Chapter 16 - 14: Introduction to the Alchemy Dao

On this day, Master Su visited once again.

Qin Ming not only cooked a pot of Golden Spirit Rice but also prepared some fine wine and dishes for the occasion.

Recently, he had earned a considerable amount of Spirit Stones by selling Spirit Rice.

The Spirit Stone Bag that had deflated last year was now full again, containing over two hundred Spirit Stones.

For a Qi Cultivation Novice like him, this was quite a substantial income.

He even specially bought some Demon Beast Meat to go with the drinks. Some quality Demon Beast Meat could not only replenish Qi Blood but also be beneficial for cultivation.

But the price... was quite touching...

Through several interactions, Qin Ming gradually understood Master Su’s nature.

Although inherently proud, he was still quite agreeable.

In everyday conversations, Master Su would occasionally mention some topics regarding the Alchemy Skill to Qin Ming.

Through Master Su’s words, Qin Ming could feel that his talent in alchemy was indeed outstanding.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reached the level of Middle-Grade Alchemist at such a young age.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I’m not here to buy Spirit Rice today, but for another transaction." Master Su said, after sipping some wine, revealing his purpose.

Qin Ming couldn’t help but be curious, thinking to himself: ’I’m just a normal Spirit Farmer, what other business could Master Su have with me besides buying Spirit Rice?’

"Master Su, what exactly is it?" Qin Ming also drank a glass, unable to conceal his curiosity.

"I plan to refine a pill, for which I need a large number of Yin Condensing Flowers, and I’d like to ask you to help cultivate them." Master Su said solemnly.

"Yin Condensing Flower?"

In Qin Ming’s mind appeared an image of a Spirit Plant resembling a type of orchid, whose flowers seemed frost-coated, with pale yellow pistils.

Yin Condensing Flower is a Tier One Spirit Plant, which matures in about a year, with a flowering period of roughly seven days. Its flowers can be used in the preparation of medicinal pills.

Qin Ming had seen this plant in a Spirit Plant Book he had bought previously.

He had some impressions of it.

But he had heard Master Su say before that this Yin Condensing Flower could be used as an auxiliary material in refining the Tier One High-Grade Pill, ’Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill’.

The Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill is a Tier-Breaking Pill for late-stage Qi Cultivation, extremely rare and precious, its price being exorbitant with no market to find it.

’Could it be...’

’Is he preparing to break through to become a High-Grade Alchemist?!’

Thinking to this point, Qin Ming had roughly understood what pill Master Su planned to refine.

However...

Why would Master Su not ask the Spirit Plant Masters of the Spirit Feather Sect for help cultivating it?

Instead, he sought him, a Spirit Farmer?

Qin Ming expressed his doubts.

"Haha, I’m used to being free-spirited, not fond of sect constraints. If I asked the Spirit Feather Sect to cultivate it, it would inevitably lead to entanglement." Master Su explained unhurriedly.

"I see." Qin Ming nodded and poured more wine for Master Su.

"But the Yin Condensing Flower is a Tier One Spirit Plant, and I have never cultivated it... I’m afraid..."

Qin Ming said hesitantly at first, then straightforwardly.

"Fellow Daoist Qin is joking. Since you could successfully cultivate Beast Fang Rice, I believe Yin Condensing Flower won’t be a problem for you either." Master Su said, with a slight, enigmatic smile.

"Moreover, I can provide the Spirit Seeds for the Yin Condensing Flower, and after successful cultivation, I’ll purchase each plant at a rate of five Spirit Stones."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming’s heart thumped with excitement, it was impossible not to be tempted.

Considering the price Master Su offered, it was indeed a handsome income.

Qin Ming pondered carefully for a moment and said, "I can give it a try, but cannot guarantee success."

"Besides, I have a presumptuous request, I wonder if Master Su could agree?"

"Please, go ahead."

"I can cultivate the Yin Condensing Flower for Master Su, taking only ten percent upon maturity, the rest will be yours."

"However... I wish to learn a thing or two about the Alchemy Skill from Master Su..."

Facing such a great opportunity right before him, how could Qin Ming not seize it?

He didn’t expect Master Su to teach him any superior alchemical arts, learning a few rudimentary skills would satisfy him.

If Master Su agreed, it would be a great gain.

