Chapter 305: What a Coincidence!

On the other side, after showing the Token given by Zu Chengzhi, Qi Yuan entered the Pill Saint Sect once more and arrived at the location of Zu Chengzhi's Immortal Cave.

"Woof woof woof—"

Before he could even greet the occupants inside, a small black dog covered in long fur happily ran out from the Bamboo Grove, excitedly barking around him, wagging its tail so hard it looked like it might break.

Seeing this little black dog named Heiyazi, Qi Yuan stroked its fluffy head, a slight smile curving his lips:

"Little fellow, we meet again. Do you still want a Qi Gathering pill?"

"Woof woof!"

The dog Heiyazi seemed to understand his words, nodding in a very human-like manner and vigorously scratching at Qi Yuan's pants leg with its paws, clearly still thinking about the previous Qi Gathering pill.

After only two months, this Black-Furred Spirit Dog had already achieved a Breakthrough from Qi Refining Seventh Layer to Qi Refining Perfection. The crescent-shaped scar on its forehead had also become clearer, flowing with a faint silver radiance, appearing extraordinary and divine.

After sensing the little black dog's current Realm, Qi Yuan couldn't help but be surprised by the growth speed of the Spirit Beast before him. He secretly thought that it truly deserved to be the pet raised by the Pill Saint; even a dog could live such a pampered life, looking completely overfed.

At this moment, he still didn't know what breed Heiyazi was. Otherwise, his attitude would certainly not have been like this… Immediately, Qi Yuan smilingly took out a bottle of Qi Gathering pill from his storage bracelet, poured out three pills, and fed them to it.

"Woof woof woof woof!"

After eating the three Qi Gathering pills, Heiyazi seemed very satisfied. After affectionately barking a few times, it suddenly used its mouth to gently tug on Qi Yuan's robe, signaling him to follow.

Qi Yuan froze for a moment, but quickly reacted and asked in confusion:

"Are you saying you want to take me somewhere?"

"Woof!"

Heiyazi nodded excitedly several times, then ran a short distance ahead before turning around and urgently shaking its head toward Qi Yuan.

Seeing this, a bit of curiosity instantly arose in Qi Yuan's heart, and he was tempted to follow and see. However, this was someone else's Sect after all, and it was generally impolite for an outsider to wander around randomly.

Moreover, following this Silly Dog might not lead to anything good; it would be awkward if it led him to find poop… Thinking of this, Qi Yuan shook his head at Heiyazi and politely refused:

"I still have things to do. You go play by yourself."

"Woof~"

Hearing his reply, Heiyazi shook its ears in disappointment. Then, realizing something, it quickly perked up, shot Qi Yuan a look of unclear meaning, and with a whoosh, darted into the Bamboo Grove and disappeared.

Qi Yuan didn't dwell on this small episode. He went straight to the outside of the Pill Saint's Immortal Cave and called out loudly:

"Junior Dao Child of Tai Xuan, Qi Yuan, requests the Medicinal Pill."

Soon, the Formation outside the Pill Room opened a gap on its own, and a delicate, doll-like little girl ran out. It was Zu Xianxian, the third Junior Sister of Pill God Liu.

Seeing Qi Yuan, Zu Xianxian immediately beamed, revealing two sharp Little Canine Teeth, and greeted him sweetly:

"Big Brother, you're here! Come in quickly, Great-Grandfather is waiting inside."

"Junior Sister Zu, I trust you have been well."

Qi Yuan smiled gently at her and nodded, saying, "I truly apologize for troubling Senior Ancestor Zu this time."

Zu Xianxian winked playfully, wearing a look of wanting credit:

"And me! I helped when Great-Grandfather refined this batch of Medicinal Pills, you know."

Qi Yuan smiled upon hearing this and cupped his hands:

"Then thank you, Junior Sister Xianxian."

"Hehehe, at least you have a conscience."

After receiving the desired praise, the smile on Zu Xianxian's face grew even brighter. While leading the way, she muttered:

"Being in seclusion refining pills with Great-Grandfather for the past two months has almost bored me to death. I wonder how many fun things I've missed…"

Soon, the two arrived at a simply decorated wooden house. Upon entering, they saw a white-haired, unremarkable Elderly Daoist in a Robe sitting cross-legged on a cushion. This person was none other than the current Pill Saint, Zu Chengzhi.

At this moment, his spirit was slightly listless, and he seemed to be resting with his eyes closed.

Even for a Pill Saint, refining a batch of creation mending heaven pill was not an easy task and required immense effort.

