Chapter 08: Unexpected Transformation into Elixir

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When consumed, it is merely a matter of spraying some celestial fire to cook it, and then eating it in a rather careless manner. Only families like that of Du Lengning have dedicated chefs, but the culinary standards of chefs in the celestial realm are far inferior to those in the human realm—successful celestial beings are all busy with their cultivation, so who would take the time to be a chef

"Really?" Du Lengning exclaimed with delight, and Du Bo'an nodded, saying, "That's right. Although it cannot increase one's cultivation level yet, it serves as a good supplement of spiritual energy." Du Lengning then asked, "So, does this mean that this elixir can quickly replenish celestial energy in the body when it is severely depleted?" "Exactly..."

"Thud," Du Lengning fell to the ground and complained, "Uncle, can't you find a different way to summon me?" Du Bo'an, flipping through an old thread-bound book in his hands, did not even lift his eyelids and asked, "What is it this time, little one? Are you out of money again and come to steal my elixirs to sell?"

"Old Luo..." A shout came from afar, and with excitement, Du Lengning rushed in energetically, carrying two enormous bags on his back. "Old Luo, this is all for you." The two large cloth bags, each taller than a person, were thrown onto Luo Qian, causing him to stagger from the weight. "What is this?"

Beep beep beep... A stream of hot air burst forth, and a refreshing fragrance lingered in the cave. Du Lengning couldn't help but take a deep breath, swallowing her saliva as she said, "It smells so good. I never knew that the cheapest Yuying rice could cook such fragrant rice." Indeed, Yuying rice is the cheapest celestial rice in the celestial realm. As the esteemed young master of the Remote Hall, Du Lengning usually consumed rice of a quality two levels higher than this Yuying rice, known as "Yunying rice." Swallowing her saliva, she remarked, "It smells so good. I never knew that the cheapest Yuying rice could cook such fragrant rice." Indeed, Yuying rice is the cheapest celestial rice in the celestial realm. As the esteemed young master of the Remote Hall, Du Lengning usually consumed rice of a quality two levels higher than this Yuying rice, known as "Yunying rice."

In the realm of immortals, rice is precious, yet rice of the quality of Jade Blossom Rice is priced at one standard immortal jade per pound. Luo Qian refined ten high-grade spiritual pills from three pounds of rice, and with the consumption of one standard immortal jade for the power generator, the total expenditure amounted to three standard immortal jades, while the return was one thousand standard immortal jades, which can be considered a highly profitable venture

A series of azure lightning bolts danced above the rice cooker; at that moment, the rice cooker resembled not merely an appliance, but rather a cauldron for refining elixirs. The ingredients were sourced from the celestial realm, and the energy was also derived from the lightning of that realm, yet this cooking device was the only element that originated from the mortal world.

"Old, Old Luo, we really have struck gold..." Du Lengning said dreamily. Luo Qian quickly leaned in and asked, "What is it? Have you cooked up some delicacy? Do you want us to open a restaurant?" Two heads huddled over the small rice cooker, and upon seeing the scene inside, Luo Qian was also taken aback. He extended two fingers and picked up a jade-green medicinal pill the size of a longan, holding it up to the light: "What is this thing?"

Du Lengning performed a somersault and soared into the sky, loudly proclaiming: "Uncle, thank you very much. Next time, I will bring you some fine wine..." Du Bo'an shook his head and replied: "Hmph, you say this every time, but when have you ever followed through..."

Luo Qian poured the glistening jade-like rice into the rice cooker and scratched his head: "Wait here, I will go get some water." On Mount Maoshan, there was only one spring, the size of a cow's urine, located deep in the valley at the back of the mountain. After a moment, Luo Qian returned with a bucket of water. He found the instruction manual for the rice cooker, filled the water up to the marked line, and closed the lid, causing the green light on the rice cooker to illuminate.

Du Lengning smiled broadly: "Haha, it worked!" Luo Qian waved his hand, tucked the box under his arm, and said, "I will go back and test it out." He appeared calm on the surface, but inside he was extremely excited, not even bothering to say goodbye to Xiao Xiangzi, and hurried away. Du Lengning quickly expressed her gratitude and hurriedly followed Luo Qian. "Old Luo, wait for me..."

"Be quick and return swiftly!" The two individuals, lacking in experience, could not discern the quality of the elixir. With a sense of urgency from Luo Qian, Du Lengning soared into the sky.

Xiao Xiangzi received the payment and was indeed very dedicated to the task, as expected of the reputation of the young master Du from Ningyao Mountain. Soon, a metallic block emitting a bluish-red glow was placed in front of Luo Qian. Luo Qian looked at this object, which resembled an "X-BOX," and asked in confusion, "Is it really just like this?" Du Lengning replied, "That's right, give it a try." Seeing the scrutinizing look in his eyes, Xiao Xiangzi expressed some dissatisfaction, saying, "The method you told me was merely a concept. There are many aspects that are incomplete, and I corrected them one by one. Moreover, I made a metal casing for you free of charge. What else are you not satisfied with? If it weren't for the sake of Young Master Du, this item would cost you at least ten million standard fairy jade."

