With the alchemy lessons in hand, Lü Zhong began to tackle the theories of fusion and transformation in alchemy.

This stage was crucial to the success or failure of alchemy, affecting the quality of the final pill. It involved an extraordinary amount of theory, so much so that Master Dongbu spent a full seven lessons focusing on this content.

Pills are divided into three grades based on their target Medicinal Spiritual Qi content.

A pill’s grade refers to the quality with which it is refined, and can be divided into high, middle, and lower grades. A High-grade Pill can only be created by a Grandmaster steeped in the Alchemy Dao for many years, or through a sudden stroke of inspiration. They are characterized by high medicinal efficacy and low Pill Poison content, but their yield is extremely scarce. Thus, whenever they appear on the market, it is at an auction or within various exclusive circles.

The pills sold in Pill Shops are almost all Middle-grade Pills. When cultivators speak of "Pills," unless a quality is specified, they are usually referring to Middle-grade Pills.

Lower-grade Pills contain a large amount of Pill Poison and are unsuitable for consumption by cultivators, which is why Alchemists call them "inferior pills." Aside from a few destitute cultivators who might buy them, they are typically sold at a discount to the major Spirit Beast Manors, serving as the best source for replenishing the Spiritual Qi of captive Spiritual Beasts.

Lü Zhong didn’t expect to be able to refine High-grade Pills; he only hoped that among the pills he created, the proportion of Middle-grade Pills would be higher, and the proportion of inferior and Wasted Pills would be lower. This ratio is known as the "Pill Formation Rate," and it determines whether an Alchemist can turn a profit.

Take the True Rhythm Pill he often used, for example. To merely break even, one needed a Pill Formation Rate of thirty percent for Middle-grade Pills, and that was only after selling off the inferior pills to recoup the initial cost.

A thirty percent Pill Formation Rate was known as the break-even point for True Rhythm Pills.

The break-even point varied for different types of pills and fluctuated with the market. For common, easy-to-refine Binding Pills that many Alchemists could produce, a higher Pill Formation Rate was required to be profitable. As the tier of a pill increased, the Pill Formation Rate needed to break even would become progressively lower.

It was said that for Core Formation Stage pills, even a ten percent Pill Formation Rate was enough to be profitable.

This was because Core Formation Stage pills were exceedingly expensive.

After all, pills for Core Formation Cultivators required Spirit Medicines at least five hundred years old. Alchemists capable of refining Tier Three Pills were exceedingly rare, and commissioning them often cost thousands of Spirit Stones. The cost to refine a single cauldron of such pills was astronomical. Furthermore, the major families and Sects all invariably and strictly controlled the flow of High-tier Pills to the market, further fueling the price increase.

In the time that followed, besides holing up in Lintao Pavilion to study alchemy theory, Lü Zhong frequently attended alchemy gatherings of all sizes in Changchun Immortal City. As long as he was willing to spend Spirit Stones freely on his basic, entry-level questions, there were always Alchemists willing to offer him guidance.

He spent almost all his time on alchemy, aside from eating, sleeping, and cultivating.

...

「In the blink of an eye, it was the first of the month.」

It was only the fourth watch of the night when Lü Zhong emerged from the Alchemy Room and slapped a few Cleaning Talismans on himself.

He had been so absorbed in learning alchemy that while his formidable physique held up without issue, his mind was starting to fray. After all, such prolonged periods of intense focus were taxing even for a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator. He decided to use the upcoming Foundation Establishment ceremony at the Yu Family’s estate as an opportunity to properly relax.

When he reached the courtyard, Li Hejun was already waiting with her maidservant.

His gaze fell upon a brocade box in her hands. Even a cursory scan revealed powerful Spiritual Qi fluctuations emanating from within. Lü Zhong refrained from using his Qi Observation Skill. ’This must be something Li Hejun prepared for me, perhaps as a surprise. It would be no fun to see through it and say so outright.’

"What is this?"

Just as he’d thought, a proud smile spread across Li Hejun’s face. She held up the brocade box and explained as she walked over:

"A Dharma Robe! Master, you’ve probably been wearing these clothes for a good ten years, ever since you bought them back in the Qi Refining Stage. Now that you’re a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, you naturally need a Dharma Robe that befits your status."

She opened the box, revealing a black, gold-threaded Dharma Robe.

It was an open-fronted cloak with wide sleeves.

It gave off a subdued and substantial impression.

Its surface was woven with gold thread in the design of a Circulation Star Pattern.

Li Hejun knew Lü Zhong’s tastes in clothing perfectly. He liked to wear black, but deep down, he was secretly quite flamboyant.

"The moment I saw this Star Patterned Robe at the auction, I knew it was perfect. It really suits you, Master."

Hearing this, Lü Zhong thought, ’No wonder Hejun asked me for one hundred thousand Spirit Stones a few days ago. I didn’t ask what for at the time. So, it was to win this Dharma Robe at the auction.’

Lifting the Star Patterned Robe, he felt its considerable weight. It was woven from a blend of Spiritual Threads and Star Silver Threads, and with the extensive gold embroidery, it was no wonder it felt so subdued and substantial.

He hefted it; it must have weighed at least thirty pounds.

No wonder Li Hejun had looked a bit strained holding it earlier.

With her and the maidservant’s help, Lü Zhong changed into the Star Patterned Robe.

As a Lower-grade Spiritual Artifact, in addition to the requisite Dust Avoidance and Gathering Spirit effects, it also came with a powerful Divine Technique called "Star Blessing." It could draw upon the Power of Nine Heavens Stars to give the wearer a comprehensive boost.

The blessing’s effect was even stronger on a starry night.

Channeling his Magical Power into it, he felt his Divine Soul grow slightly stronger, while his physical constitution and Qi replenishment speed also saw a small improvement. It certainly lived up to its claim of a comprehensive boost. The range of his Divine Sense Projection was enhanced, reaching one hundred and ninety-nine zhang, just shy of two hundred.