We're practicing all martial arts, so why did you switch to easy mode?

Chapter 265 Tiandan City, Healing Category, Nourishing Essence Pill (5K)

Tiandan City.

Located at the border between the Holy Yuan Kingdom and the Holy Body Kingdom, it is one of the nine major cities of the Dan Alliance.

In terms of both the size of the city and its prosperity, it surpasses Shouyang City.

Furthermore, due to its location at the intersection of two great holy kingdoms, it possesses a natural advantage, with not only Yuanli warriors but also Pure Yang warriors residing within the city.

Of course, there were many more alchemists.

Alchemists are a beautiful sight on every street in Tiandan City.

"The Pill Alliance has established a unified standard for the rank of alchemists, based on the cauldron mark on their clothes. Alchemists with one pill mark on their cauldron are first-rank alchemists, those with two marks are second-rank alchemists, and so on."

During Miao Kuo's introduction, Su Chen noticed that most of the martial artists passing by were wearing the cauldron mark of the Pill Alliance.

"What grade of alchemist is that old gentleman?" Su Chen asked Miao Kuo after turning his gaze away.

Miao Kuo seemed to be eagerly anticipating Su Chen's question. He stroked his white beard and smiled, saying, "I am but a fifth-rank official."

Fifth rank?

Su Chen glanced at Miao Kuo with a hint of surprise.

He had just glanced around and the highest rank he saw seemed to be only the third rank, but he didn't expect Miao Kuo to be the fifth rank.

Enjoying Su Chen's gaze, Miao Kuo stopped in front of a shop and pointed inside, saying, "Young friend, if you want to buy the Nine Revolutions Fire Technique, you can go into this shop. The prices here are much cheaper than in other shops."

Miao Kuo seemed to be very familiar with the shop, so Su Chen didn't suspect anything, gave him his full trust, and went inside.

Miao Kuo followed closely behind. The staff inside knew him well and were friendly when they learned that Su Chen was his friend.

With Miao Kuo's help, Su Chen purchased the Nine Revolutions Fire Separation Technique at the lowest price.

As Miao Kuo said, like the widely available Tianxin Dan formula, the Nine Revolutions Fire Separation Technique is not particularly rare.

"Although one can only refine the Heavenly Heart Pill by mastering the Nine Revolutions Fire Technique, there are other pills that may also require the use of the Fire Technique, so the price remains consistently high," Miao Kuo explained.

Su Chen nodded, not caring.

"What are your plans next, young friend?" Miao Kuo asked as the two walked out of the shop. "You saved my grandfather and me, and we have not yet repaid you. If you don't mind, you can stay at my humble abode for the time being."

"To be honest, sir, I do have a favor to ask of you," Su Chen said after putting away his cultivation technique and hesitating for a while.

"You can speak freely, my friend."

Su Chen said frankly, "I am quite curious about the art of alchemy. I wonder if you could teach me the art of alchemy and guide me into the field?"

He didn't say he wanted to become an apprentice, but rather asked Miao Kuo to guide him into the field.

Compared to the former, the latter is easier for people to accept.

Besides, he didn't want to become an apprentice.

He learned alchemy partly in order to cultivate the Nine Revolutions Fire Separation Technique.

Just now, after he fully comprehended the Nine Revolutions Fire Technique, the panel displayed the conditions for advancement.

That is to refine one hundred Qi-Nourishing Pills.

From what he learned, the Peiyuan Pill was a basic pill, often used by first-grade alchemists for practice.

Its price is very cheap; one Spirit Essence Pill can basically buy one hundred Nourishing Essence Pills.

However, the panel required him to personally refine one hundred Qi-Nourishing Pills, which made Su Chen suspect that the subsequent promotion conditions would be the same.

Therefore, Su Chen planned ahead and wanted to learn how to be an alchemist.

Although there were many alchemists in Tiandan City, Su Chen didn't know anyone there. Fortunately, Miao Kuo was a fifth-grade alchemist.

Asking the other party to teach you all the techniques of alchemy, even if there is a relationship of saving your life, I'm sure the other party would be unwilling.

Therefore, Su Chen only wanted Miao Kuo to guide him into the sect, and he would think of other ways to follow up later.

On the other hand, it is related to Tianxin Dan.

Miao Kuo's words made him realize that he could not rely on others to obtain the Heavenly Heart Pill; he could only rely on himself.

