Chapter 16: Wanton Waste, Rich and Reckless.

Jiang Xincheng went straight to the garden near the south gate of the school. After searching for a moment, he picked up the prepared iron shovel and started digging.

To ordinary people, the dirt Jiang Xincheng dug up might seem common, found everywhere in the world, not even worth a second glance. At most, it was just a type of Yuan Stone—a low-grade, first-tier Yuan Stone—that the Primordial Warriors on Earth today couldn’t even use.

But in Jiang Xincheng’s eyes, this earthen Yuan Stone was the perfect material for refining the first-tier, low-grade Earth Soil Pill, because a sweet osmanthus tree grew on it.

The sweet osmanthus tree is a precious Spiritual Herb, containing vast Primordial Force comparable to a high-grade, sixth-tier Yuan Stone. Spiritual Pills refined from the sweet osmanthus tree not only boosted Primordial Force but also had calming effects.

In his previous life, as Alchemy developed, the sweet osmanthus tree gradually became an invaluable treasure. At its most expensive, a single sweet osmanthus tree could cost over ten million Hua Yuan, and even then, demand far exceeded supply.

But now, since Alchemy hadn’t emerged, although humans on Earth knew the sweet osmanthus tree was a useful Spiritual Herb, no one could utilize it—they could only stare helplessly at the sweet osmanthus tree.

However, Jiang Xincheng could only stare helplessly at it, too. His Alchemy skills were too low to use such a precious Spiritual Herb like the sweet osmanthus tree.

Even if he couldn’t use the sweet osmanthus tree to refine priceless sixth- or seventh-tier Spiritual Pills, Jiang Xincheng could still use the earthen Yuan Stone beneath it for Alchemy.

Because of prolonged contact with the sweet osmanthus tree, this earthen Yuan Stone had absorbed some of its fragrance. Over many years, it gradually transformed into a low-grade Spiritual Herb.

In his previous life, people called this Spiritual Herb “sweet osmanthus soil,” an ideal material for refining the Earth Soil Pill.

After digging a sack of sweet osmanthus soil and gathering other Spiritual Herbs like locust leaves, shepherd’s purse, and mulberry leaves, Jiang Xincheng returned to his rented single room with all the herbs needed for the Earth Soil Pill.

On Earth now, Spiritual Herbs and medicines were everywhere—no one gave them a second glance, let alone picked them.

Jiang Xincheng’s process of collecting these materials couldn’t have been smoother. Unlike his previous life, where, with the spread of Alchemy, all kinds of Spiritual Herbs on Earth were swept clean, making it nearly impossible for one person alone to gather enough materials to refine Spiritual Pills.

But now, in just half a day, Jiang Xincheng obtained enough Spiritual Herbs to refine dozens of Earth Soil Pills. There was no one competing with him, and no one would kill or rob him for the herbs in his hands.

This world was truly wonderful, and being ahead of all Primordial Warriors worldwide felt even better.

Back in his single room, Jiang Xincheng bought some coal to start a fire and refine the Earth Soil Pill.

Looking at the coal piled in the corner of the room and sensing the immense Primordial Force within it, Jiang Xincheng felt like it was a wanton waste.

Because coal was a seventh-tier Yuan Stone—a high-grade, seventh-tier Yuan Stone—containing not only abundant but also quite pure Primordial Force, suitable for cultivation by Great Yuan Warriors in the Rain Transformation Realm.

In his previous life, major forces would mobilize thousands of experts at or above the Cloud Condensation Realm to fight over a coal mine.

But now, coal was everywhere, and no one paid it any mind—most people just used it for burning.

Besides being a high-grade, seventh-tier Yuan Stone, coal also contained some unique substances, making it an essential fuel for refining various Spiritual Pills.

That’s why Jiang Xincheng bought a pile of coal to refine the Earth Soil Pill. Earth Soil Pills refined with coal not only had strong medicinal effects but could also potentially increase the pill’s grade by one level.

Anyway, coal was plentiful on Earth now, and no one was competing for it, so Jiang Xincheng could afford to be extravagant this once.

