Cultivation (3)

The art of alchemy had been passed down for ten thousand years. At first, it existed merely as a branch of medicine and was known as the art of yellow and white.

Later, as the cultivation system grew ever more refined, cultivators gradually discovered just how immense a help medicinal pills were to cultivation. Where there was demand, a profession was born, and alchemists began appearing in every corner of the Immortal Realm.

Yet important as it was, for a long stretch of time, alchemy was considered no different from other miscellaneous arts—a crooked path and a side door, forever unable to earn the recognition of the orthodox.

That changed when Ouyang Ling burst onto the scene. He entered the realm through pills and achieved the Tribulation Crossing Realm. Not only was he honored as the Medicine Immortal, he also raised the prestige of alchemy to its very peak.

He developed and refined countless medicinal pills, and these pills directly changed traditional methods of cultivation, greatly advancing the overall strength of the Immortal Realm.

At the same time, the Pill Immortal Sect he founded preserved complete cultivation techniques and insights for entering the realm through pills. From then on, alchemists were no longer synonymous with being too weak to truss a chicken. It was said that every generation of Pill Immortal Sect Masters was not only an Immortal-grade alchemist, but also a powerful cultivator.

Alchemy masters consequently became prizes that every faction scrambled to claim. There was even a saying throughout the Immortal Realm that one alchemy master was worth an entire army. The momentum of alchemy was plain for all to see.

Ling Mu's reason for choosing alchemy as a secondary profession was far simpler. In every cultivation story he had read in his previous life, the protagonist knew at least a little alchemy, so he felt that he ought to know it too. The reason was so casual that it was hard to believe, yet it was real enough. Acting as he pleased—that was Ling Mu.

"The pill formulas I've been practicing are all basic stuff. With my comprehension talent, I've smoothly reached the level of a Mortal Grade One alchemist. My success rate in refining Qi Replenishing Pills, the signature pill of a Grade One Alchemist, is already close to one hundred percent."

Although Ling Mu had decided to seek an opportunity for a breakthrough through alchemy, he still had no idea how to go about it. He sat alone in the courtyard, scratching at his ears and cheeks as he thought for a long time, yet failed to find even the slightest clue. Even Chunxiang, who was keeping him company nearby, grew so tired that she began nodding off.

"Pills, pills... Right, doesn't Xiaoyu work at Hundred Herbs Hall? She comes into contact with plenty of alchemists every day. I'll go ask her. Maybe she can help me find a good direction."

A flash of inspiration streaked through Ling Mu's mind, and the image of a youthful girl emerged before him. Thinking of the commoner girl he had happened to meet while purchasing pills before the academy tournament, Ling Mu could not help blaming himself. There was clearly a professional among his close friends, yet he had completely failed to think of her.

Seeing Chunxiang asleep beside him, drooling even as she slept soundly, Ling Mu fetched a blanket from the house and covered the maid with it. Then he tiptoed out of the courtyard.

After leaving the Ling residence and heading straight east, he arrived at Qinglan Market. Crossing another two streets, the antique three-story building came into view before him.

Hundred Herbs Hall was still packed with people today. The fresh fragrance of medicinal herbs permeating the air intertwined with the waves of bargaining from the counters, forming a vivid tableau.

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

Xiaoyu happened to be on duty on the first floor today. The moment Ling Mu stepped through the doors of Hundred Herbs Hall, the attentive girl spotted him.

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

Ling Mu was delighted. He grinned as he looked at the girl before him, failing to notice that the little girl he had rescued from the slums years ago had now blossomed into a graceful young woman. Though her figure was not as supple and alluring as Lin Qingzhu's, she had curves where curves should be and fullness where fullness should be.

"Ah? Brother Mu, you... what did you say? Wait until I get... get off work? You have something to say to me?"

One sentence from Ling Mu made the girl's originally snow-white, delicate face flush all the way to the roots of her neck. Even her speech became halting.

"Yes. Uh, I'd better wait for you at the teahouse next door first. Look at you, you're so busy your face has gone red. Hurry and get back to work. See you later."

To Ling Mu, the girl's strange behavior was simply the result of being too busy at work. He hurriedly greeted her, then, without waiting for her response, darted away like a wisp of smoke. He found a teahouse in the market and waited for her to finish work while sipping tea.

About two hours later, as the sun sank in the west, Xiaoyu finally arrived at a leisurely pace. The girl, who had previously worn no makeup at all, had now lightly applied powder and cosmetics, adding a touch of delicate charm to her clear and lovely face.

"Brother Mu, I'm here. Have you been waiting long? Go ahead, what is it? I'm ready."

The girl sat upright before Ling Mu, her waist and back perfectly straight, as though she were preparing to receive some important announcement. Autumn waves rippled in her eyes, making even Ling Mu feel a little embarrassed.

"Ahem, Xiaoyu, it's like this. I've encountered some bottlenecks in my cultivation recently, so I decided to look for a chance to break through through alchemy. But I've only just become a Mortal Grade One alchemist, and for the moment, I can't find a good way to advance to Grade Two. Since you work at Hundred Herbs Hall, I came specifically to hear your opinion."

Though he felt that there was something odd about the girl today, Ling Mu still poured out all the confusion in his heart in one breath, hoping to hear some useful advice from her.

"Huh? So that's what this is about. Brother Mu, you really came to the right person. I've actually been studying alchemy as a secondary discipline as well. I'm currently at Mortal Grade Three, so I should be able to help you."

Upon hearing Ling Mu's words, the girl's body trembled. Disappointment flickered through her eyes, but she quickly composed herself. Brushing the loose strands of hair from her forehead, she revealed a bright smile.

"Really? Xiaoyu, that's wonderful. I knew you'd have a solution."

Ling Mu was equally excited. After days of finding nothing, he had finally found a viable opening today. Though he did not know whether improving his alchemy would truly allow him to break through his realm, it would be an increase in his overall strength no matter what—beneficial and without a single drawback.

"Mhm, of course. When has Xiaoyu ever lied to you, Brother Mu? But I need to know your exact situation first. How about this? Come back with me first. I have an alchemy furnace at home. Refine a batch of Qi Replenishing Pills first, then I'll think about where I can help you."

At the mention of alchemy, pride gradually filled the girl's face. At her age, reaching Mortal Grade Three as an alchemist truly marked her as extraordinarily gifted. In the future, she might even have the chance to enter the Pill Immortal Sect and specialize in alchemy.

"Sure. It's been a long time since I last saw Uncle and Auntie too. Wait for me—I'll go buy a little gift for Auntie, along with some good wine and dishes. Today, I can have a few drinks with Uncle."

Hearing that they were going to Xiaoyu's home, Ling Mu was overjoyed. In his memories, he had spent quite a long time in the North City Slums. During that time, he had helped many people, but Xiaoyu's family had been the closest to him. Xiaoyu's warm and welcoming parents, especially, had given him a great deal of warmth that he had never experienced within his Lineage in his previous life. It could be said that their somewhat shabby little house was the place that had felt most like a home to the Ling Mu of his previous life.

That gratitude, buried deep in his heart, had been fully inherited by the Ling Mu of today.

"Hey, Brother Mu, there's no need—why are you running so fast? Honestly, it's not like you're coming to propose marriage. Why bring so many things?"

Watching Ling Mu's retreating figure, the girl muttered to herself. Yet the moment the words left her mouth, she seemed to realize something, and her little face immediately turned red again.