my information?

An Alchemy Grandmaster with no backing is an easy target for malicious schemes.

Xue Feng'e wouldn't want any complications; she wants to acquire the Golden Core Formation Pill smoothly, so naturally, she wouldn't stir up unnecessary trouble.

"Enough chit-chat! I'm here on a private commission, and I have many elixirs to refine back at my sect," Jia Ren cut in, not wanting any complications and trying to reinforce his persona as an alchemist from a Great Sect.

"Are all the ingredients ready?"

His eyes now carried an inadvertent pride, exuding a master's air.

"Which sect does Master Shi come from? Perhaps the Sword Washing Pavilion is on good terms with your esteemed sect…"

"Ask nothing that shouldn't be asked! Where are the ingredients?" Jia Ren snapped impatiently, looking as if he might walk away at the slightest disagreement.

"They are all prepared!"

Pavilion Master Mei Shuye, not wishing to anger the Alchemy Grandmaster, retrieved a Storage Bag and extracted various materials from it, setting them on the stone table.

Jia Ren's gaze swept over the stone table, paying particular attention to several main ingredients, and confirmed they were correct.

The quality of the materials was good, meeting the requirements for alchemy.

"Is there an alchemy room in this courtyard? Is it connected to Earth Fire?"

Mei Shuye led the way to a small courtyard where Earth Fire was connected; everything had long been prepared for the alchemy process.

Jia Ren, after confirming there were no issues, nodded in satisfaction.

"I prefer not to be spied upon during alchemy," he remarked.

"When it's time to collect the elixirs, I will notify you to open the furnace and confirm the number of pills."

Jia Ren activated the existing formation in the area. Still not entirely reassured, he then took out his own Cloud Illusion Thousand Luo Array Plate and Spirit Locking Array Plate to set up additional protections.

Alchemists are averse to being watched during their practice, unwilling to let their treasured alchemy recipes and secret techniques leak out.

After all, he was performing alchemy for someone else; one couldn't guarantee that the alchemist wouldn't resort to techniques like the Dragging Pill Technique to reduce the quality of the elixirs for their own benefit.

When alchemizing for others, unless a foundation of trust has already been established, there's an unspoken rule: the furnace must not be opened before the alchemy is complete; one must wait for the employer to arrive before unsealing the furnace and collecting the elixirs.

Having verified that there were no issues, Jia Ren selected one ingredient after another, swapping out several auxiliary ones.

This was his own improved Jiejindan Formula; its effects had yet to be tested.

Let's begin refining the Golden Core Formation Pill!

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