"I wish to seek your guidance, sir!"
Master Li Yun spoke, his words causing Physician Xiao and the two prominent figures who had followed him to be utterly shocked.
They exchanged glances, each seeing the astonishment and disbelief in the other's eyes.
Who was Master Li Yun? He was a true alchemist. It must be known that on the Tian Du Continent, every alchemist was a highly respected figure. Even a One-Star Alchemist was a significant personage in the small Luo Feng City of the Xia Feng Kingdom.
Even Luo Feng City Lord Ye Ao would have to curb his arrogance and treat him as an equal. This alone showed just how revered the status of an alchemist was.
The two Grand Elders from the Hua and Tang families had previously visited him multiple times, like the proverbial 'three calls at the thatched cottage', before finally inviting Master Li Yun to be their guest. However, shortly after Master Li Yun arrived, someone came to deliver a message, and Master Li Yun took his leave with an unusual haste rarely seen in him, prompting them to follow in surprise.
They never expected that upon meeting, he would immediately ask a mysterious black-robed figure for guidance, his expression respectful and earnest. This made them wonder just who this person was. Could he also be an alchemist? Perhaps even an alchemist of higher status than Master Li Yun?
This speculation immediately caused the two prominent figures from Luo Feng City who had followed to feel a sense of awe. Looking at the black-robed figure, their gazes held a new layer of reverence.
Facing an alchemist, even these so-called prominent figures dared not act superior. Their attitude towards Master Li Yun was proof enough.
Moreover, both were martial arts experts. At this moment, when they quietly tried to sense the black-robed figure's depth, they found it elusive, as if present yet not, which shocked them even more.
This situation usually only occurred when facing a stronger expert than themselves. They were both Xiantian realm masters. Could it be that the person before them was—
A Martial God expert!?
This guess immediately caused cold sweat to break out all over their bodies, and they looked at the black-robed figure with even greater reverence.
Martial God experts stood high above; they were undoubtedly true top-tier figures in the entire Xia Feng Kingdom.
Ye Chen glanced at Li Yun. While others might feel immensely honored by such a request for guidance, he did not feel particularly privileged. He merely nodded calmly, making others feel his unfathomable depth even more.
"What does Master Li Yun wish to ask?"
Hearing this, Master Li Yun smiled wryly and cupped his fists. "Sir, you flatter me. I dare not claim the title 'Master'. If you find it acceptable, you may simply call me by my name."
These words caused even greater shock. Even the City Lord addressed him as 'Master', yet he requested the black-robed figure to call him by his name. This further confirmed the suspicions in everyone's hearts.
"Li Yun..." Ye Chen did not refuse. His voice sounded hoarse, making it impossible to guess his age.
Master Li Yun said, "Sir, may I ask how you should be addressed?"
Everyone pricked up their ears. Truth be told, none of them knew who this mysterious black-robed figure was.
"Qian..." Ye Chen slowly spoke, uttering a title from a very distant past. This title had once shaken the myriad realms and commanded universal respect.
But it was likely that few on this continent would know of it.
Hearing this, Li Yun and the others looked at each other, none having heard of this title before.
However, Li Yun still looked at Ye Chen and directly took out two pieces of paper, handing them to him. "Sir, this is the list of medicinal herbs you left at the Reviving Spring Hall previously. It happens to be very similar to the herbs required for a pill I wish to refine—one that accelerates cultivation speed. This is my list. It's just that there are a few different herbs, yet the effect of the pill I refine is far inferior to the effect described on your formula."
This had been the doubt in Master Li Yun's heart for the past month. The main ingredients were the same, only lacking a few seemingly dispensable supplementary herbs, yet the effect was vastly different.
Moreover, the supplementary herbs on Ye Chen's formula were just ordinary, the most basic herbs. Why would adding them increase the effect by such a large margin? What was the reason?
Upon hearing this, the Hua and Tang family Grand Elders and Physician Xiao were greatly astonished.
A pill that increased cultivation speed—how rare and precious was that? It was far more valuable than healing pills.
Such pills were often exorbitantly expensive, with prices beyond the market, not something one could simply buy if they wanted.
The black-robed figure before them was indeed extraordinary.
Ye Chen's gaze swept briefly over the two lists, then he said, "It's actually quite simple. Although the main ingredients like Clear Spirit Grass, Nine-Lingzhi, Cold Forest Fruit, and Fire Candle Fruit are all very helpful in assisting cultivation, you must understand that each herb has different properties."
"For example, Clear Spirit Grass and Cold Forest Fruit are ice-attribute herbs. Conversely, Nine-Lingzhi and Fire Candle Fruit are fire-attribute herbs. If you rashly refine them together, two herbs with completely opposite attributes being refined together can easily cause the pill to turn to ashes."
"The supplementary herbs—Lingzhi Fruit, Arhat Bamboo, Nine Ice Flower—may seem like common items, very ordinary herbs. But in reality, these are the best neutralizing herbs. For instance, Lingzhi Fruit and Arhat Bamboo can harmonize the two opposing attributes of ice and fire, allowing the medicinal properties of the herbs to be maximized. Hence, the effects differ."
