Refining Pills

In the early morning of Wutan City, a light mist enveloped the streets like a sheer veil. Sunlight pierced the clouds and spilled across the roof of the newly expanded Alchemy Workshop at the Xiao Family Mansion. The glazed tiles were gilded with a golden sheen, while copper bells hanging beneath the eaves swayed gently in the breeze, chiming crisply as their sound intertwined with the bustle outside the workshop—more than a dozen carriages formed a winding line, and servants from the Miteer Auction House, sleeves rolled up, hurriedly unloaded the goods. Huge sacks were carried steadily on their shoulders, so stuffed with medicinal herbs that they seemed ready to burst.

Century-old Green Leaf Grass was packed in breathable bamboo baskets, its leaves still Stained with morning dew from the mountains. When sunlight struck the droplets, they refracted rainbow-colored light, making the fine fuzz along the leaf edges Clearly felt at a glance. With the lightest touch, one could sense the vibrant spiritual energy Contained within. Qi Condensing Roots were as thick as a child's arm, their pale brown skin covered in Fine net-like rootlets. The servants stacked them neatly upon wooden boards, their cut ends oozing milky-white sap and releasing a sweet, fresh scent of vegetation that made passing clan members unable to resist taking deep breaths. Second-tier Demonic Cores were carefully stored in wooden boxes lined with velvet. Upon opening them, one could see round, lustrous cores—some deep black, others faint blue. When they bumped together, they rang with crisp clinks, like a cheerful melody. It was the sound of Beast Dou Qi condensed within them.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, these are the medicinal herbs Miss Ya Fei personally instructed us to deliver. Please inspect them!" The auction house steward wiped the Sweat Beads from his forehead and respectfully presented a densely written list with both hands. His voice was filled with reverence. Ever since Xiao Yan had produced that Third-grade Qi Gathering Pill that stunned Wutan City, everyone in the auction house had regarded him as their most honored partner. Ya Fei in particular had repeatedly reminded them to take the Xiao Clan's affairs especially seriously.

Xiao Yan accepted the list and swiftly scanned it. It recorded the quantities of every herb in detail: twenty baskets of century-old Green Leaf Grass, fifteen bundles of Qi Condensing Root, ten boxes of Second-tier Demonic Cores—three boxes of Ironback Bear Demonic Cores, four boxes of Wind Wolf Cores, and three boxes of Jade Water Snake Demonic Cores—five jin of Silver Thread Powder, and two sacks of Clear Dust Sand specifically used to purify medicinal slurry. Smiling, he nodded and passed the list to Xiao Cheng behind him. "You've all worked hard. Move everything directly to the warehouse on the eastern side of the Alchemy Workshop. The ventilation there is good, so it is suitable for storing medicinal herbs."

Xiao Cheng took the list, and upon seeing the numbers, could not help sucking in a cold breath. Lowering his voice, he said to Xiao Yan, "Brother Xiao Yan, the amount of medicinal herbs our Xiao Clan used in an entire year was not even a fraction of this shipment! With these treasures, our Alchemy Workshop can finally shed its reputation for small-scale work and truly begin operating!" As he spoke, he immediately called out to the nearby clan members. "Get moving! Spread the Green Leaf Grass and Qi Condensing Root out in the open space behind the courtyard to dry. Remember to lay down oil paper so the dew does not soak them! Put the Demonic Cores separately in the cool warehouse on the western side. Label every wooden box—do not mix them up! Send the Silver Thread Powder and Clear Dust Sand to the shelves in the Alchemy Workshop and sort them properly!"

The clan members responded in unison and sprang into action. Some carried bamboo baskets toward the rear courtyard at a brisk pace, while others carefully held the wooden boxes of Demonic Cores, their footsteps light as if afraid of disturbing something. Watching the busy scene before him, Xiao Yan's lips curled into a smile before he turned and entered the Alchemy Workshop.

