Chapter 27: Second-Tier Pill Recipe

Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver blinked his eyes. “How could I not know? Azure Feather Studio used to be quite famous, and they were very strong. Though they’ve fallen from grace, a studio made up entirely of beautiful women still attracts plenty of attention. Who knows how many people envy and resent you, the lone man among a crowd of beauties? I’m one of them, honestly.”

He sighed, then grinned lewdly. “Forget it, I won’t try to recruit you. With a dozen beauties keeping you company day and night, who could possibly lure you away? But it seems the rumors are far from accurate. They say Azure Feather Studio’s only man is a total rookie, but if anyone calls you a rookie now, I’d slap them. Someone who can easily defeat Tiger’s Roar and obtain a hidden secondary profession couldn’t possibly be a newbie! Looks like Azure Feather Studio is about to rise again.”

Ye Chen smiled faintly, surprised to find his reputation preceding him. It seemed that for his own name, and for the sake of the girls in the studio, he needed to work even harder and strive to evolve into a true expert—a top-tier master.

“Oh, right, Brother Night Dawn, you’re about to unlock your second-tier secondary skill, aren’t you? Any idea what kind of good stuff comes from second-tier skills? If you could tell me ahead of time, I’d be able to prepare some funds.” Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver’s eyes shone with excitement as he questioned Ye Chen. He was feeling quite thrilled. Just moments ago, he had reported to Dragon Soars’ leader, Dragon Soars Vagabond, about obtaining the Healing Pill and Mighty Pill. He was immediately praised, and promised that the pills purchased from Ye Chen would be distributed more generously to his squad. As the captain, his excitement was palpable—the guild’s business had become his own, and he was all the more dedicated.

Ye Chen nodded. This Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver, was truly generous, so eager to bring him business. Since Ye Chen already understood market prices, he wasn’t worried about being shortchanged, so he promptly sent the attributes of the two second-tier pills he planned to craft to him.

[Blood Coagulation Pill]: Instantly restores 200 HP, cooldown 60 seconds.

[Wisdom Pill]: Increases intelligence by 20 points, duration 10 minutes.

Seeing the stats of the two pills, Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver’s face flushed with excitement. The Blood Coagulation Pill was twice as effective as the Healing Pill, and the Wisdom Pill’s attributes made his heart race—20 points of intelligence meant 20 points of magic attack and 200 points of mana. This would elevate any magic class to a new level. Compared to the Mighty Pill, the Wisdom Pill was far more valuable, and since magic classes often carried the main damage in a party, its worth was even greater.

“We’ll take them! Brother Night Dawn, whatever price you set, Dragon Soars will buy every pill you make. Please don’t sell to anyone else, or I’ll be heartbroken!” Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver clung to Ye Chen’s arm, refusing to let go.

Noticing the strange looks from passersby and the pointing of several female players, Ye Chen hurriedly kicked Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver off him, cursing, “I’m not interested in men—don’t get in the way of my wooing girls.”

“We have plenty of girls in Dragon Soars! Sell me the pills and I’ll introduce you to them,” Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver replied, grinning as he sidled up again.

Ye Chen was speechless. How could this guy be so shameless? He pushed him away and said, “Name your price, but don’t try to cheat me. If it’s too low, I won’t sell.”

Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver was delighted and quickly replied, “Three gold coins per Blood Coagulation Pill, five gold coins per Wisdom Pill. These are the highest prices I got permission for from Vagabond. I doubt many in Fierce Mountain City could offer you better.”

Ye Chen calculated: the Blood Coagulation Pill required alchemy consumables totaling thirty silver coins, and with the basic tier-two herbs added, the cost was less than one gold coin, earning two gold coins per pill—a lucrative deal.

For the Wisdom Pill, consumables cost one gold coin, plus two rare herbs, totaling around two gold coins. Each pill would earn three gold, even more profitable than instant healing items. The monopolistic value of the alchemist profession was already showing through the Wisdom Pill.

Under Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver’s anxious gaze, Ye Chen nodded. “Alright, I’ll use your prices. When they’re ready, I’ll call you.”

“Thank you!” Hearing Ye Chen agree, Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver finally sighed in relief. He had truly feared Ye Chen would ask for outrageous prices—he’d have been at a loss then.

The price was already very profitable; there was no need to squeeze Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver too hard. Ye Chen saw him as a long-term meal ticket and didn’t want to ruin the partnership on the first deal.

After bidding farewell to Dragon Soars, Star Cleaver, Ye Chen returned to the second floor of the Alchemist Guild. This time, he aimed to purchase two second-tier pill recipes before heading out to gather herbs. Each recipe cost one hundred gold coins, and Ye Chen painfully handed over two hundred gold coins for the two coveted recipes.

Checking his wallet, his gold had dropped from five hundred fifty to three hundred fifty. He glanced at the recipes:

[Blood Coagulation Pill] (Second-tier Recipe): Instantly restores 200 HP, cooldown 60 seconds. Materials required: five Blood Coagulation Herbs, one tier-two refining bottle, one portion of Pill Stablizing Water.

[Wisdom Pill] (Second-tier Recipe): Increases intelligence by 20 points, duration 10 minutes. Materials required: five Mind Focusing Herbs, one tier-two alchemy furnace, one cluster of tier-two pill flame.

Given the usual ratio of common to rare herbs at four to one, Ye Chen was forced to buy a large batch of consumables. Each tier-two refining bottle cost ten silver coins; each portion of Pill Stabilizing Water, thirty silver coins. Four hundred of each cost him one hundred sixty gold. He then bought one hundred tier-two alchemy furnaces and one hundred clusters of tier-two pill flame, spending another one hundred gold. In the blink of an eye, his wallet deflated, leaving just over one hundred gold.

Ye Chen grimaced with heartache—ordinary players simply couldn’t afford to level alchemy. Advancing from tier two to tier three required five hundred gold coins, a fortune. Fortunately, the alchemist’s future was promising, with guaranteed sales and prices; otherwise, he’d have quit long ago.

Exiting Fierce Mountain City’s southern gate, crossing the wild grasslands, he headed south toward Soul Return Valley. He’d already asked the system goddess and learned that Soul Return Valley was the best place to gather tier-two herbs. The area was remote, and the monsters dangerous, so few life profession players ventured there. Unless something unexpected happened, the Blood Coagulation Herb and Mind Focusing Herb would surely be abundant.