The effects of the Hundred-Forged Secret Medicine were undeniable. Ye Chen could feel his body growing tougher, more refined. However, the process was excruciating. Unlike the soothing Qingyuan Secret Medicine, the Hundred-Forged was a relentless, burning refinement of the body, allowing only two servings per day.
Two months passed in grueling cultivation.
Despite exhausting his supply of the Hundred-Forged Secret Medicine, Ye Chen had only just broken through to the Stone Skin Great Accomplishment Realm. By comparison, a genius with this much medicine would have likely advanced to the Iron Skin Realm. Ye Chen's progress was proof of his unwavering determination, even if his talent for understanding martial arts lagged behind.
The Qinggang Hand, his primary microdermabrasion martial art, remained at Basic Accomplishment, despite his breakthrough in physical cultivation. This imbalance underscored the challenges he faced. His attempt to simultaneously practice the Fengying Leg, another microdermabrasion technique, had barely advanced beyond the skin-quenching stage, let alone reaching Stone Skin.
The realization hit hard: practicing multiple microdermabrasion martial arts simultaneously was a monumental challenge, one that required immense time, effort, and resources.
As Ye Chen reflected on his progress, a glimmer of hope sparked in his mind. "Ten days," he thought. "Ten more days until the one-year mark. Surviving another year means another Dao Fruit. Perhaps this one will aid my cultivation!"
He spent the next ten days resting, allowing his body to recover from the relentless strain of training.
When the day finally came, the world seemed to shift around him. A surge of energy coursed through his body, and in his mind, a radiant Dao Fruit materialized, merging seamlessly into him.
[Dao Fruit: Alchemy]
Ye Chen's initial excitement turned to disappointment. This wasn't the Dao Fruit he had hoped for. It wouldn't directly enhance his cultivation or accelerate his martial arts practice. However, as he pondered its significance, realization dawned: this Dao Fruit could make him an alchemist.
Alchemy was a highly revered profession. Secret medicines were always in demand, their utility far surpassing that of weapons forged by blacksmiths. An alchemist could command immense wealth and status. More importantly, an alchemist could refine high-quality secret medicines for personal use—medicines far superior to those available for purchase.
Yet Ye Chen understood the risks. Becoming both an intermediate blacksmith and an alchemist would draw too much attention. Powerful factions in the inner city might attempt to control him, stripping away his freedom. To avoid this, he decided to keep his new talent hidden, refining medicines only for himself.
Ye Chen set his sights on the black market in White Night City's outer district—a chaotic underground network of stalls and traders dealing in rare and often illicit goods. Entry alone cost two silver taels, a price many outer-city martial artists couldn't afford.
The market was a maze of opportunity and deception. Stalls displayed supposed treasures, many of which were fakes. Even the secret medicines on sale were dubious, with some rumored to transform excessive users into half-monsters. Caution was paramount.
Ye Chen searched for a reliable alchemy manual. After hours of scanning stalls, he came across a merchant hawking secret books. Among them was an Introduction to Alchemy.
"Is this authentic?" Ye Chen asked, his tone calm but firm.
The stall owner, a grizzled man with a shifty gaze, smirked. "Of course. Three pages for you to verify. Take it or leave it."
Ye Chen flipped through the offered pages, his Alchemy Dao Fruit quietly assessing the text. The verdict was immediate—it was a forgery.
"This is a fake," Ye Chen declared, placing the book back.
The merchant's demeanor shifted. "What makes you say that? You have no proof!"
Ye Chen pointed to specific passages. "Here, here, and here. Errors in foundational principles. Don't waste my time."
The merchant's eyes narrowed, but he produced another book from beneath his stall. "Fine. Take a look at this—Cang Yuanzi's Pharmaceutical Record."
This time, the Dao Fruit confirmed the book's authenticity. Ye Chen haggled the price down to fifty silver taels, knowing he could have gone lower but valuing the opportunity to obtain a genuine alchemy manual.
In a secluded corner, Ye Chen eagerly devoured the knowledge in Cang Yuanzi's Pharmaceutical Record. It detailed not only alchemical theory but also three recipes for high-quality microdermabrasion secret medicines.
"It's real," he muttered, his heart pounding with excitement. The recipes were intricate but within reach. The main ingredients were common medicinal herbs, easily acquired from local pharmacies. The true challenge lay in sourcing Monster Blood, the vital catalyst.
Ye Chen returned to the black market, where Monster Blood was rumored to be sold. Navigating its dangerous underbelly would require caution. But for Ye Chen, the prospect of mastering alchemy—and accelerating his journey to greatness—was worth the risk.