The workshop had already been cleaned until it was spotless. The floor had been washed with clear water and sprinkled with a layer of plant ash that absorbed strange odors. Six brand-new Bronze Medicine Cauldrons stood side by side in the center of the room, each body engraved with simple yet exquisite Flame Patterns. Xiao Yan had specially commissioned Wutan City's finest blacksmith to make them, and each had cost fifty Gold Coins. Under the sunlight, they gleamed with a warm metallic luster. The shelves beside them were neatly stocked with all sorts of alchemy tools—mortars, medicine spoons, filtering cloths, and more. There were even several stone grinders specifically added for grinding Demonic Cores, their surfaces polished as smooth as jade.

"Kid, now that you have ample medicinal herbs, you no longer need to pinch every penny like before," Elder Yao's voice sounded in Xiao Yan's mind, carrying a touch of satisfaction. "Let us begin with first-grade pills and refine Qi Gathering Powder in batches. First, Qi Gathering Powder is the pill low-level cultivators need most, so it has a broad market. Second, batch refinement will train your fire control and soul force distribution, laying a foundation for refining higher-grade pills later. Most importantly, we must use this batch of pills to establish the name of Xiao Clan pills, so all of Wutan City knows that the Xiao Clan can not only refine medicine, but can refine the finest medicine."

"Understood." Xiao Yan nodded and walked to the shelves, beginning to prepare the ingredients according to Elder Yao's instructions. He had long memorized the formula for first-grade Qi Gathering Powder, but batch refinement was completely different from refining a single batch. When refining alone, one only needed to focus on one cauldron. Batch refinement, however, required controlling multiple cauldrons at once, and every portion of every ingredient had to be precise to the smallest degree. Otherwise, one moment of carelessness could greatly diminish the efficacy of an entire batch.

He picked up an exquisite copper scale, placed Green Leaf Grass on its pan, and weighed it carefully. "Each batch of Qi Gathering Powder needs three qian of Green Leaf Grass—not a bit more, not a bit less. Green Leaf Grass has a cooling nature. Too much will make the pill's chill too heavy, causing a cultivator's meridians to grow cold after taking it. Too little, and its spiritual energy will be insufficient to achieve the effect of gathering Qi." Next, he measured the Qi Condensing Root. "Two qian of Qi Condensing Root. It is the core of Qi Gathering Powder, capable of guiding spiritual energy into the meridians, so its quantity must be exact." After that, he measured one qian of Silver Thread Powder and half a qian of ground Second-tier Demonic Core powder, then divided them among six trays, each corresponding to one Medicine Cauldron.

Once the ingredients were prepared, Xiao Yan walked before the cauldrons, took a deep breath, and slowly infused Dou Qi into the fire holes at their bases. Pale blue flames instantly rose, nearly equal in height as they burned steadily beneath the cauldrons. "Remember, the greatest taboo in batch pill refinement is distraction. You must divide your spiritual power into several portions and monitor the flame temperature and changes in the medicinal slurry within every cauldron at the same time," Elder Yao warned. "Your spiritual power is not strong enough yet, so do not be greedy. Start with three cauldrons to get some practice. Add more once you become familiar with the rhythm."

Xiao Yan nodded, his gaze moving back and forth between three Medicine Cauldrons. His spiritual power spread like a Fine net, Enveloped each cauldron within it. He could Clearly feel the changes in the cauldron bodies' temperatures. When they became Slightly hot and reached the ideal temperature for refining Qi Gathering Powder, he simultaneously tossed the Green Leaf Grass from three trays into the cauldrons. "Sizzle—" Three soft sounds rang out almost at once. The Green Leaf Grass softened instantly upon contact with the heat, and green juice slowly flowed down the cauldron walls, releasing a fresh herbal fragrance. The scent was not strong, but it was exceptionally pure, filling the entire Alchemy Workshop and invigorating anyone who breathed it in.

