Chapter 20

Half a month to advance to the fourth level of Combat Qi, and then to the fifth level after one and a half months. This unparalleled cultivation speed would probably be unattainable even for the Xiao Yan of the past.

Although the difficulty of advancing increases with each level of Combat Qi, at the current rate, it shouldn't be too difficult for Xiao Yan to cultivate to the seventh level of Combat Qi within a year.

Of course, this is predicated on having sufficient Foundation Building Spirit Liquid. Otherwise, before Xiao Yan can cultivate to the seventh level of Combat Qi, he might be severely injured or even die in the training sessions with Master Yao. After all, without the restorative effects of the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid, with his current fragile body, he would have no other way out except to die from excessive internal bleeding.

Therefore, what Xiao Yan needs to do now is to purchase materials again and refine the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid. It seems simple, but Xiao Yan has encountered a significant problem... he doesn't have much money left.

Sitting on the bed, Xiao Yan's face was full of bitter smiles. He never thought he would be reduced to this state due to a lack of money. He stretched out his fingers and began to calculate... the money left from the last purchase of materials was only about nine hundred gold coins. Using this money to buy the same level of materials as before would clearly not be enough.

Supporting his chin in thought for a moment, Xiao Yan's eyes darted around, and he suddenly asked, "Teacher, can we use lower-grade Purple Leaf Orchid Grass or Bone Washing Flower?"

"Maybe, but the medicinal power will be weaker. The Foundation Building Spirit Liquid I formulated for you is made with the most suitable combination of ingredients," the voice of Master Yao came from the ring.

Blinking his eyes, Xiao Yan smiled lightly, "It's fine, let's use the lowest-grade materials this time."

"The lowest-grade? The efficacy will be much worse. In that case, you might need half a year to break through to the next level of Combat Qi," Master Yao's voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction, and he probably frowned at this moment.

"Out of money? Why don't you go to that little girl? With her background, giving you a few ten thousand gold coins is a small matter. If that doesn't work, ask your father. Why lower the medicinal power and delay your cultivation?"

Hearing Master Yao's suggestion, Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly, "Just consider it my silly pride. How can I keep borrowing money from a girl? As for my father, I've been avoiding him for two months. If I ask him for money, he might start asking questions, which could expose you, Teacher."

"Teacher, can others formulate the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid?" Xiao Yan suddenly frowned, as if he had thought of something.

"Hehe, little guy, in the world of Combat Qi, there are countless medicinal materials. To formulate different effects of pills, you must select materials from these countless options that can neutralize the violent energy in the magic crystals you need to refine. Only then can you successfully refine the pills you need. If you randomly combine them, the furnace and the pill will be destroyed, and if there's a backlash, hehe..." Master Yao laughed sinisterly and continued, "I spent several years experimenting to refine the formula for the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid. Of course, others might stumble upon this formula by chance, but the probability is extremely low."

"Furthermore, during the refining process, the degree of fusion and quantity of the three materials, the intensity of the flame, all require countless experiments and extremely strong soul perception to grasp. Otherwise, why do all alchemists need to be taught by a teacher? To become a powerful alchemist, it's almost impossible without a master's guidance. Otherwise, just the experiments alone could take up your entire life."

"So, I can guarantee that in the entire Jia Ma Empire, no one can refine the same Foundation Building Spirit Liquid as me!" At this point, Master Yao's words carried a hint of pride.

Shocked by the complexity of the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid, Xiao Yan subconsciously licked his lips. When he watched Master Yao refine it, it seemed simple, but now he realized that refining pills was far more than what met the eye.

The world of alchemists is indeed vast and unfathomable, no wonder they are the most prestigious profession in the Combat Qi continent.

After the shock, Xiao Yan felt a bit of joy. He smiled and said, "Teacher, I'm not planning to use the lowest-grade Foundation Building Spirit Liquid for cultivation. I intend to auction it. I'm short on money now, but once I get the money, we can buy better materials. Refining the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid is just a matter of a wave of your hand for you, right?"

"Is that so... do as you wish. It's not unusual for alchemists to auction their pills, and the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid is just the lowest-grade cultivation medicine, so it's fine to sell it." After a brief silence, Master Yao said indifferently.

Hearing Master Yao's agreement, Xiao Yan smiled and quickly packed his things, then rushed out of the room in a hurry.

Since he didn't need the best materials this time, Xiao Yan casually selected the lowest-grade Purple Leaf Orchid Grass and Bone Washing Flower from the medicinal shop. As for the wood-type magic crystal, he bought the cheapest Green Wood Rat magic crystal after some investigation.

After buying the required materials, Xiao Yan found an inn and hid inside, letting Master Yao refine the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid.

This time, the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid was much weaker in medicinal power and even the color changed from the clear emerald green to a mottled green.

Putting the Foundation Building Spirit Liquid, which was about the size of half his fist, into the white jade bottle he had bought earlier, Xiao Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Putting the jade bottle close to his body, Xiao Yan left the inn and quickly headed to the largest auction house in U Tan City.

(Previously, the book group for Sword Saint was dissolved by Tang Dou. In a few days, I will re-establish the book group for Cang Qiong. I apologize to those who were removed from the group, ^_^)