The same process.
Activating the Spring Condensation Scripture, that mysterious feeling appeared once more.
A finger pointed at the two-inch tall Spirit Grain Seedlings, and green light spots quickly emerged.
Compared to last time, the phenomenon was much weaker.
This was due to Zhou Xun's increased proficiency and enhanced control abilities.
"That's good, otherwise this kind of phenomenon every time during refinement might catch others' attention!"
Then, Zhou Xun took out the prepared plants.
He directed the light spots towards the plants.
The moment the light spots touched the plants, they immediately merged in.
Soon, this plant became lush and vibrant, full of life.
"It seems, this substance can also rejuvenate plant life!"
Next, Zhou Xun directed the green light spots onto the wooden table nearby, the Spirit Rice in the jar, and the Restriction Token on the door, testing them all.
However, nothing changed.
Zhou Xun shook his head, planning to end the research, when his hand accidentally nudged the elixir bottle in his pocket.
At that moment, Zhou Xun had a sudden inspiration.
Immediately, he took out the elixir bottle and poured out a refined Grain Avoidance Pill.
He then controlled a light spot to merge into the elixir.
An amazing scene occurred.
The green light spot and the elixir wondrously merged together.
Zhou Xun's eyes reflected a look of wonder as he quickly picked up the Grain Avoidance Pill for inspection.
"It seems, the quality has improved!"
"Though the improvement isn't much, could it be that the Spirit Grain Seedlings are too ordinary?" Zhou Xun speculated.
"I'll try again in the future!"
Even though he still had a Spirit-Attracting Grass in hand, its value was over one hundred fifty Spirit Essence, and purchasing other Spirit Medicines also cost over one hundred Spirit Essence.
This kind of expenditure, Zhou Xun couldn't afford to waste.
In the days that followed, Zhou Xun spent his days refining Grain Avoidance Pills at the Pill Treasure Pavilion, with a monthly task of fifty bottles.
At night, he studied the Energy-Introducing Pill Recipe.
The Energy-Introducing Pill shared many refining techniques with the Grain Avoidance Pill, allowing him to learn it much faster.
By the fifteenth day, Zhou Xun had thoroughly mastered the process of refining the Energy-Introducing Pill.
He decided to start attempting to refine it.
For safety, under the guise of studying pharmacology, Zhou Xun spent two Spirit Essence to buy fifty Spirit Grain Seedlings from a Spirit Farmer's District neighbor.
If he failed to refine the Energy-Introducing Pill, he could still condense the Spirit Grain Seedlings to improve its quality.
The materials for the Energy-Introducing Pill were worth nearly two Spirit Stones, and failing to refine them would be a significant loss.
Returning to the Alchemy Room, Zhou Xun prepared to start his alchemy.
During this time, many quasi-apprentices were busy practicing Grain Avoidance Pill refining.
Refining pills at this moment would not attract any attention.
Moreover, alchemy required no disturbance, so the Alchemy Room was shut from within, and outsiders couldn't enter.
Thus, Zhou Xun had no worries about exposing himself.
He took out the Energy-Introducing Pill materials and the bundle of Spirit Grain Seedlings, placing them in front of him.
Zhou Xun calmed his mind and heart, mentally simulating the Energy-Introducing Pill's refining process.
He considered every detail several times, feeling assured of every aspect.
Only then did he start the actual refinement.
Following the same routine, warming the Pill Furnace, condensing the medicinal liquid.
Everything proceeded smoothly.
Everything remained within Zhou Xun's control.
The final spell was cast.
The Pill Cover opened automatically, and only five elixirs flew out.
"Only two barely qualify as standard products, the other three are merely Inferior Pills!"
"Barely broke even!" Zhou Xun sighed.
He carefully recalled his process.
It turned out that his lack of proficiency in condensing the medicinal liquid led to imperfect fusion later, ultimately causing some elixirs to fail in refining.
