CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 24: GUIDELINES FOR ALCHEMY METHODS

"I seek guidance from you, sir!"

Master Li Yun said, but his words shocked both Doctor Xiao and the two distinguished figures who had accompanied him.

They exchanged a glance, each seeing the surprise in the other’s eyes, disbelief apparent.

Who was Master Li Yun? A genuine Alchemist, known across the Tiandu Continent, where every Alchemist is held in high esteem by the world. Even a One-star Alchemist, though considered minor in the grand scheme, was a significant figure in the small Luofeng City of Xiafeng Country.

Even the Lord of Luofeng, Ye Ao, would curb some of his pride and treat them as equals, illustrating the revered status of an Alchemist.

The Hua Family and the Tang Family’s Great Elders had even gone to great lengths to invite Master Li Yun to visit, but shortly after his arrival, a messenger came, and Master Li Yun left in a rare hurry, surprising them enough to follow.

Now, to see him seeking guidance from a mysterious figure in a black robe with such respect and seriousness made them all speculate about this person, perhaps another Alchemist, or even one with a higher status than Master Li Yun.

This speculation made the two influential figures from Luofeng City somewhat astonished, but they looked at the figure in the black robe with increased reverence.

Facing an Alchemist, even they, these so-called important people, wouldn’t dare to act haughtily. Their attitude towards Master Li Yun spoke volumes.

Furthermore, although both were martial arts experts, they couldn’t sense the depth of the black-robed person, which seemed elusive, deepening their surprise.

Such a situation usually occurred only in the presence of someone stronger than them, both being experts of the Innate Realm—could this person be—

A Martial God-level expert?

This guess made them break out in a cold sweat, their reverence for the black-robed person growing.

A Martial God was a truly top-tier figure throughout Xiafeng Country.

Ye Chen glanced at Li Yun, and while others might have been flattered by his request for guidance, he felt no particular honor, simply nodding indifferently, which only made him seem more unfathomable.

"What would you like to ask, Master Li Yun?"

Hearing this, Master Li Yun gave a wry smile and said with a cupped fist, "You flatter me, sir. I dare not claim the title of master. If you feel comfortable, just calling me by my name will suffice."

This very statement further stunned everyone. Even the city lord had to address him as master, yet he requested the black-robed person to call him by his name, solidifying everyone’s speculations.

"Li Yun..." Ye Chen didn’t refuse, his voice hoarse, revealing nothing about his age,

Master Li Yun asked, "Sir, how may I address you?"

Everyone perked up their ears, since none of them knew the true identity of this mysterious person in black.

"Qian..." Ye Chen slowly began, mentioning a name that had once been renowned throughout the Heavenly and Myriads of Realms, esteemed by all.

But probably few on this continent would know it.

At this, Li Yun and the others exchanged glances, unfamiliar with the name.

Nevertheless, Li Yun still looked at Ye Chen and directly took out two pieces of paper, handing them to him, "Sir, these are the lists of medicinal materials you left behind at Huichun Hall in the past, which are quite similar to those I wish to use to concoct a pill to enhance cultivation speed. This is my list of materials; why is there only a slight difference in a few materials, yet the effects of the pills produced differ greatly from those on your list?"

This was a doubt that had been troubling Master Li Yun for the past month—the same main ingredients but lacking a few seemingly inconsequential auxiliary materials resulted in greatly diminished effects.

Furthermore, the auxiliary materials in Ye Chen’s pill formula were ordinary, just basic medicinal materials. Why then, with their addition, was the effect significantly amplified? What was the reason?

However, the Great Elders of the Hua and Tang families and Doctor Xiao were astonished to hear this.

A pill increasing cultivation speed was an extremely rare and precious commodity, far more prized than even healing pills.

Such types of pills were exorbitantly priced and beyond common trade, not something one could simply buy if wished.

This black-robed person was indeed extraordinary.

Ye Chen glanced briefly at the two lists and then explained, "It’s actually quite simple. Although Qingling Grass, Nine Spirit Ginseng, Forest Cold Fruit, and Fire Candle Fruit are all main materials that greatly aid in cultivation enhancement, you need to understand that each material possesses its own properties."

"Qingling Grass and Forest Cold Fruit have ice properties, while Nine Spirit Ginseng and Fire Candle Fruit have fire properties. If processed rashly, these completely opposite materials could easily cause the pill to turn to ash."

"The auxiliary materials, such as Ganoderma Fruit, Luohan Bamboo, and Nine Ice Flower, might seem ordinary, but they are actually the best neutralizing materials. Ganoderma Fruit and Luohan Bamboo, in particular, can harmonize the ice and fire properties of the materials, maximizing their medicinal effects, hence the difference in the results."