Master Su, upon hearing this, was taken aback, sized up Qin Ming and then chuckled: "So this is your plan, huh?"

"But you must be clear that the Alchemy Skill is not only very demanding of Spirit Stones but also requires talent. Not everyone can master it."

"Don’t blame me for not warning you later."

Seeing the other’s response, Qin Ming rejoiced inwardly, knowing there was hope for this matter.

This time it’s the Yin Condensing Flower, next time who knows what Spirit Grass Master Su will need, requiring him to shell out more valuable insights.

’Hehe!’

Qin Ming’s mind raced, churning out schemes.

"I plan to stay here for another three years, how about you cultivating spiritual medicines for three years?"

"I will share some alchemical knowledge with you in exchange."

Qin Ming’s face lit up with joy and said, "Deal!"

"Here is ’Alchemy Basics’, knowing the basic properties of medicines is essential. Inside are records and summaries from when I first learned alchemy; you can take it and have a look." With that, Master Su handed Qin Ming a jade scroll.

Qin Ming took the jade scroll and thanked him promptly.

With just a glance:

’The Three Essentials of Alchemy: Furnace and Tripod, Medicinal Chapter, Fire Control Chapter...’

Even a cursory look revealed that what he had thought was just an ordinary introductory alchemy book.

On deeper inspection, this collection in the jade scroll was mostly Master Su’s learning notes.

The jade scroll divided the basics of alchemy into three major Chapters.

’Furnace and Tripod Chapter’ includes the refining of different Spirit Pills requiring different furnaces and tripods, specific functions, times to move the furnace or change the tripod.

’Medicinal Chapter’ covers various spiritual materials’ growing habits, environments, properties, combinations with other medicines, along with Master Su’s remarks.

’Fire Control Chapter’ primarily focuses on manipulating flame during pill refining and the different grades of Alchemy Fire.

Overall, the base alchemy information in Master Su’s jade scroll was systematic and detailed.

’Just for this book, it would be worth growing for three years!’

Qin Ming happily stored the jade scroll, raised his cup, and toasted Master Su.

After reaching an agreement, they continued their meal.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Just then.

Someone knocked on the door outside Qin Ming’s house.

"Master Su, you continue eating, I’ll get the door."

He signaled and then set aside dishes and rose to open the door.

As soon as the door opened.

It was Fellow Daoist Long.

Qin Ming hurriedly welcomed him inside, "Fellow Daoist Long, please come in, we’re just having a meal, care to join us?"

Fellow Daoist Long frowned slightly and got straight to the point, "No need. I’m here as usual to buy some Spirit Rice... I’m not..."

Before he finished speaking.

He noticed a young figure dressed in a white robe, sitting at the table eating.

It was Master Su.

This shocked him, causing a strange expression.

’Why is Master Su here? Is he dining with him?’

Fellow Daoist Long greeted Master Su.

But did not sit down.

He glanced over at the table, full of Spirit Rice, Spirit Wine, and Demon Beast Meat; even this meal would cost at least five Spirit Stones.

’What is their relationship? Looks like I’ve underestimated Fellow Daoist Qin!’

Even he wouldn’t splurge like this every day, unable to see through Qin Ming now.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Qin, I won’t stay for lunch, I have some matters to attend to."

Seeing the reluctance, Qin Ming promptly fetched a storage pouch with Spirit Rice and handed it over to Fellow Daoist Long.

"The usual deal, here’s eighty pounds of Spirit Rice; take a look, Fellow Daoist Long."

Fellow Daoist Long accepted the rice, weighed it lightly, and stored it away, handing over twenty Spirit Stones to Qin Ming.

After buying the Spirit Rice, Fellow Daoist Long exchanged a few words with them and left.

Having seen Fellow Daoist Long off.

Qin Ming returned to the dining table.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Qin has made quite a fortune from the Spirit Rice business lately!" Master Su teased, popping a morsel into his mouth.

"Barely scraping by. The market price of Spirit Rice has risen slightly, but it’s not much compared to Master Su’s earnings." Qin Ming modestly replied.

After the meal.

Master Su handed Qin Ming a small packet of Yin Condensing Flower Spirit Seeds, instructing, "I will rent a plot of land near your Spirit Field, cultivate them there."

Qin Ming accepted the seeds, nodding in agreement.

He contemplated privately, wondering if this Tier One Yin Condensing Flower might produce an Entry?