Normally, one batch of this elixir should yield ten elixirs.
With exceptional performance, perfect condensing, and complete fusion of the medicinal liquid, one could refine up to twelve elixirs.
Achieving that level would earn the title of master.
"If not for my Divine Sense and meticulous control, I'm afraid this entire batch would have been wasted!"
Once he understood the reason, Zhou Xun used the Spring Condensation Scripture to extract the essence from the Spirit Grain Seedlings, enhancing all five elixirs to standard quality.
During this condensation, Zhou Xun discovered a limitation in condensing the essence.
That is, elixir quality improvement is not boundless.
He clearly felt that, towards the end, the enhancement from merging essence became negligible.
After refining this batch of Energy-Introducing Pills, Zhou Xun was almost penniless.
Fortunately, in two days, on the 15th, it would be the appointment with Hong San for their trade.
...
At the Celestial Fragrance Tower, the same private room as last time.
The two completed the transaction, both in a good mood.
One obtained the Grain Avoidance Pill, confirming Zhou Xun's capability of providing elixirs.
The other got Spirit Essence, alleviating his financial scarcity.
"Alchemist Zhou truly keeps his word, preparing the elixirs so quickly. I toast to Alchemist Zhou!" Hong San chuckled heartily.
"It's just the most basic Grain Avoidance Pill, I gathered them with help from a few colleagues!" Zhou Xun smiled faintly, raising his cup for a toast.
This Spiritual Banquet was worth over twenty Spirit Essence, courtesy of Hong San.
After a satisfying meal, slightly tipsy, Hong San chuckled, turned slightly, and lowered his voice:
"Is Alchemist Zhou really content with just one or two Spirit Stones worth of trade each month? Factoring in costs, the profit isn't much!"
"How could I not be tempted by Spirit Stones, but I lack the means!" Zhou Xun remained composed.
"If Alchemist Zhou can provide Energy-Introducing Pills, Qi Concealing Pills, I'll purchase them at five Spirit Essence below market price!" Hong San struggled with his words for a moment, finally gritting out.
"Oh?" Zhou Xun's expression shifted, followed by a sigh.
"Third Brother's offer is tempting, but alas, I'm powerless as well. The Pill Treasure Pavilion's path for selling excess inferior pills doesn't concern a newcomer like me still under assessment!"
Hearing this, Hong San only shook his head.
...
Leaving the Celestial Fragrance Tower, Zhou Xun went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.
In the same private compartment, Zhou Xun sold all the Energy-Introducing Pills to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion for a price of 35 Spirit Essence each.
The Hundred Treasures Pavilion bought a plethora of treasures daily, so a few Energy-Introducing Pills wouldn't attract any attention.
"Fellow Daoist's alchemical talent is truly exceptional, successfully refining Energy-Introducing Pills in such a short time!" The middle-aged shopkeeper praised.\p>
Originally, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion priced Energy-Introducing Pills at 30 Spirit Essence each, but he valued Zhou Xun highly, specially adding five Spirit Essence to foster this overly talented young alchemist.
"The shopkeeper overpraises, these five elixirs cost me three batches of materials, a huge loss indeed!"
Zhou Xun feigned dissatisfaction.
"Fellow Daoist just started with Energy-Introducing Pills, having success with three batches is indeed commendable." The middle-aged shopkeeper consoled.
Since Energy-Introducing Pills are the most common Low-Grade Elixir, Zhou Xun's success with three batches was entirely within reasonable expectations.
After chatting briefly, collecting the Spirit Essence, Zhou Xun took his leave.
Through two sales of the elixirs, Zhou Xun's earnings exceeded three Spirit Stones.
However, he quickly traded them for two more sets of Energy-Introducing Pill materials.
According to his estimation, with the next refinement, he could produce ten elixirs.
Yet, he didn't rush into refining.
Because the assessment determining whether he could officially become an Alchemy Apprentice was approaching.