Chapter 179: Alchemizing Second-Rank Pills

Do you have Soul-Returning Pills?

He Pingsheng spoke as he looked around the alchemy shop.

The shop was tiny, less than ten zhang across, containing only a few shelves and some arrays.

Of course, this was understandable.

Because cultivators in the cultivation world commonly use only a few types of pills, which take up little space, there's no need to make the shop large.

"Yes!" the child said to He Pingsheng: "But you'll have to wait—I can't sell second-rank pills; I must call my master!"

He Pingsheng nodded and said: "Call him!"

The boy activated a Tongxinfu and sent a signal; soon, an elderly man with a tall, sturdy frame and upright posture stepped out—his hair and beard were white, yet his face was ruddy and youthful.

He Pingsheng's spiritual sense swept over the man.

A customer scanning a shopkeeper isn't impolite.

But he couldn't detect anything?

He Pingsheng was stunned inside: this man's cultivation base was either at the peak of Foundation Establishment or had already reached Golden Core.

"Hehehe… Welcome, fellow cultivator!" the white-haired elder said: "I am Xuan Yuan Changgeng. You want Soul-Returning Pills?"

With that, He Pingsheng could deduce: the man's cultivation was likely at the peak of Foundation Establishment—level ten, eleven, or twelve.

Because if he were at Foundation Establishment level nine, He Pingsheng could have seen it; above level nine, he couldn't perceive it.

The man had just addressed him as "fellow cultivator," meaning he was Foundation Establishment.

"Yes!" He Pingsheng said: "I came to ask the price!"

"Good, good, good… please…" Xuan Yuan Changgeng invited He Pingsheng inside and said: "We have Soul-Returning Pills, but not many—only three bottles right now, and all are low-grade…"

Low-grade was exactly what He Pingsheng wanted. He asked: "How much per bottle?"

Xuan Yuan Changgeng said: "Two thousand spirit stones, fellow cultivator. This is the lowest price—you won't find cheaper in the entire Dingxiang City!"

He Pingsheng wasn't shocked.

After all, this was a second-rank pill.

When he had bought low-grade 【Sharp Metal Talismans】 at the Matou Mountain marketplace's Fenghe Shop, each one cost three thousand spirit stones.

Two thousand spirit stones per bottle of Soul-Returning Pills was normal.

Second-rank items cost many times, even hundreds of times more than first-rank ones.

There's no help for it!

Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining are worlds apart.

"Fine…" He Pingsheng said: "I'll take one bottle… Also, Master Xuan, do you sell the materials for Soul-Returning Pills?"

"We do!"

Xuan Yuan Changgeng said: "Over here… sold by portion. The main ingredients are 【Earth Yellow Root】, 【Night-Closing Purple】, and 【Mandala Lotus】; there are thirteen auxiliary ingredients, totaling sixteen materials!"

"Four hundred spirit stones per portion!"

He Pingsheng nodded.

Actually, the materials for making Soul-Returning Pills aren't fixed.

For example, the main ingredient 【Night-Closing Purple】 is a spiritual liquid formed from dew condensed by a certain spiritual plant, appearing purple due to its qi-rich vapor—hence the name.

If you lack it, other second-rank spiritual liquids can substitute.

Likewise, if you have no 【Earth Yellow Root】, some second-rank 【Ginseng varieties】 can replace it.

The resulting Soul-Returning Pills may differ slightly, but their effects are nearly identical.

The auxiliary ingredients can be replaced in countless ways.

Four hundred spirit stones per portion means five portions equal two thousand spirit stones—roughly the value of one bottle of pills.

One bottle contains twelve pills—that's one furnace's yield.

So… the price strictly follows the rule: five portions of material yield one furnace of finished pills.

In the cultivation world, five portions yielding one furnace is the average skill level of alchemists.

Most alchemists operate at this level.

"Good!" He Pingsheng said: "Give me ten portions!"

Xuan Yuan Changgeng's face darkened: "Er… uh… fellow cultivator, I don't have that many right now—only five portions left!"

Small shops often lack sufficient stock.

He Pingsheng didn't mind; he nodded: "Five portions are fine. Give me some firewood for alchemy—I'll pick it myself."

Xuan Yuan Changgeng said: "No problem!"

After selecting the wood, He Pingsheng asked: "Do you have second-rank poison pills here?"

"We don't," Xuan Yuan sighed. "No one usually needs this. Are you a poison cultivator?"

He Pingsheng nodded, acknowledging it.

Since he had no poison pills, He Pingsheng had no reason to stay.

No need to visit the big trading houses.

Because when He Pingsheng had visited those big trading houses before, he'd checked pill prices—they were significantly higher than those at Xuan Yuan's alchemy shop.

If so, there was no point going.

Back at his small courtyard, He Pingsheng dumped all the wood out of his storage bag at once.

There was no choice—he still had to use wood to alchemize.

Where else would he get fire?

He couldn't rely on fire spiritual energy—it would drain before finishing one furnace.

Not worth it.

Of course, Golden Core disciples can use pill-fire to alchemize.

But pill-fire is extremely unstable; controlling its output and intensity requires constant spiritual sense, draining it heavily—so even Golden Core cultivators rarely use it.

Rumor says only Nascent Soul cultivators and above can generate fire from their own spiritual energy to alchemize pills.

The first step in alchemy: study the formula.

He Pingsheng had only alchemized first-rank pills—【Qi-Condensing Pills】—never second-rank ones before!

He pulled out a book: Alchemy's Thirty-Six Formulas.

This book contained an enhanced alchemy technique, recording thirty-six common first- and second-rank pill formulas in the cultivation world.

Correct—only first- and second-rank pills.

Nothing higher.

Of course, He Pingsheng didn't need higher-grade pills right now.

He found the 【Soul-Returning Pill】 formula.

As he studied the formula, he used the Treasure Basin to strengthen the 【materials】.

After several days, he strengthened five portions into ten.

Meanwhile, the bottle of twelve low-grade Soul-Returning Pills was upgraded to supreme quality.

It became twenty-four pills!

After fully understanding the Soul-Returning Pill's alchemy method, He Pingsheng began heating and alchemizing.

"Open…"

He softly chanted, and the small cauldron expanded under magic power, growing to one chi tall, floating above the flame.

Then, following the method recorded in Alchemy's Thirty-Six Formulas, he began adding materials one by one, alchemizing!

Time passed slowly.

About half an hour later, a loud explosion echoed from the courtyard.

A wave of heat visibly rippled outward.

A burnt, medicinal scent filled the air.

He Pingsheng's face darkened: the furnace exploded.

The cauldron's lid had been blown three zhang away.

Inside the cauldron, nothing remained but blackened residue.

Not even a dud pill was left.

He Pingsheng took a deep breath; he wasn't discouraged, but picked up the cauldron and meticulously cleaned it.

Failing the first time alchemizing a second-rank pill didn't matter.