Chapter 703: The Method of Medicinal Cuisine

As he spoke.

Yang Yuntian's gaze swept over the crowd in the Square.

He continued to speak in a clear voice.

"It has been fifty years since the first Maple City Pill Gathering."

"When I and two good friends founded the first Maple City Pill Gathering, we only wanted to gather a few like-minded Daoist Friends to discuss the Dao of alchemy together; I never imagined that this Maple City Pill Gathering could develop to its current scale."

"To celebrate the Maple City Pill Gathering reaching its tenth iteration, for this gathering, I have specially invited a heavyweight figure."

Hearing this.

The eyes of the crowd lit up one after another.

Seeing this, Yang Yuntian smiled.

He looked up at the void above his head, "Senior Brother Wan, please."

At the same time.

The crowd also looked toward that void in unison.

Under the gaze of the crowd.

That void slowly rippled open.

Immediately after.

A figure stepped out from the space rippling like water waves.

Seeing this figure, the crowd was startled.

Immediately after.

A roar of commotion erupted.

"That is... Senior Brother Wan Guiyuan!"

"Senior Brother Yang actually managed to invite Senior Brother Wan!"

"Senior Brother Wan Guiyuan is a Core Disciple of our Beast Taming Sect; I never expected a Core Disciple to attend this Pill Gathering!"

"It is rumored that Senior Brother Wan Guiyuan's talent in both the Dao of alchemy and the cultivation of Spiritual Power is extremely astonishing. While his attainments in the Dao of alchemy have reached the Fifth-tier Low-grade, his cultivation has not lagged behind, and he can firmly hold a place in the upper-middle tier among the Core Disciples!"

"To balance two paths simultaneously and have such astonishing achievements in both, it is too impressive!"

"I had only heard of Senior Brother Wan's various deeds in the past; I never expected to have the fortune of seeing him in person today!"

"If I remember correctly, this should be the only Pill Gathering that a Core Disciple has ever attended, right?"

In the Beast Taming Sect, only Cultivators whose Will Power reaches the Seventh-Rank or higher can become Core Disciples.

Normally, if one cannot raise their Will Power to the Seventh-Rank or higher, even if they break through to the Nascent Soul Stage, they are not qualified to become a Core Disciple.

Of course, nothing is absolute.

If a disciple within the sect reaches a level in a certain ability that can be called a Monster, far exceeding other disciples, it is possible to be promoted to Core Disciple by exception.

Just like Yang Yuntian.

Although he is only at the Fifth-Order Will Stage, and his Will Power has already reached its limit and cannot be improved further.

His future on the path of Spiritual Power cultivation is destined to be limited.

But his talent in the Dao of alchemy cannot be ignored.

To become a Fifth-tier Low-grade Alchemist with Nascent Soul Stage cultivation—such an achievement is enough to move anyone.

It is rumored that many Elders within the Beast Taming Sect have already proposed promoting him to Core Disciple by exception.

Yang Yuntian looked at the Square, which had become boisterous due to the appearance of Wan Guiyuan.

He smiled at Wan Guiyuan, "That Senior Brother Wan could grace this Pill Gathering with his presence is a great honor for me and all the Daoist Friends here."

"With Senior Brother Wan's guidance, this Pill Gathering will surely allow us to benefit boundlessly."

Wan Guiyuan swept his gaze over the crowd below, then shook his head and smiled, "Junior Brother Yang is being too modest."

"Within a month, your transfer order to be promoted to Core Disciple will certainly be issued, and by then, you will also become one of the Core Disciples."

"Being promoted to Core Disciple by exception based on attainments in the Dao of alchemy, you are the first among this generation of Core Disciples. When it comes to attainments in the Dao of alchemy, I dare not say that I can definitely surpass you."

"I have come this time just to join in the fun; Junior Brother Yang need not mind me, the Pill Gathering may proceed as usual."

Hearing Wan Guiyuan's words, the crowd looked at Yang Yuntian one after another.

The matter of Yang Yuntian being highly regarded by many Elders and proposed for promotion to Core Disciple by exception had long been circulating within the Inner Sect.

It was just that there had never been any definite news; it was merely an ethereal rumor, difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood.

But Wan Guiyuan's words completely confirmed the rumor.

Everyone could not help but reveal looks of envy.

A Core Disciple!

In the entire Beast Taming Sect, there are tens of thousands of disciples, yet there are only a meager few less than a hundred Core Disciples.

One can see how rare Core Disciples are.

Once one becomes a Core Disciple, they can receive the best resource cultivation from the Beast Taming Sect, and their future will surely be infinitely bright.

Facing those many envious gazes, Yang Yuntian smiled faintly, "Senior Brother Wan is being too humble. If you were to focus on the Dao of alchemy, you would certainly far surpass me. As for being the first person to be promoted to Core Disciple by exception based on attainments in the Dao of alchemy, I am afraid it would not be my turn."

Hearing this, Wan Guiyuan smiled and shook his head.

Focus on the Dao of alchemy?

This world is, after all, one where the strong are respected.

