409: Chapter 49 Second-Rank Alchemist!

The alchemy department of the logistics office was located in a relatively independent and quiet area within Zhenhai City.

Unlike the continuous rows of tents outside the city, rows of single-story houses built from sturdy stone stood here.

Above the lintel of each room, there were clear numbers and functional labels.

The air was permeated with a faint, strange fragrance from the mixture of various medicinal herbs.

Sometimes it was fresh, sometimes bitter, and sometimes scorching hot.

The leading soldier brought Qin Yan to one of the houses labeled "Ding-7 Refining Room" and stopped.

"Alchemist Qin, this is the independent refining room allocated for your use."

The soldier's tone was respectful; he clearly held alchemists in high regard.

He took out a jade plate engraved with formation patterns and pressed it into a groove beside the door.

With a soft "hum," the stone door slowly slid to one side.

"The room is equipped with a standard-issue 'Earth Fire Gold-Melting Furnace'.

The operation manual, along with the list and requirements for the Second-Grade pills currently needed by the military, have been placed on the jade desk to the left."

The soldier introduced the room concisely while leading Qin Yan inside.

"What you need to do is arrange your own time and progress to refine the corresponding types and quantities of pills according to the list."

"Every ten days, the military headquarters will send someone to collect, count, and record the points.

If there are special emergency needs during this period, urgent tasks may be assigned temporarily, and someone will notify you then."

"The basic medicinal herbs required for refining will be delivered to the door by specialized soldiers every morning.

If special or extra herbs are needed, you can fill out an application form, and someone will review and deliver them."

"The room is equipped with a simple rest area and a washroom.

If there are no other instructions, Alchemist Qin can refine here in peace.

Unless there is something important, please do not leave the refining area at will to avoid interfering with others or causing unnecessary trouble."

After finishing his explanation, the soldier bowed to Qin Yan again: "I wish Alchemist Qin a smooth refining process."

After saying that, he respectfully withdrew, and the stone door slowly closed, cutting off the noise from the outside world.

Qin Yan let out a breath. That soldier had rambled on and on; only now did he finally have time to carefully look over his own "studio."

The indoor space was larger than he had expected, about one hundred and twenty to thirty square meters.

In the center of the room stood a three-legged Pill Furnace, nearly as tall as a person, dark gold in color, and ancient and heavy in design.

The bottom of the furnace was connected to pipes deep underground. It could clearly draw stable earth fire directly, which was particularly important for alchemists at the low-rank martial artist level.

Against the left wall was a wide jade desk.

On it were neatly placed a thick paper booklet, as well as brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

On the right side, a simple screen partitioned off a small area.

Inside were a hard bed, a wardrobe, and a simple set of toiletries, serving as a rest area.

Qin Yan walked to the jade desk on the left and first picked up that thick booklet—'Zhenhai Military Supply Second-Grade Pill Refining Specifications and Directory'.

Opening the booklet, he found dozens of types of Second-Grade pills frequently needed by the military, listed in detail by category.

From the most basic "Blood-Stanching Pill" and "bone forging pill" to various functional ones like the "Barrier-Breaking Pill," "Waterproofing Pill," "Anti-Toxin Pill," and so on.

However, Qin Yan only skimmed a few pages before his brows furrowed slightly, and he subsequently closed the manual.

The reason was simple—he was still only a "First-Grade Alchemist"!

Although he had previously claimed to be second-grade, that was more based on confidence in his panel abilities and a temporary measure at the time.

In reality, his alchemy skill was clearly displayed on the panel as [First-Grade Alchemist (34%)].

He currently couldn't refine Second-Grade pills at all.

"In that case..."

"I'll just level up to Second-Grade Alchemist first!"

He looked at the remaining 20 Skill Points and, without hesitation, invested them all into the [Alchemy] column!

"Boom!"

It was as if a flood of knowledge, experience, and insights surged into Qin Yan's mind out of thin air!

Countless details about the growth habits of medicinal herbs, their medicinal properties, interactions, and their applications in alchemy appeared.

The evolutionary principles of various foundations and Pill Formulas, and the thousands of key points for grasping the timing of pill condensation...

Like a brand, they were deeply etched into his memory and instincts.

This knowledge was not rote memorization but was accompanied by a muscle memory and intuitive understanding as if he had "personally practiced it thousands of times."

He seemed to "see" himself going through countless failed and successful refining processes, moving from unfamiliarity to proficiency, and then to total mastery of various common Second-Grade pills.

This process lasted for about fifteen minutes.

When all the information flow settled, Qin Yan slowly opened his eyes.

He called up the panel, and his gaze fell upon the Alchemy section!

[Alchemy: Second-Grade Alchemist (17%)]

It worked!

The corners of Qin Yan's mouth curled up as he picked up the booklet again to read.

This time, looking at the pills listed, the feeling was completely different.

Most of the Second-Grade pills recorded in the manual were ones he had just "witnessed" in that epiphany-like inheritance of alchemy knowledge; he could even be said to have "perfectly mastered" them.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the alchemy realm displayed on the panel was only [Second-Grade Alchemist (17%)].

Qin Yan knew very well that what this "Second-Grade" covered was a nearly complete Second-Grade alchemy system inherited through the system's infusion!

Even with only 17% integration, the variety and quantity of Second-Grade pills he could master and proficiently refine were terrifying.

Qin Yan's eyes quickly swept over the manual, finally stopping at one entry:

[bone forging pill]

Grade: Second-Grade

Effect: Strengthens bones, significantly accelerating the cultivation process for Second Grade Bone Forging Realm martial artists.

Points per pill: 15 points

"The mainstream for Second-Rank Martial Artists is the Bone Forging Realm. This bone forging pill is exactly one of the most common basic pills they use, and the demand is enormous.

The points given are also considered above average among Second-Grade pills."

Qin Yan calculated in his heart and quickly made a decision.

"Tomorrow, I'll start with this bone forging pill."

Since there were no materials for refining pills in the room right now, he couldn't start the furnace today.

He didn't waste time either. With a thought, the ink trace long spear was already in his hand.

Although the space in the alchemy room was not particularly wide, it was enough for practicing basic spear forms.

Qin Yan focused his mind, no longer thinking about alchemy, and poured all his attention into his Spear Technique.

The night passed in silence, with only the shadows of the spear flying and the occasional faint humming from the earth fire pipes for company.

...

The next day, August 11th.

Before dawn, footsteps were heard outside the door.

A young soldier wearing the uniform of the logistics department, with an aura around the second rank, arrived at the door of the Ding-7 alchemy room.

"Alchemist Qin, here are your refining materials for today."

The soldier placed the cloth bag in the designated area at the door and said respectfully, "Please check the seals and the invoice, and sign for them once you've confirmed everything is correct."

Qin Yan walked out of the alchemy room and opened the cloth bag.