Chapter 119: The Dog Alchemist (Please Subscribe)

After much deliberation, the group valued the eleven second-tier demonic beasts at 420,000 low-grade spirit stones. A half-share amounted to 21,000 stones. Qian Dai claimed 168,000 stones for himself. In contrast, Shen Lian, Qu Yuren, and Bian Yichang divided their 21,000 stones into three parts: Shen Lian and Qu Yuren each took 6,300, while Bian Yichang took 8,400.

With the distribution quotas set, the next step was to exchange their shares for the hunted beasts. Qian Dai opted out, acting only as the guarantor to reclaim whatever the others did not want.

"I need two legs from this Golden-Eyed Ring-Patterned Spider to forge a magical tool."
"I want a second-tier late-stage demonic core."
"I am an alchemist and require some demonic blood and two to three demonic cores; I will make up the difference with medicinal pills."

As everyone was dividing the spoils, Xu Chaoling of Mingxin Island looked toward Shen Lian. "Daoist Shen, are you capable of refining the Three Treasures Vitality Pill?"

Xu Chaoling was the Great Elder of the Xu family. His eldest son was the family head, and his own grandson, possessing metal and water spiritual roots with high affinity, had long since joined the Profound Corpse Sect. Pei Huoyu had previously purchased such pills, and the remaining two or three had ended up in Shen Lian’s own stomach. The Three Treasures Vitality Pill was a second-tier low-grade pill; it was relatively rare, and even one of inferior quality cost over a thousand spirit stones.

"I can give it a try," Shen Lian said softly. "I mainly specialize in refining True Essence Pills and Spirit Gathering Pills for Foundation Establishment cultivators, as well as Spirit Recovery Pills for restoring spiritual power."

These three types of pills are most effective for cultivators at the first, second, and third levels of Foundation Establishment when of inferior quality, though their efficacy diminishes for those at the fourth, fifth, and sixth levels. If they are of medium quality, the medicinal strength is greater, making them quite effective even for the fourth through sixth levels. For superior quality, even cultivators at the seventh or eighth levels would consider them. The higher one's cultivation realm, the more unrealistic it becomes to consume pills in large quantities; by the Golden Core stage, a single furnace might only yield a few pills, and even a third-tier pill of inferior quality requires a Golden Core cultivator a long time to refine.

Upon hearing this, several cultivators on the spirit boat turned their gaze toward Shen Lian. Their own strength exceeded the need for these three types of pills, but their families still had other Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Shall we set a time to discuss this in detail?"
Shen Lian nodded at Xu Chaoling.

"Daoist Fu, would you be willing to trade this water-attribute demonic core in your hand for my Spirit Gathering Pills?"
Fu Jingcheng, who had previously benefited from the detoxifying medicine Shen Lian provided, agreed after a brief moment of thought. The core in Fu Jingcheng’s hand came from a second-tier early-stage Sea-Swallowing Shark, with combat power equivalent to the third level of Foundation Establishment, nearing the second-tier mid-stage.

"Shall we value it at 3,500 spirit stones?"
The price was quite favorable. Shen Lian produced a jade bottle and handed it to Fu Jingcheng. "These are of medium quality."

After inspecting the Spirit Gathering Pills, Fu Jingcheng was momentarily stunned, then delighted. If they were of this quality, he could swallow them to improve his cultivation.

"These were for my own use; it took me quite a while to save up these few. The others of inferior quality are..." Shen Lian left his sentence unfinished, but everyone understood. Good pills were naturally kept for oneself.

*Alchemists are truly heartless,* they thought. Shen Lian’s decision to bring out medium-quality Spirit Gathering Pills was deliberate. Xu Chaoling’s invitation to refine pills made him realize this was a viable path. These Foundation Establishment cultivators with families and businesses had many concerns, which provided him with an extra layer of security. Furthermore, Qian Dai had already vetted these families; at the very least, they had more of a conscience than other rogue cultivators. Besides, looking at these Foundation Establishment peers, it was difficult to obtain good pills—shouldn't he offer a helping hand?

"Daoist Lu, do you have any more medium-quality Spirit Gathering Pills?" Xu Chaoling, who held a second-tier mid-stage demonic core, looked at Shen Lian with a hint of resentment. *Why not trade with me?*

"None left. I only managed to produce one or two medium-quality pills per furnace when my luck was good. If my luck was bad..."
The group understood once again. *If his luck is bad, he sells them to us.*

"I do have a few medium-quality Spirit Recovery Pills, though."
As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of several cultivators at the fifth and sixth levels of Foundation Establishment lit up. *Damn alchemist, have no shame. Keeping the good stuff for himself.*

No one doubted the truth of Shen Lian’s words. Even for those who weren't alchemists, the difficulty of alchemy was a well-known consensus in the cultivation world. An alchemist who could occasionally produce one or two medium-quality pills was already considered quite skilled.

