***
"Was it luck? There was no way this was actual skill...?"
In truth, if it were real, it could be nothing other than a truly god-gifted talent.
However, Jin Wi-dong soon let out a hollow laugh as if the thought were absurd even to himself.
'Eh, there’s no way that could be the case. A fellow with the lowest-grade mixed spirit root?'
Since he had never heard of someone with the lowest-grade mixed spirit root possessing such talent, Jin Wi-dong soon erased those thoughts.
However, Lee An-jeong was rejoicing, unaware of Jin Wi-dong’s thoughts.
He had heard that a single Spirit Qi Elixir could be exchanged for fifty mid-grade spirit stones.
Since he had obtained such a treasure-like Spirit Qi Elixir, he was overjoyed enough to jump.
Moreover, he still had dozens more Spirit-Gathering Herbs.
In short, it meant he could make dozens more Spirit Qi Elixirs.
When that thought occurred to Lee An-jeong, his heart began to throb.
However, Jin Wi-dong’s subsequent words surprised Lee An-jeong even more.
- Now! With this, you have become a Yellow-grade alchemist capable of creating Spirit Qi Elixirs.
- Even if you are merely an alchemist who has just entered the craft, you have become one of the beings who number fewer than ten thousand in all of the Dong-cheon Continent.
- Small sects would likely have a line more than long enough to take you away.
- Even in your own Bu-yeon Sect, there won't be more than ten of them.
"Huh? I've become a Yellow-grade alchemist?"
To think he had become an alchemist after refining a Spirit Qi Elixir just once.
Lee An-jeong was dazed and couldn't believe it, yet he was incomparably happy.
"Haha! Awesome! To think I've become an alchemist? Is there nothing left but to become successful now? Uhahaha!"
Lee An-jeong was excited and rejoiced while jumping up and down.
Jin Wi-dong, who was watching Lee An-jeong, snorted and spoiled the mood.
- Hmph! To think a fellow who learned the supreme Wuji Alchemy Method is happy just because he entered the rank of a mere alchemist! You brat! Are you not ashamed?
"What's there to be ashamed of! Everyone is like that at the beginning! You, old man, were probably the same in your youth like me, weren't you? Don't you even know the saying that a frog doesn't remember its days as a tadpole?"
- What? Is this brat going on about 'old man' with every word? How arrogant!
Jin Wi-dong flared up, but Lee An-jeong ignored him while picking his ear.
Then he suddenly recalled the one remaining Yellow Dragon Herb.
"By the way, should I refine the Yellow Dragon Herb now?"
- This brat is changing the subject. Ahem. No! Unfortunately, the Yellow Dragon Herb cannot be refined yet.
- To refine Foundation Establishment Elixirs with a Yellow Dragon Herb, other ingredients are further required.
- For now, put the Yellow Dragon Herb inside the world within the pattern and plant it there.
- If you leave it as it is, it will lose its medicinal effect while we are obtaining the other ingredients.
- That place is scarce in spiritual qi, but since it is a place where no one can enter, it will be safe for the time being.
"Huh? How do I put the Yellow Dragon Herb in there? We confirmed last time that even the main body couldn't be taken out, right?"
- I am telling you to send it through my Nascent Soul.
- Although the main body cannot be taken out, the Nascent Soul and the main body are connected, so delivering an item is a simple matter.
"Aha! I get it! Anyway, what other ingredients are needed to make Foundation Establishment Elixirs?"
- You need the White Spirit Flower, which stabilizes the meridians, and the Cloud-Qi Seed, which smooths the flow of true qi.
- They are medicinal herbs that will assist the powerful spiritual nature of the Yellow Dragon Herb.
- Since you have that large spirit vein down there and do not need Spirit Qi Elixirs, obtain them by selling the Spirit Qi Elixirs.
"White Spirit Flower and Cloud-Qi Seed... I got it. Then I'm handing over the Yellow Dragon Herb? You'll take it?"
As one rose higher in the realm, it was a rule that it became more difficult to obtain elixirs that would assist in breaking through to the next realm.
Although he couldn't know exactly because he didn't know the cultivation world well yet.
