Chapter 50: Semi-Automatic Medicine Refinement

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Cheng Xu slightly furrowed his brows. “Strange, why would this grandfather and grandson duo come to see Master?” he pondered to himself.

“I must say, Hu Jiaojiao has quite an arrogant demeanor. Senior Brother, it’s best if you brace yourself,” Miao Changsheng cautioned.

Cheng Xu mulled over his words and nodded, hastening his steps towards Perfected Yuntai’s cave abode.

Within the cave abode, his master, Yuntai Zhenren, engaged in a jovial conversation with Hu Banxian from the Yunzhong Sect, each showering the other with flattery.

Hu Jiaojiao, seated beside Hu Banxian, sported a cold and weary expression. It was evident that she had yet to recover from the ordeal. When her gaze fell upon Cheng Xu on his arrival, it was laced with deep-seated resentment. She harbored animosity towards him for failing to come to her aid in time and rescue her from the clutches of the Demon Claw.

“Brother Yuntai, I’ve heard that Jiaojiao and Brother Xiao Cheng had some misunderstandings. I brought Jiaojiao here today to mend those misunderstandings,” Hu Banxian addressed Cheng Xu directly, wasting no time.

“Brother Hu jests. It was merely a minor misunderstanding between young individuals. Furthermore, the misunderstanding had been resolved earlier,” Perfected Yuntai politely interjected. “Little Cheng, you’ve arrived at the opportune moment. Allow me to introduce Elder Hu from the Yunzhong Sect. And as for Jiaojiao, there’s no need for an introduction, I presume?”

Cheng Xu stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “Junior Cheng Xu pays his respects to Senior Hu.”

“No need for such formalities,” Hu Banxian responded with a feigned smile. “When we were training together, you displayed great benevolence by saving Jiaojiao’s life. I’ve been longing for an opportunity to personally express my gratitude.”

“Senior, your praise is too generous. As fellow cultivators on the righteous path, it was only natural for me to lend a helping hand,” Cheng Xu replied with a dignified smile. Although he hadn’t acted swiftly, he had indeed saved Hu Jiaojiao’s life.

“Tsk, tsk. Truly worthy of being Brother Yuntai’s disciple!” Hu Banxian lauded in secret, then turned his attention to Hu Jiao jiao by his side. “Girl, what are you waiting for?”

Hu Jiaojiao gritted her teeth and walked up to Cheng Xu. She handed him an exquisitely crafted wooden box and managed to force out a sentence from between her gritted teeth, “Thank you for saving me, Brother Cheng!”

Cheng Xu wasn’t oblivious to the situation. Judging from Hu Jiaojiao’s expression, he could tell that she had come to express her gratitude under some kind of pressure.

After all, nearly a month had passed since their joint experiential learning ended. If she genuinely wanted to show her appreciation, she would have done so much earlier.

Nevertheless, Cheng Xu wasn’t one to reject a gift offered freely. He accepted the wooden box and opened it, his eyes widening in delight.

“This thousand-year-old Jasper Ginseng can be considered as a token of gratitude for your kindness,” Hu Banxian remarked with a smile.

“Not bad, Brother Hu. I didn’t expect you to possess such a valuable item,” Yuntai Zhenren expressed his surprise, as he was also shocked by this gift.

Indeed, the Green Jade Ginseng was one of the three crucial ingredients required for refining the Gold Modeling Pill, not to mention that it was a thousand-year-old specimen.

“Compared to my precious granddaughter’s life, this is nothing to mention,” Hu Banxian heroically replied, shooting a knowing wink in Hu Jiaojiao’s direction.

Instantly, Hu Jiaojiao understood the implied message. Her arrogance mingled with intense resentment as she spoke, “Senior Yuntai, I’ve heard that Junior Brother Cheng possesses exceptional talent in medicinal refinement. Junior believes he has some skill in this field.”

Cheng Xu and Yuntai Zhenren exchanged stunned glances.

“Cough cough… Young lady, you’re far too modest. You’re a renowned prodigy among the alchemists in the realm of Little Southern Heaven,” Yuntai Zhenren replied with a polite smile, hesitating for a moment. “As for a competition with Cheng Xu, I think we can let that idea go.”

“What? Is Senior Yuntai afraid of losing face?” Hu Jiaojiao provocatively snorted.

Yuntai Zhenren found himself caught between laughter and exasperation.

Cheng Xu struggled to suppress his amusement. Wasn’t challenging him to a medicinal refinement contest just asking for humiliation?

No, no, no.

