Page 58: My way of thanks

'Is that mister old man? He's exercising diligently even at this early hour. I remember our P.E. classes before. It looks similar to his routine.... huh? His movements are a bit weak.. Ah, I remember. He said last time that his core essence was shattered that's why he can't incorporate essence in his movements. I'll find some chance to diagnose him later. I might be of help.' Those were Long Bai's thoughts before greeting the old man.

"We have met again mister old man."

Yang Jun, the old man almost didn't recognize the young kid. By his assessment, Long Bai's appearance matured a lot compared to the skinny, poor looking kid he remembered from their last meeting. Yang Jun halted his routine and went to greet the two.

Yang Jun invited the two inside to have some seat and sip some warm tea he prepared. Since Long Bai and Yang Jun didn't know each other's name, they introduced each other identity. During their last conversation, Yang Jun didn't ask Bai's name as he would like to put everything to fate while Long Bai forgot to ask since he was caught up with the content of the conversation. As Yang Jun wished, fate brought them together.

After some talking about each other's past endeavors, the discussion went to Yang Jun's search of a cure for his broken essence core. Since it came to that topic, Yang Jun started to tell his past.

It was 15 years ago that Old Jun took the greatest blow of his life. He was at the mainland that time and had successfully entered a second rate sect due to his proficiency in his movement skill. Through his painstaking efforts and unyielding persistence, he was able to reach the late stages of spirit condensation layer of the spirit tempering stage. However, because he started to gain attention, some saw him as a threat. One day, a young master of some clan he did not name challenged him to a match because of a petty reason. The young master took this chance to eliminate him and the fight ended up damaging his essence core. It hasn't end there yet, after destroying his cultivation and beating him badly, they sent him to a ship and let him out of the mainland. Old Jun was aimlessly finding his way when he learned that he was back at one the union islands. Since he doesn't any capabilities to return to the mainland, he tried searching for a cure at the 5 union islands. For almost 15 years, he was able to find 3 worth attempts of alchemy resources for such pill. However, the problem was that in the union islands, there was no grade 5 alchemist. For most of his time, he stayed at Merchant City waiting for any news that the grade 4 alchemist would be able to rank up but with the years that he stayed, there was none. It was just after meeting Long Bai that he decided to return to the Yang residence.

After listening to his story, the other two became quiet. Even the family head was speechless with what his friend had experienced. On the other side of his mind, he wanted to scold him but thinking back, what could have he done to help his friend? He might just say some empty promises so what happened must be the best for the both of them. As for Long Bai, he was not thinking about the past details but with his alchemy data.

While the two were contemplating, Old Jun said some few words that took their attention.

"I didn't gave the name of those who hurt me since I'm afraid that one of you will find them and put yourself in danger. The path of cultivation is harsh and difficult and only a few can reach its great heights. My only regret was that I wasn't strong enough."

The household head can't say much other than to console him and say that he did his best. As a friend, he didn't want to let him feel being pitied as to keep whatever is left. Since he already heard most of things from him, he decided to exit the house and give both of them some quality time to know more each other. He was not part of the equation anyway as he just served as a guide to his friend's visitor.

Long Bai waited for a few minutes after the household head left since the next topic would be something of a big deal.

"Say, old man Jun, how many of the core- repairing pill will you need to repair your broken essence core? How bad is it?"

Long Bai was interested with the case. An essence core is the center of all cultivators and once it is broken, the person won't be able to cultivate anymore.

What's even bad news is that the previous cultivation will regress untill the person will return to become ordinary. Without the core where the person can take a supply of cultivated essence, the body will degenerate. The core was like a digestive system and the essence stored is like the nutrient for cultivation. Unless the person can find a way to reestablish the core again, he may start cultivating from the lowest.

Old man Jun on the other hand didn't bother why Long Bai asked such question. He just answered with his whole honesty. At his current state, there are not much things that would bother him anymore.

"A low grade of this pill is enough to repair my core since it is not entirely broken. It seemed to have just have a long but narrow crack which can be mended by a single pill. This was the reason why I was enthusiastic at first because repairing it is easier than a one with an entirely destroyed core. Its just that no one from smaller islands is capable of making it. Why is lottle Bai interested? Do you perhaps know someone who can

"Senior Jun, you might not know but I became a grade 2 alchemist. Since there's no one who can make the pill yet, how about you let me study the pill with the ingredients you have first? I won't waste them I promise. Although I am not a grade 5 alchemist yet, I may be able to learn some things about it so when the time comes, maybe when I'll become a grade 5 alchemist, I will be able to make the pill for you. Will you allow it?"

Yang Jun hesitated for a moment but then thought of of his circumstances. It is either an alchemist from merchant city will become a grade 5 or he might have a chance to go to mainland. But thinking of the two possibilities, he have waited too long already of anyone from the alchemy tower to upgrade but still after years of waiting, no one made it. On the other side, going to mainland is impossible since only the the sects have the means to transport. The next time they would come will be two years from now and it is not even sure that they would allow him to board the flying ship. Since it is like this, he might as well bet his fate on the young man in front of him.

