Mortal Alchemy

“With almost every strike, Junior Brother defeats an opponent, cautiously yet effortlessly defending the arena.”

Bai Jianjia watched Chen Ping advance to the third stage with such ease, a glimmer of light appearing in her eyes:

“Even Gu Hong wouldn't last a single move against him.”

“Junior Brother's combat strength is truly surprising.”

“Perhaps this time, there's a real chance to win a bottle of Tears of the Celestial Maiden.”

The Tears of the Celestial Maiden were simply too alluring. Just thinking about it made Bai Jianjia's heart skip a beat.

…

In the arena.

Chen Ping cautiously defended the arena for another half a day.

“Rumble!!!”

Suddenly, the arena shook, and the white mist began to dissipate.

Then, the enchanting voice of the Nascent Soul cultivator from the Wonderful Desire Pavilion sounded: “The second stage is over.”

“Next is the third stage.”

“You will be given three days to recover.”

“In the third stage, one hundred people will draw lots to compete, advancing based on that, to determine the rankings of this Nascent Soul Seed Battle.”

As the voice faded, the arena continued to shake, shifting positions and moving closer to the edge of the fighting arena. At each location, an ancient secret chamber emerged, providing Chen Ping and the others with a place to heal and recover. This was indeed fair.

Chen Ping scanned the scene, not seeing Wang Funi, Zhou Ying, or Meng Huang'er among the hundred people: “It seems they were eliminated in the second stage…”

But that was to be expected. With their cultivation and combat strength, they couldn't reach the very top.

Looking around at the remaining ninety-nine people, aside from Chen Ping, they were likely all special spiritual roots or top-tier spiritual bodies.

If Chen Ping hadn't had so many fortuitous encounters, he wouldn't have been able to stay here with a mere mortal body, aspiring to be among the top of his generation.

Chen Ping hadn't consumed much of his spiritual power:

“Seize the time to refine the Aurora Sword and Purple Firmament Sword, storing spiritual power within…”

“Hmph.” Luo Daoliu's eyes were gloomy. He almost didn't make it to the third stage.

“Seize the time to recover.”

However, many people were now casting mocking glances at him.

The Shi Feilan he was pursuing didn't go to her own secret chamber to cultivate but went straight to Chen Ping.

Luo Daoliu's face turned ashen, his cheeks burning. But right now, recovering his injuries was crucial. He could only snort coldly, flick his sleeves, and turn away, enduring the mocking gazes of the crowd as he entered the secret chamber to recover.

The crowd exchanged glances, observing their opponents.

Chen Ping discovered that he was the only remaining Eastern Xuan Sect disciple who had entered the third stage.

All four hundred or so Eastern Xuan Sect disciples were eliminated in the second stage.

The strength of the younger generation of Eastern Xuan Sect disciples was truly weak, now fully exposed.

In the floating island, Ling Xiao's expression was also unpleasant: “This generation of Foundation Establishment disciples is so useless?”

Although everyone knew that the Eastern Xuan Sect's strength was inherently weak, it was still unacceptable that only one person had entered the third stage in this once-in-a-century Nascent Soul Seed Battle.

They shouted slogans loudly usually, each acting important, boasting about their reputation.

Now, the Nascent Soul Seed Battle had become a mirror, revealing their true forms.

And Chen Ping, who had entered the third stage, was disliked by the higher-ups of the Eastern Xuan Sect and might be executed after this Nascent Soul Seed Battle ended.

Thinking of this, Ling Xiao felt it was truly ironic: “When did the Eastern Xuan Sect become like this?”

Bai Jianjia's beautiful eyes flickered:

“The third stage, a ranking challenge among a hundred people, will also take a few days. It's time to notify Master to come.”

How could she not understand that once the Nascent Soul Seed Battle ended, the higher-ups of the Eastern Xuan Sect would take action against Chen Ping?

Therefore, to protect Chen Ping, Superior Gong Yue had to be present!

…

Inside Chen Ping's secret chamber in the fighting arena.

Chen Ping and Shi Feilan met.

