Starting as a Talisman Master

The moment the light screen faded, a simple, ancient voice suddenly appeared in Lu Chi's mind.

It was as if it had long been etched in my heart, only now being gently brushed away the dust, each sound penetrating to the bone:

"The primordial fire returns to its origin, the vital energy is its fuel. The mind and spirit are its seal, drawing the flame into the body. It has no master to hold, it can swallow the embers. Refine it slowly, master it with truth. When the flame is strong, it shines, the fire follows the thought."

Lu Chi twitched his fingertips slightly, without using force, but simply followed the incantation to slowly draw out the magic power within his body.

The warmth in my chest was drawn out, traveled along the meridians, and finally settled in my palm.

A cool sensation in my palm.

Another heatwave.

A wisp of pale blue flame leaped out.

The fire was very small, like a bean lamp.

The flame tip trembled slightly, the light was not dazzling, but it exuded a coldness. It touched his skin, but it did not burn or hurt, it was just warm.

Lu Chi stared at the ball of fire, feeling that it was connected to his mind. With each thought, the flame would slightly expand or contract, and when the thought dissipated, the flame would become erratic.

The intensity is not high.

It could even be described as frail.

"The initial strength of this fire seems to be related to the cultivation technique I practice."

Lu Chi understood immediately, gathered his thoughts, and the flames subsided as if he had pressed their heads down.

He brought up the panel again and focused his gaze on the line indicating the alchemist's inherent qualities.

[Mysterious Fire] can devour flames to strengthen itself. The stronger the fire, the more refined the control over it, and the greater the benefit to alchemy. So that's how it is.

It has some similarities to the "Burning Technique," but its essence lies in mastering fire control. If used properly, it could also be used in combat... Lu Chi's expression gradually became strange. After carefully experiencing it for a while, he did not immediately realize what practical benefits this supernatural ability had for alchemy.

Perhaps it will take several more uses before we can figure out how to use it effectively.

As for "prescription identification," it's immediately obvious that it's a truly practical skill.

Lu Chi pondered for a moment, then took out two small jade bottles from his storage bag.

A warm, pure white bottle, a beauty-enhancing pill given to me by Qin Su Niang on my birthday. The bottle is unadorned, yet it exudes a delicate charm.

The other one, which was a bit crude, was a Qi-Nourishing Pill that was taken from the storage bag of the cultivator after he was killed.

He held two bottles of pills, each containing several, but he didn't touch them. They came from different sources, and he remained somewhat wary. If he wasn't confident, he'd rather not use them.

Now that we have [Shifang], it's a good time to give it a try.

Lu Chi first opened the jade bottle containing the beauty-enhancing pill. The medicinal fragrance was gentle, neither cloying nor overpowering.

He poured out a pill and placed it in his palm. The pill was round and smooth, with a soft color, much more refined than the coarse pills he had refined himself.

His gaze was fixed, his mind slightly focused, and the power of [Knowledge] quietly began to circulate.

The pill seemed to unfold before his eyes, its layers of medicinal properties transforming into subtle veins that slowly spread through his consciousness. Several familiar medicinal scents emerged, which he recognized one by one.

In just a few breaths, a line of faint text appeared in his sight.

[Beauty Elixir, Tier 1. Main ingredients: Jade Beauty Flower, Bone-Nourishing Grass, and Clear Dew Root. Blended with Warming Spiritual Elixir. Mild and nourishing in nature, it nourishes Qi and blood. No obvious errors or omissions.]

The grade, main medicine, auxiliary medicine, and the circulation of medicinal properties were all deduced.

He slowly withdrew his gaze. The pill still lay quietly in his palm, and most of his worries dissipated: Qin Su Niang had not tampered with the beauty pill.

Lu Chi poured out another Qi-Nourishing Pill, his gaze focusing once more.

A moment later, words appeared in my field of vision.

[Qi-Nourishing Pill, a first-tier elixir. Main ingredients are Qi-tonifying ginseng and Qinghe grass. Assisted with warming vine to harmonize. The preparation time is slightly rapid, resulting in a potent effect. There is no risk of hidden harm.]

Lu Chi's gaze deepened.

As long as one has access to elixirs and has seen the medicinal materials, one can deduce the method on one's own... Such methods are of great importance in the art of alchemy.

Just like now, although he hasn't received the alchemy inheritance, he already possesses the alchemical fire within him, knows the alchemical formulas, and has the help of [Listening to Plants]. As long as he gathers the medicinal materials, he can explore on his own and try to refine the Qi-Nourishing Pill and the Youth-Preserving Pill.

