New Talent, Acting Alchemist

"Combine!"

In the room, Su Hao sat cross-legged, focusing his mind as he silently activated his ability.

Two of the three gray spheres of light within his body entwined with each other, gradually merging into one.

The gray slowly transformed into white.

"Combining in progress..."

"Two 'Medicine Person' talents consumed. Combination successful. New talent generated: Medicine Slave (White)."

"'Medicine Person' and 'Medicine Slave' are talents of the same type and conflict with one another; only one can take effect, with the higher-level talent taking priority. It has been detected that the host already possesses the 'Medicine Slave' talent. Of the two 'Medicine Slave' talents, only one can take effect."

Name: Su Hao

Realm: Qi Refining Level 1

Talents: Fire Elemental Sword Physique (Blue), Medicine Slave (White), Medicine Slave (White, inactive), Medicine Person (Gray, inactive)

"It has been detected that the host possesses two identical talents, 'Medicine Slave' ×2, which can be combined. After combination, 'Medicine Slave' will evolve into 'Medicine Spirit.'"

"Previewing new talent.

Medicine Spirit (Blue): Enhanced toxin resistance; medicinal potency affinity; low-level Marrow Cleansing and Hair Rejuvenation; wood Spiritual Energy affinity;"

Information regarding the talent "Medicine Spirit" surfaced in Su Hao's mind.

It included detailed explanations of its specific abilities, such as toxin resistance and medicinal potency affinity.

There was no need to elaborate on toxin resistance—it granted a certain degree of tolerance toward herbal toxins, pill toxins, and the like.

Medicinal potency affinity, on the other hand, improved the absorption of the active components in pills and herbs, reducing the loss of medicinal potency during conversion and absorption.

Marrow Cleansing and Hair Rejuvenation enhanced the body's ability to metabolize impurities and toxins.

Wood Spiritual Energy affinity improved one's sensing, absorption, and conversion of wood Spiritual Energy, offering considerable help when cultivating wood-element techniques and spells.

Joy appeared on Su Hao's face. At last, this talent was beneficial to him!

Unlike Medicine Person and Medicine Slave, it did not convert medicinal potency and store it in his heart for others to use.

"Combine!"

"Combining in progress..."

"Two 'Medicine Slave' talents consumed. Combination successful. New talent generated: Medicine Spirit (Blue)."

Name: Su Hao

Realm: Qi Refining Level 1

Talents: Fire Elemental Sword Physique (Blue), Medicine Spirit (Blue), Medicine Person (Gray, inactive)

"Even so, I still can't escape Lin Zhi Shan's control.

If he finds out, he'll be even less likely to let me go.

Lin Zhi Shan has gone to such lengths, using people as nourishment—he must be trying to complete the incomplete talent, 'Hundred Profound Gang Body.'

Medicine Spirit, Medicine Slave, and Medicine Person belong to the same line of talents. Perhaps the talent above Medicine Spirit is the Hundred Profound Gang Body.

Though the Medicine Spirit talent's description doesn't state it outright, there's no need to think hard to know that it would be far more helpful than any Medicine Slave or Medicine Person in allowing Lin Zhi Shan to complete the 'Hundred Profound Gang Body.'"

Su Hao calmed down and looked at the three bottles of medicine and a book on the table.

The three bottles of pills were called Origin Blood Pills. Each bottle contained five, their surfaces smooth and fine, carrying a faint ginseng fragrance.

But as for their actual active ingredients, there was no way to know.

They might be tonics, or they might be laced with poison.

After learning of Lin Zhi Shan's sinister intentions, he simply did not dare casually consume the medicine Lin Zhi Shan had given him.

As for the book, it was merely an introductory text on pill refinement, containing an herbal illustrated guide, basic pill-refining techniques, and the like.

Su Hao had no interest whatsoever in pill refinement, nor did he have any talent for it.

Right now, all he wanted was to survive—better yet, escape the Golden Light Sect. What immortal sect? It was nothing but a demon's den.

His most urgent task was to find a genuine cultivation technique! Only a cultivation technique could bring his talents into play.

That piece of trash Lin Zhi Shan had given him, the "Hundred Profound Medicine Veins," wore the skin of a cultivation technique, but in truth it merely fooled people like Ge Lao Si into obediently becoming humanoid medicinal ingredients.

Ge Lao Si had entered Qi Refining Level 2 in just a few days, but such a realm had no real substance to it, much less any actual combat ability.

"Still, that Lin Miao has a much more solid foundation. Seeing how loyal he is, Lin Zhi Shan probably did teach him a few real things."

