After gathering all the materials for refining the Transformation Pill, Xu Chang’an didn’t start the process right away.
Although he had a basic grasp of the refining method for the Transformation Pill, he wasn’t proficient enough. He still needed some time to polish his skills.
He hadn’t gathered many sets of materials for the Transformation Pill—only enough for two attempts.
With limited chances for trial and error, he naturally had to be cautious.
「Five more months passed.」
On this day, Xu Chang’an sat quietly in his Alchemy Room and began his attempt to refine the Transformation Pill.
It had been some time since he had become a Tier Two Alchemist, and he now had a full grasp of the refining method for the Transformation Pill. He had even gone over the finer details of the process repeatedly.
Thus, he had a certain degree of confidence in successfully refining the Transformation Pill.
’The Transformation Pill is a Tier Two Elixir, and its refining difficulty is moderate. With my current Alchemy Skill, the probability of success is extremely high, but there are still two parts of the process that require special attention.’
Xu Chang’an’s expression was solemn.
He unsealed the furnace and began the Alchemy.
With his mind highly focused, he began to process the Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Materials one by one.
Once the heat was just right, he added the processed refining materials in sequence.
He channeled his Demon Power, adjusting the fine details.
...
Gradually, Xu Chang’an’s expression grew more and more solemn.
Fine beads of sweat began to form on his forehead, but he couldn’t spare the Demon Power to wipe them away. All of his attention was fixed on the Alchemy Furnace before him.
The final stage!
HUMMM!
A flash of light shot out as the Pill Furnace opened wide, and smoke billowed out.
But there was no rich, fragrant aroma of a finished elixir to greet him.
Xu Chang’an looked slightly disappointed.
"A pity. I was so close to succeeding!"
In the end, he had failed to handle the details of the final step correctly.
His first attempt at refining the Transformation Pill was a failure.
’Even though I went over the details many times, the actual situation is completely different from theoretical speculation.’
’When I truly began the Alchemy, there were still details I failed to control!’
Xu Chang’an reviewed the experience.
Although the Transformation Pill’s difficulty was only moderate, succeeding on the very first try was still not easy.
Xu Chang’an’s Dao Heart was firm; a single failure wouldn’t be enough to crush his spirits.
Afterwards, he once again pondered, reviewed, and analyzed the details.
「Half a month later.」
He opened the furnace again to refine the Transformation Pill.
This time, he had fully absorbed the lessons from his previous failure.
The refining process was extremely meticulous, with fine adjustments made throughout.
After several hours, the Transformation Pill was successfully refined!
One batch yielded five pills!
Xu Chang’an carefully stored the Transformation Pills away.
He had only gathered two sets of refining materials in total. One attempt failed, and one succeeded.
He had no more materials on hand to begin a third refinement.
Most of the Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Materials were easy enough to find; the trouble was with those few Spirit Medicines he had been missing before.
’I live peacefully in Peacock Demon City year-round, so I don’t often have the chance to use a secret identity!’
’Five Transformation Pills should be enough for now!’
’If I take a Transformation Pill and combine it with my unique Concealment Spell, no Demon below the level of a Demon King should be able to see through my changed appearance.’
’If my Cultivation breaks through to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, I could probably even deceive an ordinary Demon King with a new look.’
Having successfully refined the Transformation Pill, Xu Chang’an was in high spirits.
It meant his Alchemy Skill had improved, and he had further solidified his position at the Tier Two Low Grade realm.
’Time to open the shop and do some business!’
After spending hours refining the Transformation Pill, it was already afternoon.
Business at the Gray Mouse Elixir Shop had been good lately, with regular customers frequently stopping by.
Due to a change in his strategy, he no longer planned to accept orders for high-end custom Elixirs.
Therefore, Xu Chang’an didn’t normally sell Quasi-Tier Two Elixirs.
The shop mostly sold Middle Grade or Upper Grade Tier One Elixirs.
These were mainly Elixirs for cultivation and support.
Over the course of the afternoon and evening, he made a total of seven sales, which was pretty good.
He had earned back enough to cover several days’ rent for the storefront.
"Gray Rat Alchemist, business seems to be good lately!"
Xu Chang’an was just about to close the shop when the Spider Spirit from across the way came out to greet him.
"Not at all, it’s just the old customers helping out. I can’t compare to your Cultivation Supply Shop, fellow Daoist."
Xu Chang’an replied humbly.
The Spider Spirit from across the way had taken on the Illusory Transformation of a human woman, dressed in a red palace-style gown, with a charming face.
"My humble business runs on small profits and high volume. I can’t compare to the huge profits the Gray Rat Alchemist makes by producing and selling his own goods."
The Spider Spirit said with a laugh, covering her mouth.
Xu Chang’an had been running his shop in Pear Blossom Lane for several years now, so he was very familiar with the neighboring shopkeepers.
Exchanges like this were common in the lane.
As they chatted, the Spider Spirit brought up the Butterfly Spirit.
"By the way, Grey Rat, I haven’t seen the Butterfly Spirit come around lately!"
She was quite attentive, bringing snacks or fruit every time she visited.
Her intentions were obvious; she had her sights set on a Demon like Xu Chang’an.
An Alchemist with a storefront on a bustling street like Pear Blossom Lane was considered a good match for a Loose Cultivator!
However, Xu Chang’an had never reciprocated her advances, making his rejection clear.
After a while, she persisted for a time, but then her visits became less frequent.
In recent months, she hadn’t come by even once.
"That’s right, she hasn’t. Perhaps she’s busy with something."
Xu Chang’an gave a perfunctory reply.
"Grey Rat, do you know why?"
It was the Wart Hog Spirit from a nearby shop, who had seen Xu Chang’an and the Spider Spirit talking and sidled up to them.
"Why?"
Xu Chang’an didn’t answer, but the Spider Spirit was curious.
A peculiar expression appeared on the Wart Hog Spirit’s face as he began to speak with a smile.
It turned out that a few months ago, the Butterfly Spirit had hooked up with a Demon from the next alley over.
"Grey Rat, let me tell you. The Butterfly Spirit is telling everyone they’ve become Dao Companions, but anyone in the know understands that’s not the case at all."
"Oh!?"
"The Demon the Butterfly Spirit hooked up with is a Black Sheep Spirit with a Qi Refining Eighth Layer Cultivation."
"He’s also a Manager Shopkeeper representing a mountain faction, stationed here in Peacock Demon City!"
"I heard he already formed a union with a Dao Companion back in his mountain faction, so how could he possibly become Dao Companions with this Butterfly Spirit!"
"Speaking of which, I’m really jealous of that Black Sheep Spirit. He’s got his red flag standing firm back on the mountain, and a colorful one fluttering here in Peacock Demon City!"
As he spoke, a look of envy appeared on the Wart Hog Spirit’s face.
"The Butterfly Spirit doesn’t know that this Black Sheep Spirit already has Dao Companions?"
the Spider Spirit asked curiously.
"How could she not know! It’s not something you can hide if you just put in a little effort to ask around. But since the Black Sheep Spirit doesn’t say it outright, she just pretends not to know. After all, the benefits she’s getting are very real!"
"Didn’t you see the Butterfly Spirit recently? Hasn’t her Cultivation already reached the Peak of Qi Refining Sixth Layer?!"
"How else do you think that happened!"
The Wart Hog Spirit sneered.
"Oh, right, Grey Rat. Speaking of which, that Black Sheep Spirit is also in the Elixir business."
"They say he has partnerships with several Elixir Workshops in the Inner City! His connections are no small matter!"
the Wart Hog Spirit added, as if he had just remembered something.
"That is certainly no small matter."
Xu Chang’an agreed.