180 Successful Pill Refinement (1)
In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.
In the small courtyard, Jiang Ming looked at the charred cauldron in front of him and let out a long sigh.
After six months and at least a hundred spirit stones worth of medicinal herbs, he had finally refined his first batch of Qi-Returning Pills.
Ten Qi-Returning Pills could be sold for at least ten spirit stones in the market. The cost of production was less than three spirit stones. At first glance, it seemed that the profit margin was frighteningly high.
“However, the most important thing in the path of alchemy is the success rate. Only those with high success rates can be professional alchemists.”
Jiang Ming shook his head helplessly. He had made countless batches of the Qi-Returning Pills.
His success rate was barely 10%.
Jiang Ming felt a little distressed.
However, when he thought about his lifespan, he calmed down.
He finally understood that alchemy was a tool for old men to make a mint. However, it was also an easy way for poor individual cultivators to fall into destitution. No wonder there were hardly any alchemists in Xiaoqian Mountain.
Jiang Ming played with the Qi-Returning Pill in his hand. He suddenly felt that this world was very similar to the mortal world. No matter what, poor people were always doomed.
Jiang Ming shook his head before he took out another set of medicinal herbs from the storage ring and prepared to start refining the next batch.
“What?”
Suddenly, Jiang Ming felt a familiar aura.
“Oh, hello. You’re finally awake?”
Jiang Ming put down the herbs, strode to a large tree in his courtyard, and carefully dug a pit.
A chubby white radish appeared. It stretched its limbs and slowly wiggled. It seemed to have just woken up and was still a little dazed.
This white radish was the King of Medicine that Jiang Ming had brought over from the mortal world.
It had almost withered to death in the mortal world. After Jiang Ming came to the world of immortal cultivation, he poured a lot of spiritual power into it. However, he could not wake it up. He could only bury it in his small courtyard as a last resort.
“I almost forgot about you,” Jiang Ming muttered, picked it up from the pit, and checked it over a few times.
It seemed to be fatter than before, and its facial features were clearer. Alas, it still looked a little dull and stupid.
“It seems that you’re better suited to this world. However, don’t run around. If you get caught you might be cut into pieces!”
Jiang Ming rubbed its head of red leaves and threw it back to the ground.
Jiang Ming had done a lot of research during his years here. By chance, he had learned that the King of Medicine was a type of mutant spirit herb.
Mutant spirit herbs were a mutated type of spirit herb. Although it was a plant, it could move freely like an animal and was sentient.
However, apart from its appearance, its medicinal effects were not much stronger than ordinary spirit herbs. Moreover, it liked to eat spirit herbs and was almost considered a pest in the world of immortal cultivation. Once it appeared in spirit fields, it had to be eliminated immediately.
It was said that one had appeared in the fields of the Plant Hall decades ago. When it was finally discovered, it had already eaten several acres of crops.
The only special use of it that had been discovered was that it could be ground into powder and added to some pills. This could improve the success rate and quality of some pills. It was a rare material that could be worth some money to alchemists.
“The Fire Lotus Valley must have been sending young cultivators to fight for the King of Medicine for this reason. Maybe they have other reasons. However, there are no records of them in the books. Speaking of which, my success rate is also a bit low.”
At his feet, the chubby white radish was rolling around on the grass. Suddenly, its body stiffened, as if it had felt a chill.
“Forget it. It’s nice to have a companion from my hometown. I’d better not be so cruel!”
Jiang Ming smiled and leaned over to look at the little thing.
“Follow me closely! As long as I have something to eat, you will definitely not go hungry!” Jiang Ming said heroically. He took out a piece of spirit ginseng from his storage ring and threw it to the King of Medicine.
The King of Medicine tensed up. Then, it was attracted by the smell of the spirit ginseng and pounced on it.
Jiang Ming suddenly had an idea. Although its effects were not very powerful, it can live for a long time. Maybe it could be useful in the future.
This thought flashed through his mind. However, Jiang Ming did not have much hope. Having a companion who could live long enough was already something worth celebrating.
“Speaking of which, I haven’t found anyone to celebrate my success with.”