Chapter 7: The Heart Nurturing Cauldron
Chapter 7: The Heart Nurturing Cauldron
"What medicinal herbs would the young master like to purchase?" An elderly man with graying hair sat behind the counter. His aged eyes swept over Ning Xiaochuan’s clothing, and with a slight squint, he knew a lucrative customer had arrived.
The silk Ning Xiaochuan wore was not something ordinary families could afford.
Though the Yulan Kingdom did not have the profession of doctors, it had numerous medicinal herb shops. These herbs were not ordinary mountain herbs but spiritual herbs infused with profound energy.
Based on rarity, profound energy concentration, medicinal value, and growth age, spiritual herbs were classified into nine grades.
Each spiritual herb grew for over a hundred years, even several hundred, making their prices exorbitantly high. Even the lowest-grade One-Star Spiritual Herb was worth more than a thousand Small Coins.
Typically, only Heart Nurturers purchased spiritual herbs, as only they could fully utilize their value. Through special formulas, they could refine miraculous pills and elixirs—items martial artists coveted above all else.
Ning Xiaochuan placed a prescription on the counter.
The elderly shopkeeper glanced at it and immediately understood, smiling. "So the young master wishes to condense a Heart Nurturing Cauldron."
To become a Heart Nurturer, the first step was to refine the Martial Arts Heart Palace into a "Heart Nurturing Cauldron," which required nurturing it with three types of spiritual herbs: Mysterious Star Grass, Ox Cauldron Mushroom, and Blazing Fire Root.
Seeing the names of these three herbs on the prescription, the shopkeeper instantly grasped Ning Xiaochuan’s goal.
"This Ox Cauldron Mushroom is a top-tier Three-Star Spiritual Herb. Its leaves resemble a cauldron, its roots a bull’s head, and its veins are distinct. It’s estimated to be nearly 380 years old—one of our shop’s treasures. Since fate has brought you here, I’ll offer it at a discount. How about 20,000 Small Coins?"
The shopkeeper opened a medicinal box and retrieved a fist-sized Ox Cauldron Mushroom. Its leaves indeed resembled a cauldron, while the root area bore the likeness of a bull’s head, complete with two horns.
Ning Xiaochuan had never seen such a mystical herb before. His heart raced as he held the Ox Cauldron Mushroom in his hand, closing his eyes to faintly sense the profound energy flowing within its leaves.
Seeing Ning Xiaochuan’s entranced expression, the shopkeeper grew excited—it seemed another big sale was imminent.
"I can’t afford it!"
Without a hint of embarrassment, Ning Xiaochuan placed the Ox Cauldron Mushroom back into the box.
He only had 30,000 Small Coins on him. After spending 500 Small Coins to rent the Green Deer Horse carriage earlier, he was left with 29,500.
This Three-Star Spiritual Herb cost a staggering 20,000 Small Coins. Buying it would leave him unable to purchase the other herbs!
He could only lament inwardly—spiritual herbs were absurdly expensive!
Even with the talent to become a Heart Nurturer, without vast wealth, it was impossible. This profession burned through money like nothing else.
The shopkeeper’s excitement faded. Fortunately, decades in the business had taught him patience—otherwise, he might have cursed aloud. Damn it, if you can’t afford it, why did you handle it for so long?
"Give me three One-Star Spiritual Herbs instead," Ning Xiaochuan said.
The elderly shopkeeper carefully locked the medicine box and then took out three ordinary medicine boxes, each containing a One-Star Spiritual Herb: a 120-year-old Mysterious Star Grass, a 150-year-old Ox Cauldron Mushroom, and a 110-year-old Blazing Fire Root.
One-Star Spiritual Herbs were much cheaper, with the three combined costing only 7,200 Small Coins.
Ning Xiaochuan then spent 20,000 Small Coins to purchase a Low-Grade Profound Stone and used the remaining money to buy a Heart Nurturing Grass before returning to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.
A Low-Grade Profound Stone typically cost at least 30,000 Small Coins, sometimes even reaching 100,000. The one Ning Xiaochuan bought was actually a broken Profound Stone, yet it still cost him 20,000 Small Coins—truly a painful expense! If not for the necessity of refining the Heart Nurturing Cauldron, he would never have spent so much.
"If I succeed in one go, wealth and glory will come rolling in. But if I fail... well, I’ll have no choice but to cry!"
