After eloquently finishing his speech, Xu Lingxiu explained the usefulness of the Bone Forging Powder. He also expressed some of his own trains of thought while researching this type of medicinal prescription.
Very quickly, many pharmacists could tell that this really was a prescription created by Xu Lingxiu. In addition, this prescription indeed had a good effect.
Once Xu Lingxiu was done talking, Pill King Han nodded his head and said: “Very good.”
The gazes of numerous pharmacists suddenly became envious.
Previously, Pill King Han would only say, “Not bad.” But this was the first time he praised, “Very good.”
However, everyone else had improved medicinal prescriptions, and only this pharmacist created his own. Naturally, there was a difference. Despite their envy, they actually didn’t have any feelings of dissatisfaction.
Though, because Xu Lingxiu’s performance this time was too brilliant, some pharmacists who lagged behind and only improved their prescriptions were somewhat embarrassed.
They regretted not stepping forward earlier. Although they were confident that their improvements were pretty good, how could they compare to a self-created prescription? Out of desperation, they had no choice but to quickly stand up and explain their improvements one by one. It was just that their moods remained dejected and dispirited.
At last, it was Gu Zuo’s turn.
When he stood up, more than a few powerful martial artists suddenly swept their gazes over.
Many martial artists remembered that this pharmacist’s medicinal pill was very strong, and that it previously caused their interests to soar!
Calm and unhurried, Gu Zuo took out a jade bottle, and poured a flame-like pill with golden patterns into the hollow of his palm. He opened his mouth, and said: “This is the profound-level medicinal pill known as the Golden Flame Pill. Its name comes from its appearance, and this is a pill I created. It can increase the success rate of a peak Celestial Realm martial artist to break through to the Noble Realm by twenty percent.
“However, there are drawbacks. Because this pill uses the power of flames to forcefully break through the bottleneck, the qi of those flames will inevitably remain within the body after the breakthrough. If the cultivation method of this individual has an affinity for the fire attribute, it will also have a nourishing function. But if it’s not of the fire attribute, there will be some damage left over. This person will have to take additional medicinal pills to expel the flames…”
When discussing the medicinal effects, it could be said that Gu Zuo was very confident. As for the martial artists on the side who smelled the pill fragrance, they weren’t able to tell the difference clearly back then. But having finished listening to Gu Zuo’s speech, they immediately ascertained what Gu Zuo said. At the same time, they all came to sudden realizations, and understood why this type of medicinal pill was so attractive to them.
This was a pill that could increase their chances of breaking through. How could it not attract their attentions?!
Although there would be some side effects after the breakthrough, it was just a matter of purging the flame remnants. It wasn’t a big deal at all. What’s more, there was also a strengthening effect for matching attributes?
There were many medicinal pills that were only suitable for certain attributes, which meant that these pills were partial to everyone who could take them. While they weren’t considered all-purpose medicinal pills, their value was extraordinary.
As a result, after Gu Zuo finished speaking, there were still some martial artists who listened intently.
This kind of medicinal pill… If they could get their hands on just one pill…
Even Noble Realm martial artists were interested. Firstly, they had junior brothers and junior sisters as well as friends and relatives who could use it. Secondly, such a medicinal pill usually had some effect on the higher realms. It was just that the effects were reduced.
In an instant, quite a few people came up with the same idea. They intended to contact this pharmacist after the Pill King Conference ended to request a few pills.
Just by looking at the other party’s refining process, it was clear that this medicinal pill wasn’t that difficult to produce.
When Gu Zuo was done talking, Pill King Han’s gaze lingered on the pill in Gu Zuo’s hand for a few more seconds. After that, Pill King Han didn’t give a word of praise or anything like that. Instead, he only nodded his head towards Gu Zuo.
Numerous pharmacists were somewhat astonished.
