Returning once again to the Ye Family Shop, Jingcheng's days became filled once more with continuous alchemy.
As for the Treasure Diagram, Ye Jingcheng tossed it aside carelessly.
Under the influence of his elders, he naturally didn't believe in any real Treasure Diagram.
Nor did he believe it would be given to him so cheaply.
This time, Ye Jingcheng was refining Qi Recovery Pill.
According to what his uncle Ye Xinghe said, Qi Blood Pill was enough for now, so it was time for Qi Recovery Pill.
The Three-Eared Pill Furnace was missing one ear, so Jingcheng also needed to pay more attention to the furnace's balance during alchemy.
After some summarization and deduction, Ye Jingcheng finally began the furnace refining process.
But unlike the smooth refinement of Qi Blood Pill, the first furnace of Qi Recovery Pill failed because it involved more spirit medicine and had higher detail requirements.
Ye Jingcheng wasn't discouraged; alchemy is a profound skill, and failure is normal. If you're always successful, that's what's abnormal.
After summarizing and confirming there were no issues, Ye Jingcheng continued to refine.
However, the second attempt also failed.
It wasn't until the third attempt that he succeeded.
In the following days, Ye Jingcheng remained busy with alchemy.
He seldom left the pavilion, unlike the Qi Blood Pill, which provided no boon for alchemy. Both Ye Jingcheng and the Red Flame Fox could consume the Qi Recovery Pill to restore spiritual energy.
Once spiritual energy was restored, he could begin refining again.
Previously, he could only fire four furnaces in two days; now, he could manage five.
The more he practiced, the more skilled he became, increasing the pill count from two, to five, and finally to seven or eight pills!
Ten days passed, and the four of them gathered again at the shop.
This time, Ye Xinghe appeared much calmer, his eyes filled with confidence.
In contrast, Ye Xingyu looked even more exhausted, making his usually quiet demeanor seem gloomier.
The same was true for Ye Jingli and Ye Jingyun.
The effects of their refinement remained unchanged from before, their eyes still full of worry.
Ye Jingcheng, on the other hand, was full of spirit, and without fire control, he found alchemy more relaxing and the results increasingly better.
Ye Xinghe, as usual, had the four report their progress.
The results of the other three were not much different from before.
Until Ye Jingcheng spoke:
"Uncle, I refined one hundred and thirty Qi Recovery Pills this time!"
The other three and Ye Xinghe were somewhat incredulous, as these were a new Tier One Middle-Grade Spirit Pill.
The critical point was the excessively high number of pills.
"I managed to fire a few more furnaces, these Qi Recovery Pills help both Xiaoyan and me restore spiritual energy!" Ye Jingcheng didn't go into detail; in any case, it was the truth.
Saying too much might appear as if he was trying to cover something up.
"Well done!!" Ye Xinghe was overjoyed.
"This order is now a surefire success. Jingcheng, from now on, focus all your effort on refining Detoxification Pill!"
"I'll arrange for a cultivator to buy these spirit pills from the Li Family shop as well. Let's see if they'll sell. Additionally, Xing Hong, from now on, we'll raise the price of our family's spirit pills by two spirit stones, with one coverage for price discrepancy!"
"The market is buzzing with rumors that the Ye Family lacks Pill Masters, that we can't refine spirit pills and might default on astronomical compensation. Let them think so!" Ye Xinghe smirked slightly.
"If they want to control the market, we'll fully cooperate with them!"
Hearing this, everyone else breathed a sigh of relief, smiles gracing their faces.
"Brother, there's more good news. The spirit beasts in the inner courtyard, which had poor conditions for various reasons, have greatly improved and are growing more lively!" Ye Xinghong added.
The statement reawakened everyone's awareness.
Those spirit beasts seemed much better, and at night, they roared from time to time, fetching more spirit stones when sold.
The Ye Family's primary business indeed focused on spirit beasts.
With better sales of spirit beasts, their annual salaries would also increase, which was a happy occasion. They hadn't noticed before and thought Ye Xinghong might have given the spirit beasts some kind of elixir.
It appeared now that they were naturally improving.
Ye Xinghe paused, questioning Ye Xinghong again for details but got no explanation.
However, Ye Jingcheng astutely noticed that Ye Xinghe gave him an extra glance, his eyes showing approval.
It felt like everything had already been understood, and the earlier questions were just a cover-up.
This only further confirmed a suspicion in his mind.
After letting Xinghong continue monitoring, Ye Xinghe said no more and instead encouraged them, promising to take them to a Mo Family restaurant to celebrate after the end of this month.
He also gave the four half a day to stroll around the market, relax, and at the same time let the other three families feel the urgency.
This time, Ye Jingli went with Ye Jingcheng, and the former casually asked if Ye Jingcheng's newly refined spirit pills were the cause.
Ye Jingcheng shook his head repeatedly, stating he had been busy with alchemy these days.
He crafted over twenty furnaces.
Ye Jingli nodded but his curious gaze persisted, trailing behind Ye Jingcheng on his stroll.
After a round, they returned to the shop.
This time, Ye Jingcheng bought some spirit medicine, which was also part of that mysterious pill formula. Although he already had some, it was better to be well-prepared.
Ye Jingli, on the other hand, purchased a few artifact refining materials, a modest gain.
...
Inside Ye Xinghe's room, an antique incense burner constantly burned sandalwood.
Ye Xinghe sat in the lower seat, while beside him, Ye Xingliu occupied the main seat.
"Brother, how likely do you think the other three families will act?" Ye Xingliu began.
"Eighty percent. It's a critical time now, with the Taiyi Sect in disarray, unable to look after themselves, so they won't bother with us Foundation Establishment clans. Daring to secretly sabotage our Ye family's business means they are prepared for a fight to the death!" Ye Xinghe's eyes gleamed brightly, revealing a hint of killing intent!
"However, their methods this time are not sophisticated, possibly harboring another scheme!"
"It's almost as if they're handing us spirit stones!"
"That's why I secretly asked you to come. If they pull tricks during transactions, you can catch them off guard!" Ye Xinghe explained.
In front of Ye Jingcheng and others, he appeared full of confidence, but as the family's leader, he had much to ponder!
In this cutthroat world, one mistake cost everything!
Ye Xingliu nodded, and the two ceased speaking, instead, took out spirit tea to drink in sync.
After a sip, both leaned back on the master's chair, closing their eyes slightly.
The next moment, Ye Xingliu suddenly performed a spirit technique, making the incense burner before him emit even stronger fragrance and swirling smoke filling the room opaquely for a long time!
Creating a misty scene.
This is the Forbidden God Smoke, suppressing divine sense detection.
"How is Jingcheng?" Ye Xingliu asked softly.
"Fine!" Ye Xinghe replied.
"Then, after the auction ends, let's commence Jingcheng's trial!"
"Alright!"
...
Another ten days passed, and Ye Jingcheng took out all his pill bottles, lining them up in a row, letting out a long breath!
Previously, he had refined a hundred Detoxification Pills!
Although Detoxification Pills were cheaper than Qi Recovery Pills, they were by no means easier to refine!
"Xiaoyan, you can rest for a while now!" Jingcheng put away the pill bottles, stroking the Red Flame Fox's fur.
The Red Flame Fox chirped softly twice, then closed its eyes, contentedly absorbing the Treasure Book Spiritual Light transmitted by Ye Jingcheng!