"Two hundred pounds of Yunying rice, one hundred and fifty pounds of Canghai millet—I have emptied the kitchen of the distant hall, so hurry up and refine the elixir for me!" Du Lengning said excitedly. Luo Qian couldn't help but smile wryly, but Du Lengning remained enthusiastic: "Old Luo, we are going to strike it rich this time. Do you know? This is a top-grade spiritual elixir—the market price in the immortal realm is such that one top-grade spiritual elixir can be exchanged for one hundred standard immortal jade. Haha, we are going to get rich..."

Luo Qian carefully unplugged the rice cooker, finding two wires wrapped around the metal rods of the box. Suddenly, there was a "beep" sound, and the red light of the rice cooker turned on. Luo Qian was overjoyed: "Ha!" Du Lengning, standing beside him, gave his shoulder a hearty slap: "Brother, we’ve struck it rich!"

What would be the outcome if, at a critical moment in battle, one suddenly finds oneself lacking strength? What consequences would arise if, during the process of alchemical refinement, the supply of celestial energy within the body suddenly becomes insufficient?

Du Lengning was increasingly hungry, yet the rice cooker over there was neither too hot nor too cold, and the rice just wouldn't cook. Du Lengning helplessly glanced at Luo Qian, who shrugged his shoulders, implying that he had no idea either

Luo Qian's eyes shifted: "Du Shao, didn't you say that you were just helping with this matter and that it has nothing to do with you?" Du Lengning smiled awkwardly and pretended to be clueless, saying: "Did I ever say such a thing? I don't remember, heh heh..." Seeing the rolling profits right before him, even though he was a well-known wealthy young man in the immortal realm, he couldn't help but be tempted. Considering that Luo Qian had been in this line of work for many years without being caught by the authorities, although it was dangerous, it was also stable, thus he couldn't resist wanting to get involved.

Du Bo'an looked at her carefully cradling it and couldn't help but frown: "Ning'er, if you need any elixirs, feel free to ask your uncle. You value these elixirs so highly; did you perhaps spend a large sum to buy them from elsewhere? Don't let yourself be taken advantage of..." He pinched the elixir with two fingers, examined it closely, then rubbed it vigorously in his palm before returning it to Du Lengning. He placed both hands on his nose to smell it, nodded, and said: "It's not bad; a high-quality spiritual elixir."

"Well then, Du Shao, since you have provided the written agreement, let us work side by side. However, from now on, you and I are like grasshoppers tied to the same string!" Luo Qian extended his palm. Du Lengning hesitated for a moment, glanced at the box, and finally could not resist the temptation, reaching out to pledge an oath with Luo Qian regarding the accounts—Luo Qian had finally upgraded from running his small workshop to engaging in gang activities, even though this gang was still at the minimum standard configuration.

Du Lengning's uncle, Du Bo'an, was obsessed with the Dao of Alchemy. In his early years, he left the distant Tang to establish his own sect, which is why the heir of the distant Tang fell to Du Lengning's father.

Du Lengning said: "Let us experiment with some better materials; perhaps we can refine a good medicinal pill, hahaha..." This is the reason why he emptied the kitchen of the Remote Hall.

Du Lengning had often engaged in such activities. Du Bo'an, being all alone and childless, was extremely fond of this nephew, and although he was aware of it, he did not punish him. Du Lengning chuckled and held out a jade-green pill, saying: "Uncle, could you please assess the grade of this pill?"

"Uncle, Uncle..." Beneath Du Lengning's feet lay a vast expanse of lush greenery, with towering trees forming a dense forest that left no gaps on the ground. Du Lengning found himself helpless against his uncle's "Heavenly Wilderness Maze." Each time he could not locate his uncle's "Pharmaceutical Cottage," he would shout into the sky. If luck was on his side, his uncle would soon come to fetch him; if not, and if it happened to be a time when his uncle was refining pills, after shouting several times without a response, Du Lengning could only return in disappointment. Du Lengning found himself helpless against his uncle's "Heavenly Wilderness Maze." Each time he could not locate his uncle's "Pharmaceutical Cottage," he would shout into the sky. If luck was on his side, his uncle would soon come to fetch him; if not, and if it happened to be a time when his uncle was refining pills, after shouting several times without a response, Du Lengning could only return in disappointment.

The culinary standards of the celestial realm are far inferior to those of the human realm. Although China is known as a kingdom of gastronomy, those who have ascended are wholly devoted to their cultivation, leaving few with the time to indulge their "appetites." If it were not for the fact that these celestial foods, rich in spiritual essence, aid in cultivation, it is likely that no one in the celestial realm would bother to cultivate such produce.

Three days have passed

As Luo Qianzhao inserted a standard fairy jade into the box, a blue glow of lightning indeed emerged from it. A current shot out between the two metal rods on the box with a "hiss," causing Luo Qian to tremble his hands.

