Eternal Life: Starting with Refreshing the Farmland

On this day, Alchemist Su made another visit.

Qin Ming not only prepared a pot of spirit rice but also arranged fine wine and dishes to entertain his guest.

Recently, he had earned a substantial amount of spirit stones by selling spirit rice.

The spirit stone pouch, which had been nearly empty last year, was now bulging with over two hundred spirit stones.

For a low-level Qi Refining cultivator like him, this was a significant income.

He had also purchased some demon beast meat to accompany the wine.

High-quality demon beast meat not only replenished vitality and blood but also provided benefits for cultivation.

Though the price was somewhat steep.

Through their interactions, Qin Ming gradually came to understand Alchemist Su's character.

Though inherently proud, Alchemist Su was quite easy to get along with.

Occasionally, Alchemist Su would mention a few things about alchemy during their conversations.

From his words, Qin Ming could sense that Alchemist Su's talent in alchemy was truly exceptional.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have reached the level of a mid-grade alchemist at such a young age.

"Friend Qin, I'm not here to buy spirit rice this time. Instead, I have another transaction in mind," Alchemist Su said after taking a bite of food and downing a cup of wine, getting straight to the point.

Qin Ming couldn't help but feel curious. He wondered, "I'm just an ordinary spirit farmer. What other transaction could Alchemist Su possibly have with me besides buying spirit rice?"

"Alchemist Su, what exactly do you have in mind?" Qin Ming asked, also taking a sip of wine, his curiosity piqued.

"I'm planning to refine a certain pill, and I'll need a large amount of Frostbloom Flowers. I'd like to ask for your help in cultivating them," Alchemist Su said with a serious expression.

"Frostbloom Flowers?"

Qin Ming's mind immediately conjured an image of a spirit plant resembling an orchid, its flowers looking as if they were formed from frost, with pale yellow stamens.

Frostbloom Flowers were a first-grade spirit plant, taking about a year to mature and having a flowering period of around seven days. Their flowers could be used in alchemy.

Qin Ming had seen this plant in a book on spirit plants he had purchased earlier.

He had some impression of it.

However, he had heard Alchemist Su mention that Frostbloom Flowers could be used as a supplementary material for refining a high-grade first-tier pill called the Marrow Cleansing Pill.

The Marrow Cleansing Pill was a rare and valuable pill used for breaking through to the late stages of Qi Refining. It was extremely expensive and hard to come by.

'Could it be...?'

'Is he preparing to break through to become a high-grade alchemist?!'

Qin Ming quickly connected the dots and roughly understood what Alchemist Su was planning to refine.

But then...

Why didn't Alchemist Su ask the spirit plant cultivators from the Spirit Feather Sect for help?

Instead, he came to him, a mere spirit farmer?

Qin Ming voiced his doubts.

"Ah, I've always been a free spirit and dislike being tied down by sect rules. If I were to ask the Spirit Feather Sect for help, it would inevitably lead to complications," Alchemist Su explained leisurely.

"I see," Qin Ming nodded, pouring more wine for Alchemist Su.

"But Frostbloom Flowers are a first-grade spirit plant. I've never cultivated them before. I'm afraid..."

Qin Ming hesitated for a moment before speaking frankly.

"Friend Qin, you jest. If you can successfully cultivate Spirit Tusk Rice, then Frostbloom Flowers should be no problem for you," Alchemist Su said with a faint smile, looking at Qin Ming.

"Moreover, I can provide the seeds for the Frostbloom Flowers, and once they're successfully cultivated, I'll buy them from you at five spirit stones per plant."

Qin Ming's heart raced at the offer. It was impossible not to be tempted.

According to Alchemist Su's price, this would be a substantial income.

After thinking it over carefully, Qin Ming said, "I can give it a try, but I can't guarantee success."

"Besides, I have a small request. I wonder if Alchemist Su would be willing to agree?"

"Go ahead."

"I can cultivate the Frostbloom Flowers for you, and after they mature, I'll only take ten percent, leaving the rest for you."

"But... I'd like to learn a thing or two about alchemy from you."

Seeing such a golden opportunity right in front of him, how could Qin Ming not seize it?

He didn't expect Alchemist Su to teach him any advanced alchemy techniques. Even learning a few basics would satisfy him.

If Alchemist Su refused, it wouldn't matter. But if he agreed, it would be a huge win.

