Chapter 25: King of Alchemy

A Quiet Night

A plate of marbled bacon, a dish of pickled phoenix claws, crispy fried peanuts, and refreshing smashed cucumber made up Gu Chi’s drinking snacks tonight.

Five days had passed since returning from the Heavenly Action Secret Realm.

He’d spent them stabilizing his cultivation.

His spiritual energy was overflowing, ready to form a Nascent Soul.

But that would awaken his Demon Dragon Gu.

So he focused on solidifying his foundation.

His internal energy was so dense it nearly liquefied.

Each day, he spent three hours studying Pei Ningxue’s royal sword art.

The intricate techniques took five full days to master, from the first to the seventh form.

The bacon was cooked perfectly—chewy, fragrant, not overly soft or heavy.

Even plain, it was satisfying.

The phoenix claws, soaked overnight, were flavorful, a favorite of Pei Ningxue’s.

A jug of wine sat on the table, a full moon in the sky.

He understood the poet’s line: raising a cup to the moon, shadows making three.

Winter’s evening breeze carried a chill, clouds scattered.

The warming wine heated his body.

He drained the jug alone.

Stumbling back, he sat by the eaves.

A gust sobered him slightly.

Tomorrow, he’d travel to Skylark Immortal Palace, so he drank to send himself off.

Skylark Immortal Palace

Morning at Skylark Immortal Palace bustled, even at the early market.

The air brimmed with the aroma of breakfast foods.

Beyond a trading hub, the palace was a cultivator’s city, with caves for sale.

Convenient for gathering news, buying herbs, or treasures, it was ideal.

But the caves were exorbitantly priced, beyond Gu Chi’s means.

He came to check Feng Xizhi’s progress on the Ice Heart Fruit and to browse.

He hoped to buy herbs or take an alchemy job.

The palace had alchemists, but as a branch of Lingyun Pavilion, their best were only low heaven-tier.

For complex elixirs, they outsourced to higher-tier alchemists, taking a small fee.

Pei Ningxue seemed a spendthrift but saved ten thousand stones for his Snow Velvet Lampwick Flower.

Gu Chi was frugal, a bit of a hoarder, yet suppressing the Demon Dragon Gu cost many herbs.

His savings were under five thousand stones.

Enough for a decent low earth-tier spirit sword, but with his air sword, he couldn’t bear to spend.

He often scoured rogue cultivator markets for deals, but luck eluded him.

Avoiding scams was victory enough.

As a seasoned foodie, the aroma of steamed buns tempted him.

He resisted, reminding himself it was unnecessary spending.

At Lingyun Pavilion’s building, he placed his identity card on the array.

Two messages awaited.

One from the alchemist association: a mid heaven-tier Phoenix Perch Fruit arrived.

The client wanted Phoenix Blood Treasure Pills, minimum three flawless quality.

Perfect quality earned extra.

The fruit was volatile and rare; even Elder Qin, the palace’s best, was unsure.

He’d messaged Gu Chi.

Gu Chi had taken many side jobs here, always smoothly.

The second message was from Fire Phoenix Sect, with a fire phoenix jade token.

“Ice Heart Fruit news found, tied to Moon Wheel Sect.”

“Come to Fire Phoenix Sect.”

“Show the jade to the gate disciples to meet me.”

“Waiting.”

Two good pieces of news lifted his mood.

He headed to the alchemy hall.

No need to hide his identity—Gu Chi was clean.

The Alchemy Hall

“Is Elder Qin here?”

Presenting his identity card, a servant soon led him to a private room.

Elder Qin, busy with potions, hurried over.

Despite his title, he looked middle-aged, only his white hair betraying his age.

“You’re here?”

“Yes, I’m confident. Give it to me.”

“A rare chance to refine such a herb.”

“Can you wait? Let me gather the others to observe and learn?”

“Fifty stones extra.”

Qin laughed, speechless, but didn’t refuse.

“Of course.”

