Yang Jing didn't have to wait long before Wang Tong returned to the tea room. He produced a Jade Scroll from his sleeve and placed it on the table.
"This is the Nine Infant Pill Scripture. It was compiled by an Alchemy Master and contains the Pill Formulas for one hundred ninety-six Spirit Pills, complete with the master's personal notes. It's a priceless treasure, far more valuable than the Mica Pill Book from before. If it weren't for your astounding Talent, Little Brother Yang, I would never have brought this out."
That's what Wang Tong said, but inwardly, he was already scheming how to control Yang Jing.
The Nine Infant Pill Scripture was compiled by the secret organization he belonged to. It even contained Tier Three Pill Formulas needed by Golden Core Cultivators. If not for the fact that most of the formulas were more suitable for Demons, he would never have offered up the complete version.
Yang Jing picked up the Jade Scroll and pressed it to his forehead.
He quickly scanned the table of contents and was inwardly overjoyed.
'I can't believe this 'good brother' of mine is willing to invest so much, even bringing out the Nine Infant Pill Scripture!' In later generations, this Pill Scripture was practically common knowledge. Because the Six Great Sects spared no effort in confiscating and destroying it, it was almost completely wiped out. Even if someone had a copy, they would never dare to breathe a word of it.
Moreover, the Nine Infant Pill Scripture contained the one Pill Formula he needed most right now: the Transformation Pill!
If it were just for Iron Head, the Transformation Pill wouldn't be an urgent need. Mingyi Dogs were extremely rare Demons, and most Cultivators wouldn't recognize one. Even if they did, it wouldn't be a huge problem.
But Yinjiao was different. Innocence is no protection when you possess a treasure. A Flood Dragon with such astonishing Talent would tempt even a great power at the Nascent Soul Stage.
Only by taking a Transformation Pill and assuming a human form could it hide its identity as a Flood Dragon.
Once in human form, Iron Head and Yinjiao would have no Demon Qi in their bodies. Unless they ran into a Golden Core Cultivator proficient in advanced Dharma Eye techniques or a Magical Treasure Level Demon-Revealing Mirror, their identities would never be exposed.
Suppressing these thoughts, Yang Jing put on an expression of wild joy.
"This Nine Infant Pill Scripture actually has Tier Three divine Pills?!"
He shot to his feet.
"For such a great kindness, if I can successfully concoct the Bone Marrow Transformation Pills, the profits from the first five hundred will all go to Brother Wang. I won't take a single Spirit Stone."
Wang Tong's heart leaped with joy. He hadn't expected Yang Jing to be so quick on the uptake. The income from five hundred Bone Marrow Transformation Pills was an astronomical sum, even for him.
"In that case, I'll graciously accept. Little Brother Yang, if you want to test your hand at concocting any Pills, just let me know. No matter what Spirit Medicines you need, I'll find them for you."
Yang Jing didn't mention the Transformation Pill. That was a Tier Two Spirit Pill. If he brought it up now, Wang Tong would just think he was messing with him.
"Muscle Strengthening Pill, Golden Skin Pill, and Jade Bone Pill,"
Yang Jing said.
These three were all Tier One Middle Grade Spirit Pills that aided in Body Refinement. They could speed up his progress with the Tiger Roar Iron Cloth Shirt and the Great Capturing Technique, and they would be just as effective for Yinjiao and Iron Head.
Yinjiao had been trapped in the underground lake for sixty years. Compared to other Flood Dragons its age, its development was a bit stunted, and its constitution was much weaker. These three Spirit Pills, along with the Bone Marrow Transformation Pill, would be perfect for making up for its deficiencies.
Wang Tong already knew the Pill Formulas in the Nine Infant Pill Scripture by heart. The Spirit Medicines required for these three Pills weren't particularly precious, just numerous in variety. However, with Huangyuan Marketplace backed by the Huangyuan Mountain Range, there was no shortage of any kind of Spirit Medicine.
He made the decision on the spot, retrieving a sufficient quantity of Spirit Medicines from the Celestial Treasure Tower's repository—enough to attempt each Pill ten times—and charged Yang Jing only the cost price.
After collecting the Spirit Medicines, Yang Jing didn't head straight back to his Cave Mansion. Instead, he took his fishing rod to the Jishui Riverbank. Although he had initially honed his fishing skills just to catch Yinjiao, he had become addicted to the feeling of fishing and decided to cast his line a couple of times.
Relying solely on Pills for Body Refinement could easily lead to building up a resistance. It was best to supplement them with Spiritual Food rich in Blood Qi, such as Demon Beast Flesh.