After hearing this, the entire hall was stunned. Especially for the two prominent figures, it was like reading a heavenly book without words.
The knowledge of the alchemical path was difficult for outsiders to comprehend. Yet, these simple words caused Master Li Yun to have a sudden enlightenment, instantly resolving the doubts that had plagued him for days.
So that was it. He had pondered hard for so many days, unable to grasp the underlying principle. It all came down to the attributes of the herbs.
Originally, he had harbored some doubts about Ye Chen. But after hearing this, he completely believed that Ye Chen was an alchemy master surpassing the One-Star level.
Only with alchemical skill surpassing the One-Star level could one easily solve such a problem.
Li Yun couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Sir Qian is indeed knowledgeable. Such profound insight indicates you are at least a Two-Star Alchemist or above, inspiring awe in us."
Hearing this, everyone was greatly shocked. Could this mysterious black-robed figure be a Two-Star Alchemist? That would make him a first-rate figure even in the royal capital.
Ye Chen smiled faintly, appearing quite mysterious.
Subsequently, Li Yun also took out the healing medicinal liquid, exclaiming, "Actually, sir, your healing medicinal liquid is the most precious. Not to mention Houtian cultivators, even Xiantian experts, as long as they are not dead, consuming these five bottles of healing liquid could likely bring them back from the brink of death. Sir's alchemical skill is truly superb, making me feel ashamed of my own inadequacy."
The others were even more astonished. Although they knew this bottle of healing liquid was remarkable, they hadn't expected it to have such a life-saving effect.
"But dare I ask, sir, why refine medicinal liquid instead of pills? Wouldn't pills be better?" Li Yun voiced the temptation he had felt for days.
Medicinal liquid was good, but it ultimately couldn't compare to pills.
Ye Chen rolled his eyes internally. *If I could refine pills, why would I bother with medicinal liquid?*
Naturally, he couldn't say that out loud. Ye Chen coughed, covering up, "Just refining it out of boredom."
Refining it out of boredom... Everyone present was dumbfounded. This reason was too simple and crude.
Li Yun had received considerable guidance from Ye Chen and felt he had gained a lot. Unable to hold back, he cupped his fists in gratitude. "Sir Qian, thank you for your guidance. It has enlightened me, making me realize that alchemy cannot be too conservative. Moreover, with the accumulation over these years, I'm afraid I'll be able to advance to a Two-Star Alchemist soon. I am immensely grateful. If there is anything you need my help with, I will certainly not refuse."
The others were surprised. Li Yun was finally about to advance to a Two-Star Alchemist.
Don't think the difference between a Two-Star and a One-Star Alchemist is just one star. The leap between these stars is akin to the gap between the Houtian and Xiantian realms—often very difficult to cross.
Moreover, although alchemists were rare, the Xia Feng Kingdom was not without them. In Luo Feng City, they might be highly regarded, but in the royal capital, they weren't particularly prominent.
However, a Two-Star Alchemist represented a significant leap in status. Once one became a Two-Star Alchemist, even the royal family would extend an invitation to enter the palace as a court alchemist. Their status would even surpass that of a border city lord like Ye Ao by a large margin.
Immediately, Physician Xiao and the two prominent figures cupped their fists in congratulations, flattering and fawning, displaying their obsequiousness to the fullest.
Ye Chen said, "Coincidentally, I have a matter where I need your help, Li Yun."
Li Yun hurriedly said, "Please speak, Sir Qian. As long as I, Li, can do it, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."
Ye Chen took out a list. "This is the list of medicinal herbs I need. Help me purchase the herbs on this list. I have great use for them."
Li Yun took the list and looked at it. The names of various herbs immediately appeared before his eyes: Heavenly Heart Fruit, Nine-Tailed Cloud Fungus, Earth's Heart Milk, Three Thousand Divine Flame Flower...
As the names of the herbs appeared one by one, Li Yun grew more and more astonished. Not only were the herbs on the list obscure, but some were even unheard of, unseen, beyond his scope of knowledge.
However, he had heard of some of the herbs he recognized, and they were all quite precious, only available for sale in the royal capital, the capital of the kingdom. The price of each herb was quite expensive, at least several thousand gold coins, with one or two even costing over ten thousand gold coins.
Overall, the value of the herbs on this list was probably no less than a hundred thousand gold coins. This made him suck in a cold breath.
Compared to the high price, he was even more shocked by the pill Ye Chen intended to refine. What kind of pill required these herbs?
Ye Chen also knew the herbs he needed for pill refinement would inevitably be expensive. "I don't have many gold coins on me. But if you can buy them, this is your reward."
With that, he handed over a warm, round piece of jade. This was a Memory Jade, a miraculous jade that could store and transmit information. As long as one's spiritual sense touched it, they could understand the various pieces of information within.
Li Yun took the Memory Jade and extended a wisp of spiritual sense. Instantly, his whole body shuddered as if struck by lightning, and he cried out involuntarily—
"Spirit Refining Method!?"