Bayue Weiban

Chapter 105 Imparting the Alchemy Path

"If Xuan Tian Guan brings back the luck and fortune it separated with back then, and returns to Jiu Xuan Men, this news will surely spread throughout the prefecture."

Ji Yuan narrowed his eyes and said, "And the special guest enforcers recruited by the Qian family are from Xuan Tian Guan, destined to reach the third realm, and with the support of the replenished luck and fortune of Jiu Xuan Men..."

"It can be said that as long as I don't die, whether it's in Ming Xin Xuan, Jiu Xuan Men, or anywhere else in the world, does it make any difference?"

At least for the Qian family, there was no difference. They even wished he would stay in Jiu Xuan Men to cultivate peacefully before reaching the third realm, not even stepping out of the mountain gate.

With Ji Yuan's talent, Jiu Xuan Men's foundation, the Qian family's vast financial resources, and even Ming Xin Xuan's channels, as long as no accidents occur, he would surely reach the third realm within thirty years.

A third realm elder of Jiu Xuan Men would be enough to allow the Qian family to firmly re-establish their foothold in Ming Xin Xuan, without fear of being kicked out by the other two families.

And the only two potential variables to worry about in this matter.

One was Ji Yuan leaving the mountain gate of Jiu Xuan Men and being targeted by experts secretly hired by the other two families, nipping all hopes in the bud.

The other was that he would encounter immense setbacks during his growth, leading to a mental breakdown, rendering him unable to reach the third realm in this life.

Hearing this, Zhao Yuan Song nodded thoughtfully. He had indeed been shortsighted earlier and failed to realize the crucial point in time.

In this way, Ji Yuan's actions would not only bring disaster to the Qian family but also resolve most of their crises. Even Jiu Xuan Men would benefit from this, replenishing its missing luck and fortune ahead of time.

And this would also be an excellent thing for Ji Yuan, a win-win situation that killed multiple birds with one stone.

"To successfully replenish our luck and fortune, I presume the elders of Jiu Xuan Men wouldn't mind accompanying me to the county town and then returning to Jiu Xuan Men on the spiritual bird they bring?"

Ji Yuan said with a half-smile.

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhao Yuan Song couldn't help but think that even if it meant carrying him back to Jiu Xuan Men on foot, the elder would likely not have any objections, let alone a short trip with a spiritual bird.

Jiu Xuan Men had waited for this day of replenishing luck and fortune for hundreds of years, and they were willing to spare no expense for it!

Even if replenishing luck and fortune required the genuine consent of the Xuan Tian Guan disciples, a group of powerful cultivators would have already moved the entire Taoist temple to Jiu Xuan Men long ago.

Luck and fortune were mysterious things, similar to the merits bestowed by heaven and earth. They had a general trajectory that could be followed, but no matter how great one's magical power or how numerous their methods, they could not be forcefully seized.

"When you go to Ming Xin Xuan later, let Jiang He accompany you."

Zhao Yuan Song thought for a moment, still somewhat uneasy.

The other two forces likely wouldn't do nothing while Qian Ni Chang accumulated enough merit to reach the third realm.

Once the Qian family had a third realm cultivator, their situation would change dramatically, let alone if this third realm cultivator was the current head of the Qian family.

With Jiang He accompanying them, in case of an emergency, he could immediately crush a jade talisman and summon a third realm elder from outside the city for rescue.

Several days after the calamity ended, a third realm elder of Jiu Xuan Men had already arrived at Qian Yu City. However, due to the heavy miasma and dense resentment and death qi in the city, he was waiting outside the city.

Although this elder was outside the city, he had given Zhao Yuan Song and others several jade talismans. If they encountered danger, they could crush them, and he would arrive in moments.

Upon hearing this, Jiang He's eyes immediately lit up. Before Ji Yuan could even agree, he began patting his chest and assuring them that he would do his best to protect Ji Yuan.

Xu Qi Qi was taken aback by his demeanor, almost not recognizing her usually somewhat reserved junior brother.

"I'll temporarily trouble you to look after the safety of the Taoist temple."

Ji Yuan smiled upon seeing this and then said to Zhao Yuan Song.

Since he had already decided to return Xuan Tian Guan to Jiu Xuan Men, he naturally wouldn't be polite with them. However, given their current relationship, there was no need for politeness; they could simply proceed as usual.

