Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Profession [Pharmacist]
Turning around, he saw Zhu Cheng walking over with two others, one of whom was Wang Ran, who for some unknown reason harbored murderous intent toward Xu Guang.
Since Zhu Fu’s funeral, the two had not met for a long time.
Tie Xiong also stopped in his tracks, watching as Xu Guang, riding on the back of a giant elephant, passed by Zhu Cheng.
He smiled with interest and intrigue.
Although Zhu Cheng was now also a disciple of Tie Kuang, he inexplicably stayed close to Liu Ning’s disciples, something that made Tie Xiong quite displeased with Zhu Cheng.
Now, he was curious to see Zhu Cheng’s attitude towards Xu Guang.
Zhu Cheng looked at Xu Guang with a complicated expression, then glanced at General Wei under Xu Guang, his mind filled with a thousand thoughts.
Previously at the Zhu Family, with the help of Xu Guang, he was already able to control General Wei.
Now, hearing about the commotion caused by General Wei, there was no way his heart could remain indifferent.
Perhaps, if Xu Guang died, General Wei could return to his command.
But the moment this thought arose, he immediately cut it off.
The Zhu Family had pledged allegiance to the Iron Armor Sect, which was originally a formidable force, and now they seemed to have a tacit alliance with Grand Elder Liu Ning. To truly control General Wei would inevitably provoke Tie Kuang’s apprehension.
"Isn’t this the new Dharma Protector of the sect, Xu Guang? I’ve heard you’ve been quite in the limelight recently."
Wang Ran looked at Xu Guang with a smile, his expression carrying a hint of mockery.
Xu Guang silently looked at Zhu Cheng, his eyes conveying confusion.
He still did not know how he had offended Wang Ran.
Zhu Cheng was also somewhat surprised that Wang Ran would suddenly trouble Xu Guang, but as if realizing something, he slightly shook his head, responding to Xu Guang’s gaze, then stepped forward to block in front of Wang Ran.
"Don’t forget how you got to where you are today! Tomorrow, we plan to spar with the Wei Family; I hope you can join us."
All eyes suddenly fell on Xu Guang, seemingly waiting for his response.
Xu Guang’s response, to some extent, would show which side he stood on—was he Tie Kuang’s man, or Liu Ning’s? The answer would be revealed through his reply.
"Se... Second Young Master, I’m sorry, Xu Mou has not yet reached Entry Grade and cannot help you."
"You!"
Zhu Cheng angrily waved his sleeve.
Xu Guang did not say more, merely continuing to maneuver General Wei away.
Yet he did not expect that Wang Ran, who had been standing to the side, suddenly took a step forward after letting out a cold laugh. He then kicked off the wall, borrowing strength to launch himself at Xu Guang.
"Junior Brother Zhu, let me help teach this ungrateful person a lesson!"
Before the words had fallen.
There was only a loud bang.
Wang Ran’s figure flew backward at a speed even faster than before, like a projectile.
His forearms crossed in front of his chest, his body displaying a bizarre twisted state.
His body crashed into the wall, forcibly collapsing it.
Xu Guang squinted; he was certain that this person truly intended to kill him!
Why exactly?
He hesitated, wondering if he should take this opportunity to kill Wang Ran.
Soon, he dismissed the thought. Killing Wang Ran in broad daylight was rash; after all, Liu Ning was behind Wang Ran.
To his surprise, Wang Ran actually stood up from the rubble, despite his arms being noticeably twisted, seemingly unscathed, making Xu Guang frown.
This man... could he really be a prodigy?
Zhu Cheng gazed at Xu Guang with a complex expression before turning and walking towards Wang Ran.
Xu Guang maintained a calm demeanor, maneuvering General Wei at a moderate speed through the crowd.
He could clearly sense the change in the weight of the gazes around him, as every individual now looked at him differently.
Compared to when they previously disregarded him, now their eyes held more weight.
Some were indifferent, some unconvinced, while others were envious, and naturally, some were friendly.
For the first time, Xu Guang realized that gazes could indeed possess weight.
Although he knew, the weight in these gazes was currently due to General Wei.
It was different.
Everything was different.
