Chapter 329: Chapter 202: Cangblood Five Elements Pill, On the Eve of Battle!

"Since that’s the case, I want to know how County Magistrate Tao plans to aid me?"

"I’ll be straightforward. What I value is Mr. Li’s potential."

Tao Xingzheng casually opened the exquisite sandalwood box he had taken out, revealing a pill the size of an olive pit, entirely translucent with a faint blood-red color.

What caused Su Mu’s pupils to constrict slightly was the three and a half glowing white pill patterns on its surface, resembling a coiled flood dragon, and the moment the box was opened, a thin mist formed around it.

The aroma of the pill contained a rich scent of blood, and with a subtle sniff, Su Mu felt the Qi and blood within him become somewhat restless.

"Three and a half pill patterns... a Half-Step Sixth Grade Elixir!"

Su Mu couldn’t help but feel secretly shocked.

Elixirs and weapons are both graded, with Grade-Entering Elixirs like Grade-Entering Treasure Artifacts featuring a naturally occurring pattern on the surface. The elixir before him had a striking three and a half pill patterns, undoubtedly marking it as a Half-Step Sixth Grade Elixir.

The value of just this one elixir is probably no less than a Seventh-Grade Red Flame Spear.

However, a hint of doubt arose in Su Mu’s heart. According to the description of the Five Elements Technique, refining the Five Viscera should involve five different elixirs, yet there was only a single elixir here. Nevertheless, Su Mu could sense a rich and pure spiritual Qi of five kinds from it.

Noticing the surprise in Su Mu’s eyes, Tao Xingzheng smiled and began to explain.

"Mr. Li, this isn’t a common Five Elements Pill, but an Azure Blood Five Elements Pill. It’s crafted from the essence blood of five Demon Beasts of at least Seventh Grade, combined with century-old herbs containing the power of the Five Elements, like Cyan Blood Ginseng."

"This single Azure Blood Five Elements Pill contains five types of spiritual Qi and powerful Qi and blood strength, with pure medicinal power that’s easily absorbed. Taking one will maintain its effects for over six months, providing nourishment not just for one of the Five Viscera during a martial artist’s refining process, but also harmonizing the rest, raising the success rate of entry into the Sixth Grade Realm from Seventh Grade within a short time."

"Moreover, after consuming the Azure Blood Five Elements Pill, if one refines the remaining Four Viscera later, it becomes easier, even without the need for other elixirs to aid."

The Azure Blood Five Elements Pill can help martial artists enter the Sixth Grade Realm steadily within a short time. If it were any ordinary Seventh-Grade Martial Artist, they would certainly be overjoyed at this moment.

Yet Su Mu sensed something amiss; there wouldn’t be a windfall falling from the sky. The stronger the Azure Blood Five Elements Pill’s effects, the more cautious Su Mu became.

Seemingly having guessed Su Mu’s thoughts, Tao Xingzheng solemnly said, "Mr. Li, surely you have heard about the matter with Taiping Dao. I can gift this to you first; in return, after you advance to the Sixth Grade, you will need to help me eliminate the Taiping Dao Envoy and the Black Mountain Rebel Army."

"Thus, I can make an achievement in the position of Qingyun County Magistrate, make merits, and leave this remote place early. Afterwards, whether Mr. Li chooses to leave with me or become a Golden Order in the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau, I can lend you a hand, as long as you have the heart to serve the Tao Family."

"I believe with Mr. Li’s potential, leaving Qingyun would be like a Hidden Dragon emerging from the abyss, soaring the vast sky!" 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Tao Xingzheng smiled and spoke. Before their meeting, he had thoroughly investigated ’Li Feiyu’s’ past, knowing that years ago, he joined the Demon Slayer Bureau for Bone-Forging Ointment and had exchanged for Eighth-Grade Martial Arts, yet within a few short years, he could reverse slash a Sixth-Grade Protector of the Black Mountain Army.

Moreover, the death of Lord Xiangzhu Gongsun Xin of the Taiping Dao was most likely the doing of this Li Feiyu. With such great talent and potential, even among the great families of Qingzhou, he would be considered a genius, deserving of Tao Xingzheng’s cultivation.

Consequently, Tao Xingzheng presented this incredibly precious Azure Blood Five Elements Pill for two reasons.

