34: Flawed pills

The Liu Family's second brother, Second Uncle (steady and slightly plump), and the third brother, Third Uncle (an Alchemist dressed in plain robes), arrived together.

Both were of stout build, yet their temperaments were worlds apart.

When they heard that the "fire origin pill" Pill Formula, which the Family regarded as its lifeblood, was to be transcribed for an outsider.

Especially a strange old man at the Qi Refinement Stage.

This caused Third Uncle to explode instantly!

The two entered the reception hall and spoke up as soon as they were seated.

"Sister-in-law, what is going on?!

I heard the Pill Formula is to be passed to an unrelated person?!"

Third Uncle's beard and hair bristled as he slammed the table, making the teacups jump.

"I absolutely disagree! Even if he cured the girl Liu Yan, it's still a no!

How can the foundation of the Liu Family be so easily given away?

If we are to thank him, we will prepare another generous gift. As for the Pill Formula, do not mention it again!"

The silent Second Uncle also nodded slightly, clearly standing by his younger brother's side.

Lu Yang sneered upon hearing this, his voice not loud but clearly piercing:

"Heh, if this Pill Formula were truly as miraculous as you claim, why would the Liu Family be confined to a corner of Jiangzhou?

You would have likely become a titan like the Great Yan Dynasty long ago, wouldn't you? Why the need to cherish it like a worthless broom here?"

"Arrogant!"

Third Uncle was already fuming, and now he was completely ignited by the mockery of this old man at the Qi Refining stage.

"Old man, what do you know of the Dao of Alchemy? Just because you've lived a few more years, you dare to spout nonsense here?

Don't forget you are merely at the Qi Refining cultivation level!"

Lu Yang's eyes were calm as he met Third Uncle's fiery gaze and said indifferently:

"In that case, why not take out a finished Medicinal Pill for me to see?

I, Lu, also know a thing or two about the Dao of Alchemy.

By observing its shape and color, I might be able to tell its quality.

If it is truly flawless as you say, I, Lu Yang, will never mention the Pill Formula again!"

Second Uncle and Third Uncle exchanged a look and consulted in low voices for a moment.

Although Third Uncle was angry, he also had a thought to see what kind of nonsense this old man could come up with, and finally snorted coldly:

"Fine! I'll let you give up hope!"

Liu Yu sighed softly, took a warm Jade Bottle from her Storage Pouch, and carefully poured out a crimson Medicinal Pill the size of a longan.

As soon as the Medicinal Pill appeared, a rich but slightly dry and hot medicinal fragrance spread.

Lu Yang took the Medicinal Pill, placed it in his palm, and examined it intently.

He gently rolled it between his fingers to feel its texture, brought it to his nose to sniff its scent, and even used a trace of weak spiritual power to probe inside and sense its inherent medicinal properties.

Finally, he frowned slightly and muttered, "This pill... the main material should be the Low Grade Second-Rank Scarlet Flame Earth-Core Vine."

"Although this item contains pure fire element to aid cultivation, the vine's core is dry and fierce."

"If handled improperly or if the auxiliary Materials are mismatched, it's very easy for pill toxins to remain, which will accumulate over time and cause significant harm."

Lu Yang looked up at the Liu brothers: "Since it is an ancient pill recipe Legacy, it naturally has its merits."

"Such an obvious flaw of dry toxin was definitely not the work of the person who created the Pill Formula."

"The problem must lie in the refinement itself, or... an error in material substitution!"

Lu Yang's thoughts became clearer:

"Many ancient spirit plants have gone extinct."

"Refinement in later generations must involve finding substitutes with similar medicinal properties."

"If the substitute is chosen improperly, failing to completely neutralize the intensity of certain Materials in the original Pill Formula or introducing new imbalances, toxins will accumulate without one's knowledge!"

He handed the Medicinal Pill back to Liu Yu, his gaze sweeping over the slightly bloated physiques of Second Uncle and Third Uncle, a knowing smile playing on his lips:

"Do you two often suffer from a dry mouth, a bloated yet weak body, lack of energy during the day, but find it hard to sleep due to heat at night?"

"Furthermore, when circulating your Qi, do you often feel your spiritual power is sluggish, making it difficult to complete a full cycle smoothly?"

Second Uncle and Third Uncle's faces changed drastically upon hearing this, their eyes filled with shock!

These were exactly the hidden ailments they had suffered from in recent years but found difficult to speak of!

"You... how did you know?!" Third Uncle asked, losing his voice.

"How did I know?" Lu Yang's voice turned cold. "This is the result of being poisoned by pill toxins without knowing it!"

"Absurd!"

Third Uncle retorted sharply, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

These Medicinal Pills were all made by him.

To say they were poisoned by pill toxins now was as good as saying his Alchemy skills were lacking.

"This Pill Formula was painstakingly improved by my grandfather, the dignified Third-Rank Alchemist Great Master Liu Xuanfeng!"

"He spent his whole life immersed in the Dao of Alchemy; how could he make a mistake?"

"Furthermore, if there truly were pill toxins, why is the Family Head unharmed?" Third Uncle finished and pointed at Liu Yu.

"I wondered who it was; just a mere Third-Rank Alchemist."

Lu Yang's tone was flat, yet it carried an air of indifferent oversight. "Know that in the Major Thousand Worlds, there are more than ten thousand types of first and second-rank spirit plants."

"Each has vastly different characteristics; their effects when refined into pills or consumed raw are worlds apart!"

"Ordinary Alchemists only know how to follow instructions and refine pills according to formulas. Their understanding of the Origin medicinal properties of spirit plants is so superficial!"

"Making mistakes is only natural; even fifth or sixth-rank Alchemists are not immune."

"Unless..."

Lu Yang's eyes were like torches as he swept them over Third Uncle:

"Unless one can deeply study the spirit plant and Hundred Herbs Catalog and improve their Spirit Plant Technique,"

"thereby gaining insight into the Origin of all things' medicinal properties, supplemented by profound alchemical arts, can one avoid such errors and become a true master of the Dao of Alchemy!"

"Nonsense!" Second Uncle couldn't help but scold. "You, a minor cultivator at the Qi Refining stage, dare to talk about the art of Alchemy?"

"Qi Refinement Stage?" Lu Yang laughed loudly, his Aura rising sharply. "I, Lu, am humble, but I happen to be a Third-Rank Alchemist!"

"Bullshit!" Third Uncle trembled with rage, pointing at Lu Yang's nose and cursing.

"A Third-Rank Alchemist requires the Divine Sense of the Foundation Establishment Stage to control the alchemical fire and harmonize the medicinal properties!"

"I myself do not dare to boast of being at the third rank, yet you, a Qi Refining ant, dare to speak so boastfully?!"

"Whether it is true or not, one test will tell!"

Lu Yang stood with his hands behind his back, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Third Master Liu, do you dare to compete with me on the spot to see who refines pills better,"

“then we shall know who is talking nonsense and who is... stuck in their ways!"