I Tame Beasts by Feeding

"Let him refine it himself?"

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Yang was taken aback and stared at Yang Tianyi in surprise.

"That’s right. Is there a problem?"

Yang Tianyi nodded slightly, still smiling cheerfully, but deep in his eyes, a flicker of provocation—whether intentional or not—flashed as he raised an eyebrow.

"Well..." Gongsun Yang looked troubled. He hesitated, then gave Yang Tianyi a wry, helpless smile.

"What are you talking about? Changsheng’s talent is astonishing, but the Blood Nourishing and Dao Nurturing Pill is a Third-Grade Elixir, after all. Given his qualifications, having him refine it is asking a bit too much, don’t you think?"

Yang Tianyi paused thoughtfully, then looked at Yu Changsheng and said with a faint smile:

"Although the Blood Nourishing and Dao Nurturing Pill is a Third-Grade Elixir, it’s one of the most basic. The medicinal principles and techniques involved aren’t complex. I see your disciple’s Cultivation has already reached the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer; I would think he could at least attempt a simple Third-Grade Elixir."

"If he can’t, then never mind. I’ll find the time to refine it for you later."

As Yang Tianyi spoke, he shook his head, a hint of disappointment in his eyes, though he continued to smile cheerfully.

"Well... The boy’s Cultivation speed is just fast; he hasn’t been practicing Alchemy for very long," Gongsun Yang said, dumbfounded. Though he was also surprised by Yu Changsheng’s Cultivation level, he still shook his head.

As he saw it, Yu Changsheng spent too much time on Cultivation and wasn’t as focused on Alchemy. His experience was still limited, so having him refine a Third-Grade Elixir was indeed asking too much.

"Alright, no problem. Thank you, Elder Yang. This junior is willing to give it a try. I hope you will offer your guidance, even if I make a fool of myself."

Just as Gongsun Yang was feeling helpless, Yu Changsheng suddenly spoke up, bowing with his hands clasped toward Yang Tianyi.

"Changsheng... you..."

Gongsun Yang froze, turning to look at Yu Changsheng in surprise, but he was at a loss for words.

"Don’t worry, Master. I want to try."

After a moment’s thought, Yu Changsheng gave him a reassuring look and said in a low voice.

"Good! You have courage. It’s alright; an Alchemist must be bold enough to try. It’s no problem if you fail."

Yang Tianyi was also taken aback for a moment, then he gave Yu Changsheng an appreciative glance, his smile widening even more.

"You... Fine. Give it a try. Just consider it a chance to gain more experience."

Seeing Yu Changsheng so determined, Gongsun Yang gave him a long, hard look, then shook his head, let out a breath, and said no more.

’Perhaps this kid can actually surprise me...’

Gongsun Yang thought to himself, a flicker of anticipation unconsciously kindling in his heart.

"Follow me."

At this, Yang Tianyi nodded to them both. Smiling, he led Yu Changsheng and Gongsun Yang to the rear courtyard. After passing through an herb garden, they arrived at an Alchemy Room.

Inside, every kind of alchemy tool imaginable was present. A rich aroma of elixirs hung in the air, thick and persistent. In the center of the room stood an Alchemy Furnace, radiating a powerful pressure that marked it as no ordinary item.

"This is where I normally perform Alchemy. Prepare yourself and give it a try here. It’s alright if you fail; you can just try a few more times. No pressure."

Yang Tianyi explained softly to them while rummaging through a nearby shelf. He pulled out a Jade Tube and handed it to Yu Changsheng, along with a Storage Pouch.

"This is the Pill Formula for the Blood Nourishing and Dao Nurturing Pill, along with the ingredients. Prepare yourself, and you can begin whenever you feel ready. You can also borrow my Alchemy Furnace. Don’t be formal."

Yang Tianyi smiled gently. Yu Changsheng nodded, accepting the Pill Formula’s Jade Tube and the Storage Pouch of ingredients. He took a deep breath, swept his Divine Sense over the Jade Tube, and immersed his consciousness in its contents.

"Yin Blood Grass, Beast-Storage Fruit, Overlord Branch..."

The contents of the Pill Formula became clear, its various details emerging one by one.

[Tier Two Alchemy Dao (20,000/50,000)]

’Add points!’

Yu Changsheng muttered to himself.

