https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-291-I-Will-Personally-Go-to-Dusty-Mountain-/12920691/
Chapter 290: The Greatest Wealth After Chaos
Chapter 290: The Greatest Wealth After Chaos
At the underground Dan Hall on Crimson Peak.
The once bustling scene had come to a halt.
Only one large alchemy chamber was in operation.
Inside, a stranger named Qi Yi, a Tier One Alchemist, was refining pills. He was not from the Celestial Assembly but the Dan Yuan Sect.
To his side, a group of people carefully observed his pill refinement.
Leading them was the curious Luo Chen.
Qu Lingjun, Milian, Ma Shoupu, and Qiu Ying stood behind them, their expressions focused.
There was also a white-robed Advanced Qi Cultivator standing respectfully beside Luo Chen, providing detailed explanations.
"Among this generation, my pill refinement skills and those of Senior Brother Qi are the best, especially Senior Brother Qi, who is highly favored by..."
"It's fine. Death is a great equalizer, and there's no need to hold back since he taught you," Luo Chen waved his hand, interrupting the speaker.
Xu Jie's face relaxed slightly, and he continued, "Senior Brother Qi is most skilled in refining two types of Tier One pills. One is the Fasting Pill, and the other is the Vitality Pill, which is our Dan Yuan Sect's best-selling product."
Luo Chen asked curiously, "Is the Fasting Pill a standard Tier One Fasting Pill?"
"Yes, it is. It's not a Fasting Powder but a Tier One Fasting Pill," Xu Jie nodded.
Luo Chen stroked his chin, thinking, and said, "Go on!"
Xu Jie organized his thoughts and continued cautiously, "For these two pills, Senior Brother Qi has a success rate of one in ten for the Fasting Pill and four in ten for the Vitality Pill."
"Usually, he refines the Vitality Pill the most, and in this aspect, he has received the true teachings of the Dan Yuan Master."
"Sometimes, he even refines High-grade Vitality Pills!"
The one-in-ten success rate for the Fasting Pill wasn't particularly impressive.
However, the four-in-ten success rate for the Vitality Pill surprised Luo Chen.
According to his systematic classification, this was almost a perfect level of proficiency.
The only thing lacking was the inability to consistently produce High-grade Vitality Pills, resulting in a lower success rate.
"What about you?" Luo Chen asked.
Xu Jie immediately replied, "I'm also most skilled in refining the Vitality Pill. However, due to starting late and limited talent, I can only refine Low-grade Vitality Pills with a success rate of around three in ten."
Three in ten? Luo Chen nodded inwardly, thinking it wasn't bad.
It was almost at the proficient level, lacking only the experience of refining Mid-grade pills.
"Have you calculated how much revenue you and your senior brother generated for the Dan Yuan Sect?" Luo Chen asked.
Xu Jie answered without hesitation, "Yes, I have. Taking myself as an example, I can create about 1,500 Spirit Stones per month, which amounts to around 18,000 Spirit Stones per year."
"Senior Brother Qi is more impressive, earning about 30,000 Spirit Stones per year."
"Of course, these are just gross profits after deducting the cost of raw materials. We aren't privy to the expenses related to personnel and other aspects."
Upon hearing this answer, Luo Chen's eyebrows furrowed.
Only 48,000 Spirit Stones for the two of them?
That seemed like a lot!
But after deducting various personnel expenses, how much would be left annually?
"Can you tell me about your and your senior brother's salaries in the past?" Luo Chen asked.
At this mention, Xu Jie's chest puffed out with pride.
He boasted, "Since we are alchemists, our salaries are on par with the Ninth Level Qi Condensation Elders within the sect!"
"I receive a salary of 2,400 Spirit Stones per year, and my senior brother earns even more, a full 3,000 Spirit Stones!"
Hearing this, Luo Chen hadn't commented yet when the four behind him couldn't hold back their laughter.
This laughter left Xu Jie puzzled.
