’This kid is a little strange.’
By the ti Gongsun Yang noticed Yu Changsheng’s gaze, the boy had already lowered his head. Still, it didn’t prevent Gongsun Yang from sensing the subtle shift just now.
’Could he have actually learned sothing?’
At this thought, Gongsun Yang shook his head with a self-deprecating laugh.
None of the many Outer Disciples who studied under him had learned a single thing. How could a re servant possibly learn anything in a single day?
Gongsun Yang decided he must have been overtired and imagining things. He then resud his lecture, sharing so tidbits about the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique.
This technique has three essences: the beginning is "slowness," the middle is "stillness," and the pinnacle is "emptiness."
But how to achieve that slowness was a matter of personal comprehension. Though it looked like the disciples were all asleep, they were actually trying to imitate Gongsun Yang’s slowness.
Yet, none had truly grasped it. After all, "those who learn from thrive; those who rely imitate perish." They had never genuinely tried to comprehend the principle that "slow work yields fine results."
Even he himself had taken a year or so to reach the beginner stage when he first learned this Alchemy technique.
Only Yu Changsheng, by using his System Essence, managed to reach the beginner stage in a single session.
Long after the lecture ended and Gongsun Yang had left, the other disciples gradually began to wake up.
"Huh? It’s over? I still didn’t learn a thing today."
Tang Xing scratched his head and cried out in frustration, "I suspect that old man is just going through the motions with us. Who teaches like this? I’m definitely not renewing next month!"
"Tell about it. It pains to think about all these Spirit Stones. Next month, I’m switching to another Pill Master’s class. I heard a fellow cultivator who ca with has already reached the beginner stage."
An Outer Disciple standing nearby rose and complained.
"Shh! Walls have ears. It’s one thing to think it, but don’t say it out loud."
Another Outer Disciple quickly added.
"Huh, he’s still not awake? Don’t tell he actually fell asleep?"
As they spoke, the three disciples looked over at Yu Changsheng, who had been the last to arrive.
"Probably so disciple from a big family. Lousy talent got him assigned as a servant, yet he’s throwing away so many Spirit Stones on Alchemy. He’s even more of a spendthrift than I am."
"Let’s get out of here."
Tang Xing gave Yu Changsheng a curious glance before leaving with the other two disciples.
An hour later, Yu Changsheng slowly ca to and checked his stats.
The Three-coin Fire Refining Technique had increased by 10 points, but the Tier One Alchemy Dao had only increased by 1.
’Without the system, he would have had to study under Gongsun Yang for three months just to bring the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique to the peak of the beginner stage.’
’It’s so difficult. No wonder so many people can’t learn proper Alchemy. These techniques demand too much comprehension. A genius like only gained 10 points in one class—what hope do others have?’
Yu Changsheng sighed, composed himself, and left the Alchemy Hall.
’From now on, I need to save up my System Essence. I’ll prioritize increasing the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique. Only by improving my thods will my understanding of the Alchemy Dao deepen.’
’Once both have reached a certain level, I can try refining my first cauldron of Elixirs.’
A month passed. Yu Changsheng had completed Gongsun Yang’s course. To continue attending his lectures, he would need to pay another three hundred and thirty-three Spirit Stones.
During this ti, Yu Changsheng had sold two more Spirit Chicken Kings. Combined with his leftover Spirit Stones and this month’s wages, he had a total of one hundred and fifty-eight Lower Grade Spirit Stones.
This wasn’t even half the cost of next month’s course.
Besides, he had no intention of continuing. By adding points, his foundational Three-coin Fire Refining Technique had already reached the "skilled" level, and his Tier One Alchemy Dao had even advanced to the Tier Two Alchemy Dao.
At his current level, successfully refining a Tier One Elixir was practically a sure thing. Naturally, his Spirit Stones should be spent on acquiring Spirit Grass; continuing to listen to these basic lectures was pointless.
Gongsun Yang opened his eyes a crack. Seeing Yu Changsheng leave, he thought to himself.
’As expected, this child isn’t suited for this technique either. Sigh. I was overthinking it.’
