After completing the necessary preparations in the Alchemy Room, Pill Master Ye summoned Xu Chang’an inside.
This action caused the other demons to cast sidelong glances.
They secretly wondered about the identity of this Gray Rat Demon.
The difficulty of refining a Foundation Establishment Pill was not to be underestimated. Even a Tier Two Middle Grade Alchemist would need to give it their all.
However, for Pill Master Ye, whose attainments were close to that of a Quasi-Third Tier Alchemist, it was manageable.
During the refining process, he could even offer a few pointers to Xu Chang’an from time to time.
The Tier Three Alchemist legacy that Xu Chang’an was studying naturally included the refining method for the Foundation Establishment Pill.
In the future, whether he continued to advance his Alchemy Skill or needed to strike out on his own and make a name for himself...
...refining the Foundation Establishment Pill was an unavoidable hurdle.
Now, being able to personally observe the process of refining a Foundation Establishment Pill was indeed an extremely rare opportunity.
The combination of Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Materials, the sequence of adding them to the furnace, the adjustments during the process, the control of the heat, the grasp of timing... Xu Chang’an observed every single detail with extreme care.
The entire process took the better part of a day.
A glow began to flicker from the Alchemy Furnace in the Alchemy Room.
"Rise!"
Pill Master Ye’s expression was solemn as he channeled his Demon Power, making minute adjustments for the final steps.
VMM!
The Pill Furnace flew open!
A thick mist, shimmering with rosy light, billowed out of the Alchemy Furnace, carrying with it waves of searing heat.
An incredibly rich fragrance of elixirs swept through the surroundings.
A moment later, the thick mist gradually dispersed.
A pleased expression appeared on Pill Master Ye’s face.
’A good result.’
This time, the refining of the Foundation Establishment Pills had yielded four elixirs!
And one of them was a superior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill!
The moment Pill Master Ye stepped out of the Alchemy Room, the crowd of demons surrounded him, their gazes fervent and their words urgent.
"Pill Master Ye, how did the alchemy session go? What was the yield?"
"The results were good. A yield of four, one of which is a superior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill."
Pill Master Ye replied calmly, a hint of pleasure on his face.
This outcome showed that his Alchemy Skill was becoming more and more mature.
The expressions of the Tiger Demon, Bear Demon, Wolf Demon, Spirit Bee Spirit, and the other demons slackened in relief.
Four Foundation Establishment Pills!
’Thank goodness!’
This way, every party involved in this collaborative alchemy venture would get something out of it. Their efforts had not been in vain.
The Tiger Demon, in particular, was beaming.
He had ranked first in contributing the alchemy materials for this refinement.
This superior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was destined to be his.
The reason a superior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was called as such was naturally because its effects were better than an ordinary one.
In terms of the probability of successful Foundation Establishment, a superior-grade pill increased the chances by at least five percent compared to a normal one.
"Everyone, I won’t stand on ceremony then."
The Tiger Demon was the first to step forward and take the superior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill from Pill Master Ye’s hand.
Although the other demons were somewhat envious, they had all witnessed the prior agreement and would each receive a pill, so no one tried to stop him.
After some discussion, the newly refined Foundation Establishment Pills were all distributed.
"Many thanks, Pill Master Ye."
"Thank you, Pill Master Ye."
"..."
One by one, the demons respectfully gave their thanks and took their leave.
The alchemy session had been a complete success, and everyone left happy.
Watching from the side, Xu Chang’an was deeply moved.
This scene made the revered status of Alchemists abundantly clear.
Not only did others have to gather Alchemy Materials for an Alchemist to practice their craft, but they also had to spend a great number of Demon Stones to hire them.
Most importantly, once the elixirs were successfully created, they still had to thank the Alchemist profusely.
"Foundation Establishment Pills..."
Xu Chang’an thought to himself.
’If I could become proficient at refining Foundation Establishment Pills, that would be when I can truly strike out on my own!’
After the alchemy was finished, Pill Master Ye decided to test Xu Chang’an.
