Cultivation: Start From Simplifying Martial Arts Techniques

Chapter 73: Alchemist Alliance

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Ever since Chen Fei had a good talk with Luo Jun that night, he hadn’t seen Luo Jun for a few days. Perhaps Luo Jun realized that he had done something wrong and was too embarrassed to show up.

During this time, Chen Fei had been diligently practicing the first level of the Origin Connection Technique while occasionally seeking guidance from Guo Linshan.

Every time, Chen Fei would ask about the key points of the Origin Connection Technique. These were crucial aspects that one could only grasp through deep cultivation. As a result, Guo Linshan always felt a sense of satisfaction when he provided answers. He treated it as a chance to display his knowledge and teaching abilities. If Chen Fei asked simple questions, it would be an insult to him, but when Chen Fei asked profound questions that he happened to know the answers to, it brought him a great sense of accomplishment and helped strengthen their bond.

Despite frequently visiting Guo Linshan for guidance, Chen Fei remained diligent in his own practice. Guo Linshan never grew impatient with him, and in fact, he had developed a growing admiration for Chen Fei’s ability to comprehend the teachings. However, Guo Linshan couldn’t help but feel regretful about Chen Fei’s innate talent.

Just like Feng Xiupu had sensed before, Chen Fei possessed extraordinary comprehension abilities. If only Chen Fei had Luo Jun’s innate talent, he would have started his cultivation at the Marrow Tempering realm or even surpassed Guo Linshan.

After answering today’s questions, Guo Linshan looked at Chen Fei with a tinge of regret and said, “Junior Brother Chen, if you had Luo Jun’s innate talent, your current cultivation would have started at the Marrow Tempering realm, or even surpassed mine.”

Chen Fei smiled and replied, “Isn’t the Origin Connection Technique supposed to continuously accelerate one’s cultivation speed?”

…..

Guo Linshan nodded but explained, “As you progress further in the Origin Connection Technique, cultivation becomes increasingly challenging, especially at the fifth level. I’ve been stuck at this level for nearly two years.”

Guo Linshan spoke in a low voice. In order to compete for the position of a true disciple, one had to cultivate up to the fifth stage of the Origin Connection Technique and reach the Visceral Tempering realm. Only then would they have a chance to access the true inheritance of the Primordial Sword Sect.

The Primordial Sword Sect might not be as formidable as the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect in terms of top inheritance or combat strength, but it was not to say that the Primordial Sword Sect was weak. It was just that the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect was exceptionally powerful.

“By the way, Senior Brother Guo, you mentioned a mission a few days ago. What is it about?” Chen Fei brought up the topic.

“Oh, that mission. It’s not a difficult task. The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect needs some medicinal herbs for pill refinement, and they have requested us to collect and deliver them,” Guo Linshan explained with a smile.

“The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect needs medicinal herbs, and they want us to collect them?” Chen Fei asked curiously.

“Yes,” Guo Linshan confirmed. “Ever since I joined the sect, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect has always assigned us tasks according to their needs.”

Chen Fei’s eyes twitched slightly. So, this had been an ongoing arrangement. Considering the strength of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, they could have monopolized the resources around Immortal Cloud City.

Yet, they allowed the existence of the Primordial Sword Sect. It seemed that they did so in order to have the sect at their disposal whenever they needed it.

“Fortunately, I didn’t directly provide them with the pills,” Chen Fei muttered quietly. The Immortal Cloud City was close to the mountain range, which was rich in medicinal herbs. Harvesting them wouldn’t be a difficult task.

“The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect doesn’t trust our pill refining standards, so they only want the raw ingredients,” Guo Linshan added. Chen Fei blinked his eyes in response. It seemed that the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect looked down on the sect’s capabilities in pill refinement.

They deemed their standards to be too low and preferred to handle the refining themselves.

There was nothing wrong with it at all!

“Senior Brother Guo, I have a concern and wanted to find a solution,” Chen Fei said, changing the topic to the sale of medicinal pills. After spending the past few days with Guo Linshan, Chen Fei had developed a good understanding of his character.

Guo Linshan raised an eyebrow and asked, “What is it?”

