The Hundred Poisons Medical Canon

After all these days of cultivation, Qin Dongcheng had long since stabilized his abilities as a Low-level Alchemist.

Most of the techniques and methods used by Low-level Alchemists were already familiar to him. It was time to explore higher-level alchemy techniques and methods.

So Qin Dongcheng had begun considering whether to exchange Sect Contribution for an alchemy text or buy one.

Unfortunately, his Sect Contribution was limited, and cultivation manuals took priority. Alchemy texts had to come later, so it was best to buy one with silver.

Recently, Qin Dongcheng had been keeping an eye out for such books, but he hadn't found a suitable one. He hadn't expected that, on his very first visit to the Bamboo Forest Black Market today, he'd discover a new alchemy text at the Bamboo Forest Bookstore.

The first volume of the Hundred Poisons Medical Canon!

Its name alone made it clear that this was a text related to the use of poison. Though it also covered alchemy and medicine, it focused more on the preparation and use of various poisons.

Though it was only the first volume, it could take one to the level of an Intermediate Alchemist. They said that if someone could find the second volume, they could cultivate all the way to the peak of alchemy.

Focused on preparing poisons, with medicine as a supporting discipline, the text was packed with all kinds of techniques and methods—enough to keep Qin Dongcheng studying for a long time.

It also contained dozens of pill recipes, making it far more valuable than an ordinary pharmacopoeia. Some of its unique poisons and pills couldn't be found among other alchemists.

It could improve his Alchemy, bolster his ability to protect himself, and let him earn a handsome income by selling its exclusive pills—a windfall on all fronts.

And if he was lucky enough to find the second volume someday, he could continue cultivating with it.

The price was three thousand taels of silver!

It was a little expensive, but in Qin Dongcheng's eyes, those dozens of pill recipes alone were worth the price.

At that moment, Qin Dongcheng was disguised under an assumed identity, and no one at the Bamboo Forest Bookstore recognized him.

His Heaven Concealment Art had reached the minor accomplishment stage, hiding every trace of his aura. Even martial experts several realms above him couldn't see through his identity.

"I'll take this book. Here are the three thousand taels."

The Bamboo Forest Bookstore had set a fair price; the book was absolutely worth three thousand taels. Those who needed an alchemy text of this level were usually Alchemy Apprentices or Low-level Alchemists. Even Intermediate Alchemists could afford it.

That was unlike the Basic Alchemy Canon, which ordinary people often bought when trying their hand at making pills, so it usually didn't cost much.

And the Hundred Poisons Medical Canon's unique techniques and methods were worth a fortune to anyone who knew their value.

The Bamboo Forest Bookstore had also promised that once it sold him this copy, it wouldn't sell another one nearby.

After paying three thousand taels, Qin Dongcheng left with the Hundred Poisons Medical Canon, intending to study it carefully once he got home and raise his Alchemy to the intermediate level as soon as possible.

Intermediate pills were worth far more than Low-level pills.

Back at Osmanthus Garden, Qin Dongcheng took out the Hundred Poisons Medical Canon and began reading it closely.

"You read the Hundred Poisons Medical Canon and gained a little insight into it!"

"You read the Hundred Poisons Medical Canon. Congratulations, you triggered a tenfold critical hit! You gained ten times as much insight into the Hundred Poisons Medical Canon!"

It seemed he really was a good match for the Hundred Poisons Medical Canon. He had barely started reading when he received a tenfold critical-hit reward, allowing him to grasp its teachings at an astonishing pace.

After several days, he had comprehended most of it. He could try out many of its alchemy techniques and methods, and he had also gained a deeper understanding of how to prepare some of its Low-level pills.

After some thought, he decided to try making one of the Low-level pills described in the text.

The Soul Bewildering Pill!

As its name suggested, it could confuse an enemy's soul and make them fall unconscious without realizing it.

It could be ground into powder and scattered over an enemy's face, or made into incense sticks that released the drug when lit. Either method worked remarkably well.

Without taking an antidote beforehand, a person could easily be knocked out. Even Martial Artists beyond the Flesh Phase Realm would struggle to resist the effects of the Soul Bewildering Pill.

It was easy to use, potent, colorless and odorless—impossible to guard against.

Its only drawback was that it was rather difficult to make. Though it was a Low-level pill, its preparation involved some methods and techniques used for Intermediate pills. He'd probably have to fail a hundred times or more before succeeding.

As Dong Hongyan, Ju Xiaojing, and the others had said, danger could find him even while he was hiding in Osmanthus Garden. He needed some way to defend himself.

His late Skin Phase cultivation was one trump card, and his top-level Body Strengthening Phenomenon, Dragon Vigor Tiger Might, was another. The Soul Bewildering Pill would become a third.

His Phantom Movement Technique was still too low-level to serve as a trump card.

Once he'd made up his mind, Qin Dongcheng began changing identities and gathering the herbs needed to make Soul Bewildering Pills. At the same time, he started focused practice of the relevant techniques and methods, especially those used by Intermediate Alchemists.

His days grew busy again, and the rewards he reaped each day were substantial.

His cultivation realm advanced steadily, his movement technique improved rapidly, and his Alchemy improved much faster than before.

The feeling of making great gains every day was truly intoxicating.

Even without critical-hit rewards, it was addictive.

"You practiced the Phantom Movement Technique. Congratulations, you triggered a five-hundredfold critical hit! You gained five hundred times the benefits!"

During one session of practicing the Phantom Movement Technique, he triggered another five-hundredfold critical hit. The technique, which had already been nearing the second layer, quickly broke through to the second layer and continued surging forward.

He had already gained plenty from this session, and with new insights on top of that, the benefits of a five-hundredfold critical hit were obvious.

The second layer wasn't the end. Just a few minutes later, the Phantom Movement Technique broke through again, reaching the third layer.

With a tap of his foot, he could cover dozens of meters in an instant. In his previous life, he could have run a hundred meters in about three seconds, which showed just how formidable the Phantom Movement Technique was.

What was more, three illusory figures appeared, far more lifelike than those created at the first layer. They could even run off in three different directions, throwing enemies off in all sorts of ways.

With the third layer of the Phantom Movement Technique, even Martial Artists in the Flesh Phase Realm would have trouble catching Qin Dongcheng, let alone those in the fourth realm, the Tendon Phase Realm. His ability to protect himself and escape had surged by a great deal.

By the time the critical-hit reward ended, Qin Dongcheng's Phantom Movement Technique had fully stabilized at the third layer. He wasn't far from the fourth, and it shouldn't take long to reach it.

Many Five Elements Sect disciples whose cultivation had surpassed the Flesh Phase Realm had chosen the Phantom Movement Technique, yet most had only reached around the second layer. Very few had made it to the third.

After consolidating and adjusting to the greatly improved Phantom Movement Technique, Qin Dongcheng felt much more at ease. Even if he encountered a demon or monster as powerful as Beauty Snake again, he might not win, but escaping wouldn't be difficult.

Perhaps Beauty Snake's influence still lingered. Now that he had the strength to face her without fear, Qin Dongcheng felt much lighter.

Around the middle of the month, Qin Dongcheng received the Rat Demon ears Dong Hongyan and the others had mailed him. He could go turn in the quest now.