Gou Zai Sect Beast Taming Longevity

Chapter 23 Second-Order Alchemy

"This kid is a bit strange."

When Gongsun Yang noticed Yu Changsheng's gaze, the other man had already lowered his head, but that did not prevent him from noticing the change in his expression.

"Could it be that he really learned something?"

Thinking of this, Gongsun Yang shook his head with a wry smile.

Many of the outer disciples who followed him to learn had not learned any skills, so how could a lowly servant possibly learn anything in just one day?

Gongsun Yang felt that he had slept too much and was having a delusion, so he continued to talk about some basic knowledge of the Three Fires Alchemy Technique.

This method has three essential elements: the first is "slowness," the second is "stillness," and the third is "emptiness."

However, each person has their own understanding of how to be slow. Don't be fooled by the fact that those disciples are all sleeping; in fact, they are all imitating Gongsun Yang's slowness.

But none of them truly understood it. After all, those who learn from me live, while those who imitate me die. They simply didn't bother to grasp what "slow and steady wins the race" truly meant.

Even when he first learned alchemy, it took him a year and a half to get the basics down.

Only Yu Changsheng was able to achieve the initial level of mastery by borrowing the essence of the system.

After the lecture ended and Gongsun Yang left, the other disciples gradually woke up.

"Huh? It's over? I still didn't learn anything today."

Tang Xing scratched his head, somewhat annoyed, and exclaimed, "I suspect that old man was just trying to fob us off. What kind of teacher teaches students like that? I'm not renewing my subscription next month!"

"That's right, I'm heartbroken over these spirit stones. Next month I'll switch to another alchemist's class. I heard that the fellow cultivators who came with me have already made the initial introductory steps."

Nearby, an outer disciple stood up and complained.

"Shh, walls have ears. Just keep these thoughts to yourself, don't say them out loud."

Another outer disciple quickly spoke up.

"Huh, he's still not awake? Could he really be asleep?"

As they spoke, the three disciples looked at Yu Changsheng, who had arrived last.

"I guess he's a disciple from some big family. He's not very talented and was assigned to menial tasks. He spent so many spirit stones to learn alchemy. He's even more wasteful than me."

"Let's call it a day, let's call it a day."

Tang Xing glanced at Yu Changsheng with curiosity, then left with the other two disciples.

An hour later, Yu Changsheng slowly woke up and glanced at his data.

The Three-Wen-Huo Alchemy Technique increased by 10 points, but the First-Order Alchemy Technique only increased by 1 point.

Without the system, he would have needed to study under Gongsun Yang for three months to raise his Three Fire Alchemy Technique to the peak of the beginner level.

"It's difficult, very difficult. No wonder so many people can't learn the authentic alchemy. These methods require too much comprehension. Even someone as smart as me only gains 10 points per lesson, let alone others."

Yu Changsheng sighed, composed himself, and left the alchemy hall.

Next, he needs to conserve his essence and first improve his Three-Wood Fire Alchemy Technique. Only by improving his technique can he gain a deeper understanding of alchemy.

Once both reach a certain level, he can attempt to refine his first batch of pills.

And so, a month later, Yu Changsheng finished Gongsun Yang's course. If he wanted to continue listening to his lessons, he would have to spend another 333 spirit stones.

During this period, Yu Changsheng sold two more spirit chicken kings. With the remaining spirit stones from last time and this month's wages, he had a total of 158 low-grade spirit stones.

This amount of spirit stones isn't even enough for half of next month's course.

Moreover, he didn't plan to listen anymore, because the Three Fires Alchemy Techniques basics had been improved to proficiency after some extra points were added, and even the first-order alchemy path had been upgraded to the second-order alchemy path.

With his current skill level, refining first-grade pills is already a sure thing for him, so he should naturally spend the spirit stones on acquiring spirit herbs. Continuing to listen to these basic knowledge is no longer useful.

Gongsun Yang opened his eyes a crack and, after seeing Yu Changsheng leave, thought to himself.

As expected, this child is not suitable for this method either. Alas, I was overthinking it.

Is this method truly destined to end in my generation?

Thinking of his master's dying wish that he carry forward the Three Fires Alchemy Technique, he felt guilty.

His talent was not outstanding among alchemists, which is why he only broke through to the third level at such an old age. Truly talented alchemists would only learn fast and quick methods, not his slow and leisurely alchemy techniques.

"No one recognizes the true Dharma!"

Gongsun Yang sighed and closed his eyes to doze off again.

Meanwhile, Yu Changsheng arrived at Fish Market after leaving the main peak.

The alchemy hall actually has the spiritual herbs he needs, and he can even purchase them all at once, but the price is a bit higher than outside, which is beyond his means.

For a small family like his, it's best to save money wherever possible.

"What does this immortal master intend to buy? Our First-Class Pharmacy has everything, even Foundation Establishment Pills, which we can obtain every year."

As soon as Yu Changsheng arrived at the pharmacy, he saw a servant in blue robes smiling and greeting him.

He had already donned his disguise, revealing his cultivation level as the peak of Qi Refining.

Do you have the prescription?

Yu Changsheng asked in a low, hoarse voice.

Upon hearing this, the servant in blue felt a great business opportunity had come his way, and said with a beaming smile, "Yes, yes, we have all the formulas for first-grade pills, but the prices aren't very cheap."

There are only two types of people who come to buy pill recipes: cultivators who are just beginning to learn alchemy and alchemists who want to refine other kinds of pills.

Regardless of the type, they can be traded in cooperation with Yipin Pharmacy.

Some independent alchemists in Fish Market would bring the high-quality pills they refined to sell here because they were offered higher prices, while they would set up their own stalls to sell the low-quality pills as they pleased.

"Elder, please take a look at these pill formulas," the attendant in blue said, leading Yu Changsheng to a display stand inside.

"First-tier Fasting Pill, Qi and Blood Pill, Yellow Powder Pill, Qi Gathering Pill, Detoxification Pill"

"These pill formulas range from the most difficult to the most difficult. Among them, the antidote pill is a first-class high-grade pill that can cure most toxins. Even if you are poisoned by the venomous python, it will not cause any harm."

After reading it, Yu Changsheng felt a toothache.

These pill formulas were more expensive than he had imagined. Even the formula for the Bigu Pill, which any alchemist could make, cost twenty-five low-grade spirit stones. Was this robbery?

"These prices are much higher than outside," Yu Changsheng asked, looking up.

"Hehe, Immortal Master is joking. How can the pill formulas of those rogue cultivators outside compare to those of our First-Class Medicine Hall? Our pill formulas and refining methods are meticulous, and the amount of spiritual herbs used is carefully calculated. Not only is our pill success rate higher than theirs, but the probability of refining pill patterns is also greatly increased."

The servant in blue pointed and said proudly, "For example, this Qi Gathering Pill formula, as long as the method is strictly followed, can produce more than eight pills in one batch, with no fewer than three having a single pill pattern."

"But if we follow the pill formulas of other rogue cultivators, the success rate is low, and it's questionable whether we can even produce six pills. With this increase and decrease, if we refine several batches, wouldn't the spirit stones spent be even more than our pill formulas?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Changsheng thought about it for a moment and felt that what he said made sense.

"Then let's buy this prescription."

The servant in blue immediately smiled and took out the prescription.

"Qi Gathering Pill Recipe, First-Rank High Grade, 105 Low-Grade Spirit Stones"

"I wonder if there is anything else the immortal master needs?"

"Please gather all the materials listed here for me as well."

"Okay!"

(End of this chapter)