Cultivation: I can solidify equipment attributes

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After completing his cultivation, Li Yuan went to the residence of Alchemist He.

Master He Dan has been in the vicinity of Yunyangfang Market for some time now.

Li Yuan knew that Master He was here when he met Wang De on the road, but he had never gone to look for him.

Master He's courtyard had been tightly closed for the past few days, and the protective barrier outside the courtyard wall was at its highest level, so that not even a breath could be seen. He was obviously in seclusion or refining pills, and it was not convenient to disturb him.

That morning, when Li Yuan went to the gathering area of ​​rogue cultivators to replenish his spiritual herbs, he passed by the street on the west side of the market and glanced at the direction of Master He's courtyard from afar.

The gate to the courtyard was open.

The spiritual energy fluctuations of the restriction also decreased, changing from a completely closed state to a low-intensity daily operation.

After buying the spiritual herbs, Li Yuan did not return directly to his courtyard, but instead headed towards Master He's courtyard.

The gate to the courtyard was ajar, and someone was on duty at the entrance.

The restrictions on the inner side of the courtyard wall are still in effect, preventing people without tokens or passes from entering.

The guard recognized Li Yuan. After exchanging a few words with Li Yuan, the guard turned around and went to report.

A moment later, the barrier on the inside of the courtyard wall flashed, and the gap opened.

Li Yuan pushed open the door and went inside.

The courtyard was largely unchanged from the last time I visited. There was a stone table and benches, a wooden box in the corner, and the aroma of herbs wafting from the main house entrance.

Master He sat on the bamboo chair behind the stone table, with several animal hides with writing on them spread out in front of him, as if he were tidying up something.

Seeing Li Yuan enter, Master He Dan put the animal hide aside and leaned back in his chair.

"sit."

Li Yuan sat down on the stone bench.

They didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"Senior He, I would like to request that you refine a batch of Breakthrough Pills."

Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage on your own is safer with the Breakthrough Pill, and even if you don't need it, you can still sell it for a high price.

And what if there's an entry for it?

Master He's gaze lingered on Li Yuan for a moment.

Then I smiled.

"Breaking Yuan Pill." He placed his hands, one on top of the other, on the table. "Do you have the ingredients?"

"Most of them are ready. We're still missing two or three common main ingredients, and we're working on them."

Master He nodded, without asking further about the origin of the materials.

"I've refined the Breakthrough Pill many times."

He lightly traced a line on the table with his fingertip.

"In one batch, you can usually get one to three coins, with two being the most common. Occasionally, you might get three if you're lucky, one if you're unlucky, and in rare cases, the batch is ruined and you get nothing."

He withdrew his hand and looked at Li Yuan.

"You'll have to provide the materials yourself; there's no room for negotiation. Spirit Essence Fruits are too precious for me to provide."

"If you have Spirit Essence Fruit, we can discuss it, but it's best if you provide it yourself, as I don't usually keep any on hand."

After speaking, Master He held up his fingers and counted them one by one.

There are three options in total.

"The first option. No matter how many are produced, I'll take one, and you take the rest. No payment, no compensation for your trouble. I won't compensate you if you ruin them."

"This plan is the most cost-effective in terms of spirit stones for you, but it's also the riskiest. If only one spirit stone appears, I get it, and you get nothing. If two spirit stones appear, you get one, and I get one. If three spirit stones appear, you get two."

"The second option. You pay me, based on market price. All the pills I refine are yours, no matter how many. If I fail to refine them, the payment is non-refundable."

"The third option. If I succeed, you give me a large sum of spirit stones. If I fail, you don't need to give me spirit stones; in fact, I can even give you spirit stones as compensation for the loss of materials."

"Of course, the more I supplement, the more you have to give."

He pulled all three fingers back and placed his hands, folded together, back on the table.

"Three options are available for you to choose from. No rush, go back and think it over before you come back."

Li Yuan quickly went through it in his mind.

The first option doesn't cost spirit stones but might be a waste of time. If only one spirit stone is produced, that one goes to Alchemist He, and the effort is wasted. The cost of the materials is completely wasted.

The second option is safer but more expensive. However, no matter how many are produced, they all belong to you.

The third option offers a large reward if successful, but compensation in spirit stones if it fails. This seems advantageous to Li Yuan, but the reward is much higher than the second option.

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on one's assessment of Master He's success rate in alchemy and how much risk one can bear.

"I'll go back and think about it, and gather some materials while I'm at it." Li Yuan stood up.

Master He nodded without saying anything more.

Li Yuan turned and left the courtyard, the restriction closing behind him again.

I walked back to the courtyard I rented along the same route.

As soon as I arrived at the gate, I saw someone standing outside waiting.

Manager Han.

He was wearing a dark gray robe, carrying a cloth bag, and had a smile on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Li, I've been waiting for you for ages."

Li Yuan opened the courtyard gate, and the two walked into the courtyard.

Manager Han sat down on the stone bench and placed the cloth bag on the table.

"The matter we discussed last time is settled at the shop."

He looked at Li Yuan.

"Kid, can you come learn talisman-making tomorrow?"

Li Yuan thought about it.

The matter with Master He is still unresolved, but it won't affect the daily schedule. Teaching Manager Han's son how to make talismans only takes one or two hours a day; the rest of the time is spent making talismans and cultivating as usual.

"Okay. Have him come over tomorrow morning."

Shopkeeper Han smiled and nodded, pushing the cloth bag on the table towards him.

"This is the tuition for the first month."

The cloth bag was opened, revealing dozens of spirit stones inside.

"Furthermore, starting this month, Ziyuan Trading Company will increase your purchase price by another 50%."

The conditions were the same as previously agreed. Li Yuan carefully put away the spirit stones.

Manager Han stood up to leave, but turned back at the door and said something.

"The boy's name is Han Qing. He's a bit introverted, but he's quite diligent in his studies. Thank you for your help."

After saying that, he pushed open the door and left.

Li Yuan closed the courtyard gate and sat down at the table.

Spread out the talisman paper, pick up the talisman brush, and continue making talismans.

While drawing talismans in his mind, he thought about the three solutions given by Master He Dan.

We haven't gathered all the ingredients yet, so let's not rush into a decision. Let's get the remaining two or three main ingredients first.

The sky outside the window gradually darkened.

Li Yuan put down the talisman brush, sat on the bed, and began to practice his internal energy cross-legged.

Spiritual energy surges into the body, and spiritual power and blood flow alternately through the meridians.

The Yunyang Market outside the courtyard wall gradually quieted down. The commotion brought by the news of the Yuanyang Sect recruiting disciples continued, and occasionally the voices of scattered cultivators gathered together in the distance could be heard, but it was much quieter than during the day.

Li Yuan closed his eyes, his breathing even, and his spiritual energy circulated continuously within his body.