Chapter 10: Minor Soul-Restoring Decoction
Chapter 10: Minor Soul-Restoring Decoction
Seeing Li Si preparing to start a fire and cook, Senior Sister Jiang approached him. First, she took out the Water Purification Pouch and poured about ten kilograms of clean water into the pottery jar. Then, she retrieved three small cloth pouches and sprinkled a handful of seeds from each—different colors each time—into the water.
Lowering her voice, she continued:
“Junior Brother, since you’re now the Master’s true disciple, you’re worthy of learning how to brew the Soul-Restoring Decoction.”
“First, about this jar. Do you believe it’s an ordinary one? Not at all. This is the Cauldron of Divine Medicine, used by the Master herself in her alchemy years ago. Sadly, it’s been corrupted by evil energy and lost most of its power. We can’t refine pills with it anymore—only boil decoctions that restore Magic Power.”
“Currently, the three most suitable decoctions for us are: the Minor Soul-Restoring Decoction, brewed primarily from Mutant Grass Molt; the Great Soul-Returning Broth, made mainly from Aberrant Wood Husk; and the Hundred Herb Soul-Restoring Decoction, using rare Anomalous Weeds or Alien Trees.”
“The Minor Soul-Restoring Decoction restores less Magic Power but accumulates the least Alienation Contamination Degree.”
“The Great Soul-Returning Broth restores more Magic Power with slightly higher contamination. You’ve tried both commonly used types.”
“As for the Hundred Herb Soul-Restoring Decoction… it’s incredibly rare. Gathering materials alone is challenging. One bowl restores Magic Power comparable to three Poison-Sanctified Pills, yet its contamination level is only similar to the Great Soul-Returning Broth’s.”
“On ingredients: the Minor Soul-Restoring Decoction has three supporting ones—those three seed varieties I just added. Memorize them well. Gather more whenever you venture out.”
“The Great Soul-Returning Broth has nine supporting ingredients. Besides the three seeds, it needs three Aberrant Wood Husks and three Aberrant Stone Husks. ‘Aberrant Stones’ refer to ores mutated by an Evil God’s power. Dangerous, but easier to collect. Our Master happens to have a large stockpile we can use for years.”
“Ah, the Hundred Herb Soul-Restoring Decoction… I’ve tasted it just once. Its primary ingredient is Royal Mutant Ginseng or Aberrant Solomon’s Seal—both unusual but not impossible to find. It’s the supports that are elusive: Remnant Husks from Joyous Mushrooms, Sorrowful Mushrooms, Rage Mushrooms, and Bliss Mushrooms. Chances of them leaving Remnant Husks after defeat are slim. Also, hunting them carries massive risks. Far too thankless.”
Senior Sister Jiang explained meticulously, even coaching Li Si in controlling the fire and channeling Magic Power into the cauldron to activate its remaining alchemical properties.
After brewing a pot of Minor Soul-Restoring Decoction, she taught him the Floating Cloud Sect’s distribution rules:
First, since the cauldron belonged to Old Madam, she received the priority share. Regardless of who brewed the decoction, she claimed three bowls of the finest essence—even if she contributed nothing.
Second, the brewer who supplied the Minor Soul-Restoring Decoction’s primary ingredient deserved two bowls, compensating for the 5 points of Magic Power spent during the process.
Third, those assigned daily duties—like Ji Chang (maintaining the Stone House), Xu Shen (sustaining the defensive Formation Array), and Jiang Ying (fetching water)—each deserved one large bowl.
Fourth, outer disciples could only sip watery leftovers.
By these rules, after distributing the brew, Li Si qualified for two large bowls of Minor Soul-Restoring Decoction, restoring 55 Magic Power points. Deducting the 5 points spent on the cauldron, he gained a net 50 points plus a 0.002% Alienation Contamination Degree increase.
Thus, he deduced:
One bowl of Minor Soul-Restoring Decoction restored 25-30 Magic Power points and increased Alienation Contamination Degree by 0.001%.
One bowl of Great Soul-Returning Broth restored 50-60 Magic Power points and increased contamination by 0.0015%.
Overall, the Great Soul-Returning Broth offered higher value, but rare materials made it impractical. Li Si resolved to focus on brewing the Minor version when possible—even multiple batches daily.
A new problem emerged: water supply.
Previously, Ji Chang, Xu Shen, and Jiang Ying took turns fetching water. After Jiang Ying injured her leg, both she and Xu Shen compensated Ji Chang to handle it.