Just seeing that Golden Core stage cultivator of the Bu-yeon Sect throw such a fit after losing the Yellow Dragon Herb, he could guess that obtaining a Yellow Dragon Herb was as difficult as plucking a star from the sky.
Therefore, after agonizing over it, Lee An-jeong had decided to make the Foundation Establishment Elixirs that would be needed in the nearest future with the Yellow Dragon Herb.
Lee An-jeong focused on the voice in his head while holding the Yellow Dragon Herb.
Then, in an instant, the Yellow Dragon Herb disappeared from his hand.
"Huh? Did it cross over to the world within the pattern?"
Jin Wi-dong gave no answer to Lee An-jeong’s words for a while, then replied through the Nascent Soul a short while later.
- Yes. I sent it to the main body and planted it at the summit of the high mountain.
- If it's that place where the spiritual qi is the densest, the medicinal effect won't decrease or die in the meantime.
- Furthermore, thanks to the Yellow Dragon Herb, the spiritual qi of the world within your pattern will also become denser.
- Now then, I shall return to the main body again and recover.
- If there is something you need help with, call me again.
With those words, Jin Wi-dong’s voice disappeared from his head.
Only when silence settled within the cave did the events of a moment ago truly feel real to Lee An-jeong.
"Phew... what on earth is all this? I really feel as if I've been possessed by a ghost."
Not only did he obtain the help of Jin Wi-dong’s Nascent Soul, but he also entered the rank of an alchemist and even obtained a Spirit Qi Elixir.
Lee An-jeong’s heart throbbed, and he sat there in a daze for a while.
<><><>
From the next day, Lee An-jeong spent most of his time cooped up in the training cave.
However, because there was so much to do, he had to spend a busy time without even a moment to catch his breath.
From the task of absorbing spiritual qi from the spirit vein deep underground.
The task of refining Spirit-Gathering Herbs.
The task of training with the flying sword.
The task of testing the Spiritual Reflection Mirror Talisman.
And the task of learning about the types of medicinal herbs or various auxiliary ingredients from Jin Wi-dong’s Nascent Soul, as well as the task of handling the Blue Flame True Fire.
There was so much to do that he was in a state where he didn't even know how the day was passing.
At least it was a relief that there was no longer anyone like Cheon Mong-han who bothered Lee An-jeong.
It was because all of the 2nd star Qi Condensation children feared Lee An-jeong after he had properly trampled over Cheon Mong-han.
In the meantime, a grim rumor circulated within the sect.
It was that one of the Golden Core stage Elders within the sect had left the sect after a major quarrel with the other Golden Core stage Elders.
According to the rumors, a precious spirit herb had disappeared, and a fight broke out because he suspected the other Elders.
Upon hearing that news, Lee An-jeong realized that the owner of the Yellow Dragon Herb he had dug up was indeed that Golden Core stage Elder.
Even though he had done it unknowingly, he felt a bit sorry because it was due to him.
But on the other hand, he felt rather relieved at the word that the Elder, who had remained as a worry in his heart, had left.
It was because he no longer had to dream the nightmare of that Elder coming to find him.
Therefore, Lee An-jeong was able to focus on his cultivation while cooped up in the training cave, except for times like labor training.
Two months passed by in a flash like that.
Surprisingly, in the meantime, Lee An-jeong’s realm had reached the 6th star of the Qi Condensation stage, which was the final stage of the early Qi Condensation stage.
Crunch! Rustle—
About fifty talismans in the air broke apart and scattered.
At the same time, Lee An-jeong snapped his eyes open.
Powerful spiritual qi swirled around Lee An-jeong and then slowly settled.
Lee An-jeong’s gaze turned toward the pattern on the back of his right hand.
The seeds drawn on the pattern had increased to six before he knew it.
"I suppose the seeds mean the Qi Condensation, and the number of them means the stage? Since rising to the 6th star, the absorption of spiritual qi has clearly decreased? Is it the limit of the contact-sealing talisman?"
At Lee An-jeong’s monologue, Jin Wi-dong replied within his head.
- It seems so.
- The Qi Condensation stage is truly like the starting stage in cultivation.
- Comparing it to seeds also makes sense.
- And when you reach the 6th star, which is the peak of the early Qi Condensation stage, you will encounter a kind of wall.
