2022-11-19 03:39:21(Why wasn't I the one to be given the Bronze-Titled Plaque! I heard that those with the plaque could enjoy top-level treatment in all business establishments and a further 20% discount on all purchases in businesses related to the Heavenly Alchemist Association!)
Their eyes were burning with jealousy. With that plaque, wouldn't they be allowed to buy a Spiritual Replenishing Pill for eight Spiritual Coins instead of ten? Similarly, the plaque holder can exchange ten pills for eight Contribution Tokens.
Such a discount means it is possible to get more cultivation resources while spending less. And in this world, who would complain about having more resources?
At the same time, it allowed them to look at Chen Tu more seriously. Suppose he is already so well-treated right now. Won't that assure Chen Tu a position of the elder's second official disciple when the timing was correct?
If that happened, they would have to address Chen Tu as their second senior disciple. And if this was something set in stone, it wouldn't be a bad idea to start currying favor from Chen Tu now.
"How is it with the study on medicinal herbs and alchemy?" the elder asked. From his knowledge, both Qin Lei and Chen Tu studied hard for the whole week. This made the elder curious about their level of understanding right now.
"This disciple only understands a third of the book's content." Qin Lei was the first to answer.
The elder nodded at him with a look of satisfaction. After all, understanding a third after studying for a whole week is quite talented. And without this talent, how could Qin Lei catch the elder's attention?
"What about you?" the elder shifted his attention the Chen Tu, who sat beside Qin Lei.
(This brat should be a little slower than Xiao Lei because he can't read and write before this. I wonder how much of the book he had read after a week...)
The elder wildly guessed. But obviously, he had not expected Chen Tu's absurd answer.
"Disciple think... I understand half of the book." Chen Tu answered. His words made everyone else look at him with an unbelieving gaze.
Saying that he understands half of the book after reading it for a week... Why doesn't he simply say he's confident about concocting some pills right now? Chen Tu would have succeeded if his intention was to get people to look up to him.
The elder only met two disciples so far that had such potential. One of them had graduated and had left the Blood Refining Grotto. And the other one was his current Official Disciple, Tang Yun Long.
But even with their talent in alchemy, it still took them close to one month to fully understand the content inside the basic book. And three months after to successfully concocted their first cauldron of Spiritual Replenishing Pills.
To understand half of the book in a week... Indeed sounds impossible.
"Child... Half of the book is quite unbelievable." Elder Wei Xuan chuckled to soothe the awkwardness between him and the disciples.
(Perhaps the child's meaning was that he could read half of the words used in the book?)
The elder convinced himself. After all, Chen Tu could not properly read and write a week ago.
"Teacher, disciple really understands half of them. I can even do this now after reading the book." Chen Tu couldn't understand why they didn't believe his words. Chen Tu raised his index finger and concentrated on assuring them that he didn't lie.
A faint Spiritual Energy gradually gathers around his fingertip while everyone is paying attention to him.
"Is that the [Alchemic Refinement Flame] mentioned in the book of basics?" one of the senior brothers said. Being the eldest among the disciples here, it was natural for him to recognize this. Except for Chen Tu and Qin Lei, the rest had accompanied the elder in his pill concoction and had naturally seen him using it.
It was considered a supplementary technique in alchemy, which helps to increase the intensity of the flames and helps in increasing the medicinal effect in the process. But at the same time, it wasn't widely practiced because the consumption of Spiritual Energy is tremendous.
But before everyone, Chen Tu is attempting something no disciples here could do. A ball of orange flames appeared on his fingertip, but it only lasted for three minutes before it went out.
The appearance of a ball of flame made all their jaw drop, except for the elder. Of course, this doesn't mean the elder wasn't shocked by this sight.
"Alchemic Refinement Flame! It's really the Alchemy Refinement Flame!" the other four speak simultaneously, revealing an unbelieving gaze at Chen Tu.
Even if the flame lasted only three minutes, it was still an undeniable Alchemic Refinement Flame. But there's still a questionable issue here.
"From where this junior brother of ours learned the Alchemic Refinement Flame?" that was the question they had in their mind. Even the elder was curious.
From what he understands so far, the only reading material Chen Tu had access to is the basics of alchemy and the basic understanding of medicinal herbs. And from what he knows, the book related to alchemy did touch a fraction of the Alchemic Refinement Flame in one of the topics. Still, there's no theory or teaching on how to use it.
In that case, where did Chen Tu learn the technique?
"Child... How did you know about the Alchemic Refinement Flame? Perhaps, someone taught you?" Elder Wei Xuan asked.
"Huh? Wasn't it mentioned in the book? Look here..." Chen Tu reached his hand to the Basics of Alchemy and flipped the pages until they stopped at the page about the Alchemic Refinement Flame.
[For the sake of improving the chances of success and the quality of pills, an Alchemist could also consider the application of Alchemic Refinement Flame during pill refinement. By concentrating the Spiritual Energy within a fingertip, the Alchemic Flame can be produced from an Alchemist's body to support the refinement process]
"What? You mean you're using this sentence here as the inspiration in learning the Alchemic Refinement Flame?" Elder Wei Xuan asked. "But how did you know if it's correct?" he added.
"Oh... I used it with my senior brother Qin to cook a sweet potato. But we failed." Chen Tu innocently answered.
**PU!!!**
Everyone spit what they had inside their mouth after hearing Chen Tu's answer.