Alchemist Su was momentarily stunned, then looked Qin Ming up and down before chuckling, "So this is what you were after?"

"But you should know that alchemy not only consumes a lot of spirit stones but also requires talent. Not everyone can master it."

"Don't blame me if you find it too difficult later."

Hearing this, Qin Ming was overjoyed, knowing that there was a chance.

First, it was Frostbloom Flowers. Next time, who knows what spirit herbs Alchemist Su might ask him to cultivate? This could be a way to extract more knowledge from him.

'Hehehe!'

Qin Ming's mind raced, already calculating the possibilities.

"I've decided to stay here for another three years. How about this: you cultivate spirit herbs for me for three more years."

"In exchange, I'll share some of my alchemy insights with you."

Qin Ming's face lit up with joy. "Deal!"

"This is 'The Basics of Alchemy.' You must thoroughly understand the properties of medicinal ingredients. It contains some of my early notes and summaries. You can start by reading this," Alchemist Su said, handing Qin Ming a jade slip.

Qin Ming took the jade slip and quickly expressed his gratitude.

He glanced at it briefly:

'The Three Essentials of Alchemy: Cauldron, Ingredients, and Fire Control...'

At first glance, Qin Ming thought it was just an ordinary basic alchemy book.

But upon closer inspection, he realized that most of the content was from Alchemist Su's personal notes.

The jade slip divided the basics of alchemy into three main sections.

The first was 'The Cauldron,' which explained that different pills required different cauldrons for refining, as well as the specific uses, when to change cauldrons, and so on.

The second was 'The Ingredients,' detailing the growth habits, environments, and properties of various spirit materials, along with different ingredient combinations.

Alchemist Su had even added some of his own notes.

The third was 'Fire Control,' which mainly recorded how to manage and adjust the fire during alchemy, as well as the different levels of alchemical flames.

Overall, Alchemist Su's notes on the basics of alchemy were systematic and detailed.

'Just this book alone makes cultivating for three years worth it!'

Qin Ming happily stored the jade slip and raised his cup to toast Alchemist Su.

With their agreement settled, the two continued their meal.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

At that moment, there was a knock at Qin Ming's door.

"Alchemist Su, please continue eating. I'll go answer the door."

He excused himself, put down his bowl and chopsticks, and went to open the door.

When he opened it, he saw it was Fellow Cultivator Long.

Qin Ming quickly invited him in. "Fellow Cultivator Long, please come in. We're just having a meal. Would you like to join us?"

Fellow Cultivator Long frowned and got straight to the point. "No need. I'm here as usual, just to buy some spirit rice. I won't—"

Before he could finish, he noticed a young man in white robes sitting at the table, eating.

It was Alchemist Su.

He was momentarily stunned, a strange expression crossing his face.

'Why is Alchemist Su here? And eating with him?'

Fellow Cultivator Long greeted Alchemist Su but didn't sit down.

He glanced at the food on the table—spirit rice, spirit wine, and demon beast meat. This meal alone must have cost at least five spirit stones.

'What's their relationship? It seems I've underestimated Fellow Qin!'

Even he couldn't afford to eat like this every day. He couldn't help but feel that Qin Ming was more than he appeared.

"Ah, Fellow Qin, I won't stay for the meal. I have some matters to attend to."

Seeing that Fellow Cultivator Long wasn't keen on staying, Qin Ming took out a bag of spirit rice from his storage pouch and handed it to him.

"As usual, here's eighty pounds of spirit rice. Please take a look, Fellow Cultivator Long."

Fellow Cultivator Long took the rice, weighed it in his hand, and then stored it in his pouch. He then handed Qin Ming twenty spirit stones.

After completing the transaction, Fellow Cultivator Long exchanged a few pleasantries with the two before leaving.

After seeing him off, Qin Ming returned to the table.

"Fellow Qin, it seems you've been making quite a profit from your spirit rice business lately!" Alchemist Su teased, taking another bite of food.

"Just barely making ends meet. The price of spirit rice has risen slightly recently, but it's nothing compared to you, Alchemist Su," Qin Ming replied modestly.

After the meal, Alchemist Su took out a small packet of Frostbloom Flower seeds and handed them to Qin Ming. "I'll rent a plot of land near your spirit field. You can cultivate them there."

Qin Ming accepted the seeds and nodded in agreement.

He couldn't help but wonder if he could unlock any special attributes by cultivating these first-grade Frostbloom Flowers.

(End of Chapter)