Chen Ping said, “Fellow Daoist Shi, a total of seven fellow Daoists from the Wonderful Desire Pavilion attacked me this time, and I spared all their lives.”

“When will the Wonderful Desire Pavilion give me the things?”

Shi Feilan said, “Fellow Daoist Chen, come with me. I'll take you to get those three spiritual herbs now.”

She didn't quite understand how Chen Ping could remain so calm with his life on the line, not changing his allegiance to save his life, and still be thinking about those three Three Flavors Spiritual Herbs.

Chen Ping, a mere mortal body, had reached this stage. The Wonderful Desire Pavilion had extended an olive branch and even sent her to win him over.

This would also leave Chen Ping with a good impression, telling him that there were many factions within the Wonderful Desire Pavilion, and her faction was very kind to Chen Ping.

Shi Feilan formed a hand seal in the secret chamber, and the wall of the secret chamber opened, revealing a narrow secret passage.

Chen Ping narrowed his eyes: “Truly secretive.”

“Fellow Daoist Lan, go get the spiritual herbs. I'll wait for you here.”

He also had to guard against the Wonderful Desire Pavilion leading him into this secret passage, in case they were planning a sneak attack.

Replicating the incident with Mu Xingling, turning him into a pleasure slave.

Shi Feilan's expression didn't change at all: “Alright, then Fellow Daoist Chen can wait here.”

Then Shi Feilan entered the secret passage, while Chen Ping sat cross-legged in the secret chamber: “If Shi Feilan can open a passage in the secret chamber, others can also use this method to ambush me.”

Shi Feilan's action reminded Chen Ping.

Once Shi Feilan retrieved the three spiritual herbs, Chen Ping wouldn't stay in the secret chamber but would recover outside.

The Wonderful Desire Pavilion was definitely hedging its bets. At this moment, there must be someone who saw him as a thorn in their side and wanted to get rid of him.

Chen Ping maintained a meditative posture on the surface, but in reality, his divine soul and mana were surging, ready to unleash the Dharma Body Sword Manifestation and use the Sword Qi power!

Time passed little by little. Half a day later, Shi Feilan returned the same way. A flash of her spatial ring revealed three jade boxes:

“The things Fellow Daoist Chen wants are inside.”

Chen Ping took the three jade boxes, and a hint of uncontrollable joy flashed in his eyes:

“The nine spiritual herbs for the Golden Spirit Guiding Divine Pill are finally all collected.”

“Now I can refine the Golden Spirit Guiding Divine Pill at any time.”

He carefully checked to confirm that there were no mistakes, and a smile appeared on his face: “These are the things I want.”

“It seems that Fellow Daoist Chen's cooperation with us is quite pleasant. Has Fellow Daoist Chen considered doing a deeper deal with our Wonderful Desire Pavilion?” Shi Feilan said.

Chen Ping frowned:

“A deeper deal? Not for now. If that moment really comes, I will give priority to the Wonderful Desire Pavilion.”

Shi Feilan remained expressionless: “Alright, I will report it as such.”

Chen Ping would indeed be threatened with his life because of the position of True Disciple and would have no choice but to withdraw from the Eastern Xuan Sect. He would definitely join the Demon Subduing Sect first and foremost.

But that possibility was very small.

Shi Feilan left.

Chen Ping also walked out of the secret chamber right after her.

Immediately, many ambiguous gazes were cast at them.

Chen Ping ignored these gazes, his mind racing: “For safety's sake, the most reliable way is to advance to the Golden Core stage immediately after the Nascent Soul Seed Battle ends, triggering the Heavenly Tribulation.”

“So now, it's a race against time. The Nascent Soul Seed Battle is not that important anymore.”

In full view of everyone, Chen Ping summoned the White Jade Flying Boat outside the secret chamber. He entered the secret chamber of the White Jade Flying Boat, placing the Purple Firmament Sword at the door.

In the secret chamber, he took out a third-order pill furnace and a third-order spiritual fire:

“Begin refining… the Golden Spirit Guiding Divine Pill!”

Chen Ping would never reveal his identity as a pill refiner unless he was in a desperate situation!