Relying on oneself, one can only cultivate the Nine Revolutions Fire Technique and then refine pills on one's own.

If the Nine Revolutions Fire Technique is improved step by step, it will eventually reach the ninth revolution.

However, alchemy skills cannot be mastered overnight, so Su Chen wanted to take this opportunity to learn alchemy and improve his alchemy skills.

To avoid the situation where even with the Nine Revolutions Fire Technique, one might be unable to refine the elixir.

Of course, there is another reason that is not particularly important.

That is, alchemists make a lot of money. They can earn enough Pure Yuan Pills by refining pills to improve their Vajra Iron Shirt and Nirvana Draw Sword Technique.

After much consideration, Su Chen finally mustered the courage to ask Miao Kuo for help.

After listening to Su Chen's words, Miao Kuo fell into deep thought.

Su Chen's words were so sudden that he didn't react for a moment.

After a moment's thought, Miao Kuo smiled and said, "Young friend Xiang, it's perfectly fine if you want to learn about alchemy. I will do my best to guide you into the field."

The higher the rank of an alchemist, the more sectarian they are, and the less willing they are to take on disciples. Although he does not have this prejudice, he does not casually take on disciples and impart his skills. Even though Su Chen saved his life, he will choose to repay him in another way.

However, what Su Chen wanted was to find someone to guide him in the field, and Miao Kuo had no reason to disagree, considering it as a way to repay Su Chen for saving his life.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Miao." Su Chen cupped his hands in thanks.

After obtaining Miao Kuo's consent, Su Chen naturally went back with Miao Kuo.

Xiao Xing was overjoyed when she learned that Su Chen was going back with her. She skipped and jumped all the way, cheering with excitement.

Not long after, Miao Kuo brought Su Chen to the Miao residence.

Looking at the grand mansion before him, Su Chen understood the meaning of "humble abode" from a different perspective.

"Young friend, please!"

Miao Kuo extended his hand with a rather elegant air, and upon returning to the mansion, his expression became much more calm and composed.

Amidst the flattery of the servants and maids, the three of them slowly walked towards the main hall.

"Mother, we're back." Xiaoxing's voice was incredibly penetrating, causing a lively stir throughout the entire house.

A moment later, a graceful lady slowly walked out. She had a charming figure and exuded the unique charm of a mature woman in every gesture.

Although she is a married woman, she takes excellent care of herself. Her skin, as tender as a peach, exudes the delicate beauty of an eighteen-year-old girl.

What's most striking is her aura; despite her voluptuous figure and alluring face, she exudes the unique presence of a powerful woman.

Her delicate appearance and strong demeanor, two completely different auras intertwined, did not appear complicated at all, but instead added a touch of charm to the woman, making her even more alluring.

"Father, Xiaoxing, you're back." The woman's voice brought a refreshing coolness to the heart.

Seeing the two return safely, the worry between his brows turned into joy.

"Who is this?" She quickly noticed Su Chen beside her, and after looking him over, she asked Miao Kuo.

Miao Kuo briefly recounted his encounter with Su Chen to the woman. Upon learning that Su Chen had saved their lives, the woman quickly expressed her gratitude: "Ms. Miao Qian, thank you so much for saving us."

"No need to be so polite," Su Chen said with a wave of his hand and a smile.

"Alright, let's go inside and talk about it first," Miao Kuo said.

Upon entering the main hall, Miao Qian expressed her gratitude profusely. Upon learning that Su Chen intended to stay at the Miao residence temporarily, she hurriedly instructed her maids and servants to prepare the room.

After a long and tiring journey, the group chatted for a while before returning to their rooms.

Before leaving, Miao Kuo handed Su Chen several basic alchemy manuals and asked Su Chen to take a look at them first.

Su Chen took the manual back to his room and studied it intently.

The next morning, Su Chen set off to find Miao Kuo.

Miao Kuo also lived in the mansion, but in a different courtyard.

When they arrived, Miao Kuo was already up and selecting medicinal herbs in the yard, making notes as he went.

"Oh, you're here so early." Miao Kuo was slightly surprised to see Su Chen looking for him so early.

He put down what he was doing and asked, "Have you finished reading those manuals I gave you yesterday?"

"Hmm," Su Chen replied. The contents of the manual were not complicated; they mainly introduced some basic knowledge of alchemy.

"Is there a problem?" Miao Kuo asked again.

Su Chen nodded, and then asked about the questions he had during the reading process.

