Chapter Fifteen: Delving into Medical Texts

Unable to come up with a solution for the time being, Ying Chen could only steady his nerves.

After Chen Chang left, he opened the twelve copied volumes of medical texts. After all, he had spent three spirit stones to acquire them, and they could not simply be left as decorations.

He began with "The Essence of Materia Medica," then moved on to "Thirty-Six Powder Prescriptions," and finally to "Discourse on Flesh and Blood," "On Alchemical Arts," and so forth.

He pored over them repeatedly, burning the midnight oil for several days.

At last, sitting in his simply furnished study, Ying Chen could not help but smile.

As he had expected, these medical texts were all written by the ancient elders. Their understanding of pharmacology and alchemy naturally shared a common thread. This was of immense help to his research into the prescriptions of the elders.

For example, in the chapter on preparing medicinal ingredients in "The Essence of Materia Medica," most of the content described the methods but not the reasoning behind them, making the reading rather obscure.

It was easy to imagine that if one attempted to process herbs based solely on these instructions, one would be certain to experience many failures. Knowing what to do without understanding why meant relying on trial and error to make up the difference.

However, "On Alchemical Arts" provided supplementary explanations in this aspect.

As for "Discourse on Flesh and Blood," it included many observations not found in "The Essence of Materia Medica"—such as discussions on the medicinal properties of living creatures, down to their species, body parts, and even their growth environments.

Most importantly, "Thirty-Six Powder Prescriptions" was invaluable, for among the formulas discussed by the ancient elder during his lecture, several were recorded therein, and in even greater detail.

It had been an entirely correct decision to ask Chen Chang to obtain these copies for him.

At the very least, after these days of study, Ying Chen now had a clear idea of the process of alchemy.

"Perhaps… it's time to try my hand at it," he thought, his gaze falling upon "Thirty-Six Powder Prescriptions." The thought came unbidden.

One of the formulas, "Three Zhi Moonlight Powder," was among those discussed by the elder in his lecture. This formula was said to nourish the primordial yin, replenish essence, and cultivate qi—perfectly suited for Ying Chen's own cultivation. Moreover, as it was also a sort of 'test' from the elder, successfully refining it would be doubly beneficial for him.

He was immediately tempted, but soon confronted another obstacle.

To refine medicine, one could not do without ingredients. No matter how thoroughly he studied the texts, he could not conjure experience out of thin air. At best, he could avoid some detours, but success would hardly come at the first attempt.

This would require an outlay, and he might not be able to afford it.

Within the alchemy hall at Chishui Cliff, whether purchasing pills or ingredients, the costs were exorbitant. After careful calculation, Ying Chen realized that his possessions might not even be enough to afford ingredients for three attempts.

At this thought, a sudden flash of insight struck him.

"That's it!" He clapped his hands. "The ingredients in the alchemy hall are expensive, but I can just go down the mountain and buy them elsewhere!"

The alchemy hall sold its wares at such high prices because it guaranteed their quality. Whether pills, powders, or simple ingredients, not a single mistake could be allowed. The alchemy hall represented Chishui Cliff, even the sect itself, and offered absolute assurance for anything sold.

Other sources were different. Imagine buying some cheap pill from an unknown peddler—even if it bore a familiar name, how could you dare to ingest it? Not only might it be ineffective, it could even be toxic.

As for raw ingredients, quality, age, and medicinal properties were even less assured.

So, when Ying Chen was refining the Sacred Yuan, he had used no small amount of herbs, but still chose to buy from the alchemy hall.

But now, things had changed. Having studied "The Essence of Materia Medica," he now understood how to identify and appraise herbs. It was not impossible to consider other avenues.

He knew that not far outside Chishui Cliff was a bustling market frequented by cultivators, where many disciples from Chishui Cliff also went.

There, cheap herbs could be found, some cultivated by cultivators themselves, others gathered by herbalists in the mountains—of course, there was plenty of fraud as well.

After much consideration, Ying Chen felt there was a real opportunity. He could also put the various identification methods from the texts to the test. If they proved effective, not only could he save money on this attempt, but on all future purchases as well.

"However," Ying Chen mused, "I must make some preparations first."

Any place where cultivators gathered, especially on demonic sect territory, was bound to carry some risk.

While disciples of Chishui Cliff were generally regarded with respect in these parts, nothing was certain—after all, the outside world was not like the safety of Chishui Cliff itself.

He took out all his belongings and carefully examined them.

His talisman sword, though nicked, was still serviceable.

For lower-level qi refiners, whose power was still unrefined, controlling items at a distance was not too difficult, but maintaining lethal force was another matter. Unless one possessed a magical flying sword, a trusty talisman sword was still highly effective.

As for spell talismans, Ying Chen still had a fair number. His former self had been quite adept at the art of talismans and runes, and making talismans was his specialty.

It was thanks to this skill that he had earned a mid-high grade in last year’s assessment, making a little money on the side.

He spread out his talisman papers, each marked in cinnabar with fierce birds and savage beasts, vividly lifelike, as if they might leap forth at any moment.

Ying Chen was not surprised, for he knew the bestial warriors depicted on these talismans were not just lifelike but actually contained the spirits of real fierce creatures. Summoning them in battle would provide considerable aid.

After confirming that none had lost their spiritual energy, he stacked them away again.

Before putting them all away, Ying Chen thought for a moment, drew two talismans and hid them in his sleeve, then rose leisurely and departed.

Leaving his dwelling, he was greeted by a vast grove of jet-black bamboo. The other residences—though all part of the same Ink Bamboo Dojo—were spaced far apart. This was not only for privacy but also to ensure fair allocation of spiritual veins.

Ying Chen followed a winding path for a quarter of an hour before finding a courtyard.

It was laid out identically to his own, but its owner seemed to have put more care into it—lanterns hung at the entrance, the walls were adorned with various decorations, making it quite distinctive.

Of course, to an outsider, the sight would likely seem sinister and bizarre, for the walls were lined with skulls.

Ying Chen approached and saw the gate was open, but he did not enter unannounced. Instead, he knocked politely.

Soon, a charming voice called out from inside, "Come in."

Only then did Ying Chen step through the gate and enter. Inside the courtyard, two people were already present. One was a beautiful young woman, seated gracefully by a stone table. The other was a young Daoist, holding a large fish, apparently engaged in lively conversation with her.