I Stepped on a Bug, and the System Says I Slayed a Dragon?-Chapter 82: Preparations for Alchemy, Beast Fire

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Preparations for Alchemy, Beast Fire

In the Jianghai Library, Qin Yang looked at Xia He before him, with his lackadaisical air, and truly couldn’t wrap his head around it.

’The Police Chief’s office even wants a guy like this?’

’They must be really desperate.’

But that was just a passing thought. Even though he didn’t get it, for his good friend’s sake, he had to offer his congratulations.

"Once you’re in with the Police Chief, you’ll have a stable government job. Work hard, and it’ll be awesome when you become a Commander!"

Qin Yang smiled and offered his blessing. "When you make it big, don’t forget about your brother. Don’t forget me when you’re rich and famous!"

Hearing the praise, Xia He beamed and slapped his chest, guaranteeing, "Of course, Old Qin, don’t you worry. Once I climb the ranks, I’ll definitely get you a spot."p>As he spoke, he nudged Qin Yang’s shoulder and whispered, "Then we can keep slacking off together under the Police Chief. It’ll be sweet!"

"Alright, alright."

Qin Yang nodded, agreeing on the surface.

But inwardly, he was shaking his head.

’Me, join the Police Chief?’

’No thanks!’

’It’s so nice here at the library. Lying flat is the best...’

’Isn’t this way more comfortable than fighting on the front lines for the Police Chief?!’

...

「A moment later.」

Xia He received a transfer order by phone from the Police Chief’s office and prepared to leave. Qin Yang walked him all the way to the library entrance.

"Alright, Old Qin, this is far enough."

Xia He looked at Qin Yang, then glanced around at the library’s decor, a nostalgic look on his face. "I’ll be gone, so you’ll be the only one left in the library. Take care of yourself. If anyone gives you trouble, just give me a call..."

He rambled on for a while.

"Alright already, it’s not like we’ll never see each other again. We’re both right here in Jianghai."

Qin Yang couldn’t help but cut him off, pushing Xia He toward the door. "Don’t act like this is some life-or-death parting. Go on, get out of here. We’ll get barbecue after work... my treat!"

Xia He: "..."

With Qin Yang’s interruption, the sentimental atmosphere Xia He had been building was shattered. He soon left the Jianghai Library, muttering and cursing.

However, he had barely left when the library’s Steward immediately came over and intercepted Qin Yang.

"Qin Yang, Xia He’s gone. We’re a bit short-staffed at the moment and haven’t had time to find a replacement. Do you think you could cover his post in Section Two?"

The Steward held a staffing roster, looking down and crossing off a name with his pen. "In a few days, if we find someone suitable, we’ll hire a new person to fill the spot."

"Well... Steward..."

Qin Yang hesitated. "Me covering two jobs by myself is a bit..."

"Don’t worry, we’ll definitely count it as double performance pay for you."

The Steward nodded and said, "You were the closest with Xia He, always hanging around together, so you’re the most suitable person for this job."

"But... Steward, you know Xia He is my good buddy... my dearest friend, a brother to me..."

Qin Yang sighed, his voice full of heartache. "Going to his station on rotation, revisiting that familiar place... it’ll be too painful for me..."

"So, you don’t want to do it?"

The Steward put down his pen and paper, frowning. "Just state your terms..."

Qin Yang rejoiced inwardly but declared righteously:

"I’ll need more money!"

"..."

..........

「Library Section 2.」

Qin Yang pushed a cart by himself, arranging books on the shelves. Looking at the now-empty space, he suddenly felt a little lonely.

He wasn’t used to it.

’Now that he’s gone, it really is a lot quieter.’

Though Xia He was a bit annoying at times and had a big mouth, he was, in the end, Qin Yang’s only friend.

Since he left, even slacking off at the library had become dull...

’This is boring.’

Qin Yang shook his head, shelved a book, and immersed himself once again in the Enlightenment Space.

Sometimes he would deduce the mysteries of Arrays, other times he would browse through thousands of Pill Formula scriptures, using it as a way to pass the time.

