[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternal-life-starting-with-farming-to-refresh-my":3,"chapter-eternal-life-starting-with-farming-to-refresh-my-eternal-life-starting-with-farming-to-refresh-my-chapter-19":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Eternal Life: Starting with Farming to Refresh My Stats",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2331892,4560,"Chapter 19: First Steps in Alchemy","eternal-life-starting-with-farming-to-refresh-my-chapter-19",19,"\u003Cp>On this day, Su Danshi came again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming not only cooked a pot of Jin Ling rice but also prepared fine wine and dishes to entertain him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had recently earned a good deal of spirit stones selling spirit rice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spirit stone pouch that had been flat last year was now full again, holding over two hundred spirit stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a Qi Refining cultivator like him, this was a considerable income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The price, however, was somewhat heartbreaking. From several interactions, Qin Ming had gradually come to understand Su Danshi’s character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he carried an innate air of arrogance, he was still easy to get along with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On ordinary days, Su Danshi would occasionally mention a few questions about alchemy to Qin Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Su Danshi’s words, Qin Ming could sense that the man’s alchemical talent was truly exceptional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he could never have reached the rank of Mid-Grade Alchemist so young.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Su Danshi, what exactly is it?” Qin Ming drank another cup of wine, also feeling curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yin Ning flowers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, an image of a plant resembling an orchid appeared in Qin Ming’s mind, its blossoms like frozen frost, with pale yellow stamens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming had seen this plant before in a spirit plant book he had purchased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered it well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xixi Dan was a breakthrough elixir for late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, exceedingly rare, with no fixed market price and an exorbitant cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could it be?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is he preparing to ascend to Superior Alchemist?!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming, connecting the dots, now understood roughly what elixir Su Danshi intended to refine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming voiced his question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see,” Qin Ming nodded and poured more wine for Su Danshi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Yin Ning flowers are Grade-One spirit plants—I’ve never grown them before. I’m afraid—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming hesitated slightly, then spoke frankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, I can provide the Yin Ning seeds, and I’ll buy each mature plant for five spirit stones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Qin Ming’s heart pounded—he couldn’t pretend he wasn’t tempted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Su Danshi’s offered price, this would be a substantial income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After careful thought, Qin Ming said, “I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee success.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s one more favor I’d like to ask—could you agree to it, Su Danshi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll grow the Yin Ning flowers for you, but after harvest, I’ll take only one-tenth—the rest are yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… I’d like to learn a few basic techniques of alchemy from you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Su Danshi refused, fine. But if he agreed, it would be pure gain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Danshi paused, studying Qin Ming up and down, then chuckled dryly: “So you’ve been waiting for this all along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But remember clearly—alchemy consumes vast amounts of spirit stones and demands exceptional talent. Not everyone can learn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t blame me later if you fail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Qin Ming’s heart leapt—he knew this deal was sealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hehehe!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming’s mind raced, his little calculations clicking like counting beads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming’s face lit up: “Deal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming accepted the jade slip and bowed in thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at it briefly: ‘Three Essentials of Alchemy: Cauldron, Herbs, Fire Control…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming had assumed it was just an ordinary alchemy primer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon closer inspection, he realized this alchemy foundation was mostly drawn from Su Danshi’s personal study notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jade slip divided the alchemy basics into three sections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ‘Herbs Section’ covered the growth habits, environments, properties, and combinations of various spirit materials, with Su Danshi’s own annotations marked throughout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ‘Fire Control Section’ recorded how to adjust and apply fire during refining, along with descriptions of different grades of alchemical flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall, Su Danshi’s jade slip contained a remarkably systematic and thorough foundation in alchemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just this book alone is worth three years of tilling land!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming happily tucked the jade slip away, then raised his cup to toast Su Danshi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the agreement settled, the two resumed their meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Thud! Thud! At that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knock came at Qin Ming’s door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Su Danshi, eat first—I’ll get the door.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He called out, set down his chopsticks, and rose to open it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The visitor was Long Daoist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming quickly ushered him in: “Long Daoist, come in! We’re just eating—join us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Daoist frowned, cutting straight to the point: “No need. I’m here as usual—just to buy some spirit rice. I won’t—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he saw a young figure in a white robe seated at the table, eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Su Danshi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was stunned, his face twisting with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How is Su Danshi here? And eating with him?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Daoist greeted Su Danshi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s their relationship? I clearly underestimated Qin Daoist!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he couldn’t afford to eat like this daily—he now found Qin Ming utterly inscrutable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe, Qin Daoist, I won’t eat—I have other matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Same as always—eighty jin of spirit rice. Please check.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Daoist took the pouch, weighed it in his hand, tucked it into his storage bag, then handed Qin Ming twenty spirit stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After purchasing the spirit rice, Long Daoist exchanged a few pleasantries with the two and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming saw Long Daoist out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned to the table and sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe, Qin Daoist, you’ve clearly grown rich from your spirit rice business!” Su Danshi picked up a dish and chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satiated and full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Ming took the seeds, nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered silently: will these Grade-One Yin Ning flowers yield any entries?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1434,"2026-06-20T20:44:51.995Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","03d80f6ec338e59636079421cfb8a8743dd64ec8aa5f6c1ca4ab344725cab2a5","eternal-life-starting-with-farming-to-refresh-my-chapter-20","eternal-life-starting-with-farming-to-refresh-my-chapter-18",755,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-life-starting-with-farming-to-refresh-my-cover.jpg"]