Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

In the time that followed, Chen Jichuan balanced his cultivation practice while awaiting the unraveling of the next Dao Fruit World.

He also spent time refining pills.

"The Seven Mysterious Sect is no weaker than the Divine Banner Sect or the Fire Cloud Sect. The sect possesses nine low-level True Persons and two mid-stage True Persons, even slightly exceeding the other two sects in numbers."

This level of strength, of course, cannot compare with Middle Continent overlords like the Heaven Mending Sect.

But in this region, it already stands as a leading force.

From now on, all eleven True Persons in the sect will rely on Chen Jichuan for their cultivation pills.

In the past, the sect didn't have a Second-order Alchemist, so they had to endure external purchases.

But now, with someone in-house, there's no need to spend a fortune on overpriced materials.

Moreover, with Chen Jichuan supplying pills through internal purchases, his Second-order pills have a guaranteed market. Once Seven Mysterious Sect expands its distribution channels, sales will only grow further.

"Currently, I only refine the 'Vitality Evolution Pill.'"

"Ordinarily, if a Second-order Alchemist refines this pill, even after mastering the technique, the success rate would only be around fifty to sixty percent. On average, the profit per batch is about three to four hundred thousand spirit stones."

"One batch takes three months to produce."

"In two or three years, one could refine ten batches, earning three to four million spirit stones."

The cost of living on Panlong Mountain is similar to that of the Middle Continent.

Chen Jichuan can estimate the profits and earnings of a standard Second-order Alchemist quite accurately.

He's making his calculations based on an alchemist with mature craftsmanship who specializes in one type of pill. But as someone who has only recently advanced to Second-order, the outlook is naturally grimmer.

As it was for him in the beginning.

When he initially advanced to Second-order, refining the 'Vitality Evolution Pill' and the 'Fire Candle Pill,' his success rate was only twenty or thirty percent. And that level was achieved after decades of being a Second-order Alchemist and refining Second-order pills.

For someone who just advances to Second-order, it's totally a losing game.

The vast majority of alchemists are like this—

When first reaching First-order, they have to rely on refining basic pills as financial support.

When they first reach Second-order, they still need to depend on refining lower-level First-order pills to supplement their income.

Loose Cultivator alchemists, while refining skills, have to juggle concerns about profit, earning money, purchasing, and sales. It's exceedingly difficult.

Even for cultivation sects like Seven Mysterious Sect, it's manageable to train a few First-order Alchemists.

But training Second-order Alchemists?

If luck's against them, it's a financial disaster!

Only when an alchemist matures and their success rate rises does real profitability begin. And if it's a master with exceptional skills, they can earn staggering wealth.

"Three years earning three to four million spirit stones—is the standard for ordinary Second-order Alchemists."

"Divine Banner Sect's Mo Longyuan, at eight or nine hundred years old, is barely at this level."

But Chen Jichuan has an upgraded 'Vitality Evolution Pill' recipe and possesses the craftsmanship of a Third-order Alchemist. Refining Second-order pills as a 'step down' from his level naturally yields profits incomparable to alchemists like Mo Longyuan.

Profit is one aspect.

Refining speed is another.

"As long as Seven Mysterious Sect's distribution channels open smoothly, even as I venture into Dao Fruit Worlds, I can maintain a pace of one batch of Second-order pills every two months."

"With cultivation advancements, this speed can keep increasing."

"Eventually reaching a rate of three days per batch."

Back in the Middle Continent World, when Chen Jichuan was at Second-order Ten Layer Heaven, he could refine a batch of 'Vitality Evolution Pills' in just three days.

Boundless wealth at his fingertips.

With skill proficiency and the support of networks and channels, a high-level alchemist can singlehandedly sustain an entire sect.

The Seven Mysterious Sect's acquisition of Chen Jichuan is truly a stroke of fortune.

...

Time flew by, and three months passed.

On this day.

Seven Mysterious Mountain, Dawn Peak.

With Sect Leader Gongsun Ming leading the way, six out of the eleven Second-order True Persons of the Seven Mysterious Sect gathered.

Besides the deputy Hall Master of the Alchemy Hall, 'Shen Kang,' all currently-residing True Persons were present.

The six seemed distracted, as if awaiting something.

Before long.

"I'm back!"

A sprightly old man strode into the hall—it was Shen Kang.

"How did it go?"

Gongsun Ming, impatient by nature, stood up as soon as Shen Kang entered, greeting him with urgency.

The other five mirrored his behavior, all eyes trained on Shen Kang.

"Sect Leader,"

"Master Chen, recently advanced to Second-order, has started refining Second-order pills; nine times out of ten, it's bound to fail."

"This kind of thing can't be rushed."

Shen Kang spread his hands, looking helpless as he addressed the Sect Leader, who had eagerly grasped his sleeve.

"It failed?"

Gongsun Ming's expression immediately darkened upon hearing this.

That was twelve thousand spirit stones' worth of materials, including many sourced externally!

If a batch failed, those twelve thousand spirit stones would go down the drain.

Not a single return—not even a ripple. For the Sect Leader, this was more about potential losses than the immediate setback.

It wasn't just the twelve thousand spirit stones that stung but the realization that this newly recruited alchemy master might squander countless resources and materials in the future before growing enough to generate profits and benefit the sect.

Thinking this.

Gongsun Ming couldn't help but sigh once more.

