After meeting at the restaurant, Tian Feirong and Xiaopang returned to the Shangmeng side. They planned to leave after resolving the matters here.
The next day, Yan Dan Shi came to find Gu Yao to go to the Dan Shi Tang together. This time they should be able to obtain more materials. Yan Dan Shi was very excited and spoke many good words about Shangmeng, saying, "I wonder if Shangmeng is recruiting alchemists. After this matter, I want to go to Shangmeng. I heard that the treatment for casual cultivators there is much better than wandering alone outside."
Gu Yao laughed, "Of course you can. After all, you are a seventh-grade alchemist and have the hope of advancing further. I think Shangmeng still welcomes seventh-grade alchemists."
However, Gu Yao suggested that Yan Dan Shi might consider changing careers, as there are some positions more suitable for him than being an alchemist.
The two went to the Dan Shi Tang, with Gu Yao leading the way and Yan Dan Shi following not too far behind. Many alchemists had such attendants and guards around them, as in the eyes of the world, the combat effectiveness of alchemists was not great, and they could not afford to be negligent in terms of safety. Moreover, cultivators skilled in combat were willing to follow an alchemist.When they arrived at the Alchemist Hall, they found that alchemists who were not usually seen gathered here. Yan Dan Shi stopped someone and inquired about the situation, only to find out that Han Dan Shi was about to arrive and inquire about the recent research achievements of these alchemists.
Some were excited, while others were anxious.
Some said that it seemed that there were suggestions from above, and some were simply wasting resources here. Therefore, it was very likely that the distribution of spiritual herbs would be arranged based on the progress of each alchemist.
The excited ones were very confident in their alchemy skills, and they hoped to get a chance to interact with a sixth-grade alchemist. They believed that receiving a few pointers from a sixth-grade alchemist would be more beneficial than spending months or years immersed in their own research.
Yan Dan Shi was anxious because he was one of the alchemists who had been busy but made little progress. He was worried about leaving a bad impression on Han Dan Shi and the people in Shangmeng. He asked Gu Yao, "What should we do now?"
Gu Yao reassured him, "It's okay. Some people focus on long-term research, while others follow the routine to refine elixirs. The latter does not mean they are not needed."
"Really?" Yan Dan Shi sought confirmation.
"Really." Gu Yao actually wanted to say, "Are you really not considering changing careers?"
After waiting for a while, Han Dan Shi finally appeared with the accompaniment of the city lord and others from Shangmeng. The steward of the city lord's mansion announced a new rule on the spot: "... Today, Han Dan Shi will personally preside over the Alchemist Hall to provide the greatest support to alchemists in need. Of course, the city lord's mansion will also provide generous rewards to other alchemists. We hope everyone can continue to provide the needed elixirs for the cultivators who are clearing out demons in our city."Qi Yi also stood aside, looking at the alchemists present. He glanced around, wanting to see if there was anyone who was Yao Dan Shi or Gu Dan Shi. In the end, he couldn't help but smile. No wonder no one could find them outside. Even he couldn't distinguish them from the faces of these alchemists. This disguise technique was truly remarkable.
Some of the alchemists present were quite old, with bushy eyebrows and beards. They usually carried themselves with dignity, but today they were very excited and eagerly approached to share their recent progress and ideas with Han Dan Shi, hoping to receive guidance from him.
Gu Yao raised an eyebrow discreetly and stood by with a humble appearance, but he listened carefully with his ears perked up. This was the opportunity he needed. He discreetly observed Han Chi's expression, wondering if he was genuinely here to avoid wasting materials or for some other purpose. At that moment, he saw Ning Hui scrutinizing the alchemists with a suspicious look, and immediately averted his gaze.
Ning Hui was highly skeptical of Liu Shidi's words. Today presented the perfect opportunity for him to personally observe. After arriving in Qianhao Continent, he had an image of Gu Yao under the alias of Yao Dan Shi in his hands. Comparing it to his memory of Gu Yao, he found that it was the same person, just with a different face. So, he carefully searched among the alchemists for anyone with a similar build and physique, silently noting a few suspicious individuals.Gu Yao was completely unaware of Ning Hui's thoughts. He was now a slightly chubby cultivator with very fair skin, seemingly due to the lack of exercise common among alchemists. So, Ning Hui's gaze lingered on him for a moment before moving away.
Wait, there was another gaze that stayed on him for some time, different from Ning Hui's scrutiny. Gu Yao was worried about revealing something, so he didn't look up to see who it was.
As Han Chi became increasingly impatient, Gu Yao listened very attentively. Each person had their own expertise, and combining others' strengths with one's own for verification could be considered somewhat rewarding. Some alchemists took a different approach, sounding impressive but ultimately empty. However, Gu Yao found it quite interesting. Although it might not be useful for now, he could try it out when he had time in the future.
Yan Dan Shi returned with a sense of disappointment. His alchemy skills were indeed average, and facing this unfamiliar toxin, he couldn't come up with any constructive ideas. Naturally, he didn't receive a favorable response from Han Chi. Even the alchemists from Changxian Sect looked down on him, as if accusing him of coming in to deceive them for spiritual herbs.