However, today luck was on his side. After Du Leng called out twice, a funnel-shaped blue light rose up, enveloping him and drawing him into the chaotic realm of Tianhuang and the * map * book formation below

Two days have passed

Just as Luo Qian was about to replace the standard fairy jade inside the power box, suddenly there was a "beep" sound, and the red light of the rice cooker lit up. Du Lengning was so excited that she almost cried out: "It’s finally working..."

These concerns need not be addressed at present, as this superior elixir can swiftly replenish the essence of the celestial spirit. Therefore, although this elixir is of a lower grade and appears to hold little value, it is, in fact, an essential remedy for everyone. The market is vast, and the prospects are promising

In Luo Qian's Fushan Cave, apart from his non-returnable laptop, the only other electrical appliances were the rice cooker that had never been sold and the massage chair.

A flash of crimson light flickered in the pot, and a fragrant aroma wafted through the air ... Du Lengning couldn't help but be taken aback as a drop of translucent liquid stealthily slipped from the corner of his mouth

... ...

Here, inserting a standard celestial jade can provide a constant supply of lightning for three days. Xiao Xiangzi looked disdainfully upward with his nose in the air and his eyes downcast, appearing uninterested in engaging. Luo Qian did not press the matter: since you are disinclined to engage with me, I too have no desire to interact with you, spirit. Our relationship is purely one of cooperation; were it not for the celestial jade, I, Grandpa Luo, would have avoided you and your ghostly aura altogether.

The massage chair is a secret of Luo Qian, and for the time being, I do not want Du Lengning to know about it. Moreover, it would be somewhat wasteful to use it for experimentation, especially since I have only just managed to bring it into the immortal realm. If this device has unstable current and gets damaged, wouldn't that be a pity? Among the three electrical appliances, after much consideration, only the rice cooker remains.

After years of diligent research, although Du Bo'an cannot be considered one of the top alchemists in the immortal realm, he can at least rank among the top twenty

Luo Qian originally wanted to rush forward to be the first to taste a bite—truth be told, he was quite hungry himself. Who says immortals do not feel hunger? That is only because there is no delicious food in front of them. However, Luo Qian's meager first-level immortal technique, Skyward Leap, could not possibly be faster than Du Shao's third-level immortal technique, Floating Steps. Luo Qian only saw a shadow flash before him, and Du Lengning had already opened the rice cooker.

Du Lengning struck him on the neck with a slap: "Old Luo, this is the elixir, we have created the elixir..."

Similar to celestial artifacts, not all magical tools refined by immortals can reach the standard of celestial artifacts, nor can all the elixirs refined by immortals attain the level of celestial elixirs. Elixirs can be categorized into various levels such as spiritual elixirs, precious elixirs, celestial elixirs, and divine elixirs, with each level further divided into upper, middle, and lower grades.

"Lao Luo, why isn't it ready yet?" Du Lengning's stomach growled from the enticing aroma, yet half a day had already passed, and the indicator light on the rice cooker remained green, indicating that the rice was not cooked.

Just like artifact crafting, not every immortal is capable of alchemy. Immortals who do not specialize in this path not only have a low success rate in refining elixirs, but the effects of the elixirs they produce cannot compare to those of masters in the alchemical arts. Artifact crafting and alchemy are both lucrative trades in the immortal realm

Luo Qian is experimenting with a power generation box for celestial artifacts in his Fushan cave dwelling. Although Xiao Xiangzi mentioned that a standard celestial jade can provide a stable and continuous power supply for three days, this is merely an average standard. For a low-power laptop, a single standard celestial jade can last a long time; according to Luo Qian's estimation, it can last at least over nine days. In contrast, a massage chair, which consumes significantly more power, may only last for a day and a half. However, who would keep a massage chair running for a full day and a half? Therefore, the duration for which a standard celestial jade can be used is still quite long.

Luo Qian exclaimed with great joy: "Really!" "My eyes are not blind, of course it is real!" In the rice cooker, there were about ten greenish medicinal pills. Du Lengning snatched the pill from Luo Qian's hand: "I will take this back to let my uncle verify it and see just how potent it is."

"Lao Luo, give it a try!" Du Lengning said impatiently. Luo Qian thought for a moment and took out some celestial jade rice from his office—after all, even immortals need to eat. It is said that immortals do not consume the five grains, but that merely refers to the mundane grains. This jade rice is a type of rice widely cultivated in the celestial realm, with each grain infused with the essence of immortality. Long-term consumption, over time, is greatly beneficial for cultivation.

Luo Qian curled his lips, thinking to himself that you spent thirty million standard celestial jade to buy a piece of land on Ningyao Mountain, yet to make such a small box, it costs one million standard celestial jade. How come the ranking of the most profitable industries in the celestial realm does not include the master craftsman? If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't engage in this line of work, he might consider changing careers.

A day has passed