C41 The First Round of Pill Refinement

Cultivating the Primitive level isn't too challenging, provided one has the right techniques. Typically, youths begin their training around seven or eight years old and start serious cultivation at about ten. The exceptional ones can reach the seventh or eighth level of Primitive before turning fifteen. However, breaking through to become a Yuan Master usually requires reaching one's twenties.

In Night City, the young master of the Wang Family, Wang Qifeng, is hailed as the top youth. At fifteen, he's at the peak of the eighth level of Primitive. Yet, Ye Xiao, with only half a year of cultivation, has achieved the complete ninth level of Primitive?

"Hahaha!" Ye Pingnan couldn't contain his laughter. "Even if the Ye Family were to fall today, with Xiao Er, it will surely rise again, stronger than ever!"

Master Teng wholeheartedly agreed, seeing no reason why the Ye Family wouldn't flourish with such an extraordinary talent.

"Xiao Er, cultivating too hastily isn't wise. Stay calm and focused, and lay a solid foundation. You might consider exploring other areas. For instance, I was stuck at the ninth level of Yuan Master for years. When I shifted my focus from cultivation to refining, I inadvertently broke through to King Yuan," Master Teng advised.

Ye Pingnan nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Xiao Er. Concentrate on building a strong foundation. Don't rush the process. Though I'm sure your master has already covered this, we won't belabor the point. However, trying Master Teng's approach could be worthwhile."

Ye Xiao felt a spark of inspiration. Master Teng's advice was a timely reminder that he had been too eager for a breakthrough. Perhaps taking a step back might lead to unexpected gains.

Suddenly, he remembered the Qian Yuan Sword had offered to teach him pill forging. This could be the perfect opportunity to try something new.

"Father, Master Teng, does our Ye Family possess a pill furnace?" he inquired.

"Oh? You know how to forge pills?" Ye Pingnan expressed his surprise. Apothecaries are among the most revered professionals in this world, and the path to becoming one is far more arduous than that of cultivation. It requires the right lineage, mentorship, and exceptional talent, none of which can be lacking.

"Um, my master taught me some pill forging techniques that I haven't tried yet. I want to give them a shot!" Ye Xiao had no choice but to attribute all this to his master, whom he had only met once.

Upon hearing this, Ye Pingnan gestured grandly, "If your master entrusted you with the art of pill refining, then you must have a talent for alchemy. This is indeed a stroke of luck for our Ye Family. We may not have a pill furnace, but that's an easy fix. I'll send Yu Dong to the market to purchase one, and while he's at it, he can get any medicinal herbs you need."

"Eh, Father, no worries, I can go buy it myself!" Ye Xiao interjected.

"Humph, what money do you have?" Ye Pingnan retorted.

Master Teng couldn't help but chuckle, "Big brother, you're mistaken. Xiao Er took on Wang Jiang and won a hundred amethysts from the Wang Family. That's probably equivalent to our entire Ye Family's assets now."

Ye Pingnan smacked his forehead, suddenly remembering that his son was not just the Ye Xiao of old, but also the infamous Yama of Night City.

"Xiao Er, the Wang Family has taken a huge loss and won't let things slide. It's not safe to reveal your identity right now, and you should keep Yama under wraps for the time being. Otherwise, the Wang Family will certainly not leave you be."

"Besides, you don't stand out much in Night City with your usual appearance, so just go as yourself. Be cautious, and I trust the Wang Family won't notice."

Ye Xiao nonchalantly agreed, though he was already scheming in his mind.

After some more idle talk, Ye Pingnan and Master Teng departed contentedly.

Ye Xiao let out a long sigh of relief, having managed to navigate through that ordeal.

Suddenly, he slapped his forehead, remembering the assassination attempt from a few months back that he had yet to tell his father about. He'd have to find another time to discuss it in detail.

Thinking about the task of refining pills, he quickly called upon the Qian Yuan Sword in his mind. Without any knowledge of alchemy, Ye Xiao was reliant on the sword's guidance.

"You're interested in learning pill forging?" The Qian Yuan Sword's voice echoed shortly after.

Ye Xiao eagerly nodded.

"Alright, you're just about ready to refine a Yuan Dan. Today, Master Sword will take you under his wing. Let's go purchase some herbs! I'll teach you how to make a Yang Yuan Dan. You'll need five medicinal herbs: Bite Blossom, Gold Silver Branch, Stone Bamboo Grass, Jade Flower Bean, and Black Pine Fruit!"

Ye Xiao tuned into the Qian Yuan sword's incessant chatter as he made his way to the bustling marketplace.

He entered a pharmacy known as "Hundred Herb Hall" and listed the herbs he wished to purchase.

The selection of medicinal herbs was quite standard, lacking any rare varieties, which allowed him to buy everything in one go. Still, the purchase set Ye Xiao back nearly a hundred azurite crystals.

Ye Xiao couldn't help but marvel at the cost; it's no wonder that not just anyone could become an Apothecary. With such expenses, it was clear that ordinary families could hardly afford it—and this was just for the most common herbs. Rarer, more precious materials would be beyond the reach of mere crystals.

Having settled the bill with azurite, Ye Xiao inquired of the shopkeeper, "Do you carry any pill furnaces here?"

"Certainly," the shopkeeper replied. "What quality are you interested in, esteemed guest?"

"Quality?" Ye Xiao was momentarily perplexed. "I simply need a starter pill furnace for practice. Could you recommend one?"

The shopkeeper asked Ye Xiao to hold on for a moment, then disappeared towards the back. Shortly after, two attendants emerged, carrying a pill furnace about a foot in height.

"If you're just looking to practice, this standard pill furnace will do," the shopkeeper advised. "It's only thirty azurite crystals. We do have higher-end models, but those start at over a hundred crystals and wouldn't be necessary for practice. Plus, if you choose this pill furnace, I'll throw in a first-grade pyroxenite as a gift."

Pleased, Ye Xiao nodded, handed over thirty azurite crystals, and completed the transaction.

The shopkeeper directed an assistant to carefully package the herbs and brought out a blue crystal, placing it alongside the pill furnace—presumably the pyroxenite he had mentioned.

Just as the shopkeeper was about to ask Ye Xiao for a delivery address, he and the attendants watched, stunned, as Ye Xiao effortlessly hoisted the substantial pill furnace with one hand and strode out.

Once out of sight, Ye Xiao deposited the pill furnace and all the herbs into his spatial ring. After adjusting his attire, he set off at a brisk pace toward the Ye Family residence.

Upon returning to his own courtyard and securing the gate, Ye Xiao retrieved the pill furnace and herbs, examining them with meticulous attention.

Lifting the lid of the pill furnace, he noticed seven indentations at the base—one in the center, with the remaining six evenly spaced along the circumference.

"The central indentation is for the primary herb, while the others are for the auxiliary herbs. But since you're only making a first-grade Yuan Dan, you can just toss the herbs in haphazardly," the Qian Yuan Sword explained with a hint of recklessness.

Ye Xiao pulled out a square, blue, transparent crystal, several inches in size, and inquired, "Is this pyroxenite? What's its purpose?"

Upon hearing Ye Xiao's question, the Qian Yuan Sword was left momentarily speechless, taken aback by the naivety of the inquiry.