Chapter 173: Chapter 144: Concentration Pill

PS: Another 4,000 words will be out a little later~~~

Song Changsheng had never heard the name "Xiao Qingwan" before. For a Purple Mansion Cultivator who was also a Tier Three Alchemist, it was impossible to be unknown in the Daqi Cultivation World.

’But there’s no reason for someone of her stature to lie to a junior like me. She must have another, more famous name in the Cultivation Realm; I just don’t know which one it is.’

"Grandpa, what on earth were you thinking back then?" Song Changsheng shook his head and sighed. Life was just like that—full of forks in the road. Once you made the wrong choice, the regret was endless.

’Although I’ve never met the Lieyang Sect’s Purple Mansion Cultivator, I’m sure that person would be no match for this Elder Xiao.’

’If Xiao Qingwan and Song Xianming had actually ended up together, would the Lieyang Sect have ever had the chance to run so rampant?’

’It’s too late for what-ifs now. A broken mirror can’t be made whole again.’

Song Changsheng returned to the bamboo house and was about to ask Song Qingluo to clean up when he noticed a small porcelain vial that had appeared at some point next to where Xiao Qingwan had been sitting.

"Huh? What’s this..."

Song Changsheng hurried forward and picked up the vial. Written on its side were the words: "Concentration Pill."

’To think it’s this...’ Song Changsheng was inwardly startled. Although the Concentration Pill was only a Tier Two Middle Grade pill, its value was no less than that of a Foundation Establishment Pill.

For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the most important aspects were few—Techniques, Spiritual Power, and Divine Sense.

Song Changsheng was not lacking in Techniques. Whether it was the Water and Fire Control Technique, Fleeting Shadows, the Eye of Truth, or even the Little Divine Technique he had yet to master—the Mountain-Flipping Seal—all of them were top-tier Secret Techniques.

The same was even more true for his Spiritual Power. He had built a solid foundation from a young age, with wide Meridians and a vast Dantian that could hold far more Spiritual Power than the average person. He had also consumed Mist Concealing Tea to refine the purity of his Spiritual Power.

He had also refined the Ink Jade Lotus Platform as an aid, which could store a large amount of Spiritual Power. This enabled him to sustain various forms of Magic with immense power consumption, which was the basis for his ability to fight opponents of a higher level.

In contrast, his Divine Sense—which had been far superior to others in his youth—had now become one of his shortcomings.

Having been reborn, his Divine Soul was incredibly powerful. He could sense his own Sea of Consciousness even before breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, and after reaching Early-stage Foundation Establishment, his Divine Sense Power was comparable to that of a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

It was strong, but still not strong enough.

But this vial of Concentration Pills left by Xiao Qingwan could allow his Divine Sense Power to reach a whole new level.

"Is this supposed to be a greeting gift from an elder?" Song Changsheng shook his head with a wry smile. The truth was, he still couldn’t quite grasp her attitude.

’If they hadn’t truly broken things off, then why didn’t she come to act as his guardian when Grandpa was attempting his breakthrough to the Purple Mansion? If someone had been there to withstand the Lieyang Sect’s assault, Grandpa wouldn’t have been forced to abort his breakthrough, much less damage his very essence.’

’If there had been even a shred of affection left between them, she wouldn’t have just sat by and watched something like that happen, would she?’

’But if they were truly finished, then how could I explain what just happened?’

’As far as I can remember, I’ve only met her twice. The first time, she hired me for Artifact Refining, paying me tens of thousands of Spirit Stones and solving my urgent financial problem.’

’And this time, she forgave my disrespect and even left behind a vial of precious pills. Even though the pills are only Tier Two Middle Grade, they aren’t something that even a Tier Three Alchemist could produce at will.’

’The main ingredients to refine it are simply too precious and rarely seen on the market. It was a truly generous gift.’

’I certainly have no personal connection with her. The only reason I’m receiving such treatment is because I’m Song Xianming’s grandson.’

’From this perspective, it seems she doesn’t yet view Grandpa as a "stranger," which only serves to confuse me even more.’

"The thoughts of powerful elders are truly hard to fathom." Song Changsheng sighed, then took the porcelain vial upstairs to enter seclusion.

Refining the pill’s medicinal energy took almost no time at all. His Divine Sense Power finally took another step forward, reaching the level of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Not only did this greatly expand the range of his Divine Sense, but it also indirectly led to a significant improvement in his Artifact Refining Technique and Array Formation Skill. He had a premonition that it wouldn’t be long before his Hundred Arts Realm would achieve a breakthrough.

Just then, Song Qingluo came to report again, a strange look on her face. "Young Clan Leader, there’s another female cultivator outside. She’s also here to see you."

"Is her name Zhuang Yuechan?"

This was Song Changsheng’s first time in Luoxia City, and he didn’t know many people here. Xiao Qingwan’s arrival had been a complete surprise, and besides her, the only other person it could be was Zhuang Yuechan.

"Yes, that’s the name," Song Qingluo nodded hastily.

"Excellent! Go and brew another pot of tea. I’ll head down now." Song Changsheng was overjoyed. ’She’s finally here,’ he thought. ’It seems only she can answer the questions on my mind.’

Outside the bamboo house, a graceful figure stood quietly in the wind. She wore a long, pale green dress and carried a Jade Zither on her back. Her face was still covered by a veil, revealing only a pair of eyes as bright as stars.

"Fellow Daoist Zhuang, it’s been many years. Have you been well?" Song Changsheng said with a smile, clasping his hands in a salute from a distance outside the bamboo house.

Zhuang Yuechan returned the courtesy gracefully and smiled. "It has been a long time, Fellow Daoist Song. I was running some errands for my master these past few days and only learned today that you had come to Celestial Sound Mountain. I apologize for the delay in greeting you."

"Official business must come first, of course. Fellow Daoist, please, come inside and talk." Song Changsheng smiled and gestured for Zhuang Yuechan to enter.