Chapter Sixty-One: The Compartments in the Alchemy Chamber

Jiang Yan gazed intently at the pill refining chamber, a transparent information interface appearing before him, listing its details in meticulous order.

Special Building: Pill Refining Chamber
Grade: First Rank
Alchemist Rank: Apprentice to Second Rank Alchemist
Function: Refines spiritual pills of up to Third Rank
Additional Function: Limited increase of nearby wood-attribute spiritual energy, assists pill formation

Jiang Yan was quite satisfied with the functions of a first-rank pill refining chamber. The ability to produce pills of up to third rank and elevate alchemists to the second rank was more than enough to meet the current needs of Mount Hua. Once Mount Hua developed further, the chamber would naturally be upgraded.

A low humming sound filled the air as Jiang Yan stepped forward and pushed against the door of the pill refining chamber. To his surprise, a faint azure light flared up from the door, barring his entry.

“Ding. The pill refining chamber requires the owner’s blood to activate for the first time,” the sect master system suddenly spoke near Jiang Yan’s ear.

Jiang Yan turned and offered Tang Wan a wry smile. “Wan’er, the pill refining chamber needs a drop of blood to acknowledge its master for the first activation. From now on, you’ll be its owner. Why don’t you do the honors?”

He had resolved to entrust Tang Wan with the management of the pill chamber, granting her full authority. The owner of the chamber held the highest level of control—within its walls, aside from Jiang Yan himself as sect master, the domain belonged to her alone. She would become intimately familiar with every aspect within, a tremendous boon to her pill refining.

Tang Wan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, as if about to refuse, but then she seemed to recall something and stepped forward. She pressed her hand against the azure restriction outside the chamber; her fingertip glowed with blue light, and a drop of bright red blood welled up from her slender finger.

A resonant hum sounded as the restriction absorbed her blood, the azure light shining brilliantly before vanishing altogether.

Tang Wan’s expression showed a trace of astonishment, followed by deep surprise. “Senior brother, my spiritual sense seems to have strengthened greatly. Everything in this courtyard feels so familiar, as if it’s etched into my mind.”

Jiang Yan smiled warmly. With the blood recognition, Tang Wan had become the pill chamber’s master; everything within was now imprinted in her consciousness, so how could it not feel familiar? As for her enhanced spiritual sense, it was perhaps a side benefit of becoming the owner.

Tang Wan gently stroked the door, which silently swung open, revealing the entirety of the pill refining chamber.

A spacious courtyard unfolded before them, lined with rows of rooms of various sizes. Each doorway bore its own inscription: Pill Refining Room, Herb Storage Room, Water Storage Room… an array of chambers, each serving a different purpose.

At the center stood a massive, ancient pill furnace, about twice the height of a person, its sturdy legs as thick as Jiang Yan’s waist, its mouth as large as a small mountain peak. The lid above was where the blue light converged, streaming from the spiritual stones embedded in the surrounding courtyard walls, forming a barrier that separated the chamber from the outside world.

Jiang Yan entered the pill refining room. He glanced at the empty pill refining platform, then strode over and turned his palm—producing a pill furnace about half his height, which he placed upon the platform. It was the furnace rewarded by the sect master system for completing the main quest, now put to fitting use.

Tang Wan followed quietly, watching as Jiang Yan placed the furnace without a trace of surprise. Her senior brother was growing ever more mysterious, accumulating artifacts and power to a level she could only look up to.

“I must keep pace with him and become an outstanding alchemist,” Tang Wan firmly set her goal in her heart, her gaze soft and full of affection as she watched Jiang Yan adjust the furnace’s position and orientation.

After settling the furnace, Jiang Yan turned his palm again, retrieving the First Rank Pill Compendium rewarded from the novice upgrade gift pack by the sect master system. He placed it in a square compartment set into the wall behind the furnace.

Though the compartment seemed unremarkable, Jiang Yan knew it was a hidden treasure. As long as it contained pills, incomplete recipes, or pill diagrams and properties, it could analyze and derive the pill’s formula.

A low hum emanated from the compartment, shrouding it in blue light.

After a moment, the light faded, revealing the compartment once more. Jiang Yan took up the First Rank Pill Diagram—it had transformed entirely into a pill formula. Now, with medicinal herbs and spiritual grasses, Tang Wan could refine pills following these recipes.

“Wan’er, here’s a First Rank pill recipe. Look it over and commit it to memory. Once the sect’s Second Rank spiritual field is established, you’ll be able to cultivate spiritual herbs and begin pill refining,” Jiang Yan said with a gentle smile, handing her the formula.

Tang Wan’s eyes sparkled with joy. She obediently accepted the pill diagram, hugging it to her chest, her laughter bright as she replied, “Yes, senior brother, Wan’er understands.”

…

A clear chime sounded as Jiang Yan stepped out of the pill refining chamber, the sect master system’s voice again ringing in his ear.

“Ding. Main quest completed: the sect has ascended to First Rank. Reward: one thousand spiritual stones. Deducting three hundred and thirty-five stones for merit points deficit, actual reward: six hundred and sixty-five stones. Sect master system upgraded: now able to inspect spiritual roots.”

The sect had truly advanced to First Rank!

Jiang Yan was surprised as he glanced at the newly increased pile of spiritual stones in his sect master’s ring, uncertain how the sect had managed to ascend so swiftly.

He summoned the sect master system and carefully examined the main quest section.

Main Quest—Elevate the sect to First Rank: completed. Requirements: at least one cultivator at seventh layer of Qi Refining; six special buildings, with at least three at second rank.

Jiang Yan calculated: with the pill chamber completed, the sect now possessed six special buildings, fulfilling the conditions for First Rank. Moreover, last time at Linqing Prefecture, Elder Xu Shi of Golden Flame Sect had upgraded Mount Hua to Second Rank, saving Jiang Yan the trouble of reporting. Thus, once the pill chamber was finished, the sect was promoted directly to First Rank.

“Three hundred and fifty-five spiritual stones gone just like that.” The deduction by the sect master system stung Jiang Yan’s heart.

A single mid-grade First Rank Bone-Easing Pill only sold for four hundred spiritual stones at auction. Now, with the sect’s promotion, the merit points shortfall meant the system automatically deducted the equivalent in stones. Jiang Yan felt vexed; once the system opted to offset with spiritual stones, it would do so automatically thereafter.

Increasing merit points had to become a priority. Otherwise, if spiritual stones continued to be deducted like this, Jiang Yan dreaded how much pain he’d feel when Mount Hua advanced to Third or Fourth Rank.

…

Brother Pear Blossom Language, you’re too generous! Four rewards today, plus one urging for a new chapter—Hong Yan’s head is about to explode! With such enthusiasm, how can Hong Yan repay you? Very well, Brother Pear Blossom Language, today I’ll add an extra chapter, though the next may be delayed. Please forgive me, dear readers, and you, brother. Also, thanks to Sheep Yan Yan for today’s reward. Faced with such a wild day, Hong Yan returns to writing.