Chapter 38: The Grand Alchemy Project!!

Inside the alchemy room.

Flames soared, and heat waves churned within. Several disciples were crouched before the alchemy furnace, staring at it with excitement. These were the most trusted disciples in the sect, which was why they had been assigned to refine Foundation Establishment Pills here.

"I bet those guys like San Gou would never have guessed that the alchemists they talk about are actually us!"

"This is all thanks to the Sect Leader. Without him, we would never have had so many Foundation Establishment Pills!"

"If it weren't for the limitations on medicinal herbs, we would definitely be producing more than thirty pills a day!"

The disciples chatted while keeping a close watch on the situation inside the furnace. They had never imagined that there could be such a way to refine pills in this world. It was safe to say that this method of alchemy far exceeded their expectations. Previously, they had thought that refining pills required a long period of practice, and that it was absolutely impossible to produce them without innate talent. Yet, everything happening now had completely overturned their assumptions. If they hadn't used this method, even if they were true alchemists, producing a single pill a day would have been a miracle of their ancestors.

Now, they kept only five pills a day and sold the rest, bringing in at least 250,000 spirit stones daily. This was something they never would have dared to dream of before. With such wealth, the rise of their sect was guaranteed.

"What are you all chatting about?"

Just then, Elder Luo’s voice came from behind them. The sudden sound made them flinch, and they hurriedly turned their attention back to the furnace. Elder Luo was notoriously strict; he was basically here watching them from dawn till dusk. Even if they could complete their tasks, they were required to strive for perfection and remain completely focused. Although their cultivation levels were comparable to Elder Luo’s, they both feared and respected him. If it weren't for Elder Luo taking them under his wing, they would still be fighting other disciples for pills. Now, after their daily work, they not only had time to rest, but they were also guaranteed a Foundation Establishment Pill once they reached the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage, without having to draw lots. Even if they failed their breakthrough, subsequent pills would be provided. They were already very satisfied with their current treatment.

"Elder Luo."

As they prepared to be scolded, they heard a familiar voice. They turned around and immediately bowed. "Greetings, Sect Leader!"

It was Liang Chuan. He waved his hand, telling the disciples to continue their work, before pulling Elder Luo aside.

"Sect Leader, you really are a genius! You’ve come up with so many incredible things lately. Are you here for more Foundation Establishment Pills?"

Before Liang Chuan could speak, Elder Luo poured out his admiration like beans spilling from a container. Watching the constant stream of Foundation Establishment Pills being produced had stirred his heart. Without Liang Chuan, he would never have witnessed such a miracle in his entire life.

"Elder Luo, no need to be so excited." Liang Chuan placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him, then said, "I have come to you for something else this time."

"Sect Leader, just say the word! As long as it is within my power, I will do it with all my might!" Elder Luo had become a devoted follower of Liang Chuan, his eyes fixed on him as if staring at a priceless treasure.

"Actually, I have come up with a method for mass-producing a different kind of pill!"

As soon as Liang Chuan said this, Elder Luo’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He grabbed Liang Chuan and asked urgently, "What kind of pill?"

The Foundation Establishment Pills were already making his eyes red with greed. If there were another way to mass-produce pills at a low cost, the White Sword Sect would surely soar to new heights.

"This pill is called the Pulse-Protecting Pill."

"Pulse-Protecting Pill?" Elder Luo paused. He had never heard of such a pill. He considered himself well-read, and due to his advanced age, he knew a great deal, yet he had never encountered this name.

"The function of this pill is to allow one to absorb surrounding spiritual energy recklessly during cultivation. The medicinal power protects the meridians, so even if spiritual energy is absorbed at a rapid rate, it won't rupture or damage them!"

As Liang Chuan finished speaking, Elder Luo’s expression froze. It wasn't that he hadn't heard of pills with similar effects, but those were things that even third-tier alchemists couldn't necessarily refine. Moreover, the cost of such pills was bound to be astronomical—far beyond what they could afford. Even with their daily income of 250,000 spirit stones, they were nothing compared to the true great sects. The stronger the cultivation, the higher the grade of spirit stones required. Their current income was in low-grade spirit stones, which could at most support those at the Foundation Establishment stage. Once they reached the Nascent Soul stage, they would need at least mid-grade spirit stones. Only those entities would have the resources to purchase pills like the ones Liang Chuan described.

"But... shouldn't this be a high-grade pill? In our sect..." Elder Luo looked troubled. Producing the Foundation Establishment Pills had already been his limit, as he lacked deep knowledge of pharmacology. Asking him to produce high-grade pills was like asking for the impossible.

"Just take a look first!" Knowing that more words were useless, Liang Chuan handed the production method for the Pulse-Protecting Pill directly to Elder Luo.

"This..."

After reading it, Elder Luo’s expression solidified. It wasn't because the pill was too difficult, but because it was surprisingly simple.

"Is one day enough?" Liang Chuan asked with a faint smile.

"Enough! This is more than enough!" Elder Luo nodded excitedly.

The next day, the disciples at the Foundation Establishment stage all received a pill.

"What kind of pill is this?" Peng Shan looked at the pitch-black pill in his hand, full of doubt.

Peng Hai shook his head. "I heard it's for cultivation. This is such a waste for us; we've only just reached the Foundation Establishment stage and haven't even stabilized our cultivation yet."

Though they didn't know what it was, they knew the Sect Leader would never harm them. Just then, Liang Chuan approached. "Didn't you receive the pills? Why aren't you cultivating yet?"

Liang Chuan frowned slightly. "This is a waste of time."

"We just felt it might be too wasteful," Peng Shan said hesitantly. Even though they didn't know what the pill was, any pill was inherently valuable.

"This is an order!"

Following Liang Chuan’s command, the two braced themselves and entered the spirit room. But the moment they took the Pulse-Protecting Pill, their eyes nearly bulged out. The effect of the pill far exceeded their imagination. When they came out, both were dazed.

Peng Shan hesitated for a long time before speaking. "What... what kind of miraculous medicine is this?"

Peng Hai nodded subconsciously. "My cultivation... it’s stabilized overnight!"