For the rest of the day, he spent his time refining pills and imparting cultivation insights to Zhao Yue Bai. No one else came to visit.

After one night, on the morning of the second day, they all gathered in the small courtyard.

This time, for the trip to Ming Xin Xuan to refine pills, besides Jiang He, Ji Yuan only brought Zhao Yue Bai and his fifth senior brother. The former was to gain more experience and witness the scene, while the latter would serve as a bodyguard and also help out.

Although Ji Yuan still had one or two trump cards for self-preservation, his serious injuries had not yet healed. With Guo Tao by his side, and his cultivation of the Dragon Elephant Art, ordinary enemies would not be able to get close to him.

This was the first time in over ten days that Ji Yuan and Zhao Yue Bai had left the Taoist temple. The view before them was desolate, with few pedestrians to be seen.

Not long after they left, footsteps were heard from the street corner, and then Liao Qi Ming, along with three young men, quickly approached them.

"You guys are..."

Ji Yuan was also startled upon seeing this. He recalled that these people should have already left.

Earlier, when he was in seclusion, he had given Zhao Yue Bai a sum of money to pass on to Liao Qi Ming and the others, for them to find a new path in life.

After all, the Zhao family no longer existed, so there was no longer any need for guards.

"We are all orphans without parents and nowhere to go, so we discussed it and decided to continue serving Young Master Yue Bai as guards."

Liao Qi Ming scratched his head, appearing somewhat afraid that Ji Yuan would refuse.

Ji Yuan was indifferent to this and turned to Zhao Yue Bai, letting him decide whether to accept the guards or politely decline.

The final outcome was that the team, originally consisting of only four people, suddenly doubled in number and continued their journey with considerable momentum.

However, as they walked through the current county town, a somber mood settled upon everyone. The scenes before them were either empty streets or desperate commoners sitting by the roadside, their eyes devoid of any spirit.

Qian Yu City had been under lockdown for more than ten days. With no merchants coming and going, most of the city's supplies had been consumed. Even the government granaries were running low. It was likely that only some shops and wealthy families still had reserves.

Besides hunger, their injuries and mental oppression made these commoners seem to have no hope, waiting to die in despair and anxiety.

Ji Yuan had no good solutions for this situation and lacked the ability to change it. He could only silently quicken his pace, hoping that the pills refined in Ming Xin Xuan could somewhat help these commoners.

Thus, amidst the heavy atmosphere, the group finally arrived outside Ming Xin Xuan.

This building, which was usually sparsely visited, was now overcrowded. Besides a porridge stall set up several feet away, attracting a large number of ragged commoners, there were more than twenty guards warily watching the surroundings.

As soon as Ji Yuan led his group to the entrance of Ming Xin Xuan, without anyone needing to announce their arrival, a maidservant who had been guarding the door immediately stepped forward and led them inside.

The group walked directly through the lobby and then arrived in a large backyard.

At this moment, Liu Ru Yan was standing in the courtyard, arranging for a group of workers to sort supplies and send them to various places in the city for distribution to the needy.

Most of these were grains and other food, as well as some medicines for treating colds, but no medicinal herbs for bruises and sprains.

"Medicines beneficial for external injuries were distributed a few days ago, but for the common people in the city, it was merely a drop in the ocean."

As if sensing their confusion, the maidservant beside them explained in a low voice.

Currently, such medicinal herbs were not only being controlled in quantity by merchants in Qian Yu City, but also in neighboring counties and even in prefectural cities thousands of miles away.

Even with Ming Xin Xuan's influence, they could only gather a small batch in a short period. The rest would have to be transported from farther distances.

"As for the materials for refining pills, those people dared not hoard them, for fear of offending cultivators and incurring the wrath of immortal sects."

Liu Ru Yan walked over, evidently having heard the maidservant's earlier words. A wry smile appeared on her face.

If not for this, Qian Ni Chang would not have thought of finding someone to refine pills. After all, no matter how greedy those people were, they would not dare to offend cultivators and refuse to sell materials for refining pills.

However, this also meant that the cost she had to bear would naturally multiply several times, or even more than ten times.

"The mistress may find it difficult to accumulate the required merit this time."

Liu Ru Yan shook her head, her face turning very grim. She was also a loyal subordinate of Qian Ni Chang and naturally worried about her mistress's situation.

