Herbal Properties of Alchemy Lecture

Herbal Properties of Alchemy Lecture

Tai Xue Peak. Xu Fan and Wang Yulun entered the Instruction Hall.

"Did you hear? The Left Protector of the War Hall is coming to the Instruction Hall to lecture. That's the hall responsible for our Heavenly Gate Sect's combat affairs. Even a casual explanation of Offensive and Killing Arts would benefit us endlessly."

"Exactly, exactly. I was fortunate enough to see the Protector make a move. That Wind Thunder Sword Control Art of his could kill enemies across realms."

"The Left Protector entered the sect less than fifty years ago, yet he has already advanced to the Golden Core Realm. In the future, the Left Protector will surely have a place among the sect elders."

The two listened to the conversations of those who had arrived early at the Instruction Hall, their expressions differing.

Excitement appeared on Wang Yulun's face. Offensive and Killing Arts were his favorite, while Xu Fan's eyes revealed a trace of disappointment. How could Offensive and Killing Arts compare to Defensive Arts? Staying alive was victory.

Seeing the faint disappointment on Xu Fan's face, Wang Yulun persuaded him, "Senior Brother Xu, don't you know that the best defense is offense? Besides, your Offensive and Killing Arts are quite formidable too."

"You listen here. I'll go elsewhere and see whether there are any other lectures." Xu Fan ignored Wang Yulun's words and headed directly toward another pavilion.

Across all of Tai Xue Peak, there were thirty-six Instruction Pavilions alone, but the vast majority charged fees.

Xu Fan wandered among the many pavilions, looking over the small plaques outside each one that listed that day's courses.

"Light Body Art and Wind Riding Art Lecture. I already know those, skip."

"Sword Control Art Illusion Character Lecture. Not interested."

"Artifact Refining Basics. I don't have the money to learn the full set right now. Later, then."

"Basic Beast Taming Essentials. Skip."

"Eh, Herbal Properties of Alchemy Lecture."

Xu Fan stopped in his tracks, thought for a moment, and walked toward that pavilion.

"Ten lessons in total, completed over three days. Includes a Jade Slip of Materials. Fifty Spirit Stones altogether."

"There are still three openings."

When Xu Fan heard fifty Spirit Stones, bitterness appeared on his face. Damn it, he earned less than a hundred Spirit Stones a year doing sect missions. More than half of that would be gone at once.

"If you want to learn Pill Refining, this course is the foundation. Elders of the Pill Hall won't explain this kind of thing; you can only teach yourself."

The attendant at the door had seen this scene many times. In the end, didn't they always obediently go in?

In the end, Xu Fan still paid the Spirit Stones and entered.

"Sigh, another Outer Sect Disciple dreaming wild dreams. Pill Refining Art is piled up with Spirit Stones. If fifty Spirit Stones already hurts this much, then these few Spirit Stones are destined to buy him nothing but a lesson."

Under the guard's guidance, Xu Fan went up to the second floor. More than twenty disciples were already seated cross-legged and waiting. No one spoke; they simply sat there in silence.

Xu Fan casually found a seat toward the back and began observing his surroundings, mentally planning how he should escape if anything unexpected happened.

Only after two more Outer Sect Disciples entered did the elder of the Pill Hall appear.

"Since you have enrolled in this course, I presume you intend to enter the Pill Hall in the future."

"I must say, you have good eyes. Pill Refining Masters are absolutely the most respected people in the cultivation world. At the lower end, there are Fasting Pills, Clarity Pills, Minor Purification Pills, Foundation Cultivation Pills, and Basic Spirit Pills."

"A little better, and there are Foundation Establishment Pills, Nascent Soul Pills, Dragon Tiger Pills, and Soul Nurturing Pills."

"We won't talk about what comes after that. In short, we pill refiners hold a far higher status than those people who love fighting and killing."

"And we earn Spirit Stones faster." The Pill Hall elder spoke the most crucial sentence.

"In this course, I will explain the medicinal properties of sixteen hundred kinds of spiritual herbs commonly used in elixirs, as well as methods of processing spiritual herbs."

"If you aspire to become a pill refiner, after finishing these courses, you can avoid many detours."

