May 24, 2024 Author: True Person Tashue
Chapter 1: The Mirror of Wind and Moon
On the Tengshe Mountain, the Flying Horse Inn.
Gao Xian, lying against the wall, suddenly woke up from a nightmare, his legs trembling slightly.
The first thing that caught his eye was a somewhat peculiar brass alchemy furnace, standing at a meter tall.
It resembled a water kettle without a spout, with three legs shaped like toad legs, resting on a brick pedestal.
Below the pedestal was a passage for making fire, with a chimney connected to a smoke vent.
More accurately, it was a somewhat complex wood-burning stove.
Gao Xian sighed after a moment, realizing that this peculiarly shaped alchemy furnace was his tool for meals.
It had been his third day since crossing over.
He had adapted to his new body and new name, but had yet to adapt to his new identity: an alchemist.
Gao Xian extended his left hand and silently recited, "Reveal."
A gracefully designed bronze mirror appeared out of thin air in his hand, with four characters engraved on the handle: Mirror of Wind and Moon.
This Mirror of Wind and Moon was a peripheral item from "Dream of the Red Chamber," a birthday gift from a friend that somehow crossed over with him.
At this moment, the mirror reflected a handsome young face on its smooth surface.
Gao Xian usually only read Water Margin fan fiction and watched low-budget films, so he couldn't find suitable words to describe his current appearance.
Phrases like "sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes" or "skin as fair as jade" all seemed too hollow.
He could only say he somewhat resembled a young male actor, handsome and dignified.
Especially his black eyes, shining as if they could sparkle...
It felt like having a professional lighting technician shining light on him from the opposite side!
The only downside was his pale complexion and dark circles, making him look somewhat unhealthy.
"If I had this face, I could remain single for over thirty years!"
Gao Xian touched his face somewhat narcissistically, realizing that he could only rely on his diligent hands for a living, filled with sighs.
This was the only aspect of crossing over that he was satisfied with - a vibrant young body and a handsome face full of hope!
Lines of text appeared on the surface of the Mirror of Wind and Moon.
Gao Xian: Lifespan 24/66
Cultivation: Qi Refinement Second Layer (2/200)
Proficiency in Five Elements Technique Second Layer (15/200)
Basic Fire Manipulation Mastery (88/100)
Basic Water Manipulation Mastery (80/100)
Basic Purification Technique Mastery (95/100)
Proficiency in Feather Flight Technique (99/200)
Basic Clear Wind Sword Technique (33/100)
First Tier Alchemy Proficiency (29/1000)
Proficiency in Revitalizing Qi Pill (55/200)
Proficiency in Foundation-Stabilizing Pill (41/200)
Proficiency in White Dew Pill (11/200)
Gao Xian had spent two days researching and basically understood the purpose of the Mirror of Wind and Moon.
This mirror could reflect his personal state and quantify various abilities.
The problem was that his alchemy proficiency was in a gray state, unable to be used.
Gao Xian tried many methods but couldn't activate his alchemy proficiency or change the data in the mirror.
According to the memories left by the original owner, he was an alchemist at the medicine shop!
The medicine shop provided the ingredients, and he provided the pills.
He now owed the medicine shop five hundred Revitalizing Qi Pills, Foundation-Stabilizing Pills, and White Dew Pills each.
He also had a very big problem: the original owner secretly exchanged a batch of pills for Crimson Blood Pills.
Crimson Blood Pills were a kind of aggressive Qi Refinement pill.
The original owner used it to break through to the Qi Refinement Second Layer but ended up dying for some reason, leaving his body to Gao Xian.
The massive loss of ingredients for alchemy had created a huge deficit.
How could he explain this to the medicine shop owner?
Even more serious was the fact that the memories related to alchemy were incomplete due to the original owner's memory gaps.
Even with sufficient ingredients, he couldn't currently produce pills.
Calculating the time, he should have delivered the first batch of pills five days ago.
He didn't know what consequences not delivering the pills would bring, but he was sure they wouldn't be pleasant!
While Gao Xian was pondering solutions, he heard the courtyard door being pushed open with a clang.
Startled, he hurried to the window to look outside.
Through the crack in the window paper, Gao Xian saw the chubby Zhu Shopkeeper, resembling a pig, and behind him, the tall and well-endowed Zhu Qianniang.