“I have the ability to refine pills and usually sell them in Immortal Cloud City. But in the long run, I’m worried that others might become jealous and cause trouble,” Chen Fei whispered.

“Junior Brother can refine pills?” Guo Linshan was slightly surprised. Considering Chen Fei’s comprehension and the alchemical atmosphere around him, it wasn’t something unbelievable.

However, professional pill refiners were not uncommon in the Primordial Sword Sect. There were many inner sect disciples who specialized in pill refinement. It was just that most cultivators focused on martial arts, and their talents lay there rather than in alchemy.

“I can refine Light Spirit Pills,” Chen Fei confirmed.

“Junior Brother Chen can already refine Light Spirit Pills? That’s quite impressive,” Guo Linshan remarked with surprise. This level of skill was considered remarkable among secondary cultivators.

Guo Linshan pondered for a moment and said, “Selling pills in Immortal Cloud City isn’t dangerous. After all, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect. However, if you have concerns, there is a safe option.” “What is it?” Chen Fei asked, sitting up straight.

“Joining the Alchemist Alliance. It’s a gathering place for alchemists,” Guo Linshan explained, taking a sip of tea. “The Alchemist Alliance was originally established by a rogue cultivator who felt that alchemists were often oppressed. It started as a support association, but after more than a hundred years, it has developed into the current Alchemist Alliance.”

Chen Fei’s eyes lit up. During his previous research, he had focused on information about sects and completely overlooked this aspect. The influence of a mindset had escaped his attention.

But it was not too late to know about it now.

“After joining, I’ll be protected by the alliance?” Chen Fei asked.

“Of course! What would be the point of the alliance if it didn’t provide protection? Not only does it offer protection, but it’s also a place for alchemists to exchange knowledge and improve their skills. The current Alliance Master of the Alchemist Alliance is Wei Xingshan, who is also the Peak Master of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect’s Pill Peak,” Guo Linshan explained, recollecting the information.

Chen Fei’s expression changed slightly. The Alliance Master had a powerful background. It was almost inevitable for the leader of a rogue cultivator alchemist alliance to eventually join a sect.

“But don’t get too excited. There are certain requirements to join the Alchemist Alliance,” Guo Linshan chuckled upon seeing Chen Fei’s eager expression.

“Is it the age requirement?”

“What’s the age limit for alchemists?” Chen Fei asked.

“It’s not the age. I heard that you have to refine pills of a certain standard before you can join,” Guo Linshan laughed involuntarily. “Many people in our sect can’t meet the criteria.”

Chen Fei nodded in understanding. After chatting with Guo Linshan for a while longer, Chen Fei bid farewell and left.

He quickly packed his belongings and left the sect to return to Celestial Cloud City to find Chi Defeng. Together, they inquired about the location of the Alchemist Alliance.

“If we can join the Alchemist Alliance, we won’t have to worry about selling pills in the future,” Chi Defeng whispered as they observed the people entering and exiting the Alliance’s headquarters.

Chi Defeng knew that Chen Fei could refine the Eternal Floating Pills. Compared to the Light Spirit Pills, the Eternal Floating Pills commanded a much higher price. With the size of Immortal Cloud City, Chen Fei would easily be able to sell all the Eternal Floating Pills he produced.

It would be a substantial amount of money! While he had refrained from profiting before, now he finally had the opportunity.

“Stop! Non-alchemists are not allowed to enter!” Just as they reached the entrance, a guard abruptly halted Chen Fei and Chi Defeng.

“I’m an alchemist and wish to join the Alchemist Alliance,” Chen Fei announced, cupping his hands.

The guard glanced at Chen Fei and replied, “To enter the Alchemist Alliance, you must pass a test. Are both of you alchemists?”

“I’m not. I’m his friend,” Chi Defeng quickly clarified.

“In that case, you can’t enter. Please wait outside for now. If this Young Master passes the test, then you can accompany him inside later,” the guard instructed in a firm tone.

Chi Defeng nodded and headed to a nearby teahouse to wait. Chen Fei followed the guard into the building.

Inside the Alliance Residence, many people were engaged in lively conversations, discussing various aspects of pill refinement. The air was filled with a subtle medicinal fragrance, as if Chen Fei had stepped into a vast pill refining chamber..