"Hmm... As expected, the first batch is just a collection of low-grade pills. It seems I'll need to complete a few tasks and prove my alchemy skills before they'll hand over higher-grade formulas and matching spiritual herbs for me to refine..."
Li Ye flipped through the categorized spiritual herbs one by one, then picked up a jade slip and examined its contents.
As he'd expected, it recorded only common pills like Qi Restoration Pills, Detoxification Pills, and Healing Pills all frequently used in combat. He already had collected the low-grade versions of these formulas.
There wasn't a single formula for pills that could significantly boost one's magical power those were far more valuable.
Still, not all was lost. At the end of the jade slip, there was a formula named Zimo Powder, which brought a hint of surprise to Li Ye.
It was a poison pill!
Though its toxicity wasn't lethal, a single dose could leave a person dizzy and unfocused, weaken their magical power and vitality, and greatly diminish their combat strength...
On a large battlefield, if one had the antidote prepared in advance and used a spell to spread it among the enemy unexpectedly, it could prove quite effective!
"And the main ingredient just so happens to be the leaves, sap, and even the bark of the Zimo Tree after which this whole place is named..."
As Li Ye examined the formula, he recalled a story he'd heard while chatting with other disciples.
They had said that the Zimo Trees in this area grew in great numbers, and the miasma they released blanketed a vast region. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn't last long within it and had to retreat quickly.
Because of that, despite the fertile land and rich spiritual veins hidden within, the forest remained undeveloped for a long time.
It wasn't until a powerful Golden Core ancestor personally came, expanded the territory, and laid down a grand formation using the forest and its miasma as the foundation that the environment was transformed. Only then were the hidden treasures revealed, leading to the later prosperity of the Zimo Forest.
Zimo Powder was likely developed sometime after that.
"This pill seems to be tier-variable as well. For low-grade versions, only young leaves or fallen bark from the Zimo Tree are needed. But for mid to high-tier versions, you need the sap or even crystallized miasma..."
"And interestingly, the antidote is made from Qingshuang Moss, which grows naturally around the outskirts of the forest. Fascinating!"
In truth, Li Ye had long been interested in poison pills.
If the spiritual essence of plants and herbs could be used to craft beneficial pills with astonishing effects, then surely applying it to poisons would yield similarly powerful results…
And for him, this offered a whole new angle for strengthening his combat potential.
Now that the Zimo Powder formula had landed in his lap, it was the perfect opportunity to give it a try.
"Let's refine a few batches first and see how it turns out. If the effects are good, I might even apply to help care for the Zimo Trees maybe grab a bit of spiritual essence from them… Hopefully, they do need a spirited farmer to tend them!"
Pulling out a specially made silk scarf, he wrapped it over his mouth and nose. Then he added some firewood to the furnace and began his first attempt following the formula.
...
A few days later.
"Senior Brother Li, you… you've already finished refining the entire first batch of pills?"
Yu Xiaoshan held the storage pouch that Li Ye had just handed over and did a quick check of the contents, her face showing clear surprise.
This batch of pills was meant to supply dozens of Purple Profound Sect disciples currently stationed at the Zimo Forest's marketplace.
Even if each person only received one pill, the quantity and variety were not small by any means.
She had thought that Li Ye was calling her over because he'd run out of certain herbs and needed her to fetch more.
Or perhaps… he had finally caught wind of the rumors circulating outside and wanted to ask her about them.
And yet he had completed and handed in all the pills!
Yu Xiaoshan couldn't help but recall how, ever since she reported Li Ye's stunning 90% success rate with Qi-Gathering Pills, word had quickly spread among the steward disciples, and soon the news was circulating widely.
It was said that quite a few fellow disciples were already showing interest. The only reason no one had come to bother Li Ye yet was likely because he had been holed up in the alchemy room, rushing to complete his assigned tasks.
However, Alchemist Luo seemed to have been provoked in some way. Although he maintained his usual rule of charging two portions of materials to refine one batch of pills, something had changed.
His pill success rate had suddenly improved significantly!
The improvement was so drastic that many began to suspect: either he had previously been skimming off his clients' pills, or he was now supplementing the process with a large portion of the second batch of materials which he was supposed to keep as payment.
Given that all pill refinement commissions required a Heart Demon Oath, the more likely explanation was that he was willingly giving up profit to improve results.
And his reason? Most likely, he was trying to compete with Li Ye for clients.
Of course, Alchemist Luo himself claimed to others that it was thanks to some recent breakthrough in his techniques.
Whether Purple Profound Sect disciples or rogue cultivators believed it or not didn't matter. With his current success rate, it was undeniably more worthwhile to go to Alchemist Luo for pill refinement than it had been in the past.
In just a few short days, visitors were lining up outside Alchemist Luo's residence he was even more popular than before.
"The required quantities for the first batch are all there. If there are more tasks to complete, don't delay bring them over as soon as possible."
Li Ye, looking a bit pale, spoke casually. His gaze lingered briefly on Yu Xiaoshan's face, but he said no more.
Who would've thought that one small mistake on his part would result in this woman making it public knowledge?
At this point, even if he wanted to delay a few days to avoid drawing attention, it was meaningless. He might as well finish a batch quickly and show the elders what he was truly capable of, to secure the position he deserved.
"Senior Brother…"
Seeing his pale complexion, Yu Xiaoshan tightened her grip on the storage pouch and gently urged,
"Although the current war situation is tense, and enemy forces from Yue Country have already been spotted… you are the only alchemist we disciples can rely on in the market. Please take care of your health and don't push yourself too hard!"
Li Ye was taken aback for a moment. He touched his face, then waved his hand and chuckled,
"It's nothing. I just tested the effects of Zimo Powder on myself a bit. I'll be fine after some rest."
"Senior Brother tested the poison on himself? I'm impressed!"
Unexpectedly, Yu Xiaoshan looked even more moved. She gave a respectful bow and said sincerely,
"I'll submit this batch of pills first. Please, Senior Brother, go back and rest. I will help handle any incoming pill requests from the others."
"Tch… Why do I feel like she's misunderstood something…"
Watching her leave, Li Ye muttered with a strange look on his face.
He clenched his fists, shook his head to clear it, and carefully assessed the state of his body.
"Still, this Zimo Powder is seriously effective. Even with my dual cultivation in body and qi, both at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, I felt nearly 20% weaker after using some of it…"
"If the quality were higher, and it was thrown at the enemy right at the start of a fight, wouldn't that mean anyone could challenge opponents above their level? If not for the fact that the raw materials are only found here and are in limited supply, this pill would've probably become famous ages ago!"
Thinking about this, Li Ye also recalled that the formation here still contained miasma accumulations. His confidence in defending Zimo Forest grew even stronger.
At the same time, his desire to personally tend the Zimo Trees became even more intense.
If he could use the spiritual essence of the Zimo trees to refine top-tier, first-grade Zimo Powder, even early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators would be affected if caught off guard by it.
Pair that with his Blazing Sun Fire Serpent Talisman, and he might have a shot at killing a Foundation Establishment opponent!
"After proving myself with this batch, I should start receiving higher-grade tasks and more detailed preparations for the ongoing war. Once I complete those and get a bit of breathing room, I'll have a solid reason to request Elder Yu to let me tend the spiritual fields…"
Li Ye slowly sat down.
"But before that, I might as well start accepting some pill refinement commissions!"
Compared to the meager leftovers from sect tasks, this was where the real benefits could be found!
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