The two stood together, with a height difference of nearly two feet, one fat and one tall, a striking combination.
Gao Xian immediately recognized their identities.
Gao Xian sighed, straightened his wrinkled Daoist robe, took a deep breath, and pushed the door to greet them.
"Brother Zhu, Sister-in-law, please come in and have a seat..."
Gao Xian put on the professional smile of a middle-aged white-collar worker with twenty years of experience, politely and warmly welcoming them.
"Xiao Gao, how's it going?" the chubby Zhu Shopkeeper asked with a smile.
Gao Xian looked embarrassed and replied, "Brother Zhu, I'm in a hurry to break through to the Qi Refinement Second Layer. The pills are not ready yet, but I'll deliver them to you as soon as they're done."
Zhu Shopkeeper smiled and said, "Xiao Gao, cultivation must proceed step by step. Rushing it could be fatal. One can easily lose control and face dire consequences."
The stern-faced Zhu Qianniang remained silent, but her mere presence exuded pressure.
Gao Xian felt a bit guilty.
His body was actually not short, standing at over six feet tall.
Yet, in front of Zhu Qianniang, he was almost half a head shorter.
In his memory, this lady was at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement, extremely skilled in bone-breaking techniques, with exceptional physical strength.
However, this lady had deep-set eyebrows, well-defined features, wheat-colored skin that was firm and radiant, and her loose blue Daoist robe couldn't hide her ample bosom and long legs.
Her facial features were profound, with arched eyebrows, and her emerald green eyes resembled cat-eye gemstones, very beautiful.
Upon closer inspection, Gao Xian realized that the lady was quite attractive.
How could such a beauty exist in this dusty place!
Out of male instinct and thirty years of pent-up emotions, he couldn't help but take another glance.
The lady furrowed her brows slightly, her beautiful green eyes shifting slightly, giving Gao Xian a look of ambiguous meaning.
"What does Sister-in-law mean by that?"
Gao Xian didn't understand the meaning behind her gaze, but it didn't stop him from respectfully bowing and explaining, "Brother Zhu, I'm in a hurry to advance my cultivation for better alchemy."
"The higher the cultivation, the better the control over the fire, resulting in higher-quality pills."
Gao Xian smiled apologetically, "Brother Zhu, Sister-in-law, I didn't mean to delay. Please give me a few more days, just a few more days."
Zhu Shopkeeper waved his hand, "Even without considering your master's face, a few days' delay is nothing."
His chubby face was filled with a friendly smile, as if this was no big deal at all.
"How about giving you ten more days?"
Zhu Shopkeeper's easygoing attitude made Gao Xian breathe a sigh of relief.
He nodded with a smile, "Alright, ten days is enough. I'll deliver them to you once they're ready."
"Focus on your alchemy and don't disappoint your master's expectations."
Zhu Shopkeeper patted Gao Xian's shoulder, encouraging him with the air of a senior caring for a junior.
"If you have any problems in life, you can always talk to me... Alright, I have to go now. You don't need to see me off."
Gao Xian hurriedly followed to see them off.
Zhu Shopkeeper left the house with a smile, showing great courtesy to Gao Xian.
As Zhu Shopkeeper left, Zhu Qianniang, who followed behind, gave Gao Xian a deep look.
That gaze seemed to carry a hint of complexity...
Gao Xian was puzzled.
Did Sister-in-law take a liking to him?
As the saying goes, good food doesn't pass over dumplings, but I'm not that kind of person!
Regardless of what he thought, Gao Xian remained respectful, bowing and seeing off Zhu Shopkeeper and his wife.
A new book sets sail, and I ask for everyone's support~ Bowing~
With a solid outline, I can write at length, so everyone can rest assured~
I hope this is a good book!
My criteria for a good book, firstly, is achieving good results.
Market recognition is essential for making money~
Secondly, it must have power.
A book that can move, shock, bring joy, happiness, and sadness, provide high emotional value, or expand the boundaries of imagination on a rational level, enlightening readers and providing knowledge, all count as having power~
Thirdly, it must withstand the test of time.
It should still be worth reading ten or twenty years later~
I pour all my ambition and determination into words, leaving the rest to you all!
If you like this book, please support it~
The forever youthful author bows in gratitude.
(End of Chapter 1)