Chapter 418: Chapter 417: Automatic Alchemy Machine

The competition began with Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators. Watching the contests, Sword Monarch engaged in a conversation with Jiang Li. “Sect Master Bai Hongtu seems to enjoy classifying everything into levels. I heard he once advocated organizing elixirs into nine ranks, from the first grade to the ninth-grade. The first grade being the highest and the ninth grade the lowest. I’m curious to know why these rankings ultimately faded into oblivion.”

“The reason is simple, the basis for ranking a potion is its efficacy. But determining the grade of some potions can be tricky. For example, in the case of the Yang-fortifying elixir produced by the Union Sect. It can be used by everyone, from Nascent Souls to Qi Cultivation cultivators. How would you grade this elixir? Ninth or fifth?”

The term ‘Yang-fortifying elixir?’ left Sword Monarch curious as he was unfamiliar with the term.”

“Oh right, in your time it was known as the Union Elixir.”

“Similarly, the Detoxification Pill that can cure any poison below the Golden Core Stage, it’s also difficult to determine its grade.”

“Take, for instance, the Nine-turns Immortal Pill, which possesses the utmost rank and the greatest toxicity. Anyone who consumes it will die.”

Sword Monarch then proposed, “What about ranking based on the difficulty of refinement?”

“Good question! Perhaps in your time, Sword Monarch, the effects of a potion proportionally corresponded to its difficulty to refine. However, our times are different.”

Jiang Li pointed towards Su Wei, “See that alchemist named Su Wei? He pioneered a concoction known as a Qi absorption pill that requires 81 days of consecration, more than ten precious primary ingredients, and thousands of supplementary ingredients. Moreover, thunder even descends from the heavens upon its completion.”

“Such an astounding elixir, can you tell me about its effects?”

“It increases the success rate of Qi Cultivation cultivators reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage by 20%.”

“What?” Sword Monarch thought he had heard incorrectly. Given the complex process, he would have believed that it was concocted for a God-transformation stage cultivator attempting to break through to the Body Integration Realm.”

And now you’re telling me it’s for consumption at the Qi Cultivation Stage?

“The creation of Qi absorption pills is not meant for consumption but to show off his alchemic prowess. The effect of the pill is secondary.”

“The Sect Master of the Medicinal Herb Sect, Huang Chengdan, then followed suit in rivalry and created a pill that was complex to produce but its effects were no better than drinking plain water.”

“Their spats resulted in the creation of several similar alchemical formulas.”

“Eventually, the alchemy world coined a term, describing the actions of these two.”

“What is it?”

“Pseudo-pill formulas.”

“…”

On the field, numerous small-scale Qi Cultivation alchemists displayed their skills, striving to draw attention to their innovative methods of alchemy in front of seasoned experts.

This conference, hosted by the Medicinal Herb Sect, provided each contestant with a mindless Pill Furnace for the competition. However, some went out of the box and did not intend to use the furnaces provided by the Medicine Herb Sect.”

For instance, Jiang Li caught sight of a small-scale pill master who had taken out a nuclear magnetic stove for alchemy.”

This nuclear magnetic stove was imported from the Ming Zhong World.”

“Ten grams fan leaf flower, 16.8 grams of dried sandworm… insert into a needle-breaker machine and start… Pour the powdered medicine into the pot….” The small-scale alchemist recited the steps in a monotonous tone, proceeding methodically and surprisingly well.”

Jiang Li nodded his head slightly, “Qi Cultivation cultivators have low skill succession, they’re not adept at temperature control. This electromagnetic stove is quite convenient.”

“Moreover, alchemists need to multitask, control the flame temperature, and put in the herbs. For cultivators in the Qi Cultivation stage, this is too difficult. An electromagnetic stove can avoid these issues.”

“Innovative thinking, impressive.”

On the scene, besides alchemists using electromagnetic stoves, others used rice cookers, nuclear thermal pots, and a series of kitchen utensils imported from the Ming Zhong World for alchemy, all with wonderful results.”

Using these items for alchemy appeared distinct from the overall style of the Nine Provinces World. However, the outcomes were as Jiang Li had analysed, exceptionally brilliant.”

In the end, the Pill Furnace won first place, an innately talented orthodoxy came in second and the person using the electromagnetic stove came in third.”

To note, the one who ranked third in alchemy aptitude was barely satisfactory and only had average skill.”

The host of the Medicinal Herb Sect nodded his head, satisfied. The third-place winner was a disciple from the Medicinal Herb Sect, proving that a lack of natural aptitude could be compensated for using external assistance.”

What the Medicinal Herb Sect pursued was not the top spot but profitability.”

Conducting alchemy with electromagnetic stoves and rice cookers significantly reduces the cost of training low rank alchemists, leading to an increase in medicine production. In the low-end market, Alchemy Peak will undoubtedly be unable to compete.”

During the Foundation Establishment Stage competition, a pill master produced something that had never been seen before.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is an automatic pill-making machine, a co-development of our Luban Sect and a medical corporation from the Ming Zhong World. Simply insert the pill ingredients in it, and you get pills.”

As the Pill Master spoke, he inserted the ingredients into the machine and, with a slight shudder, the machine coughed out tiny black pills.”

The speed of pill production exceeded that of any alchemist or pill furnace present.”

“Look, we’re producing the Foundation Establishment Pill. The pill-making ingredient utilization is above 40%. If we continue our research, this utilization rate is poised to rise.”

The elders of the medicinal circle were immensely surprised. A pill ingredient usage rate of 40% was not a bad figure for a Foundation Establishment Stage alchemist.”

“Huh, pure machine production lacks soul.” However, some elder alchemists looked down upon this production mode, believing that it detracted from the original intent of alchemy.”

However, considering that the alchemist engaged in this activity was from the Luban Sect, it was clear that his original intent was not quite focused on alchemy.”

They were only interested in making money.”

An elder alchemist in the field inspected the pill: “It’s a very ordinary Foundation Establishment Pill. The advantage is the speed of pill production, and it saves labor.”

This automatic pill-making machine may spread in the Nine Provinces World, which is something that several elder alchemists began to consider.”

Su Wei looked at the Sect Master of the Medicinal Herb Sect with great interest: “Old Huang, why didn’t your Medicinal Herb Sect invent this tool? You’ve been beaten to it by the Luban Sect.”

“Do you think I haven’t thought about this method? Although the Luban Sect’s machine can indeed produce pills quickly, how can it cultivate real Alchemists?”

“This machine has a significant limitation: it can’t make complex pills. If everyone starts using Luban Sect’s machine, the number of Alchemists will gradually decrease, leading to a shortage of high-level Alchemists. Then who would be responsible for the production of high-ranking pills?”

“I let Qi Cultivation cultivators use electromagnetic stoves because they don’t need to manage the fire during this stage. By the time they reach the Foundation Establishment Stage, their ability to control their fire technique becomes natural. By the Golden Core stage, they no longer need technological assistance and can continue on the original cultivation route.”

Although the Medicinal Herb Sect liked winning based on pricing, it still advocated the pursuit of higher levels of alchemy. They felt that over-reliance on automatic techniques could be self-restrictive.”

Having said that, the Sect Master of the Medicinal Herb Sect frowned. He considered sticking to one vision as a good thing, but the machine by the Luban Sect seriously threatens their market, and he still hadn’t thought of a good solution.”

“Let’s see how things unfold.” The Sector Master of the Medicinal Herb Sect sighed. Connecting to other worlds and encountering new technologies presents both opportunities and challenges. At the same time, one must stay true to one’s heart; it’s too difficult.”

His remarks caught the attention of Su Wei.