Luo Chen smiled lightly and shook his head, "It seems that Dan Yuan Master has been exploiting you quite a bit!"
Xu Jie was taken aback.
He had been refining pills and cultivating within the sect for a long time, rarely venturing outside.
Consequently, he wasn't familiar with the salary standards for Tier One alchemists in other major sects.
"Lingjun, tell us about your income!" Luo Chen said casually.
Qu Lingjun straightened up, his face filled with pride, "In our Celestial Assembly, the salary for a Tier One alchemist starts at 300 Spirit Stones per month, which amounts to 3,600 Spirit Stones per year!"
"As for me, I earn 500 Spirit Stones per month, which is 6,000 Spirit Stones per year!"
"Moreover, the salary includes not only Spirit Stones but also other benefits. We can learn techniques for free, take pills to enhance our Divine Soul foundation, and occasionally receive personal guidance from my master!"
"Not only that, but we don't refine pills alone like you. We have apprentices and fireworkers to assist us."
Xu Jie listened, feeling increasingly astonished.
He had previously observed the pill refinement techniques of the four people before him.
To be honest, in his opinion, only Qu Lingjun had something to offer; the others were not that impressive.
If Tier One alchemists were categorized into upper, middle, and lower grades, like magical artifacts and pills.
Then, his senior brother would be considered upper-grade, and he himself would be middle-grade with a slight lean towards the upper level.
Among the four alchemists of the Celestial Assembly, three were barely at the lower-grade entry level.
Only Qu Lingjun might be considered middle-grade.
Of course, this classification was overly simplistic.
The value an alchemist can create also depends on the value of the pills they can refine.
However, even so.
He was also greatly shocked!
Several newcomers who had only joined the sect for a few years had earned more spirit stones than their fellow disciples who had been refining pills for decades.
This was simply unreasonable! And on what basis?
Suddenly, he recalled the outside world's evaluation of Luo Chen.
It wasn't the recent rumors of his ruthless and vengeful nature, nor his unwavering commitment to justice and keeping promises.
Instead, it was the earlier assessment of his character.
A generous and amiable person, who treats others with generosity! Now it seems, he is indeed generous!
"If I were to refine pills in the Celestial Assembly, with my skills, how much salary could I earn each month?" Xu Jie was so excited by this prospect that he couldn't help but ask.
Limited by his lack of cultivation resources, he had been stuck at the seventh level of Qi Condensation for years.
With an extra one or two hundred spirit stones each month, who knows what opportunities might arise for him to reach the Peak Qi Condensation stage.
And if he were to reach that stage, he had heard that Luo Chen... the Chairman! In this regard, he never holds back, often providing substantial support to Peak Qi Condensation cultivators in their Foundation Establishment.
Clang!
As Xu Jie's heart raced with excitement, a faint sound came from the center of the pill refinement room.
The pill refinement was complete!
Luo Chen casually removed the soundproof barrier he had set up.
Their conversation had been shielded by his Grandmaster-level soundproofing technique, ensuring that it didn't disturb Qi Yi's pill refinement.
With the refinement complete, Qi Yi silently collected the pills in front of everyone.
Xu Jie stepped forward, his face filled with joy.
"We're lucky today, thirteen Vitality Pills were successfully refined."
"Senior Brother, your pill refinement skills have improved again."
Qi Yi managed a weak smile.
Holding the Vitality Pills, he nervously approached Luo Chen.
Luo Chen didn't hesitate and took the pills, examining them carefully.
Low-grade Vitality Pills!
He had encountered them before, and their medicinal strength was far superior to High-grade Vitality Pills and only slightly inferior to Top-grade Vitality Pills.
Their price remained stable at around ninety to one hundred spirit stones.
This price range was due to the fact that the Low-grade Qi Nourishing Pills sold by the Spirit Herb Pavilion were slightly cheaper.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be competitive.
However, this slight competitiveness disappeared entirely after the Celestial Assembly's Spirit Marrow Pills entered the Heavenly Wave market.
After examining the pills, Luo Chen nodded.
