By midnight, Luo Chen had finally determined the processing methods for the various primary and auxiliary ingredients required for the Spirit Passage pill formula.
Some were already being processed, while others would need more time before they could process.
But time has changed! Many tasks no longer required his personal attention, once dawn broke, he could simply assign them to his apprentice alchemists.
Cultivation, however, was something he could never afford to neglect.
After finishing another cultivation session, Luo Chen glanced at his status panel.
Realm: Qi-Refining Stage Nine (8/100)
It had been nearly four months since he first reached the ninth stage of Qi-Refining, and he was more than satisfied with his progress.
The first month had been excruciatingly slow, his progress crawled from 1 to 2 at a snail’s pace. However, in the past two months, thanks to the Spirit Purification pills, his cultivation efficiency had doubled, allowing him to reach 8 points in progress.
"Based on my current pace, I should be advancing at around 1.5 progress per month.
"Spirit Purification pills are truly miraculous!
"Hopefully, Tian Xingzi can acquire more for me."
Luo Chen quickly assessed his remaining stock, over the past two months, he had been consuming one pill every ten days. Now, he had only thirty-three pills left.
At this rate, they would last him at most another year.
"No need to rush, no need to rush!" Luo Chen sighed, his voice tinged with emotion. With cultivation speed like his, it was already beyond extraordinary.
Even dual-spirit-root cultivators would struggle to match his pace. And with the support of Spirit Purification pills, he might not even be far behind those blessed with heavenly spirit roots.
However, even if his cultivation speed couldn't be further increased, he could still enhance his overall strength through other means.
As the cold morning breeze brushed against him, Luo Chen retrieved a small vial from his storage pouch. Guided by his spirit power, two drops of crystal-clear liquid floated out, gently descending into his wide-open eyes.
The moment they touched his pupils, a sharp burning pain exploded through his senses. Luo Chen immediately shut his eyes tightly.
It was as if chili paste had been smeared into his eyes, combined with the piercing sensation of needles and swords stabbing through them.
Tears involuntarily streamed down his face.
Only after a long moment did Luo Chen slowly open his eyes. He wiped away the lingering tears, exhaling a deep breath of turbid air.
"Good thing I’ve been cultivating the Divine Breaker of Malevolence, this level of pain is still bearable."
He blinked a few times, and the fatigue from countless nights of cultivation seemed to dissipate. His vision sharpened, clearer than ever before.
His deep black pupils reflected the light, gleaming like stars in an endless night sky.
"Clarity Essence truly has ten times the effectiveness of Runming Pearl Essence!
"After just two months of use, my vision range has already extended beyond a hundred li."
He shook the now-empty bottle, feeling a twinge of regret.
"No, I need to get more of this stuff!"
Luo Chen was well aware of the immense benefits his enhanced vision granted him.
These eyes had brought him countless advantages.
During the battle at Crescent Moon Valley, they had allowed him to see through a traitor’s disguise. And at Lancang River and Dahe Market’s inner city, he had been able to observe skirmishes from a safe distance, witnessing battles that ordinary cultivators could never perceive.
Most notably, in the Precious Dragon Black Market, these eyes had allowed him to see through the hidden layers of Sky Roc Transformation beast hide, leading him to the second-tier alchemical formula of Imperial Nectar.
This was the first time since transmigrating that he had experienced the thrill of a true lucky find.
Thus, further enhancing his eyesight was now an unquestionable priority.
Even without Clarity Essence, he had to continue using Runming Pearl Essence. Bit by bit, day by day, someday, his Perfected Mastery Spirit Eyes would reach an even higher level!
Beyond Clarity Essence, his cultivation routine was far from over.
Luo Chen pulled out another bottle.
Golden Jade Liquid! A Physical-Refining spirit medicine perfectly suited for Qi-Refining cultivators!
Wang Yuan had reached the second stage of physical refinement in such a short time largely due to his martial arts foundation from his mortal days, but even more so, it is due to this liquid.
Ever since he took over the Water-Dragon Hall, nearly all his resources had been funneled into Taishan Market, buying Golden Jade Liquid from the Golden Stone Pavilion. When he had reached major mastery in the first stage of physical refinement, he had an extra bottle and gifted it to Luo Chen.
That was the first time Luo Chen had ever tried the substance.
He had to admit, the effects were truly remarkable.
Its name alone spoke volumes about its properties.
Golden Jade Liquid, the golden aspect strengthened the body's exterior. With prolonged use, one would gradually reach the Vajra Tempering stage, where their flesh would become as resilient as metal. The jade aspect, on the other hand, nurtured the body's inner structure, bones and meridians alike.
Once fully cultivated, it would lead to signs of the Jade-Flesh Physique, just like what Wang Yuan had now.
As for the method of cultivating the second stage of physical refinement, Wang Yuan had briefly mentioned it but didn’t go into detail.
Even if he had explained further, Luo Chen, having never practiced true physical refinement, wouldn’t have been able to fully grasp the complexities.
What he did know, however, was that he absolutely could not neglect his physical endurance.
Golden Jade Liquid strengthened his body, while the Spirit Passage pill fortified his divine soul. Even if he couldn't achieve an extraordinary level, he couldn't afford for his physical form to become a hindrance when breaking through to Foundation Establishment.
Without hesitation, Luo Chen took a gulp of Golden Jade Liquid.
The sensation was akin to swallowing molten lava. But Luo Chen, having grown used to it, merely smacked his lips as if he had just drunk scalding-hot soy milk.
"Shame I can't drink too much in a day, otherwise, it might scorch my internal organs."
As the Golden Jade Liquid spread through his body, a numbing, itchy soreness coursed through him. A telltale sign that his physique was growing stronger.
"Now, all that's left is the Spirit Passage pill."
Qi-Refining, strengthening physique, and fortifying the soul.
Luo Chen had to advance on all three fronts! Everything was for the sake of breaking through to Foundation Establishment!