Feng Xiangtie’s list had dozens of medicinal ingredients as well as how much they had in storage.
Yao Chen’s gaze flashed; he saw that there were quite a few medicinal ingredients that were considered rare and precious even within the Yao clan. “This is…”
“These medicinal ingredients were collected over many years. This time I plan on using any number of them to exchange for medicinal pills. But as for whether I can use them all, it will be up to brother Chen.”
Yao Chen blinked; Stardust Wood, Brilliant Thunder Water… these medicinal ingredients were hard to find even within the Yao clan. He hadn’t expected they would exist at this auction house. He made some quick calculations; if he had these medicinal ingredients as well as the Devouring Devil Grass and Spirit Merging Water, he would be able to refine a Spirit Foundation Pill. This pill would let him consolidate his foundation and let him reach the nine star Dou Shi realm in a short time.
He was in constant danger, and strength was the only guarantee of his survival; Yao Chen had understood this reasoning from that first day he was expelled from the Yao clan. Without the protection of the Yao clan and since he was being chased in secret, he could no longer continue as he had and train normally. He had to use the fastest method. But in the worst case scenario, doing so could cause that potential burning out sequelae from two years to burst out again…
Stardust Wood and Brilliant Thunder Water were both medicinal ingredients that he would have to be extremely lucky to ever find on his own. Yao Chen was very clear on his current situation. By himself, it was practically impossible for him to have another opportunity to obtain these medicinal ingredients.
Carefully examining the list, he saw that below were clear details about what kind of medicinal pills could be used for what ingredients. The Stardust Wood and Brilliant Thunder Water could be exchanged for five fourth tier medicinal pills, and as for quantity, that would depend on what kind of fourth tier medicinal pill.
That meant the Feng family definitely had enough Stardust Grass and Brilliant Thunder Water established. And that was precisely what Yao Chen was in need of; the Spirit Foundation Pill required a large amount of them, and he also had to include the fact that the pill had a high failure rate. It was best to prepare two portions.
After leaving the Precious Treasure Auction, Yao Chen found an inn to stay in. He requested a detached room with a separate courtyard to stay in. Peak Martial City was extremely prosperous, so such rooms were common.
Although Yao Chen put most of his time on alchemy, he had a rough understanding of Dou Formations. Before his branch had declined, they had had some Dou Formations. Yao Chen had learned most of them, and at this time he laid down a Dou Formation that would prevent people from spying on him.
Entering his room, Yao Chen tightly secured the windows and set up another Dou Formation. Only then did he take off his cloak and relax. The room was extremely large and definitely had enough space for him to refine medicine.
Taking out his cauldron, he immediately started to prepare the pills for the medicinal bath. An hour later, his cauldron let out a banging sound and Yao Chen received three scarlet medicinal pills. Grinding them into powder, he poured them into the bath he had prepared. This time he used ten times as much as before, meaning the pain would be a hundred times worse.
But sitting inside the bath, Yao Chen was able to forcibly endure it. He was already a three star Dou Shi, and the stored potential in his body had been released. Naturally his ability to resist pain had also increased.
“Maybe next time I can increase the portion again.”
Yao Chen frowned, feeling that even ten times the amount was still lacking. But all the medicinal ingredients he had bought had been used, so even if he wanted to use more, he had to first go back to the auction house…
After enduring the torture of the medicinal bath, Yao Chen recovered his Dou Qi and started to refine. This time Yao Chen was just refining the simple first tier Blood Enriching Pill, but it wasn’t the same formula as the rest of the world. His Blood Enriching Pill had some special transformations.
The most particular of which was that the success rate when refining was so high it was frightening.
The next day.
Yao Chen once more veiled himself in his black cloak and returned to the Precious Treasure Auction.
On its gate was already a large advertisement saying they had third tier high grade Scarlet Flame Pills and Life Recovery Pills that would be auctioned three days later.
