Chapter 292: Magma Blood from the Earth's Core

Chapter 292: Magma Blood from the Earth's Core

"The Qi Tian Marquis House actually has Magma Blood from the Earth's Core!"

Ning Xiaochiao stared at a crimson fire-cloud jade box on the medicine shelf. Beneath the box, faint characters labeled it as "Magma Blood from the Earth's Core," indicating it had been stored here for a long time.

This was the medicine storage vault of the Qi Tian Marquis House—a vast space filled with bronze medicine shelves and icy medicine pools. In some areas, there were even medicinal fields cultivating rare and precious herbs.

Madam Silver Pool had brought Ning Xiaochiao here to retrieve the profound medicine Qi Ming needed for his cultivation. By chance, Ning Xiaochiao discovered the "Magma Blood from the Earth's Core," something he had been searching for a long time.

This high-grade profound medicine was the main ingredient for refining the "Great Earth Solemnity Pill," an extremely rare find. Despite scouring the Three Great Heart Nurturing Halls, he had never encountered it. Yet here it was, hidden in the Qi Tian Marquis House's vault. Naturally, Ning Xiaochiao was overjoyed.

A marquis house with a thousand-year legacy truly had extraordinary foundations.

With the Magma Blood from the Earth's Core in hand, Ning Xiaochiao had now gathered all the ingredients needed to refine the Great Earth Solemnity Pill.

Madam Silver Pool, being an Intermediate Heart Nurturer of the Empire Heart Nurturing Hall, had a deep passion for profound medicine and a thorough understanding of its properties. She glanced at Ning Xiaochiao with her starry eyes and asked, "Is the Manor Lord searching for this type of profound medicine?"

Ning Xiaochiao replied frankly, "To be honest, I’ve been searching for this for a long time. If Madam is willing to part with it, I’d gladly purchase it at a high price."

Madam Silver Pool carefully lifted the crimson jade box, wiping the dust from its surface. Her captivating eyes fixed on Ning Xiaochiao as she handed the box to him.

"Madam, this is…?" Ning Xiaochiao said.

Her lips curled into a charming smile as she lowered her head slightly. "The Manor Lord has already done me a great favor by teaching Qi Ming the Martial Path. I am endlessly grateful and unsure how to repay you. Gold and mystic stones—such vulgar things—are surely beneath your status. This high-grade profound medicine is priceless, and since it happens to be what you need, I offer it to you as a token of my gratitude."

Her generosity made Ning Xiaochiao feel somewhat embarrassed.

Of course, Ning Xiaochiao was not one to feign modesty. He accepted the jade box and said, "Then I won’t stand on ceremony."

The Magma Blood from the Earth’s Core was indeed a treasure Ning Xiaochiao urgently needed. Even if Madam Silver Pool hadn’t given it to him, he would have found a way to take it.

Madam Silver Pool gazed into Ning Xiaochiao’s eyes behind his mask. "Though the Magma Blood from the Earth’s Core is a rare treasure among profound medicines, its uses are quite limited. Its primary purpose is refining the Great Earth Solemnity Pill. Could it be… the Manor Lord is also a Heart Nurturer?"

Knowing he couldn’t deceive her, Ning Xiaochiao admitted, "Indeed. I intend to refine the Great Earth Solemnity Pill. To be honest, the Magma Blood from the Earth’s Core was the last ingredient I needed. Now that I have it all, I can begin the refinement."

"You’re an Advanced Heart Nurturer?" Madam Silver Pool’s eyes widened in astonishment as she stared at him.

As a Heart Nurturer herself, she understood all too well the difficulty of reaching the Advanced Heart Nurturer level.

Though Ning Xiaochiao concealed his cultivation and age, her intuition told her he was still quite young—certainly no older than thirty.

A young man under thirty, already an Advanced Heart Nurturer?

Ning Xiaochuan said, "Madam, since the profound medicines are all prepared, let us go out and search for the Magma Blood from the Earth's Core. I can hardly wait to refine the Great Earth Solemnity Pill."

"The profound medicines are all ready. Let's go."

Madam Silver Pool packed the various bottles of profound medicine into the Heaven and Earth Bag and walked out of the storage chamber with Ning Xiaochuan.

When she first led Ning Xiaochuan into the chamber, she had actually intended to tempt him for the third time, using every means at her disposal to seduce the Manor Lord of Ghost Manor in their secluded setting.

However, once inside, she recalled Ning Xiaochuan’s words to her the day before. Though she had always considered herself a fickle woman, in his presence, she found herself unable to entertain even the slightest improper thought.

Thus, even after they left the storage chamber, she remained somewhat distracted, having discussed nothing but heart-nurturing and alchemy with Ning Xiaochuan the entire time, never once broaching the subject of intimacy.

As she followed behind him, listening to his explanations on the principles of profound medicine, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration and envy in her heart.

Ning Xiaochuan said, "For an Intermediate Heart Nurturer, the most crucial step is refining the True Cauldron. Many Intermediate Heart Nurturers consider the process perilous, fearing that the slightest misstep could destroy all their foundations, so they dare not take that step."

"In truth, refining the True Cauldron has its own tricks. It relates to the Martial Artist’s physique, the vitality of the Heart Palace, and the attributes of the chosen vessel."

"The Heart Nurturing Cauldron is forged from profound medicine, belonging to the 'Wood' nature. The True Cauldron is forged from metal and stone, belonging to the 'Metal' nature. 'Wood' and 'Metal' inherently clash, making the refinement of the True Cauldron naturally difficult. However, as long as 'Earth' is introduced between Metal and Wood, their fusion becomes much easier."

