Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 450 Order for Healing Pills
As soon as Li Xiangming arrived at Qingyang Temple, he heard the Taoist priest's deep voice.

However, what caught his attention even faster than the voice were two nimble shadows, especially the one in front, which rushed straight toward him.

"Mumu?"

Li Xiangming exclaimed in surprise.

Nangong Mu's mind had been focused on what was behind him, but upon hearing the call, he immediately turned around, his face lighting up with surprise: "Brother-in-law, save me!"

As he spoke, he took three steps in two and stopped abruptly in front of Li Xiangming, his two small hands tightly hugging Li Xiangming's legs, and said pitifully, "Qingyang Temple is killing people!"

"Nangong Mu, if you dare to spout nonsense again!"

Another clear and crisp voice rang out.

Looking around, Li Xiangming saw a young girl dressed in a silk Taoist robe, carrying a three-foot-long sword, chasing after him with murderous intent.

The girl's face flushed with embarrassment and anger, her cheeks slightly reddened from her rapid breathing. A few strands of sweat-dampened hair clung to her ears, making her skin appear even more like jade, her features exquisite. She was like a thorny orchid, her beauty radiating an unyielding and unapproachable pride.

"Siyan?"

Li Xiangming recognized her and called out to her.

The girl who was almost abducted by the evil sorcerers of the Mang Cult has grown up completely, which makes him feel a little sentimental about how things have changed.

Upon seeing Li Xiangming, Sun Siyan's imposing manner suddenly weakened, and she became somewhat at a loss: "Hall Master Li?"

This little girl seems to have always been afraid of me!
Li Xiangming couldn't help but touch his face. Was he really that scary?
He quickly came to his senses and looked the two of them over: "What are you doing?"

"Brother-in-law, Sister Siyan is trying to kill me!"

Nangong Mu held the reins of the Fire-Scaled Steed with both hands, looking as if he wanted Li Xiangming to make the decision for him.

"The guilty party accuses the innocent first!"

Sun Siyan was furious and pointed at Nangong Mu, scolding, "It was clearly you who stole my master's Fire Essence Pill first."

"What happened?"

Nangong Mu retorted indignantly, "It's just a pill, isn't it? Why don't my master just compensate your master?"

"you"

Sun Siyan's fists were clenched until they were red.

At this moment, several figures stepped out from the vermilion gate of Qingyang Temple. The leader, dressed in short clothes and with a muscular build, cursed and said, "You brat! Why should I bear the consequences of your own misdeeds? In my opinion, it would be better to let Sun Yat-to stab you to death with her sword."

"Master!"

Nangong Mu immediately jumped up and down: "How dare you speak up for outsiders? I'm your precious disciple!"

"Having a disciple like you has made me lose all face!"

Zhang Can glared and bristled, while Xie Daoren, standing to the side, laughed gleefully, "Mumu, you've really gotten yourself into big trouble this time. This Fire Essence Pill is no ordinary pill; even your master can't afford to pay for it."

"It's alright, it's just a pill. Consider it a small gift for young friend Nangong."

The Taoist Qingyang was very gentle, showing no sign of anger. As he spoke, he waved to Sun Siyan, "Yan'er, aren't you coming back?"

"Master..."

Sun Siyan hesitated for a moment, but ultimately returned to Qingyang Daoist's side.

"Master!"

No sooner had Sun Siyan left than Chi Youyan dismounted and bowed to Qingyang Daoist.

"Youyan?"

The Taoist priest Qingyang was startled and quickly called out, "Come here quickly!"

Chi Youyan was overjoyed and ran over there.

Li Xiangming also dismounted and scrutinized Zhang Can, Xie Daoren, and the corpse driver with a critical eye.

No wonder Nangong Mu appeared at Qingyang Temple; it turns out that most of the Five Scattered Sects have come.

When Zhang Can and the other two saw Li Xiangming, they were even more surprised, and a hint of embarrassment appeared on their faces.

A few days ago, the Five Scattered Sect suddenly received a summons from the Li family, saying that they were to recruit Five Scattered Sect disciples to go to Monkey Valley to resist the beast tide.

Isn't this a joke?
As the acting sect leader, Granny Lai resolutely refused.

