MTLNOVEL Chapter 13: The Path of Alchemy
Qin Chen sat in silence, his golden eyes flickering as he contemplated his next move.
2,500 SP.
That was all he had left.
For any other cultivator, this amount of wealth could buy them valuable resources, techniques, or pills to boost their cultivation.
But for him?
Would it be enough?
He had already considered using it to buy fire-related resources from the System Store, but…
Even with his Fire Sovereign Dao Body, even with his accelerated cultivation speed, there was no guarantee that it would push him into Foundation Establishment.
Besides… he was confident.
Confident that after the trial—whether through battle or rewards—he would gain far more SP than this.
Which meant…
A gamble.
Qin Chen's lips curled into a smirk.
"Why not?"
Ding!
Would you like to use 2,000 SP for an Advanced Lottery Spin? (Y/N)
Qin Chen didn't hesitate.
"Spin."
The golden wheel materialized before him, spinning rapidly, symbols of unknown treasures, skills, inheritances, and artifacts flashing by in a blur.
His first lottery spin had granted him Phoenix Flame Armor—an ability he desperately needed.
What would this one bring?
The wheel slowed…
Slower…
Slower…
Ding!
Congratulations! You have obtained [Grade 2 Alchemy Codex]!
Qin Chen blinked.
Alchemy?
Before he could even process it—
BOOOOOM!
His mind was flooded with knowledge.
For a brief moment—
Qin Chen felt like his brain was going to explode.
His vision blurred, his consciousness overwhelmed by an endless torrent of information.
-The history of alchemy.
-The different grades of alchemists.
-The principles of refining herbs, controlling flame essence, balancing medicinal properties.
The System's voice echoed in his mind, breaking it down:
[Introduction to Alchemy]
-Alchemy is the process of refining natural ingredients into pills, elixirs, and medicines that can aid in cultivation, healing, and strengthening the body.
-Alchemists are ranked based on their skill level, comprehension, and flame control.
Alchemy Ranks:
-Grade 1 Alchemist → Qi Refinement Level (Basic Pills, Healing and Qi Recovery Pills)
-Grade 2 Alchemist → Foundation Establishment Level (Minor Strengthening Pills, Basic Cultivation-Boosting Pills)
-Grade 3 Alchemist → Core Formation Level (High-Grade Cultivation Pills, Body Tempering Elixirs)
-Grade 4+ Alchemists → Nascent Soul and Beyond (Legendary-tier medicines, lifespan-enhancing pills, revival elixirs, etc.)
Ding!
Congratulations! You have comprehended the path of alchemy.
You are now a Grade 2 Alchemist.
Qin Chen staggered, gripping his forehead as the rush of knowledge finally settled.
He felt like he had just spent years studying under a grandmaster alchemist—yet it had happened in seconds.
"This system…"
He exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Is ridiculous."
He had never once practiced alchemy before.
But now?
He could refine pills better than most Foundation Establishment alchemists.
With this newfound knowledge, there was only one thing left to do.
Find a furnace.
Alchemy required a pill cauldron, and the only person he knew who might have one was…
Elder Lan Yue.
Minutes later, Qin Chen arrived at her secluded pavilion.
The older woman, always composed, raised an eyebrow when she saw him.
"Qin Chen?" she said with mild surprise. "I didn't expect to see you so soon. Is something wrong?"
Qin Chen bowed slightly. "Elder Lan Yue, do you have an alchemy furnace I can borrow?"
For a moment—silence.
Then—
"...What?"
Elder Lan Yue's expression twitched slightly, as if she wasn't sure if she had heard correctly.
An alchemy furnace?
From him?
She studied his face, then narrowed her eyes.
"You… want an alchemy furnace?"
Qin Chen nodded.
Elder Lan Yue frowned.
"But… you've never studied alchemy."
Qin Chen smiled slightly.
"I just learned."
For a moment, Elder Lan Yue just stared at him.
Then she sighed.
"I won't even ask," she muttered, rubbing her temples before motioning for him to follow her.
"Fine. I have an old pill furnace you can use. But don't go blowing up anything near my pavilion."
Ding!
Remaining SP: 500
Now that he had a furnace, Qin Chen opened the System Store again—this time, heading into the Alchemy Ingredients section.
His plan?
Refine a pill that would allow him to break through to Foundation Establishment.
As he browsed, something immediately caught his attention.
[Low-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill Recipe]
Cost: 100 SP
A pill recipe for only 100 SP?
He tapped on it.
Ding!
[Low-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill Recipe Purchased!]
Suddenly, the full recipe appeared in his mind.
Qin Chen then went into the ingredients section—and that's when he realized something shocking.
The ingredients for the pill… were dirt cheap.
-Blazing Orchid Grass – 50 SP
-Fire Spirit Lotus – 75 SP
-Refined Infernal Sand – 75 SP
Total cost to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill: 300 SP.
Meanwhile—actual Foundation Establishment Pills sold for thousands of SP each.
"...What the hell?"
Qin Chen's mind raced.
So that's how the pill market works.
Alchemy ingredients were cheap, but refined pills were ridiculously expensive.
The profit margin was insane.
If I master alchemy, I can make unlimited cultivation resources for myself.
He quickly went to check the system store for the Alchemy Codex.
[Grade 1 Alchemy Codex] - 10,000 SP (Host is not recommended to purchase)
[Grade 2 Alchemy Codex] - 20,000 SP (Obtained Item)
[Grade 3 Alchemy Codex] - 30,000 SP
[Grade 4 Alchemy Codex] - 40,000 SP
A new realization dawned on him.
He had a major stroke of luck on that lottery spin!
His investment of 2,000 SP had paid off tenfold!
He immediately realized why there was such a price.
This wasn't just about making a single pill.
This was a path to endless wealth.
Qin Chen smirked as he went back to the alchemy ingredients section and made his purchases.
Ding!
[Alchemy Ingredients Purchased – 300 SP Spent!]
Remaining SP: 200 SP
Qin Chen set down the ingredients, his hands resting on the old furnace in front of him.
This would be his first time refining a pill.
But he already knew exactly what to do.
He ignited his Fire Sovereign Dao Body, steadying his breath.
Tomorrow was the Outer Sect Trial.
But tonight—he would forge his path to Foundation Establishment.
The world wasn't ready for what he was about to become.