Chapter 289: Together Doing Business, Alchemy Hall

Yu Tangtang didn't doubt it. A high-difficulty alchemical formula, one she had never encountered before, would reasonably take three years to comprehend.

Wang Yu planned to use the placement slots to simultaneously perfect his Cold Chi Alchemy technique and the Exquisite Inner Core. This was a test given by the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon.

Of course, even without this arrangement, he would still do his best to provide Yu Tangtang with high-grade to supreme-grade spirit pills, as he was quite fond of the little chubby girl. However, the Dragon Heart Reversion Blood Pill wasn't suitable for building his reputation. His main purpose in collaborating with Yu Tangtang was to establish alchemy as his personal specialty and build his reputation, thereby attracting powerful cultivators from Cold Blood Peak and even other peaks of the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect to come to him and commission him to refine pills!

How many spiritual items could a Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon possess? Most of them were things he didn't need, so refining pills solely for Yu Tangtang was acceptable. But that was just mutual help between friends. For true collaborators, there was much more to consider.

"Tangtang, come." He waved her over and led her towards the alchemy room.

Wang Yu intended to have Tantai Chan join the discussion; as an experienced alchemist, she had a better understanding of the pill market and knew more about which types of pills were most popular. He didn't notice Yu Tangtang pouting.

"He actually didn't call me 'sister'!" This was her inner thought.

A moment later, at the entrance of the alchemy room, Tantai Chan emerged, her face flushed, dressed in new clothes, and bowed to Yu Tangtang and Wang Yu. "Elder Wang, Tangtang."

"Everyone's here," Wang Yu said. "Now, let's discuss how to begin, Chan'er."

She nodded and said, "According to my usual understanding, cultivation pills are the most prominent type of spirit pills, followed by unique spirit pills required by cultivators from various peaks. For example, Five Yin Peak needs a Soul Devouring Pill that can resist Yin soul erosion, and even allow them to devour opponents in combat to enhance their spiritual power. Barbarian Ghost Peak requires a large quantity of pills to alleviate Yin corrosion injuries and has a great demand for spirit pills that boost vital essence. In previous years, these were mainly Yin-Dispelling Origin-Chasing Pills and Minor Vajra Pills. Heavenly Corpse Peak needs special Corpse Dao pills, specifically for zombies, to enhance their power levels. These include Corpse Spirit Pills, Earth Corpse Pills, and Yin Corpse Powder."

Next, Tantai Chan proceeded to describe all nine peaks in order. It was clear she was truly an experienced alchemist, having thoroughly mastered her research on pill intelligence.

After speaking so much in one breath, Tantai Chan paused, allowing the two to process the information, when Yu Tangtang spoke up. "Wang Yu, are you going to refine these pills?"

"Not yet," Wang Yu said, shaking his head as he looked at Tantai Chan. "If we want to build a reputation, these aren't the primary choices, are they?"

"Of course," she continued. "In terms of difficulty and reputation, pills that help break through bottlenecks are more likely to gain renown. Among these, pills for minor bottlenecks are less impactful than those for major ones. Not every cultivator can find suitable spirit items for Foundation Establishment or Core Formation... Therefore, Foundation Establishment pill formulas and Gold Core pill formulas are very important. The Sacred Sect's Foundation Establishment pill formulas consist only of three types: Reversal Blood Pill, Berserk Blood Pill, and Sacred Blood Pill. There's no such thing as a supreme-grade formula for these. As for the Sacred Sect's Gold Core pill formulas, there are only two major realms—Mortal Transformation Pill and Blood Devil Pill—with five breakthrough formulas in total, all of which are regulated by the Alchemy Hall."

The Alchemy Hall. Speaking of this, Wang Yu couldn't help but recall the alchemist society he had once formed, slowly remembering it as if it were a distant past event.

This organization completely monopolized the alchemy business within the sect. Anyone wishing to trade pills in the Ten Bloodshed Markets would fall under their jurisdiction. In essence, it was an organization established by a collective of the sect's alchemists. The Artifact Forging Hall, Formation Hall, and Talisman Hall were subsequently founded based on this model.

Functionally, they managed the Ten Bloodshed Markets, which were frequented by Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment disciples and deacons. They had no authority over the elders of the various peaks. Yet, they controlled all pill formula knowledge within the sect, as well as extensive channels for spiritual herbs. High-end and rare goods would certainly be delivered to their own people first. Over time, alchemists among the various peak elders would naturally be absorbed by them. After years of operation, the internal interest group had become solidified. Although there were internal conflicts, they were very exclusive towards outsiders.

It was natural for them not to want new entrants to share the massive pie that their predecessors had begun to bake. However, this could easily cause trouble for Wang Yu. It was indeed troublesome to consider. Within the sect's main gate, one couldn't be as reckless as in Guiling. This place was filled with hidden masters, and while the Alchemy Hall seemed unassuming, its influence actually spanned across all peaks. Involving multiple Nascent Soul stage powers, as well as alliances of interests and transactions, he couldn't oppose them for now.

At this moment, seeing Wang Yu deep in thought, Tantai Chan suddenly spoke. "Elder Wang, I have a Foundation Establishment pill formula here, which I unexpectedly obtained years ago when I was outside. It's called the Three-Origin Spirit Ascension Pill, and it can be refined to a high-grade level at best..."

Before she could finish, Wang Yu shook his head. "This level isn't enough. We need at least a third-tier pill formula. This one can only serve as an auxiliary; it won't build a reputation." This left Tantai Chan feeling a little disappointed.

