Mortal Alchemy

Moreover, Chen Ping had three hundred Qi Condensation Pills, as well as fifty Fasting Pills and Qi Recovery Pills.

Taking a Fasting Pill allowed him to go without food or drink for three days, which was more convenient for Chen Ping's cultivation. As for the Qi Recovery Pill, one pill could restore half of his spiritual power.

"There are still six portions of materials for the Qi Condensation Pill... Next, I should learn to refine Spiritual Sense Pills."

Only with Spiritual Sense Pills could he earn money and change his fate.

He was simply too poor. The Daoist robe from the Pill Hall that he wore was washed and worn repeatedly, dried on the pill furnace when wet, but after three months, the robe was already quite worn.

Not to mention that he didn't know any spells. A cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Refining didn't even know a single spell.

He had no means of self-protection, which was too dangerous and too pathetic.

Moreover, the materials for the Golden Marrow Pill, which could change one's spiritual root, were quite expensive. His five-element mixed spiritual root made cultivation too slow.

To cultivate faster, he would have to take the Golden Marrow Pill again.

The four essential elements of cultivation were wealth, companions, techniques, and land. He was now penniless and had nothing.

And since wealth came first, the inheritance of the myriad arts of the Immortal Dao was invaluable.

The Mu family wanted to exploit, oppress, and scheme against him, but Chen Ping could use the Mu family to develop himself, barely occupying the 'land' aspect. Otherwise, even with the inheritance of pill refinement, Chen Ping wouldn't know where to find a pill furnace and earth vein spiritual fire.

Li Erniu had lent him a Qi Condensation Pill back then, which made Chen Ping aware of the benefits of pills. He always remembered that favor.

Now that he could refine pills himself, he had to return the Qi Condensation Pill to him.

"I'll go see Xu Fengshan first and tell him that I can refine pills."

Chen Ping took a Qi Condensation Pill and began to cultivate.

Five days later, Chen Ping turned fifteen.

Chen Ping's face was pale, his steps slow and heavy, and he was extremely weak as he found Xu Fengshan:

"Junior Brother greets Senior Brother Xu."

Xu Fengshan also looked pale, his face full of fatigue. Looking at Chen Ping, he asked weakly:

"Junior Brother Chen, what's wrong?"

Chen Ping forced a smile and cupped his hands:

"Junior Brother thanks Senior Brother Xu for his guidance. Junior Brother has successfully refined a batch of Qi Condensation Pills today."

A smile appeared on Xu Fengshan's face as he returned the greeting: "Congratulations, Junior Brother Chen, but Senior Brother still wants to ask, have you really learned to refine Qi Condensation Pills?"

"Really!" Chen Ping wasn't excited, nor was he joyful; instead, he revealed a bitter smile.

Refining pills according to the methods taught by the Mu family and Xu Fengshan was like drawing blood and shortening one's lifespan. There was nothing to be happy about even if he succeeded.

Xu Fengshan nodded slightly, stroked his beard, and said with a smile:

"Mastering the refinement of Qi Condensation Pills in four and a half months, Junior Brother Chen, your talent is quite good."

"I also took nearly four months to master it back then."

Chen Ping said politely: "Senior Brother is too kind. Without your careful guidance, Junior Brother wouldn't have learned so quickly."

Xu Fengshan laughed and patted Chen Ping on the shoulder: "Presumably, Junior Brother, you now know that this Pill Hall is not a good place. If you had agreed to the Hall Master's matchmaking proposal and married a Mu family woman, your future days would be much better."

"At least you would have a chance at Foundation Establishment."

Chen Ping said innocently: "Senior Brother is exaggerating. Junior Brother thinks things are pretty good as they are now."

Xu Fengshan couldn't help but shake his head slightly and sighed:

"Junior Brother, you are still too young. After a few more years, you will know what you missed out on."