103 Pill Making (2/2)

As for the farm at the secluded valley, a few farmers already raised the problem of the soil getting less and less fertile.

If Fang Yuan still refused to reveal the secret of the spiritual fertilizer, the next season's Vermilion Jade Rice harvest would be much lesser, and eventually, it would lead to too many farmers at the farm.

”This is not too bad... At least I can dismiss those thoughts of greed! It would be even more beneficial during times of war.”

Fang Yuan stroked his chin and started to worry.

Fighting a war is all about resources, especially the long-standing wars. One should not execute the decisive move as the first move, otherwise, the entire war would deplete all the resources available.

To a martial artist, doctor, herbs and storage of spiritual objects, a war was a test to all of these.

”What a coincidence that Qinghe County was named as one of the betrayal counties now in chaos. It is not a matter of whether it will spread, but that it will surely spread! Unless one had enough influence from the start, otherwise trying to control it would be to remove the insignificant powers!”

Fang Yuan slowly understood as he looked in the direction of the county.

If he guessed correctly, he would be able to face of Shi Yutong the next time round.

”Based on my current stage of cultivation, it is still not enough, and I am still not there yet!”

He was lost in his thoughts...

...

Chaos ensued in the outside world, but it did not seem to have spread to the secluded valley yet.

The grass was lush, the insects and birds were making their noise, the farmers were farming and the servants were washing clothes; the entire scene was one of tranquillity.

Unknowingly, a few days went by.

In the pavilion, Fang Yuan wore his normal clothing and was sitting with Huang Fu Renhe. Both of them were looking at the stove in front.

”The skill of alchemy is all-encompassing. The art of lighting fire is already very profound, and normal people might not even be able to comprehend it in their lifetime...”

Huang Fu Renhe explained, and at the same time added a few animal charcoals underneath the stove.

This was a valued possession brought here personally by Zhou Wenwu. There was only a hint of burnt smell, and every piece was delicately carved into animal shapes. They were extremely valuable and were sold by the piece.

However, Huang Fu Renhe treated it like garbage and didn't even blink an eye as he threw it into the fire.

”Hong! Hong!”

The fire grew larger, and the green flames licked the green stove. A strong fragrance filled the air.

”An alchemy master would use spiritual fire to make their pills. I am useless and can only use normal fire as a replacement, which is much less efficient and would make a whole lot of difference...”

Huang Fu Renhe blushed, and timed it right before lifting the stove. ”It's done!”

White smoke rose into the sky, and as Fang Yuan channelled his energy into his eyes, he could see a puddle of liquid medicine at the bottom of the furnace.

Huang Fu Renhe's faced turned red and was totally engrossed in his role. He began the extraction, purification and evaporation process - This was not how the alchemy masters would describe it, but to Fang Yuan, this was what he saw.

After the filtered medicine evaporated into crystals, what appeared in front of Huang Fu Renhe was many piles of yellow, fragrant and seemingly tasty powder.

”This is Spiritual Grain Powder. It can be consumed directly, and after eating it, one would not feel hungry for three days. However, it harms one's digestive system, and therefore is not considered top grade...”

Huang Fu Renhe passed the medicinal powder to Fang Yuan, but his face was full of regret. ”Based on my ability, I could possibly make Combat Ration Pellets in the future, but forget about Royal Valley Pill...”

”Alchemy Master?”

Fang Yuan thought of the Questioning Heart Tea and smiled cheekily. ”Don't give up so soon, you might be able to do it in the future!”

Powder, Pellet and Pills were the three types of medicine, and their medicinal powers were in increasing order. It was also how pharmacist and alchemy masters proved their own worth.

Using the same ingredients to make the pills, the Spiritual Grain Powder could last for three days but would harm the digestive system, while the Combat Ration Pill could last for 7 days. As for Royal Valley Pill, it was a common food source for high-levelled cultivators who planned on going into closed-door cultivation for long periods. A prolonged period of consumption would strengthen one's body, which led to some highly-skilled martial artist giving up on food and eating spiritual pills instead, to strengthen their foundation.

But for Huang Fu Renhe, he could only forcibly produce Combat Ration Pellets from spiritual grains; this was because he had no help from spiritual fire and therefore could not attain the level of an alchemy master.

”You're talking about learning martial arts? I can't do it!”

Huang Fu Renhe laughed. ”I've tried this path before, but I have no potential for it and I could spend my life training but will not be able to harness inner force.”

He was dumbfounded, clenched his teeth, and was feeling determined again. ”My lord saved my life and Lanruo's, and even took us in. I have nothing to hide. In alchemy, other than controlling the fire, the most important is to understand the properties of every ingredient and be highly skilled in appraising them... I am useless and have not accomplished much in this field, but I have a gift for you, master!”

As he spoke, he loosened his belt and retrieved something stuck in between, and passed it to Fang Yuan.

”This is... a piece of jade?!”

Fang Yuan was surprised and pleased at the same time. He knew that this person had totally given his trust to him.

”This is indeed a piece of jade... This is from my master... I took it from him, but it was a pity that I was unable to see its contents...”

Huang Fu Renhe blushed and explained.