Immortal of the Nine Realms

The Dragon Vein Pill? thought Fang Chen.

As Fang Chen followed Xia Ji outside, he recalled the method of refining the Dragon Vein Pill. In the Heavenly Supreme Pill Technique, the Earth Grade section contains ninety-nine types of pill formulas, one of which was the Dragon Vein Pill.

The materials required for the Dragon Vein Pill amount to four thousand seven hundred ninety-nine types, one of which was dragon blood. The purity can vary; the lower the purity of the dragon blood, the worse the effects of the resulting Dragon Vein Pill.

However, as long as it can be refined, even the most inferior Dragon Vein Pill could grant a cultivator of the Upper Three Realms a thousand years’ increase in cultivation.

“Xia Ji, are they saying the Dragon Vein Pill is a saint-grade pill? And who is that Era Immortal King?” Fang Chen casually asked.

Xia Ji explained, “The Era Immortal King can be considered the foremost figure in alchemy within the Central Continent Empire. He also serves as a teacher in the Desolate Academy and is the vice president.

“In the vast world, only the Era Immortal King knows how to refine the Dragon Vein Pill, and only he can produce it. You happen to be in the capital now; when you have time, you can check the imperial list. The imperial list in the capital is the most detailed, listing all saint-grade materials and pills; it’s enough to dazzle anyone’s eyes. The Dragon Vein Pill ranks among the top ten saint-grade pills.

“I’ve heard it’s been many years since a saint-grade pill was produced, so this time, the successful refinement will attract countless people to witness it. This is also the intention of that person in the palace, hoping someone can gain some insights and understanding of the path of alchemy.”

A slight smile appeared on Xia Ji’s face. “But is it really that easy to comprehend the path of alchemy? Without a pill formula, even the best talent cannot rise to fame in this field.

Fang Chen remarked, “But these alchemy masters are all protective of their teachings, and even their disciples rarely receive true guidance. Makes you wonder if the path of alchemy will decline with each generation.”

Looks like the classification of pill grades in the Heavenly Supreme Pill Technique differs from that of the present world. The Dragon Vein Pill is now considered a saint-grade pill these days, ranking above heavenly-grade. In the Great Heaven Sovereign’s teachings, such a formula can only be categorized in the Earth Grade section, which has a total of ninety-nine types…

The grading of pills in the present day might be far inferior to that of ancient times. The Heaven rank and Earth rank pills of today would’ve probably been classified as Profound rank in the past.

“Tell me about the Desolate Academy,” said Fang Chen.

This wasn’t the first time Fang Chen had heard of the Desolate Academy, but he had never really delved into it. Hearing that an Immortal King could only serve as the vice president there and that he was the foremost pill maker in the Central Continent Empire piqued his interest.

Xia Ji smiled and began, “The origins of the Desolate Academy are quite significant. You probably already know that there are five major sects in the world, right? They are the Desolate Academy, the Divine Dao Sect, the Immortal Worshiping Sect, the Incense Sect, and the Spirit Blood Sect.”

His tone turned a bit heavier when he mentioned the Spirit Blood Sect, but he quickly returned to normal and continued, “The core of the Desolate Sect is the Desolate Academy. All the Immortal Kings across the four continents, various immortal manors, and even the officials in the court, along with those in the second and third-tier empires, mostly belong to the Desolate Sect and the Desolate Academy.

“In fact, throughout the history of the Central Continent, all Immortal Emperors had to spend some time training in the Desolate Academy before they could take up the imperial throne.”

After a pause, he glanced at Fang Chen and smiled. “Impressive, right?”

Fang Chen nodded lightly. “Impressive indeed.”

The Desolate Sect was essentially the state religion, with the Desolate Academy representing the Central Continent.

“As for the Spirit Blood Sect, I don’t need to say much about it. They’re just a bunch of rats. The Immortal Worshiping Sect, on the other hand... consists mainly of ascetic cultivators who desire to become immortals. They are mostly detached from the world, and they have declined in recent times.

“The Incense Sect is a sect people hold in disdain; no one dares to openly claim affiliation with it. They practice secretly, relying on absorbing the incense of living beings to break through their realms in pursuit of immortality.

