Chapter 706 Alchemy - I Became the Rich Second-Generation Villain

In the second layer of the Sky Opening Tower, there are ninety-nine cauldrons, ranging from the first to the ninth level, corresponding to pills of those levels. Each level boasts eleven cauldrons. When concocting pills of a particular tier, the corresponding cauldron of the same tier is used. As long as the materials for concocting the pills are ample, these cauldrons can automatically balance the proportions of various materials and maintain the perfect flame temperature within the cauldron to produce flawless pills. This is precisely why this place is considered an alchemy cheat tool. Wang Haoran’s role is merely to provide power to the cauldrons. To put it simply, it’s about supplying spiritual energy to the cauldrons. Currently, with Wang Haoran's Foundation Establishment cultivation, he can effortlessly afford the energy consumption needed for concocting second-tier pills. In fact, he could maintain the spiritual energy supply to two second-tier cauldrons. In other words, he can simultaneously produce two kinds of second-tier pills. And should there be an excessive consumption of spiritual energy, the Chaos Bottle is at hand to quickly replenish it with just one sip of spiritual liquid. Honestly, this doesn’t require much technical skill. It’s simply about continuing to infuse spiritual energy in the Sky Opening Tower, which is somewhat tedious. Wang Haoran selected two second-tier pills to concoct: one is the second-tier Barrier Breaking Pill, and the other is the Foundation Establishment Pill. The purpose of the second-tier Barrier Breaking Pill is self-explanatory, as it significantly enhances the probability of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm. The Foundation Establishment Pill can enhance the spiritual energy cultivation of the Foundation Establishment stage. Wang Haoran, who is nearing the peak of the Foundation Establishment phase, would achieve a true peak state by consuming a few of these pills. Once he reaches this peak state, consuming the second-tier Barrier Breaking Pill will increase his chances of a successful breakthrough. After gathering the necessary materials for these two pills, Wang Haoran placed them into two separate second-tier cauldrons, and began infusing spiritual energy into them. The cauldrons started to operate smoothly. Among the second-tier pills, the Foundation Establishment Pill isn’t particularly high in rank, making it relatively straightforward to concoct. It typically takes about ten days to produce one batch, and each batch yields a hundred pills. Taking into account the defective pills, about ninety are usable. Although it might seem slightly imperfect, a ninety percent success rate is actually remarkably high. For most high-ranking alchemists, even achieving a fifty percent success rate is considered extraordinary. Wang Haoran already planned the distribution of the ninety Foundation Establishment Pills from the first batch. Three pills would be enough for him to reach the peak of the Foundation Establishment phase. He decided to give fifty pills to Hua Feixuan and keep the remaining thirty-seven for himself. After all, having taken so many items from the Yinyue Sect’s treasure vault, he felt a bit guilty. These fifty Foundation Establishment Pills were to repay Hua Feixuan. Hua Feixuan was indeed profiting greatly. Judging by the total value of the resources Wang Haoran had taken, they wouldn't account for more than ten Foundation Establishment Pills at most. The Yinyue Sect didn’t have any alchemists, meaning their resources were consumed directly rather than refined. By transforming these resources into pills, Wang Haoran immensely multiplied their value. This is precisely why the profession of an alchemist holds such high esteem in the cultivation world. As for the Barrier Breaking Pill, it is among the top tier of second-level pills, making it quite challenging to concoct, with a lengthy production time. Each batch only produces ten pills and requires forty-nine days. Regarding the distribution of the second-tier Barrier Breaking Pills, Wang Haoran hadn’t made a decision yet. They are, after all, even more valuable than the Foundation Establishment Pills. However, the process of alchemy is tiresomely dull. The fortunate aspect is that time within the Sky Opening Tower flows much slower compared to the outside world. Forty-nine days in the Sky Opening Tower equates to merely around five days in the outside world. Yet even in these five days, much had happened outside. Wang Haoran entered the Sky Opening Tower to concoct pills and was so engrossed in his work that he couldn’t inform anyone around him. To the outside world, Wang Haoran was missing for five days. Xu Qingtong was worried sick when she couldn’t find Wang Haoran and went everywhere looking for him but to no avail, eventually confronting Su Xuan. “Su Xuan, open the door for me!” Xu Qingtong arrived outside Su Xuan's residence, pounding the door violently, the loud thuds almost causing Su Xuan, who was quietly applying medicine to his injuries inside, to stumble in surprise. Su Xuan had kept his injuries a secret from others, even Gu Hongyi was unaware. He had seized the opportunity when Gu Hongyi had just left to secretly apply the ointment on his injuries. Hearing the commotion outside, Su Xuan knew it was Xu Qingtong. He quickly tidied himself and went to open the door. “Su Xuan, has Wang Haoran fallen victim to you and your mentor’s schemes?!” Xu Qingtong, seemingly irrational, loudly interrogated. “Wang Haoran is missing?!” Su Xuan exclaimed, secretly delighted but restrained himself upon seeing Xu Qingtong’s murderous gaze, shrugged, and said: “You’ve got it wrong. I haven't seen Wang Haoran these days.” “If it’s not you two who harmed him, then why would he disappear!” Xu Qingtong retorted angrily. “His legs are attached to him. He can go wherever he pleases. His disappearance has nothing to do with me. It’s laughable for you to suspect me,” Su Xuan replied. “It’s impossible. If he were going anywhere, he would have told me,” Xu Qingtong argued. “If he ran off to fool around with another woman, why would he tell you? Of course, he’d keep it from you,” Su Xuan snarked, crossing his arms. “If he wanted to see another woman, he could just go. I have no objections, so why would he leave without telling me?” Xu Qingtong countered. Upon her words, Su Xuan’s face twitched with jealousy. Was Xu Qingtong too open-minded? [Ding! The host indirectly caused Su Xuan’s mental damage, earning 4,000 villain points, reducing Su Xuan’s protagonist halo by 200, and increasing the host’s villain halo by 200!] “Wang Haoran disappeared at the Yinyue Sect. You should first question the Yinyue Sect people, not me,” Su Xuan deflected, unwilling to argue further with Xu Qingtong. “I will, but if his disappearance is related to you, I’ll definitely kill you!” Xu Qingtong said, her eyes flashing with a fierce glare. Su Xuan was inwardly shaken. It wasn’t that he feared Xu Qingtong’s vengeance, but her deep concern for Wang Haoran filled him with intense jealousy. [Ding! The host indirectly caused Su Xuan’s mental damage, earning 6,000 villain points, reducing Su Xuan’s protagonist halo by 300, and increasing the host’s villain halo by 300!] What was so great about Wang Haoran that Xu Qingtong was so utterly devoted to him?! Su Xuan’s heart burned with increasing jealousy. At this moment, Xu Qingtong had already turned away, seemingly to confront members of the Yinyue Sect. Su Xuan hesitated at the spot before following her. He also wanted to determine if Wang Haoran was alive or dead because it would be wonderful if he were truly dead! In the main hall of the Yinyue Sect. Hua Feixuan gathered the disciples, instructing them to search thoroughly within and outside the sect to locate any trace of Wang Haoran. Once the disciples left to carry out her orders, Hua Feixuan rubbed her temples, a look of concern and worry etched on her face. (End of Chapter)