Chapter 49: Quasi-Intermediate Heart Nurturer

Chapter 49: Quasi-Intermediate Heart Nurturer

Refining Intermediate Elixirs is no easy task. Unlike the simplicity of refining Heart Nurturing Liquid, it requires the fusion of various materials, the convergence of Pill Principles, the formation of Elixir Qi, and the condensation of pill patterns before a Mystic Pill can take shape.

The so-called "Pill Principles" refer to the logic behind the formation of pills. Without this logic, a pill cannot be formed. Pill Principles are akin to what the world calls pill recipes—the properties and proportions of the ingredients are all part of the Pill Principles.

If materials are haphazardly combined, they will only be wasted, failing to form Pill Principles and ultimately resulting in nothing but a pile of Pill Dregs.

The most crucial main ingredient in Ning Xiaochuan's possession was the "Blood Toad Wood," but how to pair it with supplementary ingredients to establish Pill Principles was a question he had yet to grasp.

The next day, Ning Xiaochuan returned to the Imperial City to attend a lecture at the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall.

Though Ning Xiaochuan possessed exceptional talent in Heart Nurturing Techniques, his experience and knowledge were sorely lacking—even inferior to many Primary Heart Nurturers. Now, he had no choice but to cram relentlessly.

The Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall hosted lectures by an Intermediate Heart Nurturer every ten days, and once every six months, an Advanced Heart Nurturer would give a lecture.

Naturally, ordinary people had no opportunity to attend these lectures. Only the Heart Nurturers of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall were qualified to listen.

Wang Shisong sat at the highest seat, a man in his forties dressed in a white Heart Nurturer robe. The collar was embroidered with a golden roc in celestial silk, while the chest bore the image of a green Heart Nurturing Cauldron.

This symbolized his status as an Intermediate Heart Nurturer, earning him respect and admiration wherever he went!

Below him, over thirty Primary Heart Nurturers sat quietly on cushions, listening attentively. Some even brought writing tools, diligently taking notes.

Wang Shisong spoke eloquently, "For Primary Heart Nurturers, you must proceed step by step, cultivating steadily and accumulating experience continuously. Do not rush for quick success or aim beyond your grasp. For you, such impatience brings a hundred harms and not a single benefit."

Ning Xiaochuan stood up and asked, "I would like to pose a question to you, Senior. I hope you can enlighten this junior and dispel my confusion."

His tone was humble, making Wang Shisong feel rather pleased and self-satisfied. "Asking questions of one's elders is an excellent habit. A young man like this, daring to voice his doubts, demonstrates a strong thirst for knowledge and ambition. Everyone should learn from his humility!"

The gazes of the Primary Heart Nurturers fixed on Ning Xiaochuan, their disdain for him growing. They felt this kid was putting on an act, deliberately trying to catch the attention of the Intermediate Heart Nurturer in hopes of being noticed—or even taken as a disciple.

In truth, every Primary Heart Nurturer present longed to be noticed by the Intermediate Heart Nurturer and become his disciple, as it would grant them more guidance.

Ning Xiaochuan paid no heed to their glares. As a Quasi-Intermediate Heart Nurturer himself, why would he need to deliberately curry favor with another Intermediate Heart Nurturer? Still, since he was the one seeking advice, a bit of humility and courtesy was only proper.

"If I were to use Blood Toad Wood to refine a cauldron of Intermediate Elixirs, what kind of Mystic Medicine should I use as supplementary ingredients to induce a qualitative transformation in the Mystic Medicine, form Pill Principles, and generate Elixir Qi?"

Wang Shisong's expression immediately darkened, and he snorted coldly. "What I dislike the most are students like you who are impatient for success. You’re just a Primary Heart Nurturer, yet you’re already thinking about refining Intermediate Elixirs. Everyone wants to take shortcuts, everyone wants to become an Intermediate Heart Nurturer. But among so many Primary Heart Nurturers, how many actually achieve it? Intermediate Heart Nurturers are incomparably noble beings—not just anyone can attain such nobility. You should understand this, shouldn’t you?"

When Wang Shisong uttered the words "Intermediate Heart Nurturer," his heart swelled with pride. It was a rare honor, and the Primary Heart Nurturers sitting below could only look up to him in awe.

The Primary Heart Nurturers in the audience burst into mocking laughter. "This guy really messed up. He must’ve just become a Primary Heart Nurturer and is attending Elder Wang Shisong’s lecture for the first time. He has no idea that Elder Wang despises arrogant students like him."

"Just became a Primary Heart Nurturer and already dreaming of refining Intermediate Elixirs? What an idiot!"

"This guy probably wanted to catch Elder Wang’s attention and become his disciple. Looks like he’s ruined his chances completely. Haha!"

...

Ning Xiaochuan remained unperturbed. "I merely wanted to ask for advice. I meant no offense."

