by <unknown>
Behind Skymaple, Wang Jie kept sizing up Ye Yuan, his gaze filled with curiosity.
He had followed Skymaple for a number of years already and was deeply aware of the difficulty of completing the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill.
Wang Jie knew that there had already been no fewer than several hundred seniors and elders who took on this mission. These hundreds of people were all elites of the Tranquil Cloud Sect, but no one could complete the mission.
But this Young Master not over the age of 16 could fill in the pill formula.
It was truly miraculous!
Ye Yuan sensed Wang Jie's gaze and flashed a smile at him. Wang Jie also flashed one back.
"Ye Yuan, what did the 'but' you said earlier mean? Could it be that using the Extreme Light Profound Gold Fruit to complete the pill formula doesn't work either?" Skymaple asked again.
He was very confident in the Extreme Light Profound Gold Fruit. It should be said that this was the closest to success he had come to in these over dozen years. But Ye Yuan's words unwittingly make his heart palpitate.
Ye Yuan said, "Although the Extreme Light Profound Gold Fruit has the effects of nourishing the divine soul, it's unsuitable to be mixed together and refined with the Nine-leaf Heavenly Fragrance Grass. The Extreme Light Profound Gold Fruit's attribute is metal, while the Nine-leaf Heavenly Fragrance Grass's attribute is wood. Metal and wood inhibit each other. Not only would the effects of the ingredients themselves fail to be unleashed, but it would also weaken instead. Furthermore, it will be tremendously difficult to control the stability of the three kinds of core materials during the refining process. If my estimations are right, Grand Elder has probably blown up cauldrons quite a number of times already, right?"
Skymaple's old face turned red. Ye Yuan really guessed it correctly.
However, he still asked in surprise, "Isn't the Extreme Light Profound Gold Fruit's attribute is wood? Why is it metal?"
The attributes of all things in the world were incomparably complex and were not written on the surface. Unless one were extremely proficient towards medical knowledge, one would tend to find it hard to determine a certain medicinal material's attribute.
The higher level the medicinal material, the harder it was to determine the attribute. Because the process of their derivation was extremely complicated.
Tier 4 materials were not high nor low level. But to the Tranquil Cloud Sect's alchemists, it was absolutely high level medicinal materials. With their level of understanding, it was very tough to determine Tier 4 materials' attribute.
Hence, when Skymaple was choosing materials, he basically could not take into consideration the materials' attributes. He only relied on his instincts to decide. Hence, the error rate was naturally very high.
Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Not all the things that grow on trees belong to the wood attribute. The reason why the Extreme Light Profound Gold Fruit is of the metal attribute is that it generally grows on top of ore veins, drawing the metal spiritual qi within to form the fruit. Even though the Extreme Light Profound Gold Fruit also has some wood attribute characteristics, its primary attribute is metal."
Hearing Ye Yuan's analysis, Skymaple actually had a feeling like he was enlightened all at once! His gaze when looking at Ye Yuan again was drastically different from before.
Skymaple was naturally well aware of the Extreme Light Profound Gold Fruit's origin. It was precisely obtained by sect disciples from an ore vein, not the slightest bit off from Ye Yuan's analysis!
Such knowledge, even he, a grand elder, felt that he was so far behind to even see the dust ahead.
"Then how should this pill formula be completed?" Skymaple's words already entailed consulting advice. Even he himself was not conscious of it.
Ye Yuan obviously would not cherish something of little value just because it was his own knowledge. He opened his mouth and said, "Clear Spirit Jade Fluid is balanced in the five elements, so it is a neutral item. The Nine-leaf Heavenly Fragrance Grass's attribute is wood, so you naturally have to select a water attribute material to complete the pill formula. Among Tier 4 medicinal materials, the Iceheart Dew is most suitable."
"Ah? Why use the Iceheart Dew? Iceheart Drew shouldn't have divine soul nourishing effects, right?" Skymaple had a doubtful face.
