Just as Gu Ni thought, on this Fighting Qi Continent, average Alchemists valued their Pill Formulas and refining techniques more than their own lives.
Although the qi recovery pill was a common Medicinal Pill, not every Alchemist's refining method was the same.
Some Alchemists had unique techniques that resulted in a higher success rate.
At this moment, the young man before him was actually allowing him to observe his Alchemy techniques from such a close distance... Gu Ni was moved; he felt nothing but profound gratitude.
Gu Ni's teacher had passed away two and a half years ago, so even if he wanted to reach the level of a Third-Grade Alchemist during this time, he could only grope his way forward by studying Pill Formulas on his own.
For an Alchemist like him, who lacked the guidance of a famous master and possessed only average talent, it was almost impossible to become a Third-Grade Alchemist in this lifetime without help from others.
Now, this young man he had just met for the first time was giving him such an opportunity. How could he not be moved?
Thinking of this, while Chen Yang was warming the Medicine Cauldron, Gu Ni took the opportunity to open the door and call several guards to stand watch. He strictly instructed them that no one was to enter, not even if Ya Fei came.
After giving the orders, he hurriedly returned to the room and began to observe Chen Yang's techniques!
Gu Ni knew that it took a significant amount of time for an Alchemist to refine a third-grade pill, and there was always a chance of failure during the process.
Failure in Alchemy was quite normal; even Pill King Gu He had a chance of failing when refining third-grade pills. With this in mind, Gu Ni quietly placed another set of ingredients for the qi recovery pill in front of Chen Yang.
Chen Yang noticed Gu Ni's actions. A smile played at the corners of his mouth, but he did not stop him. Instead, he continued to channel Dou Qi, transforming it into flames within the Medicine Cauldron.
A Third-Grade Alchemist was not yet capable of possessing Real Fire; they could only catalyze fire-attribute Dou Qi to transform into flames within the Medicine Cauldron.
However, as a Nine-Star Great Dou Shi who practiced the high-grade profound tierCrimson Flame Art, Chen Yang didn't have to worry about a mere third-grade pill.
After a short while, sensing that the temperature inside the cauldron was sufficient, Chen Yang waved his hand. Using Dou Qi to wrap the medicinal herbs, he tossed them into the Medicine Cauldron one by one.
Since it was his first time refining, Chen Yang remained cautious and did not throw everything in at once.
Using his Soul Power to precisely control the temperature, the herbs quickly dissolved into medicinal liquid. At this stage, the pill had reached its most critical moment!
Chen Yang carefully enveloped the medicinal liquid with his Soul Power, using a special technique to slowly begin the Fusion... Meanwhile, Gu Ni watched from the side, completely mesmerized.
To Gu Ni, Chen Yang's movements were as smooth as flowing water. Every step of the operation seemed to have been tempered a thousand times. He didn't look at all like a novice who had only just become a Third-Grade Alchemist a few days ago, as he had claimed.
"As expected of a brilliant disciple taught by a famous master. I wonder where this Young BrotherChen Yang actually came from?" Gu Ni was secretly shocked, yet he continued to study intently.
Fortunately, the pill Fusion step went extremely smoothly. Soon, an uneven Embryonic Pill appeared within the Medicine Cauldron. At this point, the Alchemy process was basically ninety percent complete.
Seeing this, Chen Yang increased his Dou Qi output and began the final step: calcination.
Less than ten minutes later, Chen Yang lightly tapped the Medicine Cauldron. As the flames extinguished, a smooth, round pill emitting a medicinal fragrance flew out and landed steadily in Chen Yang's outstretched right hand.
"Success!"
"He actually succeeded on the first try!"
Gu Ni looked at the pill in Chen Yang's hand in astonishment. He hadn't expected Chen Yang to complete the refinement of a third-grade pill on his very first attempt.
"Congratulations, Young Sir, on refining this third-grade qi recovery pill in one go!"
Gu Ni looked at Chen Yang, speaking with a face full of admiration.
"It was just luck!"
"I didn't expect to succeed on the first try either."
"Mr. Gu Ni, can this qi recovery pill serve as payment for these remaining two sets of ingredients?"
Chen Yang stood up with a smile, walked over to Gu Ni, and placed the qi recovery pill in his hand. He then pointed to the two sets of ingredients on the small table next to the Medicine Cauldron.
"What are you saying, Young Sir? It is the rule of the continent to prepare at least three sets of ingredients when asking an Alchemist to refine pills."
