Chapter 476: Chapter 475: Put on an Act
He had long known that Hall Master Dan Chen was worried about the development of the Pill Treasure Hall.
Therefore, he spared no effort in nurturing alchemists.
Every time an alchemist’s skills improved, they would be rewarded with rich merit points. As the mentor, Bai Ziyue also received a share of merit points. The more and the faster his subordinate alchemists improved, the more abundant his earnings would be.
This was a significant supplement for Bai Ziyue, who was currently in short supply of merit points.
...
In the following period, Bai Ziyue oversaw the alchemy affairs of the disciples at Huoling Peak. He also took on a task from the main hall of the Pill Treasure Hall to refine one hundred third-grade Huayang Pills.
The merit points were not many, as both the materials and the pill formula were provided by the Pill Treasure Hall, so he only received eight thousand points.
But his success rate and pill quality were extremely high. Aside from failing once or twice initially due to unfamiliarity with this particular spirit pill, he succeeded consecutively afterward. After delivering the task, he used the remaining materials to refine eighty more pills.
All of these counted as his personal profit. He sold them through the Pill Treasure Hall channels, quickly earning six hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones.
Seeing the profit potential, Bai Ziyue naturally wouldn’t pass up, continuing his efforts.
Later on, he spent merit points to purchase materials, refining pills himself and selling them, which significantly boosted his spirit stone earning speed.
For an alchemist, especially a high-grade alchemist like Bai Ziyue, making spirit stones was incredibly fast.
The only constraint was that the speed of material collection couldn’t keep up with his pill refining speed.
So, occasionally he would appear beside other alchemists, offering guidance to many registered disciples on Huoling Peak on their alchemy practices.
Their progress was clearly noticeable.
"Master, this is the alchemy progress of all alchemists on Huoling Peak during this period.
On the first day, we formed five hundred and seventy pills, with an eighty percent material wastage, and a twenty percent pill formation rate.
On the second day, we formed six hundred and fifty-three pills, with a seventy-five percent material wastage, and a twenty-five percent pill formation rate.
On the third day, we formed six hundred and ninety-two pills, with a seventy-three percent material wastage, and a twenty-seven percent pill formation rate.
...
On the seventh day, we formed one thousand three hundred and forty-three pills, with a fifty percent material wastage, and a fifty percent pill formation rate. Based on the calculation of producing one spirit pill with double the materials, today we finally achieved a break-even point, avoiding any loss.
Then on the eighth day, ninth day, and tenth day, our alchemy success rate dramatically increased, stabilizing at sixty percent or more, and we finally started to profit.
Moreover, most importantly, in these ten days, almost all alchemists saw a significant improvement in their alchemy skills. Among second-grade alchemists, two broke through the grade boundary from second-grade initial tier to second-grade middle tier.
Among first-grade alchemists, twenty-three broke through the grade boundary. Additionally, nearly seventy out of the one hundred and fifty alchemy apprentices successfully broke through to the first-grade initial-stage alchemist level.
As time goes on, there will undoubtedly be more breakthroughs."
Ma Zhen looked at Bai Ziyue with admiration, feeling extremely excited.
In fact, during this period, he had been in a state of excitement almost every day.
Seeing the daily improvement in alchemy skills among his fellow disciples, with alchemists breaking through grade boundaries from first-grade initial-stage to first-grade middle-tier, from first-grade middle-tier to first-grade high-tier, from second-grade initial tier to second-grade middle tier...
Even he himself could clearly feel the enhancement of his alchemy skills.
He estimated that it wouldn’t be long before he too would break through, advancing from a second-grade middle-tier alchemist to a second-grade high-tier alchemist...
This feeling was dreamlike, giving him a sense of unreality.
But all of this was real.
Facts happening right in front of his eyes.
And all of it stemmed from his master, from the Kunlun Pill Canon created by his master.
Just thinking about this made him feel immense respect and admiration for Bai Ziyue.
This was a true alchemy master. Compared to him, although Hall Master Dan Chen was superior in alchemical grade, he was far inferior in alchemy theory and guidance.
"Oh?"
Bai Ziyue nodded calmly.
All of this was within his expectations. With the aid of his Kunlun Pill Canon, and given that most had decades or even centuries of alchemy experience, as long as they practiced methodically and understood properly, they would naturally experience a breakthrough as if enlightened.
It was actually a process of accumulated efforts leading to a breakthrough.
Once their previous accumulation was exhausted, it wouldn’t be easy to maintain such rapid progress and break through grade barriers anymore.
Although it would still be infinitely faster than before...
The calmer Bai Ziyue’s demeanor, the more respect Ma Zhen felt. After thinking for a moment, he quickly said, "During this time, many senior and junior brothers’ alchemy skills have improved significantly, breaking through the grade boundaries. They are all eagerly wanting to return to the Pill Treasure Hall Main Hall to participate in the alchemy examination, officially confirm their status, and enjoy higher-level benefits.
