Very soon, the two arrived at the Pill Pavilion, and as soon as they sat down, Qin Lan directly said, "Old Li, feel free to speak your mind. We've known each other for so many years. You mentioned in your letter that you have something important to discuss, and as long as it's within my capability, I will certainly assist you with all my strength."
"In that case, thank you, Old Qin." Li Huayuan earnestly cupped his hands.
Without wasting words, he directly said, "Actually, the reason I asked Old Qin over is to request your help in refining a type of elixir."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Lan was taken aback, "What kind of elixir is it? What grade is it?"
To be honest, now that Li Huayuan has refined the Spirit Transformation Pill, although it has not yet passed the Alliance's assessment, strictly speaking, he indeed has the attainment of a Third Grade Alchemist.
The level is thus quite similar to Qin Lan's current status.
What kind of elixir could possibly stump Li Huayuan?
"It's merely a Second Grade elixir, not that I can't refine it, but the demand is rather immense. It's difficult for me to complete it alone, so I have sought Old Qin's help."
He informed the other party about the Spirit Gathering Pill.
Actually, this was not Li Huayuan's personal decision.
Because he had mentioned this matter to Ji Chen before.
Ji Chen did not oppose it and agreed for Li Huayuan to find someone to help refine the Spirit Gathering Pill.
The premise is to find those who can be trusted.
Undoubtedly, in Li Huayuan's view, Qin Lan is the best choice.
"Spirit Gathering Pill?"
After hearing Li Huayuan's words, Qin Lan's face immediately showed an expression of surprise.
This is an elixir used to aid cultivation. It belongs to the Second Grade level, but its effects are astonishing, making Qin Lan feel incredulous.
In all his years of engaging with the Alchemy Dao, he had never heard of such an elixir that could enhance one's cultivation speed by two to three tenths during practice.
The effect is simply extraordinary.
Compared to similar elixirs available on the market today, its effect is enhanced by at least two to three times!
Fearing Qin Lan might not believe him, Li Huayuan simply brought over several furnaces of Spirit Gathering Pills he had refined over the last two days and let the other party personally try them out.
"Such an elixir is indeed only Second Grade..."
After experiencing it firsthand, Qin Lan was thoroughly astonished, "Old Li, if this elixir were to spread in the world, it would undoubtedly cause quite a stir. From where did you obtain this Pill Formula?"
"As for the origin of the Pill Formula, please forgive me, Old Qin, but I cannot disclose it." Li Huayuan spoke apologetically.
"No problem."
Qin Lan nodded, understanding the other party's difficulties.
"To be honest, this elixir is not intended for sale on the market but will be supplied to the disciples of the Lingyun Sect for cultivation," Li Huayuan said.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Qin Lan squinted his eyes.
With just that sentence, he confirmed something.
It seemed that the Pill Formula for this so-called Spirit Gathering Pill likely had great relevance with Lingyun Sect.
He did not pursue the matter further but instead expressed confusion, "Lingyun Sect has over four hundred disciples. Assuming one pill per person per month, that's over four hundred pills. Each batch of this elixir produces ten pills, so forty batches should suffice?"
After all, it's a Second Grade elixir, and forty batches is almost no problem for Li Huayuan; ten days or half a month is enough to complete it, so it doesn't actually require my help."
Yet Li Huayuan said, "Old Qin is not aware, this Spirit Gathering Pill is not one pill per person per month."
"Then how many?" Qin Lan was puzzled.
"Initially, it was decided to be two pills per person per month, but later it changed to five pills per person per month. And if things go smoothly, it may in future even become ten pills per person per month." Li Huayuan said.
"This..."
Upon hearing this, Qin Lan was immediately shocked, "If such an elixir could really be distributed at ten pills per person per month, the overall strength of Lingyun Sect will surely advance by leaps and bounds within a mere two to three years!"
Such boldness!
This was the first thought that crossed Qin Lan's mind.
His subconscious told him that behind Lingyun Sect, there must be a distinguished expert!
"Please, Old Qin, keep this matter a secret. The Spirit Gathering Pill should absolutely not be leaked, or it could attract plenty of trouble. Of course, since you've agreed to help me refine, from now on, you too can refine and use the Spirit Gathering Pill, but without that senior's consent, you must not sell the elixir privately." Li Huayuan spoke earnestly.
Qin Lan nodded seriously, from that one statement he confirmed that indeed there is a mysterious expert behind Lingyun Sect.
...
Everything progressed smoothly.
After discussions, Qin Lan returned to the Yang City's sub-pavilion with a transcribed Pill Formula.
He and Li Huayuan divided tasks, and each month, after refining enough Spirit Gathering Pills, they would send them to Lingyun Sect.
In a blink, several days passed.
Qin Lan had altogether refined forty batches of Spirit Gathering Pills, totaling over four hundred pieces.
He personally delivered them to the Pill Pavilion, placing them in Li Huayuan's hands.
"With Old Qin's help, I am much relieved."
Li Huayuan was very pleased and invited Qin Lan to sit down. While chatting, he noticed Qin Lan had a somewhat desolate look on his face, so he couldn't help but ask, "Old Qin is troubled by something?"
"Ah..."
Qin Lan sighed, "Actually, it's not a big deal. The Alliance assessment is imminent. I originally planned to participate this time to advance to Fourth Grade Alchemist, but unfortunately, my skills are insufficient. I've been researching several Fourth Grade Elixirs recently but haven't managed to refine a single one successfully."
"It seems becoming a Fourth Grade Alchemist is not easy, afraid I'll have to wait a few more years..."
Upon hearing this, Li Huayuan fell silent. Previously, he indeed heard Qin Lan mention this, knowing that for the past year or two, he had been preparing for advancement to Fourth Grade Alchemist.
"Perhaps..."
After a moment's silence, Li Huayuan suddenly spoke, "Someone might be able to help Old Qin."
"The senior you mentioned?" Qin Lan was taken aback.
Li Huayuan nodded, "But this senior... I must ask if he is willing to meet you."
"No problem, an expert's actions are beyond our conjecture."
Qin Lan seemed understanding, he laughed, "This senior lurks in the shadows, must have his reasons. Whether he's willing to see me or not, I can understand either way."
"In this case, Old Qin, please come with me, I will take you to seek an audience with this senior."
Saying this, Li Huayuan rose, then led Qin Lan out of the Pill Pavilion, and the two walked towards the Drunken Ink Residence.
"Elder Li?"
On the way, they encountered a woman, who was no other than Fang Qingyao.
"So, it's Nephew Fang. Are you also headed to the Drunken Ink Residence?" Elder Li was taken aback.
Fang Qingyao nodded, then turned her gaze to Qin Lan, "And this is...?"
"This is Master Qin Lan, the Pavilion Master of the Yang City Anomaly Pavilion." Li Huayuan explained with a smile.
Anomaly Pavilion, this is the name of the sub-pavilions established by the Alchemy Master Alliance across the land.
"So, it's actually Master Qin Lan!"
Fang Qingyao was suddenly shocked, she naturally had often heard of Qin Lan's name.
The Pavilion Master of the Anomaly Pavilion, a Third Grade Alchemist of the Alchemy Master Alliance, such an identity, looking throughout the entire Chu Kingdom, almost no one could compare.
Even the current Emperor Chu would be quite respectful upon meeting him.