In a quiet reception room at the Alchemist Association.
Xiao Tianhao sat opposite President Gu Yan. On the table between them lay several Qi Gathering Pills Xiao Tianhao had just refined, still glowing softly and giving off a faint medicinal fragrance.
Director Yang Xin sat to one side, smiling as she quietly watched the two of them.
Xiao Tianhao bowed slightly and said sincerely, "President Gu Yan, I have a few books of pill formulas that my master gave me. I thought they might help the Alchemist Association, so I'd like to hand them over to the association to refine and sell."
A flicker of delighted surprise crossed President Gu Yan's eyes. Having immersed himself in alchemy for many years, he naturally understood how precious new pill formulas were, especially when the Alchemist Association was sorely lacking them.
Still, he asked cautiously, "What kinds of pill formulas are they? Could you tell us about them first?"
Xiao Tianhao nodded and began explaining in detail. "The first is the Body Tempering Pill. It strengthens the body. For cultivators below Silver Rank, it not only toughens their muscles and bones but also reduces the risk of failure when breaking through a minor realm. It requires two ironbone flowers, one piece of earth vein rock marrow, and one hundred-year-old blood ginseng root."
President Gu Yan's eyes lit up at this. He knew well that in a world where martial strength reigned supreme, strengthening the body was vital to cultivators. If these Body Tempering Pills could be refined in bulk, they would undoubtedly be extremely popular.
Xiao Tianhao continued, "The second is the Soul-Nourishing Pill. Its main effects are nourishing the Soul Sea and improving Soul Force and spiritual perception. It's especially effective for control-type Demon Spirit Masters. Its ingredients are two spirit-calming flowers, one ghost mushroom, and three drops of moonlight dew."
Director Yang Xin could not help letting out a soft exclamation. "If this Soul-Nourishing Pill truly works as you say, it would be a tremendous blessing for the control-type Demon Spirit Masters of Glory City."
Xiao Tianhao smiled slightly and continued his introduction. "There's also the Barrier-Breaking Pill, specifically designed to overcome the bottleneck between Bronze and Silver Rank. It increases the success rate of a breakthrough by 50%, though a failed attempt will leave the user weakened for a day. It requires one barrier-breaking fruit, two taels of spirit crystal powder, and one bottle of Blazing Sun Tiger blood."
President Gu Yan waved dismissively and, after a moment's thought, said, "Only a day of weakness after failure? That's nothing. If it truly increases the success rate by fifty percent, then it's an exceptionally rare, top-grade breakthrough pill."
Finally, Xiao Tianhao said, "The last is the Origin-Restoring Pill. It rapidly restores Soul Force and stamina. Taken after excessive expenditure in battle or cultivation, it can instantly replenish 30% of both. Its ingredients are five drops of spirit spring liquid, three stalks of origin-restoring herb, and one low-grade spirit stone."
President Gu Yan and Director Yang Xin exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with wonder and delight.
Every one of these pill formulas was immensely valuable. If they could successfully refine and promote them, the Alchemist Association's standing in Glory City would become even more secure, and they might even draw more people to the path of alchemy.
President Gu Yan looked at Xiao Tianhao with admiration and said, "Young Brother Xiao, these pill formulas of yours are truly too precious. I'd feel ashamed to even discuss taking a share with you. Consider it the Alchemist Association's support for you."
Xiao Tianhao hurriedly waved his hands and said earnestly, "President Gu Yan, that won't do.
"The Alchemist Association will have to invest considerable manpower, materials, and funds to refine and promote these pills. It wouldn't be right if I didn't give you a share. Just consider it my contribution to the association and Glory City.
"I propose that the association take forty percent, and I take sixty percent. Please don't refuse, President."
President Gu Yan accepted the reasoning in his heart, but still felt their share was a little too large and was about to suggest reducing it.
Just then, Director Yang Xin smiled and urged him, "President, Young Brother Xiao means well. If we insist on refusing, we'll only seem unreasonable. Besides, this is a share we've earned. It will allow us to better carry out the refining and sales work ahead."
President Gu Yan thought for a moment before finally nodding. "Very well. Since Director Yang has put it that way, it would be discourteous of me to refuse. Young Brother Xiao, thank you for your support. The Alchemist Association will certainly remember this kindness."
Xiao Tianhao smiled and said, "You're too kind, President. It's an honor for me to work with the Alchemist Association as well. I hope these pill formulas can help more Demon Spirit Masters."
With their discussion concluded, Xiao Tianhao rose to take his leave.
President Gu Yan and Director Yang also stood to see him off.
