Chapter 6: Mudfoot

The next day, after completing his guard duty, Chen Fei went to find the alchemist at the medical hall.

"You want the formula for the Qi and Blood Pill?" Zeng Defang looked somewhat surprised at Chen Fei.

"Is it possible?" Chen Fei asked with a cupped fist.

After thinking about it for a whole day yesterday, Chen Fei finally decided to try alchemy. After all, it was one of the original intentions he had when staying at the medical hall. As for medical skills, it was a complete system, and he was unsure if the panel could simplify it.

Even if it could, the cost would likely be a significant number, and Chen Fei was currently short on money.

Thus, alchemy seemed more appropriate. Once he learned to refine a type of pill, he would have a stable source of income. Then, he could seek higher-level pills, creating a virtuous cycle.

"As a guardian of the medical hall, it's not a problem for you to have a formula for the Qi and Blood Pill," Zeng Defang nodded and said, "But this formula is just the most basic one. It doesn't include some of the medical hall's unique techniques. If you want to use it to refine pills, you'll have to buy the medicinal materials yourself. The medical hall won't provide them for free."

"I understand," Chen Fei nodded. Before proving his alchemy skills, the medical hall wouldn't just offer him the materials for free. Even after proving his ability to refine pills, the medical hall would still judge the quality of the final product. If it was too poor, they wouldn't accept it.

"Alright, take it. Return it to me in three days," Zeng Defang stood up, rummaged through a cabinet behind him, and took out a small booklet, handing it to Chen Fei.

"Thank you, Master Zeng!" Chen Fei expressed his gratitude with a cupped fist.

"No problem," Zeng Defang waved his hand dismissively and stopped paying attention to Chen Fei. Chen Fei also took the hint and quietly left the medicine room.

As Zeng Defang watched Chen Fei's back, he shook his head slightly. He had seen many like Chen Fei before, trying to learn alchemy, but only a few could truly enter the field and produce satisfactory pills.

In his view, Chen Fei was likely just one of the many mediocre individuals.

Back in his room, Chen Fei carefully examined the formula he received.

An incense stick's time later, Chen Fei put down the formula and closed his eyes, recalling the content he had just seen.

The formula was not overly complicated. It simply introduced the required medicinal materials, their properties, and some points to note during the refinement process.

The formula was only a few pages long, so many details were simplified. To successfully refine the Qi and Blood Pill with this formula, one would need to fail dozens or even hundreds of times to have a chance.

And this was with a decent talent. Those who were not suitable for alchemy might not even be able to enter the field after failing hundreds of times. Alchemy was similar to martial arts in that it depended greatly on an individual's innate talent.

Sometimes you had it, sometimes you didn't.

[Alchemy: Qi and Blood Pill (Uninitiated)]

A new message appeared on the panel, and new simplified information was also flashing. Chen Fei couldn't help but smile because the simplified version of the Qi and Blood Pill only required one silver coin.

Chen Fei chose the Qi and Blood Pill as his first alchemy technique because it was fundamental. The more basic the technique, the fewer silver coins were required for simplification. This was an experience he had recently figured out.

Moreover, the Qi and Blood Pill had a considerable audience. It was useful not only for novices just starting to practice martial arts but also for those like Chen Fei who were at the Martial Skin Realm. The pill could invigorate their Qi and Blood, facilitating a more efficient cultivation of martial arts.

Even those at a higher realm, such as the Muscle Development Realm, would occasionally purchase the Qi and Blood Pill when they were tight on funds. Although the effect might be slightly weaker for them, it still worked.

Thus, if Chen Fei could refine the Qi and Blood Pill, he wouldn't have any trouble selling it. After all, there were always more people at the bottom of the martial world.

"Panel, simplify the Qi and Blood Pill!"

"Qi and Blood Pill simplification in progress... Simplification successful... Qi and Blood Pill → Stir-fried Pig Liver!"

"..."

Chen Fei blinked and almost thought he read it wrong. After the simplification, the Qi and Blood Pill had turned into a stir-fried dish, specifically stir-fried pig liver?

Was there any connection between the two?

Both were used to invigorate Qi and Blood, and both required the use of fire, right?

Chen Fei couldn't quite understand the meaning behind the panel's simplification. However, since it had turned from refining pills into cooking, he felt more confident. Cooking was something most people could do, and the only difference was the taste.

While Chen Fei was contemplating buying some pig liver at the market tomorrow, news began to circulate within the medical hall.

There wasn't anything particularly special; it was just about Chen Fei asking Zeng Defang for the formula of the Qi and Blood Pill. The news became a topic of discussion among many after-dinner conversations.

Just two days ago, Chen Fei had clashed with Piao Liao and was seen as a reckless guy. Now he suddenly went to ask for a pill formula, hoping to become an alchemist, which amused many people.

Not only the other guardians mocked Chen Fei, but even some of the menial workers, who were somewhat envious and jealous of Chen Fei's transformation from a manial worker to a guardian, found pleasure in ridiculing him.

"He doesn't focus on martial arts but wants to become an alchemist. Only someone like him, who used to be a mudfoot, would think of that. He doesn't know any better."

At a table filled with laughter, Piao Liao tossed a few peanut kernels into his mouth and said disdainfully.

"Just because he was a mudfoot before, he's now trying hard to climb up. Unfortunately, he doesn't know that sometimes mudfoots can only remain mudfoots for life." Another companion laughed.

"Originally, I thought he might show some potential, and I wasn't opposed to guiding him a bit. But then he actually had the audacity to ask me for secret techniques. If it weren't inside the medical hall, I would've slapped him across the face right then and there," Piao Liao said coldly.

"It's a good thing you have such self-restraint, otherwise, a few of us would've lost our temper long ago!"

"No more talk about him; he's just a laughingstock."

Piao Liao waved his hand dismissively and said, "There are plenty of ways to deal with him. Does he really think that the secret techniques I gave him are that easy to comprehend!"

The gossip didn't reach Chen Fei's ears. At this moment, he was in an abandoned courtyard, stir-frying the pig liver he had just bought.

The pig liver was fresh, bought from the market. After he finished stir-frying it, Chen Fei planned to eat it himself since it was a meat dish, and he couldn't afford to waste any bit of it.

Since becoming a guardian of the medical hall, the food provided had improved significantly. Every meal now included some minced meat, and occasionally, there would be larger pieces of meat. However, for martial artists like Chen Fei, especially those with limited resources, no opportunity to savor any meaty taste should be missed.

In no time, a tantalizing aroma of stir-fried pig liver filled the air. Chen Fei gazed at the panel.

[Alchemy: Qi and Blood Pill (1/100 Proficiency)]

(End of this chapter)