Cultivation (3)

Alchemy, a practice passed down for ten thousand years, initially existed as a branch of medicine, known as the "art of yellow and white."

As the cultivation system became more refined, cultivators gradually discovered the immense help pills offered to their practice. With demand came professions, and thus, alchemists began to appear in every corner of the Immortal Realm.

However, despite its importance, for a very long time, alchemy, like other unconventional arts, was considered a heretical path and never received orthodox recognition.

This continued until Ouyang Ling's emergence. He entered the Dao through alchemy, achieving the Tribulation Crossing Realm. Not only was he revered as the Medicine Immortal, but he also elevated the prestige of alchemy to its peak.

He not only developed and researched numerous pills that directly changed traditional cultivation methods, significantly advancing the overall strength of the Immortal Realm.

Simultaneously, the Pill Immortal Sect he founded passed down complete cultivation methods and insights for entering the Dao through alchemy. From then on, alchemists were no longer synonymous with the weak and defenseless. It is said that the successive sect leaders of the Pill Immortal Sect were not only Immortal-grade alchemists but also powerful cultivators.

Alchemy masters became targets of intense competition for every major power. A saying even circulated in the Immortal Realm that one alchemy master was worth an entire army, illustrating the immense influence of alchemy.

Ling Mu's choice of alchemy as a secondary profession was much simpler. It was merely because in all the cultivation stories he had read in his past life, the protagonists invariably knew how to refine pills. Thus, he felt he should too. This reason was so casual it was almost unbelievable, yet it was real enough. Acting on impulse, this was Ling Mu.

"Currently, the pill recipes I'm practicing are all basic ones. Relying on my comprehension and talent, I've managed to reach the Grade One Mortal level quite smoothly. My success rate for refining the Qi Replenishing Pill, a hallmark of a Grade One Alchemist, is already close to one hundred percent."

Although Ling Mu had decided to seek a breakthrough through alchemy, he had no clear idea how to proceed. He sat alone in the courtyard, scratching his head and pondering for a long time without any inspiration. Even Chunxiang, who was by his side, was getting drowsy and starting to doze off.

"Pills, pills... Right, isn't Xiao Yu working at the Hundred Herbs Hall? She interacts with alchemists frequently. I should ask her; maybe she can help me find some good ideas."

A flash of inspiration struck Ling Mu. The image of a young girl emerged in his mind. He recalled the common girl he had met by chance before the academy competition when purchasing pills. Ling Mu couldn't help but blame himself. He had a knowledgeable friend, yet he hadn't thought of her.

Looking at Chunxiang, who was sleeping soundly beside him, even drooling a little, Ling Mu took a blanket from the house and covered the maid. Then, he tiptoed out of the courtyard.

Leaving the Ling Manor and heading straight east, he arrived at Qinglan Market. After passing through two more streets, the ancient, elegant three-story building appeared before Ling Mu's eyes.

Today, the Hundred Herbs Hall was as crowded as ever. The fresh herbal fragrance filling the air intertwined with the sounds of bargaining rising and falling from the counters, forming a vibrant scene.

"Brother Mu, why are you here? Are you here to buy pills again?"

Xiao Yu happened to be on duty on the first floor today. As soon as Ling Mu entered the Hundred Herbs Hall, the attentive girl spotted him.

"Xiao Yu, I'm not here to buy pills today. I came specifically to find you. When do you get off work? I have something I want to ask you."

Ling Mu felt a surge of joy. He grinned as he looked at the girl in front of him. He didn't notice that the young girl he had saved years ago in the slums had now blossomed into a graceful young woman. While not as voluptuous as Lin Qingzhu, she had her curves in all the right places.

"Ah? Brother Mu, what... what did you say? When I get... get off work, you have something to tell me?"

The girl's originally fair and tender face turned red all the way to her neck at Ling Mu's words. Even her speech became faltering.

"Yes, uh, I'll wait for you at the teahouse nearby then. You look flushed from being so busy. Hurry up, and I'll see you later."

Ling Mu attributed the girl's unusual behavior to her being too busy with work. He quickly greeted her and, without waiting for her reply, dashed out. He found a teahouse in the market and waited for the girl to finish her shift while sipping tea.

About an hour later, as the sun began to set, Xiao Yu's figure finally arrived. The girl, who had been barefaced earlier, was now lightly adorned with makeup, her delicate features now possessing an added touch of charm.

"Brother Mu, I'm here. You must have waited a long time. Go ahead and tell me, what is it? I'm ready."

The girl sat upright opposite Ling Mu, her back straight, as if preparing to receive an important announcement. Her eyes shimmered with a captivating gaze, making Ling Mu feel a little embarrassed.

"Ahem, Xiao Yu, it's like this. I've recently encountered some bottlenecks in my cultivation, so I've decided to seek a breakthrough through alchemy. But I've only just reached the Grade One Mortal Alchemist level and am struggling to find a good method to break through to Grade Two. Since you work at the Hundred Herbs Hall, I came specifically to get your opinion."

Although he felt the girl was acting strangely today, Ling Mu poured out all his confusion, hoping to hear some useful advice from her.

"Huh? So that's what it is. Brother Mu, you've really come to the right person. I've actually been assisting in cultivating alchemy myself, and I'm currently at the Grade Three Mortal level. I should be able to help you, Brother."

Upon hearing Ling Mu's words, the girl first trembled, a flicker of disappointment crossing her eyes. But she quickly composed herself, smoothed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, and revealed a bright smile.

"Really? Xiao Yu, that's great! I knew you'd have the best ideas."

Ling Mu was also extremely excited. After days of fruitless effort, he had finally found a viable path forward today. Although he wasn't sure if he could truly break through his current realm by improving his alchemy, it would undoubtedly be an increase in his overall strength, with only benefits and no drawbacks.

"Mhm, of course. When has Xiao Yu ever lied to Brother? But I need to know your specific situation first. How about this, Brother, come back with me. I have an alchemy furnace at home. You can refine a batch of Qi Replenishing Pills first, and then I'll think about how I can help you."

When the topic of alchemy came up, a proud expression gradually bloomed on the girl's face. For her age, being a Grade Three Mortal Alchemist was indeed astonishing talent. In the future, she might even have a chance to join the Pill Immortal Sect to specialize in alchemy.

"Okay! I haven't seen Uncle and Aunt in a long time either. Wait for me, I'll go buy some small gifts for Aunt and get some good wine and food. It's a perfect day to have a few drinks with Uncle."

Hearing that he was going to Xiao Yu's home, Ling Mu was overjoyed. He recalled spending a considerable amount of time in the slums in the northern part of the city, helping many people. But Xiao Yu's family was the closest to him. Especially Xiao Yu's warm-hearted parents, who had given him much of the warmth he never experienced in his own family in his past life. That somewhat dilapidated house was, in his past life, the place Ling Mu considered most like home.

This deeply buried gratitude had been completely passed down to the current Ling Mu.

"Hey, Brother Mu, you don't need to... Why are you running so fast? Honestly, it's not like you're proposing marriage, why bring so many things?"

Watching Ling Mu run off, the girl muttered to herself. But as soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to realize something, and her small face flushed red again.