Given the current situation, if they failed to meet the needs of the common people, it would instead provoke public anger. Even those who had benefited would turn around and curse them.

If such a situation occurred, let alone accumulating further merit, even their original merit would be stripped away amidst the curses.

The will of the masses could, to a certain extent, influence the workings of heaven and earth, bestowing merit upon individuals or stripping away their destiny.

"Have you started refining pills?"

Ji Yuan nodded, a thought forming in his mind. He then turned to a corner of the courtyard where a wisp of pill fragrance emanated from several rooms.

If he guessed correctly, other alchemists should be refining pills here.

Hearing this, Liu Ru Yan sighed and said that these were some of the few alchemists the Qian family could mobilize. However, even with more expensive compensation than usual, these individuals still seemed reluctant.

"Your refining area has been prepared. You only need to refine ordinary external injury pills."

She pointed to the maidservant who had led them earlier. If there was anything they needed, they could instruct this person.

In the following days, this young girl named Dong Er would specifically attend to them.

"Then I won't delay Steward Liu with your work."

Ji Yuan smiled slightly and then followed Dong Er to a room.

Pushing open the door, besides the central area for receiving guests, there was a resting area on the left and three pill furnaces on the right.

Each pill furnace was as tall as an isosceles triangle. An octagonal iron plate was placed at the bottom of the furnace. Simply placing spirit stones would release a scorching flame, and the heat could be adjusted with a thought.

After they entered the room, workers soon delivered boxes of medicinal herbs and three detailed pill recipes, detailing the methods for refining pills for treating external injuries.

However, Ji Yuan only glanced at them before discarding them on the table, seemingly not intending to refine the pills listed.

He dismissed everyone else, leaving only Zhao Yue Bai and Jiang He. He then took a portion of the medicinal herbs to the pill furnace.

"Alchemy, talismans, formations, and artifacts are four essential skills for cultivators,"

Ji Yuan said as he lit the furnace, "Regardless of the heritage you cultivate or the Great Dao you follow, you may not be an expert, but you must at least have a basic understanding of these four.

The pursuit of immortality by cultivators is not just about diligently studying cultivation techniques. Skills like alchemy, talismans, formations, and artifacts are all indispensable.

For example, in alchemy, there are not only pills for treating injuries but also pills for increasing cultivation or breaking through bottlenecks.

Formations also have miraculous effects like defending against enemies and gathering spiritual energy, let alone artifacts and magical treasures that protect one's own Great Dao.

Among them, talismans are the most versatile and affordable. Even martial artists traveling the world should carry a few.

"Master, are you going to teach us alchemy?"

Zhao Yue Bai asked, tilting his head, full of anticipation.

Even Jiang He's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Although for cultivators, these four skills are indispensable and crucial for protecting one's own Great Dao, they are not something that can be learned easily. Without the guidance of predecessors, unless one has exceptional talent, even with a stack of senior's notes, it is difficult to become self-taught.

Ji Yuan nodded, placed the medicinal herbs he had brought onto the table, and then told them the names of these herbs, as well as their medicinal effects and properties.

He could lecture for about half an hour on just one herb. After explaining all ten or so medicinal herbs, the temperature of the pill furnace had risen to a sufficient level.

"Watch carefully next. I won't explain during the process. You can ask questions later."

He took out a spirit stone and placed it in his mouth. Then, with one hand forming a hand seal, he used the other to put the medicinal herbs into the pill furnace.

After each herb was incinerated, leaving only its medicinal powder, he would change a few hand seals before adding another herb.

After the preliminary processing of the ten or so herbs was completed, he switched to forming hand seals with both hands, using the spiritual energy emitted by the spirit stone in his mouth to temporarily substitute for essence and vital energy, and magical power. He then gradually purified the obtained medicinal powder.

After half an hour, the baked medicinal paste was rolled together and divided into fifteen pills the size of a fingernail by spiritual energy. Ji Yuan then removed his hand seals and covered the pill furnace.

"During alchemy, the most complex and meticulous steps are the refining of medicinal materials, purification of medicinal properties, and the process of combining them."

"If everything goes smoothly, the next step will be to slowly stabilize the medicinal properties with gentle and strong heat to fully bring out their efficacy."

Zhao Yue Bai and Jiang He nodded continuously, their faces filled with thoughtful contemplation.