Chapter 19: First Steps in Alchemy

On this day, Su Danshi came again.

Qin Ming not only cooked a pot of Jin Ling rice but also prepared fine wine and dishes to entertain him.

He had recently earned a good deal of spirit stones selling spirit rice.

The spirit stone pouch that had been flat last year was now full again, holding over two hundred spirit stones.

For a Qi Refining cultivator like him, this was a considerable income.

He had also bought some beast meat to go with the wine; some of the higher-quality beast meat could replenish blood and qi and offered minor benefits to cultivation.

The price, however, was somewhat heartbreaking. From several interactions, Qin Ming had gradually come to understand Su Danshi’s character.

Though he carried an innate air of arrogance, he was still easy to get along with.

On ordinary days, Su Danshi would occasionally mention a few questions about alchemy to Qin Ming.

From Su Danshi’s words, Qin Ming could sense that the man’s alchemical talent was truly exceptional.

Otherwise, he could never have reached the rank of Mid-Grade Alchemist so young.

“Qin Daoist, I’m not here to buy spirit rice this time—I want to make another deal with you,” Su Danshi said, taking a bite of food, lifting his cup, draining it in one gulp, then revealing his purpose.

Qin Ming was deeply curious, thinking to himself: ‘I’m just an ordinary Spirit Farmer—what else could Su Danshi possibly want from me besides spirit rice?’

“Su Danshi, what exactly is it?” Qin Ming drank another cup of wine, also feeling curious.

“I’m preparing to refine a certain elixir and will need a large quantity of Yin Ning flowers—I’d like you to help cultivate them,” Su Danshi said solemnly.

“Yin Ning flowers?”

Instantly, an image of a plant resembling an orchid appeared in Qin Ming’s mind, its blossoms like frozen frost, with pale yellow stamens.

Yin Ning flowers are Grade-One spirit plants, taking about a year to mature, with a flowering period of roughly seven days; their blossoms can be used in alchemy.

Qin Ming had seen this plant before in a spirit plant book he had purchased.

He remembered it well.

But he had once heard Su Danshi mention that Yin Ning flowers served as an auxiliary ingredient for the Grade-One Superior elixir, “Xixi Dan.”

Xixi Dan was a breakthrough elixir for late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, exceedingly rare, with no fixed market price and an exorbitant cost.

‘Could it be?’

‘Is he preparing to ascend to Superior Alchemist?!’

Qin Ming, connecting the dots, now understood roughly what elixir Su Danshi intended to refine.

But why didn’t Su Danshi ask the Spirit Farmers of Lingyu Sect to cultivate them instead? Why come to him, a mere Spirit Farmer?

Qin Ming voiced his question.

“Hehe, I’m used to being free-spirited and dislike being bound by sect rules. If I asked Lingyu Sect to cultivate them, it would only lead to endless complications,” Su Danshi explained calmly.

“I see,” Qin Ming nodded and poured more wine for Su Danshi.

“But Yin Ning flowers are Grade-One spirit plants—I’ve never grown them before. I’m afraid—”

Qin Ming hesitated slightly, then spoke frankly.

“Qin Daoist, you’re joking. If you can successfully grow Beast Fang Rice, then Yin Ning flowers certainly won’t be a problem for you,” Su Danshi said with a faint, knowing smile.

“Besides, I can provide the Yin Ning seeds, and I’ll buy each mature plant for five spirit stones.”

Hearing this, Qin Ming’s heart pounded—he couldn’t pretend he wasn’t tempted.

At Su Danshi’s offered price, this would be a substantial income.

After careful thought, Qin Ming said, “I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee success.”

“There’s one more favor I’d like to ask—could you agree to it, Su Danshi?”

“Go ahead.”

“I’ll grow the Yin Ning flowers for you, but after harvest, I’ll take only one-tenth—the rest are yours.”

“But… I’d like to learn a few basic techniques of alchemy from you.”

Qin Ming saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity right before him—he couldn’t let it slip. He didn’t expect Su Danshi to teach him advanced alchemy; even learning a little of the everyday basics would satisfy him.

If Su Danshi refused, fine. But if he agreed, it would be pure gain.

Su Danshi paused, studying Qin Ming up and down, then chuckled dryly: “So you’ve been waiting for this all along?”

