At the same time, the Spirit Qi contained within it was frantically dissipating into the outside world.
Perhaps because of the close proximity, a large portion of it directly accumulated at the location of the Spirit Stone Ore.
However, a small part was still floating in the Outer World.
Luo Chen operated his Spirit Vision Technique to the maximum extent, attentively watching the dispersing Spirit Qi of the spirit stones nearby.
"What is this black, roaming energy?"
Suddenly, Luo Chen saw threads of black energy floating amongst the Spirit Qi.
The conditions of these threads clashed with those of the Spirit Qi - they were mutually compatible, yet they repelled each other.
As soon as it was released, it would escape into the outer world, taking along with it some of the Spirit Qi, running amok.
Staring at this peculiar scene, numerous speculations emerged in Luo Chen’s mind.
"Are these the unique methods by which the Great Sects can create Spirit Stones?"
"Anti-counterfeit signs? Exclusive logo?"
"A method to stabilize the Spirit Qi and solidify it inside spirit stones? Or is it a special method to inhibit the direct absorption for cultivators?"
Luo Chen tried to capture the scattered black Qi using his spirit power, but he caught nothing.
Why couldn’t he grab it even though he could see it?
Luo Chen furrowed his eyebrows, watching helplessly as the black Qi dispersed into the air.
"Would it just disappear?"
"It feels a bit like some sort of disposable consumable."
Luo Chen stared at another Lower Grade Spirit Stone that he had taken out.
After hesitating for a while, he put it back.
Never mind. Right now, he had not grasped a way to capture this black Qi. Even if he destroyed more spirit stones, it would be a waste.
However, if one day he could master a method to eliminate or control this black Qi, he could simultaneously absorb the Spirit Qi within the Spirit Stones while fighting enemies.
It was said that cultivators within the Great Sects have similar capabilities.
That’s why ordinary rogue cultivators find it hard to face sect cultivators directly in battle, let alone in an endurance battle.
"However, if I no longer cultivate here in future, I could consider taking this Spirit Stone Ore with me as a backup energy source."
Luo Chen stared at the Spirit Stone Ore, making plans to cut off someone’s source of life.
...
After resting for a night, Luo Chen looked much better than before.
However, at first glance, he still appeared weak and pale.
When Mi Shuhua arrived, this was the state Luo Chen was in.
Originally, he came happily because yesterday Sikong Shoujia had taken back a Medium Grade Jade Marrow Pill.
This signaled that Luo Chen’s Pill Refinement had made significant progress.
Lower Grade and Medium Grade are entirely different!
A bottle of Lower Grade Jade Marrow Pill could only be sold for ten Spirit Stones, and because of its side effects, many cultivators hesitate to buy it.
But a bottle of Medium Grade Jade Marrow Pill, due to its abundant medicinal strength supporting early and middle stage cultivators during their cultivation, could increase the price to forty or fifty spirit stones!
This meant that the Pill Hall would welcome enormous profit.
Far exceeding the profit of the Allure Pill!
Because of this, a pleased Mi Shuhua did not come empty-handed.
He brought a large amount of Demon Beast meat and Spirit Rice to reward the cultivators who managed the inner workings of the Pill Hall.
After all, they had suffered a death and injury yesterday, so they didn’t want the morale to drop.
For Luo Chen, he had prepared a big gift, hoping that he would continue to work hard.
However, seeing Luo Chen’s sickly appearance, his heart felt as cold as the coming winter.
"Xiao Luo, Xiao Luo, what happened to you?"
Lying on the bed, Luo Chen "weakly" opened his eyes. "Gang Leader Mi, I’m afraid I can’t hold on."
"Uh..."
Unable to hold back any longer, Mi Shuhua released his Spirit Consciousness, and with a mere sweep, he learned of Luo Chen’s condition.
"You’re talking nonsense. You’ve just damaged your meridians. I have a bottle of Deficiency Repairing Meridian Fluid here, specifically for Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Take it and mix it with water to drink. It will cure your illness in a month."
Whoosh!
The bottle of spirit medicine was already in Luo Chen’s hand before Mi Shuhua had finished speaking.
Sitting up, Luo Chen was curious about the elixir.
"Deficiency Repairing Meridian Fluid?"
Mi Shuhua helplessly said, "Yes, once a cultivator breaks through to Foundation Establishment, their Dantian will solidify and become impregnable, rarely experiencing the situation of Dantian being broken as with Qi Refinement Cultivators."
"Under these circumstances, Foundation Establishment Cultivators will try to open all the meridians and acupoints throughout their body, storing the spirit power in these extra areas."
"Prudently opening the body’s meridians and acupoints will naturally result in minor damage. Hence, the Spirit Medicine Hall specifically sells this Deficiency Repairing Meridian Fluid. It’s very effective."
Upon hearing this explanation, Luo Chen was overjoyed.
Holding the jade bottle, Luo Chen emotionally said, "Gang Leader Mi, you’re so good to me. If you weren’t so old, I would want to acknowledge you as my godfather."
Who’s old?!
I still have a hundred years left to live!
A vein pulsed on Mi Shuhua’s forehead, and he didn’t continue the conversation.
The implication in Luo Chen’s words was that he didn’t want to recognize him as his godfather.
He didn’t have that sentiment either. Luo Chen’s value was in pill refinement, but because his talent was too poor, it would be difficult for him to advance to Foundation Establishment in his lifetime.
His current investment was already quite substantial.
If he were to become the cheap adoptive father, wouldn’t that bleed him dry!
Mentioning talent, Mi Shuhua suddenly noticed something amiss.
"You’re at the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement?"
Luo Chen’s heart skipped a beat. His previous tirade hadn’t distracted Mi Shuhua enough, and he still noticed.
Did he discover it after all?
Even the Perfection Level of the Concealing Breath Mantra couldn’t withstand the discovery of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator’s Spirit Consciousness.
However, it seemed to be not completely useless, at least when Mi Shuhua checked his injuries for the first time, he hadn’t discovered it.
Luo Chen responded ruefully, "Yes, these injuries are a result of a forceful breakthrough to the Seventh Level of Qi Refinement."