The Scarlet Flame Pill could increase fire attribute Dou Qi. This wasn’t just useful for battle, but also for alchemists. Consuming a Scarlet Flame Pill was another way to increase your refining success rate. It would let you increase your control over your fire attribute Dou Qi.
Their advertisement had already attracted many people. Although the Scarlet Flame Pill was just a third tier medicinal pil, the process of refining the pill was extremely complicated, and the slightest distraction could cause it to fail. To alchemists below the firth tier, refining it had too high of a failure rate, maybe not even one in ten. It was better for them to refine other pills. This led to the Scarlet Flame Pill being extremely rare in the market, especially in the alchemist-filled Peak Martial City.
“Wow, I didn’t expect the Feng family to actually be able to take out the Scarlet Flame Pill at such a time. Although it’s just a third tier pill, it’s very useful.”
“Haha, the other two large auctions joined hands to suppress them. The Feng family naturally had to take out their assets.”
“Right. Whether they can suppress them or not, I’m definitely going to the auction. Hehe, this situation is actually quite favorable for us.”
Yao Chen heard all kinds of discussion from the side and was somewhat startled. So the Precious Treasure Auction which was backed by the Feng family was actually in the middle of a crisis. But even if what they were saying was true, that could actually be beneficial to him. If the Feng family needed assistance at the moment then they wouldn’t stab him in the back.
Walking into the auction house, he displayed the token Feng Xiangtie had given him and was immediately respectfully welcomed in. The minute he walked in he saw Feng Xiangtie smiling and welcoming him.
“We are honored you’re back brother Chen. What do you need? As long as it’s not too great, this lowly self will accomplish whatever brother Chen wants.”
Feng Tiangxie took a very low attitude. He was very clear as to how critical this time was to his Feng family. Based on yesterday, this brother Chen had probably only arrived at Peak Martial City very recently and hadn’t known about the Feng family’s situation. But now that he had been here a night, he had probably already learned of it. If he decided to make some additional unfair conditions, he would have no choice but to accept it. Old Feng had allowed him to use his authority as the family head to open the clan stores. Anyone could be allowed to take out as much as they wanted. The precondition of course was that he was a powerful alchemist. However, old Feng had never misjudged someone.
Under his disguise, Yao Chen let out an embarrassed smile. He really was here to profit from their misfortunate. Of course he would also be fair and take out enough shocking medicinal pills. In any case, if he didn’t take them out then the Feng family might end up offended and destroying him.
“I…”
Yao Chen was using his old voice to speak, but before he could say anything, his gaze twitched and he saw a youth walk in. “Father! I’ve gotten hold of a Fire Qilin horn, and although it wasn’t of a pure bloodline, it’s definitely enough… ah, there’s a guest. My apologies.”
This youth wearing white robes was precisely the person who had mistaken Yao Chen for a beggar, the embroidered-clothed youngster who had shared a meal with him.
“How disrespectful. Feng Xian, hurry up and bow to your uncle Chen.”
“Chen…”
Yao Chen’s jaw dropped to the floor. It really was a small world. This youngster was actually the young master of the Precious Treasure Auction.
Ugh, mom said that I have to repay favors properly… considering that meal he had been treated to, he really felt that it would not be proper for him to take a lion’s bite of their profits.
“Cough, no need for that much courtesy. Prepare a refining room for me that’s a bit more secluded. Get the medicinal ingredients on this list and I’ll repay it with refined pills.”
Yao Chen’s actions were borrowing the chicken for its eggs and then selling the eggs for money.
But to the outside world where alchemists were so revered, such a situation was inevitable and as it should be.
“Of course, there’s no problem.”
Feng Xiangtie was delighted and immediately sent out orders to prepare his requests. He hadn’t expected for him to refine pills at his auction house. This was a true collaboration that was much greater than what they had originally agreed on.
Yao Chen was bitterly smiling behind his cover. He had only changed his plans because of Feng Xian. Of course, it wasn’t just because of seeing Feng Xian. If he didn’t expose a bit of strength in front of others, he couldn’t truly gain their respect. In the end, his veil of mystery wasn’t true power, as not everybody was a fool.
