Chapter 49: with translation of chapter title

The first area on the second floor mainly sells pills and medicinal materials.

Some inner sect disciples who have refined pills usually choose to sell them within the sect. After all, a single Yellow Tier pill cannot be taken out to sell externally, and there is no safety guarantee.

Some inner sect disciples, while on missions and training, find rare spiritual herbs that can be used to refine special pills; they keep them to sell to the sect's alchemists, or do a favor.

Qin Yu looked around; the inner sect was indeed prosperous and flourishing, bearing the air of the cultivation world.

He and Lin Sheng continued walking deeper; the crowd gradually thinned, but each disciple they passed made Qin Yu feel startled—their vital energy was extremely full, almost all of them genius-level.

Upon reaching the deepest corridor, several ancient alchemy cauldrons stood nearby, with a few elders explaining the art of alchemy.

Their hand movements flowed like clouds and water; whether melting herbs or controlling fire, they were extremely smooth, pleasing to the eye.

More than ten disciples below were listening attentively.

"Lin Sheng? Why are you only here now? Today I'll teach you to refine Yellow Tier Foundation Establishment Pills and Yellow Tier Blood Qi Pills at a twenty percent discount—how about it?"

"When you can break through to become a middle-tier Yellow Tier alchemist, I will take you as my disciple and teach you for free."

An old man in tattered cloth robes, upon seeing Lin Sheng, couldn't help but speak with a smile.

Qin Yu, seeing this, was somewhat stunned. This… is the sect's alchemist? Why does he feel so miserable?

According to ancient records, every alchemist should be glorious and revered by the sect.

"What… is going on?"

Lin Sheng, hearing that, leaned close to Qin Yu's ear and whispered: "Senior Brother, you just joined the inner sect, so you're not clear about the sect's alchemist system."

"Rumor has it that alchemists are prosperous and are honored guests of every sect."

"But… that treatment is only for Profound Tier alchemists."

"These few are stewards of the Alchemy Pavilion; they enjoy treatment far surpassing cultivators of the same realm, but… to break through the alchemist realm, they must constantly temper themselves and refine pills."

"Over these years, they have been stuck at the hurdle of becoming Profound Tier alchemists, never breaking through."

"Because each time they refine Profound Tier pills, the loss of spiritual herbs is extremely severe, resulting in only a thirty percent success rate per furnace."

"But to become a Profound Tier alchemist, at minimum they need a success rate of over fifty percent."

"Day after day, even if each furnace of pills sells, it results in a loss."

"These stewards and outer sect elders, in order to continue refining pills, can only sell the method of pill making, giving short-term instruction to sect disciples."

"The pill formula is simple, but the refining process—whether fire control or herb fusion—requires great attention to detail."

"These few are highly accomplished in Yellow Tier pills; inner sect disciples are willing to pay, and the sect turns a blind eye."

"Of course, if someone is a monstrous talent, the sect's alchemists will also actively take on disciples and cultivate them…"

Lin Sheng gave Qin Yu a brief explanation, after which he suddenly understood.

The expenses of alchemists are also not small.

If they were content with the status quo, with the sect backing them and still able to refine Yellow Tier pills to earn spirit stones, they would have already made a fortune.

But… their strength is insufficient to support breaking through to Profound Tier alchemist, which is why they are now penniless.

All their wealth and resources have been squandered on alchemy.

But… if they could become Profound Tier alchemists, they could also receive the sect's resource allocation.

Whether status or strength, both would advance further.

Furthermore, they are only one step away from the threshold.

For proficiency in Profound Tier pills, only the accumulation of time is needed to break through.

By then, all the losses will be recouped.

After all, in this era, alchemists are rare, especially Profound Tier alchemists, which are extremely valuable to the Profound Yang Sect.

To some extent, even a cultivator at the Earth Profound Realm cannot compare to a Profound Tier alchemist.

Even though most of the pills he refines are used by cultivators of the Spirit Transformation Realm.

Only a top-tier Profound Tier alchemist can refine pills usable by Earth Profound Realm cultivators.

However, the long-term benefits produced, including the sect's supply of pills, are extremely important.

"That's not bad; I might as well sign up too—becoming an alchemist would be easier that way." Qin Yu said in a low voice, asking.

Lin Sheng's pupils contracted; he quickly covered Qin Yu's mouth and said: "Senior Brother, your strength is sufficient; I have just been promoted to Yellow Tier alchemist and can teach you, saving a great deal."

"Normally we only exchange spirit stones when we encounter some obstacles…"

Just as Lin Sheng's words hadn't finished, an elder who had finished speaking on the stage instantly heard Qin Yu's words, flashed his figure, and arrived before the two.

A hint of joy appeared in his eyes: "This little friend, are you Lin Sheng's friend? You should know, the last time you broke through to Yellow Tier alchemist, it was thanks to us old guys."

"You didn't even introduce us to customers."

Lin Sheng felt both amused and exasperated: "If it weren't for your exorbitant fees, I would have introduced you long ago."

Now it's over; I estimate Senior Brother Qin Yu will also fall into the trap.

After all, whoever it is wants to become an alchemist, even if only a Yellow Tier one.

But in the future, going out into the world, it will be a golden signboard.

The cloth-robed elder's eager gaze fell on Qin Yu, and he quickly said: "Cough cough, little friend, do you know the importance of an alchemist? As long as you wish, we can help you become a Yellow Tier alchemist within a month!"

"Able to pass the alchemist's examination."

"Are you interested in learning more?"

Qin Yu narrowed his eyes, sensing danger, and immediately said: "Senior, tell me—if it truly can quickly make me a Yellow Tier alchemist, I am willing to pay spirit stones."

After all, having someone teach is still quite cost-effective.

After becoming a Yellow Tier alchemist, one can receive three Yellow Tier spiritual herbs from the sect each year, which is a great fortune.

Each spiritual herb is worth thousands or even tens of thousands of spirit stones.

Of course, there are also certain indicators: one must refine a certain number of pills, and the sect will buy them back, though the price is much lower than market value, but the advantage is stability—no need to sell them oneself.

Furthermore, I urgently need to become an alchemist now; mass-producing pills is the only way to obtain a longevity-extending spiritual herb within the remaining twenty-plus days.

A hint of anticipation appeared in the plain-clothed old man's eyes; sure enough, this kid Lin Sheng's close friend is also a big fat sheep.

He immediately said: "From nothing to something, advance to Yellow Rank—200,000 spirit stones!"

"But seeing as you're Lin Sheng's friend, also counting as a repeat customer, I'll give you a 10% discount—180,000 spirit stones!"

"According to the sect's distributed rewards, you only need six years to break even—how about that?"

Qin Yu: "???"

Holy shit, I treated you as a senior.

You're treating me like a fat sheep?