Text-based martial arts: A nighttime rendezvous with the gang leader's wife in a dilapidated te

Your words caught Cao Qing somewhat off guard.

He doesn't know where your confidence comes from.

However, I must say, your confidence made Cao Qing reconsider and agree to your request.

"Very well, let me see if all you're good for is talking big..."

Clearly, for you who have the Shen family as your supplier, the cost of those medicinal herbs is negligible.

You were a little nervous too; after all, theory is no substitute for practice.

However, after carefully recalling Cao Qing's steps and instructions, your mindset gradually calmed down.

[Given your terrifying level of understanding, the scenes that just unfolded are replaying in your mind like a slideshow.]

You have begun your operation.

[You started the fire, boiled the water—following Cao Qing's steps perfectly, down to the last detail!]

At this moment, you feel an indescribable smoothness, as if you've performed the same movement countless times before.

Through this review, you have gained a deeper understanding of alchemy, and your experience has improved...

Cao Qing, who had witnessed all of this, suddenly had a glint of surprise in his previously sinister eyes!

He was absolutely certain that you had never studied alchemy before!

Alchemy is different from medicine.

The foundation of medical skills lies in pulse diagnosis, tongue examination, and the four diagnostic methods of observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation.

[And advanced techniques, such as alchemy and acupuncture, are not something that ordinary physicians possess!]

[Your previous timid and hesitant demeanor was definitely not that of someone who had mastered alchemy.]

[If a mere seventeen-year-old boy possessed this level of acting skill and could fool him, he would accept it.]

The talent and ability you've displayed are more than enough to qualify you to join his original sect!

At that moment, a cold glint flashed in Cao Qing's eyes, though it was fleeting.

Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to believe that this was actually sent by some sect to get close to him. A genius like him wouldn't take that risk!

The fire in the stove was burning, and a faint aroma of medicine wafted slowly from it.

Beads of sweat appeared between your noses.

However, your movements did not slow down at all; you rapidly fanned the alchemy furnace with the palm-leaf fan in your hand.

[Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, you swiftly placed the prepared Panax notoginseng into the fire. Dense steam filled the entire alchemy room with scorching heat.]

Your face turned flushed from the heat. You also felt slightly dizzy.

Cao Qing, standing to the side, seemed to notice your weakness. His brow furrowed slightly, and then he suddenly flicked his wrist.

A strand of golden thread wrapped around your wrist, and then an indescribable warmth emanated from that thread.

Under this warm current, you feel your previous weakness vanish without a trace in an instant!

[You couldn't afford to marvel at Cao Qing's incredible skill and technique; you continued with the final steps, starting the steaming process again over high heat.]

With his other hand, he controlled the handle beside him, gently shaking the alchemy furnace above the flames.

This is the final stage in the formation of the elixir!

This is also the culmination of your efforts over the past hour or two!

【call……】

Finally, you let out a long breath. A faint sound came from the alchemy furnace, and the soaring heat almost burst the lid off!

You opened the furnace lid, and as you tilted it, six pills, clearly not perfectly round and with uneven coloring, were poured out of the furnace.

[You have successfully completed your first alchemy attempt and obtained six low-grade Rejuvenation Pills! Your alchemy experience has increased! Current level experience: Level 1, 99% (Beginner).]

Looking at these six pills, a mixture of indescribable satisfaction and doubt welled up within you.

[Low-grade Rejuvenating Pill (Common): After taking it, it can stop bleeding and replenish qi, and at the same time, it can alleviate some internal injuries.]

At this moment, you finally remembered to look at Cao Qing who was standing to the side.

【"gentlemen……"】

From the moment you finalized the shape of the pill, Cao Qing remained motionless. He stared blankly at the gradually dying furnace and the Rejuvenation Pill in your hand, which emitted a faint medicinal fragrance.

[It wasn't until your voice rang out that Cao Qing snapped out of her reverie, cleared her throat, and regained her composure: "What's wrong?"]

[System notification: Cao Qing's favorability towards you has increased by 9. Current favorability: 49 (Friend in the Martial World).]

"Sir, I feel that what you make is no different from what I make, so why is the quality so different?"

Your question brought him back to his senses, and his expression became slightly complicated.

"Don't overthink it. Do you think mid-grade pills are so easy to refine? To produce a perfectly round mid-grade pill with an overflowing fragrance, you need at least to reach the Acquired Realm in cultivation, and to master 'internal energy.' During the refining process, you need to use internal energy to circulate it in order to achieve the desired mid-grade pill quality!"

[Internal energy? You suddenly realize, but unfortunately, these are clearly too far beyond your reach.]

"Besides that, you also had some questions at the end! In alchemy, metal is used as the vessel, wood and earth as the materials, and water and fire as the medium. It seems that wood and earth are the most important materials, but in fact, water and fire are equally important. Only by fully mastering the way of the union of Kan and Li, and the fusion of water and fire..."

Cao Qing has provided guidance on your alchemy skills, significantly increasing your experience. Current level: Level 2, 12% (Basic knowledge).

Seeing your thoughtful expression, Cao Qing finally let out a sigh of relief.

He looked at you, who were still deep in thought, and said somewhat impatiently:

"Alright, brat, you've mastered the rejuvenating pill quite well. Just keep practicing. You have such talent; it shouldn't be wasted..."

At this point, he took another book from his pocket and tossed it to you.

You eagerly accepted it, only to be disappointed by the large print on the cover: "Annotations on Bai Dan".

Cao Qing didn't seem to care about your attitude and spoke directly:

"This 'Annotations on a Hundred Elixirs' contains some elixir formulas that I have compiled and created, along with my insights into alchemy. Study it carefully!"

After saying that, he seemed to notice your dejection and added:

"If you can master the refining of three different types of pills besides this Rejuvenation Pill, and achieve the same quality as this Rejuvenation Pill, then I can teach you a real martial art!"

[Upon hearing this, your eyes lit up, and without hesitation, you clicked on the Hundred Pill Annotations!]

Please select the elixir formula you have viewed and studied: ...

Instantly, the names of various pills appeared before my eyes, some of which looked very high-end, such as the Seven Star Meridian Opening Pill and the Yin-Yang Acupoint Opening Pill...

There are also basic elixirs such as the Rejuvenation Elixir and the Healing Elixir.

Chen Xuan was utterly bewildered, but suddenly, a name caught his eye:

"Sir, I've chosen the first prescription!"

"Oh? What is it?"

You point to page 20 of the Hundred Pill Annotations, and then to the first pill formula you've chosen:

【"Yang-Boosting Pill": A precious medicine that greatly enhances male virility!】