The gatekeeper wore an unfathomable expression.
"But to enter the path of alchemy, you must refine a wisp of Innate Fire Spiritual Energy into your body at the tenth level of the Embryonic Breath Stage, advance into the Qi Refining Realm, and only then may you begin alchemy."
Yang Shi nodded. "I know that. Don't all five-element cultivation arts require refining a wisp of Innate Spiritual Qi before one can advance to the Qi Refining Realm?"
"Then do you know where to find Innate Fire Spiritual Energy?"
"Uh... I saw people selling it in Mystic Treasure Town."
"Hehe~ Then it seems you did not look at the prices of the five types of Innate Spiritual Energy. The Great Nai Dynasty has much wood and little fire. Innate Wood Spiritual Energy is abundant; a single prefecture may have several spiritual lands where it can be gathered. But Innate Fire Spiritual Energy is exceedingly scarce. Most of it must be traded from cultivators of other dynasties. And there are the most cultivators practicing fire arts, so..."
"Innate Fire Spiritual Energy is expensive?"
Seeing that Yang Shi caught on quickly, the old Taoist gatekeeper continued his guidance.
"That's right. A wisp of Innate Wood Spiritual Energy costs only 800 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, but a wisp of Innate Fire Spiritual Energy now sells for 4,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones!"
"Calculate it yourself. From the Embryonic Breath Stage to the Qi Refining Realm, could you save enough over all those years to afford a wisp of Innate Fire Spiritual Energy? And how many batches of first-grade pills would you have to refine to earn back those 4,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones?"
"This old Taoist cannot bear to see so many disciples blindly following the crowd and swarming toward the fire element. If your other spiritual roots are