Wang Shisong scoffed. "At your current level, you should focus on figuring out how to refine two drops of Heart Nurturing Liquid from a single stalk of Heart Nurturing Grass. That’s what truly matters."

Seeing that Ning Xiaochuan looked unfamiliar, Wang Shisong assumed he was a newly promoted Primary Heart Nurturer and thus offered this well-meaning advice.

Ning Xiaochuan hadn’t expected a simple question to provoke such criticism. "If I were an Intermediate Heart Nurturer, would I be qualified to ask this question?"

"Intermediate Heart Nurturers are wise individuals who frequently exchange and discuss knowledge among themselves," Wang Shisong said leisurely. "You’re still too young. When you become an Intermediate Heart Nurturer in the future, you’ll understand that my words today were for your own good."

"I’m already a Quasi-Intermediate Heart Nurturer," Ning Xiaochuan stated.

Wang Shisong continued, "Of course, for a Primary Heart Nurturer to become an Intermediate Heart Nurturer, it takes at least ten years of accumulated practice. You must progress step by step... Huh? What did you just say? You’re already an Intermediate Heart Nurturer?"

Wang Shisong finally processed the words and nearly choked on his own saliva, staring dumbfounded at Ning Xiaochuan.

The Primary Heart Nurturers below were equally stunned, their jaws dropping as they gaped at Ning Xiaochuan.

As Heart Nurturers, they could not lie—doing so would ruin their credibility, and once a Heart Nurturer lost their reputation, they would become infamous.

Thus, no one doubted Ning Xiaochuan was joking. No one would risk their reputation for a mere jest.

Ning Xiaochuan said calmly, "I am currently a Quasi-Intermediate Heart Nurturer. All I need is to successfully refine one batch of Intermediate Elixirs, and I will immediately become an Intermediate Heart Nurturer."

Wang Shisong swallowed hard and said, "The refinement of Intermediate Elixirs must be explored independently, tailored to the main ingredients you find. No one can guide you on this matter."

Wang Shisong had only been promoted to an Intermediate Heart Nurturer half a year ago.

So far, he had only successfully refined one batch of Intermediate Elixirs, and that was purely due to luck.

His understanding of Intermediate Elixir refinement was still superficial, so Ning Xiaochuan’s attempt to seek guidance from him was bound to yield no results.

Ning Xiaochuan could only sigh inwardly—it seemed he truly had to rely on his own gradual exploration. This was a process of accumulated experience, not something that could be achieved overnight.

The moment Ning Xiaochuan left, the room erupted in chatter.

"Who is that guy? To become a Quasi-Intermediate Heart Nurturer at such a young age!"

A young girl who had been sitting beside Ning Xiaochuan was also stunned and timidly said, "I think he mentioned his name was Ning Xiaochuan."

"Ning Xiaochuan? Heavens! Isn’t he the top Primary Heart Nurturer in our Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall, hailed by Princess Qianqian as a peerless ghostly genius? A Primary Heart Nurturer receiving the monthly stipend of an Intermediate Heart Nurturer!"

Everyone was in an uproar. A sixteen-year-old Intermediate Heart Nurturer was destined to become a legend in the Heart Nurturing world.

Even Wang Shisong’s heart was unsettled, regretting his earlier arrogance. If he had offended such a prodigy, his future in the Heart Nurturing community might become extremely difficult.

......

In the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall, atop a towering pagoda.

The pagoda had thirty-one floors, and from its summit, one could see the entire Tianwei City Domain. Only Heart Nurturers were permitted to enter this tower to study Heart Nurturing Techniques and access reference materials.

The highest floor was the cultivation site of Guo Shidao, the Great Heart Nurturer and master of the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall.

Guo Shidao was already 164 years old, clad in white Heart Nurturer robes, his pure white hair stretching over three meters long, trailing to the ground. His face was lined with wrinkles, and his eyebrows and beard were as white as snow.

Seated cross-legged on a jade platform, he exuded an immortal aura, holding a blade-inscribed scripture as he explained ancient Heart Nurturing Techniques to Yu Qianqian.

Yu Qianqian was Guo Shidao’s seventh disciple and also his most promising one. At just sixteen years old, she had already reached the level of a Quasi-Intermediate Heart Nurturer.

Any master would be proud to have such a disciple.

"Hall Master, Wang Shisong requests an audience, claiming to have an important matter," an elderly man entered, bowing respectfully to Guo Shidao.

Guo Shidao nodded. "Let him in."

Yu Qianqian, seated on a cushion, smirked. "Wang Shisong? Isn’t he the one who always flaunts his superiority in front of Primary Heart Nurturers? What important business could he possibly have?"

"Qianqian," Guo Shidao chided gently. "Though Wang Shisong’s talent may be lacking, he is still a diligent Heart Nurturer. Never mock those who strive with effort."

"Your disciple understands," Yu Qianqian replied.