One was Tao Xingzheng’s intention to eliminate Taiping Dao and the Black Mountain Rebel Army altogether, currently in need of manpower with Su Mu’s assistance.

The second was pointing out that Su Mu could continue as a Golden Order Blade Catcher, and even the Tao Family could help him rise step by step, aiming higher in exchange for his loyalty to them.

As for Tao Xingzheng, what he needed was the merit of defeating the Taiping Dao Envoy and Black Mountain Army.

After a conversation, Tao Xingzheng was straightforward, exhibiting the demeanor of a descendant of a great clan, exceptionally honest, making it hard for Su Mu not to admit that the conditions laid out by Tao Xingzheng were indeed tempting.

"It seems Tao Xingzheng indeed possesses the heart to annihilate the Black Mountain Army. I already have grievances with the Black Mountain Army... The matter of the Death Warriors still needs clarification. Joining forces with Tao Xingzheng against the Black Mountain Army is highly feasible, and I might even gain an Azure Blood Five Elements Pill to enter the Sixth Grade Realm."

Su Mu contemplated for a while, and agreeing with Tao Xingzheng seemed to only bring benefits and no harm. For now, he just needed to pretend to want to follow the Tao Family.

"Thank you for County Magistrate Tao’s generous offer. I am willing to contribute my humble effort in exterminating the Black Mountain Rebel Army!"

"Excellent, excellent!"

Tao Xingzheng, seeing Su Mu agree, lightly laughed and said, "The forces in Qingyun County have already started to gather, and provisions and weapons are secretly being prepared. I have ordered a message to be sent to Cang River and Changfeng counties. The timing is temporarily set to two months later... By then, Qingzhou will send experts to assist."

"During this period, Mr. Li, you need to refine this Azure Blood Five Elements Pill as swiftly as possible. When the time comes, strike together and no matter how fierce the Taiping Demon Dao and rebel army are, there will be no chance of escape, completely exterminating their rascals!"

"Alright, I will definitely attend as scheduled and listen to the County Magistrate’s orders."

Su Mu nodded in agreement, and Tao Xingzheng reached out to reseal the sandalwood box before handing it to Su Mu.

"Let me escort Mr. Li."

In the end, Tao Xingzheng personally escorted Su Mu out, guiding him all the way out of the County Magistrate’s Office, courtesy and concern evident.

After leaving the Qingyun County Magistrate’s Office, Su Mu quickly turned into a deserted alleyway and, confirming no one was tailing him, returned to the small courtyard where the liquor was stored.

Inside, Su Mu opened the sandalwood box, and instead of immediately refining as Tao Xingzheng had emphasized, he cautiously inspected the Azure Blood Five Elements Pill repeatedly using spiritual power.

Only after a full quarter-hour did Su Mu retrieve his spiritual power, revealing a trace of suspicion; this round of examination had not revealed any anomalies, and it seemed Tao Xingzheng had indeed not tampered with the elixir.

"Could it be that I’m overthinking?"

Su Mu’s face took on a contemplative expression, thinking for a while before deciding to store it away without choosing to consume it.

Firstly, today Su Mu learned that Tao Xingzheng had allied with two other counties, intending to jointly eliminate Taiping Dao and the Black Mountain Rebel Army, with the timing set for two months later.

This means Su Mu doesn’t necessarily have to rely on the Azure Blood Five Elements Pill for advancing to the Sixth Grade. Within those two months, he can fully attempt the Fifth Refining Force.

Secondly, Su Mu trusts his instincts. He had a poor first impression of Tao Xingzheng and, despite being treated courteously today, still did not trust him, feeling he was different than Li Zhihe.

"The methods of noble families are extraordinary; caution ensures longevity. Until this Azure Blood Five Elements Pill is thoroughly verified, I’ll temporarily keep it."

"Next, I’ll directly attempt the Fifth Refining Force. The Power within me has surpassed the Gang Force threshold quite a bit; even though condensing Gang Force will lead to a period of weakness, I should be able to recover and possibly surpass the advantage brought by advancing to the Sixth Grade."

"Once I achieve Gang Force, my strength will undergo a qualitative change. At that point, even if there’s an issue with the Azure Blood Five Elements Pill, I’ll be better prepared."

Su Mu made up his mind, proceeding cautiously with the Fifth Refining Force, transforming Pill Force into Gang Force before finding a time to consume the Azure Blood Five Elements Pill.