When Xiao Ning'er saw Xiao Tianhao come out, she approached him with a smile. Together, they left the Alchemist Association and set off back toward the academy.
The sunlight was just right, and the street bustled with people coming and going. All manner of goods were laid out on both sides.
There were war weapons and battle armor, Inscription Scrolls, and all sorts of accessories.
Xiao Tianhao and Xiao Ning'er strolled along the street, admiring the sights as they discussed what had just happened at the Alchemist Association.
Suddenly, a group of people up ahead caught their attention.
Nie Li, Du Ze, Lu Piao, and the others had set up a roadside stall with a sign announcing that they were buying violet orchid grass. They warmly greeted everyone who came to sell it.
Though their faces showed their fatigue, they remained focused on their work. Several large baskets of the herb they had already purchased sat beside them.
Xiao Tianhao had noticed how listless they were in class that day. They must have gone to the Trial Grounds to hunt Horned Sheep the night before, and now they were buying violet orchid grass. They really were keeping busy.
He walked over and asked with a smile, "Nie Li, Du Ze, Lu Piao, what are you collecting violet orchid grass for?"
Nie Li looked up and smiled when he saw Xiao Tianhao. "It has an important use, of course. I'll tell you later. By the way, where are you and Ning'er heading?"
Xiao Tianhao smiled. "I just came back from the Alchemist Association. I went to take the Junior Alchemy Master examination."
Du Ze said in surprise, "What! Tianhao, you took an alchemist examination? You know how to refine pills too? How did it go? Did you pass?"
Xiao Tianhao nodded. "Yes, I passed without any trouble, and I also reached a cooperation agreement with the Alchemist Association. By the way, I'll give you all some gifts in a few days. They should be a great help with your cultivation."
Lu Piao's eyes lit up, his face full of anticipation. "Really? Tianhao, you're incredible! Don't tell me they're pills? Those things are so precious. Could they help me break through to become a Bronze Demon Spirit Master?"
Xiao Tianhao smiled and said, "That's right, but the actual pills haven't been refined yet. There are Body Tempering Pills, Soul-Nourishing Pills, Barrier-Breaking Pills, and Origin-Restoring Pills. Each has different effects, and they'll definitely be useful to you."
Nie Li looked at Xiao Tianhao. He had known from the start that Xiao Tianhao was highly skilled at alchemy, but he had not expected him to take the Junior Alchemy Master examination so soon.
So he said, "Tianhao, you always manage to surprise us. Looks like we'll have to work even harder at cultivating from now on, or we won't be able to keep up with you."
Xiao Tianhao quickly said, "We'll all improve together. By the way, you've all looked pretty tired these past few days. What's going on?"
Du Ze grinned happily. "Nie Li has been taking us out to hunt Horned Sheep at night. We've earned quite a bit of money."
Lu Piao chimed in smugly from the side. "Exactly! I, Lu Piao, am a rich man now."
Xiao Tianhao nodded and teased Lu Piao, "Since you're a rich man now, why don't you give me a suit of Bronze Battle Armor?"
Lu Piao scratched his head awkwardly. How could his little bit of money possibly be enough to buy a suit of Bronze Battle Armor?
Xiao Tianhao burst out laughing and stopped teasing him.
Xiao Ning'er stood to one side, smiling as she watched Xiao Tianhao chat with Nie Li and the others.
After chatting a little longer, everyone went their separate ways. Xiao Tianhao and Xiao Ning'er continued toward the academy.
Along the way, Xiao Tianhao reflected that with the income from the Alchemist Association's pills, he would no longer be short of Demon Spirit Coins. His progress in this world would be much smoother.
His friendship with Nie Li and the others also brought him warmth and strength.
After returning to the academy, Xiao Tianhao did not head straight to his dormitory. Instead, he went to a secluded spot on the mountain behind it.
He wanted to quiet his mind and take stock of his current situation, while also considering his cultivation plans for the days ahead.
He knew full well that in this world ravaged by Demon Beasts, only by constantly increasing his strength could he better protect himself and those around him.
His status as an alchemist would undoubtedly be a great help.
He decided that in the coming days, besides cultivating, he would devote himself more deeply to practicing alchemy and strive to refine more high-quality pills.
Meanwhile, at the Alchemist Association, President Gu Yan and Director Yang were gathering a group of experienced alchemists to begin studying the pill formulas Xiao Tianhao had provided.
They knew these pill formulas would bring the Alchemist Association new opportunities and challenges, and they had to give it their all.
And in a corner of the Sacred Ancestor Mountain Range, all kinds of Demon Beasts were gathering-bears, tigers...
A storm was quietly brewing...
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