The principles Ning Xiaochuan spoke of were all from the alchemy chapter of the Mystic Gate Arts, which held immense value for Heart Nurturers.

Had Ning Xiaochuan obtained the Mystic Gate Arts earlier, he wouldn’t have needed the Mysterious Woman’s help to refine the True Cauldron on his own.

Madam Silver Pool seemed to grasp something, her delicate brows furrowing slightly as she asked, "How exactly can an Earth-attribute profound medicine be fused into the True Cauldron?"

Having obtained the Magma Blood from the Earth's Core from her, Ning Xiaochuan didn’t wish to take advantage of her without reciprocation, so he continued to guide her. "I’ve heard of a type of Mystic Wood called Stone Gold Wood, which contains the attributes of Metal, Wood, and Earth. It is a treasure material for refining the Heart Nurturing True Cauldron. With your expertise, if you were to find this Mystic Wood, refining the True Cauldron would be as easy as turning your hand."

Madam Silver Pool followed behind him, her face thoughtful as she occasionally asked questions, resembling an obedient and beautiful student.

Meanwhile, Ning Xiaochuan walked ahead, like an elder explaining profound truths.

Her admiration for him grew deeper by the moment. "Manor Lord, when you refine the Great Earth Solemnity Pill… may I observe?"

She knew that watching another Heart Nurturer refine pills was a major taboo, yet the thought had taken root in her mind. Unable to resist, she voiced it, her eyes filled with hopeful anticipation as she gazed at Ning Xiaochuan.

In the past, it was always other men who would look at her with pleading eyes. This was the first time she had ever fixed such a sincere and expectant gaze upon a man.

"No." Ning Xiaochiao said decisively.

Then, he quickly walked away.

A look of disappointment flashed in Madam Silver Pool's eyes as she spoke again, "Could the Manor Lord tell this humble servant your name?"

"No comment."

Ning Xiaochiao soon vanished from Madam Silver Pool's sight.

Staring at his retreating figure, Madam Silver Pool sighed inwardly. She had let him escape yet again. From now on, conquering him would likely be even more difficult.

Madam Silver Pool and Ning Xiaochiao had clashed three times. In the beginning, she had held the upper hand, forcing him to flee in disarray.

But by the third confrontation, she had been completely suppressed by him, nearly falling into his trap instead.

"Madam, did you manage to capture Young Master Chuan?" A beautiful maidservant emerged from behind a rockery, bowing respectfully to Madam Silver Pool.

Madam Silver Pool shook her head lightly.

The beautiful maidservant said, "Could it be that Young Master Chuan's true identity isn't even a man? Otherwise, how could he have repeatedly thwarted Madam?"

"You say he isn't a man?" Madam Silver Pool replied, "On the contrary, I believe he is the most captivating man in the world."

"Madam must not let yourself be conquered by him—that would be extremely dangerous." The beautiful maidservant's eyes held a teasing smile as she added, "Otherwise, the Necropolis Lord would surely be very disappointed in you."

"You dare use the Necropolis Lord to pressure me? Do my affairs require your interference? Get out!"

Madam Silver Pool's gaze turned icy, and the imposing aura of a Martial Venerable erupted from her body. A chilling energy flickered in her phoenix-like eyes.

With just a surge of freezing energy, the beautiful maidservant was struck, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. She quickly knelt on the ground, pleading, "Madam, spare me! Madam, spare me! This subordinate meant no offense."

Madam Silver Pool couldn't be bothered to deal with her further. With a flicker of movement, she vanished from the spot.

The beautiful maidservant watched Madam Silver Pool leave, her lovely eyes now bloodshot, her pupils turning as crimson as fire jade. A sinister sneer escaped her lips. "Just a self-righteous wretch. Sooner or later, I will take your place and become the next 'Huang Chenzi' of the Dark Emperor City. If you can't subdue Young Master Chuan, then I will. I'll make sure the Necropolis Lord knows I am far superior to you."

The stone slab beneath her melted into liquid under the flames radiating from her hands, turning into bubbling magma.

After returning to his room, Ning Xiaochiao began sorting the profound medicine into different categories, preparing to refine the Great Earth Solemnity Pill.

This was Ning Xiaochiao's first time refining a high-grade Mystic Pill, so he naturally took it very seriously. Before beginning, he set up a simple Barrier outside the room to avoid disturbances.

Having studied the Mystic Gate Arts, Ning Xiaochiao could now use mystic stones to create simple Barriers.

The Heart Nurturing True Cauldron flew out from within Ning Xiaochiao's body, hovering in the center of the room.

The dual energies of Yin and Yang converged within the True Cauldron, forming a dazzling "Bright Flame."

Ning Xiaochiao had long studied the Great Earth Solemnity Pill, memorizing every Pill Principle. All he needed to do was follow the steps, add the profound medicine, and control the Flames. He was confident the chance of failure was minimal.

"Crackle and pop."

Sixty-four stalks of seventh-grade Heart Nurturing Grass flew into the cauldron, melting almost instantly and transforming into sixty-four globules of high-grade Heart Nurturing Liquid. The liquid emitted an indigo glow, while a fragrant medicinal aroma wafted out from the cauldron.

The Yin-Yang Bright Flame hovered at the center of the cauldron.

The sixty-four globules of Heart Nurturing Liquid revolved around the Yin-Yang Bright Flame, refined by the flames. Their color deepened gradually, resembling sixty-four blue pearls.