Wincing as piece after piece of high-grade, seventh-tier coal Yuan Stone turned into flames, Jiang Xincheng began refining the Earth Soil Pill.

His Spiritual Sense vibrated, seeping into the Alchemy Furnace from all sides to control the temperature and flames.

He placed half a pound of sweet osmanthus soil, nourished by the Primordial Force in his body, into the Alchemy Furnace. As the flames licked and the Primordial Force misted, the sweet osmanthus soil gradually turned into a yellow liquid.

After several dozen minutes, half a pound of sweet osmanthus soil transformed into dozens of droplets of liquid radiating a hazy glow. Jiang Xincheng added another half pound of sweet osmanthus soil and continued refining and purifying.

From his Spirit Sense Sea, strands of Spiritual Sense spread out, enveloping the Alchemy Furnace and flames, while his Primordial Force was released to stir the sweet osmanthus soil inside the furnace.

Another several dozen minutes passed, and dozens more droplets of yellow liquid appeared in the furnace. Repeating this process several times, the liquid in the furnace had grown to about a bowl’s worth.

Only then did Jiang Xincheng begin adding other Spiritual Herbs like shepherd’s purse and mulberry leaves one by one, carefully controlling their fusion into the yellow liquid.

As each Spiritual Herb was added, the yellow liquid in the Alchemy Furnace began to swirl, and its moisture slowly evaporated, releasing a rich fragrance of Primordial Force.

With just one deep breath, Jiang Xincheng felt the Primordial Force in his body increase slightly. A smile crossed his face: it seemed this batch of Earth Soil Pills was of good quality.

Time passed bit by bit. All the Spiritual Herbs had entered the Alchemy Furnace, and the yellow liquid inside had now turned into a multicolored mixture, spinning faster and faster.

Sweat beaded on Jiang Xincheng’s forehead. His Spiritual Sense and Primordial Force were still too limited, making the refinement of Earth Soil Pills quite challenging. If not for his past-life experience, this batch of pills would have likely exploded.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Jiang Xincheng’s expression shifted slightly. He pointed at the Alchemy Furnace with both hands and shouted, “Heaven and Earth spin, pill emerge!”

As soon as he spoke, the lid of the Alchemy Furnace flew open with a bang. A mass of medicinal paste leaped out, spinning continuously.

As the paste spun, a thumb-sized, entirely yellow Earth Soil Pill appeared before Jiang Xincheng.

A smile flickered across his face. With a casual point, the Earth Soil Pill landed beside the furnace, and Jiang Xincheng called out again, “Heaven and Earth spin, pill emerge!”

Repeating this several times, nine Earth Soil Pills landed one by one before Jiang Xincheng.

Sweat pouring from his brow, Jiang Xincheng picked up one Earth Soil Pill. Sensing the potent Primordial Force within it, a look of pleasant surprise crossed his face.

First-tier, middle grade—all nine Earth Soil Pills were first-tier, middle-grade Spiritual Pills.

The Earth Soil Pill was only supposed to be a first-tier, low-grade pill, suitable for Primordial Warriors in the Muscle Training Realm. But now they had become first-tier, middle-grade pills, meaning their effects had more than doubled.

His rich past-life experience, the potent medicinal power of the sweet osmanthus soil, and, most importantly, the powerful effect of the coal fire had allowed Jiang Xincheng to refine Spiritual Elixirs that surpassed their intended grade.

Looking at the fragrant Earth Soil Pills in his hand, Jiang Xincheng’s face broke into a broad smile. He picked one up, put it in his mouth, and began cultivating.

As the Earth Soil Pill entered his mouth, abundant Primordial Force surged within his body. He quickly circulated Devouring the Cosmos, devouring the pill’s immense medicinal power and boosting his strength at lightning speed.

With the Earth Soil Pills in hand, Jiang Xincheng’s cultivation speed would multiply several times over. For tomorrow’s duel, he had to win—even if Liu Yifeng was a Pride of Heaven at the Peak Initial Stage of Tendon Training.