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"Good. Very good. Then, you'll be the second official disciple of this old man from this moment onward. I am looking forward on how far you can grow." Elder Wei Xuan appeared very satisfied with Chen Tu's instant reply. This could also show how much Chen Tu had longed for this chance. "Disciple understood!" Chen Tu kneeled and raised a teacup in both hands to the elder. Regardless of the custom, serving a cup of tea to your master is essential. This customary practice not only creates a proper master and disciple but also the connections in between. "En... Those unimportant things will be told to you by Xiao Long later. For now, take this as your gift to study under my tutelage. It was the Pill Formula I promised you last time." the elder said after placing the teacup aside and taking something from nothingness. Apparently, the elder had a piece of Spatial Jade too. And from the look of it, the quality is slightly better than what Tang Yun Long had. "Why don't you take a look at i
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"junior brother Chen, this Three-Star Pill... Did you refine them by yourself?" Tang Yun Long asked. Even he hadn't had success in refining a pill of this quality. At most, he is only confident in refining Two-Star Pill. Furthermore, this result was before Chen Tu was officially accepted by the elder as his second official disciple. If he was, would he be capable of Four-Star, or even a Five-Star? Of course, that kind of level is nowhere to be heard of... After all, no alchemist would dedicate all their time to researching and refining a four or Five-Star Grain Pellet. Even if that alchemist is the most foolish one, he would likely have zero to little interest in an entry-level pill like this. Looking at the Three-Star Grain Pellet sitting on the table, the elder couldn't calm his heart down. And without further ado, he put his hand out toward Chen Tu and asked for something. "Xiao Tu... Bring the Alchemist Token out." Elder Wei Xuan asked. It appears that what he will be doing
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(Hmm... I wonder what kind of medicinal pill is this Spring and Autumn Profound Pill and Lesser Vitality Pill. Could their effect be something extraordinary, like the Spiritual Replenishing or Spirit Desertification Pill?) Chen Tu spoke to his own while flipping through the pages. The contents were fairly easy for him to understand, and there was nothing to be suspicious about. But when Chen Tu came to the ingredient part, he had the urge to scratch and pull his hair. (Aargh... Now, this is where my first obstacle comes in...) Chen Tu took a few deep breaths after he set the book aside. He had mixed feelings due to what was going on inside his mind. The reason for these confusing thoughts was naturally understandable. After all, this was a lost recipe Qin Lei's father, Qin Tianbao, found from excavating the tomb of a certain expert. Interestingly, this relic site was also where Qin Tianbao had a mishap and lost one of his legs. And no wonder he would be allowed to keep these two
Chapter 77: Uncle Qin Tianbao
(What an amazing feeling... Could this be something only those in the fourth level would realize?) Chen Tu remained seated, but for every breath he took, the Spiritual Energy of his surroundings was attracted over. His body was like a leaf sponging up all the dew as it absorbed all these blimps of Spiritual Energy to nourish his flesh. This mist-like Spiritual Energy is incomparable to what a Spiritual Replenishing Pill offers. Still, it was something nobody would complain about. After all, no matter how diluted and faint this Spiritual Energy was, they're still the Spiritual Energy everyone pursued. Nobody would cover their water well when it rains because they're afraid it would be overfilled by the rainwater. Apparently, Chen Tu's guess was correct. A feat like this was indeed someone above the Flesh Tempering Stage could enjoy. And thanks to his fully-tempered flesh, Chen Tu is now more than capable of applicating Spiritual Energy to strengthen his physique. Although the diff
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A day ago. "Hmm... I wonder what insight that brat had for him to rework the Grain Pellet's Recipe until this level..." Elder Wei Xuan said while holding a Two-Star Pill between his two fingers. Apparently, he was studying the pill for flaws before giving a verdict. He was feeling neither prejudiced nor unhappy. But more or less, there was something he was unable to let go of in his heart for making him so indecisive at this moment. As Chen Tu's Alchemy Teacher, the elder naturally wanted to endorse Chen Tu's reworked recipe and the Grain Pellet he refined. But at the same time, his worries and self-ego made him couldn't help but be indecisive in this matter. In fact, this same ego of his was why Tang Yun Long has yet to participate in the Titled Alchemist Examination. It wasn't overrated to say that with Tang Yun Long's performance to date, he could easily pass the test. "Old Wei... What is occupying your mind so much until you didn't notice me coming in?" Another elder's voice
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"Disciple understands." Chen Tu cupped his fists together and replied. His response also helps confirm that he will be taking the assignment seriously. "Xiao Tu will start paying more attention to his pill refinement after returning and wouldn't disappoint the teacher's expectation," he added. After saying what he should, Chen Tu excused himself from the workshop by giving a reason he'll have to get back and prepare. And obviously, the eight Grain Pellets were left in the workshop without saying. That's a must in case the elder changes his mind later. And regardless of how he decides, Chen Tu still has to leave a sample for Elder Wei Xuan to check on them, correct? This means a copy of everything from the ingredient, steps, and final product was left for the elder's inspection. Chen Tu's activities consisted of eating, sleeping, cultivating, and refining pills for the following days. Thanks to all these tasks in his hand, he hardly reported to the Spiritual Garden to work or assis
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The question piqued the elder's interest after Xia Xuan-Xuan opened her mouth. Apparently, even the elder couldn't help but feel curious about Chen Tu's answer. But at the same time, he can't ask this question openly. After all, he was an elder. Someone who stood at least a few levels above them in alchemy and cultivation. Wouldn't it hurt his pride slightly to ask a junior about something he should know better? Luckily, there's a Xia Xuan-Xuan in the group. While her talent is neither good nor bad, she has this social commonsense that could make everything work. Hence, she was the elder's icebreaker, always the first to hear and know everything. Chen Tu didn't respond to Xia Xuan-Xuan's question instantly. Still, everyone here could see that Chen Tu's gaze was currently pointed at the pill mold. This reaction from Chen Tu can be partially translated to "look at the result yourself!" He stayed silent and observed the mold until it was completely cooled. Then, instead of inspecti
