Chapter 4: A Ying Of Time [IV]
Chapter 4: A Ying Of Time [IV]
Staring at his daughter, Zhang Li Qian remembered when he had gone to the SunsetHills village in the northern province, to look for a senior alchemist named Huang Fu an immortal cultivator of the peak stage copper core in order to buy the Heavens-Spring spirit pill.
After living for a span of years, alchemist Huang Fu had chosen a simple way of life and sealed himself off. He had started working towards joining his ancestors on the heavenly plane. He had been focusing on his alchemy and cultivating in seclusion towards his ascension, and the life after his ascension.
Although he had already concocted a transcendence pill that could take him to the nascent soul formation stage, he was taking his time to prepare further. Sometimes, the heavenly tribulation could prove to be extremely dangerous if the golden core or the nascent soul was not strong enough. Even alchemists could fail which would be immortally fatal. Hence, the need for the seclusion.
However, as a copper ring cultivator himself, goodness of the cultivation chamber and the blue crystals, Zhang Li Qian was able to seek out the isolated alchemist.
"To find my abode will take perseverance and endurance, even as a copper core. So, for finding it, I welcome you to my humble home, copper daoist. I'm Huang Fu, but I believe you already knew that."
Alchemist Huang Fu said as he looked jovially at Zhang Li Qian.
"Greetings alchemist Huang Fu. My name is Zhang Li Qian from the city of Shanyin, in the southern province here on Lijiang continent."
"That's quite a long way from home. What bring you all the way to my place, fellow daoist Zhang Li Qiang?"
"Thank you alchemist Huang Fu. I have heard about your pills and the wonders they can perform. So, I came to see if I can acquire the Rainbow-Womb spirit pill for my wife. I heard it's especially good for the unborn baby. I will be very grateful if it's available for me to buy."
He had pleadingly sought assurances about the pill's availability from the alchemist. He knew alchemists were not under any pressure to sell their products unless they wanted to. Some alchemist would even send the buyer away without even listening to the buyer's words. Alchemists were at the center of proceedings in the cultivation world. Their position was highly coveted and mostly secured.
"The nature of your soul intrigues me, daoist. I will attend to you for that. Alright, the Rainbow-Womb spirit pill. Yes, it's really good for a baby in the womb. However, the pill only contained the refined life essence energy from some notable sources.
Although I have to admit that the materials were very rare and a little difficult to gather. And once consumed, the essence energy in the pill will combine with the womb nourishments to form the Cloud-Of-Life around the baby. It naturally flows through the meridians of the baby."
Alchemist Huang Fu had stopped for a moment and contemplated before continuing.
"But I need to tell you this, fellow daoist. The effectiveness of the pill will depend on your child. On how much of the essence energy the child can absorb and retain inside the body. While the womb nourishments is left to the mother. So, the outcome is not totally on me."
He had slowly uttered as he stared keenly at the thoughtful face of Zhang Li Qian.
"However, I can tell you that the pill is safe and works accordingly. And yes, I do have one. Only three were ever made according to my memory and two of those were made by my father before his ascension. One was sold but the outcome of it was not that effective.
The result and the materials needed made my father to abandon it. When I came across some of the needed materials, I decided to give it a go. I searched for the other materials for hundreds of thousands of years. I also had to use some alternative materials but the effect should be the same. Nonetheless, it will still cost you a thousand high grade spirit stones."
"Uh?"
Zhang Li Qian had been caught off-guard with the steep price before he quickly gathered his thoughts together. The price was majority of his ancestral inheritance which put him in a difficult situation. However, if the pill worked accordingly as he believed it would, the high price would be justified.
"Okay, I will take it."
It was a very costly bargain, but he had taken it with a hopeful heart. Now, remembering the effect on his daughter after she had taken the pill and her becoming pregnant, his joys knew no bound. He had gone back with gifts but alchemist Huang Fu had already ascended to the heavenly realm. A true alchemist he was. With a wide smile on his face, Zhang Li Qiang continued walking in the direction of the farm.
***
Whereas, somewhere in the village market, Zhang Wang Jing saw a road antique merchant and she immediately remembered the gift she planned on giving her unborn grand child. Not frequently would someone see an antique dealer in a village, so she decided to use the opportunity to find something nice to give a young child at the right time. She was looking for something good, but also not too expensive.
"Greetings, NuShi. Eagle-Eyes, at your service. Feast your eyes on my collections. They are the very best of all collections. As a matter of fact, I have all existing collections of great antiques. Magical, decorative, talismans, seals ... I have them all. You'll surely find something fancy that will catch your eyes."
Zhang Wang Jing went through the collections and saw a small white crystal pagoda that really caught her eyes. It was something she could give Xiu Ying's child after the child had reached the right age. It really looked beautiful as a gift for any child.
"I'll like to get this crystal pagoda."
"Oh, you have great eyes, NuShi. This is the gate of the seven realms of fortune. You may see this as empty bragging, but this is the best antique you can find and there's a myth about it too. This pagoda is golden gateway that leads to seven ancient realms with all forms of treasures. You name it, NuShi, and it's there. You see the layers of the pagoda, NuShi? They are layers of treasures. Even just having it can bring you great fortunes."
"And why is it not bringing you these great fortune? I believe you would have kept it for yourself if it has all sort of treasures. Wouldn't you?"
"Ah, it's fate, NuShi. Fate. Me and the pagoda are not fated to be together. But you NuShi, you are fated to have it. Destiny is on your side, and I can feel it."
"Hehehe, very funny. You merchants have ways with words. How much is it anyway?"
"NuShi, with a heart full of sorrow, I will take a hundred low grade spirit stones from you."
"Eh? A hundred low grades? Am I buying a graded treasure? I don't have that amount, but I can give you twenty lowgrade stones, if you agree."
"Make it fifty then, NuShi, and it will be."
"Hm. Okay, master Eagle-Eye with sweet mouth. Fifty lowgrade stones it is."
***
Their quiet life in the cave and on the farm went on without any disturbance. Two months later, Zhang Xiu Ying gave birth to a boy and named him Ju Feng.