Chapter 103 Lao Hei, we have hope of building a foundation

It's still that manor.

It's still the same yard.

There were three new pills on the table.

The so-called new elixir is the innovation made by the alchemist on some of the original elixir recipes.

But innovation can fail.

This situation is not uncommon in the alchemy world. All alchemists have an innovative heart.

Take the simplest Qi Condensing Pill for example. In fact, it has also gone through many versions of improvements. After countless generations of innovations by alchemists, the current mainstream Qi Condensing Pill recipe was created.

The elixir is naturally created, and is discovered by a skilled hand.

Many elixirs were created by chance, and the alchemists then worked their way back based on the medicinal materials to refine them.

Chu Ning finished reading the notes of the second-grade alchemist that Qin Shan gave him, and followed what the second-grade alchemist said in the notes.

If one does not have a spirit of innovation, one will stop at the second level and will not be able to break through to the third level, let alone the higher levels of alchemy.

Because innovation means having a strong understanding of the three major elements of alchemy.

So it doesn't mean that only innovation can lead to a breakthrough to the third level, but daring to innovate means that one's attainments in alchemy have reached perfection.

Three pills, Chu Ning took a look, wow.

Two poison pills and one good medicine.

Without thinking, Chu Ning chose the good medicine.

In the secret mirror, the name of this elixir is shown: the Spirit-Extending Pill.

The function is to increase spiritual awareness.

Definitely good stuff.

Just by looking at those medicinal herbs, Chu Ning was sure that such a pill would probably cost thousands of spirit stones in the outside world.

Anything that helps spiritual awareness is priceless.

The only way to get this opportunity is to try the medicine yourself.

However, this elixir has a name on the Secret Mirror, so why does it become a new elixir here?

A new elixir must be one that no one has ever made before.

"It's true that you are stupid. The world of immortal cultivation is so big. Just because this elixir has never appeared in this area doesn't mean it doesn't exist in other places."

The voice of the black snake sounded in Chu Ning's mind, and Chu Ning understood that this was the truth.

But then Chu Ning had another doubt in his mind. Logically speaking, the elixir related to spiritual consciousness should be tried by a strong person who has established his foundation? Is it that the elixir slave does not have a strong person who has established his foundation?

Putting his doubts deep in his heart, Chu Ning selected the elixir and looked at the remaining five people.

However, Chu Ning did not see Yang Ming among the people who were testing the elixir this time, and he didn't know whether this person was dead or did not come to participate this time.

After several trials of the elixir, Chu Ning had some understanding of the number of elixir slaves in Wenjin Sect. There were about thirty of them. Each time, only six elixir slaves were chosen to test the medicine, and the rest would wait for the next time.

As for not participating every time, it is not allowed either. If he does not try the pill for several times in a row, Wen Jinzong will force him to take the pill.

After Chu Ning picked out the pills, the remaining two pills were also picked up by others.

Still take it on the spot.

Chu Ning would not reveal the fact that he had cultivated his spiritual consciousness, so he also knew how to demonstrate the effect of this spirit-expanding pill.

He recounted his reaction when he broke through to the late stage of Qi Condensation and his spiritual consciousness appeared.

The truth is that his consciousness has always existed since that time, but Chu Ning lied about the effect of the pill, saying that after taking the pill, he fell into a mysterious state and was able to sense every blade of grass and tree around him, but this state only lasted for a quarter of an hour before disappearing.

…

…

In the backyard, Bao Huining listened to Huang Fei's report with a look of satisfaction on his face.

"This person is only at the Qi Condensation stage and has not yet cultivated his spiritual consciousness. Taking this pill will naturally not increase his spiritual consciousness, but it will allow him to feel the wonderful effects of spiritual consciousness in advance."

"Uncle Bao, you have successfully refined the elixir that increases spiritual awareness. From now on, you will be the most respected among the second-grade alchemists in the sect."

Huang Fei flattered him. This kind of elixir that can increase spiritual awareness is very attractive to those who are strong enough to build a foundation.

"Haha, this old man also got this elixir by chance. I spent a lot of time thinking about it and didn't expect it to be useful for spiritual consciousness."

Bao Huining did not hide the joy in his eyes, just with this one pill, he secured his position as the chief second-grade alchemist.

Neither Qiong Liangyou nor Zhang Junming will be able to compete with him.

"When I refine a batch of pills next time, I will give you three."