Compared with the previous pills, Gu Zuo’s creation was much stronger. Unexpectedly, Pill King Han didn’t give any compliments? Could it be that Pill King Han thought this medicinal pill was no good? However, they immediately overturned this way of thinking. It was because, although Pill King Han didn’t praise it, his bearing to Gu Zuo was quite respectful. Moreover, there was no mention of any ineffectiveness.
This was a little strange.
Other people might’ve been puzzled, but among those long tables, Gongyi Tianheng and He Zizhang understood in a flash.
He Zizhang sighed and said: “Even this pill king has no intention of giving advice with a senior’s identity. It goes to show how profound Pharmacist Gu’s level of mastery is.”
Tianheng smiled modestly: “Eldest senior brother is exaggerating.”
This attitude was close, but it was also proper and to be expected.
That’s right. The reason why Pill King Han didn’t give any words of praise wasn’t because this creation was unworthy. Rather, this kind of praise would carry the implication of a senior providing pointers to a junior. However, the type of profound-level pill that Gu Zuo created was proof of his strength. Pill King Han had only just been promoted to the rank of a pill king. He looked upon Gu Zuo with great favor, so it was only natural that he didn’t rashly speak out.
But after Pill King Han gave Gu Zuo a few more glances, he secretly sighed in his heart.
What a pity.
With Gu Zuo’s amazing talents and sturdy foundations, Pill King Han wouldn’t be able to accept him as an apprentice… Not to mention whether Gu Zuo was willing or not, even if this fellow reluctantly accepted, Pill King Han wouldn’t be able to teach him for long. Let alone pass on his legacy.
This was because Pill King Han could sense it.
Gu Zuo’s inheritance wasn’t only not lower than his own, it was even…higher.
No matter how much he appreciated Gu Zuo’s talent, he still couldn’t accept him.
If they had met at the very beginning, it could’ve been a different story.
After that, Pill King Han’s attention returned to the few remaining pharmacists.
Originally, due to the matter of Xu Lingxiu’s self-created pill prescription, these couple of pharmacists were somewhat regretful. But after seeing Gu Zuo’s performance, they felt even more ashamed of their inferiority.
Considering age, they were much older than the other two. Unfortunately, they couldn’t compare in terms of innovation at all. How could they not feel ashamed?
As a result, when the last few pharmacists explained their own improved prescriptions, their exhibitions weren’t that good. In particular, one of them had created half a prescription. He thought he could achieve a decent result this time, but he didn’t expect to be suppressed by Xu Lingxiu and Gu Zuo. Apart from leaving him with a begrudging feeling, he was even more regretful that he didn’t take the initiative to display his work first — So long as he had gone before Xu Lingxiu, even if two more prominent people followed after, wouldn’t he have been able to increase his presence, too?
How could it be so embarrassing as it was now?!
Originally, a self-created half prescription would’ve been an outstanding display, especially since the one created by this person was a golden-level prescription. The rough outline of this prescription was determined, but the auxiliary ingredients that could neutralize the medicinal properties without blowing up the pill furnace hadn’t been ascertained. Thus, for the time being, this medicinal prescription was incomplete. As one could well imagine, after another period of meticulous research, this pharmacist would certainly be able to perfect this prescription. Unfortunately, he encountered these two people…
Hence, this person also had a dispirited look on his face. He silently went to adjust his mood.
Seeing the reactions of the numerous pharmacists, Pill King Han knew what was going on.
Once all of the pharmacists exhibited the medicines they refined, everyone would know the results.
There really weren’t many slow-thinkers in this place. The bare minimum of improving a medicinal prescription was that one or a couple of ingredients were replaced by other types. The substituted ingredients might’ve been a little more expensive, but it would’ve been within a controllable range. There were basically no medicines whose effects were worse after that type of improvement.
— Of course, if anyone exhibited such a sloppy improvement in front of the pill king, wouldn’t that displease the pill king?
As a result, there were even a few who felt that their skills weren’t good enough. When they realized that they couldn’t compare to the other pharmacists, they didn’t display their works at all, and silently retreated to the long tables.