Ning Xiaochuan smiled bitterly. After this trip, all 30,000 Small Coins he had brought were completely spent. If Ning Xin'er found out, she would surely assume he had squandered it all on some seductive brothel beauty.
Back at the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, Ning Xiaochuan laid out the Mysterious Star Grass, Ox Cauldron Mushroom, and Blazing Fire Root on the table in a row. These were all One-Star Spiritual Herbs, containing trace amounts of Profound Qi and unique medicinal properties.
Spiritual herbs could not be consumed directly, as 90% of their medicinal essence would dissipate in the stomach, and the Profound Qi within would be completely lost, unable to be absorbed by the blood, let alone reach the Martial Arts Heart Palace.
Thus, even if ordinary martial artists obtained precious spiritual herbs, they could only utilize about one-tenth of their medicinal properties. Only a Heart Nurturer could fully harness their potential.
Ning Xiaochuan clenched the Mysterious Star Grass in his palm and channeled the Martial Arts Profound Qi within his body. The Profound Qi surged from his pores, enveloping his hand.
Boom!
The Mysterious Star Grass was shattered into powder by the Profound Qi, turning into a misty green haze.
Ning Xiaochuan swiftly retracted the Profound Qi back into his body, and the green mist followed, entering his pores, flowing into his bloodstream, and finally reaching his heart.
"Quick, quick..."
The purpose of the Mysterious Star Grass was to coat the Martial Arts Star Palace with a metallic-like layer—not actual metal, but the essence of the Mysterious Star Grass.
However, contrary to Ning Xiaochuan’s expectations, the Mysterious Star Grass essence did not flow into the Martial Arts Heart Palace but instead entered a ventricle in the lower right corner of his heart.
According to ancient texts, this ventricle was referred to as the "Heart Ventricle" in the Seven Orifices Demon Heart, forming a symmetrical counterpart to the "Demon Ventricle."
The blood-red small sword nurtured within the Demon Ventricle—could it be that the Heart Ventricle was to be refined into the "Heart Nurturing Cauldron"?
Typically, Heart Nurturers refined their Martial Arts Heart Palace into the Heart Nurturing Cauldron, which was precisely why, at the same cultivation level, their combat prowess paled in comparison to pure martial artists.
This was the principle of trade-offs.
Heart Nurturers held a noble status, but their fighting strength was lacking.
Yet Ning Xiaochuan was different. Possessing the Seven Orifices Demon Heart, his heart had two additional ventricles—the Heart Ventricle and the Demon Ventricle. If he refined the Heart Ventricle into the Heart Nurturing Cauldron, it would not affect his Martial Arts Heart Palace, meaning his combat power would remain uncompromised.
Ning Xiaochuan had no time to think too much. He quickly grasped the Ox Cauldron Mushroom in his palm.
Boom!
The Ox Cauldron Mushroom shattered, dissolving into his bloodstream and flowing into his Heart Ventricle, merging with his Martial Arts Profound Qi.
Boom!
The Blazing Fire Root shattered as well, transforming into a stream of crimson energy with an extremely high temperature. It surged wildly through Ning Xiaochuan’s blood vessels before finally entering his Heart Ventricle.
Under the scorching influence of the Blazing Fire Qi, the Profound Qi and the Ox Cauldron Mushroom within his Heart Ventricle began to take the shape of a cauldron.
Ning Xiaochuan’s body tensed, his entire frame drenched in sweat. His Martial Arts Profound Qi was being drained at an alarming rate as the medicinal cauldron in his Heart Ventricle slowly took form, its surface weaving intricate patterns and circulating with Profound Qi.
Among a thousand martial artists, perhaps not even one could become a Heart Nurturer. The key lay in whether they could successfully refine the Heart Nurturing Cauldron—a process fraught with countless variables.
Physical constitution.
Blood attributes.
Strength of vitality!
The inherent resistance of the Martial Arts Heart Palace.
A single failing in any of these aspects would make it impossible to condense the Heart Nurturing Cauldron. Thus, Ning Xiaochuan had no certainty of success—all he could do was endure.
Just a little longer… almost there!
Almost there!
"Condense!"
Sweat beaded like beans on Ning Xiaochuan’s skin, his veins bulging. With that single command, a massive surge of blood converged into his Heart Ventricle.
