Chapter 416 - 245: Immortal Body, Emerging from Cyan Cloud! (Part 2)

Su Mu’s eyes gleamed with piercing brilliance, and amidst them swirled a hint of astonishment and doubt. This jade scroll did not seem to contain some secret technique, but rather appeared to be a compilation of profound Cultivation Technique inheritance—a half-completed art that could grant entry into the Vajra Secret Realm.

"Vajra Profound Pattern..."

As he delved deeper, another trace of suspicion arose in Su Mu’s heart. The fragmented technique within the jade scroll was named "Immortal Body"; this ancient Cultivation Technique required the condensation of Vajra Profound Pattern to temper the body.

"This method seems to share something of the same subtlety as the Cyan Simurgh Phoenix Transformation Scripture."

Su Mu immediately recalled the Cyan Simurgh Phoenix Transformation Scripture; this Cultivation Technique required Phoenix Blood as its guide, refining Celestial Phoenix Patterns. When cultivated to its utmost depth, it could forge the Celestial Phoenix Body—enough to shake the heavens and mortals.

Whereas this "Immortal Body" was cultivated by bathing in starlight, mobilizing Star Essence to condense Vajra Profound Pattern; when polished to perfection, it caused the tendons, bones, and flesh to ceaselessly transform, culminating in the Immortal Saint Realm.

"I wonder which is more powerful—the Celestial Phoenix Body or the Immortal Saint Realm."

At this moment, a vague conjecture formed in Su Mu’s mind: half of the "Immortal Body" technique could be cultivated to the Little Vajra Secret Realm, so could the Cyan Simurgh Phoenix Transformation Scripture be fully cultivated, perhaps even reaching a stronger Great Vajra Realm?

With Su Mu’s current Martial Arts attainment, he could sense that both the Cyan Simurgh Phoenix Transformation Scripture and Immortal Body possessed an ancient charm distinct from ordinary Martial Arts, but what exactly was different, Su Mu could not articulate.

"It’s not just about profundity... More precisely, it should be their antiquity?"

Su Mu’s eyes flickered; he could not explain the varied reasons, but there was simply such a feeling. Unable to figure it out, Su Mu did not dwell too much and began pondering another problem.

"Cultivating Immortal Body must be aided by taking Profound Pattern Pill. The jade scroll provides a corresponding pill formula, but the refinement of Profound Pattern Pill is a real challenge."

"The refinement of Profound Pattern Pill requires dozens of rare herbs, and its grade is no less than a Sixth Grade Elixir, already within the category of Mid Grade Elixirs."

With a thought, Su Mu swept his Spiritual Power across the Sumeru Ring, searching through the rare herbs he’d taken from Tao Xingzheng’s hidden chamber, and quickly found that several of the ingredients for Profound Pattern Pill were present.

As for the remaining herbs, it was obvious that they could not be gathered within the Qingyun Three Counties; only by seeking them in the Commandery City, or even searching the Ancient Qingzhou, could he hope to collect them all.

Furthermore, he had previously visited the Hundred Elixir Tower to inquire about the rules regarding alchemy masters; regardless of success or failure in alchemy, the cost was to be borne by the alchemy master, and after successful refinement, the product would be split between the alchemy master and the client—generally, one out of four pills would go to the alchemy master.

The Profound Pattern Pill was a Sixth Grade Elixir; its grade was even higher than the Azure Blood Five Elements Pill which Tao Xingzheng had cunningly used against him.

If he were to provide herbs and rely on a Pill Master, should that Pill Master’s skill fall short, the precious ingredients would be wasted.

Moreover, hiring someone else for refinement would require Su Mu to hand over his ancient pill formula to the Pill Master. This formula had not come easily—acquired when the Sun Family Ancestor decapitated an Arhat with a single sword; how could Su Mu be willing to give it away so heedlessly?

"Absolutely not. Relying on others is no match for relying on myself. This matter concerns the Vajra Secret Realm, and the cost to refine is extremely high. On the path of cultivation, pills are indispensable; rather than letting others handle it, I may as well elevate my own Alchemy Skill."

Su Mu quickly made up his mind—he would personally refine the Profound Pattern Pill.

Firstly, he already had some experience in alchemy; after all, he had previously managed to produce the Entry Level Jade Bone Pill successfully.

Secondly, Su Mu himself had long held interest in alchemy; to master Alchemy Skill, one must first be versed in Medical Skill and knowledge of medicinal herbs, and this Su Mu just happened to possess.

"This journey to Donglai County is over a thousand miles; we’ll certainly have to walk and rest along the way. This stretch of time is perfect for diving into medicinal theory and Alchemy Skill!"

If others knew of Su Mu’s thoughts at this moment, they would certainly twitch at the corner of their mouths, inwardly sneering at his wild delusions.

The three master artisans of Qingyun City’s Forging Workshop had once been geniuses at forging, their Martial Dao foundations not inferior, and yet after devoting themselves obsessively to forging, their Martial Dao had stagnated at the Eighth Grade.

Alchemy Skill is abstruse and profound, not a whit inferior to artifact refining; to master it not only demands talent but also years of tireless effort, and a man’s energy and time are limited—it is difficult to pursue both without loss.

Moreover, alchemy differs from artifact refining; even in failure, forging could often be re-melted for reuse, at the very least salvaging some iron, but alchemy is different—should a batch be ruined, wasted pills cannot be recovered at all.

Alchemy must be explored step by step through trial and error. Without the vast resources and extravagant supply of rare herbs provided by a great force, how could outstanding Pill Masters be cultivated?

To dream of becoming a master pill refiner by personal effort alone—such a thought is nothing but naive delusion!

Besides, the pill Su Mu aimed to make was not a Lower Three Grades one, but a Mid Third Grade pill; those rare Pill Masters who could skillfully produce Sixth Grade Elixirs were few even in the Commandery City, and extremely rare across the whole Qingzhou.

Yet Su Mu held confidence; the Dragon-and-Phoenix Level comprehension was his foundation—this comprehension was far beyond what ordinary people could imagine, and Dragon-and-Phoenix Level was not even Su Mu’s limit!

Soon enough, Li Lu brought back several bulging sacks—apart from a few sets of clothes, the rest was all provisions.

Su Mu waved his hand and stored all the parcels directly into his Sumeru Ring.

"Eat up in a bit. Once we’ve finished, we’ll depart."

Li Lu paused in place, a flicker of anxious uncertainty about the future in his eyes, but as his gaze landed on Su Mu’s back, he quickly lightened up and followed along.

"Ten pounds braised meat, plate of spiced beans, eleven bowls of Yangchun noodles, extra scallions."