"Furthermore, being able to observe your Alchemy techniques from such a close distance has already benefited me immensely. How could I possibly take this pill for nothing?"
"If you intend to sell this qi recovery pill, I am willing to purchase it at market price."
"And I am also willing to offer something more to show my gratitude for your guidance."
Gu Ni was acting very humble now. This was not just because Chen Yang was a Third-Grade Alchemist at such a young age, nor just because of his cultivation as a High-Level Great Fighter. More than anything, it was because Chen Yang was willing to let him stay and watch the refinement process of a third-grade pill!
Regardless of whether he could advance to a Third-Grade Alchemist because of this, he could never fully repay such a debt of gratitude!
"You overstate things, Mr. Gu Ni. There's no need for extra gifts, but if you're willing to buy this pill, then that is perfectly fine!"
Chen Yang was also quite happy. Getting the money for a pill and two sets of ingredients for free—that was all money.
He was currently so poor he couldn't even afford to eat. If he couldn't get some money soon, he really would have to go rob the Jialie Family!
"Please do not refuse, Young Sir. I am merely a Second-Grade Alchemist, and you likely wouldn't think much of the items I possess. However, I come from the Mittel Family, and mundane wealth is the one thing I have in abundance. Please, you must accept this five-patterned purple gold card!"
Gu Ni was a man who understood how the world worked. He knew Chen Yang came from a great Sect and that his own trash items wouldn't be worth showing.
Recalling that Chen Yang had mentioned being penniless, he decided to simply give him money.
"This..."
Chen Yang looked at the five-patterned purple gold cardGu Ni offered with both hands. After a moment's thought, he accepted it.
"Very well. Since I will be troubling you further, I shall accept this money!"
Seeing Chen Yang take the card, Gu Ni breathed a sigh of relief. His gift had clearly hit the mark.
"There are sixty thousand Gold Coins here, which is the payment for the qi recovery pill."
Gu Ni looked at Chen Yang and casually produced another card worth sixty thousand Gold Coins.
Chen Yang couldn't help but click his tongue inwardly. Alchemists were truly the most profitable profession on the Fighting Qi Continent. The money a Second-Grade Alchemist could produce at will was almost comparable to the wealth of an entire Family in Wutan City.
In contrast, he, a Third-Grade Alchemist, was still a pauper.
Thinking of this, he shook his head and put away the sixty-thousand-gold-coin card as well.
"You must be tired from your travels, Young Sir. I imagine you haven't eaten yet. I'll have someone bring over some of Wutan City's specialties. At the same time, I'd like to introduce you to the person in charge of our auction house, if that's alright?"
Gu Ni looked at Chen Yang and asked again.
"No problem. Um... could I trouble you to bring me a set of clothes first? These clothes were given to me by a brother I met on the road, and they don't fit very well!" Chen Yang nodded, then tugged at his clothes as he spoke to Gu Ni.
"Certainly, I will see to it personally!" Gu Ni nodded. After eyeing Chen Yang's build, he left to handle these matters himself.
Inside the room, seeing Gu Ni leave, Chen Yang walked to the Medicine Cauldron and waved his hand to put away his cauldron and the two sets of ingredients.
While waiting for Gu Ni to return, Chen Yang found a chair and sat down, resting his chin on his hand as he began to plan for the next year or so.
Since the System was essentially bound to Xiao Yan, Chen Yang planned to stay in Wutan City until Xiao Yan left.
In the upcoming events in Wutan City, there should be two things that could trigger the System's mechanics, according to his memory.
One was the high-grade profound tierCultivation TechniqueWind Roll Art auctioned by the Mittel Auction House. The System should provide him with an Earth Tier Low-Rank Cultivation Technique for that.
The other was the high-grade profound tierDou TechniqueEight Extremities Collapse that Xiao Yan would learn from Yao Lao. That would also bring him an Earth Tier Low-Rank Dou Technique.
Aside from that, if things developed normally without interference, he probably wouldn't see much more improvement over the next year and a half to two years.
"But, I can't let myself be backed into a corner!"
"Since there are no strong people, I will create and nurture them myself!"
"If I can train Gu Ni into a Third-Grade Alchemist, then I should be able to advance to the fourth grade!"
"If I can make Xiao Zhan an eight or Nine-Star Great Dou Shi, then I should be able to break through to Dou Ling!"
"Hmm... that's what I'll do. I have to find something to keep myself busy, after all..."
Chen Yang thought, a smile tugging at his lips.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Gu Ni entered with a seductive woman dressed in a red robe...
(End of Chapter)
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