Until now, he hadn’t actually used an alchemy furnace to refine pills. If he were to engage in a competition with Hu Jiao jiao, he would undoubtedly have to refine pills on the spot using the alchemy furnace.

While he was confident in his theoretical knowledge, he lacked confidence when it came to practical application.

Seeing that Hu Jiaojiao was eager for a challenge, Perfected Yuntai could only appease her.

“Cheng Xu, since Jiaojiao insists on a contest, let’s have a spar,” he acquiesced.

Hu Banxian seized the opportunity and chimed in, “It’s beneficial for young people to broaden their horizons. Jiaojiao, tell me, which elixir do you wish to compete with Cheng Xu on?”

“Ordinary medicinal pills won’t pose a challenge to Junior Brother Cheng. How about we compete with the Foundation Establishment Pill?” Hu Jiaojiao suggested, her eyes gleaming with determination.

As soon as those words left his mouth, Yuntai Zhenren and Cheng Xu exchanged astonished glances. Finally, they understood the true motive behind this grandfather and granddaughter duo’s visit.

The initial batch of Foundation Establishment Pills, produced after the Medicine Immortal Valley’s increased production, had just been sold out, and Hu Jiaojiao had come to challenge them. Her purpose was clearly to verify the authenticity of their claim.

Of course, even if Hu Banxian carefully observed the entire process, it would be impossible for him to replicate Cheng Xu’s new formula. The recipe was far more intricate than a mere list of ingredients. It involved various nuances regarding the properties of the ingredients, the merging of their medicinal essences during the refinement process, precise fire control, and a host of complex procedures.

“I’ve heard that your sect has recently developed a new formula for the Foundation Establishment Pill, and our little friend Cheng Xu has made significant contributions to it,” Hu Banxian remarked, seizing the opportunity. “Why don’t you take this chance to enlighten me?”

Perfected Yuntai smiled knowingly, completely unperturbed by the situation.

He was well aware of the exceptional nature of Cheng Xu’s new formula’s medicinal theory. Even if Hu Banxian were to witness Cheng Xu’s refining process firsthand, not only would she be unable to grasp it, but she would also find herself questioning her very existence.

“Indeed, but I must correct you,” Daoist Master Yuntai replied with a smile. “Little Cheng Xu didn’t merely make a small contribution.”

“Oh, is that so?” Hu Banxian expressed doubt.

When he first heard the news, he had basically treated it as nothing more than a mere joke.

After all, Cheng Xu was merely a fledgling in the field of alchemy. It was already quite extraordinary for him to be able to successfully refine the Foundation Establishment Pill. How could he possibly possess the capability to modify the formula of such a pivotal elixir such as the Foundation Establishment Pill?

Thus, Hu Banxian subconsciously believed that the new formula for the Foundation Establishment Pill was actually devised by Yuntai Zhenren, and Cheng Xu was at most a mere assistant.

However, Yuntai Zhenren’s reaction indicated that the situation was not as simple as Hu Banxian had assumed.

Could it be that Cheng Xu truly created the new formula for the Foundation Establishment Pill?

This… seemed almost implausible.

“It can only be said that we old folks have been trapped in our own conventional thinking,” Yuntai Zhenren sighed, shaking his head. “When it comes to fresh ideas and innovation, it is the younger generation that excels.”

Upon hearing this, Hu Banxian couldn’t help but fall into deep contemplation.

Meanwhile, Hu Jiao jiao grew impatient and sought to restore her confidence through the practice of alchemy.

“Let’s begin. I want to witness your capabilities firsthand!”

Hu Jiaojiao huffed lightly and retrieved a pill furnace and the requisite materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill from her storage bag. She proceeded to operate in an orderly manner.

Casting a hesitant glance at Perfected Yuntai, Cheng Xu finally took out the high-quality furnace he had acquired from the Magical Equipment Exposition.

“Hey there, little friend, this pill furnace is quite impressive!” Hu Banxian exclaimed in surprise.

Hu Jiaojiao sneered, “What’s the big deal about having a good pill furnace? Refining medicine depends on skill!”

Noticing Cheng Xu’s prolonged hesitation, Yuntai Zhenren quickly understood the situation. He raised his hand and tossed a set of materials for the new formula of the Foundation Establishment Pill to Cheng Xu.

As soon as Hu Banxian caught sight of the ingredients, she couldn’t help but gasp, “Brother Yuntai, is it possible to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill using these… materials?”

It was unavoidable. The materials Cheng Xu had chosen were exceptionally inexpensive.

“Fellow Daoist, you will see soon enough,” Perfected Yuntai deliberately left it ambiguous.

