Mass-Producing Pills-I, Xiao Yan, Never Live off a Woman

Xiao Yan was not in any hurry to obtain Heavenly Flames. Although the Heavenly Flames of this world seemed beyond his reach, other worlds were different.

Especially after breaking through to the Dou Zhe realm, the Gray Mist Space had undergone new changes...

"Teacher, let's put that aside for now. I want to try mass-producing low-grade medicine."

After discussing some alchemy matters with Yao Lao, Xiao Yan flipped his hand and produced a special pill furnace.

"This is?"

Yao Chen frowned.

He could sense that this was not an ordinary pill furnace, nor was it like the auxiliary alchemy cauldrons Xiao Yan had used before. Its most unusual feature was the several empty grooves on it.

"For example, this first-grade Blood-Coagulation Powder." Xiao Yan stepped forward to demonstrate.

With a flick of his finger, one Blood-Coagulation Grass, one Vitality Fruit, and two Poppy Flowers flew into the pill furnace.

Then Dou Qi was injected into the furnace, and yellow pill flames ignited. In an instant, a batch of Blood-Coagulation Powder emerged.

"This is the most basic recipe. It can hardly even be considered a pill." Yao Lao nodded lightly. Xiao Yan had learned it after just one look, so now he was only curious what this kid was up to.

"Yes, but even the most basic recipe is an insurmountable gulf for ordinary people."

Xiao Yan turned his hand over and took out a crimson crystal with a trace of azure-green within it.

"Teacher, you once said that the most essential requirements for alchemy are Dou Qi containing wood within fire and powerful spiritual strength. Neither can be lacking. If both conditions are met, then even someone with poor talent should have no trouble refining a first-grade medicinal powder that has yet to form a pill, right?"

Xiao Yan toyed with the crystal as he watched Yao Lao's pupils contract, a faint smile on his lips.

"Could it be?" Yao Chen raised an eyebrow.

He could sense fire containing wood from the object in Xiao Yan's hand.

"That's right. I specially made this pill furnace. It cannot automatically refine basic medicine yet, but semi-automatic operation is possible." Xiao Yan chose to activate the pill furnace. Accompanied by a strange fluctuation, it began operating.

Xiao Yan placed the three ingredients into the intake and injected Dou Qi. Aside from that, he did nothing else. Yet the next moment, the furnace automatically swallowed the herbs. Shortly afterward, a batch of rather average Blood-Coagulation Powder was successfully produced.

"It will operate according to a fixed process. Although there is some room for error, individual herbs differ during alchemy, so..."

Xiao Yan took out another set of ingredients. This time, the process was exactly the same, but the furnace exploded outright.

"Hiss—terrifying indeed." Yao Chen sucked in a cold breath.

The logic behind this was simple. Basic medicine did not require much spiritual strength, and the process was not complicated. Therefore, it could follow a fixed procedure.

The Azure-Red Crystal's purpose was to convert injected Dou Qi into pill flames.

That fulfilled the two major requirements.

Watching this scene, a sharp glint lit up in Yao Chen's eyes as he murmured softly.

"Perhaps the process of extracting herbal essence can be separated. For example, one special pill furnace can specifically refine Poppy Flowers, while another handles Vitality Fruits.

"Though individual herbs differ, that variation can be greatly reduced after their essences are extracted.

"Follow fixed proportions, then optimize the process, and finally use a dedicated cauldron for the final pill formation."

Xiao Yan looked Yao Chen up and down as the latter immersed himself in thought, unable to stop himself from laughing.

This old man really was formidable.

He had merely mentioned it, and Yao Chen had immediately extrapolated a production line.

Heroes under heaven were as numerous as carp crossing the riv—cough, cough, cough.

"Teacher, you truly are impressive. This is precisely what I wanted to ask you about.

"Refining the process and, based on the experience of those before us, developing the optimal automated alchemy procedure."

Xiao Yan raised his hand and touched it against Yao Lao's, transmitting his current thoughts on mass production.

It was a little trick he had figured out himself based on special Chakra applications and similar things.

What he transmitted included the complete Divine Mechanism Hundred Refinements, his own insights, ideas for an alchemy assembly line, and much more.