Xu Yanqiu spent many years in the Shen family, all for the sake of the alchemy method and the alchemy formulas accumulated by the Shen family over hundreds of years.

There are also independent alchemists in the market who are in charge of these skills, but their cultivation is mostly not high and their inheritance is incomplete and scattered, far inferior to the systematic approach of the Shen family.

Furthermore, Xu Yanqiu is not modest and may not be willing to become a disciple of a rogue cultivator.

If Lu Chi could truly refine the Qi-Nourishing Pill and the Youth-Preserving Pill, he would be a legitimate alchemist. I wonder how far Xu Yanqiu has progressed? That day, after being stung by Zhou Jinyan's words, he left with a resolute look in his eyes, as if he had made a decision.

After moving into the new house, Lu Chi did not forget his old acquaintances. He wrote a short note to each of them, explaining the change of residence, and sent it to Zhou Jinyan and Xu Yanqiu.

His words were brief, only saying that he had moved to a different courtyard and that if he needed anything, he could be found at a certain alley and number in the heart of the market, so as to avoid coming to him in vain in the future.

Both of them were very close to him, but they never mentioned their residences, which made them seem distant.

Both of them exchanged a few words. Zhou Jinyan said he was busy with the harvest in the fields and that his cultivation was approaching the fifth level of Qi Refining. Xu Yanqiu, however, did not mention much about his recent situation.

Let's go to Yangyuan Residence. If we happen to run into him, we can see what that kid is up to... Lu Chi already had a plan in mind.

The more important thing about this trip is to take the opportunity to learn about alchemy, to deduce the formulas using the "Formula Recognition" method, and to keep the formulas in hand.

The more elixir formulas one has, the wider one's path to practice. With gradual accumulation, alchemy can become a legitimate profession. At that point, besides talismans, one will have another source of income, which will naturally benefit one's cultivation.

Lu Chi did not set off immediately. He took out the book "Essentials of Herbs and Trees" from his storage bag and opened the first page.

[Recognizing Formulas] Although one can deduce elixir formulas, there are prerequisites. One must recognize the spiritual materials involved. If one does not even know the names and properties of the herbs, then even the most exquisite deductions are out of the question.

In his years in the cultivation world, he mostly dealt with talismans, spirit sand, and common spiritual plants. He recognized only a handful of medicinal herbs actually used in alchemy.

Since we're going to Yangyuanju anyway, we might as well improve our foundation first.

Lu Chi sat down and began to read, page by page. It wasn't until the morning of the third day that he changed into clean clothes and went out to Yangyuan Residence.

Upon entering, a faint medicinal fragrance wafts towards you.

Behind the counter were jade bottles and wooden boxes, neatly categorized. Several cultivators were conversing in hushed tones, their conversation focusing on the grade and efficacy of the medicines.

As soon as Lu Chi stepped across the threshold, he heard someone softly calling his name.

"Lu Chi?"

Not far away, a young man stood to the side of the inner hall, with handsome features and a calm demeanor; it was Xu Yanqiu.

"Long time no see." Lu Chi smiled and cupped his hands, but his gaze unconsciously swept over the row of jade bottles behind the counter.

Most of the pills at Yangyuan Residence are sealed in jade bottles and wooden boxes. It's not convenient to open them one by one without taking out spirit stones. With Xu Yanqiu present, it saved a lot of trouble.

"Congratulations! After three years of hard work, you've finally reached the fourth level of Qi Refining and moved into the heart of the market town. It's quite impressive." Xu Yanqiu's tone was flat, but the end of his sentence carried a hint of sarcasm. "I thought you were going to waste a few more years in the market town."

Lu Chi sensed the barb in his words, but also knew that this man was always stubborn, so he didn't bother to argue and just smiled slightly.

Xu Yanqiu glanced at him and asked again, "Are you here to buy spirit items again?"

"Exactly."

When Lu Chi responded, he had already sensed something was different.

Xu Yanqiu's robes were neater and more refined than before, with subtle patterns on the cuffs. He was also positioned closer to the inner hall, no longer on the periphery like ordinary alchemists and servants.

When the other servants in the hall looked at him, their eyes held more apprehension and respect.

It seems this kid has indeed changed a bit. As for whether he's become an apprentice of the Shen family's alchemist, we'll have to wait and see.

