"What spiritual medicines will we need?" Long Chen asked.
Xia Duoduo responded, "Based on my knowledge of the World Business Association in Dragon City, we can buy Green Flame Fruit, Thunder Bear Gall, and Cold Spirit Ganoderma. Just these three types of Third Stage spirit medicine should suffice."
"Third Stage spirit medicines?" Long Chen frowned. Their price was exorbitant. Even the worst cost several thousand Spirit Stones, with the average price being over ten thousand. Purchasing one of each would require tens of thousands of Spirit Stones! At that moment, Long Chen only had a little over a thousand Spirit Stones on him.
Now that the Long Family was under Long Hen's control, and he in turn had allied with the Su Family, Long Chen was utterly unable to tap into his family's resources. He couldn't even show his face. Besides, tens of thousands of Spirit Stones was not a small sum, even for the Long Family.
"If the Young Master lacks sufficient Spirit Stones, you can use the spiritual medicines obtained from Su Ao for alchemy. I believe with your innate talent, Young Master, you'll be able to master the alchemy techniques in the Divine Demon Ancestral Dragon Formula in a short period!"
Xia Duoduo continued, "Those spiritual medicines are all Second Stage. As long as you can swiftly comprehend the Alchemy Dao and reach the level of a Second-stage Alchemist—a Pill Master—you will be able to refine Second Stage Elixir Pills, which can then be sold."
Upon hearing this, Long Chen's eyes lit up with joy. "That's right! Alchemy!" I never expected the spiritual medicines from Su Ao would come in handy so soon!
But this place is ultimately not safe. Long Chen's gaze flickered. Leaving the Long Family estate alone would be easy enough, as he was intimately familiar with it, but taking his unconscious father would be extremely difficult.
"The Chen Xin Chamber!" A thought suddenly sparked in Long Chen's mind. He remembered the secret underground room he and Long Xin had discovered as children, which they had named the Chen Xin Chamber. It was located in the backyard, not far from the woodshed.
A moment later, Long Chen, carrying his unconscious father, Long Dou, heaved aside the stone slab hidden beneath the soil.
It seems Long Xin comes here often. As Long Chen entered the underground chamber, he found it spotless and still illuminated by candlelight. It had been three years since his last visit.
Long Xin would never betray me! She must have been coerced into her engagement with Su Jun. Besides, other than hiding in the Chen Xin Chamber, I have no other choice.
BANG!
Long Chen took out Su Ao's Alchemy Cauldron, closed his eyes, and began to contemplate the alchemy techniques within the Divine Demon Ancestral Dragon Formula. About half a day passed before he finished.
The alchemy technique within the formula was named Divine Demonic Nine Dragons! Although its exact grade was unknown, it was definitely extraordinary.
Long Chen took out a portion of spiritual medicine, tossed it into the Alchemy Cauldron, and placed his palm on the cauldron's body, slowly closing his eyes.
PUFF!
Instantly, a flame erupted from his palm. This was the fundamental skill of an alchemist—Battle Qi into Fire!
HISS… Long Chen drew a deep breath. Seeing the Alchemy Cauldron gradually glow red from the elixir fire, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous. After all, this was his first attempt at alchemy. Although he had spent half a day comprehending the Divine Demonic Nine Dragons Alchemy, he still wasn't sure what level he had reached. He would only know by trying.
HUM! HUM!
Suddenly, two humming sounds resonated as two dragon shadows materialized. They swirled around Long Chen before moving toward the Alchemy Cauldron, finally coiling around it. The heads of the two dragon shadows were aimed directly at the cauldron's opening!
"Heavens! Young Master's talent for alchemy is terrifying!" Xia Duoduo was utterly astonished. "With just half a day of comprehension and no practice, he has already become a Second-stage Alchemist of the Pill Master Realm!"
"Is that very strong?" Long Chen was puzzled. Becoming a Pill Master Realm alchemist so easily had seemed rather normal to him. He thought it might be impressive, but not to the extent that Xia Duoduo would call it terrifying.
