(The title of this chapter is incorrect; it should be "Spirit Pill Workshop," but it doesn't affect the reading, so please ignore it)
...
Qin Gengyun walked into the Spirit Pill Workshop, just at 7 a.m.
The place wasn't large, with only a courtyard and two Alchemy Rooms.
Located on the edge of Caifeng Street, it was far inferior to the Pill Talisman Tower, Spirit Treasure Pavilion, Blessing Pavilion, and Marriage Pavilion from the big city and powerful forces.
The Pavilion Master was a Second Tier Alchemist, rumored to soon break through to the Third Tier, at which point the Spirit Pill Workshop would be renamed "Spirit Pill Pavilion" and moved to the center of Caifeng Street, to revel in its glory.
Of course, this was what the Pavilion Master's apprentice, the workshop manager, said after drinking, and it's uncertain if it would come true.
As he entered the Spirit Pill Workshop, two colleagues also arrived.
"Taoist Friend Qin, good morning!"
"Taoist Friend Wang, Taoist Friend Xu, good morning!"
Qin Gengyun smiled and cupped his hands towards them. These two were Wang Ping and Xu Li, and like him, had ordinary backgrounds, talents, and cultivation, so they could only work at the Spirit Pill Workshop.
However, Wang Ping and Xu Li had long since become carefree, working at the Spirit Pill Pavilion just to earn some spirit stones to make a living, without seeking advancement.
After payday each month, the two would make plans to visit Yihong House for music, leading a leisurely life.
After clocking in, the three passed through the courtyard and arrived at an Alchemy Room.
Usually, alchemists have several types of medicine attendants:
Pill Furnace Medicine Attendants, responsible for cleaning and maintaining the Pill Furnace.
Pill Poison Medicine Attendants, responsible for clearing out the toxic dregs left after alchemy.
Spirit Fan Medicine Attendants, who fan the Fire-Control Spirit Fan during alchemy to adjust the size of the furnace fire. The Spirit Fan requires spiritual power to operate, making their position the highest among attendants.
Due to his lack of cultivation, Qin Gengyun couldn't become a Spirit Fan Medicine Attendant, and he dared not touch the Pill Poison anymore, so he could only take a lowliest position as a Pill Furnace Medicine Attendant in the Spirit Pill Workshop.
Wang Ping and Xu Li had long given up, and like him, were also Pill Furnace Medicine Attendants.
Their duties included cleaning the Pill Furnace, replenishing Pill Stones, organizing medicinal materials, and cleaning the courtyard.
This was much easier compared to Qin Gengyun's time at the Celestial Pill Pavilion in Zhenyang City, though the pay was also much less.
"Taoist Friend Qin, you took a leave yesterday and missed a big scene."
Wang Ping and Xu Li, holding Spiritual Brooms, chatted idly while cleaning the Pill Furnace.
"What big scene?" asked Qin Gengyun curiously.
"The Pavilion Master refined an Ice Purity Pill yesterday!"
Xu Li excitedly said to Zheng Gengyun:
"That's a Second Grade Spirit Pill, it can sell for fifty spirit coins on the market!"
Wang Ping began to daydream: "I wonder if the Pavilion Master will give us an extra spirit coin next month?"
Xu Li sneered: "What are you thinking? The Pavilion Master is more likely to exchange it for a Flying Sword for himself, no chance of increasing our pay."
"Taoist Friend Xu is absolutely right, alas!"
"Ice Purity Pill..."
Qin Gengyun lowered his head to work, remaining silent.
A stubborn fire poison afflicted his body, and the Ice Purity Pill was precisely the spirit pill that could cure it.
However, even a fifty spirit coins Ice Purity Pill couldn't cure the Pill Poison in him.
Only a higher-grade "Ice Heart Rejuvenation Pill" could completely remove the special Pill Poison in his body.
Such a Fourth Grade Spirit Pill was completely controlled by the Three Great Sects and not available in the common market, making it more valuable than a hundred Qin Gengyuns combined.
Thankfully, hope was now in sight. By training frequently with Qiu Zhihe these days, when his cultivation breaks through to the Third-Layer of Qi Cultivation, he could become an alchemist from an alchemy apprentice.
