He soon realized something wasn't right.
"Pah!"
"Who says I'm getting rich!"
"I almost forgot that this is the Cultivation World, where the law of the jungle prevails, and might makes right. What use is having wealth if it just makes you a target for others?"
"I need to consume it myself to enhance my strength."
"With my talent for cultivation, relying on myself alone, I would probably never break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage in this lifetime."
"So, I still need to rely on popping pills... no, taking elixirs."
Having realized this, Lin Jing didn't hesitate any longer and decided to try it out for himself first.
He took a Fasting Pill and put it in his mouth; the elixir immediately dissolved and went straight down his throat into his stomach.
Suddenly, a feeling of fullness spread out, leaving a sweet aftertaste in his mouth.
"The introduction mentioned that taking one Fasting Pill could keep you from needing food for at least three days, but I wonder how effective the one I refined is?"
It was time to test the effects.
After completing the alchemy, Lin Jing didn't stay in the System Space any longer but chose to go out first.
Since he had decided to improve his strength by taking elixirs, what was most important now was to get a complete book on Alchemy Technique.
The Alchemy Technique he was currently studying was terribly unreliable, with a high failure rate. Continuing this way, he feared it wouldn't be long before his resources ran out.
"It looks like I'll need to take a trip to Yuebaolou tomorrow."
......
The next day, Lin Jing got up only when the sun was already three poles high.
Perhaps because alchemy had drained so much energy yesterday, he had slept especially deeply last night.
Even after such a long sleep, he was still a bit groggy when he woke up.
Since he had taken a Fasting Pill last night, he didn't feel hungry at all now.
After getting up and washing up, Lin Jing left the house and went straight to Yuebaolou.
Upon arriving at Yuebaolou, he was received by a different maid this time. Lin Jing explained his purpose, and the maid led him directly to Elder Yu.
"Elder Yu." Lin Jing greeted upon seeing Elder Yu.
"Fellow Daoist is here again today. Are you looking for something else?" Elder Yu asked with a smile.
Lin Jing came forward and whispered, "Elder Yu, do you have any books on Alchemy Technique here?"
Elder Yu was taken aback for a moment and then spoke:
"Did our fellow Daoist fail at alchemy yesterday? Every beginner goes through failure, it's entirely normal for beginners, and you shouldn't blame the Alchemy Technique itself."
"Besides, Alchemy Techniques are very rare; usually, you can hardly see them, so I don't have any here."
"No..." Lin Jing was somewhat disappointed.
"Don't be hasty, my friend. I only said I don't have it here—I didn't say Yuebaolou doesn't have any."
Upon hearing this, Lin Jing's eyes lit up.
"There's still a chance."
Elder Yu continued, "Yuebaolou holds a large trade fair every month, and this fair has all sorts of good items. As long as you have the money, you can buy anything."
"That includes Alchemy Techniques as well."
"Two years ago, someone even bought a book on Alchemy Technique at the fair, reportedly for their family's disciples' cultivation."
"Elder Yu, how many Spirit Stones did that Alchemy Technique book sell for? Do you know?" Lin Jing asked.
"Of course, I remember clearly," Elder Yu said.
"That book on Alchemy Technique sold for 30,000 Spirit Stones."
"The seller was a third-grade Alchemist, and it included the Alchemist's refining experiences."
"If that third-grade Alchemist hadn't been in urgent need of Spirit Stones, it couldn't have been sold that cheaply—it would have been priced at least twenty or thirty percent higher."
"That person really got a huge bargain."
Elder Yu sighed deeply, regretting that he didn't have enough Spirit Stones at the time to make the purchase himself.
Especially for an Alchemy experience book from a third-grade Alchemist, the temptation was not small for any Alchemist.
"If my friend wants to buy an Alchemy book, you'd have to prepare tens of thousands of Spirit Stones at least."
"Tens of thousands..."
Upon hearing this number, Lin Jing's eyes widened in shock, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
It took a while for Lin Jing to regain his composure.
"Hehe..."
Lin Jing suddenly felt a bit awkward.
"I still think my Alchemy book is sufficient for now, so I won't change it."
Seeing his reaction, Elder Yu realized that Lin Jing did not have that much money.
He quickly began to offer guidance: "In Alchemy Technique, the most important thing is one's mindset; as long as the mindset is stable, the success rate will naturally be high."
"Of course, besides mindset, other factors are also crucial, not just the Alchemy Technique itself."
"For example, the cultivator's cultivation level, strength of Divine Sense, Alchemy experience, and control over the flames are all extremely important."
"Besides these, there are some external factors too, like the Pill Furnace, environment, and Spiritual Energy, all of which are essential."
"Thus, an Alchemist must first control their mindset, then improve their own abilities and experiences, and finally address the external environmental factors."
"If you achieve these, the success rate of Alchemy will definitely increase significantly."
"Lastly, if possible, try to find a mentor to guide you."
"It is often said that hearing a wise man's words is better than reading ten years of books; sometimes, a single piece of advice from a teacher can save you many years of research."
"Elder Yu, I am enlightened,"
Lin Jing bowed, paying respects to Elder Yu.
Elder Yu's words profoundly impacted Lin Jing.
"Yes, he's just a Qi Refinement stage level two junior cultivator who thinks he's got it all figured out after only a little study?"
"Steward Li's Alchemy book might have some errors, but the overall direction is correct. I can start with that and gradually gather experience to fill in the gaps."
"After all, I have the System Space, and I won't lack money or have to struggle like other cultivators."
"So, I should focus on improving myself first and worry about changing the Alchemy Technique later."
Elder Yu quickly helped Lin Jing up: "My friend, no need for such formalities, I am merely offering some guidance as a senior to a junior."
"I am Lin Jing; Elder Yu, you can just call me by my name. To respect one as a master, you are the senior, and I dare not accept the title of friend," Lin Jing humbly said.
The term 'senior' directly touched Elder Yu's heart, and he ceased to decline: "In that case, I'll call you Little Lin."
"Little Lin, how many times did you fail at Alchemy yesterday?" Elder Yu asked with the intention to guide.
"Elder Yu, after returning home yesterday, I attempted to refine elixirs in thirteen furnaces, succeeding in just one."
As he spoke, Lin Jing pulled a small porcelain bottle from his pocket and passed it over.
"However, it's only a Low Grade Fasting Pill. I took one, and the remaining two are all here."
"I didn't expect you to succeed," Elder Yu said in surprise.
"It's rare for someone to succeed at their first attempt in Alchemy. When you came to inquire about the Alchemy Technique before, I thought you had failed them all."
"It was pure luck," Lin Jing said.
He was aware that without the existence of the System Space, he would not have had the possibility of success.
Elder Yu, as if seeing Lin Jing for the first time, looked him over carefully.
"There is no luck in Alchemy."
"Little Lin, your talent in Alchemy might not be low."