’Is this technique truly going to die with ?’
He felt a pang of guilt as he recalled his own master on his deathbed, entrusting him with carrying on and glorifying the Three-coin Fire Refining Technique.
His own talent among Pill Masters was not outstanding, which was why he had only broken through to Tier Three at such an old age. Truly talented Alchemists would only learn fast and rapid techniques, not a slow and leisurely art like his.
"No one recognizes a true technique!"
Gongsun Yang sighed, closed his eyes, and began to doze off again.
anwhile, after leaving the main peak, Yu Changsheng headed to the Fish Market.
The Alchemy Hall actually had the Spiritual dicines he needed, and he could have bought everything he required at once. However, the prices were a bit higher than outside—more than he could afford.
’Soone from a humble background like should save wherever I can.’
"What can I get for you, Immortal Master? Our First-Grade dicine Hall has everything you could possibly need. We can even get our hands on a Foundation Establishnt Pill once every year or so."
Yu Changsheng had just entered the dicine Hall when an attendant in blue robes greeted him with a smile.
He had already put on his disguise, which showed his Cultivation to be at the Qi Refining Peak.
"Do you have any Pill Formulas?"
Yu Changsheng asked in a low, raspy voice.
Hearing this, the blue-robed attendant imdiately sensed a big custor had arrived. A wide smile spread across his face as he said, "Yes, yes, of course! We have Pill Formulas for all sorts of Tier One Elixirs. The only thing is, they aren’t cheap."
Custors who ca to buy Pill Formulas were generally one of two types: Cultivators who were just starting to learn Alchemy, or Alchemists who wanted to refine different types of Elixirs.
Either way, they were potential business for the First-Grade dicine Hall.
For instance, so of the Independent Alchemists in the Fish Market would sell their high-quality refined Elixirs to the hall because of the high prices offered. As for the lower-quality ones, they would just set up their own stalls and sell them off however they could.
"This way, Immortal Master. Please take a look at these Pill Formulas." The blue-robed attendant led Yu Changsheng to a display counter inside and began his introduction.
"Tier One Grain Avoidance Pill, Qi Blood Pill, Yellow Dissolving Pill, Qi Gathering Pill, Antitoxic Pill..."
"These Pill Formulas are arranged from least to most difficult. The Antitoxic Pill is a high-grade Tier One pill that can neutralize most poisons. It can even cure the potent venom of a Poisonous Spirit Python without issue."
After looking them over, Yu Changsheng felt his head ache.
’The prices for these Pill Formulas are even higher than I imagined. Even the formula for the Grain Avoidance Pill, which every Alchemist knows how to make, costs twenty-five Lower Grade Spirit Stones. Is this a robbery?’
"These prices are quite a bit higher than outside," Yu Changsheng said, looking up.
"Hehe, you jest, Immortal Master. How can the Pill Formulas from those Loose Cultivators outside compare to ours at the First-Grade dicine Hall? Our refining thods are ticulously detailed, and the required amounts of Spiritual dicine have been carefully calculated. Not only is our Pill Formation Success Rate higher, but the probability of producing a Pill Pattern is also greatly increased."
The blue-robed attendant pointed a finger, saying proudly, "Take this Qi Gathering Pill Formula, for example. As long as you strictly follow the thod, you can produce at least eight pills per batch, with no fewer than three of them having One Pill Pattern."
"But if you follow the formulas from other Loose Cultivators, not only is the success rate low, but it’s questionable if you can even produce six pills. When you factor in the difference, if you refine several batches, won’t you end up spending even more Spirit Stones than if you just bought our Pill Formula?"
Hearing this, Yu Changsheng thought for a mont and realized the attendant had a point.
"I’ll buy this Pill Formula, then."
The blue-robed attendant imdiately broke into a smile and took out the Pill Formula.
"The Qi Gathering Pill Formula, high-grade Tier One, one hundred and five Lower Grade Spirit Stones."
"Is there anything else you need, Immortal Master?"
"Gather all the ingredients listed on it for as well."
"Right away!"
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