Yao Lao did not hide anything from him, so naturally, he would not hide anything from Yao Lao.

Once this whole set of things was established and handed over to Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan intended to leave and gain experience.

Xiao Yan neither could nor cared to hoard what he had from his own people.

"..." After sorting through the information in his mind, Yao Chen looked at Xiao Yan with a complicated gaze.

This disciple... possessed only one thing: sincerity.

"Although your idea is excellent, how will you deal with the trouble of possessing a treasure?"

Though he did not believe Xiao Yan had failed to consider it, Yao Chen still offered a reminder.

This thing was simply too significant, especially for cultivators at the bottom.

If the Xiao Clan was exposed, it would undoubtedly become the first target.

"Teacher, how long do you think it will take before a crisis beyond the Xiao Clan's ability to handle appears?"

Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly. How could he not understand the principle that an ordinary man carrying treasure invited disaster?

"First, I'll build a backdoor into these pill furnaces and strictly control them. If necessary, we can simply sell the things. Those who can afford them are not people we fear, while those we cannot handle will not care about them."

"If that is the case, then if you manage it properly, based on my understanding of you, it will take at least around three years before anyone notices something unusual. As for a crisis that could endanger the Xiao Clan..."

Yao Chen had been about to say five or six years, but then he thought of how unpredictable fate could be. Still, if it truly arose because of these pill furnaces, the possibility was minuscule.

"I don't think it will happen." Xiao Yan grinned. The sunset outside the cave shone upon him, casting his entire back in radiance.

"For something that merely mass-produces first-grade pills, if it were discovered immediately, it might attract enemies at the Dou Wang level.

"But right now is the only chance for those coveting this thing."

His blood boiling, Xiao Yan's Dou Qi surged within him. The breakthrough came naturally, and he reached the Two-Star Dou Zhe realm.

"On the path of becoming stronger, I will only move faster and farther. What are a few petty rats worth mentioning?

"Three years. In just three years, I will be able to watch the winds and clouds change."

After making his grand declaration, Xiao Yan suddenly let out a sinister chuckle.

"Even if something unexpected does happen, I still have a backup plan. At worst, I'll find someone to share the risk with me."

"You mean..." Seeing the wicked smile on Xiao Yan's face, Yao Chen raised an eyebrow, recalling an experience from his early years.

Misty Cloud Sect.

"Achoo!"

After bidding Yun Yun farewell and returning to her residence, Nalan Yanran took out the communication jade pendant Xiao Yan had given her and could not help raising a delicate brow.

An alchemist...

"Looks like I should return to the clan in a while. Teacher said she would help me obtain some Amethyst Crystals soon. I can use that opportunity to go home and fetch a few things, and while I'm at it, handle the matter Yan asked me to take care of... Sigh, that guy really is..."

Whenever she recalled Xiao Yan's boast before their parting—that he would reach combat strength comparable to a Dou Wang in three years—Nalan Yanran broke out in a cold sweat.

It sounded like a joke, but what if it was not?

Though she felt Xiao Yan had been telling the truth, Nalan Yanran had no intention of admitting defeat so easily.

Xiao Yan was young and impetuous. Was Nalan Yanran any less spirited?

But why did she keep feeling that once her teacher went to the Beast Mountain Range, something above her head would become even heavier??

Xiao Clan.

"So this is Brother Xiao Yan's talent?"

As she stared at the pill furnace before her, admiration flashed through Xiao Xun'er's beautiful eyes. Though she did not know why she felt that something above her head was about to become even heavier, she did not take it to heart.

After pondering briefly and recalling Xiao Yan's expression, Xiao Xun'er immediately smiled softly.

"Elder Ling."

"Miss, I am here."

"I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on this matter."

"Rest assured, Miss."

The Gu Clan's foremost Dou Emperor bowed slightly. Before he vanished into the darkness, Xiao Xun'er suddenly raised a hand.

"Right, there is no need to report this matter to the clan for now. I will personally report it to my father after some time."

"Rest assured, Miss." Ling Ying repeated himself, a smile appearing on his face.