Chapter Forty-Eight: Mid-Grade Alchemist
Qin Ming was lost in his thoughts.
“Of course, there are conditions for passing on this true method to you,” Su Yuqing said, neither affirming nor denying. “But for now, I won’t tell you what they are.”
How could Qin Ming let such a heaven-sent opportunity slip by? If he missed this chance, it might never come again. He immediately nodded and replied, “Don’t worry, Brother Su, I won’t pass this on to anyone else. Anything within my ability, I can promise you.”
Only then did Su Yuqing reveal a rare smile. From his storage pouch, he took out a formation and enveloped them both, then passed the full incantation of the “True Technique of Yin-Yang Harmonious Spirit Control” to Qin Ming.
Qin Ming focused his mind, carefully reciting the method over and over until he had memorized it flawlessly.
During the process, the more Qin Ming listened, the more astonished he became. He could not help but marvel—Su Yuqing was truly a genius of the highest order. His monstrous talent in alchemy was no mere boast.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Qin Ming had fully absorbed the method.
“That’s all there is. In the future, if you have the capability, you can improve upon this insight yourself,” Su Yuqing said, adopting the air of a teacher. “Now, refine a batch of Spirit Gathering Pills for me so I can see.”
Qin Ming nodded. He took a deep breath, emptied his mind, and recalled the entire alchemical method in his head.
In a flash, Qin Ming opened his eyes and began to employ the “True Technique of Yin-Yang Harmonious Spirit Control.” He immediately felt the difference: from the initial extraction of the medicinal base to the final fusion of the spiritual herbs, everything became smooth and seamless.
Su Yuqing, watching from the side, couldn’t help but click his tongue in surprise. “This is unbelievable. Could this boy’s soul power truly be this strong?”
The crucial moment arrived. The spiritual herbs in the cauldron began to fuse and take shape, but at this rate, it seemed another failed pill would result.
Qin Ming concentrated and hurriedly employed the pill-fusing technique from the true method. The medicinal liquid, which had already begun fusing in the cauldron, separated again. The spiritual herbs inside, as if guided by an unseen hand, followed Qin Ming’s will—constantly splitting and recombining, until at last, they perfectly merged.
Chirp!
A crisp, joyous sound came from the pill cauldron, followed by waves of rich, enticing fragrance.
“It’s done!” Qin Ming’s joy was evident; he was thrilled.
Su Yuqing’s face also showed a trace of genuine admiration.
Within the cauldron, six azure pills floated up and down. Qin Ming beckoned, and all six Spirit Gathering Pills flew into his palm. His luck was excellent this time; two of them were of superior quality—a deep blue hue.
“Haha, congratulations, Brother Qin. You’ve successfully advanced to a mid-grade alchemist,” Su Yuqing said, his tone carrying genuine approval. “Since you’ve succeeded in refining the Spirit Gathering Pill, I trust other mid-grade pills will be no trouble for you now.”
Qin Ming put away the pills and gave Su Yuqing a deep bow, sincerely grateful. “Thank you, Brother Su, for passing on the true method.”
It was only after personally using this alchemical method that Qin Ming understood its true significance.
“Enough, spare me the formalities. You’ll have to fulfill your promise in the future, so we’re even,” Su Yuqing waved him off. “Frankly, I chose to teach you only because your soul is exceptionally strong. Otherwise, even if I did, it would be pointless.”
“Let’s not talk about that. Since you’ve succeeded, come have a drink with me.”
Qin Ming laughed heartily and agreed, “Very well, tonight we drink our fill!”
“But let me use up this last batch of ingredients first.”
After the time of two incense sticks, another wave of pill fragrance filled the air. Qin Ming had grown even more proficient; his success rate was noticeably higher than before. This batch yielded ten Spirit Gathering Pills, four of them top grade.
In high spirits, Qin Ming cleaned up the alchemy room. Then the two sat in the courtyard, drinking spirit wine together.
Seeing that the hour was late, Qin Ming took his leave from Su Yuqing and returned to the Cool Breeze Cottage.
He took out the Spirit Gathering Pills he had refined that day, a strange excitement shining in his eyes.
“My magical cultivation really needs to catch up.”
Forced by the limitations of his spiritual roots, Qin Ming had turned to body cultivation to quickly gain strength and resources for his path of immortality.
“In hindsight, it was the right decision. In just over two years of body cultivation, I’ve achieved strength comparable to the peak of the Qi Refining stage.”
“If I’d kept slogging through the Everlasting Spring Method every day, even with pills, unless the quantity was massive, I’d still be stuck in the middle stages of Qi Refining.”
“Consuming top-grade Spirit Gathering Pills every day would empty my spirit stone pouch in no time.”
“But now I can refine mid-grade spirit pills myself, fully self-sufficient.”
“Even the herbs for the Spirit Gathering Pills can all be homegrown. Only a few auxiliary ingredients need to be bought from the Gathering Pavilion.”
“The cost is minimal, saving me a vast amount of spirit stones.”
“From now on, I could even eat Spirit Gathering Pills as if they were food.”
“Moreover, as a mid-grade alchemist, my ability to accumulate wealth will increase rapidly.”
Thinking of this, Qin Ming immediately sat cross-legged on the mat in his meditation chamber.
He took out a top-grade Spirit Gathering Pill and swallowed it.
The pure medicinal power flowed through his limbs and bones. Qin Ming began to circulate the “Everlasting Spring Arts,” guiding the energy through his meridians, refining it into his own cultivation power.
Gradually, his dantian brimmed with spiritual energy.
When the full power of that top-grade Spirit Gathering Pill was absorbed, Qin Ming took out another and consumed it.
Again and again.
He took one top-grade Spirit Gathering Pill after another in quick succession.
After consuming all six top-grade pills, he then took five of the standard variety.
Currently, a top-grade Spirit Gathering Pill fetched about one hundred and fifty spirit stones each on the market; the standard ones, about sixty-five each.
Just for this session, Qin Ming had consumed well over a thousand spirit stones’ worth of pills.
At last, the spiritual power in his dantian, accumulated over time and now bolstered by the massive influx of medicinal energy, reached a tipping point and surged forth like a broken dam.
He hastily sent his spiritual sense inward, guiding the wild torrent of energy through the cycles of his cultivation method.
Time passed slowly.
Until the hour of the Tiger.
Boom!
Newly forged cultivation power rushed into his dantian like rivers flowing into the sea, endlessly expanding.
“I’ve finally broken through!”
“Qi Refining, fifth layer!”
Qin Ming opened his eyes, ending his cultivation session.
Sensing the spiritual power within, Qin Ming could not hide his excitement.
His dantian’s spiritual power had more than doubled once again.
His current energy reserves far surpassed those of cultivators at the same level.
“As long as I keep refining top-grade Spirit Gathering Pills—at this rate of cultivation—the late stages of Qi Refining are well within reach.”
Qin Ming pondered for a while.
Perhaps it was time to consider deepening his cooperation with the Mirror Snow Pavilion. Their influence was formidable, spanning the entire southern wilderness cultivation world.
Not only would this give him access to superior information channels, but he could also secure more cultivation resources.
Of course, this would only be wise if he could ensure everything remained firmly under his control.
“Tomorrow, I’ll head to the Gathering Pavilion to sell some Qi Condensing Pills and exchange them for auxiliary materials to refine more Spirit Gathering Pills.”
PS: Thank you, fellow cultivators, for your monthly tickets and recommendations.