Pill King Han looked at the many pharmacists who remained at their desks, and said with a smile: “This Han has no intention of making things difficult for all of you. Therefore, two tests are already enough. At the present time, everyone still here can listen to this Han’s humble opinions. As for my apprentice… I’ll make a decision after that explanation.”
Upon hearing this, the crowd of pharmacists felt like they had been relieved of a heavy burden.
They already decided to compare their own paths of pill refinement when listening to the pill king’s experiences. Most of all, those who wanted to apprentice themselves were determined to give it their best shot so long as their own paths didn’t deviate too much. Even if they couldn’t become a personal disciple, they hoped to become nominal disciples!
Following this, Pill King Han slightly raised a hand toward the remaining people: “Now, this Han will bring these fellow enthusiasts to his place. After some time has passed, they will be sent back. In a little while, there will be a small banquet. Everyone can calmly enjoy themselves while waiting for these fellow enthusiasts to return. Also, you may leave at any time.”
Once he finished speaking, he stood up, waved his sleeve, and received that pill furnace directly into the space between his brows.
This move made many pharmacists envious. This pill furnace definitely had considerable spirituality.
Gu Zuo hurriedly put away his things, and stood next to Tianheng: “Big brother, I have to go with Pill King Han to listen to his lecture. You…”
Tianheng faintly smiled: “This elder brother will wait here for Ah Zuo’s return.” Then, he reached out to softly ruffle Gu Zuo’s hair, and warmly said, “Go on!”
Gu Zuo promptly nodded his head, and bade farewell to He Zizhang. Then, he left with Xu Lingxiu as they followed Pill King Han.
Apart from them, all of the pharmacists who passed the tests inevitably rushed forward with somewhat impatient footsteps.
Pill King Han led everyone to a garden in the back. In this place, there were rock formations and flowing waters, luxuriant flowers and jade-green grass. The environment was quiet and secluded, and the feelings it gave others were ones of beauty.
He didn’t keep listeners in suspense, and just sat on a rock by the lakeside. After exchanging glances, the other pharmacists sat on the ground one by one, forming a semi-circle around that rock.
Gu Zuo and Xu Lingxiu sat together, and their bearings were upright and proper.
— No matter what was said, this was a pill king’s experience. They had to listen carefully.
Seeing that everyone had sat down, Pill King Han appeared to ponder for a short while. Shortly thereafter, he slowly opened his mouth: “If you want to refine earth-level pills, you must be at the Spirit Psyche Realm. And the most important point from the Nurturing Psyche Realm to the Spirit Psyche Realm is for the spiritual embodiment, or spirit body, to break out of its egg and be born. But if you want to do this, we pharmacists need to understand why our spirit bodies…”
Gu Zuo listened intently.
It was only because he just happened to be at the Nurturing Psyche Realm. In addition, the psychic core within his Tianfu Acupoint was slowly growing amid his continuous cultivations. The “breathing” of the spirit body being nurtured inside was also becoming stronger and stronger.
However, even though Gu Zuo worked hard to feed this psychic core, he knew that it wouldn’t be that easy for the spirit body to break out of its shell. The reason why so many pharmacists throughout the ages had never been able to reach the earth level was because the spirit body would die prematurely inside the psychic core. From the start, these spirit bodies never broke through their shells.
Now, according to Pill King Han, this was because those pharmacists didn’t conceptualize the forms of their spirit bodies. In other words, the pharmacists didn’t know what their inner selves looked like. If one couldn’t recognize their inner self, how could they grasp the supreme path of medicine refinement? There was no application of spirituality below the earth level, so it naturally didn’t matter. But when there was spirituality, a rigid and inflexible approach wouldn’t work.
It had to be said that a pill king deserved to be called a pill king. With just a few words, Gu Zuo was suddenly enlightened. Pill King Han pointed out an indistinct direction for him on the path of cultivation.
T/N: Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
Please don’t forget to support the original author.