Chapter 56: The Hidden Surprise in the Pill Forging Manual

Chapter 56: The Hidden Surprise in the Pill Forging Manual

Since Xiao Chen left every morning to cultivate the Zongdi Jinguang technique and didn’t return until evening, it took him seven days of gradual progress to finally organize both pill forging manuals.

The first two days left him slightly disappointed—the few pill formulas recorded in the manuals overlapped with those in the sect’s standard pill compendium. While studying them deepened his understanding of various spirit herbs’ medicinal properties and improved his pill forging skills, the lack of novelty felt somewhat regrettable.

However, as the days passed, Xiao Chen began noticing scattered mentions of a secret pill forging technique called the Essence Unification Manual.

As everyone knew, among the six steps of pill forging, the sixth—pill formation—was the most challenging and time-consuming. Most of the process was wasted on this final stage. The Essence Unification Manual aimed to solve this exact problem by reducing the time required for pill formation, thereby easing the burden on pill artisans. Under the premise of ensuring even distribution of medicinal liquid, mastery of this technique could save between ten to thirty percent of the total forging time.

“Ten to thirty percent time saved? If that’s improved tenfold, I’d save three times as much!” Xiao Chen mused, shaking his head to dispel the absurd thought.

Deciding to test it himself, he resolved to learn the technique first and then try forging a batch of Nourishing Qi Pills. Though he’d run out of the spirit herbs he’d previously bought, he still had dozens left from the bundle purchased alongside the manuals—enough for three batches.

By the next evening, he’d completed a perfect batch of ten Nourishing Qi Pills in just two hours, with the “buy one, get one free” bonus granting him an additional ten.

“A day has twelve hours. Subtract four for eating and sleeping, and eight remain,” he calculated. If disciplined, he could forge four batches daily, doubling his profit. More importantly, the reduced forging time meant he could practice pill-making every day without conflict.

Without hesitation, he immediately sought Shen Simyue the next day and headed to the bazaar to purchase twenty more portions of spirit herbs.

Each morning, he’d train in the Zongdi Jinguang until dusk, then return to refine pills. Before bed, he’d review his mastered techniques. Days passed in this fulfilling rhythm, and twenty days later, his pill formation success rate dipped slightly but remained steady at ninety percent, netting him thirty-six vials.

By now, it was February 23rd—the Black Market’s opening day. Xiao Chen still had two Black Market tokens and could easily visit, but after considering his current funds, he opted instead to return to the Treasure Pavilion.

This time, he went alone to maintain his low profile. Honestly, he could’ve handled the herb purchase himself earlier without needing Shen Simyue. If any reckless cultivators had tried to rob him, they’d likely have regretted it.

The appraiser on duty at the Treasure Pavilion was Ge Changfeng again. Staring at the pile of Nourishing Qi Pills before him, he felt puzzled.

It had been over three months since their first transaction. Why was this mysterious pill master still forging nothing but Nourishing Qi Pills?

As the manager retrieved the spirit stones, Ge Changfeng couldn’t resist asking, “Esteemed guest, do you have no other pills to trade? We handle more than just Nourishing Qi Pills here.”

Xiao Chen waved his hand. “Not for now.”

He knew the pavilion sold everything, but he himself could only forge Nourishing Qi Pills at present. Once he learned other formulas, he’d naturally bring them here. Hence the word “temporarily.”

Misinterpreting his intent, Ge Changfeng grew hopeful. The pill master must be cautious but willing to cooperate—just naturally cautious, nothing unusual.

He eagerly anticipated their next trade, hoping to soon appraise new creations. After appraising Nourishing Qi Pills so many times, the novelty had long worn off.

Unfortunately, he’d be disappointed. Xiao Chen had no plans to spend days learning new pill formulas anytime soon. That could wait until after returning from the forbidden realm.

Speaking of which, the Yan Chi Secret Realm’s opening was just seven days away. The sect hadn’t announced the exact date yet.

This time, Xiao Chen skipped buying herbs and instead spent the two hours refining his Zongdi Jinguang technique. After over twenty days of intense training, his movement arts had become highly proficient. At the very least, he could now navigate unfamiliar mountains and forests without crashing into trees or rocks. Having already explored nearby areas repeatedly, the extra time allowed him to venture farther, sharpening his reflexes in unknown terrain.

Ten days passed like this.

On the third day of the third lunar month, the sect finally announced the Yan Chi Secret Realm would open on the ninth. A three-day voluntary registration and selection process began immediately. Only disciples capable of resisting fiery energy could compete for the sixty entry slots.

The news sparked mixed reactions. Those who’d cultivated fire-resistant techniques rushed to sign up, while others lamented their choices, wishing to swap their cultivation methods entirely.

The Yan Chi Secret Realm opened roughly once every fifty years, unless, like this time, geological shifts caused an early opening. Missing this chance meant the next generation would face another half-century wait.

Three days later, many fire-attribute disciples failed the fire-avoidance technique test. The final list had one vacancy, with several candidates falling just short. One female disciple broke down in tears on the spot.

Xiao Chen scanned the posted list. Shen Simyue’s name wasn’t there, but familiar figures like Su Wanning, Su Yuanpeng, Jiang Si Xuan, Jiang Cungang, Liu Benxin, Song Zhongming, Chen Guangyu, and others—all fire-rooted or not—had made the cut.

Ye Fei returned safely, securing a spot effortlessly.

The legendary Lin Ping An also qualified, as expected.

After joining the Lihuo Peak, he’d coincidentally chosen a fire-resistant cultivation method and achieved Minor Mastery at the last moment—literally passing by a hair’s breadth during the final test on the sixth.

Though he’d heard tales of Lin Ping An, Xiao Chen had never met the famed senior sect brother. Now, with the forbidden realm journey ahead, he finally had a chance to see him in person.

---
Author’s Note: Please allow me one final plea—tomorrow is the last round of recommendation spot battles before the book’s official launch. If you have time tomorrow night, please open the book and read the latest chapter. Thank you all in advance!(End of Chapter)

Chapter end