Xie Changmin

Xie Changmin: "Add the Red Lotus Flower first!"

"Yes, yes, now add the Tendon Relaxing Grass!"

"Stir with even force. Good, not bad. Stir three hundred times, add the Purple Ginseng Powder, then keep stirring!"

In the dispensary, Pharmacist Xie stood before a copper pot, guiding Fang Mo in alchemy.

The satisfaction on Pharmacist Xie's face grew stronger and stronger. Fang Mo was doing even better than he had imagined. Whether grinding herbs, mixing medicine, or decocting it, he picked everything up incredibly quickly and became proficient just as fast.

Wasn't this a natural-born pharmacist in the making?

After a busy day, the medicinal liquid was finally ready. Fang Mo helped Pharmacist Xie bottle it. They had actually produced over a hundred bottles in one batch. Looking at the medicine, Fang Mo's heart stirred. If it were all for his own use, he was absolutely confident he could challenge Bright Force within a month.

[Alchemy: Beginner (3/100)]

In his mind, the Bronze Mirror trembled, and golden text surfaced. Though he had merely assisted, he had still completed alchemy three times.

"Kid, what do you think? Being a pharmacist isn't bad, is it? These hundred bottles would sell for nearly three hundred thousand on the market. After costs, earning tens of thousands wouldn't be a problem. Once you master this skill, making money will be a trivial matter. And you should know—this is the lowest-grade medicine!"

Pharmacist Xie said with a smile as he portioned out the medicinal liquid.

Naturally, Fang Mo understood what Pharmacist Xie meant. But instead of responding, he asked, "I heard the Federation has pharmaceutical companies that specifically manufacture this kind of medicinal liquid?"

"How could they possibly be the same!"

At that, Pharmacist Xie's eyes widened, as if he had been greatly offended. "Can mass-produced factory medicine compare to ours in effectiveness? Machine production is complete nonsense! Without professional techniques, compounding methods, and decoction skills, they just extract ingredients blindly. They can't bring out the combined effects of spirit medicines at all!"

"Take my medicinal liquid out and compare it to the liquid mass-produced by Fusheng Group—I'd leave them eight streets behind!"

"Go take a look at the major Martial Academies, Martial Arts Families, or every Martial Hall in Yunyang. Isn't medicine refined by pharmacists more popular? You kid really can't recognize treasure when you see it!"

The more he spoke, the more worked up he became, until even his beard stuck up. Looking at him, Fang Mo felt that if he kept talking, Pharmacist Xie might slap him across the face.

Fang Mo hurriedly said, "Pharmacist Xie, don't get worked up. I only asked because I didn't know!"

Only then did Pharmacist Xie's expression ease slightly. He looked at Fang Mo and lifted his chin. "So? Learn alchemy from me! You'll have a skill to make a living with in the future!"

Fang Mo's expression turned solemn. Thoughts flashed through his mind. To be honest, he wanted to learn alchemy too, but compared to that, he wanted to pursue martial arts even more. His time was limited to begin with. If he took up alchemy, it would very likely affect his progress in martial arts.

Steadying himself, he gave Pharmacist Xie a respectful bow. "Thank you for thinking highly of me, sir. I'm willing to learn alchemy from you, but I still want to pursue martial arts. It's the only dream I have in this life. I still want to give it a try!"

Pharmacist Xie was slightly stunned. Looking at Fang Mo's determined gaze, he let out a soft sigh.

"Fine, then!"

Still, Pharmacist Xie waved a hand. "Since your heart is set on martial arts, I won't force you. But whenever I refine medicine in the future, come over and help out. Learn what you can!"

"Thank you, Teacher! I'll definitely study diligently!" Fang Mo said at once, delighted.

Pharmacist Xie opened a drawer, took out a thread-bound book, and handed it to Fang Mo. "Take this and read it!" Then he picked up three bottles of medicine from the table and handed them over as well. "Take these too!"

Fang Mo could hardly believe it. Then, overjoyed, he gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Teacher!"

"Get lost!"

Pharmacist Xie waved him away irritably. "Go practice your fist! Let me see what you manage to make of yourself!"