“If it’s done well, Lingyun Pavilion pays five hundred stones.”

“Perfect quality adds one hundred per pill.”

“The client wants three; extras are yours.”

“Good.”

Gu Chi nodded, following Qin to the alchemy site.

Qin stroked his beard, chuckling.

“You know, befriending us old folks is worth more than fifty stones.”

“Business is business.”

Gu Chi was frank.

He knew Qin was right—friendships with Lingyun’s alchemists were valuable long-term.

But he disliked socializing, preferring solitude and clear accounts.

Favors were tradable, but troublesome.

Qin led him to a spacious chamber.

The alchemy furnace was ready, fire seeds held by spiritual energy.

Different herbs needed different flames.

Qin summoned other renowned elders, some familiar to Gu Chi.

He didn’t greet them, heading to the furnace.

Qin presented the Phoenix Perch Fruit.

It was stunning, juicy, with dark red veins like flowing flames.

Grown on Phoenix Perch Paulownia, whether phoenixes truly roosted there was unverified legend.

Gu Chi chose a fire seed.

A hesitant voice spoke.

“Phoenix Perch Fruit is pure yang.”

“Using a cold marrow core flame might lack heat to extract its essence…”

Before he finished, an elder snapped.

“Shut up.”

“You’ll see how terrifying his alchemy is.”

“Learn.”

“Learn from this kid?”

“You’re hyping him too much.”

“I thought the same once.”

The elder’s tone was mocking.

Gu Chi ignored them, channeling spiritual energy.

The flame roared under the furnace.

He tossed in the fruit, requesting other herbs.

All were prepared.

He timed the additions perfectly, controlling the heat.

The furnace boiled, smoke rising, a rich medicinal scent filling the room.

The elders watched his flame control.

Heat was critical.

Too strong, the herb’s potency diminished.

Too weak, the essence slipped away.

High-tier herbs demanded precision, daunting even Qin.

Gu Chi had no such worries.

His Heavenly Dao Medical Canon gave him absolute alchemy insight.

His spiritual energy wielded the flame flawlessly, like a cold, perfect machine.

The scent deepened, signaling the pills’ formation.

The alchemists held their breath, fearing to disturb him.

Alchemy taxed the soul heavily.

His Demon Dragon Gu bolstered his soul beyond normal.

After an incense stick’s time, the flame died.

He exhaled.

The furnace opened.

Five golden-veined Phoenix Blood Treasure Pills floated, dazzling the alchemists.

“Five… perfect quality?!”

The skeptic’s jaw dropped.

Every bit of the fruit’s potency was refined, not a trace wasted.

Only a supreme-tier alchemist—or higher—could do this.

Even expecting it, Qin was stunned.

Gu Chi had started with small jobs, paying a deposit for trust.

His growing skill made Qin wonder if he was a disguised alchemy master, youthful only in appearance.

“Eight hundred fifty stones total.”

“I’ll take the two extra pills, no objections?”

He drew the two pills into his sleeve with spiritual energy.

Qin grinned broadly.

“The client wanted three.”

“Perfect quality will thrill them.”

“It boosts our alchemy hall’s fame.”

“Take what’s yours.”

He handed over eight hundred stones in notes, fifty in shimmering crystal stones.

Gu Chi took them, hesitated, then pulled out a hundred-stone note, handing it to Qin.

“Thanks, Elder Qin.”

“Keep me in mind for good jobs.”

“Why so formal?”

“For rare herbs, I’d call you anyway.”

Qin’s smile was wry.

Gu Chi always gave him a cut, avoiding debts or favors.

“Rules are rules.”

His tone was firm.

“And keep my matters private.”

“I don’t want disturbances.”

“Only feel safe if you take it.”

Qin accepted the note, chuckling.

“If I weren’t over two hundred, I’d ask if you take disciples, laughable as that sounds.”

Gu Chi shook his head, face calm, slightly cold.

“No disciples.”