"I speak, you listen. There will be a question period at the end of every lesson."

"Green Spirit Grass: its medicinal nature is neutral. Avoid fierce fire and combining it with fire-attributed spiritual herbs. If a formula contains two spiritual herbs, add a little Earth Spirit Flower to balance them."

"Water Spirit Fruit: its medicinal nature is gentle. Avoid..."

By the time Xu Fan emerged after three lessons, dusk was already near.

After borrowing and copying several Spell Jade Slips from the Cultivation Method Pavilion, he activated Light Body Art and drifted toward his own mountain peak. Xu Fan's mountain peak had only been assigned to him two years ago, after he advanced to Qi Refining Level Four. Before the fourth level, all disciples lived in communal dormitories, without exception—apart from Heavenly Prides personally accepted by sect elders.

Mid-air, Xu Fan spotted Wang Yulun from afar, holding a Grass Spirit Sheep as he waited outside the forbidden barrier of the courtyard.

"Aren't you afraid disciples from the Enforcement Team will come knocking? This is a Spirit Sheep raised free-range by the sect." Xu Fan landed steadily beside Wang Yulun and spoke.

"I already reported it. One Spirit Stone. Senior Brother Xu, you'd better roast it properly later." Wang Yulun said greedily. Coming over every few days to satisfy his cravings was one of his essential activities.

Xu Fan formed a hand seal and lifted the courtyard's forbidden barrier.

In an instant, the view before them opened up. Xu Fan had stored Light Illumination Arts atop the courtyard; once the sun set, the Light Illumination Arts would activate.

"Senior Brother Xu, every time I come to your courtyard, I feel like I'm useless. Your Offensive and Killing Arts, your Miscellaneous Arts, especially your Defensive Arts—they're all above the beginner level."

"If you didn't forbid me from saying it, you'd be the Outer Sect's num—mmph!"

Before Wang Yulun could finish, Xu Fan covered his mouth.

"I'm merely a low-key Outer Sect Disciple. Don't get me killed."

What a joke. As long as I stayed alive, I could break through. Living steadily and quietly was enough. Seeking the limelight was a grave taboo.

"Senior Brother Xu, I understand."

"Come in. What do you want to eat today?"

"Roasted whole lamb." Wang Yulun even slurped at the corner of his mouth as he spoke. If he went too long without eating the feast made by Senior Brother Xu, he started to feel miserable.

"Fine."

Someone else had provided the ingredients; he only had to cook. That was still acceptable.

Slaughtering the sheep, draining the blood, skinning it.

An hour later, under Xu Fan's unique method of roasting, the roasted whole lamb was ready.

At that moment, under Xu Fan's envious gaze, Wang Yulun took out two small jars of Spirit Wine.

"Haha, how can there be meat without wine?" Wang Yulun said.

"A Storage Bag. Looks like a sect elder has truly taken a liking to you. Congratulations." Xu Fan said with a smile. It seemed the rumors had been right.

"And Spirit Wine too. Looks like you've spent heavily. These two jars of Spirit Wine probably cost around ten Spirit Stones."

"If you have something to say, say it directly. For the sake of these things, I'll raise the chance of success a little."

Xu Fan took a small jar of Spirit Wine and looked at Wang Yulun with narrowed eyes.

"Senior Brother, I've already decided to enter the sect's War Hall. The sect elder who has taken an interest in me is from the War Hall."

"I may not have time to remain in the sect for long in the future, so I specially came to see you this time."

"Senior Brother Xu, I won't forget that you saved my life. But the missions required to enter the War Hall are all fraught with peril."

"If I encounter danger by accident, I may not be able to see Senior Brother Xu again."

At that moment, Xu Fan cursed Wang Yulun inwardly. This stinky brat had grown smarter. He knew how to let someone go in order to catch him.

"Good meat and good wine—don't say such discouraging things. You'll definitely live well."

"Good~"

After a meal of wine and food to their hearts' content, Wang Yulun was about to leave in disappointment when he suddenly saw a streak of spiritual light fly toward him. It carried no hostility. He reached out and caught it, only to find two Jade Slips.

"Remember, only by staying alive can you be king."

Xu Fan's voice drifted over.

(End of this chapter)