He was refining the Heart Nurturing Cauldron with his own vital essence—only then could the cauldron achieve the highest compatibility with a Heart Nurturer, and only then could the pills refined within it reach the highest grade.
Success! It was done!
Within his Heart Ventricle now hovered a small crimson cauldron, standing on three legs with two handles, its surface engraved with the image of an ox’s head.
This was the Heart Nurturing Cauldron!
Though his face was deathly pale from excessive blood loss, Ning Xiaochuan wore an exhilarated smile. "The first step is complete. The rest should follow naturally. Now, let’s see if I can refine spiritual herbs within the Heart Nurturing Cauldron… I hope it works."
Refining the cauldron was only the beginning. Whether he could truly become a Heart Nurturer depended on whether he could refine spiritual herbs within it.
Many could forge a Heart Nurturing Cauldron within their bodies, but if it was a dead cauldron—incapable of refining herbs—they would never become Heart Nurturers.
Ning Xiaochuan didn’t immediately attempt to refine any herbs. Instead, he spent half an hour recovering his Martial Arts Profound Qi. This was his first time refining spiritual medicine, and he couldn’t afford to be careless.
Only when his Martial Arts Profound Qi had fully replenished did he take out the broken Low-Grade Profound Stone and a stalk of Heart Nurturing Grass.
This Heart Nurturing Grass was also a One-Star Spiritual Herb, worth two thousand Small Coins. If consumed directly by a martial artist, only one-tenth of its medicinal efficacy would be absorbed, and the Profound Qi within it would dissipate entirely, rendering its effects mediocre.
But a Heart Nurturer was different—they could refine the Heart Nurturing Grass within the Heart Nurturing Cauldron, transforming it into medicinal liquid infused with even denser Profound Qi, known as Heart Nurturing Liquid.
A single drop of Heart Nurturing Liquid was worth several times the value of a whole Heart Nurturing Grass.
Typically, one stalk of Heart Nurturing Grass could yield between one to five drops of Heart Nurturing Liquid!
Ning Xiaochuan’s nerves tightened. Whether he could become a Heart Nurturer hinged on this moment. Whether he could rise to wealth and prominence—it all came down to this!
"What medicinal herbs would the young master like to purchase?" An elderly man with graying hair sat behind the counter. His aged eyes swept over Ning Xiaochuan’s clothing, and with a slight squint, he knew a lucrative customer had arrived.
The silk Ning Xiaochuan wore was not something ordinary families could afford.
Though the Yulan Kingdom did not have the profession of doctors, it had numerous medicinal herb shops. These herbs were not ordinary mountain herbs but spiritual herbs infused with profound energy.
Based on rarity, profound energy concentration, medicinal value, and growth age, spiritual herbs were classified into nine grades.
Each spiritual herb grew for over a hundred years, even several hundred, making their prices exorbitantly high. Even the lowest-grade One-Star Spiritual Herb was worth more than a thousand Small Coins.
Typically, only Heart Nurturers purchased spiritual herbs, as only they could fully utilize their value. Through special formulas, they could refine miraculous pills and elixirs—items martial artists coveted above all else.
Ning Xiaochuan placed a prescription on the counter.
The elderly shopkeeper glanced at it and immediately understood, smiling. "So the young master wishes to condense a Heart Nurturing Cauldron."
To become a Heart Nurturer, the first step was to refine the Martial Arts Heart Palace into a "Heart Nurturing Cauldron," which required nurturing it with three types of spiritual herbs: Mysterious Star Grass, Ox Cauldron Mushroom, and Blazing Fire Root.
Seeing the names of these three herbs on the prescription, the shopkeeper instantly grasped Ning Xiaochuan’s goal.
"This Ox Cauldron Mushroom is a top-tier Three-Star Spiritual Herb. Its leaves resemble a cauldron, its roots a bull’s head, and its veins are distinct. It’s estimated to be nearly 380 years old—one of our shop’s treasures. Since fate has brought you here, I’ll offer it at a discount. How about 20,000 Small Coins?"
The shopkeeper opened a medicinal box and retrieved a fist-sized Ox Cauldron Mushroom. Its leaves indeed resembled a cauldron, while the root area bore the likeness of a bull’s head, complete with two horns.
