Chapter 78: Guidance Worth a Hundred Gold

“Father, you must stand up for me— that fellow is simply too arrogant!”
After being taught a lesson by Li Jian-san, Zhao Junshan fled in utter disgrace. As he dashed out of the Alchemist Guild’s gates, he caught sight of his father.
The elegant and dignified master of the Hundred Herbs Pavilion now wore a face of thunder, seeing his once distinguished son reduced to such a sorry state.
“Who is this young man, bold enough to humiliate you so thoroughly? Does he not know that you are my son?”
“Father, that scoundrel is unbearably conceited! He didn’t even spare you a second thought. He said that even if you showed up, he’d beat me all the same!”
Zhao Junshan added fuel to the fire, his words thick with exaggeration.
The pavilion master’s brow furrowed.
“I have never met such an arrogant youth. It seems I’ll have to teach him some manners on behalf of his parents.”
Seeing his father’s furious expression, Zhao Junshan smiled with satisfaction.
Boy, now that my father will deal with you personally, let’s see how you escape this time.
“Father, he’s still inside. I’ll wait for you to go in!”

…

Meanwhile, on Li Jian-san’s side—
“You were incredible! You defeated him in mere moments!”
“Yes, yes, your skill in alchemy is truly beyond compare!”
“I doubt there’s anyone in the entire Alchemist Guild who could match you.”
No sooner had Zhao Junshan left than the very disciples who had mocked Li Jian-san before began to flatter him, fickle as reeds in the wind.
Li Jian-san saw through them at a glance. “What do you want? Hoping I’ll give you some alchemy pointers?”
“Sharp as ever, sir— you guessed it right away!”
The disciples laughed awkwardly.
They were just ordinary members of the guild with no particular achievements to their names. For ages, they’d gone without guidance from the senior alchemists, their own skills stagnant.
They’d attached themselves to Zhao Junshan in hopes of learning something, but he was far too proud to stoop to instructing them.
Without tutelage, there was little hope of improvement— they’d only waste years of their time.
Li Jian-san saw the eagerness in their eyes and said coldly, “One hundred spirit stones per person.”
At this price, everyone’s eyelids twitched violently.
A single spirit stone could support a family for a year. One hundred spirit stones— an ordinary person would have to go a hundred years without eating or drinking to save that much.
Even though most of these disciples were from wealthy families, their allowances were meager at best.
“Isn’t that a bit steep? I don’t know if we can…”
Li Jian-san remained unmoved. “Business is business. No haggling.”
Yet, recalling his otherworldly alchemy earlier, they reasoned that even a single hint from him might help them break through.
Driven by that glimmer of hope, they were willing to pay any price.
“Fine, one hundred spirit stones— take them.”
One disciple gritted his teeth and handed over a pouch of spirit stones— it was all his savings from several years.
But for Li Jian-san’s guidance, he forced himself to let go.
“Come with me. The rest of you, wait outside.”
Li Jian-san gave the others a glance, then led the disciple into the alchemy room.
“Well, what’s your question?”
Li Jian-san sat down, exuding the air of a true master.
The disciple scratched his head. “I don’t even know… It just feels like my skills won’t improve no matter how hard I try.”
Li Jian-san was momentarily speechless.
After a pause, he looked the disciple over.
“All right. Try refining a pill for me.”
“What kind of pill?”
“Whatever you’re best at.”
Taking his cue, the disciple selected several herbs and approached the cauldron.
With a shout, he opened the furnace, lit the fire, warmed the cauldron, and began the steps of alchemy—
There was nothing unusual about his technique.
“You’re making a Qi Gathering Pill, aren’t you? No need to continue. At your level, you’ll only be able to produce a low-grade one.”
Seeing that the disciple was intent on continuing, Li Jian-san added, “If you don’t believe me, go ahead.”
With considerable effort, the disciple finally finished. He peeled back the cauldron lid and, after a deep breath, peered inside.
“What? It really is a low-grade Qi Gathering Pill!”
He looked at Li Jian-san in shock.
“There’s no need for such surprise. Your understanding of herbal properties is inadequate. You combined several mutually antagonistic herbs in the same batch— it’s a wonder you got a pill at all.
If you want to refine antagonistic herbs together, you’re simply not ready.”
Embarrassed, the disciple stammered, “Those herbs are antagonistic?”
Li Jian-san was taken aback. Wasn’t that the most basic knowledge? Did you learn alchemy from a gym teacher or something?
“Your technique is solid, but your knowledge of herbology is lacking. Go read more books.”
A look of sudden realization dawned on the disciple. “No wonder I couldn’t improve, no matter how much I practiced— so that’s why.”
As he was leaving, he asked, “If I reach your level, will I be able to refine mutually antagonistic herbs together?”

I’m a third-tier alchemist now.
For you to reach my achievements—
You have a long road ahead.
Still, Li Jian-san nodded. “Of course.”
The disciple was stunned again. He’d heard that blending antagonistic herbs required at least the skill of a second-tier alchemist. Could it be that Li Jian-san was already a third-tier?
A young third-tier alchemist— where could such a genius have come from?
As soon as he left, the other disciples crowded around.
“Hey, how was it?”
“What did he teach you?”
The disciple replied calmly, “His advice was precise and enlightening. I already feel I’m on the verge of a breakthrough.”
At these words, everyone grew excited.
“Amazing!”
“I have to go next!”
At that moment, Li Jian-san said coolly, “Next— bring your payment.”
With that, the crowd went wild.
“No one cut in line!”
“Get lost, who do you think you are?”
“Move aside, I’ll pay two hundred spirit stones!”
“I’ll double that…”

In no time at all, the entrance to Li Jian-san’s alchemy room was teeming with people, all desperate for his instruction.
To get his guidance sooner, the price soared from one hundred spirit stones to astronomical heights— some even pawned family treasures, others mortgaged their homes.
Meanwhile, Zhao Junshan was leading his furious father straight toward them…