For Yang Jing, who possessed the Bright Qi Talent, fishing was like having a fish-finding radar. However, to keep a low profile, he waited for over an hour after casting his line before herding a Silver Moon Fish near his target.
WHOOSH!
The slack line instantly went taut. The Silver Moon Fish underwater had been swallowed by a larger fish. With practiced ease, Yang Jing activated a Talisman. A flash of lightning erupted, and the Demon Fish underwater was stunned unconscious.
He reeled the fish ashore. This time, he had hooked a Demon Fish about ten feet long. It resembled a carp, had four whiskers, and was covered in scales that glittered as if cast from pure gold.
"A Dragon Blood Carp!"
Dragon Blood Carp was the common name for a type of Demon Fish possessing a Flood Dragon Bloodline. Although the Flood Dragon Bloodline within them was extremely diluted, they still inherited many characteristics unique to Flood Dragons. Their price was much higher than that of ordinary Demon Fish, especially the scales on their backs, which were an excellent material for crafting Defensive Spiritual Artifacts.
The flesh was also a rare delicacy. Unlike the meat of ordinary Demon Fish, it was incredibly sweet and contained abundant Spiritual Qi and Blood Qi. Eating it could slightly improve one's aptitude for Qi Cultivation, making it quite valuable.
Yang Jing raised an eyebrow. His Bright Qi Talent allowed him to see the Demon Qi underwater, but it couldn't identify the species of Demon Fish. He hadn't expected his luck to be so good, landing a Dragon Blood Carp just like that.
The eyes of the surrounding onlookers began to gleam with greed. A Dragon Blood Carp like this was worth at least six hundred Spirit Stones. If they encountered a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with a taste for fine dining, it could sell for an even higher price.
Yang Jing took out his Demon-slaying Sword, stabbed it straight through the fish's mouth and into its brain, killing the Dragon Blood Carp before storing it in his Storage Bag. He ignored the touts who were walking up to negotiate a purchase, slapped a Wind-controlling Talisman on himself, and took off running.
A few Cultivators had been trying to subtly block Yang Jing's path, but they hadn't expected him to be so decisive. They quickly activated their own Wind-controlling Talismans to give chase.
Yang Jing discreetly activated his Cloud Escape to accelerate, shaking off all the pursuing Cultivators. He then used his Bright Qi Talent to scan his entire body, confirming that he hadn't been tagged with any tracking markers before finally returning to his Cave Mansion.
His expression was somewhat displeased. He hadn't concealed his face this time, and he feared his identity wouldn't escape the notice of certain observant individuals.
Letting out a slow breath, Yang Jing first took the Dragon Blood Carp out of his Storage Bag. 'Might as well eat first.'
The ten-foot-long fish immediately caught the attention of Iron Head and Yinjiao. Iron Head stared at the Dragon Blood Carp, drool dripping from its mouth. It could already smell the sweet fragrance of the fish.
Yang Jing drew his Demon-slaying Sword, sliced open the fish's soft belly, pried off the scales, peeled off the skin and stored it away, then sliced the white-jade-like flesh into thin pieces.
Iron Head had already set up the Alchemy Cauldron and started a fire.
As soon as the Spirit Water in the Alchemy Cauldron came to a rolling boil, Yang Jing poured in the sliced fish, then added a few slices of spirit bamboo shoots.
The flesh of the Dragon Blood Carp was already incredibly flavorful, requiring no extra spices or seasonings. After being blanched for a moment in the boiling water over a high flame, steam began to rise, and the slices of fish and tender bamboo shoots swirled within the Alchemy Cauldron.
Yang Jing used his chopsticks to pick out the fish and place it in their three bowls.
Iron Head couldn't wait, curling its little tongue to scoop the meat into its mouth and wolfing it down. Yinjiao's table manners were much more refined; it used its front paw to pick up a piece of fish and feed it into its mouth.
Even when cooked through, the flesh of the Dragon Blood Carp was extremely tough. A mortal would break their teeth trying to chew it. This was a delicacy that only Cultivators were fortunate enough to enjoy.
Yang Jing picked up a slice and chewed. The texture was crisp, with a sweet, savory flavor. Moments after he swallowed it, a searing heat and pure Spiritual Qi surged through his body. Its effects surpassed those of the Bone Marrow Transformation Pill and the Water Cloud Pill, and unlike Spirit Pills, there was no risk of Elixir Poison or building up resistance from consuming too much.