Huang Fei was overjoyed to hear this. The sect was very generous to the alchemists. All the materials for alchemy were provided by the sect, and only half of the refined pills needed to be handed over to the sect, and the rest was left to the alchemists to deal with.

"Disciple thanks Uncle Bao." Huang Fei quickly expressed his gratitude, and then smiled and said, "Chu Ning seems to have some good fortune with Uncle Bao. Uncle Bao tried the elixir several times, and he always got the good medicine. I am a little envious of him."

"Chu Ning? Are you talking about the guy who tested the pill?"

Bao Huining didn't know who Chu Ning was, but he could infer from Huang Fei's words that he was the person who had just eaten his new pill.

Among the three people, only this person survived. Thinking about the competition between himself, Qiong Liangyou and Zhang Junming, it seemed that this person tested his pill, and a smile appeared on his face.

"What you said does make some sense."

If there are still cultivators who believe in the illusory metaphysics, they must be the alchemists.

There is a saying in the alchemist circle: 90% depends on strength, and 10% depends on luck.

Sometimes when you're unlucky, even though there's clearly nothing wrong with the medicinal materials, the control of the fire, and even the furnace, the elixir still goes wrong in the end.

The key is that no reason can be found.

Sometimes, you clearly feel that something is wrong, but in the end the elixir is still there, and you can even get a top-quality elixir.

Although this is a low-probability event, an alchemist will make a lot of pills in his lifetime. After encountering this three or five times, everyone gradually agrees with this statement.

Of course, this is a probabilistic event, which refers to the refining of elixirs of the same grade. A first-grade alchemist refines first-grade elixirs, and a second-grade alchemist refines second-grade elixirs. If the level is lowered, there will be no such metaphysical saying.

Take a bath, burn incense, and pay attention to the weather...

This has become a necessary procedure for many alchemists before refining some important elixirs.

It is said that some extreme alchemists would find a virgin female cultivator to consummate their marriage with before making the elixir.

Anyway, in order to improve the so-called luck of achieving elixir, every possible means will be used.

"My nephew has investigated Chu Ning. He became an alchemy slave because of an unexpected disaster. He is also an alchemist."

Huang Fei added that what he said was not entirely to help Chu Ning.

Uncle Bao is in a good mood now, so let's talk about some metaphysical topics in the circle. If Uncle Bao really thinks Chu Ning can help his fortune, then I would be catering to his wishes.

Even if Master Bao didn't have this idea, it wouldn't be a big loss to him. At most, he would just fail to flatter someone.

If Uncle Bao agreed, then he would have a closer relationship with Uncle Bao and at the same time, he would have done Chu Ning a favor.

Bao Huining said calmly: "What implicated you?"

"It's related to that person..."

Huang Fei briefly explained the situation, specifically mentioning Qin Shan's act of repaying his gratitude in the market town, and Chu Ning's final act of killing Wang Hu in the street.

Huang Fei even revealed that Wang Hu had embezzled money and withheld profits. If Chu Ning were here, he would be shocked at the thoroughness of the investigation.

In fact, Huang Fei only conducted a simple investigation, and the reason why he knew about Wang Hu's embezzlement was because Wang Hu was arrogant and domineering. He did not hide the matter, and he found out about the kickbacks by asking a medicinal herb merchant.

"Well, call Chu Ning here so I can meet him."

"yes."

Huang Fei left quickly, and arrived almost as Chu Ning entered the yard.

"Senior Huang."

Seeing Huang Fei, Chu Ning saluted respectfully.

"Uncle Bao wants to see you, come with me."

"Deacon Bao wants to see me?"

Huang Fei looked calm. Chu Ning did not dare to neglect him. While following Huang Fei, he was thinking about why Deacon Bao wanted to see him.

Deacon Bao is the second-grade alchemist who tried the elixir twice.

The status of the deacon of Wenjin Sect is second only to the elder, but the elder refers to the inner sect elder, not the outer sect elder.

The so-called outer sect elders are just a nicer title. After all, they are people who came here during the foundation-building period, so it is not appropriate to call them disciples.

But within Wenjin Peak, the inner disciples ignored the outer elders, and even the outer elders had to smile when they saw the inner disciples.

If an inner sect disciple of the sect wants to become a deacon, he must be in the late foundation-building stage, with the exception of alchemists.

As long as one is a second-grade alchemist, even if he has not reached the late stage of foundation building, he can serve as a deacon.

The deacon has a lot of say in Jin Zong, which means that this meeting may very well be related to whether he can get rid of his identity as a Dan slave.