The Water Purification Pouch stored enough for only two batches daily. If Li Si wanted to brew more, he’d have to fetch water himself.
Soon, as one of Old Madam’s true disciples, he must formally join next month’s water-fetching rotation, even symbolically.
“How fascinating!” Li Si chuckled, admiring how the Floating Cloud Sect’s top three disciples micromanaged resources. Yet Old Madam outshone them effortlessly—truly victory by just existing.
That night, Li Si borrowed the Water Purification Pouch and supporting seeds from Senior Sister Jiang. Brewing a second batch of Minor Soul-Restoring Decoction, he restored another 50 points, elevating his Magic Power to 150. Then, hidden in a corner, he devoted himself to practicing the Dao Technique, Heart Cleansing Curse.
Yes—this technique could either be mastered instantly by consuming ten portions of Gray Fortune, or gradually through tedious trials. The latter conserved Gray Fortune but steadily drained Magic Power while progressing sluggishly.
Li Si practiced over a dozen times in the shadows. Only after emptying 100 points did he grasp the barest basics. Immediately, he brewed more decoction to replenish his Magic Power.
Witnessing this, Ji Chang and Xu Shen exchanged exasperated glances: Was life expendable? Foolish obsession over one technique! Since when were there Dao maniacs to match martial obsession?
“Junior Brother, Heart Cleansing Curse isn’t cast this way.”
Finally, Senior Sister Jiang intervened. Having lulled the Little Girl to sleep, she pointed out several critical mistakes—concise guidance that brought instant clarity. Subsequent attempts still failed to fully manifest the spell, yet Li Si progressed remarkably faster. This saved him three portions of Gray Fortune.
He practiced tirelessly through the night. The moment his Magic Power dipped below 100 points, he brewed more Minor Decoction. Seeing such fanaticism, Ji Chang and Xu Shen stirred—yet only with slight pity. In their view, this madness would cut Li Si’s remaining three-to-four year lifespan to barely one.
What good was mastering techniques? A glorious death? Utter stupidity!
Outside the Stone House, wolves howled and ghosts wailed. Dark Mist surged amid a chilling aura of Evil Qi.
Inside, Li Si drilled relentlessly like a fiend, ceaseless till dawn. He achieved half a successful Heart Cleansing Curse release—neither outstanding nor disgraceful.
Unbeknownst to anyone, this served as a mere pretext. Li Si covertly used public resources to hoard personal gain, restoring his Magic Power to 200 points.
Today, he planned a big display.
Once morning sunlight scattered the Bizarre Dark Mist (which howled like resentful beings), neither Ji Chang nor Xu Shen dared leave safety. Despite pledging to guard Old Madam, they’d wait till high noon to venture out. Li Si suspected their delay concealed a scheme.
Heeding no advice from Senior Sister Jiang, Li Si hurried outside at dawn. With him he took the Calming Evil Subduing Banner—planting it west of the Deserted Village as instructed. Stepping beyond the Formation Array, he launched a chain of Grand Joy-Grand Sorrow Palms without hesitation.
As Master Lu the Sanctuary Assassin once mused: Dawn holds the day’s first joys. Rewards belong to the early riser.
Surprisingly—devoid of traces just yesterday—bright red Little Mushrooms had resurrected fully overnight. But one prey? Not enough! Li Si demanded Grand Joy AND Grand Sorrow.
Accordingly, one Sorrowful Mushroom emerged. Confirming the Sanctuary Assassin’s teachings: Humans may never share emotions, yet Joyous Mushrooms and Sorrowful Mushrooms coexist harmoniously.
Observing the crimson fungus sprouting from his belly and the azure growth upon his forehead, Li Si plunged into surreal ecstasy—burning and freezing in legendary opposition. Indescribable! Yet precisely then—
“Alienation Contamination Degree +0.4%!”
A frosty notification jerked Li Si awake, gifting him a massive… surprise.
He knew he teetered near doom by a split second. Immediately, a massively amplified Evil-Warding Curse erupted—crackling thunder engulfing him. Powered by 100 Magic Power points, tiny sparks of lightning shimmered.
Small, yet explosively potent.
“Alienation Contamination Degree +0.8%!”
“You killed an incomplete Evil Entity—Seven Emotions Mushroom! Received: 400 Gray Firewood! Received: Joyous Mushroom Remnant Husk +1! Sorrowful Mushroom Remnant Husk +1!”