"Of course! If the Young Master were to focus on the Alchemy Dao, I'm afraid all the other alchemists in the world would be out of a job!" Xia Duoduo declared with absolute certainty.
A surge of confidence filled Long Chen, and he began to fully operate the Divine Demonic Nine Dragons Alchemy technique.
About a quarter of an hour later, the Alchemy Cauldron emitted a clear DING! Following the sound, a pill shimmering with a silvery light flew out from within.
"Is this actually a Gold Pattern Pill?" Long Chen caught the pill and stared at the golden lines etched upon its surface. He couldn't help but swallow, scarcely believing his eyes.
Elixir Pills have three quality grades—upper, middle, and lower—and are further distinguished as either Gold Pattern or Silver Pattern. Gold Pattern indicates the highest quality, followed by Silver Pattern, while most are of ordinary quality. Across all of Dragon City, and even within the Martial Ancestor and Sword Ancestor sects, there were absolutely no alchemists who could create Gold Pattern Pills. Let alone Gold Pattern Pill Masters, there wasn't even a single Silver Pattern Pill Master!
"Young Master, do you believe what I said now?" Xia Duoduo asked after recovering from her own shock. "Pill Masters capable of refining Gold Pattern Pills are exceedingly rare in this world!"
Hearing this, Long Chen was overjoyed, but he knew now was not the time for celebration.
There are still thirteen portions of spiritual medicine left! Long Chen immediately continued his work.
His second attempt was significantly faster than his first, and once again, he produced a Second Stage Superior Gold Pattern Pill. After that, each refinement became faster than the last. The terrifying part was his 100% success rate; every single pill he made was, without exception, a Second Stage Superior Gold Pattern Pill! Xia Duoduo had become numb from the shock of Long Chen's feats. Such talent in the Alchemy Dao was truly monstrous. If Dragon Hall didn't prioritize Martial Cultivation, and if Long Chen didn't possess a constitution seen once in eternity that promised an unlimited future on the Martial Path, she would have advised him to focus entirely on alchemy!
I hope Sister Xin is still the same as before. No, she must be!
Long Chen glanced at his unconscious father, Long Dou, then gathered the Elixir Pills and left the Chen Xin Chamber. Only he and Long Xin knew of this place. As long as she said nothing, no third person would ever find out.
Given my current situation, my only option is to find Executive Ling Yan of the World Business Association. She's probably the only one willing to help me. Besides, other places wouldn't be able to afford a Gold Pattern Pill, and trying to sell it elsewhere would only attract trouble! If I can successfully sell the Gold Pattern Pills, buy the three spiritual medicines I need, and heal my father's injuries—even helping him advance his Cultivation—then that Earth Court Executive from the Martial Ancestor won't be much of a threat!
A short while later, Long Chen left the Long Family estate in disguise and entered the World Business Association, the largest commerce association in Dragon City.
"I'm looking for Executive Ling Yan," Long Chen said to an executive, deliberately lowering his voice.
The executive frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Many people wish to see our Executive Ling, but you're the first to arrive wearing a conical hat, refusing to even show your face!"
"Remove the hat and state your name," the executive continued. "I have met everyone who is permitted to see Executive Ling, and I know them by name. I must verify your identity. If your name is not on the list, then please leave."
Hearing this, Long Chen had no choice but to reply in a low voice, "It is inconvenient for me to reveal my name or my face. Please, could you take me somewhere private? I..."
The executive suddenly laughed. "In all of Dragon City, the number of people who can see Executive Ling can be counted on one hand. And you claim it's inconvenient to reveal your identity? Don't tell me you're Long Chen, are you?"
In an instant, every head in the commerce association swiveled to look in his direction. Long Chen's heart sank.
"Take off your hat!"
Suddenly, some members of the Su Family who were also in the association approached, staring coldly at Long Chen as they gave the command.
The executive's face paled. He can't really be Long Chen, can he? I only said it offhandedly. But if this man is truly Long Chen, haven't I just made a massive mistake? Executive Ling Yan has always been very good to Long Chen!