"I just want the pills."

"Should we wait and see if it completes?"

Upon hearing Lu Chi's request, Xu Yanqiu raised an eyebrow, seemingly puzzled. He glanced at Lu Chi but didn't ask any further questions, simply nodding slightly.

He maintained his indifferent expression, but his hands were already brushing the dust off Lu Chi's counter, placing several jade bottles closer together, and taking out the pills one by one.

[Qingyuan Dan, a first-tier elixir. Its main ingredients are Qingyuan Grass and Ninglu Vine. It is supplemented with Runmai Leaf for balance. Its medicinal properties are mild, primarily clearing turbid qi and regulating the meridians. The formula is well-balanced.]

[Gu Yuan Dan, a first-tier elixir. The main ingredients are Gu Ling Shen (固灵参) and Chi Jing Hua (赤茎花). Supplemented with Wen Qi Gen (稳气根). The processing is slightly heavy, resulting in a potent medicinal effect. It can strengthen the body's foundation and nourish its vital energy. The formula is meticulously prepared with no obvious errors or omissions.]

……

"I've come to the right place after all..." Lu Chi silently memorized several pill formulas, a slight warmth rising in his chest.

These prescriptions mostly came from the Shen family's years of accumulation and were rarely seen on ordinary days, but now he has taken them all into his heart.

Xu Yanqiu suddenly spoke up: "In a few days, the Shen family will choose an auspicious day when fire and wood elements are compatible. If you have time, please ask the man surnamed Zhou to come over."

Lu Chi looked up.

"It's my wedding banquet."

"Also, stop calling me Xu Yanqiu. I've been added to the Shen family genealogy and changed my surname to Shen."

Shen Yanqiu said it casually, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

So, in order to gain the favor of the Shen family, he became a son-in-law? Lu Chi looked at him thoughtfully.

Shen Yanqiu continued speaking, and sure enough:

"The Shen family's alchemy methods are not taught to outsiders. If I were to only serve as an alchemy apprentice, I would only learn some inferior techniques. If I want to obtain the alchemical fire method and the orthodox alchemical formulas, I must become a son-in-law of the Shen family, marry a wife, have offspring, and have my name recorded in the family genealogy. I thought about it all night and agreed the next day."

After hearing this, Lu Chi's initial teasing subsided somewhat.

This person is usually sharp-tongued and sarcastic, but when it comes to making a decision, he is more decisive than anyone else.

Shen Yanqiu: "There's no need to persuade me. For us rogue cultivators seeking the Dharma, it's like walking in the wilderness at night. Without light or guidance, we proceed cautiously step by step. One wrong step, and years will be wasted. By joining the Shen family, changing my name and body, I've gained access to the Fire Technique and the Elixir Formula. Avoiding detours is the real benefit."

Who advised you... You've even learned to act profound... Lu Chi showed no emotion on his face, only saying "Oh" and nodding.

Shen Yanqiu, who had been maintaining a calm expression, waited for a couple of breaths and, seeing that he really didn't react, couldn't help but frown slightly.

"I changed my surname to Shen to hold a wedding banquet, not to become a lowly servant." He paused. "Aren't you surprised?"

Lu Chi thought for a moment, then said seriously, "I was surprised."

"When were you surprised?"

"When you said your first sentence," Lu Chi said calmly, "you spoke so smoothly after that that I listened to the whole thing."

Shen Yanqiu: "..."

Looking at his tense face, Lu Chi felt an urge to laugh more, but maintained a serious expression.

"Besides, you've already figured things out, so why should I be surprised for you?" He paused, then added, "I can't be so shocked on my end, and then you have to try to persuade me again."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yanqiu's feigned composure finally cracked, and he said coldly, "You're still the same as always."

"Likewise." Lu Chi smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. "Brother Shen's insightful remarks have been taken to heart."

"Don't even try that." Shen Yanqiu said with disdain, but the corners of her lips moved slightly before she suppressed it again. "Remember to come. It's fine if you don't come, but if that Zhou guy doesn't come, I'll personally go to the fields and drag him away."

Lu Chi chuckled: "I'll pass on the message."

The aroma of medicine still lingered in the alchemy hall, and the jade bottle on the counter reflected the light of the spirit lamp, warm and silent.

One person changed their surname to join the clan, and another secretly memorized the elixir formula.

Having said that, there wasn't much joy or sorrow left, only a sense of each person taking their own path on the road of spiritual practice.