Chapter 14: Explosive Yuan Pill . . .
The following day, Ye Yuan revisited the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion, noticing a distinct change in the way the employees regarded him. The events of the previous day had elevated him from a mere silkpants to a figure of admiration among the staff.
Accustomed to such attention from his past life, Ye Yuan took it in stride. His purpose for returning to the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion was straightforward – to gather medicinal herbs. In his current quest for strength, Ye Yuan recognized the pivotal role of pills as stimulants. Neglecting to utilize his Alchemy Emperor abilities would be a foolish oversight.
Despite an abundance of pill formulas in his mind, Ye Yuan's current ability to refine medicinal pills was limited. Restricted to crafting only Tier 1 medicinal pills, he relied on his formidable soul as a support. Without this support, his First Level Essence Qi Realm cultivation would render him incapable of producing anything beyond medicinal dregs.
In his nocturnal search for Tier 1 medicinal pills in his memories, Ye Yuan settled on the Explosive Yuan Pill as the most suitable option. This high-grade Tier 1 pill was designed to explosively increase essence energy, a crucial attribute in Ye Yuan's pursuit of strength.
While Essence Qi Pills circulated in the market to aid Essence Qi Realm martial artists, they were unsuitable for ordinary practitioners. Ordinary martial artists typically underwent intense cultivation to enhance their strength rather than relying on such high-quality pills. Although an Essence Qi Pill could expedite the cultivation process, the cost and rarity made it an impractical choice for most.
Ye Yuan, however, had the means and resources to afford such pills. Yet, he found Essence Qi Pills inadequate for his goals. The Explosive Yuan Pill, an upgraded version, offered several times the medicinal effects of its predecessor, making it the ideal choice for Ye Yuan's strength enhancement.
Arriving at the Fragrant Medicine Pavilion, the shopkeeper greeted Ye Yuan warmly, signaling a change in demeanor from the previous day. Ye Yuan, without acknowledging the shift, provided the shopkeeper with a prescription containing the required medicinal herbs for the Explosive Yuan Pill.
The shopkeeper, after perusing the list, hesitated and then brought to Ye Yuan's attention an issue with the availability of Six Leaf Grass. Although not a rare herb, the shopkeeper explained that they normally kept minimal stock of it. To Ye Yuan's surprise, all three portions of Six Leaf Grass in their inventory had been reserved and deposited by someone the day before.
Concerned that Ye Yuan might react adversely, the shopkeeper cautiously conveyed this information. However, Ye Yuan, displaying an unusual calmness, inquired about the person who had reserved the herbs and asked when they would collect them. The shopkeeper, initially apprehensive, shared that it was a youth of similar age to Ye Yuan, and the reserved herbs were needed urgently.
Assuring the shopkeeper that he had no intention of disrupting the reservation, Ye Yuan expressed a desire to have a conversation with the youth who had reserved the herbs. The shopkeeper, initially wary, was relieved to hear Ye Yuan's reassurance and marveled at the apparent change in the young master's demeanor.
The current state of the shopkeeper left him uncertain about whether this young master had genuinely undergone a change in personality. However, as Ye Yuan displayed no signs of departing, it seemed clear that he was resolute in obtaining the three stalks of Six Leaf Grass.
"He mentioned he'd come early in the morning for the collection. Given his urgency, he's likely to arrive soon," the shopkeeper confessed helplessly, unable to conceal the truth.
Acknowledging this, Ye Yuan settled into a quiet spot, choosing to meditate with closed eyes, paying little heed to the shopkeeper's disquiet. The shopkeeper, resigning himself to the situation, hoped fervently that this young master would not stir up any trouble. His concern stemmed not from fear for Ye Yuan but rather from the indelible impression the young master had left on everyone in the past.
After the duration of a brief tea break, Ye Yuan, still in meditation, suddenly heard an impatient voice.
"Shopkeeper, I've come to collect the Six Leaf Grass I reserved yesterday."
"This...," once again, the shopkeeper's face contorted with difficulty.
The newcomer, a youth around 15 or 16, upon seeing the shopkeeper's expressions, urgently exclaimed, "Shopkeeper, we had an agreement yesterday, and you even accepted the deposit. You can't renege on our deal!"
"We would never renege on our word, especially after receiving a deposit. I just wanted to inquire, my friend, what is your purpose for acquiring this Six Leaf Grass?" Ye Yuan interjected.
The one addressing him was none other than Ye Yuan.
Turning his gaze toward a youth of similar age, clad in silk attire, the newcomer displayed a less-than-amiable reaction. "What's it to you?"
The shopkeeper, alarmed, hesitated to intervene. Was this youth courting trouble by provoking the young master? Just as he was about to voice his concerns, Ye Yuan's eyes communicated a silent message, restraining him.
Smiling, Ye Yuan continued, "Certainly, it's none of my concern. I was merely curious why you opted for medicinal herbs instead of a finished product. Are you planning to refine them yourself? There are three Tier 1 pills that require Six Leaf Grass for refinement. Allow me to hazard a guess. The first is the Heavenly Spiritual Pill, designed for breaking through the Spirit Condensation Realm. However, given your current Fourth Level Essence Qi Realm, it's unlikely you're seeking this type of pill. The second is the Pure Heart Pill, known for maintaining mental clarity and dispelling Heart Demons. Since you're not at a bottleneck, this pill might not be your objective either. The third is the Great Returning Pill, a sacred Tier 1 healing medicine. Judging by your urgency, could it be that a loved one is severely injured, and you require this specific pill to save their life?"
The youth's jaw dropped in astonishment, gazing at Ye Yuan in shock. He was not only surprised by Ye Yuan's extensive knowledge of medicinal matters but also captivated by the penetrating insight reflected in Ye Yuan's torch-like eyes. Ye Yuan's analysis seemed as if he had witnessed the situation firsthand, and, in truth, Ye Yuan had precisely hit the mark.