Unexpectedly, the Li family cultivators threatened to reclaim Jiming Mountain, forcing the Five Scattered Sects to submit.

The monk in charge of external affairs had no choice but to argue with the Li family cultivators. In the end, he had to agree to accept the summons and send three freelancers, as well as Nangong Mu, who had been eager to come.

The group of four set off from Jiming Mountain and quickly arrived at Monkey Valley.

However, they did not want to serve the Li family immediately, so they took advantage of their past friendship with Qingyang Daoist and hid in Qingyang Temple.

Who would have thought that Li Xiangming would suddenly visit Qingyang Temple?
Although it was quite awkward, the three of them did not dare to be negligent and bowed to Li Xiangming, saying, "We did not expect Hall Master Li to be here. We greet Hall Master Li."

"You all have so much free time."

Li Xiangming gave a soft hum.

With his experience, he immediately guessed most of the situation upon seeing Zhang Can and the others.

The Five Scattered Sect reveres the Li family as its leader, and it was he who founded it.

Although this sect is small, it has a total of five Qi Refining Level 9 cultivators. Their strength is among the top even among the Li family's vassals. Li Qianxiong would be crazy enough to ignore them if he wanted to recruit vassal cultivators.

Of course, the fact that these people cheated and slept was still beyond his expectations.

However, he was not angry about it.

It is human nature to seek advantage and avoid harm.

Let alone the Five Scattered Sects, which of all the vassal cultivators recruited by the Li family truly wanted to go to the battlefield?

It's just that I have no choice in the matter.

Li Xiangming ignored them; he could hide for a while, but not forever.

The Five Scattered Sect members will eventually have to go to Monkey Valley with him.

In fact, after he bumped into these three people, they couldn't even hide for a moment.

"Taoist Priest!"

After Chi Youyan and Qingyang Daoist reminisced, Li Xiangming stepped forward and bowed.

The Taoist priest returned the gift and asked curiously, "Is the defense of Monkey Valley complete?"

He knew how busy Li Xiangming had been lately.

Even regarding such an important matter as the delivery of the Thousand-Jun Pill, the two sides only exchanged a few words in haste.

Li Xiangming shook his head: "It's still far from that point. However, the Divine Wind Demon Hunting Team has been scouting around the area and hasn't yet detected any signs of large groups of demons attacking Monkey Valley. I came here this time hoping that the Daoist could take care of Youyan and Qingchi a little."

The Taoist priest Qingyang focused his gaze on Xu Qingchi.

Chi Youyan was his disciple, so it was perfectly legitimate for him to stay at Qingyang Temple. But this child in front of him was a complete stranger. He wondered where he came from.
"This is my disciple, surnamed Xu, named Qingchi."

Li Xiangming seemed to sense Qingyang Daoist's confusion and explained calmly.

"Your disciple?"

This truly shocked Qingyang Daoist.

The other people standing nearby also looked on incredulously.

Who is Li Xiangming?
The Li family's current generation's prodigy possesses extraordinary talent, having successfully established his foundation before the age of thirty.

Ask yourself, who among those present, including Qingyang Daoist, wasn't envious?

Moreover, Li Xiangming held a high position in the Li family.

The Li family was the dominant force in this area.

It can be said that Li Xiangming was second only to the emperor.

How could someone with such a smooth path to success and such a prominent position accept a disciple?
Could he be some kind of genius?
Zhang Can felt a chill run down his spine as he scrutinized Xu Qingchi repeatedly.

Xu Qingchi looked to be about twelve or thirteen years old. To ordinary people, this age is still that of an innocent child; but for a cultivator with exceptional talent, it is already enough to show his abilities.

However, no matter how he looked at it, he only felt that Xu Qingchi was an ordinary Qi Refining Level 2 cultivator.

The child's magical power was still somewhat weak, clearly indicating that he had only recently broken through to the next level.

"Old Zhang, is this kid really Master Li's apprentice?"

Surprised, Xie Daoren, who was beside him, transmitted his doubts through divine sense.

Zhang Can was also puzzled and replied, "Since Master Li admitted it himself, it should be true, right? Perhaps this kid has some extraordinary talent."

