On this day, Alchemist Su visited once again.
Qin Ming not only cooked a pot of Gold Spirit Rice, but also prepared a table of fine wine and dishes to entertain his guest.
He had earned a good number of spirit stones recently by selling spirit rice.
His spirit stone pouch, which had shriveled up last year, was now bulging once more with over two hundred spirit stones.
For a minor Qi Condensation cultivator like him, this was a rather considerable sum of income.
He had even specially bought some demon beast meat to go with the alcohol.
Eating high-quality demon beast meat not only supplemented one’s vital blood, but also benefited one’s cultivation.
As for the price…
it was a bit painful to swallow.
Through their several interactions, Qin Ming had gradually come to understand Alchemist Su’s character.
Though he carried an innate arrogance in his bones, he was actually quite easy to get along with.
On ordinary days, Alchemist Su would occasionally touch upon a few points regarding the art of alchemy when chatting with Qin Ming.
From Alchemist Su’s words, Qin Ming could sense that the man possessed exceptionally high talent in alchemy.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to reach the stage of a Mid-Grade Alchemist at such a young age.
“Daoist Qin, I didn’t come to buy spirit rice from you this time.
Instead, I want to make another deal with you.” Alchemist Su took a bite of food, raised his wine cup, drained it in one gulp, and stated his intention.
Qin Ming couldn’t help but feel deeply curious, musing internally: ‘I’m merely a ordinary spirit farmer.
What deal could Alchemist Su possibly want to make with me besides buying spirit rice?’ “Alchemist Su, what matter is it specifically?” Qin Ming also drank a cup of wine, unable to contain his curiosity.
“I plan to refine a certain type of pill, and I will need a large quantity of Yin-Congealing Flowers moving forward.
I would like to request your help in cultivating them,” Alchemist Su said with a grave expression.
“Yin-Congealing Flowers?” In Qin Ming’s mind, an image immediately surfaced of an orchid-like spirit plant whose blossoms looked as though they were congealed from frost, with light yellow stamens.
The Yin-Congealing Flower was a Tier-One spirit plant with a growth and maturity cycle of around one year and a flowering period of about seven days.
Its flowers could be used as medicinal ingredients for alchemy.
Qin Ming had seen this flower before in the spirit plant books he had purchased.
He had quite a vivid impression of it.
However, he recalled hearing Alchemist Su mention that this Yin-Congealing Flower could serve as an auxiliary ingredient for refining the Tier-One High-Grade pill known as the ‘Marrow-Washing Pill’.
The Marrow-Washing Pill was a realm-breaking pill used in the late stage of Qi Condensation.
It was extraordinarily precious, scarce to the point where money couldn’t buy it, and astronomically expensive.
‘Could it be…?’ ‘Is he preparing to break through to become a High-Grade Alchemist?!’ Connecting the dots, Qin Ming pretty much understood what kind of pill Alchemist Su was planning to refine.
Except…
Why didn’t Alchemist Su ask the spirit planters of the Spirit Feather Sect to cultivate them?
Why come to a humble spirit farmer like him instead?
Qin Ming voiced the question in his heart.
“Heh, I am used to living freely and dislike being bound by sect rules.
If I ask the Spirit Feather Sect to cultivate them, things will inevitably become tangled up,” Alchemist Su explained unhurriedly.
“So that’s how it is.” Qin Ming nodded and refilled Alchemist Su’s wine cup.
“However, this Yin-Congealing Flower is a Tier-One spirit plant, and I’ve never grown one before…
I’m afraid…” Qin Ming first showed a hint of hesitation, then spoke candidly.
“Daoist Qin must be joking.
Since you can even successfully cultivate spirit plants like Beast-Tooth Rice, I believe Yin-Congealing Flowers will naturally pose no difficulty for you.” Alchemist Su looked at Qin Ming with a half-smile.
“Furthermore, I can provide the spirit seeds for the Yin-Congealing Flowers, and once they are successfully cultivated, I can purchase them at a price of five spirit stones per stalk.” Hearing this, Qin Ming’s heart pounded wildly.
To say he wasn’t tempted would be a lie.
At the price offered by Alchemist Su, this would yield a handsome sum of spirit stone income.
Qin Ming pondered carefully for a moment before saying, “I can give it a try, but I cannot guarantee success.” “Besides that, I have a presumptuous request.
I wonder if Alchemist Su would agree to it?” “Please speak.” “I can cultivate these Yin-Congealing Flowers for you.
Once they mature, I will only take ten percent, and the rest will all belong to you.” “However…
I wish to learn a trick or two of alchemy from you, Alchemist Su…” Seeing such a huge opportunity presented right before his eyes, how could Qin Ming not seize it?
He didn’t expect Alchemist Su to teach him any top-tier alchemy techniques; as long as he could learn a bit of the basic surface-level knowledge of daily alchemy, he would be completely satisfied.
Even if Alchemist Su refused, it wouldn’t cost him anything, but if he agreed, it would be a massive gain.
Hearing this, Alchemist Su was startled.
He sized Qin Ming up from head to toe before laughing with exasperation: “So you were waiting for me here all along?” “However, you had better think it through carefully.
