Starting as a Snake: Defying Heaven with Invincibility-Chapter 60 – The Predicament of Qianlong Bank

"Please speak freely, Lord Xiao," Wan Jianfeng said respectfully.

"To be honest, I am in dire need of spirit stones. My visit here is solely for that purpose. As the wealthiest entity in Tianfeng Kingdom, Qianlong Bank should have no problem producing a few tens of millions of middle-grade spirit stones," Xiao Long stated bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Wan Jianfeng shook his head and sighed, his smile tinged with bitterness.

"To tell you the truth, Lord Xiao, the bank has been facing a series of issues recently, and our accounts are in deficit. The most we can muster is three million middle-grade spirit stones."

Wan Jianfeng was filled with shame. During the bank's heyday, he could easily produce tens of millions, even billions, of middle-grade spirit stones. But after recent setbacks, he was uncertain if he could even keep his position as branch president.

"Only three million?" Xiao Long was taken aback. The last few pills he casually refined fetched over three million, and now the entire bank was down to this?

Judging by Wan Jianfeng's expression, it didn't seem like he was putting on an act, and besides, he wouldn't dare deceive him.

Xiao Long said calmly, "What happened recently? Tell me."

"Sigh! It's like this..." Wan Jianfeng paused, then recounted everything that had happened since Xiao Long's last departure.

All the problems pointed to Gu Yun!

"A third-grade alchemist?" Xiao Long sneered with disdain.

"Alchemists are rare in Tianfeng Kingdom. Even first and second-grade ones are treasures, let alone a third-grade alchemist. Gu Yun is now riding high, and if you cripple him, the Beast Taming Sect won't let it slide," Wan Jianfeng said, worry evident in his eyes.

The Beast Taming Sect! It was the largest sect in Tianfeng Kingdom, incomparable to the Fire Cloud Sect or Hidden Poison Sect!

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"Hmph! With that old man's soul power, he can't possibly be a third-grade alchemist. However, there's a hint of wind and thunder stone in his body, which might have temporarily stimulated his brain, allowing him to barely refine a defective third-grade pill," Xiao Long said slowly.

"What!" Wan Jianfeng looked at Xiao Long in shock. So Gu Yun was just putting on a show, not a real third-grade alchemist at all.

"Hmph! How could my words be false!" Xiao Long snorted coldly.

Even if it were a genuine third-grade alchemist, he wouldn't care. Xiao Long could now refine top-tier fourth-grade pills, and even the so-called Tianfeng Pill King would be beneath him.

"Lord Xiao's insight is unparalleled, we are ashamed in comparison," Wan Jianfeng said, full of self-reproach.

"You still have plenty of herbs in the bank, right?" Xiao Long asked, changing the subject.

"Of course," Wan Jianfeng's eyes lit up, knowing that Lord Xiao was about to showcase his skills.

"Sort out the herbs and send them to me," Xiao Long instructed.

"Alright!" Wan Jianfeng was thrilled and quickly ordered Su Ya, "Su Ya, take all the herbs off the shelves at Wanxiang Pavilion and deliver them to Lord Xiao."

"Yes!" Su Ya nodded.

"No need!" Xiao Long waved his hand. "I only need third and fourth-grade herbs. Also, prepare a top-notch alchemy room for me."

"Alright!"

Wan Jianfeng agreed without hesitation. When he came to his senses and thought carefully, his expression changed slightly. He understood the need for third-grade herbs, but what did fourth-grade herbs mean?

Could it be... he was going to refine fourth-grade pills?

Thinking of this terrifying possibility, Wan Jianfeng swallowed hard, not daring to speculate further, and bowed his head as he walked out of the reception hall.

"Lord Xiao, please follow me."

Under Wan Jianfeng's guidance, Xiao Long arrived at an underground chamber. The walls were made entirely of ancient cypress wood, exuding a faint fragrance that refreshed the mind. In the center stood a massive four-legged cauldron, carved with four mythical beasts, lifelike and majestic.

"Lord Xiao, this was originally where the bank's alchemists practiced their craft. Now that those traitors have been dealt with, the alchemy room is vacant."

Wan Jianfeng felt a pang of heartache thinking about the six alchemists who had defected from the bank.

"Hmm, this place is not bad." Xiao Long gazed at the cauldron in the center of the chamber, deep in thought.

Seeing Xiao Long lost in thought, Wan Jianfeng lowered his head, not daring to disturb him.

"You may leave. Have Su Ya place the herbs at the door. If any enemies come seeking revenge, let them find me."

"Yes!" Wan Jianfeng bowed and took his leave.

The chamber was empty and silent, with Xiao Long's gaze still fixed on the massive cauldron in the center, unblinking.

"Heh, interesting."

Xiao Long flicked his finger, sending a burst of True Qi into the cauldron. In an instant, flames erupted, illuminating the entire chamber.

"Unexpectedly, there's an innate-level artifact embryo here. Truly interesting."

Watching the blazing fire, Xiao Long smiled slightly and sat down cross-legged.

An artifact embryo is the most primitive form of a spiritual artifact. Through use, it gradually evolves into the most compatible spiritual artifact with the user's soul and flesh, capable of evolving further.

The level of the artifact embryo determines the potential of the spiritual artifact.

For instance, the cauldron before Xiao Long was an innate-level artifact embryo, destined to evolve into an Innate Spiritual Treasure. Once bonded with Xiao Long's soul, it would be the most suitable Innate Spiritual Treasure for him, even more powerful than top-tier Innate Spiritual Treasures in his hands.

"Wan Jianfeng knows how to please, leaving me such a treasure, and I have no choice but to accept it."

Xiao Long sighed. This cauldron seemed like an accidental oversight by Wan Jianfeng, but how could a branch president not recognize an artifact embryo?

"I happen to need an alchemy cauldron, so I'll accept this gift."

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Xiao Long spat a drop of essence blood onto the cauldron, then used his soul power to slowly refine it.

To use an artifact embryo perfectly, a lengthy refining process is required, with strict demands on soul power.

Especially for an innate-level artifact embryo, aside from being forcefully controlled by an Innate Expert, it requires at least the soul power of a third-grade alchemist to be perfectly wielded. Wan Jianfeng likely gifted it to Xiao Long with the mindset of "no one else can use it anyway."

Xiao Long spent an entire day refining it. Through the information left within the artifact embryo, he learned its name was "Four Symbols Treasure Cauldron," primarily used for alchemy, with additional defensive and suppressive functions.

During this time, Su Ya delivered a storage ring filled with various precious herbs.

"As expected of Qianlong Bank, their foundation is quite rich."

Xiao Long inspected the storage ring and couldn't help but marvel. Though Wan Jianfeng could only produce three million middle-grade spirit stones, the fixed assets like herbs were invaluable.

"Now, let's begin."

Xiao Long's true form emerged from his sleeve, and with several pill recipes flashing through his mind, he skillfully placed herb after herb into the Four Symbols Treasure Cauldron.