While controlling the flames to maintain a stable temperature, he carefully watched the changes inside the cauldrons. When the Green Leaf Grass had completely transformed into emerald-green liquid without the slightest residue, he simultaneously added the Qi Condensing Roots from the three trays. Upon meeting the heat, the roots rapidly fused with the Green Leaf Grass juice. The liquid gradually became pale green, and fine bubbles Appeared across its surface. Xiao Cheng and several clan members assisting nearby stared in astonishment. They had never seen anyone refine pills in three Medicine Cauldrons at once, much less with such smooth and composed movements, as though three hands were working simultaneously.

A young clan member could not help muttering softly, "Young Master Xiao Yan is incredible! Look at him—his eyes are clearly fixed on the middle cauldron, yet he can accurately add herbs to the two on either side. This technique is more skilled than those old alchemists in the Marketplace who have refined medicine for decades!" Xiao Cheng nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of pride. "Of course! Brother Xiao Yan is a genius who can refine third-grade pills. Such a small matter is nothing to him!"

Half an hour later, the medicinal slurry in all three Medicine Cauldrons had been fully refined into pure pale-green liquid without a trace of impurities. Following Elder Yao's guidance, Xiao Yan simultaneously sprinkled the ground Demonic Core powder into the slurry. Upon meeting the heat, the powder instantly dissolved into it. The liquid turned deep green, and the spiritual energy fluctuations on its surface became even more distinct. Immediately afterward, he spread his spiritual power again, dividing it into three portions to Envelop the three Medicine Cauldrons. "Condense!" He let out a low shout. His soul force abruptly tightened, and the medicinal slurry inside the cauldrons instantly began to churn like boiling spring water, gradually condensing into round pills.

This process severely tested the control of one's soul force. Fine Sweat Beads seeped from Xiao Yan's forehead, but he did not dare relax in the slightest, focusing completely on guiding the pills into shape. After another One Incense Stick of time, when the final wisp of spiritual energy merged into the pills, Xiao Yan slowly withdrew the flames and opened the cauldron lids. Each of the three cauldrons held six pearly white portions of Qi Gathering Powder. The pills were plump and round, smooth as mirrors, without a single flaw. Their medicinal fragrance was crisp and pure, several times richer than ordinary Qi Gathering Powder. Taking one breath of it made one feel as though spiritual energy were flowing through the body.

"It worked! It really worked!" Xiao Cheng shouted excitedly, reaching toward the pills in the cauldrons, only to be stopped by Xiao Yan. "Do not rush. Freshly refined pills still carry residual fire energy. They need to rest for half an hour in a cool place so their spiritual energy can stabilize. That will improve their effects and prevent Stinging pain in the meridians when they are taken." As he spoke, he took out three Jade Bottles prepared in advance, carefully placed the pills inside, sealed them tightly, and set them on a wooden rack in the corner of the Alchemy Workshop.

For the next three days, Xiao Yan practically lived in the Alchemy Workshop, gradually increasing from three cauldrons to six. On the first day, he refined thirty-six portions of Qi Gathering Powder using six Medicine Cauldrons. On the second day, his proficiency improved, and he refined forty-two. By the third day, he could perfectly control the rhythm of all six batches. From adding ingredients to condensing the pills, one batch took less than an hour, and he ultimately refined forty-eight portions of Qi Gathering Powder. These pills were neatly packed in Jade Bottles and filled the entire shelf. From afar, the pearly white pills gave off a faint glow within the bottles, their fragrance permeating every corner of the Alchemy Workshop.

Elder Yao watched Xiao Yan's progress and nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. In just three days, you have mastered the core techniques of batch pill refinement. Not only are you fast, but the quality of your pills has consistently remained at the superior grade. They are far better than the Qi Gathering Powder sold by other Pill Shops in Wutan City. Pills like these will certainly command a good price in the Marketplace and earn you plenty of repeat customers."