At this moment, Miao Kuo listened attentively and patiently to Su Chen's question, then nodded slightly.

The questions Su Chen raised were all common mistakes that beginners often make. The fact that he could find these questions was enough to show that he wasn't just going through the motions; he had seriously read the book and thought about it.

In the following time, Miao Kuo will answer Su Chen's questions one by one.

After their exchange, Su Chen benefited greatly. Miao Kuo then took out a stack of books and handed them to Su Chen, saying, "Alchemy is a very demanding task that requires a lot of patience. Let's move on to the next step after you have read and thoroughly understood all these books. You can also ask me any questions you may have during this time."

At a glance, the stack of books looked to be about fifty or sixty volumes, all of them introductions to alchemy.

Su Chen paused for a moment, then picked up the books and went back.

After that, Su Chen lived a life that consisted of going back and forth between two points.

He spent most of his time reading, and life seemed to return to the way it used to be, becoming peaceful and serene.

Su Chen would spend a small portion of his time consulting Miao Kuo about problems that arose during his reading, and Miao Kuo would answer all of Su Chen's questions without reservation.

And just like that, three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Su Chen finally mastered the knowledge in these books and gained a general understanding of alchemy.

This is no exaggeration; the complexity of alchemy is far greater than Su Chen imagined.

Different types of pills have different categories, and each category has a corresponding refining method.

The saying "a miss is as good as a mile" is most apt when applied to alchemy.

To refine a medicinal elixir, one must not only be intimately familiar with the composition and efficacy of each medicinal ingredient, but also have a meticulous grasp of the heat control.

Su Chen has only just begun learning alchemy, and the knowledge he has acquired is not particularly complex.

Even so, it took him three months to figure it out.

When Su Chen truly begins alchemy in the future, the required knowledge system will be even more extensive, and it will take even more time.

This day.

Su Chen found Miao Kuo and told him about his progress. Miao Kuo learned that Su Chen had completed his studies, so he gave him a test.

Even after becoming an alchemist, Miao Kuo did not slacken in his teaching of Su Chen, maintaining a serious and responsible attitude.

Even though Su Chen was only learning at a basic level, and even though Su Chen was his savior, it didn't affect Miao Kuo.

However, this was exactly what Su Chen wanted to do; at least under such serious guidance, he could truly learn something.

The worst thing is that Miao Kuo is perfunctory and wastes time without learning anything.

After the assessment, Miao Kuo acknowledged Su Chen's progress and praised him, "Not bad. You've learned all this knowledge in just three months. You can move on to further studies. Have you decided which type of alchemy technique you want to learn?"

Based on their properties, pills are divided into two categories: those for the self and those for other beings.

Based on their effects, elixirs are classified into many types, and the classification is also more detailed, with a total of five categories:

Healing, enhancement, mirror-breaking, lifespan-enhancing, and poison.

Therapeutic medicines combine healing and recuperation; Peiyuan Dan is an example of a therapeutic medicine.

The range of enhancement products is broad, encompassing everything from blood and qi, physical strength, and primordial energy to the primordial spirit, such as Blood and Qi Pills and Spirit Essence Pills.

Breakthrough pills, as the name suggests, are pills that break through the limits of the physical body, the limits of the primordial spirit, and the realm.

Needless to say, the lifespan category is related to lifespan, and it is a type of alchemy that only high-level alchemists can master.

As for poisons, they are the most numerous and complex category. Orthodox alchemists disdain to concoct poisons; it is usually unorthodox alchemists who take this path.

Su Chen had already decided on his direction: based on the conditions on the panel, he would first study the recuperation category.

"Mr. Miao, I want to study convalescent care."

In response, Miao Kuo presented him with a stack of books. He pointed to another box next to him and said, "These are books on recuperation. Read them first."

Carrying several boxes of books, Su Chen returned to his room and began his nightly reading by candlelight.

Time flies, and three months have passed quietly, yet Su Chen has not finished reading these books.

However, he was not in a hurry; instead, he was so engrossed in the endless knowledge that he could not extricate himself.

Besides gaining a wealth of knowledge about alchemy, Su Chen did not come away empty-handed.

He exchanged the Spirit Essence Pills he had for two hundred Pure Essence Pills, breaking through his cultivation realm to the Lesser Completion of Divine Intent.

This also resulted in him having very few Spirit Essence Pills left.

Two more months passed, and Su Chen finally finished reading these basic books and found Miao Kuo.

