Chapter 50: Within the Cycle of Reincarnation

This world is actually quite simple. More than ten thousand years ago, it was nothing but a mortal realm, with perhaps a few martial artists at most. The entire world was divided into eighteen countries, and wars between countries broke out frequently, while uprisings were constant within the borders. This led to a drastic reduction in the human population.

As people dwindled, beasts claimed more territory. Their rapid reproduction meant their dominion expanded further and further. This vicious cycle left humanity with ever-shrinking space to survive. Just as humankind was on the brink of total defeat, a group of people appeared, calling themselves immortals, though no one knew from which world they had come.

These people helped the few remaining cities by casting protective barriers, giving humanity a chance to breathe. They trained a new generation of martial artists so that when they ventured beyond the city walls in search of food, they could at least defend themselves. Finally, from among the children, they chose those with spiritual roots and taught them the arts of cultivation.

However, many of the newly established families had no idea that the immortals who came then did not belong to a single faction. Each chose a direction, teaching the people of a particular region. Those who learned cultivation gathered together, thus founding the first sects in each area.

Qin Huaying always found this rather strange. Since when was the cultivation world so benevolent? To spend years helping others without seeking any benefit—it defied his experience. He had seen cultivation sects send people to aid mortals, but such help always came at a price: wealth, talented disciples, resources, reputation, or simply because the area was under their jurisdiction, and thus their own people were involved.

But these so-called immortals came from another realm, and at that time, this world was entirely filled with mortals. No matter how gifted a cultivator might be, their body would never withstand the pressure of crossing the world’s barrier membrane. So taking disciples back to their own sect was impossible.

The world was one of mortals, meaning spiritual energy was scarce. The emergence of treasures coveted by cultivators was, therefore, highly unlikely.

No disciples, no treasures—could it be that these immortals braved such a perilous journey through the barriers just to play the role of good Samaritans? Qin Huaying simply could not believe it!

Now, after so many years, the world’s laws had gradually developed and perfected themselves. If people from other worlds tried to meddle now, they would be suppressed by the world’s way. The rules of this world, though different from several small worlds he had visited, had become complete—no longer resembling something artificially distorted. Qin Huaying could only bury his doubts deep in his heart, resolving to ponder them slowly when he had time.

He was a quick learner. In less than a month, he had finished all the basic courses at the Cultivation Hall. After mastering the basics, he no longer needed to spend all day there. Two hours in the morning sufficed for study, leaving the afternoon free for alchemy.

His progress in alchemy was even faster. Having studied it before, the differences here were minor. Six months later, while his peers were still memorizing theory, he was already concocting pills on his own.

Elder Qin watched with delight as Qin Huaying produced his first furnace of pills. Not only was the success rate high, but the appearance of the finished pills was excellent. From a batch of Yuanhua Pills, with a maximum yield of twelve, he made ten, with two being of supreme grade and four of high quality.

“Fuxiu, you seem quite gifted in alchemy. Have you considered specializing in this path?” Elder Qin asked.

Qin Huaying, recalling the proper gesture, slipped the two supreme-grade Yuanhua Pills into his sleeve. He replied, “I think I’ll keep alchemy as a secondary pursuit. Without cultivation, I can’t even refine second-grade pills. No matter how talented I am in alchemy, without sufficient cultivation, it’s useless.”

Elder Qin smiled. “I’m not asking you to neglect cultivation. In fact, focusing on alchemy can also raise your cultivation. Our Qin family has a method for that. If you’re interested, I can lend you the book.”

Delighted, Qin Huaying replied at once, “Then I’ll trouble you for it, Elder!”

Elder Qin was efficient; the very next day, he brought the book. Qin Huaying accepted it respectfully, noting the straightforward title: The Alchemical Classic. Clearly, it dealt with alchemy.

With a casual flip through, Qin Huaying quickly realized the book’s method: raising one’s cultivation by absorbing the energy of medicinal pills. This approach provided rapid advancement in the early stages, but inevitably led to a dead end.

If one began cultivation relying on pill energy, after tempering the bones, the body could no longer accept pure spiritual energy cultivation. Early on, the required pill energy was small, and though it contained impurities, the elemental content was significant. Advancement would allow the body to expel accumulated toxins. But as one’s cultivation rose, the amount of required pill energy increased, and alchemy alone could not keep up. After reaching the “tempering of the heart” stage, only ninth-grade pills could provide enough energy. But ninth-grade pills were as rare as phoenix feathers; gathering the ingredients for even one batch demanded immense effort and backing from a great family. Even with both, the toxins in such high-grade pills were not easily purged, and smaller amounts still accumulated over time. If the toxins surpassed a critical point, the cultivator would be finished.

The book detailed several solutions, but none seemed sustainable to Qin Huaying.

Such texts were likely used by major sects to cultivate alchemists: not caring about their longevity, only their diligence and contribution to the sect. Or perhaps for those with poor aptitude and little future, seeking to boost their pill success rate.

Qin Huaying read the book twice and found nothing particularly insightful. In the Eighth Realm, such a book would only be fit for sale at a street stall, unworthy of serious attention.

The next day in class, he returned The Alchemical Classic to Elder Qin without comment, merely stating that this method did not suit him.

Elder Qin accepted the book without further inquiry, simply saying, “You can now use earthfire to refine first-grade pills. If you have time, take on some simple alchemy tasks at the Mission Hall. Behind the alchemy room is a library; with your identification badge, you’re permitted to read the books on the first floor. However, the library is open only on the first and fifteenth of each month, so plan accordingly. Try to draw spiritual energy into your body as soon as possible. With your talent, refining second-grade pills shouldn’t be difficult once you do.” He patted Qin Huaying’s shoulder encouragingly.

In fact, from the moment he refined his first batch of Yuanhua Pills, Qin Huaying had gained a systematic understanding of the world’s alchemical arts. Having grasped this system, as long as spiritual energy was abundant, even eighth-grade pills would present no challenge to him. He was even confident about ninth-grade pills here.

But without the necessary energy, even the most skilled cook cannot prepare a meal without rice. The meager energy he cultivated was not even enough for basic spiritual induction, let alone alchemy.

He truly needed to work harder now. Among his peers in the Qin family, all but those still nursing infants had already drawn spiritual energy into their bodies. The youngest was only five years old—four years younger than him.