Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Chapter 671: Chapter 356: Fortune-Spurred Alchemy, Corrupted Cauldron, Flower Cage Energy Scattered? Overturned Destiny_3

The disciples staggered to the northwest or swayed to the southeast, stepping messily in all directions. Li Xian glanced over them, knowing who had better agility, and thus hired them first, rewarding them with a coin. Those with lesser skills, aiming to muddle through, were directly asked to leave.

The "Water Stone Treasure Tripod" for boiling the Essence Treasure stands in Wanglong Mountain. Transporting dew back and forth requires traversing the mountain path. Firm legs ensure steady water carriage, minimizing spills and wastage of money.

Then, seven hundred and twenty taels of ’Cyan Bamboo Charcoal’ and eight hundred and thirty taels of ’Dew’ were purchased. Prepared in advance, it suffices to raise the cauldron. As night falls, the weather cools. Li Xian ascends Wanglong Mountain, taking advantage of the night to raise the cauldron.

He instructed people to add wood and water, the flames roared, water vapor spreading, thoroughly raising the cauldron!

Li Xian looked down at the Water Altar, glimpsing Cyan Ox Residence, Peach Blossom Town, the vast lake region beneath his feet, his heart surged wildly: "I started as a servant, but fate shields me, and Heaven rewards diligence. I braved the snowstorms, risking my life as bait to lure out demons among the snow. In the perilous moments, it was only for half a piece of Essence Treasure Meat. Since stepping onto the Martial Arts path, experiencing the dangers within, I’ve been fortunate to progress step by step, accumulating drops. Today, by chance and due to various reasons, I can raise the cauldron by myself once again."

Feeling deeply nostalgic, he gazed toward the mountain path, seeing disciples swiftly and steadily transporting dew back and forth. In the past, he was a channel, now he raises the cauldron for himself. Observing the Essence Treasure Meat being boiled and stewed in the cauldron, removing toxins, restoring essence, he felt a sense of accomplishment. Another day passed momentarily; Li Xian was financially abundant, added wood and water again, the steam surged, the meat rolled and simmered, its dark purple gradually paling, and the foul smell gradually cleared.

The morning of the next day passed, yet the morning glow was long absent.

Li Xian’s brow furrowed, smelling the moisture in the air, fearing rain was imminent. The weather at the Water Altar was unpredictable, sudden rainstorms were not uncommon. He mused, "If it rains, it’ll cost me at least a hundred taels of silver. Coming at the wrong time!" Rain would hinder dew transportation and charcoal-burning.

At noon that day, several claps of thunder roared, indeed a mighty rain began. The Water Altar became shrouded in misty rain. Li Xian felt helpless, building a wooden shelter for cover, meanwhile instructing the disciples transporting the water to be cautious.

The rain was torrential, starting at noon, slightly easing by dusk. Still, it continued relentlessly, and Li Xian sighed, "Hardly can I raise the cauldron, yet the heavens are unkind. Oh well... how can the world always bend to my wishes? As long as the cauldron succeeds, more losses can be endured."

Rain washed down, flowing from high above, turning the stone steps into channels, streams murmuring. Although the disciples were skilled in Martial Arts, they slipped inevitably in their rush. Any spilled dew was equivalent to losing gold and silver. Li Xian was heartbroken but had to manage the overall situation, unable to help personally, only incessantly reminding them.

By this time, he had spent three thousand nine hundred taels of silver.

Li Xian calculated inwardly: "Seven hundred taels of silver remain, I observe the Essence Treasure in the cauldron, the meat still has a gray-brown color. There remains sixty percent of the toxins. Without this rainstorm, they should have been less than fifty percent. The remaining seven hundred taels of silver must be used cautiously for dew and charcoal. If it fails and the heat ceases, those four thousand taels would be lost for nothing!"

He looked up at the sky, hoping the rain would stop. The lingering rain brought damp cold air. Several disciples, after being washed by rain and then struck by cold air, felt uncomfortable instantly, slowing the water transport.

Li Xian watched the Treasure Tripod from time to time. The water boiled into vapor, the water surface gradually lowered. The replenishment and consumption of water just managed to balance out. If slightly slower, the water would gradually be exhausted, and the burning charcoal below would quickly roast the Essence Treasure Meat to a blackened crisp.

Li Xian felt utterly helpless, shouting loudly, "Brothers, hold on a little longer, whoever transports the most water, I will reward him with three hundred taels of silver! Additionally, I will grant a piece of Essence Treasure Meat!"

The disciples felt fully invigorated upon hearing "silver." When they heard "Essence Treasure Meat," they worked even harder, like getting a shot of adrenaline, sprinting back and forth transporting water. The water surface in the cauldron gradually rose, returning to normal.

Li Xian thought: "Such motivation could alleviate the crisis, but the Cyan Bamboo Charcoal is almost exhausted, I only have four hundred taels of silver left, not sure if it would be enough." Anxiety filled his heart, feeling bottomless.

The damp climate caused a sudden increase in charcoal consumption. As expected, Li Xian’s initial purchase of Cyan Bamboo Charcoal was insufficient, he immediately spent another hundred taels on charcoal. It burned for four hours, then ran out again. The Essence Treasure Meat gradually cleared its color, yet thirty percent of the toxins remained.

Li Xian purchased another hundred taels of Cyan Bamboo Charcoal, adding it to the bottom of the cauldron. His gaze fixed on the Essence Treasure Meat. This time raising the cauldron was particularly unfortunate, encountering myriad dangers. He wondered, "Could it be the Essence Treasure Meat is different? Or is it the climate that mysteriously influences? Last time Elder Han Zisha raised the cauldron, it went extremely smoothly. The firewood and charcoal I burn now far exceed the amount used then. What exactly is the reason?"

Burn another four hours, eliminating an additional ten percent of toxins. Li Xian calculated that he only had two hundred taels of silver left. He gritted his teeth, spent all the funds he had left, buying Cyan Bamboo Charcoal completely.

Continuously adding charcoal to boil the cauldron. The surrounding water vapor swirled, and by the third day, the rain had stopped. Only half percent of the toxins remained, yet the charcoal was also running out.

Li Xian added the last of the charcoal, calmly waiting, observing the Essence Treasure gradually turning milky white, he thought: "Within an hour, I can succeed, my charcoal is enough to burn for two hours. Should be fine."

Waiting quietly for an hour. Seeing the Essence Treasure emitting a clear fragrance, the soup condensing into a milky white thick paste, adhering to the bottom layer of the cauldron. Li Xian breathed a subtle sigh of relief, suddenly his brow furrowed tightly, watching the soup change from clear to turbid, mixing foul smell with the clear fragrance.

Li Xian pondered: "What is happening? Although I’m raising the cauldron for the first time, I’ve witnessed Madam raising the cauldron, watched Elder Han Zisha raise it... None has this bizarre situation. Could it be the Essence Treasure Meat is abnormal? But it doesn’t seem so." Watching the soup changing from white to yellow, the stench unbearable, the originally detoxified Essence Treasure became equally polluted, turning purplish-black and foul smelling.