All Su Hao wanted now was to find a genuine cultivation technique.

After eating, he planned to take another look around Heavenly Medicine Mountain. There were still some buildings north of Bamboo Heart Courtyard—perhaps there was something like a library?

"Su Hao, have you taken the medicine Master gave you?"

Lin Miao, who was not even as tall as Su Hao's chest, happened to come over. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze arrogant.

"..." Su Hao's expression changed slightly. How could he dare take the medicine Lin Zhi Shan had given him?

"Hmm?"

"Senior Brother Lin, not yet. I forgot... I'll take it later!" Su Hao said as he clasped his hands and bowed to Lin Miao.

"You're lying to me!"

Lin Miao suddenly sprang up and whipped out a sweeping kick with vicious force.

Su Hao had no time to react. He was sent flying four or five meters, crashing to the ground and coughing up a mouthful of blood.

"Senior Brother Lin, you..."

Su Hao had never expected Lin Miao to show so little mercy. They were both nominal disciples—was there really any need to be so ruthless?

"Hmph, Origin Blood Pills are good stuff. A single batch costs over a hundred spirit stones.

Master rewarded them to you. Any normal person would be overjoyed and take one on the spot, yet you forgot? How could that be possible!

Never mind what you're really thinking—refusing to take the pills for so long is already the height of disrespect toward Master! You've treated Master's words like wind in your ears, haven't you?!"

"You were already dawdling all morning. Master is kind-hearted, so he doesn't blame you, but I'm not so good-tempered!"

Lin Miao darted over, seized Su Hao by the collar, and slapped him across the face. "Master said that from now on, I'll supervise you while you take your medicine! Take one immediately!"

"Understood. I'll take one right now!"

Su Hao wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, shot Lin Miao a resentful look, and took a medicine bottle from his robes. He had originally intended to keep it on him and see whether he could find an opportunity to probe for information about the Origin Blood Pill.

He pulled out the stopper and tilted the bottle. A pill, round and lustrous as a pearl, rolled into Su Hao's palm.

"What a stupid pig. You need someone to supervise you and watch you take something this good? You're asking for it!" Lin Miao stared at the Origin Blood Pill, jealousy flashing in his eyes.

He had followed Lin Zhi Shan for over a year and knew full well how difficult this medicine was to refine, and how precious it was. Three-hundred-year wild ginseng, century-old Polygonatum, and other top-grade medicinal ingredients were personally refined by Lin Zhi Shan. Many Outer Sect disciples wanted to beg for pills like these.

It was only three months ago that Lin Miao had been fortunate enough to receive a bottle of Origin Blood Pills. Just five pills had allowed him to break through to Qi Refining Level 4.

But this time, Ge Lao Si and Su Hao had gotten the bargain!

"Giving something like this to trash like you is utterly wasting Heaven's gifts!"

Lin Miao cursed through gritted teeth as he watched Su Hao swallow the Origin Blood Pill.

"Master actually gave you three bottles of Origin Blood Pills!" Lin Miao stared into Su Hao's eyes, then suddenly lowered his voice. "Master instructed me that I must supervise you, make sure you take the Origin Blood Pills... If you try any tricks and refuse to take the medicine, kill you..."

Su Hao's heart jolted. He became even more convinced that this medicine was far more than a simple tonic.

Lin Zhi Shan was, after all, a Qi Refining Level 7 cultivator. Why would he give genuinely good things away to outsiders so cheaply?

"I... I'll definitely take them on time." Su Hao had no choice but to back down.

"Hmph, who knows whether you might secretly switch the medicine? Master gave you three bottles of Origin Blood Pills, so... hand two bottles over to me for safekeeping right now! That way you can't pull any tricks!"

Lin Miao's eyes shifted, a trace of killing intent flashing through his gaze. "After all, you still have four Origin Blood Pills left. It'll be four days before you finish them. I'll give you the medicine then. What do you think?!"

"I'll follow Senior Brother's instructions! The other two bottles of Origin Blood Pills are in my room. Please come with me, and I'll fetch them for you."

How could Su Hao not understand what Lin Miao meant by "safekeeping"? Once the medicine landed in his hands, who knew what kind of pills he would return later.

Still, this solved Su Hao's problem perfectly. He would be more than happy to take less of this medicine.

"At least you know what's good for you!"

After obtaining the two bottles of Origin Blood Pills and confirming them, Lin Miao was immediately beside himself with joy. It seemed he had not considered at all what would happen if Lin Zhi Shan found out!

"Senior Brother, please wait." Su Hao suddenly called out to stop Lin Miao as he was about to leave.