"Hmm, I'll allow it if you will be able to show me the full potential of the skill I gave you. Once you show me the mastered form, I will give you all the ingredients. How about it?"

Little did Old Jun know that Bai had mastered the skill a long time ago. He thought of letting Bai stay in his place for a long time until he can show the mastered form of the skill and yet when Long Bai stood up and displayed the skill, he became speechless.

"Wha.. How did you managed to master the skill in just a few months? Even the most talented youths here needs at least a year to reach such mastery. Can you tell me how you did it?"

Long Bai can't disclose the system information so he just said that he met a master who guided him for a few weeks which allowed him to master skills he have. A since Long Bai made it sound convincing, Old Bai did not think much of it.

"Ahh, you might have a a really incredible luck. Since it is like that, I'll give you the herbs. Here are the herbs that is worth 3 attempts to make the pill. I once asked a grade 4 alchemist to try at least once but the product was not even close to what is expected. Now, only three worth is left."

"Senior Jun, do you have a pill room here? I would like to use a room."

"Don't tell me, I'll just it try once too if senior will allow. Can I?"

Yang Jun was a bit schocked but then, what can he do? If doing it can help in the future, he wouldn't mind it.

"Since I gave you all of it, do whatever you want. I just hope that in the future.... Well let's just leave it at that. Follow me, there's a room near here that was once used as a pill room. There's a furnace and the other needed materials too."

Long Bai followed around until they reached an old room but has been well maintained. The helpers of the place must be extremely diligent with their work. Upon reaching the room, Old Jun left Long Bai to his accords. Since he now have a guest, he planned to cook for him so he decided to visit the market and buy food which he would like to share with Long Bai. He was feeling ecstastic like he just have a grandson of his own.

Back to the pill room, Long Bai conditioned his mind first before checking his stats. He thought that he doesn't need to wait to become a certified grade 5 alchemist. He should try ot now.

For the previous pill making endeavors, he was able to increase the percentage efficiency of grade 5 pills a bit. This was beneficial since he can only have three attempts. At least for now, his target is just a low quality of a grade 5 pill.

[Alchemy Level: Apprentice

*You are have started making pills that enters the heaven's eyes. Beware of heaven's tribulation when making a perfect pill.

Max output per attempt/creation:

+grade 1&2 (10)

+grade 3&4 (8)

+grade 5&6 (6)

Efficiency output:

~grade 1 (100%)

~grade 2 (100%)

~grade 3 (100%)

~grade 4

-low (100%)

-mid (100%)

-high (90%)

-mystic (81%)

~grade 5

-low (20%)

-mid (15%)

-high (10%)

-mystic (0%)

...]

Now that he is ready, he started the earth fire. His only concern is the grade 3 pill furnace in front of him. He was hoping that is could withstand the temperatures needed for grade 5 pills. During his previous pill making, he once tried using a grade 1 pill furnace to make grade 3 pills but after 3 tries, the furnace melted due to high temperatures. It was good that he was able to procure a grade 3 pill furnace and it was thanks to alchemist Mo. After segregating the herbs into three portions, he started the process.

[System notice: A grade 5 pill making process is attempted. Efficiency for grade 5 pills have risen.]

[...

~grade 5

-low (40%)

-mid (30%)

-high (20%)

-mystic (5%)...]

The first was a total failure. The 20% was not really high to give him a chance. Although the max output was 6 pills, not even one was created. Long Bai immediately proceeded to the next attempt.

[System notice: A grade 5 pill making process is attempted. Efficiency for grade 5 pills have risen.]

[...

~grade 5

-low (60%)

-mid (45%)

-high (30%)

-mystic (10%)...]

[System notice: Pill creation successful. 1 out of 6 pill was able to materialize.]

Looking at the single pill, Long Bai was a bit disheartened. Fourty percent was already high but it just allowed one pill to be made. Since he's already to the point that he can assure more pills to be made, he can't back down now.

[System notice: A grade 5 pill making process is attempted. Efficiency for grade 5 pills have risen.]

[...

~grade 5

-low (80%)

-mid (60%)

-high (40%)

-mystic (15%)...]

After the process, good thing there was no explosion however, the pill furnace just started to melt. It wasn't able to maintain its shape with the continuous exposire to grade 5 flames. Before the melting furnace can destroy the pills made, Long Bai immediately retrieved them by inserting his hands into the pill furnace mouth. Since he was fast enough, he didn't suffer from a any scalding.

When he opened his palm, there he counted several low grade pills. 1..2.. and 3!

Long Bai gave a sigh of relief. There were three low grade pills made with the 60% efficiency. With this, the old man can surely recover and at the same time, he can save some pills for his own use in the future.