Wasted Spiritual Root to Embark on Demonic Cultivation Chapter 34
All things considered, Wang Yu had been cultivating for less than two full years, yet his progress was already faster than that of a Three Spiritual Roots cultivator. He was racing down the path of immortality at a speed comparable to someone with Two Spiritual Roots.
However, regarding the specific use of the three Idle Slots, Wang Yu decided to rework his plan.
The benefits brought by fully mastering a cultivation method were too great, enough to warrant a change to his original strategy.
After a brief moment of thought, a new plan took shape.
[Idle Slot 1: Cold Blood Technique]
[Idle Slot 2: Cold Blood Technique]
[Idle Slot 3: Cold Chi Alchemy Technique (Fragmented Technique)]
Originally, he had placed the "Cold Blood Pill Recipe" because he had no money and planned to refine auxiliary cultivation pills himself, since the market price was too steep.
Moreover, the effectiveness of the Idle Slots was gradually diminishing, so it made more sense to swap it out and rely on pills instead.
"At this rate, I can break through to Qi Refining Layer Five in three and a half years."
Not bad at all.
As for the placement of the alchemy technique, it was not merely about improving a skill, but also about tempering Wang Yu’s divine sense. In the future, it would also aid in refining supreme-grade Cold Blood Pills.
He had already personally experienced the effects of high-grade pills, and naturally desired more. Why not aim for the best and try the supreme-grade version?
On the other hand, most of this alchemy technique’s value lay in the special "Cold Chi Pill", which could condense a unique "Cold Flame Seed" that would grow together with the cultivator.
Its core material required at minimum a second-rank demonic core from a cold-attribute serpent-type beast, which was far out of reach for now, so there was no rush to place it yet.
At most, it would take three and a half months for the Cold Chi Alchemy Technique to reach completion.
By then, once a slot opened up, Wang Yu had two options.
One was to continue down the path of Spiritual Root Mutation, further enhancing his aptitude. For this, he had only one possible method — [Corpse Demon Secret Technique].
This secret technique had been in his possession for some time, but due to its many side effects, he had always been hesitant to use it.
However, according to the manual, both "Heavenly Yin Blood" and "Corpse Demon Bone" were special body-refinement secret methods that could potentially enhance his aptitude.
The second option was to continue placing pill formulas, grinding the Cold Blood Pill, All Wonder Pill, and Cold Chi Pill all to full mastery, and then using spirit stones to push his cultivation. The danger of this path came from the outside world and could lead to death.
The first path’s danger came from the secret art itself, which could very likely cause his Spiritual Root to undergo complete mutation.
It was a mixed bag of risks and benefits.
Wang Yu decided to wait another three and a half months. Once the alchemy technique was perfected, he would confirm whether the Idle Slot could complete the Corpse Demon Secret Technique.
By then, if he placed the [Corpse Demon Secret Technique], he wouldn’t have to worry about terrifying side effects like “Body Like an Ancient Corpse”, “Yang Qi Deficiency”, or “Emotionless and Lustless”.
A complete secret art definitely wouldn't have such side effects, he was firm in this belief.
……
……
The Next Day.
Eight Treasures Pavilion.
Nearly four months had passed since his cooperation with Zhao Shang began. So far, they had conducted three transactions. This time was the fourth.
"A pleasure doing business."
After finishing the meal, they conducted the transaction using a storage pouch. Zhao Shang checked the pills inside and nodded.
"Still making a bit of profit. When do you plan to scale things up?"
"Just a bit?"
Wang Yu looked at Zhao with a faint smile. He had sold them at market price. When giving them to Zhou Tao and the others, he used the bulk purchase rate, but the pills were sold to the Ice and Snow Pavilion at nearly thirty percent above the market rate.
The members of the Alchemist Association were recorded in the Ice and Snow Pavilion’s archives as alchemy masters, seen as future second-rank alchemy geniuses and potential prospects. The high prices were clearly an early investment to win them over.
Who knew what True Disciple Su would think if he saw these records with his own eyes.
"I'm serious. Over this period, you've made at least this much, right?"
Zhao Shang held up two fingers.
Wang Yu remained expressionless, neither confirming nor denying, but the calculation was damn accurate. Two thousand spirit stones in four months, that amount wasn’t small at all. In fact, it was the benefit he had squeezed out from both sides.
He had earned more from the Alchemists' Association, but when averaged per person, it was only about thirteen hundred.
This was pure profit after deducting costs, absolute profiteering. All Wang Yu did was use the Law Enforcement Token once, and he managed to obtain this income, almost like conjuring it from thin air.
Naturally, he was satisfied. Zhao Shang, however, had bigger ambitions and did not feel content.
Wang Yu couldn't help but give a warning.
"Taking spirit stones from Ice and Snow Pavilion is certainly satisfying, but you’re biting the hand that feeds you. Keep your moves subtle if you want a steady and long-term gain.
"Don’t tell me that once you get your hands on the Foundation Establishment Pill, you’re going to stop mingling with the Blood Reversal Sect?"
Zhao Shang remained silent. Wang Yu was slightly stunned, he hadn’t expected to hit the mark. Thinking a bit further.
It made sense. Zhao Shang wasn’t new to biting both ends. There were bound to be traces left behind. Even if he broke through to Foundation Establishment, there was still the risk of being settled with later by Disciple Su.
"Already found a backup faction? If it’s promising, how about bringing me along?"
Zhao Shang said nothing. A moment later, he forced a laugh.
"How could that be? The Blood Reversal Sect treats me like a son. True Disciple Su is like an elder brother to me. How could I have such thoughts? Brother Wang, you must be mistaken."
"Heh.
"Suit yourself."
Wang Yu spread his hands with a helpless look, though more thoughts were stirring in his mind. A bitter chill like this didn't form in a day. Zhao Shang had clearly been thinking like this for quite a while. He would be worth keeping an eye on in the future.
Having such a backup route might come in handy someday.
After they parted, Wang Yu met with the three members of the Association again and split the spirit stones.
Luo Pinghu had already repaid his debt. At present, Wang Yu had accumulated over twenty-four hundred spirit stones. His contribution points, however, had not increased, still hovering a little over a hundred.
According to his original plan, now that he had money, he wanted to buy a high-grade magic artifact to boost his combat power. It would be enough to last him until Foundation Establishment, a worthy investment.
However, the artifacts distributed by the Ten Blood Reversal Workshops were of worrying quality. Almost all of them were second-hand. Some weren’t even stronger than the Ice Sword Technique.
In that case, the best plan would be to commission a custom artifact from the Artifact Forging Hall.
On another front.
After fully mastering the Cold Blood Technique, Ice Sword Technique, and Ice Shield Technique, Wang Yu vaguely felt that his comprehension had improved.
This improvement didn’t come from consuming any spirit pills, but rather from a shift in perspective. Just like a primary school student versus a senior high schooler learning a foreign language, the latter would obviously improve faster.
His cultivation mindset had matured. Whether it was drawing inferences or taking a strategic view from above, the results showed in practice. He truly felt his comprehension had risen.
Moreover, deep down, he had a vague sense that mastering more perfected techniques before Foundation Establishment would benefit his cultivation and future progress.
This sudden insight was mysterious and difficult to describe.
It made Wang Yu even more inclined to invest his spirit stones in spell techniques, rather than in high-grade artifacts that would eventually become obsolete.
He couldn’t exchange spirit stones for techniques at the Scripture Hall, which only accepted contribution points. But from factions like the Ice and Snow Pavilion, which were part of the True Disciple Forces, he could make exchanges.