- To break through this, one must gather spiritual qi that is several times more than before at once along with enlightenment, but one cannot gather that much spiritual qi with a mere Ordinary-grade talisman technique like the contact-sealing talisman.
- At the very least, you will need a talisman of Yellow-grade or higher that can perform a contact-sealing technique comparable to that Spiritual Reflection Mirror Talisman of yours.
"Ah, really? This will cause a hindrance to my cultivation... Where do I obtain a talisman of that level...? I'm almost out of talismans as well... Phew..."
At Lee An-jeong’s words mixed with a sigh, Jin Wi-dong spoke as if it were absurd.
- You brat! To think a fellow who rose to the 6th star of the Qi Condensation stage in only three months after entering is speaking such pampered words!
- Even in the history of your sect, those who have shown such rapid achievement as you would be only a handful!
"Ah, I'm serious! Moreover, both of my medicines are almost gone now! I'm telling you, I'm really in big trouble! Jin-dae-hyung, have you still not found ingredients with similar effects to those two medicines?"
Lee An-jeong had been calling Jin Wi-dong "Jin-dae-hyung" for some time now.
Initially, he had called him "Halbae" or "crazy old man" due to the grudge from when the old man tried to kill him.
But as he learned many things including alchemy from Jin Wi-dong and felt a sense of gratitude, he couldn't bring himself to call him that anymore, so he began to call him Jin-dae-hyung.
That Jin Wi-dong had been analyzing the effects of the ConXX and InXX that he had taken since two months ago.
- I think I have almost found them.
- For one of them, it seems that not only Clear-Heart Herb but also Still-Spirit Seed and Blood-Lotus Stone powder were included.
- They are ingredients that are not difficult to obtain, but they are things that are not usually compounded well together due to overlapping effects.
"Oho! Is that so? Since it includes not only the Clear-Heart Herb, which helps mental focus, but also the Still-Spirit Seed, which has a similar effect, no wonder the effect was so good! Moreover, if Blood-Lotus Stone powder, which strengthens the spirit vein, is also included, the side effects would also be few! Of course, it would be an exception for my body."
At Lee An-jeong’s words, Jin Wi-dong laughed loudly with a pleased expression.
- You brat! You've memorized it quite properly.
- That's right; besides those, it seems several more auxiliary ingredients were included to create that pill form, but those are not very important, and these three are certainly the ones with the most important medicinal effects.
"Then what about the next elixir? I mean that elixir that makes the heart calm."
- I have naturally found that out as well.
- It seems they put in Bright-Spirit Lotus, Silver-Spirit Flower, and Small-Spirit Stone powder.
- These are also not that difficult to obtain.
- They are things you can obtain even if you go to a medicinal herb shop in a slightly large city.
This time as well, Lee An-jeong understood at once, and his eyes sparkled.
"Aha! That makes sense? If you mix Bright-Spirit Lotus and Silver-Spirit Flower, which are the best for stabilizing the heart, with Small-Spirit Stone powder, which helps in calming spiritual qi, it would really produce an effect similar to InXX?"
- Huhut? You brat! You're truly quite something!
- Now you can even go around acting as a Yellow-grade alchemist and fully do your part!
"Of course! How hard have I been memorizing for the past two months? Anyway, how do I obtain these medicinal herbs now? Since you say I can only obtain them if I go to a large city. It's urgent since there are only three days' worth left."
- To obtain those, you must go to a fairly large city.
- Even the closest place from here requires going to On-ju City, which is a thousand li away.
- If you go there, a market opens, so you can find a medicinal herb shop that sells reasonably precious medicinal herbs.
- But is it true that those really give such a tremendous effect to you?
- When I tried them, the effect was just similar to that of the Clear-Heart Herb or the Bright-Spirit Lotus...
"Ah, I told you before. It's because my body is one that takes medicine very well."
- T-takes medicine? What does that mean?
"Ah, you don't need to know, Jin-dae-hyung. It's a popular saying among kids these days. In short, it means the medicinal effect is taken by the body very well!"
'To think the medicinal effect is taken by the body so well... could his body be the legendary Full-Medicine Star Body? That legendary body where one feels the medicinal effect to the maximum even when taking the same medicine... could it be...?'
***