Fang Mo left happily. He had never expected such an unexpected windfall: three bottles of medicine and a book as well. He looked at the book in his hands.

"Essential Guide to Liquid Medicine Formulation—Xie Changmin!"

So Xie Changmin must be Pharmacist Xie. Thinking this, Fang Mo opened the book and flipped through it. Sure enough, it contained methods for preparing all kinds of medicine—not just medicinal liquids for soaking baths, but also formulas for healing, strengthening the body, and nourishing blood and vitality.

His eyes lit up. He decided to spend some time learning it. This would be useful to him!

Becoming a pharmacist would at least ensure that he had medicine to use. Even if he pursued martial arts, mastering alchemy would add another safeguard to his path of cultivation.

Just after Fang Mo left the dispensary, the hall master, Guan Lie, strolled in with his hands behind his back. With an easy expression, he said, "Senior Brother, are you planning to pass down your mantle?"

"I've observed him for a while." Pharmacist Xie took a towel and wiped his hands. "That kid's innate aptitude may be average, but his temperament is firm and his will is tenacious. That sort of temperament is worthy of inheriting my legacy!"

Worry showed on Guan Lie's face. "The child's temperament is indeed good, but his innate aptitude is too poor. I'm afraid he'll find it difficult to reach beyond Hua Jin in the future. At most, he'll be able to refine ordinary-grade medicinal liquid. Can he inherit your Dan Dao, Senior Brother?"

"How much he can learn will depend on his own fortune!"

Pharmacist Xie sighed softly, a trace of loneliness on his face. "This body of mine probably won't hold out much longer. Before next year, I have to make a trip to Zhiyuan Star!"

Guan Lie's expression darkened as well. "Senior Brother, is there really no chance of healing your injury?"

"No chance. Without Innate Gang Jin to sort it out, there's no possibility of recovery!" Pharmacist Xie shook his head.

"How about returning to the sect once, Senior Brother?" Guan Lie asked tentatively.

Pharmacist Xie's expression froze slightly. Then he shook his head with a bitter smile. "How could I still have the face to return to the sect? Back then, if not for me, my master wouldn't have been injured and passed away early. Which of those fellow disciples in the sect doesn't hate me to the bone now? You're the only one willing to take me in and let me recover here!"

"Senior Brother, don't say that!"

Sorrow appeared on Guan Lie's face. "Back then, you taught me martial arts hand by hand. What does this amount to?"

Now that Fang Mo had medicinal liquid, he no longer worried about the expenditure. He practiced his fist desperately. By the time he finished for the evening, his Tiger Subduing Fist had improved as well.

[Tiger Subduing Fist: Beginner (47/100)]

If he hadn't wasted a day, getting it past fifty would have been no problem.

Still, in just another day or two, entering the next realm would not be a problem. With three bottles of medicinal liquid, he had that confidence.

After finishing his cultivation that night, he was once again the only one left. He left the Martial Hall and headed home.

At the mouth of the alley, he stopped by the Liu Family Steamed Bun Shop and bought some buns to take home, saving himself the trouble of cooking. Whenever he had no Exotic Beast Meat, he often settled dinner this way.

"Uncle Liu, ten big meat buns!" Fang Mo called into the shop from the doorway.

"Coming!" Uncle Liu answered as he walked out. He was in his forties, dark-skinned and drenched in sweat. Seeing Fang Mo, he broke into a grin. "Little Fang, why aren't you cooking again today?"

"I'm worn out from training today and don't feel like cooking!" Fang Mo said with a smile.

Uncle Liu opened the steamer, took out ten large buns, and handed them to Fang Mo, accepting the money Fang Mo passed over.

Uncle Liu hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice, worry written across his face. "Little Fang, yesterday, two hooligans came around asking about you with your photo in hand. I was worried they meant no good, so I didn't tell them anything. Be careful lately—they might come again."

Fang Mo's heart tightened at those words. He knew it was probably those two hooligans from last night. A friendly smile appeared on his face as he said, "Thank you, Uncle Liu. I understand!"

After leaving the steamed bun shop, his expression turned grave.

Fang Mo had already made up his mind. He knew he had to take action and fight for more cultivation resources and greater security for himself. He really needed to study alchemy properly.