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Chapter 40: The Alchemy Chamber and Immortal Beans
Chapter 40: The Alchemy Chamber and Immortal Beans
It was unclear whether it was because Xiuxiu had been at home these past few days, but Bai Meiling seemed to be coming home earlier every day.
After returning, she would either drag Xiuxiu out shopping or chat with her in the courtyard, their laughter ringing clear and gentle.
Of course, she also had a habit of popping into Luo Chen's room for no particular reason.
Watching Luo Chen meticulously build his alchemy chamber, her eyes filled with admiration.
"Your skills are so impressive. Even if you can't make it as an alchemist, you could find a job at Ailao Mountain."
"Ailao Mountain? What do they do there?"
"They're a Golden Core sect in the Jade Peak Domain, known for their extensive mining operations. They're also very skilled at constructing buildings. The bricks and stones you're using are from their direct store, Xianzhuju, right?"
Xianzhuju is part of Ailao Mountain? Luo Chen had no idea about this.
Or rather, he didn't know much about Ailao Mountain at all.
Bai Meiling casually explained, and he learned that Ailao Mountain was thriving in the Jade Peak Domain.
Scattered cultivators didn't care much about their living conditions, happy to reside in a wooden hut or a cave.
But wealthy sect cultivators were far more particular.
Their residences and cave dwellings were often meticulously designed, from lighting and ventilation to the placement of medicinal gardens and alchemy chambers, using the finest materials.
Especially for large constructions, there were many intricate details to consider.
From mountain gates and celestial realms to market buildings, it wasn't just about building a house and laying the floors; it involved setting up complex arrays.
The selection of spirit-imbued woods, the permeation and concentration of spirit energy by minerals, and the impact of feng shui on long-term living were all crucial.
Even the suitability of the floor for large flying ships to take off and land was taken into account.
Some famous arrays were specifically designed to integrate with the landscape and architecture, creating a harmonious synergy.
Over the past three hundred years, since the Jade Peak Sword Sect established its dominance in this domain, there has been a massive wave of development and construction.
Ailao Mountain has taken on a significant number of projects during this boom, reaping substantial profits.
"The initial construction of our Dahu Market, from layout design to implementation, was all handled by Ailao Mountain."
"Rumor has it that a single cave dwelling in Ailao Mountain's Divine Craft City costs at least 100,000 spirit stones and is only leased for seventy years."
Luo Chen was genuinely stunned after listening to Bai Meiling.
The real estate market in the cultivation world is just as lucrative! I need to hire an expert from Ailao Mountain to redesign my place once I have enough spirit stones.
"By the way, is there any conflict between Xiuxiu and Caiyi?" Luo Chen asked, curious about the gossip.
Women's issues are complicated, and he didn't want to get involved. But the gossip was always interesting to hear.
Bai Meiling tilted her head slightly, "No conflict at all!"
"Xiuxiu is very gentle and usually gets along well with others, rarely having any disputes."
Luo Chen was taken aback, "Then why did Xiuxiu seem uncomfortable when I mentioned Caiyi?"
"Oh, you mean that!" Bai Meiling smacked her lips and waved her hand, "It's because of her past relationship with her dao partner."
Xiuxiu had a dao partner before?
Luo Chen's interest was piqued.
"Xiuxiu's dao partner was an inner disciple of the Jade Peak Sword Sect. But after failing to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage, he was transferred to the outer sect as an overseer."
"An outer sect overseer can't focus solely on cultivation and is often dispatched to manage various sect properties."
"He came to Dahu Market and met Xiuxiu, who was still a scattered cultivator, and they became dao partners."
Bai Meiling shook her head as she spoke.
"But after failing to advance, his dao heart was damaged, and he became indulgent in pleasures. Even with Xiuxiu, he often spent nights at the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion."
"One morning, he died in one of the pavilions at the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion."
"It was Senior Sun Shou who personally brought his body back."
To die under the peony, even as a ghost, is to remain in the realm of the beautiful?
Luo Chen couldn't help but give a thumbs up, a true role model indeed.
"Since then, Xiuxiu has been less fond of anything related to the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion. Caiyi works there, so it might be a case of her associating Caiyi with the place, making her dislike her."
Bai Meiling explained the situation, and Luo Chen finally understood.
Hatred by association, that's about right.
Satisfied with Luo Chen's curiosity, Bai Meiling remembered her own question.
"Can the Fire Dog Whip be used to refine a high-grade fasting pill?"
Luo Chen quickly pushed her out, "I need to get to work. It's going to be quite smelly in here!"
"Ew, remember to activate the Misty Rain Pavilion, or I'll complain about you."
Bai Meiling pinched her nose and ran off in disgust.
With a wave of his spirit power, Luo Chen activated the exhaust fan and retrieved the Purple Cloud Copper Furnace from his storage bag.
Clang!
"The storage capacity is still too small. It would be great if I had a storage bag with a capacity of three, five, or even a hundred cubic units."
As a first-tier inferior-grade magical tool, it couldn't change size at will.
