by Fiery Moon
Shaking his head, Xiao Chen cast all these nonsensical thoughts aside. He began to focus on refining medicine. He was about to refine two new pills: a healing type of pill and a burst of strength type of pill.
After his experience on Seven Horn Mountain, he realized that it was impossible to completely avoid injuries in battle. If he had a pill for healing back then, one that could heal his injuries rapidly, then he might not have ended up in such a sorry state.
As for the burst of strength type of pill, it would allow the user to increase their strength for a short period of time. At a critical moment, he could use this to make a counter-attack.
The two pills he intended to refine were called the Blood Replenishing Pill and the Cloud Swallowing Pill. The latter pill had very severe side effects. Although after consuming it, it would have very strong effects, and after the effects wore off it would also cause a lot of damage to the body.
Xiao Chen refined these two pills in a bid to protect his life. As long as he did not use them frequently, they would not cause any hidden or lasting damage to his body.
Compared against similar pills of this world, their effects were much better.
First, he prepared the ingredients that he needed. The green core in his sea of consciousness immediately entered the herb, together with his Spiritual Sense. He was then able to take a very clear look at the inner structures of the herbs.
With a ‘Pu’ sound, the purple flame from his palm came to life. Xiao Chen was now completely focused; he dared not become distracted.
In the Compendium of Cultivation, these two pills were not highly ranked. Thus, it was not particularly difficult to refine them. With the assistance of his Spiritual Awareness and Spiritual Sense, so this endeavor should go smoothly.
Soon, a fragrance wafted out from the medicinal cauldron. The first pill successfully came out of the cauldron. Xiao Chen revealed a satisfied expression and took out a porcelain bottle, keeping the Blood Replenishing Pill in it.
“Dumbass Master, I didn’t think you could refine medicine too. Furthermore, your method of refining medicine is different from the usual methods of alchemists,” Ao Jiao looked at Xiao Chen in astonishment. Earlier, she was afraid of distracting Xiao Chen so she did not say anything.
Hearing Ao Jiao’s words, Xiao Chen felt some pride in his heart. He smiled, “You look down on me too much. This is not the only thing I know.”
Ao Jiao snorted, “With just a little skill, and you’re already so cocky. Seems like 10you are not aware of the heights of heaven, and the depths of the earth.”
What do you mean just a little skill? He used the alchemy methods in the Compendium of Cultivation and was able to achieve a 90 percent success rate when refining Rank 3 pills and below. This was already much better than the ordinary alchemist of this world.
Xiao Chen said in an unconvinced tone, “If you have the ability, then refine a pill that is exactly the same for me to see.”
Ao Jiao stared blankly for awhile. Her cute face had the impression of seeing something extremely funny, along with some astonishment. After a moment, she smiled coldly, “If I can refine it, what will you do? There needs to be some kind of wager.”
“Deal! If you can successfully refine it, you may request of me, anything. However, if you fail, then you are no longer allowed to call me an idiot,” Xiao Chen did not stop to think deeper before he said this.
Xiao Chen was very confident in his alchemy skills. Even if Ao Jiao could really refine medicines, she had only seen him do it once, and she did not know the recipe. Under such conditions, it was impossible for her to succeed.
Ao Jiao said, “How ignorant! I shall teach you a lesson today, so that you won’t die by being beaten to death by others for being so cocky.”
After Ao Jiao said that, she flicked her fingers three times. Three white flames appeared out of nowhere, quietly floating in the air. Her hand positions kept changing until, under her manipulation, the herbs on the table all flew into the air.
It looked very dazzling. Xiao Chen thought of the 11Flair Bartenders from his previous life. This seemed very familiar; it was gorgeous and dazzling.
Xiao Chen stood at the side consoling himself, There is no need to worry. Since she is doing it in such a flashy manner, there must be some trickery to it. Alchemy is very serious business.
“Sou! Sou! Sou!”
Ao Jiao’s hands moved as fast as lightning, accurately pinpointing the three herbs that were needed amongst the herbs that filled the air. She sent them into the three white flames. Each white flame handled a single herb, giving off a continual sizzling sound.
Before finishing, Ao Jiao changed the posture of her hands once more. The herbs, which were falling, floated into the air again. “Dong! Dong! Dong!” Ao Jiao had multitasked. It was unknown when she made three porcelain bottles appear, but she accurately caught the falling medicinal liquids.
Her right hand moved again, causing the three white flames to begin refining the three different medicinal liquids. After a moment, the six herbs that were required for the Blood Replenishing Pill were completely refined.
Xiao Chen was astonished to see all of this. At that moment, he saw what Ao Jiao meant. This was a pinnacle alchemy method, which pursued speed.
Just by using one flame to refine the medicinal liquid, Xiao Chen already found it taxing. However, Ao Jiao was able to use three flames at once. This was something that Xiao Chen did not dare to consider. The degree of control she had over the flames was at a terrifying level.
Xiao Chen knew that he would be losing this bet today. However, he did not feel it was a pity. To be able to observe Ao Jiao’s exquisite techniques was a beneficial learning opportunity for him.
As he expected, Ao Jiao was able to carry out the last few steps smoothly. There were no careless mistakes or hesitation.
However, at the last step, while she was nourishing the pill, a look of extreme weakness appeared on her face. A soft exploding sound came from the inside of the Azure Dragon Medicine Cauldron.
The refining of this pill actually failed. It actually failed at the stage where it was impossible to fail. Xiao Chen thought that he was lucky. However, very soon, he figured out the reason for Ao Jiao’s failure.
When Ao Jiao made the milky-white liquid to feed Xiao Bai, she had exhausted too much of her energy. Without resting much, she then used a high difficulty technique to refine medicine. At the final step, she was not able to supply the required Essence.
“How is this… possible,” Ao Jiao looked in disbelief as she saw a pile of wasted material come out from the dragon mouth. She had actually failed to succeed.
Xiao Chen coughed, “Erm… Sister Ao Jiao. The words you said earlier still count, right?”
Ao Jiao blushed, “Asshole. I won’t call you idiot anymore in the future.” After she said that, she went back into the Universe Ring.
Xiao Bai saw Ao Jiao suddenly disappear. It seemed to not understand what happened as he skipped around, looking for Ao Jiao. However, it was not able to find her after a long period of time. It then looked at Xiao Chen anxiously.
Xiao Chen saw Xiao Bai’s look and smiled, “Stop looking. Your mother is hiding.”
Notes
[←1]
The author’s preface has been translated from Chinese.
[←2]
Webnovels are novels published specifically for display and consumption on the web.
[←3]
Note: Taobao is like eBay, but the Chinese version.
[←4]
Jindan or Yuanying are standard cultivation terms in Chinese literature. It is the place where Qi/Essence is stored. Generally located near the navel area.
[←5]
This flare is not the same as the type of flare we know. It is actually some kind of ancient Chinese lighter made from paper and embers kept in a tube.
[←6]
1000 jin is equal to 500kg.
[←7]
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Xiao Chen is likely referring to the meme that states if someone remains a virgin after 30 years of age, he becomes a wizard.
[←8]
I believe the ‘ceng’ sound is the sound of a sword being drawn from a sheath.
[←9]
The author may have confused these numbers, since he previously said nine prefectures and thirty-six counties.
[←10]
“Not aware of the heights of heaven, and the depths of the earth,” is a similar expression to, “A frog in the well.” Basically, it means that he is ignorant of the greatness of what is available in the world.
[←11]
Flair Bartenders are bartenders that entertain guests by doing tricks, like tossing liquor bottles around.