During this time, Miao Kuo had been observing Su Chen's performance and was becoming increasingly satisfied with him.

Not only is he diligent in his studies, but he is also humble and quick to learn, making him exceptionally easy to teach.

For a fleeting moment, he actually had the idea of ​​taking Su Chen as his disciple.

"You have been studying for more than half a year, and now I can formally teach you alchemy."

However, as you know, alchemy is the most core skill of an alchemist and is not easily passed down.

Even the closest master and apprentice need to undergo several years of observation.

You saved both Xiaoxing's and my lives. Under the conditions permitted by the Miao people, I will teach you everything I know.

As for how much you can learn, that depends on your comprehension.

Miao Kuo said seriously, "Tell them what needs to be said in advance to avoid future misunderstandings."

He naturally wouldn't pass on the Miao family's unique elixir recipes to Su Chen.

However, he would teach Su Chen all the pill formulas that were circulating outside, as long as Su Chen was willing to learn them.

The key depends on Su Chen.

Su Chen expressed his deep understanding and respectfully said, "Thank you, Elder Miao. I would like to learn how to refine the Qi-Nourishing Pill."

He had already learned in advance that Peiyuan Pill was a common pill with no barriers to entry, and it was one of the pills that alchemists would refine during their training.

“Okay.” Miao Kuo readily agreed, then changed the subject and grinned, “By the way, there’s something else I need to discuss with you.”

Su Chen looked on with curiosity.

Miao Kuo didn't mince words and said with a smile, "Although I don't know how talented you are at alchemy, if you can refine pills, you can sell them directly to the Miao family, and the Miao family will handle the sales for you. Of course, don't worry, you won't be shortchanged on the price."

Su Chen's alchemy skills are currently unknown, but his strength is undeniable.

Such a young Divine Intent Realm martial artist is extremely rare, even in the entire Tiandan City.

Among the many small and medium-sized forces in the city, they would be considered honored guests.

Moreover, he absolutely refused to believe that Su Chen could cultivate such a prodigy without the support of a powerful force behind him.

The reason he was willing to teach Su Chen alchemy was not only because he had saved Su Chen's life, but also because he wanted to befriend Su Chen.

Su Chen didn't think for long before giving an affirmative answer to this question.

By selling medicine through the Miao people, they saved themselves a lot of trouble.

Moreover, his alchemy skills were taught by Miao Kuo, so it's only right and proper for him to reciprocate.

As long as the Miao family doesn't mistreat him, he doesn't need to worry too much and can focus on refining pills.

Seeing that Su Chen agreed, Miao Kuo did not let him buy the pill formula himself, but instead took out the formula for the Peiyuan Pill and asked someone to prepare the medicinal materials.

Instead of starting to refine pills immediately, Miao Kuo had Su Chen write down the pill formula and then explained the selection, properties, and effects of each medicinal herb.

After explaining everything, Miao Kuo then introduced the alchemy steps to Su Chen.

He explained it while personally demonstrating it.

Time passed slowly as the two of them taught and learned together.

After studying for three full days, Su Chen finally gained a basic understanding of the process of refining the Qi-Nourishing Pill.

"You already know the general direction, now it's time to practice," Miao Kuo instructed Su Chen, who had just finished a rehearsal.

For someone like Su Chen to achieve this level of alchemy on their first attempt is quite impressive. They are familiar with the steps and the control of the heat; the only issue is the details.

Details determine success or failure; even a slight mistake can lead to failure in refining. Su Chen failed because of the details.

After returning from Miao Kuo's courtyard, Su Chen devoted himself entirely to refining the Qi-Nourishing Pill.

He mustered the same drive he once had when he studied so hard, and learned from each failure.

It has to be said that having a good teacher is much faster than figuring things out on your own, and Su Chen was steadily moving forward in the right direction.

With the right direction, constant guidance, and Su Chen's prior experience and hard work, he successfully refined the Qi Cultivation Pill in less than half a month.

Although there was only one, and the quality wasn't good, it was still a successful first step.

After gaining successful experience, Su Chen's alchemy skills increased day by day.

From producing only one pill per furnace, to two, three... all the way up to five, the quality gradually shifted from low to medium and high levels.

And so, a month later, Su Chen fulfilled the requirements of the panel and completed the refining of one hundred Qi Cultivation Pills.

"Activate Easy Mode to enhance the Nine Revolutions Fire Technique!"

(End of this chapter)