Just this Purple Cloud Copper Furnace took up nearly eighty percent of his storage bag's space.
Previously, he had no choice but to store the herbs inside the furnace.
If I don't release it soon, the main ingredients will start to mix and lose their potency.
Carefully placing the Purple Cloud Copper Cauldron above the fire pit, he added water.
He took a bundle of yellowed Green Steel Wood and stuffed it underneath, casting a Fireball Spell to ignite the wood, which began to burn slowly.
He had switched to new alchemy equipment; the peach wood and red cedar he used to rely on were no longer suitable.
Those types of wood released too little heat, and it would take an eternity to heat the Purple Cloud Copper Cauldron.
Thus, Luo Chen had specially purchased the expensive Green Steel Wood.
This first-grade spiritual wood contained oils that, when ignited, could release a significant amount of high temperature.
"High-ranking cultivators either use their internal alchemy fire or borrow the power of earth and heaven fire when refining elixirs. I wonder when I'll be able to use such methods?"
Muttering to himself, Luo Chen confirmed the fire pit's insulation was fine and then turned to leave the alchemy room.
First, he needed to heat the cauldron and burn out any residual medicinal energy inside.
These procedures were based on experience, as noted in the manual that Xiang Xiang had left with the cauldron.
Heating the cauldron was just the first step; next, he would test it and familiarize himself with it before proceeding with the alchemy.
For the next couple of days, he would focus on processing the herbs.
Crack!
Pop!
"What's that noise?"
A lazy, puzzled voice came from outside, and Luo Chen opened the stone door of the alchemy room, emerging with a soot-covered face.
Gu Caiyi couldn't help but laugh at his disheveled appearance.
"What are you doing, and why did you partition off a room in your house?"
Puff!
Luo Chen fanned the air, casting a Cleaning Spell on himself.
The spell exploded with a bang, scattering the soot and causing Gu Caiyi to quickly step back.
He went to the water barrel, scooped a large ladle of cold water, and drank it to regain his breath.
"Damn, no wonder famous alchemists always have a fire watcher. This alchemy room is no place to spend much time in."
After a moment, he explained to Gu Caiyi.
"This is my new alchemy room. How does it look?"
Gu Caiyi waved her hand to brush off the dust.
"It looks good. I suggest you spend all your time in there."
Luo Chen's face darkened, but he didn't take it to heart. "I'm testing the cauldron. I fried some Immortal Beans. Want to try some?"
"Immortal Beans?"
Luo Chen quickly returned to the alchemy room and soon emerged with a dish of golden beans.
The beans had shells, but they had cracked during the high-temperature frying.
A gentle peel exposed the white kernels inside.
"It's bitter hazelnuts!" Gu Caiyi picked one up, half-doubting, "They're very bitter. Can you really eat them?"
"Try them and see."
Luo Chen had already peeled and eaten several.
Gu Caiyi peeled the golden shell and placed the white kernel in her mouth.
Her red lips moved slightly, and her eyes lit up.
"Wow, not bad! How did you fry them? They're crunchy and have a hint of spiritual energy."
Luo Chen smugly replied, "It's a secret recipe. I can't tell you!"
Gu Caiyi rolled her eyes and grabbed the dish of Immortal Beans.
Luo Chen didn't mind. He added a bucket of water to the Purple Cloud Copper Cauldron and then left with a small watering can.
In the courtyard, Gu Caiyi sat on the child-sized swing where Little Tiger usually sat, holding the dish of Immortal Beans and occasionally peeling one.
Across from her, Luo Chen watered a row of potted plants with the small can.
"These are Xiu Xiu's flowers, right?"
Luo Chen nodded, checked the two special spiritual plants that Sister Xiu Xiu had specifically instructed him to care for, and confirmed they were fine.
It had been four days since their last gathering.
Xiu Xiu's leave had ended, and she had returned to the Divine Symbol Pavilion, where she only had one day off per month.
Her recent promotion to overseer had kept her at the pavilion for a long time, accumulating three days of leave.
Before leaving, she had entrusted Luo Chen with the care of her plants.
"You sure are quick to get close. You only just met her, and you've already taken over her plants."
"Don't say that! It's a neighborly thing to do, not cheating."
"Tsk, I saw you earlier. You put that Moonlight Grass by your bed. You must be secretly practicing hard every night, huh?"
Luo Chen's face turned red. How sharp is this woman's eyes?
But to be fair, the Moonlight Grass was quite effective. While it couldn't match the Calming Incense, it had about a tenth of its effect.
Over the past two nights, he had increased his maximum limit for the Eternal Spring Technique once.
Each morning, he felt more energized after his practice!
This boosted his daily spell proficiency practice, and several spells had leveled up.
Luo Chen quickly changed the subject. "Why haven't I seen you around the past few days?"
"Huh, wait, your cultivation level?"
Gu Caiyi smiled, her plump bottom squeezed by the narrow swing, creating a striking contrast with her slender waist.
"You noticed, didn't you? I'm at the Ninth Level of Qi Cultivation now!"
(End of Chapter)
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