[Consumed 30,000 Essence Points! Tier Two Alchemy Dao has advanced to Tier Three. Tier Three Alchemy Dao (0/500,000)]

As his Alchemy Dao advanced, waves of knowledge materialized from thin air, surging endlessly into Yu Changsheng’s Sea of Consciousness, but he assimilated it all in an instant.

When he looked at the Pill Formula again, his perception of it had completely changed. Certain details now seemed perfectly clear, and he was filled with confidence.

’I can improve my technique as well.’

Seeing he still had plenty of Essence Points, Yu Changsheng mused. While pondering the Pill Formula, he continued to add points.

[Three-coin Fire Refining Technique: Minor Achievement (150,000/200,000)]

[Consumed 50,000 Essence Points! Three-coin Fire Refining Technique has been raised to Great Success!]

[Three-coin Fire Refining Technique: Great Success (0/300,000)]

...

’That should do it...’

Sensing the new insights flooding his Sea of Consciousness, Yu Changsheng closed his eyes, then slowly opened them again. A sharp glint flashed in their depths.

"Ready already? Don’t you want to prepare a bit more? Alchemy is no child’s play. We’re not in a rush, so just take your time."

Yang Tianyi watched Yu Changsheng suddenly stand up. A look of surprised doubt appeared in his eyes as he spoke, offering a reminder.

For some reason, he felt that the Yu Changsheng before him was different from the one just moments ago, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.

"This junior is ready. I can begin."

Yu Changsheng bowed with his fist clasped to Yang Tianyi, then looked to Gongsun Yang. The latter nodded, giving him an encouraging look and saying softly:

"If you feel you’re ready, then begin. Relax. This is your first time refining a Third-Grade Elixir, so just do your best. No pressure."

"Your disciple understands."

Yu Changsheng nodded. After taking a deep breath, his expression grew calm and solemn. He slapped his Storage Pouch, and under the control of his powerful Divine Sense, the various herbs floated out one by one.

"No wonder you said his talent was astonishing. This kid... even though he’s only at Foundation Establishment, the sheer power of his Divine Sense is probably comparable to a Golden Core expert’s."

This display alone made Yang Tianyi, who was watching from the side, focus his attention in slight surprise. He said to Gongsun Yang, the look of anticipation in his eyes intensifying.

"Oh, really? When it comes to this disciple of mine, you haven’t seen anything yet."

At this, Gongsun Yang stroked his beard and let out a smug chuckle.

"Pill Fire, ignite!"

Yu Changsheng let out a low shout and pointed a finger. In an instant, a Flame danced on its tip. He steadily flicked it onto the Alchemy Furnace, and it immediately spread to engulf the vessel, burning fiercely.

"His Fire Control is also very skilled. From the look of things, I’m afraid he’s already reached Great Success in your Three-coin Fire Refining Technique."

Yang Tianyi exclaimed in surprise again, nodding his head. This time, a hint of gravity slowly appeared in his eyes.

"Heh."

Gongsun Yang just shook his head and chuckled softly, saying no more. But deep in his eyes, a flicker of shock remained.

’So this kid has been practicing on his own. His technique has gotten even more skillful. Heh, not bad at all.’

Yu Changsheng took another deep breath. As the Flames enveloped the Alchemy Furnace, the air grew scorching hot.

Before long, the furnace was preheated. Yu Changsheng’s brow furrowed. His Tier Three Alchemy Dao gave him much more confidence for this Alchemy attempt, but since it was still his first time, he felt a little nervous.

The steps of the Pill Formula surfaced in his mind. With a wave of his hand, the various herbs arranged themselves in sequence. The intensity of the fire grew, enveloping the herbs and refining them into a liquid essence.

’First, two stalks of Blood Yin Grass. One is rendered into a liquid, and the other will act as a carrier...’

’The Overlord Branch’s medicinal properties are gentle; it’s used as a neutralizing agent...’

’For the Blood Nourishing and Dao Nurturing Pill, the main ingredient is the Soul-Concentrating Fruit, which is also the most precious primary herb. Its properties are fragile, so I must control it with a Mild Fire, Quenching it bit by bit, and use a Wenling Leaf as a protective auxiliary herb...’

Every little detail surfaced naturally in Yu Changsheng’s mind. Gradually, his initially stiff and tense movements became fluid and graceful, like flowing water.

The Pill Fire burned steadily, changing shape and intensity at Yu Changsheng’s will. A vapor filled the Alchemy Furnace. Soon, faint wisps of greenish-red Pill Mist began to drift out, and an aromatic Pill Fragrance filled the air.