Hu Jiaojiao was also taken aback by the materials Cheng Xu had selected, but she swiftly regained her composure and inwardly sneered.

In her opinion, even if these materials could indeed be used to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill, the quality would likely be subpar.

Meanwhile, Cheng Xu embarked on his first attempt at pill refinement.

He began by briefly processing the various materials before placing them one by one into the pill furnace. Activating the flames, he utilized the fire attribute magic power from the Crimson Brilliant Mystic Scripture.

Originally, Cheng Xu was already prepared to operate the entire process manually.

However, the moment the flames were kindled, the system window once again appeared before him.

“High precision refining activated. The refinement equipment is superb, but the quality of the materials is slightly flawed.”

Above the pill furnace, a familiar progress bar materialized.

However, to Cheng Xu’s astonishment, this progress bar was noticeably faster than the automatic refinement progress bar of the cultivation computer.

“So, this is how it works?”

Cheng Xu was genuinely taken aback and delighted. It appeared that a high-quality pill furnace could indeed expedite the refinement process to a certain extent.

As he stood there, notifications continued to appear before his eyes:

“The local temperature is too high. Please adjust the furnace temperature promptly.”

“The Scorching Sun Herbal Attribute Release is nearing its optimal state. Please take appropriate action.”

“A small amount of impurities will form due to the fusion of medicinal properties. Please remove them promptly.”

Stunned, Cheng Xu hastily followed the system prompts and made the necessary adjustments.

Finally, Cheng Xu grasped the situation.

Apart from the fully automated method of controlling the entire process, there was also this semi-automatic approach.

Meanwhile, Hu Banxian and Yuntai Zhenren were unable to perceive the system notifications.

In their eyes, every time there was a slight change in the furnace, Cheng Xu would immediately respond.

Yuntai Zhenren remained relatively calm. After all, he had a clear understanding of Cheng Xu’s current refining abilities. He was merely intrigued and pleasantly surprised by some of Cheng Xu’s innovative techniques.

However, the situation was different for Hu Banxian.

Looking at Cheng Xu’s skillful and intricate micro-manipulations, Hu Banxian couldn’t help but question his own eyes.

If there had been any doubts about Cheng Xu’s ability to refine medicine before, they had completely vanished now. All that remained in Hu Banxian’s eyes was sheer astonishment and disbelief.

“Has this child truly only been learning alchemy for a few months?”

Hu Banxian swallowed hard, his expression growing increasingly complex.

After all, just a few months ago, Cheng Xu was a mere outer disciple of the Yunzhong Sect.

If Hu Banxian had known about Cheng Xu’s incredible talent in alchemy, he would have taken him under his wing without hesitation.

In this moment, he began to understand why his senior brother had personally urged him to come here.

Who wouldn’t regret such a missed opportunity?

He glanced at his precious granddaughter standing beside him, and suddenly, she didn’t seem as adorable as before.

“Girl, girl, I fear that your actions have jeopardized the hope of our Yunzhong Sect’s alchemist lineage rising to prominence!”

Hu Banxian’s emotions were mixed.

If Cheng Xu were his disciple, he was confident that within a few years, he could nurture him into the most outstanding alchemist in Mini Southern Heaven and elevate the Yunzhong Sect’s alchemy prowess to unprecedented heights.

Yet, such an extraordinary talent in pill refinement had been expelled from their sect by the Cloud Faction.

“It’s puzzling. Little Friend Cheng’s refining method and thought process seem quite different from Brother Yuntai’s.”

Hu Banxian fixated his gaze on Cheng Xu’s every move and asked in bewilderment.

“That’s precisely why I said it’s a new idea!”

Perfected Yuntai’s smile stretched from ear to ear, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Four hours swiftly elapsed, passing in the blink of an eye.

Hu Jiaojiao, who had maintained unwavering focus throughout the entire process, was still making final adjustments.

In the meantime, the flames within Cheng Xu’s pill furnace gradually dwindled, and a notification window appeared before him.

Really?!” Hu Banxian exclaimed, once again taken aback.

Just moments ago, he had harbored doubts about the authenticity of this formula.

Now, Hu Banxian was even more excited than Yuntai Zhenren, his own master. He sprang to his feet and hurried over to the alchemy furnace, his eyes brimming with astonishment and anticipation.

The familiar aroma of medicinal herbs wafted from the furnace, causing his heart to race with anticipation.

Based on the fragrance alone, it was undoubtedly a foundation establishment pill, and its quality was likely to be quite impressive..