The art of alchemy not only consumes an extreme amount of spirit stones, but it also relies heavily on talent.
It’s not something just anyone can learn.” “Don’t blame me for not warning you when the time comes.” Seeing him react this way, Qin Ming was overjoyed, knowing there was hope for this matter.
One interaction paves the way for the next.
This time it was growing Yin-Congealing Flowers; next time, who knows what spirit herbs Alchemist Su might want to grow, giving him another chance to extract more real knowledge from the man.
‘Hehehe!’ Qin Ming’s mind spun frantically as his internal abacus clattered loudly.
“I tentatively plan to stay here for another three years.
How about this: you cultivate spirit herbs for me for another three years…” “And I will exchange some of my alchemy insights with you.” Joy flashed across Qin Ming’s face as he said, “Deal!” “This is the Fundamentals of Alchemy.
The most basic medicinal properties of herbs must be known inside out.
Inside are some records and summaries from when I first started learning; you can take it and read through it first.” As Alchemist Su spoke, he produced a jade slip and handed it to Qin Ming.
Qin Ming received the jade slip and hastily expressed his thanks.
He took only a brief look inside: ‘The Three Essentials of Alchemy: Cauldrons, Medicinal Herbs, and Flame Control…’ Qin Ming’s initial casual glance turned into deep astonishment.
He had assumed it was merely a common introductory book on alchemy.
Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the majority of this foundational text actually came from Alchemist Su’s own personal study notes.
The jade slip divided the basics of alchemy into three major sections: First was the Cauldrons Section, detailing how different spirit pills required different cauldrons for refining, their specific functions, when to move the furnace, when to change cauldrons, and so forth.
Second was the Medicinal Herbs Section, covering the growth habits, environments, properties, and combinations of various spirit materials and herbs.
Alchemist Su had also annotated some of his personal notes throughout.
Third was the Flame Control Section, mainly recording how to adjust and apply flame control during alchemy, as well as the different grades of alchemy flames.
Looking over the whole text, the alchemy foundation inside Alchemist Su’s jade slip was remarkably systematic and exhaustive.
‘With just this book alone, even if I farm for him for three years, it’s worth it!’ Qin Ming stored away the jade slip with delight, raised his wine cup, and toasted Alchemist Su.
Having reached an agreement, the two continued eating.
Knock!
Knock!
Knock!
Just at that moment: A series of knocks sounded at Qin Ming’s door outside.
“Alchemist Su, please continue eating.
I’ll go open the door.” He gave a quick greeting, put down his chopsticks, and stood up to open the door.
When the door opened: The visitor turned out to be Daoist Long.
Qin Ming hurriedly welcomed him inside.
“Daoist Long, please come in!
We happen to be having dinner—care to join us for a bit?” Daoist Long knitted his brows and got straight to the point: “No need.
I came here today as usual, just to purchase some spirit rice…
so I won’t—” Before he could finish his sentence: He spotted a young figure in a white robe sitting at the table eating dinner.
It was none other than Alchemist Su.
He couldn’t help but feel shaken, a strange expression spreading across his face.
‘Why is Alchemist Su here?
And he’s actually having dinner with him?’ Daoist Long went over and greeted Alchemist Su.
However, he didn’t sit down.
He glanced at the food and drink on the dining table—all of it spirit rice, spirit wine, and demon beast meat.
A single meal like this would likely cost no less than five spirit stones.
‘What is their relationship?
It seems I’ve understated this Daoist Qin!’ Even Daoist Long himself wouldn’t bring himself to eat like this every day.
He felt increasingly unable to see through Qin Ming.
“Heh, Daoist Qin, I won’t stay for dinner; I still have some matters to attend to.” Seeing that the other party didn’t really want to stay for dinner, Qin Ming immediately retrieved a bag of spirit rice from his storage bag and handed it to Daoist Long.
“Usual rules: here is eighty catties [40 kg] of spirit rice.
Please take a look, Daoist Long.” Daoist Long took the spirit rice, gave it a light weigh in his hand, and stowed it into his storage bag.
He then produced twenty spirit stones and handed them to Qin Ming.
After purchasing the spirit rice, Daoist Long exchanged a few pleasantries with the two of them before taking his leave.
After seeing Daoist Long out the door: Qin Ming returned to the dining table and sat back down.
“Heh, Daoist Qin has been making quite a fortune recently with your spirit rice business!” Alchemist Su popped a bite of food into his mouth and teased playfully.
“Barely making ends meet, that’s all.
The market price for spirit rice has just risen slightly recently, but compared to you, Alchemist Su, it’s not even worth mentioning,” Qin Ming said modestly.
Having eaten and drunk their fill: Alchemist Su pulled out a small packet of Yin-Congealing Flower spirit seeds, handed them to Qin Ming, and instructed, “I will rent a plot of land near your spirit field.
When the time comes, you can just plant them there.” Qin Ming stored the spirit seeds safely and nodded in agreement.
He secretly pondered: I wonder if this Tier-One Yin-Congealing Flower will be able to refresh traits for me?