After a brief exchange, he was very satisfied with Xu Chang’an’s performance.
He stated frankly that Xu Chang’an’s Talent was excellent, and that if he immersed himself in the study of the Pill Art, he would surely achieve great things.
Seeing that the atmosphere was amicable, Xu Chang’an took the opportunity to ask about a few types of Spirit Medicine.
He hadn’t been able to find them on the market and wondered if Pill Master Ye had any leads.
Among them was the last missing ingredient for refining the Transformation Pill.
Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Materials have many uses, and different combinations can produce different effects, allowing for the refining of various elixirs.
By asking for them, Xu Chang’an wasn’t afraid that Pill Master Ye would guess which elixir he intended to refine.
"These Spirit Medicines are indeed rather uncommon. If you need them, this old man can help keep an eye out."
Pill Master Ye said thoughtfully, stroking his beard.
"Many thanks, Pill Master Ye."
Xu Chang’an expressed his gratitude once more before leaving the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop.
’His Talent is exceptional! But it’s a pity his Bloodline is inferior and his lifespan is short. Even if he took a Lifespan Extension Pill, the effect would be limited! This... this makes the decision so difficult for me.’
Watching Xu Chang’an depart, Pill Master Ye’s eyes were filled with conflict.
He was truly very satisfied with this Gray Rat Demon’s talent for alchemy. Each test had exceeded his expectations.
However, the Alchemy Dao required a massive investment of time in addition to talent.
The boy’s lifespan was short and his Bloodline was poor; he likely had no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment in this life.
As such, even with a Lifespan Extension Pill, the time he could devote to studying the Pill Art was limited.
He might be old, but when it came down to it, this Gray Rat Demon wouldn’t even live as long as he had.
So how could the boy possibly become the successor to his Alchemy Dao?
But to give up on him just like that...
’His talent in the Pill Art truly is remarkable!’
’This is just...’
The more he thought about it, the more hesitant and conflicted Pill Master Ye became.
...
Xu Chang’an, of course, knew nothing of the thoughts and conflicts in Pill Master Ye’s heart.
After returning to the Gray Mouse Elixir Shop, he sat cross-legged, his mind constantly replaying the details of Pill Master Ye’s refining of the Foundation Establishment Pill.
He possessed the complete refining method for the Foundation Establishment Pill, and by combining that theory with what he had witnessed today, he benefited greatly.
A full two hours later, Xu Chang’an slowly opened his eyes.
’I have now completely grasped the theoretical method for the Foundation Establishment Pill.’
’However, theory and practice are two different things.’
’If I want to truly master the technique for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, I’ll need a great deal of hands-on practice!’
’I don’t have the financial resources to purchase the necessary alchemy materials. The chances to even attempt refining a Foundation Establishment Pill are almost zero.’
’My best option right now is to join the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop and establish myself there.’
’The Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop has a huge reputation among the Elixir Workshops in Peacock Demon City. There will be no shortage of demons coming to request Foundation Establishment Pills. If I’m stationed there, I’ll finally have the chance to try refining them myself!’
’Therefore, I should find a suitable opportunity to tell Pill Master Ye about my promotion to Tier Two Alchemist sooner rather than later!’
’Foundation Establishment Pills...’
Xu Chang’an’s gaze was profound as he looked at the bright moon outside his window.
The demons of today see not the moon of ages past, yet the moon of today once shone upon the demons of old!
...
「Three months passed in a flash.」
Each month, as was his routine, Xu Chang’an went to the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop to consult with Pill Master Ye.
Having been in Peacock Demon City for many years, Pill Master Ye’s network and influence were indeed impressive.
The Spirit Medicine that Xu Chang’an had spent so long searching for, Pill Master Ye managed to obtain for him in just three months.
For this, Xu Chang’an was endlessly grateful.
Pill Master Ye didn’t even mark up the price, selling the few Spirit Medicines to Xu Chang’an at the normal market rate.
With that, Xu Chang’an had finally collected all the alchemy materials for the Transformation Pill.