Seeing Chu Ning lowering his head, Huang Fei could guess what Chu Ning was thinking at the moment, and said, "You have also made pills, so you should know some interesting things in our circle, such as bathing, burning incense, and observing the sky and time."

Chu Ning did not stop, with a look of gratitude on his face: "Junior understands."

Bathing, burning incense, observing the weather and determining the time.

It's just some metaphysics stuff.

The notes of the second-grade alchemist he read often mentioned matters of this kind. In his notes, the senior described these mysterious theories of making elixirs at great length, and even warned later generations that it is better to believe in them than not to believe in them.

Take the senior who took notes for example. Every time before he refined some important elixirs, he would go to a city and ask someone for directions. If the other party answered that he didn't know, it meant that the recent month was not suitable for refining the elixir.

Chu Ning was speechless at first, but now after Huang Fei's reminder, he realized that the alchemists really believed in this.

At the same time, he also understood why Deacon Bao wanted to see him. Did he think that he could bring him luck? In other words, if he wanted to save himself, the best way was to make the other party believe in this illusory metaphysical theory.

When Chu Ning told Lao Hei that it was a good idea to keep trying the elixir, it was just a joke.

Even if you can distinguish which are poisonous pills and which are not, what if you are unlucky enough to get poisonous pills several times in a row with no choice, then you will be doomed.

Originally, he was thinking about whether he should pretend that he had a special intuition about elixirs and could judge whether the elixir was poisonous.

But now that I have been reminded, I have to change my thinking and move towards the path of metaphysics.

…

…

Entering the manor again, this time Huang Fei took Chu Ning directly to the backyard.

"Uncle Bao, Chu Ning is here."

"Junior has met Deacon Bao."

Chu Ning bowed respectfully. Bao Huining squinted at Chu Ning. After sizing him up for a long time, he said calmly, "You were the first one to choose the elixir twice. But what did you see?"

The real show is coming.

If Huang Fei hadn't reminded me, I would definitely have answered that I had judged something from the smell and color of the pill.

But since it's metaphysics...

"I don't know either. I just suddenly felt that the pill was fine. I can't describe the specific situation. The feeling was instantaneous."

Chu Ning's expression was half confused and half sincere, which was consistent with the theory of metaphysical destiny.

Bao Huining pondered. Chu Ning's unclear description made him believe in the theory of luck even more.

Luck.

It is illusory and indescribable.

"I heard from Huang Fei that you are also an alchemist? What kind of elixir can you make?"

"I have studied alchemy for a few years and can currently refine Qi Condensation Pills."

"Well, many alchemists start with Qi Condensation Pills. What is the quality of Qi Condensation Pills?"

“Medium quality.”

Chu Ning's answer made Bao Huining's eyes narrow, while Huang Fei on the side was a little surprised. Being able to refine a mid-grade Qi Condensation Pill, this talent is not bad.

"In that case, Huang Fei, you should arrange an alchemy furnace for him so that he can make alchemy when he has nothing to do."

"Thank you, Deacon Bao."

After expressing his gratitude, Chu Ning left.

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Huang Fei looked at Bao Huining with some hesitation, and finally decided to speak out: "Uncle Master, do you really think there is a connection between Chu Ning and your alchemy?"

Although he was the one who said this at the beginning, he now has to make his uncle admit it himself, otherwise, if it is not true, he is afraid that his uncle will blame him.

“Not sure.”

"Then why don't you give it a try?"

"The theory of destiny is very mysterious. If humans interfere, it is likely to backfire. This matter should be left to nature."

Bao Huining shook his head, and then said meaningfully: "Besides, what if it is, what if it isn't?"

Huang Fei pondered for a moment, his eyes lit up: "Disciple understands."

His original idea was for Uncle Bao to take out the elixir to test Chu Ning, but Uncle Bao obviously felt that this went against the principle of destiny.

It would be better to keep it as it is, and let Chu Ning choose the pills himself when there are any. If Chu Ning can sense whether it is a good medicine or a poison pill every time his uncle makes a pill, then it can be proved without any experiments.

If he couldn't sense it, Chu Ning would have died after taking the poison pill.

"This is my experience in alchemy in recent years. You should study it carefully and wait until the Fifth Elder comes out of retreat. If you can catch the Fifth Elder's eye, you can become a second-grade alchemist in no time."

Bao Huining took out a notebook and Huang Fei took it as if it were a treasure.

The so-called Fifth Elder is the only third-grade alchemist in their sect, who is also a powerful man in the Golden Core Stage.

