The pill formation process was delicate and demanding.
Aksai had to maintain perfect focus, adjusting the Array Formation and his druidic energies to ensure the ingredients combined correctly.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he channeled his Spirit power, guiding the formation of the pills. When things became too difficult, he made use of some of the talismans he had prepared beforehand, slapping them over the active cauldron to stabilize the process.
As the final ingredient was added, the cauldron’s energy surged. Aksai held his breath, watching intently as the mixture inside began to solidify. The room was filled with a soft, radiant light as the pills took shape.
After what felt like an eternity, the process was complete. Aksai carefully opened the cauldron, peering inside. Out of the ten pills he had attempted to create, two had formed successfully, glowing with a soft, ethereal light. The remaining eight were charred and lifeless, their efficacy lost.
“Haah! This… this was to be expected I guess.”
Aksai sighed, both relieved and slightly disappointed.
While his success rate was only 20 percent, it was a significant achievement given the ancient and complex nature of the recipe.
“Let me see the final product up close.”
He gently lifted the two low-quality pills, examining them closely. They would still be valuable for early-stage Foundation Building Experts, even if they weren’t perfect.
“Well… Nuya would be surprised if she learned that I managed to create two Foundation Stimulation Pills in my first attempt. Haha,” Aksai smiled as he stored the pills in a vial before sealing it with a talisman.
The only reason Aksai had managed to succeed in the pill formation of the 2nd-order ancient pill recipe in his first attempt was because he had studied many fields. From Array Formation to talisman creation and from Spirit horticulture to artifact creation and modification, Aksai knew a little bit of every field. This all-rounded knowledge, when paired with his neural link fabric’s capabilities and druid’s abilities, helped him excel beyond his expectations in pill formation on the very first attempt.
Recording his results in the neural link fabric, Aksai made notes on the adjustments he had made and the outcomes. He knew that with more practice and refinement, he could improve his success rate. For now, he was satisfied with the progress he had made.
As he cleaned up the alchemy hall, Aksai felt a sense of accomplishment. The room returned to its quiet, serene state, the Array Formation dimming to a soft glow.
He left the alchemy hall, carrying the two completed pills with him. The afternoon air was warm and refreshing as he stepped outside, the palace’s natural surroundings welcoming him.
Aksai made his way to the farmlands sprawled across Shamrock Peak, eager to check on the progress. The air was crisp, and the fields stretched out in a patchwork of vibrant greens and earthy browns. Meeting Ivy Elbak, his diligent apprentice, he greeted her with a nod.
“Ivy, how’s your cultivation coming along?” Aksai asked, his tone both casual and attentive.
Ivy bowed slightly. “Master Aksai, my progress has been steady. I’m close to advancing to the 7th stage. The farms are thriving, and the crops are looking promising.”
“Good to hear,” Aksai replied with a faint smile. “Let’s take a look around.”
Together, they walked through the fields, where various types of cultivation resources were being grown. Some were delicate herbs with shimmering leaves, while others were robust plants with thick, bark-like stems. Each crop had its unique properties and requirements, and Aksai took note of their conditions as they moved.
Ever since his talk with Nuya, Aksai had decided to become more attentive to his subordinates. He preferred nurturing his existing team over hiring new members. Of course, he also knew that Spirit cultivation was not just about talent or the number of cultivation resources he provided to his juniors.
The path of Spirit cultivation required passion and persistence more than anything else. Not every Spirit cultivator was capable of steadfastly sticking to their path.
Aksai would indeed provide all the help he could in terms of cultivation resources and guidance. However, it all depended on how well his subordinates made use of his benevolence. Plus, he wouldn’t keep betting on a losing horse. As much as he liked the idea of helping every one of his subordinates progress, he knew that it was not practical.
Providing more help than necessary could also make Spirit cultivators lose their motivation to work hard, which in turn would weaken their resolve. A weak resolve would make progression in Spirit cultivation more difficult than before. Thus, providing too much help could turn out to be more detrimental than useful.
As such, Aksai took things slow. He decided to interact with his subordinates on a personal level. Only by understanding their paths could he provide the much-needed help.
Aksai provided guidance to Ivy, Ruan, and Shuan in their respective cultivation paths. He also gave them a few mind-clearing pills they could use while practicing their respective cultivation techniques.
Aksai could tell that Ruan had no chance of establishing the foundation. As such, he concentrated on nurturing Ivy and Shuan more. He hoped that at least one of them would manage to become a Spirit Refining Perfectionist.
Aksai still had a few foundation building pills that he hadn’t used. He would offer them to some of his core subordinates if and when they became Spirit Refining Perfectionists before the age of 45.
It was useless to tell them about the pills’ existence before they became qualified to receive them as gifts from him.
***
As Aksai flew above the fields on his Lian Flying Sword, the rental farmers paused their work to bow respectfully. “Island owner,” they greeted in unison.
Aksai nodded in acknowledgment, then began casting elemental Spirit spells. With a wave of his hand, he summoned gentle rains over the Fireleaf Blossoms, which thrived on a balance of water and fire elements. The blossoms absorbed the moisture eagerly, their fiery red petals glowing brighter.
Next, he moved to the Moonshade Vines, which required a subtle infusion of lunar energy. Aksai took out a football-sized moonlight gem and then directed silvery beams of light to cascade down upon them, enhancing their growth and potency. The vines responded instantly, twining upwards and producing luminescent flowers that glowed softly even in the daylight.
Without drawing attention, Aksai subtly used his druid powers, channeling life force into the plants. This unseen force rejuvenated the crops, repairing any damage and accelerating their growth. The Earthroot Tubers, known for their sturdy nature and deep earthen connections, began to swell with energy, their roots burrowing deeper into the soil to draw more nutrients.
Ruan and Shuan, Aksai’s trusted subordinates, approached with respectful bows. “Island owner, the farms are in excellent condition thanks to your efforts,” Ruan said.
“Keep up the good work,” Aksai instructed. “I’ll leave the rest of the harvest to you and the farmers.”
He repeated this process throughout the day, moving from one region to another. Each time, he cast Spirit spells tailored to the specific needs of the crops and infused them with druidic life force, ensuring rapid and healthy growth.
The rental farmers marveled at the swift progress, though they remained unaware of the subtle druidic influence behind it.
By evening, Aksai returned to the Shamrock Sanctuary Palace. As he landed, his maids, Violet and Zara, greeted him warmly. “Welcome back, master,” they said in unison, bowing slightly.
Aksai smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction. The day’s work had been fruitful, and the farms were thriving.
He entered the palace, ready to relax and enjoy the evening, knowing that the cultivation resources were in good hands and growing stronger with each passing day.
‘Hmm. Two more pill recipes. I should give these pills to Nuya first, then ask her to sell some of them to Haan Di. It would be quite lucrative to sell these pills outside with my high pill formation rate,’ Aksai murmured to himself as he followed his maids into the palace.
‘As for the mind cultivation path? I’ll start my human experiments to be sure. My clone has just begun to explore Acarnis, so I shouldn’t rush things. Once I have enough data, I can start cultivating the Aether Wisp. Hehe. I wonder what kind of Wisp I’ll get to have.’
Aksai thought to himself and sighed.
With many thoughts swirling inside his head, he let himself be indulged in the intimate company of his maids.