Chapter Thirty-Two: Master Ren the Apothecary

Ying Chen let out a silent breath.

He knew that selling spiritual medicine was by no means an easy task; having a stable channel could save a great deal of effort. With Daoist Zhu as a guarantor, the price might even be more favorable. All in all, the profits remained substantial, and it would spare him much unnecessary trouble.

Besides, whether or not he had room to bargain, a fifty-fifty split was within the bounds of reason. What surprised him was that Daoist Zhu said the entire alchemical chamber operated this way. Just how staggering must the interests he extracted from this be? The wealth flowing in and out each moment would be inconceivable to the ordinary disciples at the foot of Redwater Cliff.

Thinking back, Ying Chen recalled that at the ritual in the Bone Hall that day, Daoist Zhu had been so silent that his presence was barely remembered—he had not expected him to wield such influence. Of course, perhaps even more intricate relationships lay behind him… But this was not something Ying Chen needed to consider at present.

He pondered for a moment, weighing everything in his mind, and confirmed he had no reason to refuse. He agreed at once.

Daoist Zhu merely smiled faintly at this, then summoned a young attendant to show Ying Chen around and help him get acquainted.

No sooner had they left the meditation chamber than the attendant said with a grin, “Congratulations, senior brother, on your appointment as an alchemist.”

Ying Chen returned the gesture, replying, “I’ll be relying on your guidance in the days to come.”

The attendant’s smile widened. “Of course.” He then introduced himself—his surname was Fang, and Ying Chen could address him as junior brother.

Ying Chen, taking no airs, struck up a conversation and soon learned that Fang, the attendant, had some family background. However, his talent was lacking, so his family had not sent him to the outer sect to cultivate. Instead, they used their connections to place him in Elder Gu’s alchemical chamber, where he started as an attendant to learn the ways of alchemy, hoping to become an alchemist in the future.

Ying Chen couldn’t help but feel a little wistful. Some, though lacking in talent, could still lead a comfortable life, never having to face the endless trials of the outer sect, where one never knew when they might rise above the crowd.

Yet Fang, perhaps having guessed Ying Chen’s thoughts, or perhaps out of his own feelings, sighed, “My own future is clear before me—nothing like yours, senior brother. If only I could enter the inner sect and become an official disciple, then the future would be limitless…”

These words had a hint of politeness and flattery, but Ying Chen took no notice of it.

However, the mention of official disciples was not the first time Ying Chen had heard of it, and it did catch his attention. Unfortunately, before he could probe further, Fang had already led him to another secluded hall to meet an elderly Daoist.

“Alchemist Gu,” Fang greeted respectfully, introducing, “This is the new alchemist, Ying Chen—Senior Brother Ying, skilled in refining the Three Herb Moonlight Powder.”

He added to Ying Chen, “Alchemist Gu oversees all matters of the alchemists. If you need ingredients, apply for a meditation room, or submit finished medicine, it all goes through him.”

Regardless of the authority this elder held, the fact that he shared a surname with Elder Gu made Ying Chen cautious. He bowed and greeted, “Alchemist Gu.”

The alchemist sat behind a broad table cluttered with ledgers and scrolls. As they entered, he was pouring a blood-red pill from a bottle into his hand. He glanced up as he swallowed the pill, and some vigor seemed to return to his withered face.

Only then did Alchemist Gu look Ying Chen over, nodded his approval, and made a few notes in a scroll before handing Ying Chen a wooden token.

Ying Chen examined it and saw the word “Alchemist” engraved at the top.

With this token, he was officially a member of the alchemical chamber, able to enter and leave, claim ingredients, request a private meditation room for refining, and borrow certain alchemical texts—all free of charge.

There was even a monthly stipend, though modest and far less than what could be earned by refining medicine, but perhaps the chamber had already accounted for the hidden profits an alchemist might gain.

Afterward, Fang led Ying Chen around the chamber, both to complete procedures and to help him become familiar with the environment and the various faces.

By the time he left the alchemical chamber, it was already night.

Bathed in moonlight on his way back, Ying Chen considered how to arrange his time. The alchemist’s duties were not heavy—he only needed to refine medicine once a month, receiving ten sets of ingredients and submitting six batches as finished product.

Of course, if an alchemist wished to do more, the chamber would not refuse. If Ying Chen so desired, he could refine seven or eight batches a month and surely accumulate a good sum of spirit stones, but that was unrealistic, as alchemy was mentally taxing and would hamper his cultivation.

What’s more, he still had to practice spells, study talismans, and devote time to learning more advanced prescriptions. He could hardly rely solely on the Three Herb Moonlight Powder to hold his position and neglect all other aspects of alchemy.

He understood clearly which things were fundamental and which were secondary.

“As long as I don’t neglect my primary training…” Ying Chen calculated carefully. “Each month, I can refine two batches; if I push myself, three are possible.”

This way, he could earn a modest income in spirit stones and cover his cultivation needs at this stage.

He even resolved to claim his ingredients from the chamber the very next day and refine a batch of Three Herb Moonlight Powder, leaving the next half month free to focus on training.

Step by step, he could reach the peak of the sixth layer of Qi Refining within two months, and with the aid of the Purple Ganoderma Pill, attempt a breakthrough. If successful, he could begin practicing the Bone-White Flying Fork…

Though looking ahead, it was clear the coming days would be busy indeed, Ying Chen felt full of motivation.

Of course, there was still another matter to attend to beforehand.

After the minor examination that day, Qu Qiao had appeared and instructed Ying Chen to visit the Bone Hall before mid-month, as there were things to discuss regarding his induction into the society.

Ying Chen hadn’t entirely forgotten, but he hadn’t considered it a high priority—there was still time before mid-month.

Yet before he knew it, more than half a month had slipped by. In the meantime, he had even gained some benefits thanks to the Bone Society’s reputation. If he delayed any longer, it would be hard to justify.

At this thought, Ying Chen summoned his ghost steed.

The Bone Hall was rather remote. Ying Chen still remembered from last time that it was nearly halfway across Redwater Cliff, and without the ghost steed, it would be a tiresome journey on foot.

He mounted, stroked the creature’s neck, and smiled. “Good thing I got you from that dwarf Chen.”

“Next time I feed the Five Ghosts, I’ll let you taste the finest blood as well.”

The ghost steed, being without intelligence, gave no reply.

Without another word, Ying Chen spurred the beast forward, soon vanishing beneath the shadowy peaks of the alchemical chambers.