Chapter 752: Chapter 285: Revisiting Alchemist Geng and Sudden News of Kuji Temple

"Hahaha, hahahahaha!"

Upon seeing the head of ’Tongfu’, Alchemist Geng clutched the box and threw his head back, laughing.

"Sixteen long years! You traitor, you’ve finally gotten what you deserved!"

"Cang Lang!"

As he spoke, he drew his Flying Sword and hacked the head in two right then and there.

He then pointed at the remains on the floor and unleashed a torrent of curses.

Most of it was about betraying one’s master and facing karmic retribution.

He spoke rapidly, but his words were a jumbled, incoherent mess, making them difficult to understand.

He cursed nonstop for nearly ten minutes before finally conjuring his Spiritual Fire and burning the head, wooden box and all, to ash.

Then, he picked up a nearby teacup and, with a still-trembling hand, took a sip of tea.

Only then did he seem to calm down, steadily placing the teacup back on the table.

He turned to Xiao Chen, bowing his head slightly. "My apologies. Seeing that traitor... I was overcome with emotion and couldn’t control myself. I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you."

"Please, have a seat. I have been terribly rude today."

The two sat down opposite each other.

Alchemist Geng let out a long sigh, a bit of color returning to his face.

With this great burden lifted from his mind, he looked much more energetic.

"I remember you. You came here once, about half a year ago."

He gave Xiao Chen a small smile. "You brought a Moon-Dyed Jade Marrow Ganoderma back then, but you wouldn’t agree to my first request."

"But no matter. Since you’ve helped me dispose of that wicked disciple, I won’t haggle over trivialities. I will personally refine a batch of Spirit Pills for you."

"Did you bring the primary ingredient with you this time?"

’Jeez, from the way he started, I thought he was about to refuse me,’ Xiao Chen thought.

Of course, he had the primary ingredient with him, so he immediately took out the Sealed Medicine Jade Box again. "Naturally. Please take a look, Alchemist."

"Also, if there is anything else you need me to prepare, just let me know."

This mainly referred to some auxiliary medicines.

Typically, when a Loose Cultivator commissions someone for Alchemy, they must gather all the ingredients themselves, including the Pill Fragrance used in the process.

Alternatively, they could pay an Auxiliary Medicine Fee and a Pill Fragrance Fee.

These days, most chose the latter option.

"No need. As long as you have the primary ingredient, I have everything else I need."

Alchemist Geng took the Sealed Medicine Jade Box, opened it for inspection, and frowned. "Hmm?"

Hm?

Xiao Chen had been about to offer some Spirit Stones as a gesture of goodwill, but seeing the alchemist’s reaction, he couldn’t help but ask with concern, "What is it? Is there a problem with the primary ingredient?"

He had assumed this part of the process was a sure thing.

’Please don’t tell me there’s a problem with the primary ingredient now, of all times.’

"The condition of this Spirit Medicine is somewhat peculiar."

Alchemist Geng took out a pair of Silk Gloves, put them on, and picked up the Moon-Dyed Jade Marrow Ganoderma. He brought it close and sniffed. "How strange. It smells as though its medicinal properties are quite well-preserved."

Wisps of Spiritual Light flashed from his hand, and he sighed twice. "Curious, most curious."

"It looks like a low-grade, immature specimen, yet it’s brimming with vitality. Its condition is even better than Spirit Medicines that are on the verge of full maturity."

Xiao Chen breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

’Oh, so that’s what this is about,’ he thought. ’He gave me a scare for a moment there.’

’As long as the medicinal properties are fine, that’s all that matters. As for its age, well, it was force-ripened with a Blood Crystal, so of course it’s immature. I already knew that.’

"There’s nothing wrong with the ingredient itself."

Alchemist Geng placed the Moon-Dyed Jade Marrow Ganoderma back in the Jade Box and secured it.

He then looked at Xiao Chen. "As an Alchemist, it’s not really my place to say this..."

"But you, Xiao, have lifted a great weight from my shoulders. So even if I’m overstepping my bounds, I have to say a few words."

"This Spirit Medicine was most likely force-ripened using a Secret Technique."

"It contains an unnaturally dense life force, likely the result of a rumored Demon Dao method."

"It’s not easy for us Loose Cultivators to find resources, I know, but you must always be on your guard."

"For one, you must guard against being used by Evil Cultivators or you might fall into their trap. For another..."

Alchemist Geng paused for a moment before continuing, "For another, you must be mindful of the line between the righteous path and the demonic. Do not lose your way."

The underlying meaning was a clear warning: do not turn to the Demon Dao for the sake of a breakthrough.

Of course, Xiao Chen had no intention of doing so. "Your words are wise, Alchemist. I will remember them."

He agreed readily, however, without offering any explanation or getting into a pointless argument.

’It doesn’t matter what he thinks, as long as he’s willing to refine the pill for me, that’s all that matters.’

"Good."

Alchemist Geng nodded. "The high winds these last few days are not conducive to starting the furnace."

"The winds are expected to die down in two days. When they do, I will immediately begin the refinement for you."

"So let’s agree on this: come back here to retrieve your Spirit Pill on the third day after the wind stops."

’So I have to wait five days?’

Xiao Chen knew a little about Alchemy himself, so he was aware that the wind outside would have virtually no effect on a refinement done indoors.

However, it all depended on the individual. Some Alchemists had strange quirks that ordinary people couldn’t comprehend, which could inexplicably affect their Pill Formation Success Rate.

Therefore, he didn’t press the issue.

Instead, he readily agreed. "Very well. I won’t disturb you any further, Alchemist. Farewell."

’It’s only a couple of days’ delay,’ he thought. ’I’m not short on time.’

’Besides, the New Year is almost here. Alchemist Geng probably wants to rest a bit, too.’

Xiao Chen had been rushing about for so long himself; he might as well take the opportunity to relax in the Marketplace for a couple of days.

It would also give him a chance to sort through the information he’d gathered and start thinking about his plans for the coming year.

But to make any plans, he would naturally need the intelligence to support them.

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