As for alchemists capable of refining superior-quality pills, there were only a few in the Ten Thousand Star Sea. The most renowned was True Lord Haidan, an elder of the Profound Sea Sect, who had become a third-tier low-grade alchemist over fifty years ago. Even when he was still at the second tier, he could occasionally refine superior-quality pills. Because of this, True Lord Haidan, despite having mediocre spiritual roots, was nurtured with all the sect's resources. The Profound Sea Sect spent a fortune purchasing a third-tier fire and wood attribute demonic core from the Southern Sea region to help him reach the False Core stage. Although he hadn't yet refined a superior-quality third-tier pill since becoming a third-tier alchemist, True Lord Haidan was already considered the leading master of alchemy in the Ten Thousand Star Sea. This was why superior-quality pills were rare outside; they were barely enough for the sect's own members, let alone for circulation in the outside world.

"Daoist Lu, I value this second-tier mid-stage demonic core at 5,000 spirit stones." Xu Chaoling spoke first this time. He was at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment; while medium-quality Spirit Recovery Pills were barely enough to restore his energy, they could be placed in the family’s reserve vault. The core in his hand had combat power equivalent to the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, and thinking of future requests for Shen Lian to refine pills, he did not demand a high price.

"Many thanks, Daoist Xu." Shen Lian took out a pill bottle and handed it over. "My Spirit Recovery Pills only total seven. I will make up the difference with 1,000 low-grade spirit stones."

The price of inferior-quality Spirit Recovery and Spirit Gathering Pills was similar, around 450 spirit stones, while medium-quality ones fetched 20–30% more, roughly 600 spirit stones. Having traded away his accumulated medium-quality pills, Shen Lian felt quite pleased. The two cultivators who hadn't received pills cupped their hands toward him, silently expressing their gratitude. Cultivators had suffered from a lack of good pills for too long.

"Daoist Lu is truly an extraordinary person." Qian Dai, who had been silent until now, narrowed his small eyes as he watched Shen Lian, his two young maids doing the same. It was a stark contrast: a capable second-tier alchemist who could refine medium-quality pills was instead spending his time mass-producing "happy pills."

"As an alchemist, one must provide joy to fellow Daoists," Shen Lian said, his face not even turning red. "Daoist Qian, I need some of this demonic blood and flesh for my alchemy. Could I trade these for the pills I have, and then purchase the blood?"

"Naturally."
"Daoist Lu, do you have any other pill reserves?"
"This..." Shen Lian glanced at the female cultivators nearby and decided it was better not to say. No self-respecting alchemist would admit to mass-producing "happy pills."

"Daoist Lu, can you refine the Yin-Huan Pill?" Qian Dai asked. Seeing Qian Dai speak, the others consciously refrained from asking further.

Shen Lian was momentarily startled. "My alchemy comes from a chance encounter. I mostly refine common pills for cultivation, energy recovery, and body strengthening. I have never heard of this Yin-Huan Pill." Although he claimed he hadn't heard of it, in an instant, the formula and refining technique for the pill surfaced in his mind.

The Yin-Huan Pill was an extremely rare medication. It was immensely difficult to refine, requiring Nine-Yin Grass—a plant of cold-yin attribute—as the primary ingredient. Nine-Yin Grass usually grew in extremely cold, yin-heavy places like mass graves. Before refining, one had to painstakingly grind away the resentment within the grass, making the process incredibly tedious. The pill’s primary function was to neutralize the yang energy within a physical body. It was a second-tier low-grade pill, and its advanced version, the third-tier Great Yin-Huan Pill, required the Golden Core of a Yin-Corpse cultivator as its primary ingredient.

Qian Dai showed a trace of disappointment. He had the formula, but no one capable of refining it. Several alchemists from the Profound Corpse Sect had tried and failed every time. Over the years, he had sought out several external alchemists, but all had ended in failure.

As the spirit boat returned, everyone tucked away their shares. As an alchemist, Shen Lian ended up with over a dozen communication jade talismans. He also acquired two Sea-Swallowing Shark cores, a jar of second-tier late-stage Golden-Eyed Ring-Patterned Spider blood, and two jars of mid-stage Sea-Swallowing Shark blood. He made an agreement with Qian Dai to trade the remaining blood and flesh for pills once he finished refining his "happy pills."

Once the spirit boat reached the waters of the Profound Corpse Sect, Shen Lian made arrangements with the elders of several Foundation Establishment families, telling them that if they needed pills refined, they could send their clansmen to find him on Haizhang Island.

...

Haizhang Island.
He had been away hunting for over five months. Yet, considering the harvest, Shen Lian felt the trip was well worth it. Upon returning to the island, he opened a new cave dwelling. After setting up protective formations, he couldn't wait to inspect his loot—it had cost him five puppet talismans, after all.

The mountain-like corpse of the Golden-Eyed Ring-Patterned Spider lay in the dwelling, radiating a scorching heat. "Master... I feel dizzy from the poison..." Dahei retreated repeatedly, unable to withstand the aura emanating from the massive demonic corpse.

