A Satisfying Exchange

Yao Chen stroked his long hair and laughed at himself. "You just wanted to find some free labor, didn't you? Fine, no problem."

"But this cultivation method..." Yao Chen was somewhat puzzled. "You already have a master, so why are you asking me for a cultivation method?"

"Uh... it's nothing that can't be said. Senior should know that some cultivation methods have rather demanding learning requirements, and I haven't met their minimum requirements yet."

Feng Wu bluffed without batting an eye. Such situations were not uncommon. Xiao Yan's Eight Extremes Collapse required an exceptionally strong body, while the Ancient Clan's Emperor Seal Technique required one to start at the Dou Wang level.

"As for lower-grade cultivation methods, I do have some. But using cultivation methods of that level would be a bit of a waste of my talent. So, my master wanted to see whether Senior had any high-end cultivation methods."

Feng Wu explained to Yao Chen.

"Is that so... Fine, it's not like I lack high-grade cultivation methods." Yao Chen beckoned with a wave of his hand. The Black Ring on Xiao Yan's body flashed discreetly, and a fiery-red scroll appeared in Yao Chen's hand.

"A low-grade Earth Rank cultivation method. But are you planning to trade just a Third Grade prescription for it? That isn't enough."

Yao Chen placed the scroll on the table and waited for Feng Wu to continue.

"Senior, this Third Grade is no ordinary Third Grade. You know better than I do what this prescription is truly worth."

Feng Wu pointed at the jade bottle of Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, striking directly at Yao Chen's weak spot.

But just as Yao Chen felt he had Feng Wu figured out and was about to agree, Feng Wu suddenly changed his tune.

"However, since you put it that way, how about we gamble on a possibility? But you'll have to raise the stakes!"

"What do you mean? Raise the stakes how?" Yao Chen asked, confused.

Feng Wu pointed at the jade bottle. "Let's bet on whether my master can deduce a Fourth Grade version of this Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid. What do you say? But my master will need your Rank 2 Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid prescription for reference and research. Also, I need a Qi Gathering Powder. We'll gamble on the odds. If we succeed, I'll give you a Fourth Grade prescription afterward. If we fail, you get nothing. How about it? Of course, I'll still pay you the Third Grade spirit liquid prescription."

Feng Wu boasted shamelessly. If he did not pry the Rank 2 Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid prescription out of Yao Chen, how could he upgrade it into a Third Grade prescription for him?

"How could that..." Yao Chen had just wanted to refute him, but when he saw the Third Grade Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid before him and Feng Wu's calm, unfathomable expression, the words ultimately remained unspoken.

Silence... hesitation...

By the time Feng Wu had finished a cup of tea and was about to pour another, Yao Chen finally made up his mind and slapped the table. "Fine, I'll take the bet! But I don't have Qi Gathering Powder on me right now. I'll have to bring it to you in a few days."

"Senior is forthright!" Feng Wu took out a brush and paper, then pushed them toward Yao Chen. "Please write down the detailed prescription. Once you finish, I'll fetch the Third Grade Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid prescription for you."

After Yao Chen had written down every ingredient, the heat control, and all the other details of the prescription, Feng Wu did not delay and returned to his room with the prescription.

He copied it out once more and had the system identify it.

Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid Prescription: Second Grade prescription. A medicinal liquid that can be diluted and used for bathing during the Dou Qi stage. It can accelerate Dou Qi cultivation with good results.

Experience required for upgrade: 50 points

"Whoa! It needs that much experience! It's probably because this is a prescription, right? With it, an Alchemist can produce Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid without limit. That's why upgrading a prescription takes five times the experience needed to upgrade a pill."

Feng Wu thought it over and came to that conclusion. As for the other descriptions, they were more or less the same as those for the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid itself, so there was no need to repeat them.

After confirming the upgrade, the writing on the prescription began to twist and change, with additions and deletions constantly adjusting the data.

Half a minute later, a brand-new prescription appeared. The writing was densely packed and exceedingly detailed, just short of teaching him hand in hand.

Feng Wu took another look, and damn!

The experience required to upgrade from Third Grade to Fourth Grade had shot straight up to 500 points!

It had increased tenfold. Even Feng Wu's reserves were not enough.

Abandoning the idea of upgrading this prescription again, Feng Wu copied out another version for himself, then carried the prescription back into the courtyard.

By then, Yao Chen and Xiao Yan were both getting restless. That was until Feng Wu slapped the Third Grade prescription, packed full of writing, down in front of Yao Chen.

Yao Chen looked down at the prescription, then at Feng Wu, then back at the prescription before picking it up for a closer look. The required ingredient quantities, the order and timing of additions, heat control—nothing was missing.

It even clearly explained which techniques should be used at which times to bring the refining results to their peak.

There were even several techniques Yao Chen had never heard of before!

"I've struck it rich! Just the explanations of these techniques alone made this trip worthwhile!" After reading the prescription, Yao Chen treated it like a priceless treasure and hurriedly tucked it into his robes.

"Your master is truly a great talent!" Yao Chen praised sincerely. Then he directly pushed the Earth Rank cultivation method scroll into Feng Wu's hands. "I'll bring you the Qi Gathering Powder in a few days."

In the end, Feng Wu waved Yao Chen and Xiao Yan off. They also agreed that once Feng Wu reached the Dou Zhe level, he would seek Yao Chen out to learn alchemy. Both host and guests were thoroughly satisfied.

Maybe this was what it meant to have a protagonist's template. Coincidentally, Feng Wu's Dou Qi attribute was ninety-nine percent fire and a tiny trace of Wood Attribute—the most suitable combination for learning alchemy.

Furthermore, Feng Wu's two lifetimes' souls had merged into one, so his Soul Power was powerful enough as well.

He had tested this before when he had nothing better to do.

However, Feng Wu had no intention of studying under Yao Chen for a lifetime like Xiao Yan. Learning the basics would be enough. For the rest, he still had the system.

After cleaning up the traces Yao Chen and Xiao Yan had left behind, Feng Wu opened the Earth Rank cultivation method Yao Chen had left him with a hint of anticipation.

Low-grade Earth Rank Cultivation Method, Volcano Skill: It was said that a mighty expert created it in a moment of enlightenment after observing an active volcano!

When using this method in battle, one fought like an erupting volcano—unyielding and ferocious. During cultivation, it was like a volcano accumulating power. It could gradually store the Dou Qi of an entire mountain, then unleash it explosively in battle as a killing blow.

In theory, its maximum power could reach that of a high-grade Earth Rank Dou Skill!

Dou Skills included with the cultivation method:

Earth Spring Impact: Manipulate earth fire to suddenly erupt pillars of molten lava. The power, number, height, speed, and thickness of the pillars depend on the user's strength!

Flame Fire Body: Burn Dou Qi to cover the entire body in a layer of magma-like flames. All physical abilities are enhanced, its power is immense, and enemies cannot approach.

However, this method consumes an enormous amount of energy.

Dou Zhe 0 Star—Dou Zhe 1 Star, estimated experience required for upgrade: 130.

Cultivation method potential: Excellent!

Experience required for cultivation method upgrade: 700 points (low-grade Earth Rank—mid-grade Earth Rank)

System evaluation: A remarkably good cultivation method. Its potential goes far beyond this. The creator's cultivation was simply too low, burying its true value!

Its cultivation speed is somewhat low among cultivation methods of the same rank, but its improvement to combat strength rivals some exceptionally powerful mid-grade Earth Rank cultivation methods!

"This... I've made a killing!" Feng Wu had never expected Yao Chen to give him such a great gift!