Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

"Master Qing Yun..." A seventh-grade alchemist's voice trembled. "So, this pill formula... has really succeeded?"

The others turned their eyes toward the center of the room, where Qing Yun stood—one of Xuandan Gate's three ninth-grade alchemists.

In that moment, even Qing Yun looked stunned.

Recently, rumors had been spreading like tales told by a storyteller.

Word came from the Alchemist Association in the Canglan Kingdom, reporting something strange. A prodigious young girl had, in just a few days, ascended to the rank of second-grade alchemist.

That alone was impressive enough, but her refining technique was unconventional. Her pill formulas were far more streamlined compared to traditional ones.

Even more shocking, every pill she produced using those simplified formulas came out at perfect grade. Normally, news like this from a low-level alchemist wouldn't reach the Holy Lands.

But then came another revelation.

Qi Yu of Yiqi Sect had tested one of her formulas himself. After over a hundred failures, he finally succeeded in refining a Biling Pill.

Though the pill was only of average quality, it proved that the simplified formula was indeed viable.

If a consistent method for guaranteed success could be developed, it would be a massive boon to low-level cultivators.

While ninth-grade alchemists like Qing Yun had little personal need for such pills, the implications were immense. These foundational pills were lifelines for countless low-level cultivators, the bedrock of the cultivation world.

If the new Biling Pill formula could be widely adopted, the herb cost would drop dramatically, and the output would soar.

For all of humanity, it would be an incredible gift.

That was when Qing Yun took interest.

Soon after, his focus shifted to the Foundation Establishment Pill—a pill far more vital than the Biling Pill.

If its formula could be simplified as well, it might help countless cultivators step into the Foundation Establishment realm.

So, Qing Yun, despite his lofty ninth-grade status, began researching what to him was a basic pill, using Yun Jin's formula.

At first, he even tried to mimic Yun Jin's peculiar refining method.

He spent three days and nights interrogating his furnace, but unfortunately, it failed to learn how to refine pills on its own.

Left with no choice, he began carefully analyzing the formula's inner structure.

The deeper he studied, the more astounded he became. Whoever had created this simplified pill formula had insights that defied imagination.

This individual had such profound knowledge of alchemy that they could isolate the key ingredients from a complex mix, balancing primary and secondary effects to create a flawless cycle of medicinal synergy.

To Qing Yun, the formula's author had to be a master—likely a ninth-grade alchemist, perhaps even beyond that.

Only such a person could simplify a pill formula to this degree.

And the girl who could refine pills using it?

Equally extraordinary.

With the auxiliary ingredients removed, the formula demanded absolute mastery. The alchemist had to extract the full medicinal potential from each herb, with zero error or waste.

A single slip could ruin the batch.

As a ninth-grade alchemist, Qing Yun studied the formula for a long time before attempting to refine it.

His first attempt failed within fifteen minutes.

His second and third went the same way.

Even with his mastery, he only barely succeeded on the twenty-first try.

And even then, the pill was of average quality.

Unacceptable.

A cultivator at his level could routinely produce perfect-grade pills below fifth-grade. To produce an average Foundation Establishment Pill was a disgrace. Qing Yun immediately went into seclusion.

Those in Xuandan Gate understood why and waited with growing anticipation. Among alchemists, even whispers of change stirred powerful emotions.

Others might watch for drama.

But they knew.

If perfect-grade Foundation Establishment Pills could truly be made with so few ingredients...

Then the world of alchemy was on the brink of a revolution.

Today, after a month of isolation, a golden light shot into the sky from Qing Yun's pill chamber.

Everyone gathered immediately.

When the doors opened, they found Qing Yun standing blankly before his pill furnace, seemingly unable to believe his eyes.

Had he succeeded or failed?

They waited in breathless silence.

Qing Yun slowly reached for a porcelain bottle. "It succeeded."

After over a month of isolation and nearly a thousand failed attempts, he had finally done it. Using the new formula, he had refined a batch of perfect-grade Foundation Establishment Pills.

At the end, he even felt something strange.

It was as if the formula contained a piece of the world's original laws—as if this version of the pill was how it was always meant to be.

He had truly done it...

Excitement surged through Xuandan Gate.

The sect leader, an eighth-grade alchemist, stepped forward, hands trembling. "Master Qing Yun, can this method be mass-produced?"

Qing Yun calmed his thoughts. "Not yet. This new formula requires complete mastery over medicinal herbs. Even I can't guarantee consistent success. Others will find it even harder."

"But that girl in the Canglan Kingdom... she seemed to succeed with ease," the sect leader pressed.

Qing Yun sighed. He too was baffled. "Her alchemy skills are terrifying. Even if she has a master guiding her, her own talent must be unmatched."

A prodigy of such caliber...

Qing Yun was famous for being strict.

So strict, in fact, that he had never accepted a single disciple.

Many had tried. Most had left in tears.

Qing Yun never compromised. If a disciple didn't meet his standards, he would rather remain without one. In all of Xuandan Gate, not a single person had ever heard him praise another alchemist. Yet now, he spoke of a young girl from some remote eastern land in glowing terms.

The sect leader's eyes lit up. "A talent like that should belong to Xuandan Gate! Master Qing Yun, shall I send someone to bring her here?"

Qing Yun hesitated, clearly tempted. After some thought, he shook his head. "No need. I will go myself."

He suspected the girl might already have a master.

If so, then at least he could meet another alchemy expert and perhaps exchange insights.

And if not...

Then this might be the rarest opportunity of his life.