Chapter 68

Gu Ming and Zhao An exchanged a glance, their expressions tinged with bitterness.

Compared to the others in the room, their family backgrounds were far less privileged.

The path of cultivating through wealth wasn’t one they could follow for long.

Fortunately, contribution points could also be accumulated.

Moreover, if they really managed to pass the junior alchemist exam, they might be able to persuade their families to invest in their advancement to the intermediate level—it wasn’t entirely out of reach.

With that thought, the two of them steadied themselves.

At the very least, everyone was starting from the same point. They would first focus on passing the junior alchemist exam.

Next, Xia Ye let the beastmen raise their hands to ask questions.

After answering a few more, he prepared to explain the introductory cultivation technique.

“Before I begin,” he said, “I need to remind everyone of something.”

“You have all signed a contract with the Dan Sect and become its disciples. You must abide by the sect’s rules.”

“Aside from the basic regulations, the most important one is that you must never leak the sect’s cultivation techniques or alchemy formulas to outsiders.”

“Anyone who violates this rule will not only be held accountable for an astronomical breach of contract fee but will also be expelled from the sect, permanently banned from rejoining. Furthermore, your families will be barred from ever sending another member to the Dan Sect in the future.” Xia Ye’s tone was solemn.

Everyone glanced at one another but said nothing.

“Rest assured, Your Highness! We’ve all signed confidentiality agreements. We won’t leak the techniques or formulas! The Dan Sect is giving us the chance to become high-level alchemists—who would be foolish enough to ruin their own future?” Gu Qing declared loudly.

The beastmen quickly voiced their agreement.

Indeed, they all had the opportunity to become high-level alchemists. Betraying the Dan Sect for some petty gain would be sheer stupidity.

Xia Ye nodded in satisfaction.

At last, he began explaining the cultivation technique.

The technique was not complicated. After one explanation and one guided practice session, they were done.

“From now on, follow this method to cultivate. After a period of time, you will achieve Qi Refinement—meaning your spiritual power will reach Grade C.”

With that, Xia Ye signaled the guards beside him.

The guards immediately distributed modified spiritual power detectors and Spirit-Nurturing Pills to each beastman.

“This device measures the spiritual power stored in your dantian. The Dan Sect’s cultivation technique nurtures spiritual power within the dantian. From now on, you can use these detectors to track your progress.”

“When you reach Qi Refinement—meaning your spiritual power reaches Grade C—report it immediately.”

“At that point, the Dan Sect will assign you an instructor to guide you in alchemy and prepare you for the junior alchemist exam.”

“Additionally, the pill you’ve been given is a Spirit-Nurturing Pill, a secret formula of the Dan Sect. It nurtures the mind and aids in the growth of spiritual power.”

“Before achieving Qi Refinement, each disciple will receive one Spirit-Nurturing Pill per day to help enhance their spiritual power.”

“Once you succeed in Qi Refinement, these pills will no longer be provided for free. If you still need them, you can purchase them from the sect. The price is 1 million star coins per pill. Due to the scarcity of resources, each person is limited to one pill per day.”

The beastmen’s eyes burned as they stared at the bottles of pills on the table.

A pill priced at 1 million star coins, with a daily purchase limit—its effects must be extraordinary.

“You may take the pill now,” Xia Ye instructed.

The beastmen immediately swallowed their pills.

The moment the pill entered their stomachs, they felt its effects.

Their eyes lit up as they eagerly shared their experiences.

“What kind of pill is this Spirit-Nurturing Pill? It’s incredible. I feel so refreshed, and my mind is clearer than ever!”

“I’ve never seen Spirit-Nurturing Pills in any alchemy database. Did the Dan Sect develop this formula themselves?”

“This is even more effective than Jade Dew Pills! As expected of a Dan Sect secret formula—amazing!”

Xia Ye raised his hand, and the beastmen gradually quieted down.

“For the next month, you will stay at the Dan Sect to cultivate. The dormitory and living areas are on the top floor. Someone will take you up shortly and arrange your accommodations.”

“You may only leave the top floor once you’ve achieved Qi Refinement.”

With that, people entered from outside and led the disciples away.

Bai Rui was among them, but Xia Ye personally escorted him to the top floor.

Seeing that even the queen was staying, the other beastmen felt reassured and even started looking forward to their cultivation period.

One Week Later

A lot had happened in the past week.

The first major event was the authorization of the Jade Dew Pill formula to three additional institutions—the Gu Family, the Alchemist Association, and the royal family.

With production expanded, the supply of Jade Dew Pills increased, leading to a slight drop in price.

While the Dan Sect’s flagship store saw a noticeable decline in sales, order volumes from the imperial capital remained stable.

Xia Ye’s warehouse expansion plan had already been implemented and was proving effective.

The Dan Sect’s reputation on the Imperial Star was strong, and with the additional promotional ads Xia Ye had deployed, the sect had become the most recognizable online store in the capital.

The second major event was that, after a week of cultivation, the first beastman from the top floor finally succeeded in Qi Refinement.

That person was Gu Qing.

As soon as the news spread, the beastmen on the top floor were both envious and excited.

With someone successfully achieving Qi Refinement, it confirmed that the Dan Sect’s technique truly worked.

After Gu Qing left, the remaining beastmen threw themselves into their training with renewed vigor, eager to succeed as soon as possible.

Among them was Gu Ming.

Since arriving at the Dan Sect’s top floor a week ago, he had been living there with the others.

There were no entertainment facilities, nor any food or drinks, but there was an unlimited supply of Jade Dew Pills.

As long as their spiritual power dropped below 40%, they could request a pill from the staff, consume it on the spot, and continue cultivating.

Everyone understood—the Dan Sect wanted them to achieve Qi Refinement as quickly as possible.

The sect had promised to turn them into junior alchemists within a year, but it was clear they had no intention of letting the process take that long.

This was a good thing. For the beastmen on the top floor, time was far more valuable than money.

Gu Ming had been working tirelessly, convinced that he would be the first to succeed.

His progress was fast—last night, he was already on the verge of breaking through.

At the time, he had even considered delaying his breakthrough for a few days to stockpile more Spirit-Nurturing Pills.

After all, once he achieved Qi Refinement, the sect would stop providing them for free, and at 1 million star coins per pill, they were no small expense.

But now that someone had already left the top floor, everyone was eager to move on to the next stage.

A sense of urgency arose within him—should he still wait?

“Not surprising that a royal managed to break through so quickly! I’m still 100 points away. What about you, Ah Ming?” Zhao An suddenly turned to ask.

Gu Ming snapped out of his thoughts.

After a brief hesitation, he finally answered, “I’m only 10 points away. An-ge—”

“Only 10 points left? Congratulations, Ah Ming! You really are talented!”