Mid-grade Alchemist

Three thousand points... how many years would it take? In this peril-ridden Qingshi Market, could he even live to see the day he saved up three thousand points?

Li Chengjie had been preparing to replicate Zhang Gui, no longer harboring an Extravagant Hope for the impossibly distant Master Feng. He would stick to his original plan and find an opportunity to replicate Zhang Gui's experience.

Just as Li Chengjie's gaze swept over that brocade-clad Young Master Su, a thought inexplicably surfaced in his mind. "Young Master Su looks so young, yet he's already in the late Qi Refining stage. And he can follow a figure like Master Feng—he surely isn't ordinary... Why not scan him too?"

He focused his mind and silently said to the proud young man in brocade, "Scan!"

The cold notification sounded once more:

[Replicable Target detected: 'Su Yuchen' (Qi Refining Level 7). Replicable Items: First-rank Mid-grade Alchemist Experience and Insights (specializes in Harmony Qi Pill, Nourishing Origin Pill, and more; contains numerous exquisite Heat Control and purification techniques). Estimated Replication Point cost: 450 points.]

Four hundred and fifty points!

Li Chengjie's feet rooted themselves to the spot again, his heart pounding wildly despite himself!

Though it could not compare to Master Feng's despair-inducing three thousand points, this Su Yuchen was, astonishingly, also a first-rank Mid-grade Alchemist!

Moreover, his experience explicitly included pills far more precious than the Qi Condensation Pill, such as the "Harmony Qi Pill" and "Nourishing Origin Pill," along with "exquisite Heat Control and purification techniques"!

Its value was absolutely far beyond Zhang Gui's mere one hundred points' worth of mid-grade experience!

Four hundred and fifty points... He had five hundred and three Spirit Stones! Just enough! He would even have fifty-three left over!

In an instant, one thought overwhelmed everything else and consumed his entire mind! Replicate Su Yuchen!

Replicate this young Mid-grade Alchemist! Once he succeeded, he would leap into the ranks of high-grade alchemists, able to refine higher-level pills, earn more Spirit Stones, and gain greater capital to stand firm in this Chaotic World!

Risk?

Wait until he had three thousand points to replicate Master Feng?

Before the enormous crisis looming over him, such concerns seemed utterly insignificant!

"I'm betting on it!" A glint of resolve flashed through Li Chengjie's eyes. He stopped hesitating and immediately issued an order to the panel in his mind. "Recharge four hundred and fifty Replication Points!"

[Command received. Consume 450 Low-grade Spirit Stones to exchange for 450 Replication Points. Confirm?]

"Confirm!" Li Chengjie felt the huge pile of Spirit Stones in his Storage Bag vanish in an instant, an indescribable heartache entwining with anticipation.

The panel data refreshed at once:

Name: Li Chengjie (Metal, Wood, Fire)

Cultivation level: Fifth Level of Qi Refining

Cultivation Art: Mysterious Flame Art (Entering the Hall 98/100)

Available Replication Points: 450

Replication Count: 1

Replication Point Recharge: One Low-grade Spirit Stone = One Replication Point.

The Replication Points were in place!

Li Chengjie forcibly suppressed his excited, trembling hands, his gaze locked tightly onto the brocade-clad Young Master Su. A roar erupted from within his heart: "Replicate! Replicate target Su Yuchen, item: First-rank Mid-grade Alchemist Experience and Insights!"

[Target locked: 'Su Yuchen'. Replication item: First-rank Mid-grade Alchemist Experience and Insights. Replication Point cost: 450 points. Confirm?]

"Confirm!"

In that instant, a flood of information countless times vaster, more exquisite, and more complex than when he had replicated Little Bean's experience surged into Li Chengjie's mind like a river bursting through its banks!

Countless realizations regarding the identification of medicinal ingredients, the pairing of medicinal properties, precise control of Heat Control, and fine spiritual energy output; the refining details of all kinds of first-rank mid-grade pill formulas—especially the Harmony Qi Pill and Nourishing Origin Pill—

analyses of difficult points, the keys to success and failure, as well as many unique techniques for Heat Control and purification that he had never even heard of... all of it branded itself deep into his memories, becoming a part of him!

The process seemed lengthy, but in truth, it lasted only an instant.

When the flood receded, Li Chengjie felt a slight swelling in his head, yet his mind was extraordinarily clear. It was as though he had pushed open a door to a new world, and his understanding of alchemy had instantly risen to an entirely new level!

The panel data refreshed at once:

Name: Li Chengjie (Metal, Wood, Fire)

Cultivation level: Fifth Level of Qi Refining

Cultivation Art: Mysterious Flame Art (Entering the Hall 98/100)

Alchemy: First-rank Mid-grade (Great Mastery 78/100)

Available Replication Points: 0

Replication Count: 0

Replication Point Recharge: One Low-grade Spirit Stone = One Replication Point.

