Gu Yao nodded in acknowledgment, resembling a diligent student. "Alchemy masters are divided into nine ranks, with the lowest being the Ninth Rank Alchemist and the highest being the First Rank Alchemist."
This information was gleaned from the ancient family's collection but was not commonly spoken in the Far Yang Town. Here, the highest rank was thought to be the Eighth Rank Alchemist, existing only within the ancient family, particularly the reclusive foundational ancestor. Hence, practitioners in this town referred to alchemists as low-level, mid-level, and high-level, corresponding to the crafting of low-level, mid-level, and high-level elixirs. Similarly, rune masters were categorized similarly. High-level alchemists and rune masters were highly respected.
Therefore, Gu Yao considered a First Rank Alchemist to be legendary. However, Xu Chen now informed him that the highest level of the alchemy tower corresponded to the realm of a First Rank Alchemist. Could there truly be alchemists reaching such heights? Gu Yao felt a sense of longing.
"The ground floor here is where Ninth Rank Alchemists undergo trials. It contains the books and formulas required to become a Ninth Rank Alchemist. Only those meeting the tower's requirements can proceed to the second floor. Outside the tower, alchemists cultivate various spirit herbs. However, you should have noticed that both the spirit fields and springs are thin on spiritual energy. There are two ways to enhance it," explained Xu Chen, reclining in his chair like a haughty and lazy fox.
"One is by investing spirit pearls and spirit stones. What about the other?" Gu Yao asked with hope, wishing for a more convenient method, as spirit pearls and stones were costly.
"Spirit pearls? What's that?" Xu Chen wrinkled his nose in disdain. "Even low-grade spirit stones are barely acceptable. The second method is to submit the refined elixirs to the alchemy tower. The tower will automatically transform the elixirs into spiritual energy beneficial for the growth of spirit herbs. You can use this spiritual energy for cultivation. The effect is not inferior to consuming spirit elixirs, and it even produces fewer elixir toxins."
If not for the alchemy tower's versatile use, why would so many people vie for it, leading him to a near-death experience? Now, he could only rely on the owner of this treasure to advance quickly.
Xu Chen squinted at Gu Yao, his mood quite subtle. After all his efforts, the one benefiting the most was Gu Yao? It was hard to accept. Although he reluctantly made the treasure acknowledge its master initially, now Gu Yao, with his mediocre cultivation and aptitude, managed to have the treasure recognize him on its own. Such differential treatment was truly...exhilarating.
He only remembered that when the treasure exploded, it scattered into many parts, entering the space cracks. Unsure where they would end up, he infused his soul into the alchemy tower at the critical moment, accompanying it into a hidden realm. Waiting for a suitable practitioner to enter the realm, he unintentionally got entangled in a conspiracy. Breaking through the realm's spatial constraints with his accumulated spiritual power ultimately led to his demise, unexpectedly falling into the hands of this kid Gu Yao. Moreover, this place seemed to be a rather backward cultivation continent.
Life was becoming more regressive, and Xu Chen couldn't help but feel a strange sorrow.
Gu Yao's eyes flickered. Transforming spiritual energy with elixirs? It seemed like there was no need for spirit stones. However, he knew well that elixirs could be sold for spirit stones. He wondered about the quantity of spiritual energy converted by elixirs compared to that obtained by exchanging for spirit stones. One advantage was that the spiritual energy from elixirs could be used for cultivation, minimizing elixir toxins. These were no ordinary benefits, tempting many practitioners to compete for such treasures at the cost of their lives.
It's rare to find someone to talk to, but as soon as Xu Chen saw Gu Yao's stingy appearance, he became instantly irritated.
You should know that initially, he looked down on mid-grade spirit stones, only using top-grade or the best spirit stones. Now, it seems he doesn't even bother with low-grade spirit stones!
"Take your time to consider. I'll go back upstairs. You can read the alchemy books and jade slips here. Remember, quickly improve your alchemy skills. With your lousy talent, if you don't desperately enhance your alchemy and rely on elixirs for cultivation, you might meet an untimely end one day."
Xu Chen left these words and flew upstairs. As for which floor to stay on, he didn't bother telling Gu Yao. Staying longer, and he might be infuriated by Gu Yao first.
Once Xu Chen left, the entire ground floor unfolded before Gu Yao without any obstruction. What delighted him the most was the rows of bookshelves, holding the alchemy books and jade slips he longed for. Touching one and examining another, after reading the alchemy books here, he believed his pharmacological and alchemical skills could reach heights beyond what he achieved in his previous life.
Gu Yao was on the verge of ecstasy. What could be more wonderful in this world than immersing oneself in the arts of pharmacology and alchemy?
Looking down from upstairs, Xu Chen saw Gu Yao's ecstatic appearance and couldn't help but smile. This person seemed like an alchemy enthusiast at such a young age. Could that be why the treasure recognized him?
Well, this question had no answer. It could only be said that his fate with the treasure was more significant than Gu Yao's.
That night, Gu Yao didn't leave his room to eat but immersed himself in the ocean of alchemy books. The herbal catalog alone was much more comprehensive than what he had seen in the ancient family. Gu Yao wished he could collect all the herbs listed, scanning each thoroughly with his spiritual power.
"No, it's time for body refining." Gu Yao suddenly put down the book to remind himself. While he couldn't finish reading the alchemy books, he couldn't neglect body refining for a day. Putting the alchemy books into the alchemy tower, he stood up to leave. However, his stomach growled, and he thought, "Fine, I need to fill my stomach before I can refine my body."