Every five years, the Fifth Elder would select talented alchemists in the sect to be his registered disciples. Bao Huining and three others were the Fifth Elder's registered disciples, so they called each other brothers.

"Not only do you want to be accepted as a nominal disciple by the Fifth Elder, I also want to become a real disciple of the Fifth Elder."

Looking at Huang Fei's back as he left in ecstasy, Bao Huining's eyes also had a gleam in them. As nominal disciples, they could not call the Fifth Elder "Master", they could only call him "Elder".

To put it bluntly, these registered disciples were actually just selected by the five elders in order to train some alchemists for the sect, and they were not considered real disciples.

The Fifth Elder has only accepted one disciple in all these years, but that disciple was not so lucky. He was killed by a monster when he went into the mountains to pick herbs. Since then, the Fifth Elder has never accepted another disciple.

If one wants to become the Fifth Elder's direct disciple, one must have sufficient talent in alchemy.

"If you are really my lucky child, then why not give you a hand?"

…

…

The next day.

A disciple from the Wenjin Sect took back the alchemy furnace.

These disciples looked at Chu Ning with strange expressions. This was the first time they had seen a pill slave who could also refine pills.

But this was Deacon Bao's order, so they naturally did not dare to object.

Looking at the alchemy furnace and medicinal materials, Chu Ning also felt that his experience was a bit strange.

So now I am both a slave to alchemy and a trapped alchemist.

"Lao Hei, if I can refine a top-grade Qi Condensation Pill, will Wen Jin Sect remove my status as a Dan slave and allow me to join Wen Jin Sect?"

Chu Ning looked at the alchemy furnace. This alchemy furnace was not very good, but if he put more effort into it, it was still possible to refine a top-grade Qi Condensing Pill.

"It's not enough to only be able to refine one kind of elixir. If you can refine several kinds of elixirs that can all reach the top grade, this path will really work."

Geniuses, especially alchemy geniuses, are welcome in any sect.

"In fact, we took the wrong path before. We only thought about hiding our strength and then developing slowly to make a big splash later. But this model is better in the Liang Dynasty. After all, the energy of the Longevity Fruit is sufficient, plus the help of the Blood Burning Technique."

"But this path is no longer feasible. Just like the unexpected disaster that Qin Shan encountered this time, and the monks who were directly submerged by the sword energy, they all show one thing. If you don't have a backer, it's easy to die inexplicably."

Chu Ning carefully reflected on his behavior after coming to Wenjin City and found that he had gone to an extreme.

I always feel that as long as I have enough life span, I can develop slowly without rushing.

However, they overlooked the fact that the lifespan of the strong men in the world of immortal cultivation was not comparable to those warriors in the Liang Dynasty. If they could encounter the things that happened to the Wushuang Sect in just a few short years in the Liang Dynasty, then in the world of immortal cultivation, the things that they would encounter would only become more and more numerous over dozens or even hundreds of years.

The most important thing is that it is too difficult to jump to a higher level in the world of immortal cultivation. The Blood Burning Technique is useless, and the cultivators have many methods, just like the Qinshan incident this time, they can't escape even if they want to.

The best way is to find a powerful backer for yourself and develop slowly by relying on that big tree.

But it’s not easy to find a powerful backer. Without some talent, no one would be willing to be your backer.

The same is true for joining a sect. If you don’t have enough talent and are just an ordinary disciple, you still have to carry out sect missions and there will also be dangers.

If you have a good talent for alchemy, it would be most appropriate for you to take the path of an alchemy genius.

First, alchemists have high status and can be respected in the sect.

The second point is that alchemists have a wide network of contacts, and no cultivator would offend an alchemist unless absolutely necessary.

"Take this opportunity to improve my alchemy skills."

Now that he had the medicinal materials, Chu Ning started to refine the elixir. He was not that interested in metaphysics.

But it’s hard to say for sure. There are many things that you believe in more and more after you get into the industry.

Maybe in the future he would bathe and burn incense, and make elixirs according to the changes of the four seasons.

Start a fire and warm the oven.

This is the first step in alchemy.

If it is a brand new alchemy furnace, it usually takes half a month to warm up the furnace.

However, the furnace that Zong Jin gave had obviously been used, and there was still a lot of ashes at the bottom of the furnace. Chu Ning only needed to warm it for a few hours and it was finished.

After completing the step of warming the furnace, Chu Ning began to put the medicinal materials into the furnace.