Yu Tangtang, who had been listening for a while, patted her chest and said, "Leave it to Tangtang! I brought a few pill formulas that should be useful to you, Wang Yu."

At her words, Wang Yu's expression turned expectant. He then saw Yu Tangtang pull out a few grimy, dark papers, a serious look appearing on her small face. "This one is the Dragon Dragon Pill. I have to eat it every month. This one is the Demonic Essence Pill. Tangtang eats one every three years. This one... I think it's called the Lotus Dharma Pill, used for purifying spiritual power, making it higher in quality and more potent."

Wang Yu remained silent. He opened his mouth, then helplessly took the three pill formulas. Except for the last one, the first two were clearly prepared specifically for Yu Tangtang, obviously the work of the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon.

"Tangtang, wait here for me for a few days," Wang Yu said. "Chan'er, come with me into the alchemy room. This time, I'll show you how a third-tier alchemist refines pills."

"—Okay!"

Although Wang Yu's alchemy skill was still at the perfect second-tier stage, alchemists who could achieve perfect mastery were rare in the world, which was why supreme-grade spirit pills were so scarce. He was capable of refining third-tier spirit pills and had tried it more than once, so he wasn't worried about failure.

Once the two entered the alchemy room, Yu Tangtang found Snow Jade and started playing with it, causing a ruckus in the cave dwelling, leaving no peace. This wait lasted twelve days.

Among the three pills, the Dragon Dragon Pill was the simplest, essentially a blend of herbal essences with a generous amount of honey, making it sweet and seemingly a snack for Yu Tangtang. The Demonic Essence Pill and Lotus Dharma Pill were a bit more challenging. However, Wang Yu still maintained a yield rate of five high-grade pills, with a low rate of inferior products.

According to Tantai Chan, who was "shocked" speechless at the time, he could actually be considered a third-tier high-grade alchemist, as the yield rate of other alchemists was no better. Wang Yu remained skeptical, always feeling that the poor reputation was due to his peers setting their "spoilage" rates too high, but he couldn't verify it. In any case, when they emerged, both had changed into new clothes.

Tantai Chan looked at the alchemy room with some reluctance, smoothed her hair, and said, "This observation has greatly benefited Tantai Chan. After I return and fully digest what I've learned, I will come again."

"Great, great!" Yu Tangtang took a pill bottle, poured a Dragon Dragon Pill into her mouth, and instantly showed a look of contentment. "Next time, I'll come with little Chan'er."

"As you wish, but don't forget to tell your father about that matter," Wang Yu reminded her.

"Got it~" With that, the two vanished towards the foot of the mountain.

The three pills Wang Yu refined for Yu Tangtang were actually a stepping stone to showcase his abilities to the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon. He only symbolically accepted a single ordinary third-tier spiritual herb in return. One, to please his daughter. Another, targeting the demon race. And another, targeting the human race. Was this not a comprehensive test? This way, with the materials for the Dragon Heart Reversion Blood Pill in his hands, the other party could feel more at ease. Aside from his two fixed cultivation technique slots, the remaining four were temporarily used for alchemy. Four times the efficiency sped it up, reducing twenty years to five. By then, he would be in the mid-stage of Core Formation, which might not seem fast. However, compared to the hundred and twenty years it took him during Foundation Establishment, the difference became immediately clear. The more critical the moment, the less one could rush.

Given the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect's proximity to the Northern Broken Realm Mountain Range, Wang Yu reasonably suspected that the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon had some connection with the demons there. Otherwise, the spiritual items it possessed would be far too numerous. The Demonic Essence Pill appeared to be for Yu Tangtang, but he felt there was always a hidden agenda.

Time passed day by day. Wang Yu officially began his routine, wandering around Cold Blood Peak during the day, visiting Zuo Qiu and the elderly Zhuo, offering small gifts, and chatting casually. He also made a trip to the Alchemy Hall in the Ten Bloodshed Markets, ostensibly to exchange for ancient pill scrolls, but secretly observing with his divine sense. He found that the Alchemy Hall welcomed first and second-tier alchemists, eager for them to join immediately. However, once an alchemist reached the third-tier, they were met with a cold reception. He saw a northern alchemist from Maple Province arrive enthusiastically, only to leave in a fit of rage. The receptionist's words were simply too offensive. They claimed that a third-tier alchemist from a barren land was only equivalent to a second-tier alchemist in the Sacred Sect, lacking in knowledge, breadth, and potential compared to local alchemists, and thus had to pass first, second, and third-tier alchemy tests. To demand a third-tier test was one thing, but to insist on first and second-tier tests too? That short-tempered individual couldn't hold back their anger then and there. Had it not been for the fact that they were at the sect's main gate, they would have certainly killed the person on the spot to vent their frustration!

This scene indeed left Wang Yu speechless. Fortunately, he hadn't come to invite humiliation. The Alchemy Hall was arguably the most arrogant among the four major halls of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation. The Artifact Forging, Formation, and Talisman Halls next door had much better attitudes. However, they also subtly conveyed a refusal to accept skilled outsiders. The solidification was quite severe; only alchemists who grew under their watchful eyes and exploitation would truly be absorbed.

With the intelligence gathered to this extent, Wang Yu suddenly remembered Huang Kai, a survivor who had left the alchemist society early back then! He tried to contact him. And indeed, he wasn't dead! This immediately sparked other ideas in him, such as taking his place. If he were to plan something like that, he would need to think long-term.

—What a headache!