“These days, the only sect that can somewhat compete with the Desolate Sect is the Divine Dao Sect. The Divine Dao Sect oversees several branches, such as the Green Elephant Sect, the Grand Dao Library, the Lingyun Sword Sect, and the Immortal Giant Sect, each with an Immortal King in charge. Their strength should not be underestimated.”

At this point, Xia Ji discreetly transmitted a message, “I’ve investigated secretly. The Desolate Sect definitely has a First Rate Sect Leader, and the Divine Dao Sect undoubtedly has one too. I'm not so sure about the Incense Sect, but the Immortal Worshiping Sect likely doesn't have one, while the Spirit Blood Sect probably does.”

“There are only five renowned First Rate Sect Leaders in the Central Continent. If you look at the top twenty on the Emperor's List, aside from those five, the remaining fifteen are from Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper factions. I suspect that in a few years, Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper will definitely want to incorporate the Central Continent into their territories, leading to inevitable conflicts.”

Fang Chen nodded slightly. “A few years ago, the old sword immortal of the Void Immortal Sword Sect clashed with the Celestial Heaven and Northern Dipper factions and was injured.”

“I’ve heard that while the old sword immortal isn’t a Loose Immortal, the sword in his hand qualifies to become the sixth First Rate Sect Leader. Now that the old sword immortal has been injured, it may be a trial from those two factions.”

Xia Ji’s eyes revealed a hint of amusement. “Let’s not dwell on these matters; our cultivation levels are too low for now. But you didn’t come just to find me, did you? I could tell you couldn’t speak earlier because my senior sister was around. So if you want to say anything, now is the time. Go ahead and tell me. ”

Fang Chen smiled and shared his plans with Xia Ji.

In the end, he reminded him, “Be careful not to let your hair fall into the hands of others. This kind of calamity-inducing technique is meant for dealing with individuals of unusual status who cannot be directly confronted. Since you know me, the Innate Dao Sect might be waiting for the day you reach the Golden Core Realm to use it on you, catching you off guard.”

Xia Ji gasped. “The ancient sect’s techniques are too strange; they can even influence the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations?”

He couldn’t but feel a little sorry for Xu Qingsong, who had once lost face at the Immortal Dynasty Manor. Now, he had to use his blood essence to help Fang Chen summon a calamity sooner, offering Fang Chen a helping hand without realizing it.

“The Ninth Prince, Ji Liang, is also in the capital. Since he’s the one who taught Xu Qingsong the technique, he might secretly lend a hand. Also… Gai Wu is in the capital,” Xia Ji pondered aloud.

Fang Chen paused slightly. “Gai Wu is also in the capital?”

“Don’t act recklessly. If you kill him here, you’ll soon be the ex-sword leader of the Void Immortal Sword Sect. You won’t be leaving alive,” Xia Ji advised, “Let me think of a way to mix his hair with yours and then quietly send it to Xu Qingsong. Since it’s all about invoking calamities, there’s no need to distinguish between you. You both can face the tribulation together.”

Fang Chen glanced at him. “Then let’s do that.”

As they chatted, the two gradually moved away from the bustling city center of the capital. Every hundred feet, they would encounter stationed soldiers. The soldiers would let them pass after verifying Xia Ji’s identity.

Before long, a high platform that resembled jade came into view, exuding a rich spiritual aura. At the center of the platform stood a figure, with a three-person tall alchemical furnace in front of him. The figure continually clapped his hands, enveloping the furnace in layers of spiritual flames, fluctuating in intensity.

The area was already crowded with dignitaries and nobles from the capital, all of high status.

“Only the Desolate Academy could afford such a grand display, using the entire spiritual vein to assist in alchemy,” Xia Ji remarked as he looked at the high platform.

His voice drew the attention of several people, including a woman in plain clothes who was surrounded by admirers. When she caught sight of Xia Ji, she merely cast him a dismissive glance before focusing intently on the high platform.

Not far from her, Ji Liang's gaze fell on Fang Chen, and it took him several breaths to react.

He squinted slightly. “Fang Chen.”

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