Chapter 1278: The Correct Way to Use the Dan Gourd

Fantasy Novel

Pill refining is a very rigorous process. A skilled alchemist typically begins by learning to identify medicinal ingredients, accumulating knowledge over years, even decades, and gradually discovering successful methods through repeated failures. Only then is it possible to refine elixirs.

For a sect to cultivate a competent alchemist, significant initial investment is required. Smaller sects and families, for instance, lack the resources and foundation to train their own alchemists, as the sheer cost of accumulating experience in pill refining alone is beyond their means.

The overall number of medical cultivators in the Nine Provinces is quite substantial. Each of these cultivators is well-versed in pharmacology and knows how to heal injuries effectively. However, not all medical cultivators can refine pills. Only a small fraction, less than ten percent, of them possess this ability. Even within this ten percent, their pill refining skills vary greatly and cannot be generalized.

Yet, there exists a miraculous treasure in this world. Even someone unfamiliar with pharmacology, by simply grasping its principles, can refine precious elixirs that even the most skilled alchemists cannot rival! It is the Pill Gourd!

Lu Ye decided to name this treasure gourd, acquired from the Primordial Realm, the Pill Gourd. This name perfectly aligns with its characteristics.

He didn't fully understand why the Pill Gourd possessed such miraculous abilities. However, as a subsidiary artifact of a Heaven-Born Supreme Treasure, it was plausible for it to have unusual properties beyond common comprehension. Just as the Sword Gourd could devour treasures to generate sword qi, these were inherent abilities. Users didn't need to comprehend the underlying principles; they only needed to utilize them.

Originally, Lu Ye had no plans to return to Ao Mountain recently. However, after understanding the elixir's efficacy, he had no choice but to make a trip back.

He found a nearby Heavenly Secret Alliance branch. Using a Heavenly Secret Pillar within the branch, he directly teleported back to the main sect of the Azureblood Sect.

This was a special privilege granted to him by Xiao Si. Currently, throughout the Nine Provinces, only Lu Ye could freely use the Heavenly Secret Pillars to teleport anywhere; others did not have this authority. This was mainly because Xiao Si had always kept a low profile, and at present, among all in the Nine Provinces, only Lu Ye knew Xiao Si's true identity.

Shui Yuan, who continuously oversaw the development of the Azureblood Sect, instantly realized the immense future impact of such elixirs.

Moreover, even if he truly needed to consume such pills, he could simply buy them from the Heavenly Secret Treasure Vault. With the Talent Tree by his side, he wasn't afraid of mere pill toxins.

There were some elixirs before, but they were already gone. Shui Yuan took it, carefully examining and observing it. Although she could sense the elixir's profoundness and extraordinariness, she was utterly bewildered as to what exactly made it extraordinary.

Not only that, the efficacy of this one Origin Spirit Pill was exceptionally potent. It was absolutely incomparable to ordinary Origin Spirit Pills; the difference between them was at least severalfold.

Had she not experienced it herself, it would be difficult to believe that such a high-quality Origin Spirit Pill existed in this world. She keenly perceived that upon consuming the elixir, it quickly transformed into a gentle medicinal power, enhancing her foundation. What was most remarkable was that she did not detect any impurities whatsoever.

It was still an Origin Spirit Pill, but it had no pill toxins. Moreover, its efficacy was several times greater than that of ordinary Origin Spirit Pills. Such an elixir could almost be called a divine artifact!

Puzzled, she looked at Lu Ye and asked, "What is this treasure for?" His primary method of cultivation was still 'Stealing Heavenly Secrets', and such cultivation efficiency was already sufficient. He didn't need to consume more elixirs produced by the Pill Gourd to enhance his cultivation further.

Just this one point alone, if the news of this elixir's existence were to leak, it would undoubtedly be sought after by all cultivators!

Lu Ye then hurriedly stuffed all the materials for refining Origin Spirit Pills into the Pill Gourd.

In the Nine Provinces, the elixirs required for cultivation are divided into three tiers based on quality: Spirit Accumulating Pills, Cloud Spirit Pills, and Origin Spirit Pills. Spirit Accumulating Pills are for cultivators in the Spirit Stream Realm. Cloud Spirit Pills are for the Cloud River Realm. And Origin Spirit Pills are for the True Lake and Divine Sea realms. Their refining materials and medicinal effects differ.

Therefore, the Pill Gourd was of little use to him personally. Since that was the case, he decided to let Shui Yuan keep and use it to promote the overall strength of the sect, as this would be more beneficial than keeping it by his side.

With a soft pop from within her mouth, Shui Yuan closed her eyes, quietly sensing. The expression on her face continually shifted. During the demonstration for Shui Yuan, the medicinal ingredients used were purchased from the Heavenly Secret Treasure Vault. They were all commonly found ingredients within the Nine Provinces. Yet, even so, the quality of the elixirs produced exceeded imagination; it was a level of quality absolutely unattainable by human means.

Lu Ye gave her a thumbs-up. "Seventh Senior Sister, your insight is sharp! This junior brother really got something good! Look!" He then brought out the Pill Gourd as if presenting a treasure.

Although there wasn't a direct manifestation like the Pill Gourd's Talent Tree, with her cultivation and strength at such a level, especially as an excellent alchemist, she could clearly perceive how many impurities were contained within a single pill.

