The pavilion was spacious, tall, and magnificently decorated.
’I have to say, this Pill Master Ye really knows how to live.’
The Little Demon led Xu Chang’an inside, then bowed and retreated.
"Pill Master Ye."
Xu Chang’an clasped his hands and bowed in greeting.
A Mountain Raccoon Spirit sat behind a stone table, his piercing gaze fixed upon him.
Xu Chang’an clearly felt a Demon Sense sweep over his body.
’A Foundation Establishment Great Demon!’
It was obvious this Mountain Raccoon Spirit was a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
This Pill Master Ye had made a huge name for himself in Peacock Demon City and even opened the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop. Alchemy Skill alone wasn’t enough to achieve all that.
If he only had superb Alchemy Skill but a shallow Cultivation, he would have been controlled by countless factions, unable to remain independent.
Furthermore, the Alchemy Dao is vast and profound. Without long years of dedicated study and improvement, it’s exceedingly difficult to achieve anything.
To reach Pill Master Ye’s level of Tier Two High Grade Alchemy Skill, the lifespans of most Qi Refining Demons wouldn’t be long enough.
"You wish to learn the Alchemy Dao from me?"
Pill Master Ye asked, getting straight to the point.
"That is correct."
Xu Chang’an appeared a little reserved.
"I have been at the level of Quasi-Second Tier Skills for a long time now, and I have gained a deep understanding. However, because I lack a Tier Two Alchemy Technique, I have been unable to step into the Tier Two Alchemy Realm."
"Oh!?"
A curious look appeared on Pill Master Ye’s face.
Some Quasi-second-rank Alchemists exhaust their potential and can never advance another inch in their entire lives.
Others, however, are simply held back by the lack of a Tier Two Alchemy Technique.
’Judging by what this Gray Rat Demon is saying, he’s one of the latter?’
He even said he had a "deep understanding" at the Quasi-Second Tier Realm and was only held back by the lack of a Technique to enter the Tier Two Realm.
The implication was that as long as he had a suitable Technique, he was highly confident he could break through to the Tier Two Alchemy Realm!
’This Gray Rat Demon is certainly confident!’
"How long have you been practicing Alchemy Skill!?"
"Less than twenty years!"
Xu Chang’an did not hide the truth, choosing to be honest.
If he wanted to persuade Pill Master Ye and increase his chances of success, he naturally had to raise the stakes.
And his talent for Alchemy was one of his bargaining chips.
"Less than twenty years!"
Pill Master Ye’s expression faltered for a moment.
If what he said was true, this Gray Rat Demon’s talent for Alchemy was truly remarkable!
He had intended to test this Gray Rat Demon from the moment they met.
Hearing this, he naturally went with the flow and stated his intention to give him a test.
Xu Chang’an, of course, agreed.
Afterward, Pill Master Ye led Xu Chang’an to an Alchemy room on the second floor of the pavilion.
He selected a Quasi-Tier Two Elixir on the spot and had Xu Chang’an refine it.
This particular Quasi-Tier Two Elixir was a common one, and its Refining technique wasn’t especially difficult.
With Xu Chang’an’s practiced Skills, it was naturally not a problem.
He spent two hours and successfully completed the Refining.
Seeing how easily Xu Chang’an had refined it, Pill Master Ye selected another Quasi-Tier Two Elixir, this one slightly more difficult than the last.
Xu Chang’an passed just as easily, succeeding in the Refining.
"You weren’t exaggerating, it seems."
Pill Master Ye said with a smile, stroking the long beard he had intentionally grown.
"I can teach you Tier Two Alchemy Skill.
But there is one condition!"
"Please, Pill Master Ye, state your terms."
A look of delight crossed Xu Chang’an’s face as he clasped his hands and spoke.
"If you become a Tier Two Alchemist, you must preside over my Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop for ten years!"
’Ten years!?’
Xu Chang’an thought for a moment, then agreed.
Alchemy Skill was vast and profound. For him to smoothly advance to Tier Two Alchemist and reveal his new status to the world, he would need time to buffer and adjust.
Therefore, he wouldn’t have to start presiding over the workshop immediately.
He could arrange his time freely for now.
After he advanced to Tier Two Alchemist, he would preside over the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop for ten years.
It would actually be a suitable place to polish his Alchemy Skill, and he could build his reputation at the same time.
His foundation was still shallow. Even if he became a Tier Two Alchemist, he would need a proper platform to spread his name.
Besides, while in Peacock Demon City, he needed to search for Spiritual Items to improve his Bloodline and accumulate panel Energy to break through to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment as soon as possible.
All of these things would take a considerable amount of time.
A ten-year buffer was actually quite good.
Once his Alchemy Skill improved and he had made a name for himself, he could leave and establish his own enterprise.
That would be the time to truly achieve the second phase of his goals.
Mid-stage Foundation Establishment! Tier Two Alchemist!
This was Xu Chang’an’s minimum requirement for achieving the second phase of his goals.
The current stage was merely a transitional period.
"Every month, you may come find me to ask about any questions you have.
I will not actively teach you anything. What you gain will be entirely up to you!"
Pill Master Ye said to Xu Chang’an.
There was no master-disciple relationship between him and Xu Chang’an. He was only willing to go this far because he saw that Xu Chang’an’s talent in Pill Art was excellent, and he had a high chance of advancing to Tier Two Alchemist.
Xu Chang’an naturally agreed repeatedly.
He himself possessed the legacy of a Tier Three Alchemist; he didn’t actually need Pill Master Ye to teach him anything.
All he sought was a plausible backstory that could withstand scrutiny.
Pill Master Ye was rather decent, though. Before Xu Chang’an left, he gave him a book of insights on Tier Two Alchemy.
Although it didn’t contain any specific Refining techniques for Tier Two Elixirs and the insights were limited to Tier Two Low Grade,
this gift was still considered incredibly precious to an ordinary Quasi-second-rank Alchemist.
Watching Xu Chang’an leave, Pill Master Ye stroked his beard with a smile.
’One Q&A session per month in exchange for the chance to have a Tier Two Alchemist serve me for ten years!’
’Not a bad deal!’
With one more Tier Two Alchemist presiding, business at the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop would surely improve.
Even if the other party successfully advanced to Tier Two Alchemist, with his own level of Alchemy Skill, he wasn’t afraid of any threat or competition.
He was very, very close to the realm of a Quasi-Third Tier Alchemist!
...
Leaving the Flame Leaf Alchemy Workshop, Xu Chang’an was naturally in a good mood.
Now that he had found a plausible backstory for his promotion to Tier Two Alchemist, he could focus on studying Pill Art in peace.
He estimated that in about two more months, he could begin attempting to refine Tier Two Elixirs.
After a few more months of practice, he should be able to officially become a Tier Two Alchemist.
During this process, he would regularly visit Pill Master Ye each month to ask questions and build their connection.
Once the time was right, he could formally reveal his skills as a Tier Two Alchemist to the public.
After giving the Beijing Spirit a hefty payment of Demon Stones, Xu Chang’an returned to the Gray Mouse Elixir Shop.
’The search for Spiritual Items to improve my Bloodline aptitude can wait until I reveal myself as a Tier Two Alchemist and have established a certain status and Demon Vein.’
’But I need to gather the raw materials for the Transformation Pill as soon as possible!’
’Running around the Demon City all year, I’m bound to run into situations that are inconvenient to handle with my Grey Rat identity.’
’I have to prepare in advance. If I run into trouble, I can activate my hidden identity at any time!’
Xu Chang’an sat quietly inside the Gray Mouse Elixir Shop, gazing at the entrance as he pondered.
Although he had been open for several months, business at the shop had still not improved.