Chapter Fifty-Three: Two Alchemy Manuals

Elder Ye Min’s lips were trembling; he knew he had lost his composure once again...

First came the Crimson Flame Seed, and now this exceedingly rare Spiritual Essence—could this boy Ye Yun really be a treasury of heaven and earth?

At the very least, Ye Min knew well in his heart that even if the Ye clan exhausted all their savings ten times over, they would never be able to obtain a single Flame Seed of Heaven and Earth or a single drop of Spiritual Essence.

Spiritual Essence—even the lowest grade, matured over a thousand years—contained such immense spiritual energy that it could help a cultivator at the Core Formation stage advance by a minor realm. And if used in alchemy, its benefits were limitless.

Adding Spiritual Essence during alchemy could raise the success rate, and all pills produced would be of the purest quality, entirely devoid of pill toxins. Moreover, if taken directly, it could dissolve accumulated toxins in the body, eliminating hidden dangers and allowing one’s cultivation to progress further!

“Damn, I’ve acted like a flustered monk again… No, I mean, I’ve lost my composure again…” Ye Min could not maintain his usual calm, becoming almost incoherent.

Clearly, Ye Yun had truly shocked him. The treasures he brought out, one after another, were enough to spark a bloody battle among the world’s cultivators.

Ye Yun could only laugh wryly. Elder Ye Min had always treated him well, so he didn’t mind revealing his possession of Spiritual Essence in front of him.

Besides, he had only given Elder Ye Min three drops. There were still over a dozen left in his Dragon-Phoenix Pendant.

“Boy, you must never reveal your possession of Spiritual Essence to anyone else. Do you understand?” Ye Min’s expression grew stern as he spoke earnestly.

“Yes,” Ye Yun nodded, fully aware of the dangers of possessing such treasures.

“It seems I’ll benefit from your good fortune this time. With these three drops of Spiritual Essence, I can refine the highest grade Dao Xuan Pill, and have a greater chance to break through to the Core Formation stage!”

A joyful smile spread across Ye Min’s face as he carefully stored away the jade vial containing the Spiritual Essence. He then began to explain the methods, techniques, and precautions of alchemy to Ye Yun.

“To refine alchemical pills, one must first master control of the flame. You must be able to adjust the intensity and temperature at will—this determines whether you can succeed in making spiritual pills. If you fail to control the fire, at best you’ll produce duds, and at worst, the furnace will explode and you’ll lose everything.”

“Our Ye clan does not possess an alchemical manual. I only became an alchemist because, in my youth, I was lucky enough to obtain a pill manual left behind by a senior expert during my travels. It’s called the Pure Azure Pill Manual. Though it’s rather ordinary, it’s enough for refining most pills.”

As he spoke, Ye Min took out a jade slip and handed it to Ye Yun, which contained the Pure Azure Pill Manual.

In addition, Ye Min gave Ye Yun the formula for the Vital Energy Pill, instructing him to first master the art of flame control before attempting to refine this most basic of entry-level pills.

Ye Yun did not linger long; he soon took his leave. Elder Ye Min, having just acquired the Spiritual Essence, was eager to begin his own alchemical pursuits.

Although the spiritual herbs required to refine the Dao Xuan Pill were extraordinary, Elder Ye Min had managed to accumulate a small stockpile over the years.

Back in his own quarters, Ye Yun followed Elder Ye Min’s advice and began practicing flame control. The crimson flame at his fingertip danced like a sprite—if he wanted to increase the intensity, it consumed a vast amount of internal energy. Conversely, reducing the flame’s power was easier, requiring only concentration and a bit of spiritual sense.

“It seems my cultivation is still too low. If I could break through to the Foundation Establishment stage and use true qi to fuel the Crimson Flame, the energy drain wouldn’t be nearly as severe,” Ye Yun thought to himself. At his current level, he estimated he could only refine two batches of Vital Energy Pills before exhausting his reserves; as for more complex spiritual pills, it was out of the question for now.

“Ye Yun, are you really planning to become an alchemist?”—Suddenly, the voice of the Demon Lord of Infinity resounded in Ye Yun’s mind.

“What’s wrong with being an alchemist?” If not for the Demon Lord’s abrupt interruption, Ye Yun, so engrossed in his studies, might have forgotten about that unscrupulous demon now merged with the Infinity Divine Eye in his own eyes.

“What’s wrong? If people knew the illustrious ninth heir of the Infinity Demon Palace chose to become a lowly alchemist, they’d laugh themselves to death!” the fellow Ye Yun dubbed the Unscrupulous Demon Lord roared.

“I use pills to assist my cultivation. It doesn’t hinder my progress, does it?” Ye Yun countered.

“You know nothing. That’s only because your cultivation is low. Once your cultivation is higher and you devote yourself fully to your practice, you’ll find it almost impossible to make time for alchemy. That energy would be better spent comprehending demon arts and breaking through sooner,” the Demon Lord replied.

“That’s something to worry about in the future,” Ye Yun responded irritably.

Right now, he was deeply interested in alchemical studies. The Demon Lord’s grumbling only made him more annoyed.

“You… you’ll be the death of me! How did I end up with a successor like you…” The Demon Lord sounded as though pounding his chest in exasperation.

“Then choose another successor. I wouldn’t care,” Ye Yun snorted. “You promised not to interfere with my decisions.”

“Don’t… I was just saying. You know I didn’t mean it. Where else in the world am I going to find another heir who’s mastered the Crimson Flame?” The Demon Lord’s momentum immediately deflated.

“That’s your problem, not mine,” Ye Yun said, unwilling to argue further.

“Fine, fine, fine. If you’re set on studying alchemy, I won’t object. My earlier argument was out of line. To make it up to you, I’ll pass on a pill manual. Satisfied?” The Unscrupulous Demon Lord, now completely subdued, sent a stream of information directly into Ye Yun’s mind.

The Jade Dragon Pill Manual—that was the manual the Demon Lord imparted.

“Back when I was at the peak of the Half-Immortal realm, I went to ask Master Jade Dragon, the greatest alchemist in the World of Grandeur, to refine pills for me. But that old man was too greedy, so in my impatience, I ransacked his entire cave and happened to acquire this pill manual,” the Demon Lord explained.

“Really? I think Unscrupulous Demon Lord suits you perfectly,” Ye Yun replied, attempting to amend the Demon Lord’s title.

“You’re the unscrupulous one! I’ve always been honest and upright!”

“Yes, yes, I know—you’re a very upright, unscrupulous Demon Lord,” Ye Yun said with a laugh.

“….” The Demon Lord ground his teeth in speechless frustration.

“Enough. I’ve lived for over ten thousand years—why should I bother arguing with a brat like you? This wisp of my remnant soul can’t always communicate with you. If I expend too much, I’ll dissipate. The Jade Dragon Pill Manual is the best in the World of Grandeur—if you study it well, it will benefit you greatly.”

With that, not waiting for Ye Yun’s reply, the Demon Lord’s presence faded completely.

This actually left Ye Yun feeling a little guilty. For all his harsh words, the Demon Lord truly had his interests at heart, always advising him with no hint of malice.

“I hope one day I can help restore his body and grant him a new life…” Ye Yun thought silently, though he did not say it aloud.

After all, he was still just a minor cultivator at the Qi Refining stage. To make promises he could not yet fulfill was not in his nature.