Versatile Sword Cultivator

Chapter 161 – Guidance in Alchemy

Lin Jichen was just like Zhao Baige in his previous life—lacking in talent but making up for it with hard work.

In his past life, he was a business genius who somehow managed to become the top spell cultivator.

Although Zhao Baige had a combat talent, she was obsessed with alchemy and eventually became an eighth-grade Alchemy Master.

Her alchemical talents only began to flourish later, far surpassing those players who had innate alchemy talents.

But all of this required a lot of medicinal herbs to nurture.

It's like a sharpshooter who needs bullets to practice.

The initial investment was huge, which is why only the Moon Shadow Guild dared to take her in during her previous life.

After all, Jiang Luoyu's family was wealthy and never worried about money.

Lin Jichen thought for a moment and said, "Try refining again. I'll guide you."

"Boss, you know alchemy too?"

"A little."

Zhao Baige obediently sat down and continued her alchemy.

Lin Jichen began to guide her, noticing she was anxious and distracted due to repeated failures.

"Distraction is the biggest taboo in alchemy. Remember, no matter what elixir you're refining, you must be fully focused. Don't feel embarrassed or worry that I'll fire you. I said I'd cover all the medicinal herbs; you just need to focus on alchemy."

Lin Jichen's reminder and assurance made Zhao Baige feel both guilty and completely at ease. She quickly adjusted her attitude and focused seriously.

However, her soot-covered face made her look like a sloppy mess, which was quite comical.

As the alchemy began, Lin Jichen started correcting Zhao Baige's bad habits and teaching her some of his alchemy techniques from his previous life.

Under Lin Jichen's guidance, Zhao Baige succeeded again, and this time, it took much less time than before.

Zhao Baige was overjoyed and said, "Boss, thank you for your guidance. You're truly my benefactor!"

"Don't get too excited yet. Each elixir requires different techniques and methods. This is just the simplest one. You still have a lot to learn. For now, practice refining the Blood Clotting Pill until your success rate reaches 80%. When you run out of herbs, just ask the store for more. I've already informed them. You don't need to think about anything else, just focus on alchemy."

"Yes! I'll work hard on my alchemy!"

Zhao Baige's eyes burned with determination. She felt that her path in alchemy, which had been bleak and almost abandoned, was now filled with hope because of Lin Jichen!

In her heart, her gratitude towards Lin Jichen was no longer just that of an employee towards a boss; she saw him as her mentor!

"By the way, you work eight hours a day. Will this interfere with your real-life job?"

Zhao Baige shook her head repeatedly and said, "No, don't worry, boss. My family runs a traditional Chinese medicine clinic, and business has been bad as traditional medicine is declining. I have plenty of time every day."

"That's good. Just keep practicing. Rest when you're tired. I have other matters to attend to. Let me know when your success rate reaches 80%."

"Okay! Take care, boss!"

Zhao Baige grinned, her soot-covered face showing only her white teeth and eyes.

Lin Jichen laughed heartily and then turned to leave.

"Why is the boss laughing?"

Zhao Baige wondered, then suddenly remembered something and quickly checked her appearance panel, feeling utterly embarrassed.

"Ahhh! Why do I look so ugly?"

***

By the time he left the pharmacy, it was already daylight.

He had spent the entire night in the alchemy room with Zhao Baige, watching her refine elixirs.

But spending this time to dig up a future Alchemy King was totally worth it!

After logging out of the game, he exercised a bit, had breakfast, and then hurried back into the game.

Next, he went to the royal city and bought a large golden shop.

It was also a prime central location for future development.

He only bought one.

He still had a lot of reputation points left, enough to buy a dozen more shops, but he was short on Spirit Stones.

A large shop required nearly a million Spirit Stones, and he had invested almost all his earnings.

Buying one was already his limit.

The money he earned from selling Corpse Poison Potions was also spent on the Harmony Pharmacy.

But Lin Jichen wasn't in a hurry. He had four shops raking in money daily, and it wouldn't be long before he could buy another one.

He planned to open two more branches as well.

The only issue was the supply of goods, but he had exchanged some equipment from the Battle Merit Shop. He had plenty of battle merits, so he didn't need to worry about supplies for now, nor did he need to farm in Corpse King Valley.

After buying the shop, Lin Jichen prepared to return to his sect.

He had promised Leng Feiyan a date, but it had been delayed for many days.

He wondered if Leng Feiyan would be angry when he returned...

Moreover, he was already in the later stage of Foundation Establishment and was about to face the Crystal Realm's tribulation.

He had a premonition that this tribulation would be extremely dangerous.

He planned to go on the date with Leng Feiyan, attend the auction in Fengqu City, and then head to Thunder Marsh to find the Thunder Spirit Heart.

He also needed to start collecting materials for the Heavenly Dao Crystal.

The auction should have been held yesterday, but due to a sudden plot twist, Lin Jichen had to postpone it for two days.

This time, the auction's quality was higher, with several Mysterious Grade items, likely attracting more players to bid.

The most crucial thing was to face the upcoming Crystal Realm tribulation. If he failed, all his efforts would be in vain.

If he died, no amount of money or a smooth start would matter.

The side effects of his Heaven-defying Fate talent always kept Lin Jichen on edge.

He glanced at his attribute panel, checking it for the first time since his breakthrough.

【Player: Lin Jichen】

【Class: Sword Cultivator】

【Innate Talent: Heaven-defying Fate】

【Sect: Tianyan Sword Sect】

【Reputation:15488】

【Battle Merits: 7500】

【Achievement Medal: Killing Intent (Damage to monsters +1%)】

【Innate Attributes: Full】

【Spirit Stones: 220,000】

【Properties: Shenbao Pharmacy, Harmony Pharmacy, Honest Auction House, Kind Equipment Store】

【Realm: Later stage of Foundation Establishment】

【Cultivation: 0/20000】

【Acquired Talents: Tree of Vitality (stalled), Eye of Insight (cooldown 28 days)】

【Vitality: 17000/17000】

【Mana: 14000/14000】

【Strength: 317】

【Mental Power: 124】

【Defense: 210】

【Speed: 272】

【Critical Hit: 40】

【Heart Protection: 12】

【Fire Resistance: 15】【Wind Resistance: 4】【Water Resistance: 10】

【Skill Resistance: 10%】

【Evasion: 25%】【Tenacity: +21%】

【Swordsmanship Aptitude: +95%】

【Alchemy Aptitude: +50%】

【Heart Sutra: Tianyan Heart Sutra (Mastery 15%), Bloodthirsty Heart Sutra (Proficient 70%), Dark Cloud Secret Scroll (Beginner 0%)】

【Movement Technique: Phantom Step (Mastery 15%), Mist Piercing Charge (Mastery 15%)】

【Martial Arts Technique: Frost Moon Slash (Mastery 15%), Phoenix Feather (Mastery 15%), Dizzying Sword Qi (Proficient 70%), Gu Sword Qi (Proficient 70%), Wind Thunder Sword (Proficient 70%)】

【Spirit Skill: Rebirth Buddha Seal (Proficient 70%), Blade Storm (Proficient 70%)】

【Ultimate Technique: Shattered Sky Demon Seal Palm (Unavailable)】

【Equipment: Mysterious Grade Tide Sound Robe, Mysterious Grade Dark Night Sword, Mysterious Grade Spring Thunder Belt, Mysterious Grade Nightmare Cloak】

Not bad, his strength had already surpassed 300.

Without further delay, Lin Jichen teleported back to Tianyan Sword Sect!

Master, your disciple has returned~