Judging solely from his cultivation level, Xu Qingchi was clearly not qualified to be Li Xiangming's disciple. His own disciple, Nangong Mu, was already fifteen years old, yet his cultivation had smoothly progressed to the fifth level of Qi Refining.

Of course, this level of cultivation is not considered high.

However, it should be noted that Nangong Mu was already twelve years old when he joined the Five Scattered Sect, and his cultivation level was only at the third level of Qi Refining.

In just three years, Nangong Mu broke through two realms. Doesn't this cultivation speed prove Nangong Mu's talent?

Once Nangong Mu comes of age, he will at least be able to reach the sixth level of Qi Refining, and may even have a chance to squeeze into the late stage of Qi Refining. Can Xu Qingchi achieve that?

Is he still stuck at the fourth level of Qi Refining?
Thinking of this, Zhang Can was overjoyed.

Indeed, his talent and cultivation were inferior to those of Master Li, but his disciples far surpassed those of Master Li's disciples.

Li Xiangming, unaware of Zhang Can's inner thoughts, patted Xu Qingchi's head, gesturing for him to bow to the Qingyang Taoist.

This was the first time Xu Qingchi had heard his master formally introduce his identity to outsiders. He was so excited that his face turned red and his voice even stuttered a little: "Greetings, Master Qingyang Dao."

"Don't be nervous."

The Taoist priest gently took Xu Qingchi's small hand and slipped her a bottle of pills: "You are a disciple of Layman Li, and from now on you will be one of our own at the Qingyang Temple."

Xu Qingchi was surprised that the Taoist Qingyang was not only kind-faced but also so generous. He was immediately moved and said, "Thank you, Taoist Master. I will definitely be obedient and not cause you any trouble."

"So nice."

Qingyang Daoist laughed heartily, then said to Sun Siyan beside him, "Yan'er, take Qingchi for a tour so he can get acquainted with the Taoist temple, and also prepare rooms for him and Youyan."

"Yes!"

Sun Siyan glanced at Xu Qingchi, then stole a glance at Li Xiangming, before entering the Taoist temple.

"Sister Siyan, don't forget to cook for me!"

At this moment, Nangong Mu suddenly let out a howl.

Sun Siyan immediately stopped and glared at him fiercely, clearly still resentful that her master's treasured Fire Essence Pill had been stolen.

However, in front of so many people, she didn't lash out again, but simply quickened her pace.
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"Fifty bottles of blood-clotting pills and fifty bottles of heart-nourishing pills?"

The Taoist Qingyang was hospitable. Upon seeing Li Xiangming, he refused to let him leave and insisted on preparing a banquet.

Unable to decline, Li Xiangming had no choice but to take a seat, accompanied by Zhang Can and others.

The group enjoyed the delicious venison, drank the medicinal wine brewed by Qingyang Daoist, and chatted about interesting things in the cultivation world, having a pleasant time.

But when Li Xiangming mentioned refining elixirs, Qingyang Daoist was immediately surprised.

Blood-clotting pills are mostly used to treat external injuries, while heart-nourishing pills have remarkable effects on internal injuries.

Both are common first-tier healing pills in the cultivation world.

However, common does not mean simple.

Take Huangya Dan for example. This low-level pill is familiar to almost every cultivator. It looks ordinary, but there are thousands of different formulas for it.

Why are there so many prescriptions for medicine?

Because alchemists always strive to use more common medicinal herbs, along with newer methods and more unique techniques, to create new types of pills with the same or even better effects.

Today, the Huangya Dan circulating in the market is no longer the Huangya Dan of 10,000 years ago.

If you refine it according to the ancient method, it simply cannot compete with the innovative Type II Yellow Sprout Pill.

This also makes the refining difficulty of Huangya Dan unique among first-tier pills, causing countless alchemists great distress.

While the effects of blood-clotting pills and heart-nourishing pills are not quite as extreme, similar phenomena still exist.

Therefore, even though they are first-tier basic pills, they are not something that ordinary novice alchemists can master.

To ensure profits, when Qingyang Daoist accepted orders from the Li family or nearby independent practitioners, he would personally handle the process and only distribute very simple pills to Sun Siyan and others.