This past dozen of years, he thought of every material and used them too. The only exception was that he did not think of using the Iceheart Dew to complete the pill formula!
Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Clear Spirit Jade Fluid and Nine-leaf Heavenly Fragrance Grass are both medicinal herbs that have superb effects when used to nourish the divine soul. Just take the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill for instance; the divine soul nourishing effects are already ample. But the Iceheart Dew has the effect of calming the spirit and focusing the mind, and also the effect of stabilizing the divine soul. Moreover, during the refining process, the water attribute Iceheart Dew even has the usage of improving the wood attribute Nine-leaf Heavenly Fragrance Grass. There is nothing more suitable than it for refining the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill!"
Once alchemy skills reached a certain level, one's understanding of medicinal pills would also grow increasingly profound.
At times, while blindly chasing the medicinal effect of a medicinal pill, it would instead cause an opposite effect.
Ye Yuan's understanding of medicinal pills was far from what Skymaple could compare to.
The way Ye Yuan saw it, a medicinal pill was a world. Refining a medicinal pill was creating a world!
For a mature world, the most important thing was stability. Then, other things would follow.
Many alchemists chased after the effects of medicinal pills blindly. The result of doing this were flaws in the medicinal pills. There would obviously be side-effects here and there.
A mature type of medicinal pill would definitely not have any side-effect!
In reality, with Ye Yuan's alchemy skills, he could guide Skymaple to use the Extreme Light Profound Gold Fruit to refine out the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill, but that kind of medicinal pill would clearly have side-effects.
Hearing Ye Yuan say finish, Skymaple and Wang Jie behind him sunk into their thoughts . . .
Chapter 242. An Alchemy Emperor's Guidance |
Skymaple's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Unlike the other elders, he was a genuine Alchemy King! A Soul Sea Realm powerhouse!
His experience was naturally extraordinary!
Skymaple actually felt that the materials he used in the past to complete the pill formula were all trash.
Although he had not started refining, Skymaple already felt that using Iceheart Dew would certainly work!
Because he simply could not find any flaws in this pill formula!
Those materials that he found in the past, while he was full of confidence each time, he himself actually knew that there was always that slight area of imperfection.
But this time, he felt that this pill formula was absolutely perfect!
Skymaple currently had an impulse to burst into a song and dance. Over a dozen years of racking his brain bitterly, over a dozen years of repeated defeats, over a dozen years of wallowing in despair, he obtained a release at this very instant.
If not for wanting to preserve some parts of a grand elder's prestige and because he did not wish to lose himself too much in front of Ye Yuan, he would have started dancing around right away.
This was not enough to express his emotions.
"Wang Jie, you quickly go and ask Ouyang Yu if there is still Iceheart Dew in the sect! If there isn't, make them gather it at top speed! Remember, it must be at the fastest speed! I must see the Iceheart Dew within a month!" Skymaple hurriedly instructed.
Wang Jie also had an eye-opener today. Ye Yuan's words gave him a feeling of being enlightened.
In reality, while Wang Jie had a gentle character, he also had pride that others did not possess.
In the Tranquil Cloud Sect, he was amon
g those true Alchemy Path geniuses. Otherwise, he would not have been fancied by Skymaple and become his disciple.
Wang Jie had always thought highly of himself. He felt that his accomplishments on the alchemy path were already absolutely outstanding among people of the same age.
But Ye Yuan's words today opened another window for him.
Wang Jie only knew today just how unstable his foundation skills were and how shallow his previous understanding of medicinal knowledge was!
Hearing Skymaple's orders, Wang Jie said respectfully, "Yes, Master."
Logically speaking, running errands should be done by Ye Yuan. Ignoring that Wang Jie's seniority was exceedingly high, even with his Alchemy Grandmaster status, it should not be his turn to run errands.
But at this current moment, Wang Jie gladly enjoyed the hardship and felt that it was only natural and right.
To the Skymaple Court, Ye Yuan was a distinguished guest. How could they let a distinguished guest run errands?