"The ingredients are well-blended, but the control of heat and removal of impurities are insufficient... However, the handling of the main ingredients is quite unique. Is the cultivation technique you used the Vitality Cultivation Technique?"
Upon hearing this evaluation, the usually quiet Qi Yi's eyes widened in surprise.
These strengths and weaknesses were the same as those pointed out by his master, Pill Essence Master, just last year.
But one must know that his master was an expert in refining Vitality Pills, capable of consistently producing High-grade Vitality Pills and occasionally even Top-grade ones.
Yet, here was Luo Chen, who had merely observed Qi Yi's pill refinement once.
Holding the freshly refined pills, Luo Chen quickly identified them.
And then he gave this evaluation.
Qi Yi couldn't help but ask, "Senior, have you refined Vitality Pills before?"
"No."
"Then how do you know so much?"
Luo Chen smiled slightly, "Mastering one technique leads to understanding all techniques. It's just a first-stage pill, after all. I've never refined Vitality Pills, but I've refined other first-stage pills, and I've refined quite a few."
Qi Yi suddenly understood.
If one had refined several types of first-stage pills and had such discernment, it seemed only natural.
But he didn't know that Luo Chen's 'other first-stage pills' were refined with such heavenly skill.
These were pills that could easily produce top-grade pills!
Moreover, he could even optimize and improve the Spirit Marrow Pill formula, which had inherent flaws.
Based on Luo Chen's current pill refinement skills, if given an unfamiliar first-stage pill formula, he was confident that he could understand and refine it without relying on his system's achievement points.
It was just a simple Vitality Pill!
After Qi Yi's pill refinement, it was Xu Jie's turn.
However, Xu Jie seemed to still be immersed in his previous fantasies, and his concentration was lacking.
In the end, he failed.
Seeing Xu Jie's despondent expression and hopeless eyes, Luo Chen shook his head with a smile.
"I've seen your skills, now let's go!"
The group followed Luo Chen out of the pill refinement room and arrived at Lingjun Hall, the hall of the Hall Master, Qu Lingjun.
Lingjun Hall!
Luo Chen, seated in a higher position, fell into deep thought.
While he pondered, the other six dared not even breathe.
It wasn't just Luo Chen's strength, cultivation level, or reputation that intimidated them, but also the fact that he had achieved more in the art of pill refinement, their area of expertise.
Second Rank Alchemists are not determined by cultivation level but by their ability to consistently refine second-rank pills.
For them, who struggled to refine even first-rank pills, the idea of refining second-rank pills seemed daunting.
Suddenly, Luo Chen's voice echoed in Lingjun Hall.
"From this day forward, Qi Yi and Xu Jie, you two are now pill refiners of the Celestial Assembly, under the command of Hall Master Qu Lingjun."
"Any objections?"
Xu Jie, who had been disheartened by his failure, remained silent.
Hearing this arrangement, he was initially stunned, then immediately delighted.
"No objections, I will follow the Chairman's arrangement!"
Seeing that Qi Yi beside him didn't react, he quickly tugged at his sleeve.
"Senior Brother! What are you staring at? Hurry up and thank the Chairman for his mercy!"
Qi Yi opened his mouth, then finally said, "I will follow the arrangement."
Yes!
The mercy of not killing them!
Dan Yuan Sect had already been destroyed, and the remaining low-level disciples had either fled or dispersed.
Perhaps among them, there might be some high-level cultivators who would gather the remnants and rebuild the sect.
But at least for the next hundred years, it would be impossible to seek revenge against the Celestial Assembly.
A hundred years?
By then, they would all be a pile of white bones!
Now that Luo Chen didn't kill them but instead recruited them, it was already considered a blessing.
Luo Chen looked at the two of them and continued, "As alchemists of the Celestial Assembly, your treatment will naturally be different."
"However, since you are new recruits and were from Dan Yuan Sect..."
"Therefore, for the time being, your salaries will be based on the standards of Dan Yuan Sect."