First, there was the battle achievement of slaying dozens, then effortlessly defeating the sect’s top prodigy Wang Ran before everyone’s eyes.
There was nothing more he needed to do; others would instinctively begin to value him.
Tie Xiong grinned widely, pleased to see Wang Ran embarrassed.
Wang Ran’s eyes were sinister, the killing intent in them growing stronger. Yet despite caressing the scar on his arm, he ultimately did nothing, not even issuing a single threat.
But because of this, Xu Guang became even more vigilant, convinced that a biting dog doesn’t bark.
What exactly was the interest or entanglement between him and Wang Ran?
This person wouldn’t let him go.
Xu Guang told himself in his heart, this person... must die.
"I’ve always wanted to know, why do you want to kill me?"
Blood dripped from the corner of Wang Ran’s mouth, which he wiped away firmly. "Just a mere opportunist relying on external help, why would I want to kill you?"
Xu Guang gave a cold laugh and said no more.
Once Xu Guang had left, Wang Ran’s face suddenly turned as pale as paper, his breath weakening.
"Senior Brother Wang!"
...
In Mr. Fang’s small courtyard.
"Four-Eyed Grass is yin attributed, able to act as a balancing medicine. Most medicine matching and alchemy require Four-Eyed Grass, depending on the intensity of the main ingredient, adding an appropriate amount of Four-Eyed Grass."
Fang Cheng sat in the room, in front of him a small pill furnace, while Zi Ming carefully added charcoal inside, each time measuring it to ensure not a bit more or less.
Xu Guang sat beside Fang Cheng, listening to him speak about the precautions in alchemy.
He had a good memory and was eager to learn, so Fang Cheng decided to start teaching him some knowledge about medicine matching and alchemy.
"Alchemy is a meticulous task. Before beginning, it’s essential to consider the properties of the medicinal ingredients, the size of the pill furnace, the choice between gentle or robust fire, and even the firewood must be carefully selected. Like these Furnace Ginseng Pills, because of their intense nature, I chose locust tree branches grown on the shady side outside the town, which can slightly temper the intensity and improve the likelihood of successful alchemy.
Compared to alchemy, medicine matching is somewhat more casual, with a focus on grinding powders and the pharmacological harmonization during matching."
Xu Guang listened intently, feeling that his fourth job transition was happening today.
Alchemy takes a long time, a furnace of Eighth Grade Qi Condensing Pills requires six hours to refine.
"My aptitude is dull, so I can only be cautious. A pharmacological master from Songjiang Prefecture can produce an Eighth-Grade Elixir in half an hour, their control over flame changes is truly natural."
Fang Cheng said with a sense of emotion.
Xu Guang gently consoled, "Teacher, you shouldn’t say that. You are already the best alchemist in Qingshuo County."
Fang Cheng shook his head with a gentle smile, his tone carrying a hint of bitterness, "Alchemy is like the Martial Dao, the genius and the best in your eyes are merely starting points for some."
He became more satisfied with Xu Guang, the disciple thrust upon him by the sect, as they spent more time together. Xu Guang had a good memory and comprehension, and his hands-on abilities were decent.
The only pity was that Xu Guang’s qualifications in martial arts were lacking. If not for General Wei, he might have ended up as someone else’s mere tool in alchemy in the future.
As the sun set, changes gradually emerged within the pill furnace, with white smoke curling, exuding strands of phantoms.
"Prepare to open the furnace."
Fang Cheng said solemnly.
Xu Guang’s face also lit up with a smile.
[A job transition opportunity detected, do you want to transition to Pharmacist?]
[Name: Xu Guang]
[Current Job: 1. Beggar Lv5 (1568/600). 2. Level 5 Elephant Envoy (1568/600). 3. Martial Artist Lv5 (1568/600). 4. Pharmacist Lv0 (1568/100)]
[Professional Talent (Pharmacist): Immune to Hundred Poisons (Having tasted a hundred herbs, immune to all poisons)]
[Skills (Pharmacist): Medicine Recognition Lv0 (0/10), Medicine Matching Lv0 (0/10)]
[Next job transition requires Pharmacist profession level above Lv5]
Finally... succeeded.