The Profound Celestial Pill Scripture was a classic collection of all the world’s Pill Formulas. It contained not only Spirit Medicines specifically for Cultivation, but also all sorts of unorthodox recipes.

Feigning death to be reborn, concealing one’s spirit to pass the night, nourishing yin and tonifying yang... All sorts of strange and wonderful Pill Formulas were contained within.

But whether it was a Great Pill or a small Pill,

They were all ultimately inseparable from a furnace and fire.

’Looks like I’ll have to get a decent furnace for Alchemy after work.’

With this thought in mind,

Qin Yang slacked off until quitting time, then immediately went out, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for the Jianghai Antiques Market.

.....

At dusk, the Antiques Market was still bustling. Crowds milled about, and stalls lined both sides of the road, displaying a dazzling array of porcelain and metal wares—a mix of fakes and genuine articles.

The larger shopfronts were brightly lit and looked quite impressive.

’I need to get a good furnace.’

Qin Yang strolled leisurely down the street with his hands behind his back, scanning the various cauldrons around him.

According to the Profound Celestial Pill Scripture, the quality of the Pill Furnace, the fire source, and the raw materials were all crucial external factors that determined the success of Alchemy.

The Alchemist’s skill, on the other hand, was another decisive factor.

Now that he had the rewards from taking down the Sword Saint master and disciple, he wasn’t short on cash at all.

Therefore,

He had to get the best of the best!

With this in mind,

Qin Yang carefully scoured the Antique Street.

Relying on the knowledge of cauldrons from the Profound Celestial Pill Scripture, he had no fear of being scammed. Soon, he stopped in front of a stall run by an old man who looked like a construction worker.

His gaze locked onto a three-legged Bronze Cauldron with two handles.

Beast patterns covered its surface, partially hidden by a green patina. It radiated an ancient charm. When Qin Yang picked it up, dust fell from it with a soft SHUSH, making it look like it had just been dug out of the ground.

"How much for this little furnace?"

Qin Yang squatted down and released his Spiritual Power to probe it.

Faintly, a Spiritual Charm emerged, and a primitive aura radiated from the cauldron’s vicinity.

It was undoubtedly a genuine antique.

"Well now, you’ve got a good eye, spotting this one right away. This is a fine piece handed down from Shangzhou."

The old man raised his eyes, sizing up Qin Yang, and said in a low voice, "One price. Two thousand, and it’s yours."

"Shangzhou? Or from last week? How about you drop a zero for me."

Qin Yang pointed at the Bronze Cauldron and chuckled. "Let’s make it twenty. Non-negotiable."

???

The old man was instantly dumbfounded.

’Good heavens!’

’That’s what you call knocking off a zero?!’

"..."

In the end, after a round of haggling with the old construction worker running the stall,

He managed to bring the price all the way down from two thousand.

He spent a "fortune"—two hundred yuan—to acquire the small Bronze Cauldron.

"Tsk tsk, not bad."

Qin Yang examined the Bronze Cauldron, inwardly pleased.

The old man opposite him was also looking smug, thinking he had taken advantage of an ignorant customer. He’d even used dirt to artificially age it, believing he’d scored a great deal for two hundred.

But in reality, the Profound Celestial Pill Scripture had already notified him on the spot that this was a genuine article.

This time, the old man thought Qin Yang was on the first level.

But he was actually on the fifth...

’Good. Now I have the Pill Furnace, and I have raw materials.’

’All that’s missing is the fire for Alchemy...’

On the way,

Qin Yang stored the cauldron in his Star Ring and recalled the knowledge from the Pill Scripture.

The fire for Alchemy could be broadly divided into two types: Earth Fire and Beast Fire.

Earth Fire was drawn from places where Spiritual Qi stagnated. It generally only appeared in fixed locations and was almost always under heavy guard.

Beast Fire, however, was different.

It is the very essence of a living creature, wandering the wilds along with Star Beasts, elusive and unpredictable.

’Looks like I’ll have to find some time to make a trip to the outskirts, hunt a few High-Level Star Beasts, and take their Beast Fire!’