Chapter 325: Chapter 323: Benefits
Testing a pill’s effects referred to the pills an Alchemist refined while researching a new Pill Formula.
At this stage, the new pill’s medicinal effects were still unknown. Had it reached the ideal state described in the Pill Formula?
All of this required a trial, observing the Trial Taker’s reactions, and then adjusting the Pill Formula accordingly.
Only when the pill’s effects perfectly matched the ideal outcome would the new Pill Formula be finalized, ready to be passed down through the ages.
Elder Yao had Trial Pharmacists in the past. But as his Alchemy Dao Realm grew more powerful and profound—especially after he became a Great Saint Alchemist—every new pill he refined was shockingly potent and overwhelmingly powerful.
His previous Trial Pharmacists, strong as they were, would nearly explode and die from consuming even a sliver of his new pills, making it impossible to observe any real effects.
So, he was troubled. It had been a very, very long time since he had finalized a new Pill Formula.
Of course, he had researched plenty of new Pill Formulas and even refined many new pills—they nearly filled every cabinet in his Alchemy Room.
But none of them were finalized because he couldn’t find a Trial Pharmacist.
In the ancient era when Body Refiners roamed freely, Alchemists never lacked for Trial Pharmacists.
But now, in this world where the Dao of Body Refining was broken, how many people would even practice Body Refining?
Even if some did, none of them could ever step into the Innate Body Refining Realm.
And Elder Yao’s pills were far too much for a Mortal Level Body Refiner to handle. At the very least, one needed to be at the Innate Body Refining Realm to have a chance of withstanding them.
Just now, he had happened to see Jiang Jichen’s battle on the Martial Arts Stage. When he saw his invincibility in close-quarters combat, his mountain-shattering Fist Intent, and his formidable physical body, his eyes lit up.
Then he discovered that Jiang Jichen had actually reached the Innate Body Refining Tenth Realm!
This made him ecstatic! freewebnσvel.cѳm
In this world, someone had actually managed to reconnect a part of the Body Refining Dao and force their way through cultivation to the Innate Body Refining Tenth Realm.
This was undoubtedly the perfect person to test his pills!
Therefore, no matter what means he had to use, Elder Yao had to get Jiang Jichen and make him willingly test his pills.
Elder Yao was thrilled and excited. It had been too long since he’d had someone who could test his pills.
As a Great Saint Level Alchemist, he appeared glorious and dazzling on the surface, but in truth, he was very lonely!
He had refined thousands of new pills, but how effective were they? Were they successes or failures?
Therefore, to him, Jiang Jichen was an absolute treasure among treasures.
However, he didn’t let it show!
It was as if he had long expected Jiang Jichen to refuse.
Elder Yao looked at Jiang Jichen with a wide grin. "Don’t be in such a hurry to refuse. It’s not too late to decide after you’ve heard the benefits."
In truth, despite his words, if Jiang Jichen still refused to agree willingly, Elder Yao would absolutely suppress him with force.
Jiang Jichen’s expression was grim. Against Elder Yao’s terrifying power, which bordered on the Supreme, he wouldn’t have even a sliver of strength to resist.
’But right now, he needs something from me. Even if I’m forced to agree, I have to fight for the greatest possible benefits!’
While Elder Yao was scheming, Jiang Jichen was, of course, doing the same.
Jiang Jichen deliberately acted extremely reluctant and said with unyielding pride, "Then say your piece. In any case, I will never agree. Hmph! I, Lingchen, am not one who fears death. I would rather die than submit!"
Having lived for countless years and walked through the long river of time, how could Elder Yao not see through Lingchen’s little trick?
He spoke calmly, "You should know that in this world, the Dao of Body Refining is broken. You, of all people, must have the deepest understanding of how difficult it is to reconnect that path. Right now, you’ve only managed to reconnect it up to the Innate Realm. What will you do about the Golden Body Realm that comes after? Don’t tell me you have no desire for the realms beyond that."
"My new pills here are only harmful to ordinary Trial Pharmacists, but they are only beneficial to Body Refiners. Of course, that’s assuming you can withstand their effects without perishing. If you want to break through from the Innate Body Refining Tenth Realm to the next major Realm and withstand the heavenly punishment for mending the broken Body Refining Dao, your current physical body is far from sufficient. You have not yet reached the absolute limit of your current Realm. In truth, you have no idea how terrifying the next heavenly punishment will be. Even with the help of a Supreme Pill, your chances of success are not high. However, the more perfectly you can temper your current Realm, the greater your chances will be."
"Most importantly, even if you have a Supreme Pill Formula and find the Spirit Medicines it requires, who will... perform the Alchemy for you?"
That last sentence struck Jiang Jichen right where it hurt!
Indeed. Even if he possessed the Undying Pill Formulas and found all the required Spirit Medicines, he would still need to find someone to help with the Alchemy in the end.
Moreover, the Undying Pill Formulas were for pills that were practically above the level of Holy Pills. Ordinary Alchemists were completely incapable of refining them. Only a Great Saint Level Alchemist could!
And Elder Yao was a Great Saint Level Alchemist, right here and ready.
Jiang Jichen was tempted, but his expression remained impassive as he said arrogantly, "With my talent, I, Lingchen, am a genius favored by the heavens! Even as just a Spirit Cultivator, I would be able to dominate the world and be unrivaled! Hmph. Elder Yao, you can stop trying to persuade me. I will not agree!"
However, Elder Yao still looked completely unruffled. "Did you know that my Medicine Valley contains countless peerless Spirit Medicines and Treasure Pills? But I am the only one here. It’s a real waste to have them just piled up. But if someone were to become my, Elder Yao’s, Trial Pharmacist, hmph, they could take any Spirit Medicine or Treasure Pill here as they please. Furthermore, I, the Great Medicine Saint, can refine any Pill Formula for them. Of course, the prerequisite is that they must grant my every request and test any pill for me."
If Jiang Jichen was merely tempted a moment ago, at this moment, his entire body was trembling.
Free use of peerless Spirit Medicines and Treasure Pills, plus help refining any Pill Formula—this was the promise of a Great Medicine Saint!
The temptation was too great. It almost made Jiang Jichen agree without a second thought.
But he gritted his teeth and said, "Elder Yao, I can test pills for you, but you cannot restrict my freedom. I must be able to enter and leave the Medicine Pavilion as I please. If you don’t agree to this, the rest is off the table!"
It was as if Elder Yao had expected Jiang Jichen to say this. He grinned. "As long as you’re willing to test my pills, none of that is an issue. From now on, just treat this place as your home. Also, you can be considered the Young Master of the Pavilion for the Academy’s Medicine Pavilion. Take this token. With it, no one will stop you from coming and going in the future. And you must have this token to enter my Medicine Valley!"
Elder Yao casually tossed a simple, dark-green wooden token to Jiang Jichen.
It didn’t look special at all, bearing only the faint images of plants, a Pill Cauldron floating in the air, and some ancient patterns.
Because of Elder Yao’s casual attitude, Jiang Jichen also put it away casually, not paying it much mind and assuming it was just an ordinary item.
Then, Elder Yao said abruptly, "Well then, let’s begin the pill testing now!"
’So soon?’
As Jiang Jichen listened, he felt a chilling quality in Elder Yao’s voice, along with a suppressed excitement that sent a shiver down his spine.
A bad feeling welled up inside him!
Then, Elder Yao flicked his sleeve at a distant door. With a great RUMBLE, the door swung open.
In an instant, thousands upon thousands of bottles of pills appeared before Jiang Jichen’s eyes!
Jiang Jichen was struck dumb, as if hit by lightning!