Chapter Sixty-Two: Simulated Longevity Elixir Formula

Yang Mu selected a section from the Moonlight Sword Manual that he didn’t quite understand and looked up. Hearing his question, Elder Pan Yang slowly stroked his beard.

“Hmm…”

“Ahem, well…”

Yang Mu blinked, somewhat worried the elder might pull out that small tuft of beard.

“This sword technique is rather interesting. I’ve never heard of it, but the ways of swordsmanship ultimately converge. Let me ponder it further.”

Elder Pan Yang coughed dryly twice, released his beard, and turned to leave.

“Practice your sword diligently. No slacking off.”

“I understand,” Yang Mu replied, scratching his head and shrugging in confusion.

Returning to the alchemy side, Elder Pan cast a helpless glance at Helin. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the boy had deliberately made things difficult for him. How could a disciple at the early stage of Qi Refining even come across such advanced sword techniques, ones even he barely understood?

The plump elder nodded and continued watching the two figures locked in their contest, asking casually, “Elder Lin, are you still interested?”

By now, the other elder should have had enough time to review two formulas. Most people, upon seeing the complex varieties, quantities, and timing of the herbs, would be utterly overwhelmed. Only by overcoming this hurdle could one truly appreciate the joys of alchemy.

“It’s alright,” Lin Ze replied softly.

The Longevity Pill Manual included thirty-seven formulas for first-grade pills, nine for second-grade, and two for third-grade medicines. These roughly corresponded to entry, proficiency, and mastery in other cultivation arts. If mastered, one could at least sustain oneself. After all, even the Foundation Establishment Pill was only a third-grade medicine.

So far, Lin Ze had run three simulations. The first yielded nothing. The second produced a first-grade Blood Replenishing Pill of excellent quality. The third resulted in a barely qualified second-grade Dragon Tiger Pill.

Without the simulator, the Daoist seemed to develop a keen interest in alchemy, nearly to the point of forsaking sleep and food, dedicating all his time—aside from breathing exercises—to alchemy.

Lin Ze once again inserted the host card and skill card.

[Simulation begins]

...

Twelve years passed in total.

When Lin Ze opened his eyes again, the two elders in the arena had already begun placing the herbs, exchanging mocking remarks. He frowned instinctively.

Their control of the fire was lacking. The handling of the herbs wasn’t meticulous enough. What had seemed like dazzling movements by the elders now appeared to be nothing more than pointless flourish—deliberate showmanship.

“If Elder Lin wishes, a period of dedicated study may well see you equal to them,” Helin commented offhandedly, seeing Lin Ze’s serious gaze.

Lin Ze closed his eyes, recalling the final batch of pills from the simulator—a slightly dull apricot-colored pill, faintly entwined with vitality.

A third-grade Longevity Pill.

The most powerful medicine recorded in the manual.

Its effect was simple: compensate for lost lifespan. It couldn’t grant extra years, but was meant for cultivators like his predecessor, who could have lived to a hundred but suffered grievous injuries under a beast’s claw, greatly reducing their lifespan even if saved. After taking one, vitality would be restored. Someone who should have died at seventy from old wounds might last until seventy-five.

“Unfortunately, it was still a failure,” Lin Ze lamented inwardly. Even though he’d only managed a quick glance, he could tell the pill’s quality was not right.

He could have stopped here. His initial purpose was to broaden his horizons and sharpen his judgment. Though he hadn’t truly practiced, his theoretical knowledge now surpassed all the elders save Helin.

Yet his curiosity itched—he wanted to see where he had erred.

He focused on the host card on the panel.

Fifth simulation.

Sixth simulation.

Seventh simulation.

...

Within the simulator, the Daoist cautiously opened the battered cauldron before him.

He took out three golden pills.

He brought them to his nose for a gentle sniff.

Immediately, a triumphant, ecstatic laugh echoed from the green mountain.

He quickly drew another formula.

Third-grade Dragon Bone Pill.

[Simulation ends]

Lin Ze instinctively tried to simulate again, but saw a prompt on the panel.

[Simulation attempts for today exhausted]

Both were low-grade skill cards. He had mastered the Four Seasons Cycle Palm in less than two attempts, but the Longevity Pill Manual used up ten tries, yet one third-grade formula remained untested.

Shaking his head in resignation, Lin Ze turned his attention back to the two elders.

Gaining the equivalent of thirty extra years’ experience, what had seemed merely ordinary before now appeared rather clumsy in his eyes.

But this was only natural. For these elders, alchemy was merely a hobby—true cultivation lay in breathing exercises.

The flames blazed beneath the cauldrons.

This scene would likely last around two days.

Elder Yang took out a Fasting Pill and rolled it between his fingers, preparing for a prolonged battle. His cauldron was of better quality, requiring less spiritual energy for fire control, so he had the leisure to jest about Elder Qin’s perpetually stern face.

As evening approached, Su Bailu brought food and replaced her master’s tea with a fresh cup. She knew these elders were making pills for her sake, so she waited nearby.

The least conspicuous of the five elders, a small, thin man, had been practicing some moves with Xiao Bao at the mountain’s edge.

When the full moon hung high, he returned, face flushed with excitement. “Excellent!”

Elder Pan Yang looked over in puzzlement.

Like himself, the other elder was tasked with guiding Green Mountain’s disciples while the others focused on alchemy.

“To think he could master the palm technique I taught in just half a day! This child was born to train in palms,” the thin elder laughed heartily, but then realized the boy was not his sect’s disciple, causing his laughter to falter and a troubled sigh to escape.

Elder Pan Yang’s face showed shock.

Even the most basic technique, mastered in such a short time, was enough to prove the child’s talent in this art.

Lin Ze glanced at them.

Born to train in palms... only because the elder happened to teach palm techniques. If he had taught internal force instead, Xiao Bao’s terrifying aptitude would have prompted him to exclaim, “This child was born to train in internal force!”

Let alone low-grade arts.

Even the superior Innate True Fire—something the boy had recently become obsessed with—he showed signs of advancing to proficiency.

The thin elder glanced at the almost deserted Green Mountain, embarrassed to ask for the disciple, his expression complex as he sighed and returned to the mountain’s edge.

Helin raised his brows in surprise.

Was it really so remarkable?

Even the usually taciturn Elder Zhang was so reluctant to part with him.

Pity the child was so young; no matter how great his talent, it wouldn’t be of much use.

Early Qi Refining was still too weak.

He preferred to cultivate the female disciple. Her late-stage Qi Refining was unremarkable, but supplementing with pills might let her break through to perfection, giving her a sliver of opportunity.