Currently, Gu Yan and the others can only produce a basic type of pill to enhance soul force, called the Soul Gathering Pill.
Its effects are very limited.
The three types of pills Nie Li mentioned that nourish soul force have been lost to time, and their effectiveness is at least dozens or even hundreds of times greater than that of the Soul Gathering Pill.
In the era of the Divine Empire, the Soul Gathering Pill was just a beginner pill, while the Soul Nourishing Pill was an intermediate pill, ten times as effective.
The Soul Condensation Pill was advanced, boasting a power a hundred times that of the Soul Gathering Pill.
The Soul Refining Pill was the top-tier pill, with effects a thousand times stronger, even revered by legendary demon spirit masters.
As for the Red Flame Body Tempering Pill, it was worth an astronomical amount of demon spirit coins, capable of refining the physical body and significantly enhancing a martial artist's talent.
During the era of the Divine Empire, many martial artists who reached the legendary rank owed it to the power of the Red Flame Body Tempering Pill.
Now, it is rare to find even Black Gold level martial artists.
And the Nine Resurgence Pill was filled with legend; it could save a life.
Even if one suffered severe injuries, consuming a Nine Resurgence Pill would keep them alive and facilitate a slow recovery.
Many martial artists and demon spirit masters face death in battles against demon beasts each year.
The Nine Resurgence Pill could save countless lives!
“Does your master truly possess the formulas for these five pills?” Gu Yan's voice trembled.
He understood profoundly the significance of these five pills to Glory City.
“Of course! My master has traveled the entire Saint Spirit Continent, with vast knowledge. He only arrived in Glory City a few years ago, but he prefers to stay out of the limelight, so I'm acting on his behalf! As for these five pills, the Soul Nourishing Pill can be crafted by intermediate alchemists, the Soul Condensation Pill requires advanced alchemists, while the Soul Refining Pill and the Red Flame Body Tempering Pill can only be crafted by junior alchemist masters. Lastly, the Nine Resurgence Pill must be made by senior alchemist masters!” Nie Li explained.
“Your master traversed the Saint Spirit Continent and arrived in Glory City just a few years ago?” Gu Yan's heart jolted.
No wonder Glory City had never heard of such an esteemed figure.
If this person could stay in Glory City, it would mean a great treasure for them!
“My master originally wanted to donate the formulas for these five pills to the Alchemist Association of Glory City, but…” Nie Li paused slightly.
“But what?” Gu Yan felt a rush of urgency, rubbing his hands.
He clearly understood how monumental these five pills would be for Glory City!
The city faced dire circumstances, with demon beasts prevailing in the Saint Ancestor Mountain Range, especially the three powerful legendary ice demon beasts, which even Ye Mo struggled to deal with.
Fortunately, those demons were currently asleep.
If they awoke, Glory City would be in a perilous position.
Throughout its history, the city had faced near destruction multiple times!
And as for Lord Ye Mo, with age creeping upon him and no new legendary demon spirit masters rising, the city was in a tough spot.
“My master requires vast resources for continued research in alchemy, which costs a lot of demon spirit coins. Therefore, these five pills cannot simply be given to the Alchemist Association. In future, my master will need to take thirty percent of the profits from the sale of these five pills by the association. I wonder if Chairman Gu Yan has any objections? Even with my master taking thirty percent, the Alchemist Association will still make over thirty percent profit,” Nie Li stated, noting how great the profits in alchemy could be.
“That’s reasonable!” Gu Yan quickly replied, “Our Alchemist Association is willing to give fifty percent of the profits to your master!”
It was a bargain.
These five pills, already legendary, when produced would fetch sky-high prices at auction.
Even giving away fifty percent profit, they would still make a killing.
If they could indeed produce the Soul Refining Pill, Red Flame Body Tempering Pill, and Nine Resurgence Pill, even legendary demon spirit master Ye Mo would likely come seeking their pills, let alone the peak families with unfathomable wealth!
Nie Li smiled faintly, “My master said taking just thirty percent will suffice. If Chairman Gu Yan is willing, he could even set aside some money to support those commoners eager to learn alchemy!”
Upon hearing this, Gu Yan’s expression shifted to one of respect, “Your master is a venerable elder. Rest assured, I will take care of this matter. Supporting their study in alchemy will also amplify the influence of the Alchemist Association!”
Gu Yan had long sought to bolster the association's standing amidst its waning fortunes, but found resources and manpower constantly lacking.
With the income from these five pills, they would soon have plenty to address this!