This time, the professional talent did not disappoint Xu Guang.
Immune to Hundred Poisons is an extraordinary talent, and his own professional talent is developmental. As he tastes more and more herbs, the toxins he can become immune to will increase.
A very remarkable professional talent.
Xu Guang was very satisfied with this.
Fang Cheng had already completed opening the furnace, taking out the Qi Condensing Pills one by one.
A total of sixteen pills were successfully made.
The main ingredients were Fifty-year-old Chicken Blood Vine and reishi, with a total value exceeding three thousand taels of silver, but a single Qi Condensing Pill is worth five hundred taels of silver.
Just through refining, the value doubled.
The enormous profit of alchemy is evident.
No wonder alchemists like Fang Cheng are affiliated with the Iron Armor Sect.
Thinking about it, Xu Guang consumed 322 experience points, upgrading the Alchemist and two alchemy skills to Level 2.
This should be enough to present himself as an alchemy genius.
Walking out of the courtyard, the problem of food scarcity in Qingshuo County was becoming severe.
The faces of the people walking on the streets unconsciously carried a hint of paleness.
It was already late afternoon, yet the line in front of the grain store was still as long as a dragon.
Occasionally, sounds of conflict and cursing could be heard from the crowd.
Xu Guang glanced at General Wei, sighing inwardly, thinking that this grain store belonged to the Iron Armor Sect, and since the sect had already reduced the grain prices, that’s why so many people were still queuing.
Regardless of Tie Kuang’s considerations, this matter was handled well.
...
The morning.
In front of the courtyard of Tie Kuang, dozens of figures were gathering, led by none other than Vice Sect Master Yu Shaohua.
Xu Guang rode General Wei and slowly joined the gathering crowd.
He had only received the message last night, to go and assist Sect Leader Tie Kuang with a secret mission outside the city.
General Wei and he were provided with food by the Iron Armor Sect, so naturally, he needed to contribute to some of the sect’s affairs.
Xu Guang didn’t mind too much, but what displeased him was that he had planned to start tailing Wang Ran last night to figure out his routine and behavior, intending to solve him quickly, but was delayed by this matter.
He didn’t expect this matter to be led by Yu Shaohua.
"Vice Sect Master Yu."
Yu Shaohua smiled warmly at Xu Guang, with a trace of closeness, his gaze unconsciously sweeping past General Wei.
Only at such close proximity could one truly understand the pressuring presence this Great Beast could evoke.
"This Great Beast is indeed imposing."
Yu Shaohua remarked with admiration.
Seeing Xu Guang’s serious expression, Yu Shaohua chuckled lightly and added, "Dharma Protector Xu, do not worry. This time, going outside the city, no force will be used; it’s merely a transaction. To avoid interference from the Four Directions Guard and the Wei Family, it’s arranged outside the city."
Xu Guang, upon hearing this, nodded slightly.
He didn’t know what the Iron Armor Sect intended to trade, but after gathering, Yu Shaohua stepped forward to distribute, with the group of thirty-six separating and acting in various directions.
Yu Shaohua appeared to lead a few disciples, pretending to hunt.
Xu Guang rode General Wei alone, heading towards the city outskirts.
’That Yu fellow is up to no good, using me and General Wei as bait.’
After all, General Wei’s size makes it easy for anyone observing to spot them.
However, Yu Shaohua promised that Tie Kuang would keep an eye on the several Seventh-Grade experts from the Wei Family, assuring that Xu Guang wouldn’t fall into peril.
Xu Guang regarded Yu Shaohua’s promise as nonsense, and what truly reassured him was General Wei’s combat prowess on land.
He was confident that even a Seventh-Grade expert couldn’t kill him under General Wei’s protection.
Perhaps...
His eyes flashed with a hint of ambition.
General Wei was too young, not yet fully matured, and apart from the time when they were captured by the Thirty-Six Great Bandits, it had suffered little.
Maybe a Seventh-Grade expert attempting to assassinate him might stimulate General Wei to digest the Dragon Blood Stone within its body.
Thinking of this, he even looked forward to an expert coming to kill him.