After the day the Foundation Establishment cultivator visited, Wang Yu played the role of a part-time gatekeeper. Friends from Tantai Chan's circle came looking for her from time to time.
Most were Foundation Establishment cultivators or some junior Qi Refining disciples.
More importantly, Tantai Chan was a second-grade mid-tier alchemist with exquisite skills and a wide circle of friends. Consequently, Wang Yu also got to know many people in this circle.
Although none of them paid him much mind, if he needed something in the future, he at least knew some people and could try to build connections.
Information was a relatively rare type of resource in a socially structured environment.
Moreover, as producers within the demonic path environment, their status was subtly higher. Of course, they also attracted more covetous gazes; having substantial assets inevitably made them targets.
**Day 95 of Wang Yu's outer disciple life.**
"Night Concealment Curse!"
As a high-grade spell corresponding to the late Qi Refining stage, when perfected, it could even evade the spiritual sense detection of Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The Night Concealment Curse had two effects:
Concealing cultivation level, and hiding aura to harmonize with nature!
The latter was its main function; the former was merely an extension of its concealment ability. The effect was enhanced when used at night.
After perfecting it, a black talisman-like pattern appeared on Wang Yu's chest. It would activate when spiritual power was channeled into it. Even when not activated normally, it made his footsteps silent, his breath unnoticeable, and his clothes floated without any sound.
The only flaw was the high spiritual power consumption. With his current cultivation, he could maintain it for at most half an incense stick's time. This would gradually diminish as his cultivation improved, so it wasn't a major issue.
**[Slot 2: Night Concealment Curse (Perfected)]**
**[Night Concealment Curse (100/100): Twelve practices per day. Mastery achievable in eight years.]**
The newly appeared description likely indicated the placement time for the next level, five years longer than the Ice Sword Art. There was no rush.
Protected by this curse, Wang Yu's stealth increased significantly. He then replaced it with the Ice Shield Art. This was only a mid-grade spell, part of the same set as the "Coldblood Art" technique; the two complemented each other.
**[Slot 2: Ice Shield Art]**
**[Ice Shield Art (12/100): One hundred forty-four practices per day. Mastery achievable in twenty-six days.]**
These 12 points of progress were the results of his research over the past three months. Based on this standard, achieving perfection through his own comprehension would likely take a decade.
The unreasonable aspect of the Placement Rack was here: not only did it practice constantly, but it also made progress every time.
The more Wang Yu understood about it, the more impressive he found it.
"I can go exchange for the alchemy legacy now."
As for the [Corpse Demon Secret Method], Wang Yu was still conflicted. Placing this method would inevitably cause various physical abnormalities; he needed more time to consider.
It was better to study alchemy first. He had the Coldblood Pill formula. If he could refine it, his cultivation progress speed would greatly increase, making it worth the effort.
The Ice Nine-Leaf Grass in Tantai Chan's herb garden was the main ingredient for refining the Coldblood Pill. He could discuss purchasing some and slowly gather the materials for one batch.
After completing his daily field inspection, Wang Yu went out to the Halls Market.
**Scripture Depository.**
Alchemy, Artifact Refining, Talismans, and Formations were the four most esteemed cultivation arts. In these areas, the righteous path's level was somewhat higher.
Alchemy also had different schools, primarily divided into Fire Refining and Water Refining methods.
The Fire Refining Method used high temperatures from flames to extract the essence of spiritual materials. Based on the principle of Yin-Yang harmony, it extracted the needed components to form pills. It was fast and effective.
The Water Refining Method utilized water's soft, permeating nature to penetrate deep into spiritual materials, slowly leaching out the desired medicinal properties and essences to form pills. It was slow, produced excellent results, and had an extremely high pill success rate.
There was no superiority or inferiority between pills refined by the two methods; only a difference in speed.
Regarding pill success rate, nine was the ultimate number.
One batch of spiritual herbs, one cauldron of pills—the limit was nine pills.
The Water Method could stably achieve seven to eight pills, and this was the average. However, refining one batch often took years. The higher the pill grade, the longer it took, making large-scale supply impossible.
The Fire Method had a wide range between its upper and lower limits. Poor results yielded one to three pills per batch; better ones reached four to six. Only masters could produce nine pills.
Of course—
This was also related to familiarity with the pill formula. Many factors affected Fire Method alchemists: fire control hand seals, spiritual sense strength, alchemy skill, knowledge of medicinal principles... etc.
Undoubtedly, the Fire Refining Method suited Wang Yu. It was also the commonly chosen path for alchemists. The cultivator base was large, and the market for low-grade pills was vast, with demand outstripping supply.
Water Method alchemists were slow, produced high-quality rates, and catered to a high-end market, often providing customized services. One successful commission could sustain them for three years.
Walking slowly past the Scripture Depository's shelves.
""Fire Cauldron Alchemy", "Pearl Spitting Alchemy", "Human Pill Art", "Nine Refinements Alchemy", "Flame Pill Art"..."
After reviewing them, Wang Yu wasn't very satisfied.
Either the price was too high, the description was too narrow, or the legacy was incomplete.
A complete alchemy legacy necessarily included unique pill formulas, plus a set of fire control hand seals and pill condensation seals, which embodied its value.
"Frost Flame Alchemy—"
Wang Yu paused, took down the introductory jade slip, and after checking it, went to the Technique Transmission Hall satisfied. The price was exactly one thousand contribution points.
He chose it because its rare Yin-cold attribute fire method suited his current path well. Additionally, it was a remnant method of a third-grade alchemy legacy.
The only unique pill formula included was called [Frost Python Pill].
Effect: After taking and refining the pill, one can nurture a 〈Frost Python Fire Seed〉 within the body, mastering a cold flame power that improves synchronously with the cultivator's realm.
This effect was no less than a Golden Core cultivator's life-bound magical treasure.
This pill formula alone was extremely valuable, and its refinement difficulty was certainly very high. Wang Yu was drawn to its difficulty.
Furthermore, the included fire control hand seals and pill condensation seals only covered the first-grade parts; the legacy was severely incomplete, hence the exchange price was only one thousand contribution points.
This level was sufficient for Wang Yu's use. Moreover, the Placement Rack could break through spell limits; it might even complete the remnant method. This time, he could experiment with the "Frost Flame Alchemy". If it could truly be completed,
he would no longer hesitate to place the [Corpse Demon Secret Method].
Killing multiple birds with one stone, and it paired very well with the "Coldblood Art".
By the time he left the Technique Transmission Hall, the most valuable token on him had been handed over. From now on, he had to rely on himself to earn spirit stones and contribution points.
Returning to the herb garden in the Evil God Market, Wang Yu began comprehending the Frost Flame Alchemy on his own. The progress was slow, but he persevered.
On the **125th day of his outer disciple life**, after a full month and achieving perfection in the Ice Shield Art, he finally placed the alchemy technique.
**[Slot 2: Frost Python Alchemy (Remnant Method)]**
**[Frost Python Alchemy (0/100): Twelve practices per day. Mastery achievable in one year.]**
This was the first time Wang Yu encountered a placement item that allowed only twelve practices per day—one practice every two hours—requiring a full year to reach perfection.
(End of Chapter)