After Wang Jie left, Skymaple started to consult Ye Yuan like a student on how to refine the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill.
Refining pills were not just the simple act of putting together medicinal herbs. Each type of medicinal herbs, its quantity, flame intensity when refining, and so on, were all extremely particular things.
A discrepancy of a hair's breadth could lead to an error of a thousand miles!
Messing up a step could possibly result in the refinement to fail.
Alchemists was an exceptionally meticulous occupation. The path they walk was completely different from martial artists.
Yet, the more he chatted with Ye Yuan, the more Skymaple felt his blood run cold. His gaze when looking at Ye Yuan also changed once more.
If one were to say that the first time he saw Ye Yuan, he was looking at him with a disdainful angle, then after Ye Yuan talked about the Western Flower recipe, it became viewing him as equals.
But now, Skymaple was looking up to Ye Yuan!
Although they were only chatting about one type of medicinal pill, Ye Yuan's views tended to give Skymaple a feeling that he could grasp the entire concept by grasping a typical example.
Not knowing the reason, just one chat and Skymaple felt that his alchemy skills improved quite a bit!
Many things that Ye Yuan talked about, Skymaple did not even think about them in the past.
Especially when Ye Yuan was talking about the refinement method. Skymaple frequently had the feeling that medicinal pills could even be refined in such a way.
The incomplete pill formula of this Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill was accidentally acquired by Forefather Ouyang Tuotian. Even he could not complete it. The missing parts in the pill formula were not just one core material. The refinement method was missing too.
Many of Skymaple's past refinement methods were fumbled out by himself. Cauldron explosions were naturally something to be expected.
"Ye Yuan, did you research and come up with this pill formula yourself?" After a long while, Skymaple finally asked the suspicion in his heart.
This Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill formula was something that even their forefather could not complete. If Ye Yuan could come up with it himself, then this alchemic talent was overly heaven-defying.
Ye Yuan obviously would not say that he already knew this pill formula from the start. Of course, even if he did not know, completing it was not something hard.
"Of course not. Actually, before entering the sect, I already had a master. This pill formula was imparted to me by him. When I was searching for missions in the Support Star Pavilion, I just happened to see the level nine No. 3 mission, so I accepted it," Ye Yuan said with a grin.
Skymaple breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that. It seemed like Ye Yuan's monstrousness was still within the boundaries of understanding. Even so, from Ye Yuan's conversation, it could be seen that his alchemy skill foundation was extremely solid!
However, Skymaple developed an intense curiosity towards such master who could train such an incredible disciple.
The way Skymaple saw it, that person was definitely an existence more amazing than him. He might even be an Alchemy Sovereign!
Ye Yuan recounted the fabricated story again before Skymaple dismissed that idea of requesting an audience.
Skymaple obviously did not know that while he was unaware, he had already spoken to a former Alchemy Emperor.
Even if Ye Yuan could not refine out high-tier medicinal pills now, his experience and knowledge were simply not on the same level as Skymaple's.
Ye Yuan looked as if he was conversing with Skymaple, but in reality, it could be counted giving pointers to him.
Being able to obtain some pointers from an Alchemy Emperor was enough for Skymaple to profit from his entire life. Because it was impossible for Skymaple to even see Ye Yuan's shadow in this lifetime.
In his previous life, there had been countless Alchemy Ancestors, Alchemy Saints, even Alchemy Venerables who sought for Ye Yuan's guidance but did not even had the chance. An Alchemy King like Skymaple did not even have the qualifications to present himself in front of him.
Not that Ye Yuan valued his old broomstick, but because he really did not wish to waste time in this area. 1
The reason why Ye Yuan was so generous was actually still because of his promise to Lu Yan last time.
Ye Yuan reckoned that Skymaple should be the Tranquil Cloud Sect's greatest expert in the Alchemy Dao. For him to have any breakthrough naturally brought enormous benefits to the entire sect.
The use of the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill was to aid the divine soul in breaking through.