Upon hearing this, Xu Jie's excitement seemed to be doused with a bucket of cold water, and his expression immediately drooped.
200 spirit stones per month, 2,400 per year?
What cultivation could they possibly achieve with this?
Qi Yi, on the other hand, didn't mind. He was even surprised that Luo Chen was willing to give them salaries instead of ruthlessly exploiting them.
After all, they were considered "captives."
Just as the two of them had different emotions, Luo Chen continued speaking.
"After joining the Alchemy Pavilion, you two will continue to refine Vitality Pills. As for the other pills, don't touch them."
"Qi Yi, when you have time, teach Qiu Ying the techniques of refining Fasting Pills."
"She's currently refining a subpar Fasting Powder, and she needs your guidance."
Since they had already accepted Luo Chen's arrangement, these tasks would be a piece of cake.
Qi Yi had no objections.
Qiu Ying, standing beside him, showed a hint of excitement. As an alchemist, she had always felt a bit illegitimate.
If she could truly master the method of refining Fasting Pills, she would finally be a legitimate alchemist!
"Xu Jie, teach Ma Shoupu the Vitality Cultivation Technique."
"The efficiency of the Vitality Essence Liquid he prepares has always been low. If he learns this technique, his efficiency will greatly improve."
Xu Jie, who had been disappointed earlier, could only mutter a reluctant 'hm' at this moment.
Seeing their contrasting expressions, Luo Chen smiled.
"I won't let your teachings go unrewarded."
"In addition to the basic salary, you will each receive an extra 100 spirit stones per month."
"If you have time, you can also guide Milian and Lingjun, passing on some of your alchemy experience."
"The evaluation period will be five years. After five years, if you perform well, I will adjust your treatment accordingly."
After hearing these words, Xu Jie's previously gloomy face gradually turned rosy.
Without hesitation, he exclaimed, "Thank you, Chairman!"
In his heart, he was even more astonished.
Luo Chen's benevolence and righteousness were indeed well-deserved!
Qi Yi was also a bit surprised.
He wasn't surprised by the salary increase but by Luo Chen's willingness to mentor his subordinates.
In Dan Yuan Sect, their master, Dan Yuanzi, had always been extremely protective of his alchemy techniques.
Even the fireworkers and apprentice alchemists were not well-equipped, for fear that others might learn their alchemy knowledge.
He never expected Luo Chen to...
"Oh, right!"
Luo Chen remembered something and said to Qu Lingjun, "Recently, the Alchemy Pavilion released a batch of apprentice alchemists and fireworkers, didn't it?"
Qu Lingjun quickly nodded, "Yes. Since you've been refining pills at Tianlan Peak, a large number of skilled workers have been idle. They've been complaining about not being able to assist you in pill refinement, and their income has decreased."
Luo Chen smiled slightly, "Assign this group of workers to Qi Yi and Xu Jie. Let them familiarize themselves with the refinement process of Vitality Pills."
Qu Lingjun acknowledged with a 'hm.'
This wasn't a big deal; it was just a matter of following the standard procedure.
However, Qi Yi and Xu Jie were a bit excited.
What alchemist wouldn't want to delegate tasks and let others do the work? Preparing medicinal ingredients, controlling the fire, and sometimes having to endure discomfort just to finish refining a batch of pills before taking a rest.
From now on, they could finally be free from these tedious tasks.
Qi Yi looked at Luo Chen with a glint in his eyes; this man's temperament was completely different from their master's!
Suddenly, he thought of something.
If it were before, he might have hesitated, but now he spoke without a second thought, "Chairman!"
"Yes?" Luo Chen looked at him, "Is there something else?"
Qi Yi said, "There's no problem with refining Vitality Pills, but the cost of this pill is too high, so the price can't be lowered. With the impact of your Jade Marrow Pill and Zheng's Fire Ginseng Pill, there's hardly any profit left."
"Do we still need to refine a large number of them?"
Upon hearing this question, Luo Chen smiled.
(End of Chapter)
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