But Shui Yuan had never imagined that elixirs completely free of pill toxins could exist in this world, and they were produced right before her eyes. Then, he would put the necessary medicinal ingredients for refining this specific elixir into the Pill Gourd. Once the quantity and amount of ingredients were sufficient, one simply had to wait quietly. The Pill Gourd would then automatically refine exceptionally high-quality elixirs and eject them.

Lu Ye nodded. "Senior Sister, you can try its efficacy."

Shui Yuan looked at the elixir in her hand as if she had found something she cherished. She felt quite reluctant, but remembering there were still four more in Lu Ye's hand, she hardened her resolve and put it into her mouth.

He found Seventh Senior Sister Shui Yuan on Shouzhen Peak. After a brief explanation, the Seventh Senior Sister led him to a secret chamber.

Therefore, for cultivators, using elixirs is merely an auxiliary means. No one would consume them in large quantities. If they did, they would have to spend time later to dissolve the pill toxins, making it counterproductive.

In just a moment, a faint light flashed from the mouth of the gourd again. Immediately afterward, a cloud of misty essence gushed out.

Actually, the process of Lu Ye refining elixirs was very simple. First, the Pill Gourd needed to devour an elixir; this served as a primer. Lu Ye explained, "I call it the Elixir Gourd. I obtained it by chance when I followed a senior alchemist to a place called the Samsara Tree. Originally, I didn't know what its true functions were; I only recently discovered them. As for why it can refine elixirs... this object is a subsidiary artifact of a Heaven-Born Supreme Treasure, so that's likely its inherent ability. Its mechanism cannot be fully investigated; I only know how to use it. Come, Senior Sister, I'll teach you how to use it. You will keep this item from now on."

Lu Ye smiled slightly, opening the bottle containing the elixirs. He took out an elixir, and it was none other than an Origin Spirit Pill! Giving the Pill Gourd to Shui Yuan for safekeeping was also a decision Lu Ye had carefully considered.

The quality of an elixir entirely depends on how many pill toxins it contains. This was also the ultimate pursuit of alchemists during pill refining. Skilled alchemists could refine elixirs with fewer pill toxins; naturally, such elixirs were more sought after.

All elixirs contain impurities. These are harmful to cultivators and can also be called pill toxins. If elixirs are consumed for a long time, pill toxins will accumulate within the cultivator's body, requiring a significant amount of time and effort to dissolve them.

Of course, the quality of the elixirs produced by the Pill Gourd was greatly related to the quality of the ingredients put into it.

Shui Yuan's attainments in the path of alchemy were not low. Furthermore, Lu Ye had specifically contacted her a few days prior to ask for some guidance. So, upon seeing the ingredients, she immediately understood: "These ingredients are for refining Origin Spirit Pills?"

Then, under Shui Yuan's puzzled gaze, Lu Ye brought the Origin Spirit Pill to the mouth of the Pill Gourd. A faint light flashed, and the Pill Gourd swallowed the Origin Spirit Pill.

After Lu Ye ascended to the True Lake Realm, the elixirs he consumed were Origin Spirit Pills. During cultivation and battles, he often popped them into his mouth as casually as eating roasted beans.

The reason the healing pills and cultivation elixirs Lu Ye had previously refined had such high quality was primarily because the medicinal ingredients he put into them all came from the Primordial Realm. These ingredients were not only rare but also incredibly precious. Naturally, the quality of elixirs refined from such raw materials also rose with the tide.

Lu Ye took the Pill Gourd from her hand. He then took out a bottle of elixirs and some pre-prepared medicinal ingredients from his storage bag. He said, "Senior Sister, look at these ingredients. What do you think?" As soon as all the ingredients entered the Pill Gourd, it suddenly began to vibrate gently. Shui Yuan was puzzled but asked no further questions, choosing to wait quietly.

"Junior Brother, what kind of treasure is this gourd, and why can it refine such elixirs?" Shui Yuan opened her eyes and asked. She raised two slender fingers and picked up an elixir from Lu Ye's palm. She carefully examined the mysterious patterns on its surface, then placed it under her nose and lightly sniffed it. She looked at Lu Ye with a shocked expression: "Is this an Origin Spirit Pill?"

Shui Yuan nodded and listened intently.

The most direct point was that if the sect had enough of these elixirs, the disciples' cultivation speed would undoubtedly experience an unimaginable increase! The time required for their growth would also be significantly reduced compared to other cultivators.

Seeing his mysterious demeanor, Shui Yuan chuckled, "Did you get something good?"

Lu Ye, already experienced, quickly put them away. After collecting four such elixirs, he presented them to Shui Yuan. "Senior Sister, please take a look!" Origin Spirit Pills are of the highest tier, and their refinement is the most challenging. Even if Shui Yuan personally undertook the task, she could only guarantee a ten percent success rate. The Pill Gourd is different from the Sword Gourd or the Wind Gourd, which allow cultivators to fight enemies and possess powerful offensive capabilities. The Pill Gourd's nature is more of an auxiliary type, but it is precisely this nature that is perfectly suited for a rapidly developing sect like the Azureblood Sect.

Shui Yuan was stunned. Looking over, she saw four dazzling precious elixirs neatly arranged in Lu Ye's palm. Each one radiated a brilliant glow.