Mass Production of Qi Replenishing Powder

After Xiao Jin and Ya Fei had agreed on the profit split, he prepared to head home and wait for news. Then he suddenly remembered that he could not afford to idle away the next few days. He might as well refine some ungraded medicinal liquids or powders to earn a little pocket money.

"Miss Ya Fei, does your Mite'er Auction House purchase large quantities of ungraded medicinal liquids or powders?" Xiao Jin asked seriously.

"Oh, little brother Xiao Jin has a large quantity of ungraded medicinal liquid? Our auction house does not really need such things, but if your supply is large enough, we can work together and sell those medicinal liquids to several nearby cities."

"I do not have any right now, but I can refine them. How about this, Sister Ya Fei? You provide the medicinal ingredients, I refine them, and we split the profits from the medicinal liquids fifty-fifty?"

Ya Fei froze. "You mean you refined this Qi Gathering Pill yourself?" She found it somewhat unbelievable. The youth before her looked no older than sixteen or seventeen, yet he was already a First-grade Alchemist?

That was absolutely unparalleled in the entire Jia Ma Empire. After all, to become an alchemist, one first had to receive personal instruction from an alchemist.

One had to become an Alchemy Apprentice and learn how to identify medicinal ingredients and judge their effects. Those two things alone took ordinary people four or five years. After that came pill refining. Only after successfully refining a complete medicinal pill could one be called a First-grade Alchemist.

Not every round pellet could be called a medicinal pill. If it were that easy, every Alchemy Apprentice could simply melt medicinal ingredients into the shape of a pill.

Ordinary people needed another four or five years to learn that step. Thus, it generally took an Alchemy Apprentice around ten years to become a First-grade Alchemist, and that was with someone teaching them. Without guidance, the timeline would stretch endlessly, and they might never become alchemists in their entire lives.

Gu Ni of the Mite'er Auction House was a living example. Having come from an unorthodox background, he only broke through to become a Second-grade Alchemist in his forties. Without a good teacher or some fortunate encounter, Third-grade Alchemist would likely be the limit of his life.

Yet the youth before her was already a First-grade Alchemist at sixteen or seventeen. If he received guidance from a famous master, his future would be limitless. Perhaps I can rely on him to return to the family headquarters.

Xiao Jin nodded, looking utterly unconcerned.

Ya Fei considered it for a moment before saying, "I do not think that split is suitable." Xiao Jin's expression darkened. In this sort of collaboration, other alchemists usually received a thirty-seventy or twenty-eighty split. He was already willing to split things equally with the Mite'er Auction House, yet this woman was still unsatisfied.

"I think this split would leave little brother Xiao Jin at too much of a disadvantage. How about we split it ninety-ten? Our auction house takes one share, and little brother Xiao Jin takes nine."

Xiao Jin was taken aback. "Sister Ya Fei, is there something you need Xiao Jin's help with?" He did not believe that the beautiful woman before him would make such a huge concession for no reason.

"There is indeed something I need little brother Xiao Jin to help me with, but not now. Your alchemy rank is still not high enough. You will only be able to help Sister after you become a Fourth-grade Alchemist. I hope the teacher who taught you alchemy can help Sister refine a few medicinal pills. Of course, we Mittal will provide the ingredients."

In Ya Fei's eyes, anyone capable of teaching Xiao Jin to become such a young First-grade Alchemist had to be at least a Fourth-grade Alchemist, perhaps even a Fifth-Rank Alchemist. She had not considered anything higher than that. After all, even Gu He, the Pill King whose name shook the Jia Ma Empire, was only a Sixth-grade Alchemist.

Hearing this, Xiao Jin secretly relaxed. He pretended to consider it for a while before saying, "I cannot decide this myself. I need to go back and ask my teacher. But Sister Ya Fei, we can begin cooperating first. Once I have asked my teacher, if he agrees to help, we will split the profits ninety-ten. If he does not agree, we will still split them fifty-fifty. How does that sound?"

"Alright, it is a deal." Ya Fei smiled and patted Xiao Jin's shoulder before walking toward the door, leaving a fragrant breeze in her wake.

What a temptress, Xiao Jin thought. "By the way, Master Gu Ni, may I refine medicine in your auction house's Alchemy Room? There are too many people in the family estate, and it is not suitable for refining medicine."