Ning Xiaochuan had never seen such a mystical herb before. His heart raced as he held the Ox Cauldron Mushroom in his hand, closing his eyes to faintly sense the profound energy flowing within its leaves.
Seeing Ning Xiaochuan’s entranced expression, the shopkeeper grew excited—it seemed another big sale was imminent.
"I can’t afford it!"
Without a hint of embarrassment, Ning Xiaochuan placed the Ox Cauldron Mushroom back into the box.
He only had 30,000 Small Coins on him. After spending 500 Small Coins to rent the Green Deer Horse carriage earlier, he was left with 29,500.
This Three-Star Spiritual Herb cost a staggering 20,000 Small Coins. Buying it would leave him unable to purchase the other herbs!
He could only lament inwardly—spiritual herbs were absurdly expensive!
Even with the talent to become a Heart Nurturer, without vast wealth, it was impossible. This profession burned through money like nothing else.
The shopkeeper’s excitement faded. Fortunately, decades in the business had taught him patience—otherwise, he might have cursed aloud. Damn it, if you can’t afford it, why did you handle it for so long?
"Give me three One-Star Spiritual Herbs instead," Ning Xiaochuan said.
The elderly shopkeeper carefully locked the medicine box and then took out three ordinary medicine boxes, each containing a One-Star Spiritual Herb: a 120-year-old Mysterious Star Grass, a 150-year-old Ox Cauldron Mushroom, and a 110-year-old Blazing Fire Root.
One-Star Spiritual Herbs were much cheaper, with the three combined costing only 7,200 Small Coins.
Ning Xiaochuan then spent 20,000 Small Coins to purchase a Low-Grade Profound Stone and used the remaining money to buy a Heart Nurturing Grass before returning to the Jian Pavilion Marquis House.
A Low-Grade Profound Stone typically cost at least 30,000 Small Coins, sometimes even reaching 100,000. The one Ning Xiaochuan bought was actually a broken Profound Stone, yet it still cost him 20,000 Small Coins—truly a painful expense! If not for the necessity of refining the Heart Nurturing Cauldron, he would never have spent so much.
"If I succeed in one go, wealth and glory will come rolling in. But if I fail... well, I’ll have no choice but to cry!"
Ning Xiaochuan smiled bitterly. After this trip, all 30,000 Small Coins he had brought were completely spent. If Ning Xin'er found out, she would surely assume he had squandered it all on some seductive brothel beauty.
Back at the Jian Pavilion Marquis House, Ning Xiaochuan laid out the Mysterious Star Grass, Ox Cauldron Mushroom, and Blazing Fire Root on the table in a row. These were all One-Star Spiritual Herbs, containing trace amounts of Profound Qi and unique medicinal properties.
Spiritual herbs could not be consumed directly, as 90% of their medicinal essence would dissipate in the stomach, and the Profound Qi within would be completely lost, unable to be absorbed by the blood, let alone reach the Martial Arts Heart Palace.
Thus, even if ordinary martial artists obtained precious spiritual herbs, they could only utilize about one-tenth of their medicinal properties. Only a Heart Nurturer could fully harness their potential.
Ning Xiaochuan clenched the Mysterious Star Grass in his palm and channeled the Martial Arts Profound Qi within his body. The Profound Qi surged from his pores, enveloping his hand.
Boom!
The Mysterious Star Grass was shattered into powder by the Profound Qi, turning into a misty green haze.
Ning Xiaochuan swiftly retracted the Profound Qi back into his body, and the green mist followed, entering his pores, flowing into his bloodstream, and finally reaching his heart.
"Quick, quick..."
The purpose of the Mysterious Star Grass was to coat the Martial Arts Star Palace with a metallic-like layer—not actual metal, but the essence of the Mysterious Star Grass.
However, contrary to Ning Xiaochuan’s expectations, the Mysterious Star Grass essence did not flow into the Martial Arts Heart Palace but instead entered a ventricle in the lower right corner of his heart.
According to ancient texts, this ventricle was referred to as the "Heart Ventricle" in the Seven Orifices Demon Heart, forming a symmetrical counterpart to the "Demon Ventricle."
The blood-red small sword nurtured within the Demon Ventricle—could it be that the Heart Ventricle was to be refined into the "Heart Nurturing Cauldron"?
Typically, Heart Nurturers refined their Martial Arts Heart Palace into the Heart Nurturing Cauldron, which was precisely why, at the same cultivation level, their combat prowess paled in comparison to pure martial artists.