“As for the transaction process, your master can send someone to oversee it. If there’s anything unsatisfactory, we will address it immediately!” Gu Yan declared.
It was only natural to be cautious with such a large business deal.
“Let Chairman Gu Yan and Director Yang take charge of everything. My master trusts both of you! I believe neither of you is short-sighted!” Nie Li smiled lightly.
“Of course!” Gu Yan nodded earnestly, thinking it absurd to slack off with a revered alchemist's business entrusted to them.
This master held more than just these few formulas!
“All right, here are the formulas and crafting methods for the five pills. Please review them, Chairman Gu Yan!” Nie Li handed over the documents.
Gu Yan paused for a moment, utterly shocked to find that the herbs needed to craft these pills were incredibly common and even mundane.
The cost was astonishingly low! It dawned on him that it was similar to the Violet Orchid Grass; before Nie Li's article was released, who would have thought that a handful of demon spirit coins worth of that grass would have such great effects?
Glancing over the herbs now, Gu Yan understood that the Alchemist Association's next move was to stockpile these materials.
While the association wasn’t perfectly united and there was power play among the elders, as long as Gu Yan could hold onto the formulas for the Soul Refining Pill, Red Flame Body Tempering Pill, and Nine Resurgence Pill, his position would be more solid than before.
After a moment, Yang Xin returned with the documents, medals, and robes of a senior alchemist master.
“From now on, for any matters relating to the association, you may directly approach younger brother Nie Li. Director Yang here will ensure everything is sorted for him!” Gu Yan said.
With the formulas in hand, he was all set to immerse himself in alchemy.
“Understood.” Nie Li nodded slightly.
“This robe might be a bit too big for you. Once the new one is ready, I will deliver it personally. How can I reach you afterwards?” Yang Xin queried, looking at Nie Li.
“I am a junior student in the martial arts class of Saint Orchid Academy. You can come to find me there in the future!” Nie Li replied after a moment's thought.
Hearing this, Yang Xin's mouth fell open.
Who could imagine that Nie Li was merely a junior martial artist student? Considering the depth of his knowledge, it was indeed a bit of a waste for him to be in that class!
“If younger brother Nie Li seeks to join the genius class at Saint Orchid Academy, I can personally speak to the academy’s principal!” Yang Xin offered.
As a director of the Alchemist Association, working in Glory City held significant weight; every year some students from the academy would be sent to the association.
“No need!” Nie Li smiled lightly, explaining that he had his own plans.
The teachings there held no attraction for him anymore.
He remained at Saint Orchid Academy partly for Ye Ziyun and partly for the treasures there!
Understanding this, Yang Xin realized that Nie Li’s presence in the junior class meant he was intentionally concealing his prowess for special reasons.
“Since there’s nothing further, I’ll take my leave now. I’ll return to the Alchemist Association if anything comes up!” Nie Li said to Gu Yan and Yang Xin.
“Sure, Director Yang, please see young brother Nie Li out!” Gu Yan instructed.
“Of course!” Yang Xin nodded.
With Yang Xin accompanying him, Nie Li headed out of the Alchemist Association.
Gu Yan watched as Nie Li's figure disappeared through the door, glancing at the formulas in his hands and at the questions on the wall that Nie Li had answered.
He felt a wave of excitement wash over him that was hard to contain.
Once Nie Li left, the entire Alchemist Association erupted into excitement.
Many junior alchemists discovered that the questions they had posed on the wall without answers were now addressed.
They hurriedly returned to verify, and the results left them astonished, even better than they had anticipated.
Everyone was shocked.
Could it be that Chairman Gu Yan had advanced to a master level during this period? Many of the issues he had been unable to resolve suddenly had answers?
They all wanted to seek Gu Yan and confirm their speculations, yet were disappointed to find that Gu Yan had become deeply engrossed in alchemy and had closed the doors to visitors.
Meanwhile, Director Yang, responsible for various matters in the Alchemist Association, acted strangely, mobilizing resources on a large scale to acquire various herbs.
Many of these herbs were not even needed for alchemy, so describing them as waste plants wouldn't be far from the truth.
They couldn’t quite understand why Director Yang was acquiring these seemingly useless herbs.
Suddenly, the Alchemist Association began a large-scale procurement of useless herbs, which excited the ordinary residents of Glory City.
Daily, many rushed to the wilds, gathering the herbs acquired by the Alchemist Association.
Although the prices offered were quite low, they still found ways to make a small profit.
Various herbs flocked to the Alchemist Association, gathering the alchemists above junior level for upcoming tasks...
(End of Chapter)