Gu Yao reported his progress with a slightly hoarse voice, which was only slightly better than average. He also received several disdainful glances, causing him to lower his head with a look of shame.Returning to his seat, Yan Dan Shi poked Gu Yao and said, "We're like brothers in adversity. Fortunately, the Lord's Mansion is still considerate. Let's continue to focus on alchemy in the future." There was still a great demand for elixirs within the city, so they still had a place to contribute.
"Okay," Gu Yao replied with a smile.
Finally, the gathering dispersed. Gu Yao received a very limited amount of spiritual herbs and also obtained materials for refining qi-replenishing and healing elixirs. He needed to produce a certain amount of elixirs within a specified time, and someone would come to collect them. Naturally, Gu Yao agreed to this.
On the way back, Ning Hui still had a furrowed brow. Liu Dan Shi asked with concern, "Senior Brother, what are you thinking?"
Ning Hui shook his head, feeling somewhat disappointed with today's results. The two alchemists he had focused on showed no outstanding qualities, appearing mediocre compared to those he had encountered in the secret realm. Suddenly, he remembered something and asked, "How about the movements of the commercial alliance that you were asked to keep an eye on? Have they had any special contact with any of the alchemists?"
Liu Dan Shi thought for a moment and said, "No, they haven't. Up to now, they haven't had any contact with any alchemist other than us. As long as they're not foolish, they know how to choose. Can those guys' alchemy skills compare to Senior Brother's?"
Ning Hui sighed, "Forget it, let's go back. Developing the antidote is the most important thing now."
Although he said this, Ning Hui felt somewhat uneasy. The toxin encountered this time seemed to combine previously difficult-to-solve poisons, making it even more challenging. He still had no clue about it, and it was evident that even his master didn't know where to start. The ideas of those alchemists today seemed to be of little help.
He was worried that if he couldn't solve this poison, it would affect his master's and Changxian Sect's reputation in alchemy. Although the matter of the Spirit Tempering Elixir could be attributed to Li Qi, if it happened repeatedly, it would inevitably make people feel that the alchemy skills of Changxian Sect's alchemists were overrated.
In fact, the highest in alchemy at Changxian Sect was not his master Han Chi, but Master Wu Dan. Previously, there were rumors outside that Master Wu Dan was the alchemist who created these poisons. If Master Wu Dan came forward to research the antidote, it would be more convincing. However, he had not seen Master Wu Dan appear, and his master had also told him not to interfere.Gu Yao returned to his residence and immediately began refining a batch of elixirs. He had to ensure the quality of this batch, and it took a lot of effort to produce a batch of mid-grade elixirs. He left them for Chi Changye and others to collect when the time came, and then immersed himself in his laboratory. With an abundance of spiritual herbs, he couldn't wait to put his various ideas into practice.
Chi Changye walked into the laboratory, relieved that no one else had entered. The security here was also very tight, so no one saw the various materials piled on the floor and table, as well as the various test tubes and the spiritual fluids extracted from them.
What amused Chi Changye the most was the black jade ribbon in Gu Yao's hand. It fluttered on the table a couple of times and then lay still, like a true lifeless object.
Gu Yao looked at the transparent test tube in his hand. The originally dark red blood, when gently shaken, began to fade from black, until it finally returned to its original blood-red color. Chi Changye raised an eyebrow, unsurprised and quite pleased.
Xu Chen also floated in mid-air, focusing on the blood in the transparent test tube with Gu Yao. At this point, he clapped his hands and said, "It looks like we've made some initial success. However, whether it can have an effect on cultivators and whether there will be any other effects, we still need a cultivator to personally test it.""Oh, I didn't expect that the giant kelp we salvaged from the seabed would have such an effect."
Xu Chen laughed heartily, and the giant kelp unwillingly moved a bit. Gu Yao hurriedly comforted it, patting it gently, "This time, Mo Yu has made a great contribution."
With a "swoosh," Mo Yu quickly returned to Gu Yao's waist, obediently resuming its role as a regular belt.
Gu Yao had considered several detoxification methods, all involving using poison to counteract poison. Therefore, among the materials sent by Qian Zhige, there were quite a few poisonous substances, including toxic plants and venom from poisonous insects. After trying several methods, he finally turned his attention to the giant kelp. The poison of the giant kelp could actually corrode and even devour spiritual consciousness and soul to a certain extent.
Chi Changye was quite pleased and stood with his arms crossed, reminding, "There's something else to consider. If this antidote really works, Xiao Yao, do you intend to hand over this giant kelp?"
"Um..." Gu Yao looked down at Mo Yu around his waist. Mo Yu seemed to tremble slightly, prompting him to press on his brow. "Of course not. It looks like we need to come up with a better plan."
Mo Yu's ability was very special. If it was exposed, the inevitable result would be the loss of Mo Yu. However, Mo Yu's venom was also very unique. It was different from the marine plants it had devoured, and even if those plants were useful, being devoured by the giant kelp would quickly lead to their extinction. In the short term, they couldn't grow to the required scale.