Early on the fourth day, the Xiao Family Pill Shop in the eastern Marketplace of the city officially reopened. Unlike before, its storefront had been refurbished, and a brand-new Black Sandalwood Plaque hung above the entrance. The four large golden words "Xiao Family Pill Shop" were written upon it in bold, vigorous strokes, with a smaller inscription beside them: "Personally refined by Xiao Yan, quality guaranteed." A long table was set up in the open space before the shop, holding several opened Jade Bottles. The crisp medicinal fragrance of Qi Gathering Powder drew many passersby to stop.

"Everyone, the Xiao Family Pill Shop is reopening today! We specialize in first-grade Qi Gathering Powder—only fifty Gold Coins per pill, and buy ten, get one free!" Xiao Cheng stood behind the long table, holding a copper horn to amplify his voice as he called out loudly. "Our Qi Gathering Powder was personally refined by Young Master Xiao Yan. Its effects are thirty percent stronger than ordinary Qi Gathering Powder. Within half an hour of taking it, you will feel the speed at which your Dou Qi gathers increase, and there are absolutely no side effects!"

The news seemed to grow wings and spread through the entire Marketplace in an instant. Before long, the entrance of the Pill Shop was packed with people—mercenaries in coarse clothes, cultivators wearing headscarves, and stewards responsible for purchases on behalf of various families. They gathered around the long table. Some picked up Jade Bottles to carefully inspect the quality of the pills, while others leaned closer to smell the medicinal fragrance. Discussions rose one after another.

"So this is the Qi Gathering Powder refined by Young Master Xiao Yan? It looks better than the Jia Lie Family's. Look at that color—so pure, without the slightest discoloration!"

"At the last pill competition, Young Master Xiao Yan defeated Liu Xi, a Second-grade Alchemist. The pills he refines cannot possibly be bad! I bought Recovery Pills refined by him once before, and their effects were beyond criticism!"

"Fifty Gold Coins each, five Gold Coins cheaper than the Jia Lie Family's, and there is even a buy-ten-get-one-free deal? That is such a bargain! The Jia Lie Family's Qi Gathering Powder is expensive and ineffective. The last time I took it, my meridians hurt for days!"

Among the crowd, a steward dressed in Jia Lie Family clothing looked utterly miserable. Jia Lie Ao had sent him to observe the Xiao Family Pill Shop. He had intended to report back to the family head if its business was poor, so they could seize the chance to suppress it. Yet he had never expected the shop to attract so many people the moment it opened. Upon hearing the price of "fifty Gold Coins each" and "buy ten, get one free," his teeth itched with rage. The Jia Lie Family sold its Qi Gathering Powder for fifty-five Gold Coins each without any discounts. Their business would surely be stolen by the Xiao Clan now.

Unable to endure it, he Stepped Forward and said in a mocking tone, "Hmph, you make it sound better than a song! Who knows whether these pills are only pretty on the outside? What if something goes wrong after someone takes them? Can your Xiao Clan afford to take responsibility?" The moment he said this, the surrounding discussions abruptly fell silent, and hesitation appeared on many faces.

Just as Xiao Cheng was about to refute him, a burly mercenary suddenly emerged from the crowd. Holding an empty Jade Bottle, he declared loudly, "Steward, you should speak with a conscience! I bought Recovery Pills refined by Young Master Xiao Yan at the Miteer Auction House last time, and their effect was unbelievable! My meridians were injured by a Second-tier Demonic Beast in the Monster Beast Mountain Range. After taking one, I recovered most of my combat strength within half an hour. They were ten times better than the Jia Lie Family's pills! I came specifically to buy Qi Gathering Powder today. Give me twenty!" He pulled out one thousand Gold Coins from his robe and placed them on the table. "No need for change. Consider the remainder a deposit. When you refine pills next time, remember to save thirty for me!"

With the mercenary taking the lead, the people around them instantly cast aside their concerns. "Give me ten! My son is currently breaking through to Fighter Three Stars and needs Qi Gathering Powder to assist him!" "I want fifteen! More than a dozen brothers in our mercenary group need them!" "Give me five. I will try them first, and if they are good, I will buy more next time!"