If he could help the Feng family weather this storm, it would also count as repaying Feng Xian’s favor… thinking of that meal, his stomach growled. Although he had Fasting Pills, he hadn’t eaten such a normal meal in over a mouth and even his tongue had begun to feel strange.
Feng Xian looked at Yao Chen curiously. Although he was young, when it came to the affairs of people, he had trained and messed around outside often so he was definitely superior to Yao Chen. Right now he could feel Yao Chen was looking at him with a friendly gaze.
Was this black-cloaked man really a powerful alchemist? Feng Xian didn’t really believe it.
Feng Xian suddenly put on the likeness of a youth who didn’t understand anything and said, “Uncle Chen, can I watch you while you refine?”
Yao Chen really couldn’t hold back a smile any longer. Being called uncle gave him the shivers.
“Feng Xian! You can’t watch alchemists while they refine!” Feng Xiangtie frowned, but he still looked at Yao Chen with a hopeful gaze. The wily fox could see through Yao Chen’s attitude and knew that he had become much friendlier after Feng Xian had appeared.
“Can you identify medicinal ingredients?” asked Yao Chen.
“I’ve read a medicinal canon that came from the Yao clan.”
Yao Chen nodded and started walking out. That medicinal canon was only called that in the outside world. In the Yao clan, it was the most basic summary within the clan school. But understanding those basics was enough for him to be a helper.
The Feng family was celebrating, never having dreamt they would meet such an amiable alchemist. Any alchemist above the third tier was extremely helpful to a clan’s development. Most alchemists had a temper and were hard to get close it. This was also strange though; an extremely friendly alchemists was about to be drowned by people asking for medicine. When did he have time to train?
Yao Chen arrived at the alchemist room they prepared for him and paused, startled. The cauldron they had prepared in the center of the room was a whole level better than the one he had. To the side were some shelves that had all kinds of medicinal ingredients arranged on them.
“This is the clan’s second uncle’s refining room. But unfortunately… something happened to that clan uncle and he can no longer refine.” Feng Xiangtie had a heavy expression as he presented it.
Yao Chen nodded, not knowing how he should reply to that. He might as well just stay silent. Heating up the cauldron, he immediately started refining.
Feng Xiangtie was shocked, not expecting him to start refining even in front of him. Most alchemists all had their own requirements and didn’t trust people that much. Seeing them refine in person was an extremely rare event.
Feng Xiangtie and Feng Xian exchanged a glance before Feng Xiangtie tacitly retreated from the alchemy room.
Outside, old Feng quickly walked over. “What happened?”
“He actually didn’t make us leave before just directly starting refining….” Feng Xiangtie said strangely.
Old Feng frowned. “Only truly strong alchemists would act act so carelessly… that’s because to them, refining pills of such level can be done casually.”
“So you’re saying…”
“Maybe we really did meet a true expert this time.”
“Then should we invite him to stay as a guest of the family…?”
“This kind of expert can’t be handled like others. Rejoice in your luck that he’s helping you. But as for inviting him as a guest, even if you handed over the position of the clan head he might consider that a kind of insult.”
At this time Yao Chen was giving orders to Feng Xian, continuously telling him medicinal ingredients and how much he needed, letting him handle the preparations.
Feng Xian was very fast, but he still had to hurry up. The cauldron’s flame was already ignited at this time, and Yao Chen was just about to begin refining. Ingredient after ingredient was thrown into the cauldron. Although the cauldron was unfamiliar to him, this was an old medicinal cauldron that had been used for over thirty years. After having been used for so long, a trace of a medicinal nature had already been born from the cauldron and could be used to aid in refining. If the cauldron continued to be used in such a manner for over a hundred years, that trace of medicinal nature might very well form a spiritual nature.
At this time, with the medicinal nature of the cauldron, the ingredients were quickly and perfectly refined together, forming a pill embryo.
