Lu Ming picked up the pill and sniffed it, a dense fragrance instantly filling his nose.
It was indeed a Spirit Gathering Pill used during the Foundation Establishment stage.
But this was completely different from what was recorded.
The records stated that it was extremely difficult for ordinary people to succeed on their first attempt at alchemy.
And the pills weren't supposed to have veins on them, either!
Then, he turned to Big Yellow. “Big Yellow, come here. You try refining a batch, too.”
Hearing Lu Ming’s words, Big Yellow’s eyes lit up. It quickly tied on an apron, mimicking Lu Ming’s actions.
Then, it used the Cleansing Technique to wash all the spiritual herbs.
It tossed them into the alchemy furnace, using one paw to shake the furnace like a wok and the other to control the flames.
Lu Ming nodded in satisfaction. The steps were identical to his.
“Boom...”
“Cough, cough, cough...”
“Woof, woof, woof...”
Covered in soot, Lu Ming and Big Yellow stared at each other.
A hint of confusion flickered in Big Yellow’s eyes. Boss, I followed your steps exactly. It was a one-to-one copy!
Lu Ming was also rather puzzled. He couldn’t understand why Big Yellow’s furnace had exploded.
“Big Yellow, try again...”
With that, Big Yellow took out a brand-new alchemy furnace.
It washed the spiritual herbs and threw them into the furnace...
“Boom...”
“Boom...”
“Boom...”
After three more consecutive explosions, Big Yellow became thoroughly depressed.
Why? Why was this happening?
They had used the exact same method. Why did the boss succeed while it failed?
“Big Yellow, don’t lose heart. Maybe it’s because you aren’t human.”
Big Yellow’s eyes lit up. Yes, that had to be it!
Meanwhile, Lu Ming looked at the pills he had refined and hesitated.
Could these things actually be eaten? They wouldn’t poison someone to death, would they?
Steeling himself, Lu Ming tossed one into his mouth anyway.
“Boom...”
A dense wave of spiritual energy exploded within his body. It was more than three times more potent than the pills he had taken previously.
Lu Ming quickly circulated his technique to absorb the spiritual energy.
Afterward, he discovered that other than having an incredibly abundant amount of spiritual energy, there were no other issues with the pills he had refined.
This meant his refinement had been a resounding success!
As for why he possessed such an extraordinary talent for alchemy...
Lu Ming attributed it to the special physique his mother planet likely bestowed upon every child who traveled far from home.
That, and the blessing of his protagonist's fortune.
“Let’s go... let’s find Old Third and look for our sect.” Lu Ming put away the pills and took out a route map leading to the Northern Province.
“Woof, woof!”
Big Yellow nodded in agreement.
Afterward, the man and dog packed up their belongings and departed.
The spirit boat sped toward the Northern Province with sparks and lightning flying in its wake.
However, they did not travel particularly fast along the way.
Whenever they came across desolate mountaintops, they would sweep them with their divine sense.
They were hoping to see if they could stumble upon the Qingshan Sect’s new base.
Unfortunately, they reached the border between the Eastern Province and the Northern Province without finding any trace of the Qingshan Sect.
Feeling a bit disappointed, Lu Ming and Big Yellow entered a lawless city located right on the border.
Before entering the city, Lu Ming and Big Yellow each disguised themselves.
Lu Ming let down his flowing long hair.
He also gave himself smoky makeup, painting his face stark white with dark circles under his eyes.
He also found a bone necklace and put it on.
To top it off, he donned a black cloak, the standard attire of a vampire.
Big Yellow followed Lu Ming’s lead, painting its face white with dark circles around its eyes. It looked incredibly goofy, appearing rather dim-witted at first glance...
Just like that, the man and dog walked up to the gates of Black Fiend City, wearing expressions that practically screamed, I am a ruthless demonic cultivator.
The setting sun was red as blood, bathing the towering black rock walls of Black Fiend City in its crimson light.
The bones decorating the top of the city walls gleamed with a reddish hue in the fading light.