Orders flew in like snowflakes. Xiao Cheng and the clan members responsible for sales became frantically busy, collecting money, handing out pills, and registering reservations. Yet smiles never left their faces. In less than an hour, half the Qi Gathering Powder on the table had sold. By noon, all one hundred and twenty-six portions refined on the first day had sold out. More than twenty people had failed to get any and requested reservations for the next day's pills. Some were even willing to pay ten extra Gold Coins just to receive their pills first.

By evening, Xiao Cheng returned to the Xiao Family Mansion with the account book and rushed excitedly to the Alchemy Workshop, where he found Xiao Yan cleaning his tools. "Brother Xiao Yan, look! We sold a total of one hundred and twenty-six portions of Qi Gathering Powder today, bringing in six thousand three hundred Gold Coins! After costs, our net profit was more than five thousand Gold Coins! And more than thirty people have reserved pills for tomorrow. We will sell at least another hundred!"

Xiao Zhan also hurried over upon hearing the news. Looking at the figures in the account book, he grinned from ear to ear and repeatedly patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder. "Good boy! What a fine boy! You made over five thousand Gold Coins in one day—more than our clan used to earn in an entire month! At this rate, within half a year, our Xiao Clan's wealth will surpass the Jia Lie Family's, and we will become one of Wutan City's foremost families!"

However, Xiao Yan was not satisfied. Looking at the account book, he said thoughtfully, "Father, Qi Gathering Powder is only the beginning. Now that we have a stable customer base, we can refine more varieties of first-grade pills. Next, I plan to refine Clear Spirit Pills. This pill specifically treats meridian blockages caused by obstructed Dou Qi circulation during cultivation. Many cultivators encounter this problem while breaking through realms, so market demand will be high. The ingredient cost for Clear Spirit Pills is somewhat higher than Qi Gathering Powder, but pricing them at eighty Gold Coins each should attract many customers."

He paused before continuing, "Also, we cannot limit ourselves to retail sales in the Marketplace. We can cooperate with the Miteer Auction House and entrust them with auctioning our batch-refined pills. The auction house's clients are Wutan City's major families and stronger cultivators, so we can sell at higher prices and spread the reputation of Xiao Clan pills more widely. For example, if we auctioned this batch of Qi Gathering Powder in bulk, one hundred pills should sell for more than six thousand Gold Coins, which would earn us even more than retail."

Xiao Zhan nodded repeatedly, his eyes brimming with approval. "Good! Good! We will do as you say! Whatever you say we should do, we will do! Having you in our Xiao Clan is truly a tremendous blessing!"

A few days later, Xiao Yan began refining Clear Spirit Pills according to his plan. The formula for Clear Spirit Pills was more complicated than Qi Gathering Powder. It required Green Leaf Grass, Qi Condensing Root, Silver Thread Powder, and Meridian Flower, a medicinal herb that enhanced the pill's ability to clear the meridians. It was relatively rare in Wutan City, but fortunately, there was a batch among the medicinal herbs Ya Fei had sent. After two days of experimentation, Xiao Yan finally mastered the technique for refining Clear Spirit Pills and refined one hundred of them in a batch. These pills were pale green, with fine patterns covering their bodies. Their fragrance was fresher than Qi Gathering Powder, and one breath of it seemed to bring the comfortable sensation of cleared meridians.

Bringing the hundred Clear Spirit Pills with him, Xiao Yan visited the Miteer Auction House once more. The moment he entered, a maid recognized him and respectfully led him to Ya Fei's office. Upon seeing him, Ya Fei rose with a smile to greet him. "Young Master Xiao Yan, it has been a long time! I have heard that the Qi Gathering Powder at your Pill Shop has been selling like mad. Quite a few of our auction house clients have even come asking whether we can help them purchase it."