The pill embryo then split, one becoming two, two becoming four, four becoming eight. In the end there were thirty-six scarlet medicinal pills. This was the Scarlet Flame Pill that Yao Chen was most familiar with.
To the side, Feng Xian’s eyes widened blankly. He had finished a cauldron of medicinal ingredients in such a short time?
Yao Chen nodded slightly. After becoming a Dou Shi, the Scarlet Flame Pill was no longer difficult for him to refine. He straightaway started refining the third tier Life Recovery Pill that could recover Dou Qi, heal wounds, and for a short period increase your senses. In a battle of equal strength, the person with the quicker reactions would have a slight advantage which could suppress their opponent.
The Rebirth Pill was something Yao Chen frequently used to practice his alchemy. His movements were very skilled; this kind of pill wasn’t as rare as the Scarlet Flame Pill, but its requirements were extremely frightening. In the outside world, if one didn’t carry a couple Rebirth Pills, then they would have to be much more careful when fighting. It was difficult to release one hundred percent of your power if you were always scared of getting wounded and having no way to heal.
Yao Chen continuously fed medicinal ingredients into the cauldron as he refined. Dregs appeared, and he didn’t waste them. The Life Recovery Pill was a third tier pill, and the impurities refined from it also had their own use. He used his ‘dual pills, one furnace’ technique, throwing in several other ingredients to fuse with the second pill, forming a second tier Blood Recovery Pill. This pill could provoke the body’s potential, causing a boost to blood formation and staunch wounds. This was also a healing medicinal pill in great demand.
These two pills were quickly finished and taken out of the cauldron. There were twelve Life Recovery Pills and one hundred and eight of the secondary Blood Recovery Pills. Yao Chen let out a breath of air, feeling this was a bit unexpected. After becoming a three star Dou Shi, his Spiritual Perception had become several times stronger from before, and his ability to control medicinal ingredients had become ten times greater. The amount of pills he could make from one furnace had also multiplied. Taking a deep breath, he once continued ordering Feng Xian to prepare medicinal ingredients and continued refining the Life Recovery Pill along with the Blood Recovery Pill. These two medicinal pills could be sold in bulk. Without at least tens of them it might be difficult to take out in an auction. After all, they were commonly seen, so without quantity it would be difficult to attract the buyers’ interest.
Originally Yao Chen hadn’t planned to put so much effort in and was planning on just refining a large quantity of the Blood Enriching Pill to exchange with them. But after seeing Feng Xian, he decided to do his best to help.
In just a short time, another dozen Rebirth Pills came out with a hundred Blood Recovery Pills…
Feng Xian’s mouth was trembling… this kind of speed and success rate was too frightening. Just where had this alchemist come from? Third tier medicinal pills were taken out like candy. The Blood Recovery Pill was taken out in the hundreds, and now there were over thirty-seven Rebirth Pills and thirty-six Scarlet Flame Pills. If they were brought to auction, the entire Peak Martial City would be shaken.
The most frightening thing was that Yao Chen didn’t have the slightest intention of stopping.
“Ah… there’s not enough medicinal ingredients. I’ll go get some more.”
Feng Xian blinked and quickly rushed out and back, his heart jumping wilding. Only fifth tier alchemists were capable of having a one hundred percent success rate with third tier medicinal pills.
A fifth tier alchemist! The number of them within a thousand miles of Peak Martial City could be counted on one’s hand, and now one of them was at their Feng family! And was even helping them refine a huge amount of third medicinal pills! It was completely unbelievable!
Outside, Feng Xiangtie and old Feng’s gazes were also hot. At their family’s most critical moment, a fifth tier alchemist had actually appeared to help them. The heavens must have opened and their ancestors blessed them. “Quick, quick, go to the clan storehouse and get more medicinal ingredients!”
Yao Chen continued to refine till even the medicinal room didn’t have enough ingredients. Such an efficiency in refining… their Precious Treasure Auction might not just be able to survive this crisis… they might completely turn things around!