Xiao Jin had no intention of refining pills at home. Small batches would be fine, but if he refined medicine in bulk like this, he would become famous throughout Wutan City in less than a day. He did not want to become the center of attention. He only wanted to quietly earn money and level up.

"No problem. I will take you there." Gu Ni's attitude was far better than when he had first met Xiao Jin. First, they were both alchemists. Second, Gu Ni himself had come from an unorthodox background and hoped Xiao Jin's teacher could offer him some guidance. Naturally, he needed to maintain a good relationship with Xiao Jin.

Gu Ni led Xiao Jin to the Alchemy Room. After preparing all sorts of medicinal ingredients, he stood to the side and silently observed. Xiao Jin skillfully ignited the alchemy furnace and added the ingredients. His hands rapidly formed seals as streams of Dou Qi poured into it. Golden-red flames quickly flared to life, and before long, the Alchemy Room was filled with the fragrance of medicine.

The medicinal ingredients inside the furnace rapidly melted into clumps of medicinal liquid. After being roasted by the golden-red flames, they gradually dried up and finally turned into particles of white powder.

Xiao Jin withdrew the flames. This refinement had taken half an hour, which counted as slow for him. He poured the medicinal powder from the furnace into a large basin prepared in advance, then prepared for the next round. Seeing Xiao Jin's practiced movements, Gu Ni's eyes were filled with amazement and envy.

After confirming that Xiao Jin truly could refine medicine, Gu Ni withdrew. Watching an alchemist refine medicine was a great taboo. He had only remained earlier because he wanted to see whether Xiao Jin's words were true.

After Gu Ni left, Xiao Jin let out a sigh of relief. With an outsider present, there were many refining methods he had not been able to use. Otherwise, he could have been even faster. Now that Gu Ni was gone, he could finally refine medicine without holding back.

Ignite the fire, add the ingredients, remove the batch. This time, it took only around ten minutes.

The Alchemy Technique from the System Mall was truly incredible. Not only was it faster, but the success rate was higher as well. Xiao Jin looked thoroughly satisfied.

Xiao Jin continued refining in an orderly manner, and time passed without him noticing.

It was not until evening that Xiao Jin emerged from the Alchemy Room. Looking at the three large basins of Qi Replenishing Powder in the corner, his face was full of smiles. I wonder how many gold coins this batch will earn. The two maids outside had already prepared the Pill Bottles. They entered the Alchemy Room and began filling them with Qi Replenishing Powder.

Xiao Jin picked up a bottle of Qi Replenishing Powder and headed toward Gu Ni's Appraisal Room. After finding Gu Ni and telling him the effects of the Qi Replenishing Powder, he prepared to return to the Xiao Family.

"Little brother Xiao Jin, you still have not gone home?" Before he could even leave the auction house, he ran into Ya Fei again. She smiled sweetly as she spoke.

"Nothing I can do about it. Your little brother is short on money. Without money, how can I improve my Alchemy Technique? And how will I support Sister Ya Fei in the future?"

Ya Fei's face reddened. "What nonsense are you spouting? Seeing that you were short on money, I was planning to give you part of your share in advance. But who knew that despite being so young, you would be such a little rascal, daring to tease your sister? I am not giving it to you now."

At the mention of gold coins, Xiao Jin's eyes lit up. "Beautiful and elegant Sister Ya Fei, I was merely joking earlier. A beautiful and generous elder sister like you would not stoop to the level of a humble fellow like me, right?" Xiao Jin wore a thoroughly fawning expression.

"At least you know what is good for you." Ya Fei let out a charming laugh. "There are gold coins in this Storage Ring. Keep it safe. I will give you the remaining balance after I have sold all the Qi Replenishing Powder. As for this Storage Ring, consider it a meeting gift from Sister."

Xiao Jin was startled. A low-grade Storage Ring was worth roughly seventy or eighty thousand gold coins. He had not expected Ya Fei to give him one.

"This is quite a valuable meeting gift. Thank you, Sister Ya Fei."

Xiao Jin did not refuse. Although he had the System Space, he could not use it in front of others. Now that he had a Storage Ring, it would be perfect for concealing the existence of the System Space.

After bidding Ya Fei farewell, Xiao Jin walked toward the Xiao Family beneath the evening glow. Behind him, Ya Fei watched his departing figure and said softly, "I hope you can help me return to the Imperial Capital headquarters. Otherwise, I can only seek help from that old gentleman."