After listening, the entire hall was astonished, especially for the two prominent figures, it was like reading a book of heavenly secrets.

The knowledge of alchemy was incomprehensible to those outside of the field, but a simple conversation had suddenly enlightened Master Li Yun, resolving the doubts in his heart that had troubled him for many days.

So that was it, he had pondered for so many days but had never grasped the secret technique. It turned out that everything was due to the properties of the medicinal materials.

Initially skeptical about Ye Chen, he now wholeheartedly believed that Ye Chen was an alchemy master beyond one-star.

Only an alchemy strength surpassing one-star could easily solve such a problem.

Li Yun couldn’t help but exclaim, "Mr. Qian is indeed knowledgeable, such profound insight must at least be of a Second Star Alchemist and above, making us hold him in high regard."

Upon hearing this, everyone was greatly surprised, was this mysterious black-robed person also a Second Star Alchemist? Such individuals were top-tier figures even in the Royal Capital.

Ye Chen simply smiled slightly, appearing quite mysterious.

Then, Li Yun also took out the healing liquid, exclaiming, "In fact, sir’s healing liquid is the most precious. Let’s not talk about Acquired Cultivators, even for Innate Strong People, as long as they are not dead, consuming these five bottles of healing liquid could likely bring them back to life. Sir’s alchemy brilliance truly makes me feel inferior."

Everyone was even more shocked; although they knew the healing liquid was extraordinary, they had not realized it could have life-restoring effects.

"May I boldly ask, sir, why you chose to refine medicine liquid instead of pills, wouldn’t pills be better?" Li Yun asked what had tempted him for many days.

Medicine liquid was good, but it was never as good as pills.

Under the black robe, Ye Chen rolled his eyes. If I could refine pills, why would I bother refining medicine liquid?

Of course, he couldn’t voice this thought. Ye Chen cleared his throat, and covertly said, "It was just a casual attempt."

Just a casual attempt... Everyone present was stunned; this reason was too straightforward and brutal.

Li Yun, having gained much from Ye Chen’s guidance, couldn’t help but clasp his fists in gratitude, saying, "Mr. Qian, thank you for your guidance which has enlightened me greatly and helped me understand that conservatism in alchemy should not be excessive. Having accumulated experience over so many years, I believe it won’t be long before I am able to become a Second Star Alchemist. I am deeply grateful, and should you need any assistance, I will not hesitate to help."

Others were surprised; Li Yun was finally about to be promoted to a Second Star Alchemist.

Although the difference between a Second Star Alchemist and a One-star Alchemist seemed just a single star, that gap was akin to the difference between the Acquired Realm and the Innate Realm, which was often hard to bridge.

While Alchemists were indeed rare, Xiafeng Country did have them; an One-star Alchemist might be highly regarded in Luofeng City, but in the Royal Capital, it was not considered particularly notable.

Becoming a Second Star Alchemist, however, significantly elevated one’s status. Once promoted to a Second Star Alchemist, even the Royal Family would extend an invitation to join the court as a Court Alchemist, a position even higher than that of city lords like Ye Ao, the envoy of the frontier.

At that moment, Doctor Xiao and the two prominent figures all clasped fists to congratulate, praise, and fawn over him with obsequiousness.

Ye Chen said, "Good timing, I need your help with something, Li Yun."

Li Yun hurriedly replied, "Please tell me, Mr. Qian. As long as it is within my capability, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Ye Chen took out a list and said, "This is a list of medicinal materials I need. Please help me purchase the materials on this list; they are crucial for my purposes."

Li Yun took the list and began to read, the names of various medicinal materials flashing before his eyes: Heavenly Heart Fruit, Nine-tailed Cloud Mushroom, Earth Core Divine Milk, Three Thousand Divine Flames Flower...

As he read through the list, Li Yun became increasingly astonished because not only were the materials obscure, some were even unheard of, far beyond his knowledge.

However, he was somewhat familiar with a few of the listed materials, each incredibly valuable and only available in a capital city like the Royal Capital, with each material costing at least several thousand Gold Coins, and a couple even priced over ten thousand.

Altogether, the materials on the list were worth over a hundred thousand Gold Coins, which made him gasp.

More shocking than the high prices, however, was what pills Ye Chen intended to refine with these materials.

Ye Chen, aware of the high cost of the required materials, said, "I don’t have many Gold Coins on me. If you’re able to acquire them, this will be your reward."

With that, he handed over a smooth, round jade stone; it was a Memory Jade, a miraculous stone capable of storing and transferring information, accessible simply by spiritual contact.

Li Yun took the Memory Jade and projected a thread of his spiritual power into it, and in an instant, he was struck as if by lightning, crying out—

"Refining God’s Method!?"