The Dao of alchemy is, in the end, merely a path to assist cultivation.

His goal for the future is not to become a grandmaster of alchemy, but to walk further on the path of longevity.

"Senior Brother Wan, please take your seat."

Just at this moment, the voice of Yang Yuntian came again.

Wan Guiyuan nodded, his figure flashed, and he descended beside the empty table in the main position and sat down.

After him, Yang Yuntian and two other Pill Gathering organizers landed one after another beside the same table.

They gathered at the same table as Wan Guiyuan.

After taking his seat, Yang Yuntian gave a wink to a middle-aged Cultivator at the edge of the Square.

That middle-aged Cultivator understood and immediately waved his hand toward the outside of the Square.

Then, one figure after another entered from outside the Square, each person carrying a tray in their hands.

On each tray were several fragrant dishes and a small bottle of Spirit Wine.

Very quickly.

A serving of wine and food was placed on every table.

Wang Jianqiang looked at the dishes on the table and raised his eyebrows.

These dishes were actually all made by combining various Medicinal Herbs.

The person who prepared them seemed to have a very proficient grasp of the medicinal properties of various Medicinal Herbs.

Through simple combinations, the medicinal power of these herbs, after being mixed, not only did not dissipate but actually gained a certain degree of amplification.

The overall effect of each dish was no weaker than a normal Second Tier High Grade Pill.

Rather than calling them dishes, it would be better to call them Medicinal Cuisine.

As for the wine.

It also contained medicinal power within it.

It was made from various Medicinal Herbs, and its effect was not the slightest bit weaker than the dishes.

"Everyone, this is the Medicinal Cuisine and Medicinal Wine that I, Yang, have recently developed; please, have a taste."

Just at this moment, a clear and bright voice came.

Wang Jianqiang silently glanced at Yang Yuntian at the main table.

Were these wine and dishes all researched by him?

This Yang Yuntian seems to have some substance.

Just at this moment, the voice of Qing Yu reached his ears.

"Wang Daniu, these dishes are made from Spirit Medicine; they contain medicinal power within them and can be regarded as exotic pills, which will be of great help to your cultivation."

"However, you must not eat too much; your cultivation is still weak, and you cannot withstand such strong medicinal power."

"Mm, I understand, Sister Qing Yu."

Wang Jianqiang nodded with a smile.

He had stayed at the "Qi Refining First Layer" for long enough.

It just so happened that this was an "opportunity."

After the Pill Gathering, it was time to break through.

While thinking this, he picked up a pair of chopsticks and took a bite of the food.

The taste was not bad.

He thought to himself, and an exaggerated expression appeared on his face, "Delicious."

Saying this, he took another bite.

"Heh, a servant is just a servant; making a fuss over a small matter, truly lacking in class."

Just at this moment, a mocking voice suddenly came from behind.

Wang Jianqiang turned his head to look.

Ximen Qi's face, filled with mockery, appeared in his field of vision.

His face flushed red, and he immediately became reserved.

Looking at Qing Yu, he said somewhat embarrassedly, "Third Miss, did I embarrass you?"

Qing Yu frowned and glanced at Ximen Qi, then smiled and shook her head at Wang Jianqiang, "No, don't pay attention to him."

"Oh."

Wang Jianqiang nodded and continued to taste the dishes.

Seeing this, Ximen Qi sneered.

While Wang Jianqiang and Qing Yu were tasting the dishes.

Everyone else was also tasting them.

After realizing the medicinal power within the dishes, everyone successively revealed expressions of amazement.

"Senior Brother Yang's attainments in Medicinal Cuisine are getting stronger and stronger."

"That's right, if I remember correctly, the medicinal power of the Medicinal Cuisine at the last Pill Gathering was only equivalent to a Second Tier Low Grade Pill, right? In just three short years, he has actually improved so much."

"Senior Brother Yang's attainments in the Dao of Pills are truly too strong."

Listening to those words of flattery and amazement, the smile on Yang Yuntian's face gradually became richer.

To the side.

Wan Guiyuan was clearly seeing Medicinal Cuisine for the first time, and after tasting it, a look of shock appeared on his face.

"I have long heard that the Medicinal Cuisine prepared by Junior Brother Yang is extraordinary; this is my first time eating it."

"Not only is the taste excellent, but the medicinal power can actually be preserved to such a degree."

"If you can continue to research it, I fear Junior Brother Yang will be able to carve out a new path outside of this Dao of Pills."

"Such an achievement is surely enough to go down in history!"

Hearing Wan Guiyuan's tone, which was full of shock, Yang Yuntian shook his head with a bitter smile, "Senior Brother Wan is far too flattering."

"This method of Medicinal Cuisine was not created by this junior brother myself, but by a genius of the Alchemist path from tens of thousands of years ago."

"I merely benefited from the shade of a predecessor, obtaining the incomplete inheritance of that Alchemist genius."

Wan Guiyuan was stunned upon hearing this.

It was created tens of thousands of years ago?

Why had he never heard of this method?