Shen Lian sat cross-legged to the side while his Five-Element Spirit Puppets worked busily. They placed jars at various parts of the spider’s corpse, collecting the crimson and dark green intermingled blood. This spider had been at the eighth or ninth level of Foundation Establishment—its quality far superior to the raw materials for the second-tier high-grade spirit ink he had purchased before.

Shen Lian examined the spider’s bones repeatedly and decided that breaking it down would be a waste. Although its skull was damaged, he was a puppet master; he could use the remaining spider silk for intricate work. He was currently only a second-tier low-grade puppet master; if he rushed into crafting, this spider, which rivaled a human cultivator at the eighth or ninth level of Foundation Establishment, might drop two sub-levels, becoming a puppet with the combat power of only the second or third level. That would be a massive loss—turning 30,000 spirit stones into 8,000. Such a deal would lose him his shirt, so he decided to keep it as a reserve.

After draining the spider of its blood, he stored it in his storage ring. The late-stage second-tier spider yielded five jars of blood containing both fire and poison attributes, along with six balls of crimson, crystalline silk. In the hands of the profiteers running the merchant guilds, those five jars of blood could be diluted with other ingredients to make at least ten jars, which would then be bottled into twenty vials of spirit ink. As for the silk, it could be woven into an inner armor.

With the blood, he still needed some second-tier spirit materials to temper its violent aura. At this moment, Shen Lian regretted choosing to stay on Haizhang Island; it was too barren, and the spirit materials he needed were simply unavailable. With no other choice, he decided to move, preparing to head to the Yuanyan Immortal City, located at the border between the Jin-Core Qian family and the Profound Corpse Sect’s waters.

...

Yuanyan Immortal City.
Outside a cave dwelling under a small mountain in the Sea-Mountain Blessed Land, Xu Chaoling sat on a rock for a brief nap. Beside him, two young cultivators were restless, constantly glancing toward the cave entrance.

"Calm your minds. Is this what I taught you?" Xu Chaoling scolded his two descendants with a stern face. A month after the hunting trip, he had made contact with the Alchemist Lu he had just met, and after following him from Haizhang Island all the way to Yuanyan Immortal City, he had finally caught up with him.

"Great Elder, will this work?" Xu Yangshan asked, looking toward the cave with concern. In his view, finding an alchemist from the Profound Corpse Sect would be more reliable.

Xu Chaoling glanced at his clansman but said nothing. He knew perfectly well that the Profound Corpse Sect's alchemists were reliable; he hadn't failed to look for them. But the methods practiced by the Profound Corpse Sect condensed Yin-Corpse Profound Fire, and pills refined with it—like the Three Treasures Vitality Pill—carried a stench of corpses. They were supposed to be restorative, but while they did restore strength, they also caused harm. As the family’s Great Elder, having cultivated for over a hundred years, he wasn't someone who would lose his head just because he saw an alchemist; otherwise, he would have already taken his prepared medicinal ingredients to someone else. He sought out Shen Lian because Shen Lian had produced medium-quality Spirit Recovery and Spirit Gathering Pills. Furthermore, there was the factor of Qian Dai—the Young Master was not someone easily fooled.

...

Inside the cave dwelling.
Under the operation of the formation, the air was filled with medicinal fragrance. A lump of crystal-clear cyan liquid vibrated within the furnace, and with a sweep of invisible divine sense, it was instantly divided into thirteen portions.

Shen Lian sat cross-legged outside the Red Fish Furnace, his divine sense enveloping the interior. Refining this was getting difficult; he needed to lower the quality slightly. Wisps of cyan, mist-like medicinal power drifted from eight of the portions toward the remaining five. Consequently, the cyan light of the five portions intensified, while the other eight dimmed.

Sensing the eight dimming portions, Shen Lian frowned slightly. *The quantity is a bit low.* The Xu family had provided two sets of ingredients; if he pocketed five pills and only produced eight, wouldn't that be a bit too greedy? Besides, the medicinal strength of the five portions with intense cyan light had reached the limit of superior quality—he couldn't expect to reach "Dao-grade" quality, as that couldn't be achieved simply by piling up medicinal strength.

Shen Lian flicked his bracelet, and a piece of spirit potato flew out, was crushed into powder on the spot, and drifted through a crack in the furnace.

*Hmm, that should be about right.*

The medicinal liquid, tempered with the added spirit potato powder, increased significantly in volume, allowing for more portions to be created. The redistributed liquid was now divided into twenty-five portions. As an alchemist with a bit of a conscience, Shen Lian had only doubled the output. Even so, he believed the Xu family would still thank him.

(Note: Pill grades are distinct from quality. Each grade is divided into superior, medium, and inferior classes, and each class is further divided into inferior, medium, superior, and Dao-grade quality. Quality can be seen as the purity of the pill; the better the quality, the better the efficacy.)