“But remember clearly—alchemy consumes vast amounts of spirit stones and demands exceptional talent. Not everyone can learn it.”

“Don’t blame me later if you fail.”

Hearing this, Qin Ming’s heart leapt—he knew this deal was sealed.

First time’s the charm, second time’s the habit. This time it’s Yin Ning flowers; next time, who knows what other spirit herb Su Danshi will need—and he might be persuaded to reveal even more.

‘Hehehe!’

Qin Ming’s mind raced, his little calculations clicking like counting beads.

“I’ve decided to stay here for another three years. How about this—you grow spirit herbs for me for three years, and I’ll exchange them for some of my alchemical insights.”

Qin Ming’s face lit up: “Deal!”

“Here is ‘Basic Alchemy,’ covering the fundamental properties of herbs—you must understand them thoroughly. These are my own early notes and summaries; take them and study them,” Su Danshi said, pulling out a jade slip and handing it to Qin Ming.

Qin Ming accepted the jade slip and bowed in thanks.

He glanced at it briefly: ‘Three Essentials of Alchemy: Cauldron, Herbs, Fire Control…’

Qin Ming had assumed it was just an ordinary alchemy primer.

But upon closer inspection, he realized this alchemy foundation was mostly drawn from Su Danshi’s personal study notes.

The jade slip divided the alchemy basics into three sections.

The ‘Cauldron Section’ detailed which cauldrons were suited for different elixirs, their specific functions, when to switch cauldrons, when to change vessels, and so on.

The ‘Herbs Section’ covered the growth habits, environments, properties, and combinations of various spirit materials, with Su Danshi’s own annotations marked throughout.

The ‘Fire Control Section’ recorded how to adjust and apply fire during refining, along with descriptions of different grades of alchemical flames.

Overall, Su Danshi’s jade slip contained a remarkably systematic and thorough foundation in alchemy.

‘Just this book alone is worth three years of tilling land!’

Qin Ming happily tucked the jade slip away, then raised his cup to toast Su Danshi.

With the agreement settled, the two resumed their meal.

Thud! Thud! Thud! At that moment.

A knock came at Qin Ming’s door.

“Su Danshi, eat first—I’ll get the door.”

He called out, set down his chopsticks, and rose to open it.

The door opened.

The visitor was Long Daoist.

Qin Ming quickly ushered him in: “Long Daoist, come in! We’re just eating—join us?”

Long Daoist frowned, cutting straight to the point: “No need. I’m here as usual—just to buy some spirit rice. I won’t—”

Before he finished speaking,

he saw a young figure in a white robe seated at the table, eating.

It was Su Danshi.

He was stunned, his face twisting with surprise.

‘How is Su Danshi here? And eating with him?’

Long Daoist greeted Su Danshi.

But he didn’t sit.

He glanced at the table: every dish was spirit rice, spirit wine, and beast meat—this single meal must have cost at least five spirit stones.

‘What’s their relationship? I clearly underestimated Qin Daoist!’

Even he couldn’t afford to eat like this daily—he now found Qin Ming utterly inscrutable.

“Hehe, Qin Daoist, I won’t eat—I have other matters.”

Qin Ming sensed Long Daoist had no intention of staying, so he took a pouch of spirit rice from his storage bag and handed it over.

“Same as always—eighty jin of spirit rice. Please check.”

Long Daoist took the pouch, weighed it in his hand, tucked it into his storage bag, then handed Qin Ming twenty spirit stones.

After purchasing the spirit rice, Long Daoist exchanged a few pleasantries with the two and left.

Qin Ming saw Long Daoist out.

He returned to the table and sat down.

“Hehe, Qin Daoist, you’ve clearly grown rich from your spirit rice business!” Su Danshi picked up a dish and chuckled.

“Just barely making ends meet. The price of spirit rice has risen slightly lately, but compared to you, Su Danshi, it’s nothing.” Qin Ming replied modestly.

Satiated and full.

Su Danshi pulled out a small pouch of Yin Ning seeds and handed them to Qin Ming: “I’ll rent land near your spirit field—you can plant them there.”

Qin Ming took the seeds, nodded in agreement.

He wondered silently: will these Grade-One Yin Ning flowers yield any entries?

(End of Chapter)