Li Chengjie had only just completed the replication and was still immersed in the shock and wild joy of obtaining such precious experience. Before he could retreat, Zhang Gui's voice rang out from within the courtyard, carrying a trace of displeasure as his sharp gaze swept toward the entrance.

"Hmm? Who is skulking about outside the gate? What are you peering at here?"

Zhang Gui had been respectfully seeing Master Feng and Young Master Su off when, from the corner of his eye, he spotted what seemed to be a figure standing outside the courtyard gate. His attention was immediately pulled away from the two distinguished guests, and his tone carried the irritation of being disturbed and the edge of scrutiny.

"This one is Li Chengjie. Forgive my presumptuous disturbance, Master Zhang! I am merely a Rogue Cultivator, obsessed with the alchemical path. I have long admired your name as a mid-grade alchemist, which resounds like thunder in my ears."

"By chance, I had the fortune to encounter you today, and my heart is too stirred to contain itself. Might I ask Master for some guidance? Even a few words would benefit this junior immensely!"

Li Chengjie had lowered his stance to the utmost with these words, directly revealing his identity as a Rogue Cultivator and enthusiast of alchemy, as well as his purpose in seeking instruction.

Zhang Gui had been wholly focused on seeing off the two distinguished guests when this upstart suddenly interrupted him. His brows immediately furrowed, and the respect on his face swiftly gave way to impatience.

Zhang Gui sized Li Chengjie up. Seeing his plain clothes and Cultivation level of no more than Qi Refining Level 5, his tone took on its habitual aloofness, along with a trace of irritation at being disturbed.

"Guidance? Hmph, whose disciple are you? This old man devotes himself to the study of alchemy; my time is precious. Do you think just anyone can come asking for instruction? Can't you see that I have honored guests here? Leave at once, and do not disturb their peace!"

As Zhang Gui spoke, he carefully watched Master Feng and the other man's expressions, afraid that this unknown brat might offend the distinguished guests.

Master Feng, who had originally been about to leave, paused at those words and gave Li Chengjie an interested look, yet said nothing.

Su Yuchen, standing beside him, let out a scornful laugh. His gaze swept over Li Chengjie, carrying undisguised contempt. "A mere Qi Refining Level 5. Your spiritual energy is unsteady, your fire energy restless—you have not even stabilized your own foundation, yet you dare speak of alchemy with us? You truly know neither heaven nor earth." With a single glance, Su Yuchen saw several flaws in Li Chengjie's Spiritual Energy Circulation. They were traces left by long-term use of his own spiritual energy in place of earthfire for pill refinement—naturally crude beyond measure in Su Yuchen's eyes.

After Su Yuchen said this, Zhang Gui felt even more humiliated, and his disgust toward Li Chengjie deepened. His voice turned colder as well. "Did you hear that? Young Master Su's words are worth their weight in gold! With cultivation like yours, you should go back and properly temper your foundation first! How can someone like you recklessly discuss the path of alchemy? Leave at once!"

This was exactly the effect Li Chengjie wanted! His face showed just the right amount of shame, disappointment, and unwillingness. He bowed again, his voice fearful yet persistent. "Y-yes... I was presumptuous. My foundation is shallow; I have made Master and Young Master Su laugh at me. I... I was merely too eager in my pursuit of the Dao. I shall take my leave now and dare not disturb Master's cultivation any longer." With that, he hurriedly lowered his head and retreated several quick steps, clearing the way. He looked as though he had suffered a crushing blow, yet was forcing himself to endure the disappointment as he left.

Master Feng shook his head, seeming to regard it as nothing more than a minor interruption, then strode away.

Su Yuchen glanced at Li Chengjie's "miserable" retreating back, a faint disdainful smile at his lips, and followed after his master.

Zhang Gui shot one fierce glare in Li Chengjie's departing direction before hurrying after Master Feng and Su Yuchen, repeatedly apologizing. "Master Feng, Young Master Su, please forgive me, please forgive me. I have no idea where that ignorant brat came from, disturbing the two of you in your enjoyment..."

Li Chengjie quickly walked away. Only after turning the street corner did the disappointed, ashamed expression vanish from his face without a trace, replaced by uncontrollable ecstasy and a blazing gaze!

Li Chengjie had succeeded! Not only had he copied Su Yuchen's mid-grade alchemist experience, worth a full four hundred and fifty points, he had also seized the opportunity to put on a performance of "being denied in his pursuit of the Dao" before Zhang Gui and those two experts!

That way, when his alchemy skills "soared by leaps and bounds" in the future, he would have a barely plausible explanation—he had been "provoked," turned shame into courage, and striven forward with all his might!

Li Chengjie touched the fifty-three Spirit Stones remaining in his Storage Bag, then felt the alchemical knowledge in his mind. He had never felt so fulfilled.

"Su Yuchen... Mid-grade Alchemist... Harmony Qi Pill..." Li Chengjie murmured those words under his breath.