Chapter 299: You've entered?

The man looked at Jiang Cheng.

"Shen Da Ge, I think I should keep learning more from you."

Jiang Cheng smiled awkwardly.

At his current level, without Shen Ming's guidance, he definitely couldn't refine a finished pill.

The Experience Value gain would also be minimal.

It's not worth it.

"Fine."

Shen Ming didn't think further and turned his gaze to another man.

The latter swallowed, looking a bit nervous.

After a round of processing, the pill came out of the furnace, and surprisingly, there was only one finished pill.

The man's complexion collapsed at once.

Shen Ming also frowned.

"Your progress is still lacking; it's been almost a week since your Entry day, right? Your performance is unchanged, and with two‑thirds of the month left, you need to hurry."

"Yes, Shen Da Ge, I'll go back right away and practice more."

The man blushed and fled as if escaping, leaving the place.

Shen Ming kept shaking his head.

Clearly, this person isn't cut out for alchemy.

After such a long time, his level still shows no improvement.

His gaze fell again on Jiang Cheng.

"At most two more days."

Shen Ming said, "I'll hand‑teach you for two more days; then you must, like the others, refine a pill on your own. Usually, after three days of study, a person can reach Entry and produce a finished pill."

"Yes, Shen Da Ge."

Jiang Cheng nodded obediently.

No need for two days; once today passes, my Alchemy Technique will reach Entry.

The standard for Entry into the Spirit Nourishing Pill Alchemy Technique is to refine a Primary Spirit Nourishing Pill.

Once achieved, I can obtain ingredients from Shen Ming, find a Lian Dan Shi, and practice alone.

If the Alchemy Technique reaches Proficient, one batch of ingredients can yield five Intermediate Spirit Nourishing Pills, or using one‑and‑a‑half batches can produce one Intermediate and several Primary pills.

This is also the Black Market's specified Assessment requirement.

The morning passed quickly, and by evening he appeared again in the Lian Dan Shi.

After refining two pills, the Alchemy Technique's Experience Bar reached 100%.

Instantly, a flood of memories surged in Jiang Cheng's mind.

From the properties of the ingredients to the steps of preparation and the control of heat, he gained a preliminary understanding.

"We'll stop here for today."

Shen Ming put away the pill and said, "Tomorrow I'll guide you for a day, the day after you'll refine one, and I'll see how your level is after three days of study."

"Shen Da Ge, no need to wait until tomorrow."

Jiang Cheng showed a confident smile, "I feel I've already reached Entry."

"Are you sure?"

Hearing that, Shen Ming's eyes showed deep doubt.

He had observed Jiang Cheng's performance these two days; it wasn't bad, but not particularly good either.

At least it's considerably better than those three.

Now, he claims he's reached Entry.

"Alright, I'll try refining one on my own now; Shen Da Ge, just watch."

"Fine, then begin."

Shen Ming nodded.

Time ticked by second by second.

His expression shifted from disbelief to half‑belief, and finally, as the pill emerged from the furnace and he saw a pristine Primary Spirit Nourishing Pill, he turned and gave Jiang Cheng a deep look.

A bit surprised.

Also a little incredulous, because for two days he had been hand‑teaching him, and the other had never refined anything on his own.

In the end, it truly let him reach Entry.

If not for the fact that the latter is only a Level 1 Spirit Mind Practitioner with limited Spiritual Power, he would have wanted him to try again.

"Then tomorrow morning, refine again; if you succeed, you can thereafter obtain ingredients from me and refine on your own."

Jiang Cheng smiled at the words.

At last he can refine by himself.

On the Panel, the Alchemy Technique's Experience Bar had risen about threefold.

If Shen Ming continues to guide him, the speed should be a bit faster than before; after all, he's now at Entry, so the number of finished pills per furnace will increase.

But judging by his look, he probably won't agree to continue this way, likely like the other three, giving guidance only each morning.

If he refines alone thereafter, it will take longer, since with his current Spiritual Power, six furnaces a day is his limit.

Of course, a month is certainly enough for him to raise his Alchemy Technique to Proficient.

The problem is, that time is a bit too long.

Whether to boost his own strength or to guard against the Dawn Society finding this place, he should raise his Alchemy Technique to completion as soon as possible; the shorter, the better.

"Perhaps I could try doing it that way."

A bold idea sprang up in Jiang Cheng's mind.

Another night passed.

The next day.

When Shen Ming demonstrated once and asked who among them wanted to go first.

Jiang Cheng stepped forward voluntarily.

The reason was simple.

He didn't want to be a fool and wait here idle for a few more hours.

For the others, the saying "a stone from another mountain can be used to polish jade" is correct; for him, it's unnecessary—just push through.

Sure enough, after he volunteered, the three people beside him were stunned, and then Han Tao exchanged a glance with the woman next to him, a vague smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Alright, you go then."

Shen Ming nodded.

An hour later, the alchemical pill was finished, yielding one finished Spirit Nourishing Pill.

In an instant, the smiles on Han Tao's and the other man's faces froze.

Another man reacted even more, his eyes widening, a look of disbelief flashing in them.

He recalled that this newcomer had only been here about two days, and now, relying on his own skill, had refined a finished Spirit Nourishing Pill? "Not bad, not bad."

Shen Ming nodded repeatedly, "It seems you've truly reached Entry."

"Thanks to Brother Shen's care," Jiang Cheng hurriedly said.

Hearing that, Han Tao let out a cold snort inwardly.

It's only Entry.

He is still far from reaching Proficient.

Just like that guy later on.

He glanced sideways at the dumbfounded man.

"Brother Shen, can I now obtain the ingredients from you and go to the Refining Alchemy room to refine them myself?"

Jiang Cheng felt a bit impatient.

"Of course."

Shen Ming smiled, "With your current Spiritual Power, you can receive six portions free each day; any more will require you to pay for them yourself."

Hearing that, the other three instantly understood, their gazes toward Jiang Cheng changed slightly, realizing, so this one truly is a Level 1 Spirit Mind Practitioner?

Jiang Cheng ignored the others' stares, nodded at Shen Ming to show his understanding.

He took a medicine box and a key from Shen Ming, left the place directly, found the corresponding Refining Alchemy room, opened the box, and looked at the six portions of ingredients neatly arranged inside.

If refined individually, one portion at a time, these would be just enough for a day's Experience Bar, roughly increasing it by a tenth; ten days would bring him to Entry.

That speed is actually fast enough, but still not fast enough.

So, he had a bold idea.

(End of chapter)