So, do you think it would be possible to let them..."
"Sure, you can handle such a trivial matter yourself."
Bai Ziyue waved his hand, naturally understanding their thoughts.
Returning home rich without showing off is like wearing beautiful garments at night.
They were initially a neglected group at the Pill Treasure Hall Main Hall, deemed of limited potential and even looked down upon by many. Now, with a significant improvement, they naturally wanted to return and show off a bit.
In comparison, the assessment is actually a minor issue.
After all, at Fire Spirit Peak, their treatment is based on their alchemy skills.
However, for Bai Ziyue, this isn’t a bad thing.
With so many registered disciples improving their alchemy skills, I suspect his merit points will also see a significant increase.
These extra benefits are something he very much welcomes and looks forward to.
He wants to exchange the remaining cultivation techniques in the Innovation Hall to prepare for his next round of skill creation, which requires a large number of merit points.
...
Pill Treasure Hall Main Hall.
This is the busiest place in the Pill Treasure Hall, where tasks are handed over, alchemy skill assessments are conducted, materials are collected, and merit points are exchanged...all these take place here.
"Hey, Chen Fan. Weren’t you chosen by Elder Bai as a registered disciple? How come you’re back? Were you kicked out too?"
In the hall, a tall and thin young man suddenly walked over with a surprised look on his face.
"Senior Brother Huang."
Chen Fan recognized the person, greeted him, and then asked curiously, "What do you mean kicked out? Who was kicked out?
As for me, I just had some things to deal with and needed to come over."
"Weren’t Senior Brother Zhang Hee and the others chosen to join Bixia Peak where Elder Dan Jun resides a while ago?
Well, three days ago, they were kicked out.
Besides Senior Brother Zhang Hee, Senior Brother Gong, Senior Brother Zhao, and Senior Brother Han were all kicked out too."
The tall and thin young man explained with a hint of schadenfreude, lowering his voice and saying, "I heard Elder Dan Jun recruited Senior Brother Zhang Hee and the others to mess with Elder Bai, deliberately transferring them, who are decent alchemists, leaving those of us with relatively low potential for Elder Bai to pick from.
So Elder Bai chose you all, and Elder Dan Jun kicked Senior Brother Zhang Hee and the others back again.
Heh heh, they’ve all had sour faces these past few days.
But there’s nothing they can do about it. Elder Dan Jun is the next in line to become the Hall Master; they don’t dare to speak up even if they’re angry."
As he spoke, he sighed, his small eyes showing a bit of envy as he looked at Chen Fan.
Back then, he stood alongside him to be chosen by Elder Bai, and despite being a First-grade Middle-tier Alchemist, he wasn’t picked, while Chen Fan, who had just become a First-grade Initial-stage Alchemist, was chosen instead, leaving him somewhat disappointed and helpless.
"I see."
Chen Fan suddenly understood, although he already knew that Zhang Hee and the others had only temporarily joined Bixia Peak, he was still surprised they were kicked out so quickly.
But beyond his surprise, he also felt a bit grateful.
If not for this, how would he have had the chance to be chosen as his master’s registered disciple?
"By the way, what are you here for? Being with Elder Bai, you shouldn’t need to come here to take on tasks."
Senior Brother Huang asked again.
"Oh, I’m here to participate in the alchemy assessment."
Chen Fan smiled slightly, pretending to be calm.
"Participate in the alchemy assessment? Alchemy assessment? Didn’t you just pass the First-grade Initial-stage Alchemist assessment?"
Senior Brother Huang first nodded in understanding, then suddenly realized, eyes widening in surprise.
"Luckily, I broke through recently, now I should be a First-grade Middle-tier Alchemist."
Chen Fan said nonchalantly.
"How is that possible? You just passed the First-grade Initial-stage Alchemist assessment less than half a month ago, how could you have advanced so quickly?"
Senior Brother Huang looked utterly shocked, disbelief written all over his face.
"This time, not just me; out of the 210 people at Fire Spirit Peak, nearly half are coming to take the assessment.
In the next few days, there should be a lot more people coming.
Compared to some senior brothers, my progress is nothing special."
Chen Fan seemed humble, though somewhat self-deprecating.
But Senior Brother Huang couldn’t help his face twitching, feeling irked enough to hit someone.
An incense stick’s time later, Senior Brother Huang stared blankly at Chen Fan heading to the alchemy assessment, his face a complex mix of emotions.
Who could have imagined that those like Zhang Hee, who thought they had soared and become Phoenixes, would be knocked off so quickly, while the Chen Fan he once looked down upon is the one truly rising, becoming Elder Bai’s registered disciple and achieving such great improvement in a short time.
In the future, he might even surpass me soon...
"What kind of peerless treasure is the ’Kunlun Pill Scripture’?"
At this moment, not only Senior Brother Huang but countless alchemists aware of the changes among Fire Spirit Peak disciples were all immensely shocked.