Smiling, Xiao Yan took out a Jade Bottle containing Clear Spirit Pills and handed it to Ya Fei. "Miss Ya Fei, I came this time to entrust the auction house with a new first-grade pill—Clear Spirit Pills. These pills specifically target meridian blockages during cultivation. They can rapidly clear the meridians and relieve swelling and pain, making them suitable for cultivators who have encountered bottlenecks in their training."

Ya Fei accepted the Jade Bottle and removed its stopper. A fresh medicinal fragrance instantly spread through the room. She poured out one Clear Spirit Pill and carefully examined it in her palm. The pill was round and smooth, its patterns clear, its spiritual energy restrained yet pure. A trace of surprise flashed through her eyes. "Another new first-grade pill, and of such fine quality! Young Master Xiao Yan, your talent for alchemy is truly astonishing. Tell me, how do you intend to consign them for auction?"

"The base price will be fifty Gold Coins per pill, and all one hundred will be auctioned together as a batch," Xiao Yan said. "If the auction goes well, I will refine batches of Clear Spirit Pills and Qi Gathering Powder every month from now on and entrust them to the auction house."

Ya Fei agreed without the slightest hesitation. "No problem! Clear Spirit Pills address a vital need for cultivators, so they will certainly be popular. I will arrange them at the beginning of the next auction as a featured item and notify all our major clients in advance. I guarantee they will fetch an excellent price."

On the day of the auction, the Clear Spirit Pills caused a frenzy the moment they appeared. "Fifty Gold Coins each! One hundred makes five thousand Gold Coins. I bid five thousand five hundred! Three juniors in my family are all breaking through the Dou Zhe realm and need these Clear Spirit Pills!" "Six thousand Gold Coins! I bid six thousand! I took Qi Gathering Powder refined by Young Master Xiao Yan last time, and the effect was superb. These Clear Spirit Pills cannot be any worse!" "Six thousand five hundred Gold Coins! Do not compete with me—our family is willing to pay that price!"

In the end, the one hundred Clear Spirit Pills sold for seven thousand Gold Coins, even higher than Xiao Yan had expected. Watching the fierce bidding below the stage and hearing the clients' praise for the Clear Spirit Pills, Xiao Yan understood that the Xiao Clan's path in alchemy had only just begun, and his own alchemical legend was slowly being written in Wutan City.

After returning to the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan stood before the Alchemy Workshop, looking at the mountain of medicinal herbs piled in the warehouse and the busy, joyful figures of his clan members. A determined light shone in his eyes. Elder Yao's voice sounded in his mind. "Kid, you have done well. But do not forget that the path of alchemy has no end. First-grade pills are only the starting point. Next, you must attempt to refine second-grade pills, such as Recovery Pills and Bone Strengthening Pills, further expanding the variety and influence of Xiao Clan pills. Once you can steadily refine second-grade pills, every force in the Jia Ma Empire will look upon you and the Xiao Clan with newfound respect."

Xiao Yan nodded firmly, turned, and walked into the Alchemy Workshop, lighting the flames beneath the Medicine Cauldron once more. Pale blue fire danced beneath the cauldron, illuminating his young yet resolute face and the hope of the Xiao Clan's revival. The wind of Wutan City carried the fragrance of Xiao Clan pills through every street and alley. Whether Marketplace vendors, mercenaries beyond the city, or cultivators from every family, all were discussing Xiao Clan pills and the young man whose alchemy skills were so extraordinary.

Within the Jia Lie Family Mansion, Jia Lie Ao looked at the report his subordinate had delivered and smashed the teacup on the table in fury, splashing tea across the floor. The report stated: the Xiao Family Pill Shop sold a hundred pills daily; the Miteer Auction House's auction of Clear Spirit Pills had been a tremendous success; half the cultivators in Wutan City had become customers of Xiao Clan pills. He gritted his teeth and growled, "Xiao Yan! Xiao Clan! I will never let you stay so pleased with yourselves!" Yet he did not know that the Xiao Clan, led by Xiao Yan, had already embarked upon an irreversible road of rise, and his obstruction was nothing more than a small stone along that path.