These bones belonged not only to humans but to demon beasts as well.
Lu Ming felt that this city matched his outfit perfectly.
“Stop right there.”
Just as Lu Ming was about to enter, a cold voice rang out.
Lu Ming cast a chilly gaze at the guarding Foundation Establishment cultivator. “What is it?”
“Pay the entry fee. Ten spirit stones per person, twenty per demon beast.”
As he spoke, the guard glanced at Big Yellow.
Both Lu Ming and Big Yellow froze, feeling deeply offended.
Lu Ming: Who are you looking down on? Why is a human only ten spirit stones?
Big Yellow: Who are you looking down on? Why does a dog have to pay twenty?
“Are you going in or not? If not, don’t block the way.”
Hearing a familiar voice, Lu Ming turned his head and saw a familiar figure.
He wore the same tattered clothes and held the same broken bowl.
It was indeed Wen Ruyu of the Xiaoyao Sect, who had been begging for food back then.
However, Lu Ming did not say anything to him.
Instead, he took out forty spirit stones and handed them to the guard.
The guard was taken aback, not understanding why this person was giving him so much.
He then watched as Lu Ming led Big Yellow through the city gates.
The guard looked at the spirit stones on his tray, then back at Lu Ming.
Is this guy out of his mind? Well, I’m not complaining...
Following closely behind, Wen Ruyu also stared at them as if they were complete idiots.
If you have too much money, just give it to me!
Just as Lu Ming and Big Yellow stepped into Black Fiend City, a sultry, seductive voice rang out. “Young Master, would you like to try something exciting?”
Lu Ming shuddered. He looked up to see a woman draped in a sheer black veil as thin as a cicada’s wing.
It barely covered her curvaceous figure, and her snow-white skin was tantalizingly visible beneath the fabric, making one’s head spin.
“No, thank you.”
Lu Ming wiped away a nosebleed and refused.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but mutter to himself, Lust is a knife over the head; every stroke ages you.
Lust is a knife over the head; you might dodge one slash, but you won't dodge the whole combo...
Don’t ask why Lu Ming refused so decisively.
The Joyous Union Sect token hanging from the woman’s waist was simply too terrifying.
He had no desire to be sucked dry at his peak.
Seeing Lu Ming’s state and how he still managed to refuse her, the woman was momentarily stunned.
Before she could try to persuade him further, Lu Ming turned and walked away without hesitation.
“Woof, woof?” Boss, are you hurt?
“Yes, internal injuries.”
As Lu Ming continued walking inward, a short, sharp-featured man with a sycophantic smile approached them.
“Senior, do you need a guide?”
Looking at the Qi Refining cultivator, Lu Ming thought for a moment before replying, “Sure.”
He felt he needed to get a grasp of the situation here.
He also wanted to learn more about the Northern Province.
Through Diao San’s introduction, Lu Ming gained a basic understanding of Black Fiend City.
The city was named Black Fiend City because it was ruled by its City Lord, the Black Fiend Demon Lord.
Law and order within the city were relatively stable, with no open slaughter permitted...
“Diao San, why are the women of the Joyous Union Sect doing business so openly in the city?”
“Senior, trading with them doesn’t cost any money. Well... they only absorb a portion of your cultivation...”
Hearing this, Lu Ming’s mouth twitched.
As expected of the Joyous Union Sect.
Afterward, Diao San led Lu Ming to an inn to settle in.
“Come back tomorrow.” Lu Ming tossed five spirit stones to Diao San.
Diao San was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly. “Thank you, Senior! Thank you, Senior!”
They had originally agreed on only three spirit stones.
That night, Lu Ming took Big Yellow to the black market of Black Fiend City to sell some items.
One only had to pay a stall fee to enter, and their safety would be guaranteed.
You could safely sell whatever you wished.
Nearby, Wen Ruyu squatted in front of their stall, his face filled with shock.
He stared at the familiar beggar-beating staffs laid out on display—one of which was his very own.
Rate on N.U.