Sensing their arrival, Zu Chengzhi slowly opened his eyes, fixed his gaze on Qi Yuan, and spoke in a calm tone:

"This Daoist's Alchemy skill is shallow; I wasted one batch of Junior Friend's Materials. Fortunately, the second batch successfully yielded the Medicinal Pill, which barely counts as fulfilling the mission."

As he spoke, he took out an exquisite Jade Plaque from his sleeve. After opening the lid, a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out. At the bottom of the bottle lay a single Pill Pellet the size of a longan.

This Pill Pellet was entirely golden, as if cast from gold. Its surface was covered with dozens of fine pill patterns, and faintly, strands of Dao essence seemed to flow ceaselessly, giving one a sense of seizing the creation of heaven and vast loftiness.

''This is the creation mending heaven pill that Junior Friend requested. There is one-tenth of pill poison inside. Although it still has some flaws, the quality is considered High Grade."

High Grade creation mending heaven pill!

Hearing this, Qi Yuan was immediately overjoyed. He hurriedly took the jade bottle and solemnly bowed to Zu Chengzhi:

"Thank you, Senior, for the generous gift! This Qi is eternally grateful!"

For a Medicinal Pill of the creation mending heaven pill's caliber, even a Pill Saint taking action couldn't guarantee success.

Therefore, before coming, he had already prepared himself to receive a Medium Grade creation mending heaven pill; even Low Grade would have been acceptable.

After all, as long as the creation mending heaven pill's efficacy remained, having a bit more pill poison wasn't an insurmountable difficulty. At worst, he would just spend more time expelling the pill poison from his body later.

He hadn't expected Zu Chengzhi to actually refine a High Grade creation mending heaven pill, with only a mere one-tenth of pill poison. This saved him a great deal of trouble and time—it was a huge, pleasant surprise.

"Hehe, Junior Friend, there is no need to be polite."

Zu Chengzhi laughed heartily, waved his hand dismissively, and then spoke seriously:

"The Qi Gathering pill Junior Friend gave last time was truly amazing to This Daoist. After studying it afterward, I felt profoundly enlightened, as if This Daoist glimpsed the mysteries of higher-level Alchemy Dao."

"Compared to this gain, helping to refine one batch of creation mending heaven pill is nothing worth mentioning."

Zu Chengzhi spoke these words sincerely; they were clearly not false pretenses but heartfelt words from the depths of his soul.

If it weren't for the Qi Gathering pill Qi Yuan gave, which allowed his Alchemy Dao to advance a step further, perhaps the creation mending heaven pill produced this time would have only been Medium Grade… Now, Zu Chengzhi was completely certain that an unimaginable Alchemy Great Master was hidden behind the other party, whose achievements far surpassed the Pill Saint Realm and could truly be called unfathomable.

Thinking of this, Zu Chengzhi's expression grew slightly solemn, preparing to voice the long-contemplated request to Qi Yuan:

"This Daoist has something I wish to entrust to Junior Friend. If Junior Friend is willing to help, our Pill Saint Sect is willing to pay any price afterward!"

"Ah?"

Hearing this, Qi Yuan was stunned for a moment, then nodded without hesitation and said:

"Senior, please speak frankly. As long as it is within this Junior's capabilities, this Junior will certainly assist with all my strength."

"Junior Friend is straightforward."

Hearing this, Zu Chengzhi smiled in satisfaction. Afterward, he carefully took out a Paper Scroll from his embrace, made of unknown material, and began to narrate thoughtfully:

"To be honest, this is a mysterious Pill Formula from the Primordial Era. Unfortunately, due due to the passage of time, the writing on it is incomplete."

"According to This Daoist's estimation, at least three important Materials are not clearly marked on it. To complete the Pill Formula, we must find an Alchemist who possesses a supreme understanding of the Alchemy Dao, something far beyond This Daoist's ability."

"Therefore, if possible, I would like to ask Junior Friend to present this incomplete Pill Formula to that Alchemy Expert. If that Alchemy Expert is willing to help complete the Pill Formula, the problem will surely be solved readily."

As he spoke, he stood up with a serious expression and bowed deeply to Qi Yuan with utmost sincerity:

"If this matter can be realized through Junior Friend, all Alchemists under heaven will be eternally grateful to Junior Friend!"

Seeing that Zu Chengzhi actually bowed to him, Qi Yuan was startled and quickly stepped forward to help him up.

At the same time, a strange feeling involuntarily surged in his heart.

What a coincidence!

The reward for the Alchemist Competition mission just happens to be completing a Pill Formula!