Chapter 324: Growth

Yan Buji spends time alchemizing mainly because, as a cultivator, he has nothing impressive to show.

Without resources or footwork, he can only increase his own value.

In the cultivation world, this is a place that highly values footwork strength; if one's power is insufficient, at least one must know some technique.

Alchemy is an excellent upward channel; with the Dragon Pattern Furnace's guidance, he is already luckier than many cultivators and should not complain.

Precisely because of this, becoming an Alchemist allows Yan Buji to access the contacts, channels, and sufficient information he needs.

To solve the dragon transformation problem, merely gathering beast sightings in the market is insufficient, and even the underground black market is not easily entered, which showcases the benefits of great strength and superb technique.

Had Yan Buji become an Alchemist earlier, or become a Golden Core period True Person earlier, he wouldn't be so passive.

The Golden Core stage is far away, but becoming an Alchemist is still something he can strive for.

A year passed.

Yan Buji, disheveled, looks at the ruined Alchemical Furnace, then at the round ancient soul‑enhancing pill in his hand; although only first‑turn level, it shows Yan Buji has reached first‑turn Alchemist proficiency.

"Hmm, mastering this in a year, though the success rate is only five out of ten," the Dragon Pattern Furnace said.

"Really hard, but that's enough," Yan Buji laughed.

The Dragon Pattern Furnace chuckled, "Shall we continue?"

"Continue; only as a Second Turn Alchemist can one qualify to touch the Binding‑Golden Core level!" Yan Buji declared firmly.

"But the nearby sea beasts are increasing."

"Then we'll deal with them first."

Yan Buji left the cave dwelling, cleared the nearby sea beasts within half a month, and returned to the cave to continue his cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, another three years passed.

Time has many uses for cultivators.

Since they walk the cultivation path, if they truly cannot persist, they can return to the mortal world to wield power and enjoy life, at least without fearing death.

Yet for ambitious cultivators, they will not waste any moment.

It's like those cultivators who frequently go to sea to escort merchant ships; would you think they are willing to drift at sea, possibly dying because of it?

Of course they are not willing.

But is it wrong that they risk their lives to earn that little resource?

Exactly.

The mistake is they lack footwork and technique.

Yan Buji clearly understands how much knowledge and technique help a person, and it is the same for cultivators.

Even if you wish to cultivate, you need sufficient resources, yet most resources are not under the control of lone cultivators.

Then one must see whether there are other added values.

Knowing alchemy, crafting Accumulation Devices, drawing talismans, arranging formations… and this series of added values determines whether you can survive in this cultivation world.

Precisely for this reason, Yan Buji can grow into an Alchemist with the Dragon Pattern Furnace's help, yet he occasionally studies the skill books given by the Asura Tribe High Priest; these prized treasures Yan Buji plans to research further after he builds his own magical foundation.

"Done! Second Turn Ancient Soul‑Enhancing Pill!" Yan Buji exhaled, looking at the round ancient soul‑enhancing pill in his hand marked with two sigils; although it doesn't match the Dragon Pattern Furnace's version, his understanding of the ancient soul‑enhancing formula is already thorough, and his alchemical skill has made a new breakthrough.

The Dragon Pattern Furnace nodded approvingly, "When you can forge the ancient soul‑enhancing pill at the third turn, you'll be ready to graduate."

"Then I can now alchemize other second‑turn pills without issue, right?"

"Hmm, the technique alone is sufficient, but you still need to study the formulas. Moreover, not every formula is recorded correctly; some may have missing or erroneous parts."

Yan Buji fell silent, frowned, and said, "In that case, please examine it, senior."

"That's exactly my intention."

The Dragon Pattern Furnace sent many incomplete alchemy formulas into Yan Buji's mind and said, "These formulas: some are wrong, some missing, some correct, some need Spiritual Material replacement… In total there are one hundred twenty‑four second‑turn formulas; when you complete them, it shows you are a true Second Turn Alchemist."

"Hmm!"

"I won't give you any hints; if you wish to go farther on the alchemy path, this is a problem you will inevitably face later."

Yan Buji laughed, "That's perfect then."

Honestly, the Dragon Pattern Furnace, as a senior, may be a bit ruthless, but it truly spares no effort in teaching Yan Buji.

It's like setting and solving problems; only with Yan Buji's own knowledge accumulation and sufficient skill can he identify the issues in the Dragon Pattern Furnace's formulas.

If he can't find them, it only shows his learning is insufficient.

Thus, Yan Buji searches day and night for the errors and omissions in these formulas.

In a flash.

Another ten years passed.

Just as cultivation, a powerful and widely applicable art is not easy to learn; feeling ready, Yan Buji handed all the revised one hundred twenty‑four formulas to the Dragon Pattern Furnace for judgment.

A day later.

The Dragon Pattern Furnace thought for a moment, drew a formula, and asked, "Why did you alter the main ingredient in this Dragon Tiger Leopard Heart Pill?"

"Because this is a Fourfold Transformation formula, centered on dragon‑beast heart blood; it's not a second‑turn formula at all," Yan Buji hesitated and said.

At that time, Yan Buji spent a full three months studying this formula, more time than he spent on any other formula.

Most of the time Yan Buji researched Spiritual Material properties, supplemented knowledge, and tried alchemy to uncover errors; crucially, no matter how he examined this formula, it seemed correct.

So he considered whether the main ingredient order was the issue and made the alteration.

The Dragon Pattern Furnace laughed, "Alright, you're already a qualified Second Turn Alchemist."

Yan Buji exhaled, "Senior really knows how to set questions; deliberately changing the main ingredient order, and it still succeeded!"

"Hahaha, the alchemy path is just like that; the roles of ruler, minister, assistant, and envoy are crucial for a novice rookie, but falling into this fixed mindset prevents any future. This is also a test of you, showing that in alchemy you won't be confined by rigid frameworks. Breaking conventions is the way forward," the Dragon Pattern Furnace said.

Yan Buji inhaled deeply, bowed, and said, "I've learned, senior."

"You're welcome, Huang Daoyou."

"No, I used to think the senior was a ruthless furnace, but now he truly has taught me a lot."

Longwen Lu: "You just look at me like that?"

"Then what else?"

"Tsk, where can you little brat get better?"

"Hahaha, this shows we share the same foul taste."

"This is not a compliment."