You don't need to keep an eye on it when you start refining the elixir, especially for low-level elixirs like the Qi Condensing Pill. You just need to control the temperature and keep an eye on it when the elixir is about to take shape.

Chu Ning did not waste any time and sat cross-legged to practice the Blood Burning Technique.

The upper limit of the Blood Burning Technique is the Foundation Establishment Stage, but he has no better technique now, so he can only practice it as it is.

While he was practicing, the black snake did the same. Its tongue moved in and out, and spiritual energy went in and out, constantly being absorbed and refined.

After two hours, Chu Ning finished refining the spiritual energy provided by the longevity fruit today, and looked towards the alchemy furnace, but was stunned.

In his mind, there was an additional piece of information about the Qi Condensing Pill in the furnace.

"Old Black, we are going to make it big."

Chu Ning looked very excited, and Lao Hei beside him kept patting the ground with his whole body, because he agreed and received the message.

The secret mirror can actually show the formation of the elixir.

Any alchemist would understand what this means. It means that as long as he controls the temperature well, he will definitely be able to make the elixir with no failure rate.

For example, when the elixir is halfway through refining, it needs to be heated up strongly, but when it is two-thirds through, it needs to be switched to a low heat... The more advanced the elixir, the more complicated the operation.

If controlled well, perhaps it would be possible to refine top-grade elixirs.

For low-level elixirs, many alchemists can control the temperature because they can directly detect it with their spiritual sense.

But if you use earth fire, it is a natural fire that is born from the earth and can burn spiritual consciousness. When the spiritual consciousness cannot fully penetrate, you can only rely on the proficiency and intuition of the alchemist.

In addition, the better the alchemy furnace, the stronger its effect in isolating spiritual consciousness, because it emphasizes purity and does not allow any foreign objects to enter the alchemy furnace for fear of affecting the effects of the elixir.

After three hours, the furnace was opened.

Ten emerald green Qi-condensing pills appeared in the furnace intact.

There is no waste of material and all are top quality.

Chu Ning and Black Snake looked down at the ten Qi Condensation Pills, their breathing becoming a little rapid.

"What do you mean by revealing secrets? These are just tricks. This secret-revealing mirror is a magical tool for alchemy."

"Now that I'm rich, I can eat high-quality elixirs like sugar pills."

The black snake was also very excited. The high-quality elixir could completely make up for the increased difficulty of cultivation.

“Although the Qi Condensation Pill is not as good as the Yuan Condensation Pill, that refers to the ordinary Qi Condensation Pill. If it is a top-grade one, it will be inferior to the Yuan Condensation Pill. And if we can refine a top-grade Qi Condensation Pill, its effect will be higher than the Yuan Condensation Pill.”

"Start refining, start refining, and build your foundation as soon as possible!"

Chu Ning was working madly on refining the elixir, and at this moment all the alchemists in Wenjin Sect were also madly improving their alchemy skills.

Because the fifth elder is about to come out of seclusion.

Every time the Fifth Elder comes out of seclusion, he will at least accept one registered disciple, and no one wants to miss this opportunity.

…

…

Three months later.

The Wenjin Peak was filled with the fragrance of elixir. All the inner disciples of the Wenjin Sect and above knew that this was the elixir that the Fifth Elder had refined. However, they did not know what kind of elixir the Fifth Elder had refined.

What these people didn't notice was that within this pervasive fragrance of elixir, there was also another subtle and different scent.

“Huh!”

From a heavily guarded area in Wen Jinfeng, where the fragrance of the elixir was the strongest, a voice of surprise was heard, but then silence returned.

In the yard, Chu Ning and Heishe stared at the emerald green pill in front of them.

Top-grade Qi Condensing Pill.

When the elixir becomes top quality, it will emit a strange light.

Finally it was done.

The next moment, Chu Ning suddenly grabbed the top-grade Qi Condensation Pill and hid it in his arms, and the black snake also hid itself in a flash.

Someone is coming.

…

PS: Brothers, do you think I am suppressing the protagonist? Do you think that I am ignoring the protagonist's chance? Also, please change the update time to two chapters of 6,000 words per day, which is equivalent to 12,000 words. If it is 2,000 words, it will be six chapters, and if it is 3,000 words, it will be four chapters.

The update time is changed to one chapter in the morning and one chapter in the afternoon, and additional chapters are calculated separately. There is no other way. The subscription is low, so I can only merge the big chapters, otherwise there will be no recommendation.

It's not too much to ask for a monthly ticket for such an update.

(End of this chapter)