If Li Xiangming wanted three or five bottles of blood-clotting pills or heart-nourishing pills, he would agree without hesitation.

But Li Xiangming demanded too many quantities.

One hundred bottles of pills, with 12 pills per bottle, would amount to 1200 pills.

The alchemy furnace at Qingyang Temple is small, so it can hold fewer spiritual herbs and medicines. Based on past experience, he can usually refine eight to ten Blood Coagulation Pills.

Conservatively estimated, with eight pills per batch, it would take a full one hundred and fifty batches to refine these one hundred bottles of healing pills.

This is assuming a 100% success rate.

In fact, even the most skilled alchemist could not achieve this level of skill.

He estimated that he would need to refine at least 250 batches.

He usually only starts a furnace every four or five days. If he accepts Mr. Li's request, it will take more than three years to complete this order, and he cannot refine other elixirs during this period.

This was undoubtedly a huge burden for him.

"What if I prepare the materials?"

Li Xiangming frowned and asked, "If we disregard costs and have Siyan, Youyan, Xiangshu, and the others all pitch in, is there any chance of completing this order?"

"Regardless of cost?"

Qingyang Daoist was taken aback.

In today's world of cultivation, alchemy is no longer a secret.

Many pharmacies and traditional medicine shops in the market would hire apprentices and teach them from scratch.

Even independent practitioners have plenty of opportunities.

However, every alchemist must experience countless furnace explosions before they have enough room to grow.

Deep frying means wasting materials.

These are all pure white spirit stones.

To reduce costs, alchemy halls and pharmacies often only train a small group of the most talented people and recruit them for their own use, while most alchemy apprentices only get to do odd jobs.

Even if these people possess the knowledge of alchemy, they lack practical experience. What can they do?

In the end, he was dismissed from the alchemy hall and medicine shop with only a mediocre skill level, and ended up as a retainer in a small sect or family, wasting his time thereafter.

When Qingyang Daoren was young, he went through the same thing.

Now that he has become the abbot, he wants to treat all his disciples equally.

However, he still had to face the practical problem of cost, and could not allow his disciples to refine pills without restraint.

Over the years, the only disciple in the temple who has actually refined pills a large number of times is Li Xiangshu, who is backed by the Li family—it is said that Yiyuan Peak prepares ten sets of materials for this kid every month, encouraging him to squander them.

How could Li Xiangming's mention of disregarding costs shock and make him hesitate?

What's shocking is, does Li Xiangming have so many materials?
The concern is whether this move will cause Li Xiangming significant losses.

After all, even if Sun Siyan, Li Xiangshu, and others could refine Blood Coagulation Pills and Heart Nourishing Pills, their quality would not be comparable to theirs, not to mention the price they could sell them for.

Li Xiangming, seeing the hesitation on Qingyang Daoist's face, roughly understood what he meant.

He does have some expertise in materials.

Over the past year, he had been hoarding spiritual herbs, most of which were intended for refining Blood Coagulation Pills and Heart Nourishing Pills.

He originally planned to sell these spiritual herbs to Shengyi Sect.

Unexpectedly, a monstrous beast suddenly swept across Mount Dai.

Now, Mount Dai is fraught with danger, trade routes are cut off, and Jiang Liang's Spirit Serpent Merchant Guild has also been attacked, forcing them to retreat to Monkey Valley.

Even more dangerously, the monsters might attack Monkey Valley.

At this moment, Li Xiangming had no interest in doing business.

In short, he has ordered Jiang Liang to sell the spiritual herbs of Changyang Valley to the Li family at a fair price.

The Li family needs to support Monkey Valley, so the alchemy workshop will inevitably need to refine a large number of healing pills, which happens to require this batch of spiritual herbs.

Although the Serpent Merchant Guild didn't make much money, it couldn't be said that it suffered a loss either.

Li Xiangming planned to hand over the spiritual herbs stored in Monkey Valley to Qingyang Temple.

Why not sell it all to the Li family at once?

The reason is simple: the Li family is far from Monkey Valley, while Qingyang Temple is close to Monkey Valley.

If war were to break out in Monkey Valley, he would desperately need the newly produced healing pills from Qingyang Temple.

(End of this chapter)