This was the principle of trade-offs.
Heart Nurturers held a noble status, but their fighting strength was lacking.
Yet Ning Xiaochuan was different. Possessing the Seven Orifices Demon Heart, his heart had two additional ventricles—the Heart Ventricle and the Demon Ventricle. If he refined the Heart Ventricle into the Heart Nurturing Cauldron, it would not affect his Martial Arts Heart Palace, meaning his combat power would remain uncompromised.
Ning Xiaochuan had no time to think too much. He quickly grasped the Ox Cauldron Mushroom in his palm.
Boom!
The Ox Cauldron Mushroom shattered, dissolving into his bloodstream and flowing into his Heart Ventricle, merging with his Martial Arts Profound Qi.
Boom!
The Blazing Fire Root shattered as well, transforming into a stream of crimson energy with an extremely high temperature. It surged wildly through Ning Xiaochuan’s blood vessels before finally entering his Heart Ventricle.
Under the scorching influence of the Blazing Fire Qi, the Profound Qi and the Ox Cauldron Mushroom within his Heart Ventricle began to take the shape of a cauldron.
Ning Xiaochuan’s body tensed, his entire frame drenched in sweat. His Martial Arts Profound Qi was being drained at an alarming rate as the medicinal cauldron in his Heart Ventricle slowly took form, its surface weaving intricate patterns and circulating with Profound Qi.
Among a thousand martial artists, perhaps not even one could become a Heart Nurturer. The key lay in whether they could successfully refine the Heart Nurturing Cauldron—a process fraught with countless variables.
Physical constitution.
Blood attributes.
Strength of vitality!
The inherent resistance of the Martial Arts Heart Palace.
A single failing in any of these aspects would make it impossible to condense the Heart Nurturing Cauldron. Thus, Ning Xiaochuan had no certainty of success—all he could do was endure.
Just a little longer… almost there!
Almost there!
"Condense!"
Sweat beaded like beans on Ning Xiaochuan’s skin, his veins bulging. With that single command, a massive surge of blood converged into his Heart Ventricle.
He was refining the Heart Nurturing Cauldron with his own vital essence—only then could the cauldron achieve the highest compatibility with a Heart Nurturer, and only then could the pills refined within it reach the highest grade.
Success! It was done!
Within his Heart Ventricle now hovered a small crimson cauldron, standing on three legs with two handles, its surface engraved with the image of an ox’s head.
This was the Heart Nurturing Cauldron!
Though his face was deathly pale from excessive blood loss, Ning Xiaochuan wore an exhilarated smile. "The first step is complete. The rest should follow naturally. Now, let’s see if I can refine spiritual herbs within the Heart Nurturing Cauldron… I hope it works."
Refining the cauldron was only the beginning. Whether he could truly become a Heart Nurturer depended on whether he could refine spiritual herbs within it.
Many could forge a Heart Nurturing Cauldron within their bodies, but if it was a dead cauldron—incapable of refining herbs—they would never become Heart Nurturers.
Ning Xiaochuan didn’t immediately attempt to refine any herbs. Instead, he spent half an hour recovering his Martial Arts Profound Qi. This was his first time refining spiritual medicine, and he couldn’t afford to be careless.
Only when his Martial Arts Profound Qi had fully replenished did he take out the broken Low-Grade Profound Stone and a stalk of Heart Nurturing Grass.
This Heart Nurturing Grass was also a One-Star Spiritual Herb, worth two thousand Small Coins. If consumed directly by a martial artist, only one-tenth of its medicinal efficacy would be absorbed, and the Profound Qi within it would dissipate entirely, rendering its effects mediocre.
But a Heart Nurturer was different—they could refine the Heart Nurturing Grass within the Heart Nurturing Cauldron, transforming it into medicinal liquid infused with even denser Profound Qi, known as Heart Nurturing Liquid.
A single drop of Heart Nurturing Liquid was worth several times the value of a whole Heart Nurturing Grass.
Typically, one stalk of Heart Nurturing Grass could yield between one to five drops of Heart Nurturing Liquid!
Ning Xiaochuan’s nerves tightened. Whether he could become a Heart Nurturer hinged on this moment. Whether he could rise to wealth and prominence—it all came down to this!
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