Seeming to see through Wan Guiyuan's confusion, Yang Yuntian smiled, "Is Senior Brother Wan wondering why, if this method was created so long ago, there has been no word of its inheritance?"

Wan Guiyuan nodded, "That is correct, I am indeed somewhat puzzled."

"Compared to the Alchemist path, this Medicinal Cuisine method, while having its shortcomings, is superior in certain aspects; overall, it is almost not weaker than the Alchemist path."

"Such a brilliant inheritance, even if it were severed, would certainly not leave no trace behind."

"If it were just me being ill-informed, that would be one thing, but my Beast Taming Sect is a top-tier power in this world, and we have numerous ancient texts; why is there no record of this method within the sect?"

The others had never heard of the origins of Yang Yuntian's Medicinal Cuisine method either, and this was the first time they had heard Yang Yuntian speak of it.

Hearing Wan Guiyuan's question, they all perked up.

Yang Yuntian looked at the group, then sighed and said to Wan Guiyuan, "Because this method was only in its budding stage, not a complete inheritance."

The group was stunned in unison upon hearing this.

Yang Yuntian sighed again, a flash of regret appearing on his face, "That Alchemist genius who created the Medicinal Cuisine method was merely a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator from a small sect."

"His talent for cultivation was not high to begin with, and because he was obsessed with creating the Medicinal Cuisine method, he wasted a great deal of time."

"This caused both his cultivation and his attainments in the Alchemist path to be delayed, and he was unable to break through the Nascent Soul Stage in his lifetime."

"Before he passed away, his Alchemist attainment had only reached the Mid-level Fourth Rank."

"And his greatest achievement was merely researching a single Medicinal Cuisine comparable to a Mid-level Fourth Rank."

"Following his passing, this Medicinal Cuisine method, which was still in its budding stage, was gradually forgotten."

"It wasn't until fifty years ago that I accidentally obtained the incomplete notes of this Alchemist genius; after researching them for decades, I barely managed to restore a portion of the Medicinal Cuisine."

"So that is how it is."

Wan Guiyuan's expression turned regretful, and he sighed, "To carve out a brand-new path as a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, that Alchemist genius could be said to have talent that shocked the past and present; it is just a pity that he was ultimately defeated by his aptitude."

"If his cultivation talent had been astonishing, his cultivation had broken through fast enough, and he had enough longevity to support him, he might truly have been able to carve out a brand-new path and benefit future cultivators."

Hearing this, the others also revealed expressions of regret.

This was a powerful cultivation path comparable to the Alchemist path!

What a pity!

The Medicinal Cuisine method, is it?

Wang Jianqiang listened to the two discussing it, and a deep sense of interest emerged in his heart.

After just tasting the Medicinal Cuisine.

He already had a clear grasp of the advantages and disadvantages of the Medicinal Cuisine method.

This Medicinal Cuisine method's utilization rate of medicinal power is inferior to the Alchemist path.

In other words.

If the same raw materials are refined into a Pill and a Medicinal Cuisine, the medicinal power of the Pill is stronger than that of the Medicinal Cuisine.

Furthermore, because a Pill is the essence of medicinal power directly condensed, the difficulty of refining the medicinal power is also lower than that of Medicinal Cuisine.

Reflected in a cultivator, this means.

For a Pill and a Medicinal Cuisine of the same medicinal power, refined by the same cultivator.

If refining the Pill, it takes one hour.

Then refining the Medicinal Cuisine would consume one and a half hours.

Moreover.

Medicinal Cuisine is also harder to preserve than Pills.

From every aspect, Medicinal Cuisine seems inferior to Pills.

But Medicinal Cuisine has one huge advantage.

Just this one advantage is enough to reverse all the previous disadvantages.

Allowing it to reach a level comparable to the Alchemist path.

That is, the medicinal power of Medicinal Cuisine is naturally dispersed.

Take a Third-tier Pill for example; without the help of a powerful expert, a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator cannot withstand its medicinal power, and if they force themselves to refine it, they will likely have their meridians shattered by the medicinal power and become a cripple.

As for breaking the Pill apart and only taking a portion?

That is completely unfeasible.

Within a Pill, the medicinal powers are intertwined and twisted into one; once broken apart, the balance between the medicinal powers is destroyed.

The medicinal power becomes completely chaotic and instantly turns into a useless pill.

Except for a small portion of pills that can be dissolved in water to be absorbed, high-level pills cannot be taken by low-level cultivators to skip ranks.

But Medicinal Cuisine is different.

A portion of Medicinal Cuisine comparable to a Third-tier Pill is naturally composed of dozens or even hundreds of fragmented parts.

As long as it is not eaten all at once, and one only eats a few simple bites, a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator can fully withstand it without the help of a high-level cultivator.

Simply put.

The advantage of the Medicinal Cuisine method is that it allows low-level cultivators to enjoy higher-level medicinal power across ranks.

This is a characteristic that is enough to drive all cultivators crazy.

Thinking of this.

Wang Jianqiang looked at Yang Yuntian, who was talking eloquently, as if he were looking at a peerless beauty.

His eyes instantly became bright and shining.