At Skymaple's age, he basically already exhausted all of his potentials. Under the circumstances without the use of external force, he would essentially just stop at his present realm in this lifetime.
Skymaple himself was already clear on this point. That was why he placed all of his energy on the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill.
Whether the power of the sect was strong or not, it had never been about the number of disciples, history, or accumulation. The deciding factor was the sect's most powerful member!
A sect that possessed a middle-stage Soul Sea Realm martial artist would be stronger than a sect like the Tranquil Cloud Sect. Furthermore, it would be overwhelmingly stronger!
If they did not have the protection of the sect protecting grand array, a middle-stage Soul Sea Realm could take on the entire Tranquil Cloud Sect by himself!
Once martial artists cultivated to a certain realm, human piling tactics would no longer be able to compensate for the gap.
The more Skymaple conversed, the more he opportunistic he became. The more he conversed, the greater his thirst for knowledge was. But Ye Yuan controlled the limits very well, conversing with the other party with the attitude of being equals, not letting Skymaple feel like he was giving pointers.
With his master as the backing entity, Ye Yuan's conversation did not appear too unexpected.
Before long, Wang Jie barged in very excitedly . . .
Chapter 243. Selling Pill Formula |
Seeing Wang Jie barge inside directly, Skymaple frowned and said unhappily, "Already so mature, yet why are you still so brash? Don't you see that Ye Yuan and I are currently conversing?"
Unknowingly, Skymaple already placed Ye Yuan on the same level as him.
"Ah! Sorry Master. Disciple was rash," Wang Jie hurriedly apologized with a salute.
Skymaple waved his hands irritably and asked, "What is it? Why are you making such a fuss?"
Wang Jie had an eager face as he said, "Replying master, just now, I went to find Lord Sect Master. He said that a few days back, some disciples just happened to obtain some Iceheart Dew. So I brought it back."
When Skymaple heard it, his anger involuntarily turned into joy as he said, "Really? Great! Since all the ingredients are prepared, then let's start refining!"
He had just learned many things from Ye Yuan and was currently itc
hing to practice his skills. In addition, he obtained the pill formula, so he would naturally be itching to have a go.
"Don't be anxious, Master. I haven't finished talking yet. There isn't much Iceheart Dew. According to what Ye Yuan said, it should only be enough for one refinement," Wang Jie said.
Skymaple frowned and said, "So little? How is it possible to succeed in one go?"
Wang Jie said, "Iceheart Dew is originally extremely scarce. It was only coincidentally obtained this time by an elite disciple out doing missions. He exchanged 10 thousand points by handing it to the sect! Even if the sect seeks it out in full force, it would probably be very hard to find within three months."
As the grand elder, how could Skymaple not know the scarcity of Tier 4 medicinal herbs?
However, he yearned for the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill too deeply. Even if the material was harder to get, he had to obtain it!
This was not just to fulfill him alone, but also to fulfill the entire sect!
The materials that Skymaple exhausted these few years were worth upwards of 10 million points when added up. But Luo Qingfeng did not grumble at all. Why?
Simply because back then, Ouyang Tuotian founded the present Tranquil Cloud Sect with his own strength!
The sect's upper echelons all understood the difference between low-rank Alchemy King and middle-rank Alchemy King!
Hearing Wang Jie's words, Skymaple's good mood instantly vanished, and his heart inexplicably became frustrated.
Although the Seven Profound Soul Driving Pill was a low Tier 4 medicinal pill, it was really somewhat forceful for Skymaple. The possibility of succeeding in one go was too low!
Once he failed, he would have to wait up to three months, maybe even half a year's time!
The Clear Spirit Jade Fluid and Nine-leaf Heavenly Fragrance Grass collected the previous time were already pretty much expended. At most, he could refine once or twice.
If the refinement this time failed, he would have to gather these two kinds of medicinal herbs again.
The Clear Spirit Jade Fluid and Nine-leaf Heavenly Fragrance Grass were also Tier 3 medicinal herbs; similarly, they were very rare.