The left wing of the estate, also known as the Medicinal Fragrance Courtyard, was where the Wei family practiced their alchemy.
This was the base where the Wei clan refined their pills.
The person in charge was Wei Yi's mother, Shen Qiulan, the only Fourth-Rank Alchemist within the entire Wei family.
A Fourth-Rank Alchemist was a rare sight, and there were hardly any in Jinling. As such, Shen Qiulan held an esteemed position within the Wei family.
Wei Tianyang had maintained his steady hold on the position of family head for years, not only due to his own formidable strength, which made him untouchable, but also because of Shen Qiulan's support. After all, the Wei family's upper echelons needed high-grade medicinal pills, and Shen Qiulan was the one they relied on for their creation. No one dared offend the couple. As for replacing the Wei family's young master, that was an issue born of Wei Yi's inability to cultivate.
"Mother, did you call for me?"
Wei Yi entered the left wing courtyard.
"I do have something to discuss with you. What did your father say to you?" Shen Qiulan asked as she gestured for Wei Yi to sit.
"Well... Father didn't say much," Wei Yi replied.
Upon hearing this, Shen Qiulan's expression darkened. "What? Are you set on siding with your father?"
"What are you talking about?"
Wei Yi laughed wryly.
Unable to avoid it, he recounted his father's words.
"Hmph, that old man," Shen Qiulan muttered in frustration.
Then, her expression softened as she turned to Wei Yi, a smile returning to her face.
"Here's the thing. I want to teach you the art of alchemy, but your father refuses. He's afraid that it will distract you and slow down your martial arts training," she explained succinctly.
Wei Yi finally understood the situation.
Curious, he asked, "Mother, why the sudden desire to teach me alchemy?"
It was strange. Wei Yi was already seventeen. If she had wanted to teach him, there was no reason to wait until now.
"After awakening your bloodline, not only will your physical strength greatly increase, but your spiritual power will also grow many times over. Haven't you felt it?"
"Alchemy relies heavily on spiritual power, and your spiritual energy now far exceeds that of your peers. You're a natural-born alchemist," Shen Qiulan continued, her voice filled with warmth.
"How about it? Will you learn alchemy from your mother? I have never had a true heir for my craft, and now it can all be passed to you. Of course, this will not hinder your martial arts cultivation," she said, her eyes brimming with anticipation.
Though Wei Yi had little interest in alchemy, seeing the look of hope in his mother's eyes made it impossible to refuse.
"Fine, but I can't say if I have the talent for it."
As for whether it would hinder his martial arts progress, Wei Yi wasn't worried. With the game system, he didn't need to spend much time in arduous practice.
Ding! "Player Wei Yi has unlocked the Alchemy Side Job System."
The notification sound of the game system suddenly echoed in his mind.
Wei Yi was taken aback, realizing he had completely forgotten about the game system.
Not only did the system offer the primary martial arts cultivation system, but it also provided various side job systems, alchemy being one of them.
Player: Wei Yi
Alchemy Mastery: None
Alchemy Technique: lv0
Alchemy Success Rate: 0% for all pill grades
Looking at the newly added alchemy side job system on the panel, Wei Yi couldn't help but smile.
With this system, he no longer needed any innate alchemical talent—this side job system, in his view, was the greatest alchemical talent he could possess.
"Mother, can you first show me how to make pills?"
Wei Yi eagerly asked.
Seeing his sudden interest, Shen Qiulan was surprised.
But to her, this was a good sign—after all, the best teacher was interest. With interest, how could he not excel?
"Come, I'll show you, but remember to stay silent and not disturb the others who are refining pills."
As she spoke, Shen Qiulan led Wei Yi into the alchemy chamber of the left wing courtyard.
Typically, alchemists did not allow others to observe their refining process.
However, this was the Wei family. Most of the alchemists here were clan members, and the majority were Shen Qiulan's own disciples. They actually welcomed her presence and looked forward to her guidance.
Ding! "Player Wei Yi observes the alchemy process, Alchemy Experience +20."
Ding! "Player Wei Yi observes the alchemy process, Alchemy Experience +15."
Ding! "Player Wei Yi observes the alchemy process, Alchemy Experience +22."
...
After an entire day of observation—or rather, after an entire day of experience farming—the alchemy side job system data updated:
Player: Wei Yi
Alchemy Mastery: First-Rank
Alchemy Technique: lv7
Alchemy Success Rate: 70% for First-Rank Pills
A First-Rank Alchemist was also known as an alchemy apprentice.
Most of the people in the left wing courtyard were at this level.
After a full day of observation, Wei Yi's alchemy technique had surpassed that of most alchemy apprentices.
His success rate for refining First-Rank pills had reached an impressive 70%, a level even second- and third-rank alchemists would struggle to achieve.
Of course, Wei Yi was still a First-Rank Alchemist, as he was unable to refine Second-Rank pills. Trying to do so would likely result in a furnace explosion.
The number of pills one could refine indicated their rank as an alchemist—this was a universally accepted standard.
"Mother, I want to try making some pills myself. Do you think it's okay?"
Since observation was less effective than hands-on experience for gaining skill, Wei Yi made the request the next morning.
"What? You want to start practicing already?"
"Isn't it too soon, Yi'er? Shouldn't we study a bit longer first?"
Upon hearing his request, even Shen Qiulan, who spoiled him, couldn't help but widen her eyes.
If it were anyone else, she might have slapped them right away.
Trying to refine pills after just one day of learning?
That would be like trying to run before learning to walk!
Even she, with her top-tier alchemical talent, didn't attempt pill refinement until several months of learning.
Her plan for Wei Yi was to study for a month before allowing him to practice, but now, he wanted to start after only a day? Shen Qiulan couldn't help but laugh and shake her head in disbelief.
"How about this? I'll try refining three batches of pills first."
"If one of them succeeds, then you can try," she said decisively.
"Five batches of pills, you get one chance to succeed with the simplest Body Refining Pills. You watched me make them yesterday, so you know how. If you succeed in one, I'll listen to you," Shen Qiulan added.
A success rate of 20% might seem easy, but for someone who had just started learning, even a 10% success rate would be a difficult challenge.
For someone so new to alchemy, success was nearly impossible.
But Wei Yi was beaming with joy.
Body Refining Pills were First-Rank pills. With his current level of alchemy, a 70% success rate, and five chances, he felt this was far too easy.
"Okay, no problem."
Wei Yi immediately agreed without hesitation.
The two exchanged a look and instantly smiled—though the reasons for their smiles were entirely different.