Then he could attempt to refine pills himself.
Once he reached the Fourth Tier in the Alchemy Master Realm in the future, if he could acquire the Pill Formula from a Major Sect, perhaps he could refine the "Ice Heart Rejuvenation Pill" himself.
Qin Gengyun had put a lot of effort behind the scenes over the years while working at the Alchemy Pavilion because his Divine Sense wasn't sufficient, leaving him unable to practice alchemy despite having abundant knowledge.
Now the opportunity finally arose.
"Hey, have you heard? The Demon Sect has finally been eradicated; the Demon Sect Saint Master and Saintess are dead!"
Switching from the disheartening topic of wages, Wang Ping brought up the hottest topic recently.
"Hah, Taoist Friend Xu, you're behind the times, do you know how the Demon Sect Saint Master and Saintess died?"
Xu Li chuckled while Wang Ping quickly asked, "How did they die?"
Xu Li looked around mysteriously and said: "The Demon Sect Saint Master and Saintess were besieged by experts from the Zhenyang Sect, Feiyun Sect, and Thunder Sword Sect. Seeing they were outmatched, these two Great Demons attempted Dual Cultivation on the spot to unleash a Heaven-Shocking Demon Technique, but fortunately, they were stopped by the Three Great Sect Leaders. Realizing their doom, they both perished by self-destruction!"
Wang Ping was dumbfounded: "But I heard the Demon Sect Saint Master is also a woman, how did they do Dual Cultivation?"
Xu Li paused, coughed awkwardly, and changed the subject:
"Speaking of which, back when the Three Great Sects negotiated peace with the Demon Sect, I saw the Demon Sect Saintess Xia Qinglian from a distance."
"Oh?" Wang Ping immediately grew interested: "It's said that Xia Qinglian was enchanting and seductive; did you get a clear look, Taoist Friend Xu?"
"Taoist Friend Wang, you're mistaken."
Xu Li closed his eyes, recalling with an exaggerated gesture:
"Xia Qinglian wasn't just enchanting; she was as beautiful as a Celestial Immortal, especially with her tall and slender figure, like a giant peach, truly riveting and unparalleled!"
Wang Ping's eyes widened in amazement: "What a pity, such an exquisite beauty died just like that. If only I could spend a night with her, I would have no regrets in this life!"
Xu Li sneered: "Taoist Friend Wang, that was a Demoness who had killed countless people. With your physique, you couldn't even handle Cui from Yihong House, let alone think about it."
"Taoist Friend Xu, how can you slander someone innocent just like that? Cui praised me for my vast and profound cultivation last night!"
The idly passing time flew by, and before long, it was 5 p.m.
After work, Qin Gengyun quickly walked toward Narrow Rain Lane.
Previously, upon returning to that narrow rented house, he was all alone, but now he had a wife waiting for him at home, making his heart feel entirely different.
Unfortunately, he had nothing at the moment and was afflicted with Pill Poison, unable to offer his wife more.
Thinking about it, Qin Gengyun stopped and turned back toward Caifeng Street.
In the haste of yesterday's marriage, even the wedding dress was borrowed, making him feel terribly sorry for Qiu Zhihe.
Though he couldn't afford a dowry, he could at least afford small things like jewelry and rouge that women liked, right?
Half an hour later.
Qin Gengyun trudged out of Caifeng Street. After circling around, he found that even common jade hairpins in ordinary shops cost dozens of spirit coins, equivalent to half a month's rent.
Ultimately, he needed to cultivate diligently, become an alchemist as soon as possible, and earn more spirit coins to free himself from these straits.
As dusk settled, Qin Gengyun walked into an alley, heading for Narrow Rain Lane.
Suddenly, he felt a cold sensation on his back and quickly turned around; there was nothing but darkness, with no one in sight.
Yet, that icy presence locked onto him tightly.
Qin Gengyun's heart shivered; the Cultivation World was not peaceful, and Yunling Town had recently seen cultivators disappearing. He immediately quickened his pace and hurried home.
Once he left, a small figure in a black robe slowly emerged in the darkness, a confused expression on her round, beautiful face:
"What on earth is this person wandering around for?"