"Uncle's perspective is valid,"

"Master Chen is newly advanced to Second-order; he only recently managed to refine a batch of Second-order pills by a stroke of luck. Isn't that the journey every newly advanced alchemy master must endure?"

"Master Chen, at least, is already a genuine Second-order Alchemist. Recruiting him into the Seven Mysterious Sect is a bargain for us."

"When he matures, he won't lose to Mo Longyuan and others."

"Senior Brother shouldn't be short-sighted and risk sowing dissatisfaction."

Seven Mysterious Sect's Law Enforcement Hall Master, 'Hao Pingchuan,' partially consoled and partly reminded.

"Of course, I know this."

Gongsun Ming shook his head.

He understood the reasoning.

But financial losses still hurt.

His face was still somber when something caught his eye—a smile tugging at the corner of Shen Kang's lips. The latter slowly pulled out a jade bottle from his sleeve and waved it three times before laughing heartily: "Looks like Pingchuan Nephew hit the nail on the head. This time, our Seven Mysterious Sect truly found a treasure. The very first batch of Second-order pills refined by Master Chen was a resounding success. I checked on the way here; there are eight pills in total, and their quality appears quite decent."

"It was successful?"

"Quick, let me see!"

"Master Chen really has some remarkable skills!"

"The pills still carry a trace of fire—a sign they've just been refined."

"Uncle Shen, who's always steady, nearly tricked us all by pulling a prank today!"

...

Upon receiving the pills from Shen Kang, Gongsun Ming, Hao Pingchuan, and the others broke into smiles. The previously tense atmosphere shifted into lively celebration.

Even Shen Kang, usually composed, joined in the cheer, laughing heartily.

It wasn't that eight Second-order pills were particularly rare or precious.

Their excitement came from verifying Chen Jichuan's capability as a Second-order Alchemist directly for the first time.

The reason they rushed to bring him into the sect was partially their genuine need for a Second-order Alchemist.

And because they didn't believe Chen Jichuan would dare fool the Seven Mysterious Sect.

That was why they recruited him.

They gave him Red Maple Valley and the position of Alchemy Hall Master dedicated to refining pills. They even assigned someone as prudent and socially adept as Shen Kang to assist him in managing worldly affairs.

Everything was carefully arranged both in terms of substance and appearances.

But seeing the Second-order pills refined firsthand eased their apprehensions.

Even if his craftsmanship was not yet refined.

Even if losses were inevitable initially.

With the Seven Mysterious Sect's resources, future success was just a matter of time.

Now that the first batch of pills was successful, they finally felt reassured.

Going forward.

They could fully support their new Hall Master in advancing his alchemy skill, thereby helping the sect open up new markets.

...

"As a 'newly advanced' Second-order Alchemist, I'll maintain a refining pace of one batch every three months, with a success rate hovering at around fifteen percent for now."

"A successful first batch is my way of easing Seven Mysterious Sect's concerns."

Chen Jichuan has always been empathetic.

He understood that Seven Mysterious Sect worked quickly—they offered him the position of Hall Master, granted him Red Maple Valley, and provided over two hundred thousand spirit stones to win him over. It was clear what they wanted from him.

While he wouldn't shy away from profiting at their expense, he also knew how to give them reassurance upfront.

Even with a success rate of fifteen percent, refining one batch every three months, two to three years would still yield a profit of fifty to sixty thousand spirit stones.

Even if Chen Jichuan took half the cut.

The sect would still earn a modest gain.

"My success rate refining the 'Vitality Evolution Pill' is around ninety percent, limited mainly by cultivation constraints; otherwise, it could reach ninety-five percent."

"Assuming ninety percent success,"

"Refining ten batches would yield eighteen pills for Seven Mysterious Sect while I keep ninety for myself."

At first glance, this might seem like Chen Jichuan is taking undue advantage.

But compared to an ordinary Second-order Alchemist, he's already quite exceptional. Seven Mysterious Sect wouldn't utter a single complaint; on the contrary, they'd secretly celebrate his brilliance, praising him as a prodigy.

"It's better not to be too conspicuous or exceptional."

"Being overly outstanding only invites jealousy."

"Keeping a low profile is the safer route."

Chen Jichuan primarily intended to temper his display of skill. These mere Second-order pills did not truly captivate his ambitions.

...

With the successful refinement of the 'Vitality Evolution Pill,' Chen Jichuan had firmly established his position within Seven Mysterious Sect.

Leveraging the sect's distribution channels, he could subsequently accumulate a significant amount of spirit stones.

In terms of Second-order pills alone,

Even excluding the portion he deliberately kept hidden, he estimated he'd net around twenty thousand spirit stones over three years.

It didn't seem like much.

But this was only from Second-order pills.

Continuing to refine First-order pills, given Chen Jichuan's skill and Seven Mysterious Sect's network, the profits easily outstripped those from Second-order pills.

"On average, earning two to three hundred thousand spirit stones a year would be effortless."

"Far surpassing what I could earn running small workshops outside the sect."

"And it's much more stress-free—I can focus entirely on cultivation and pill refinement in Red Maple Valley without worrying about mundane affairs."

"Moreover, as a Second-order Alchemist and Alchemy Hall Master, not only do I hold a share of the sect's overall revenue, but I also receive a portion of profits from the First-order Alchemists and apprentices in the Alchemy Hall."

As Alchemy Hall Master of the Seven Mysterious Sect, Chen Jichuan had elevated to the upper echelon of the sect. His status and benefits were now equivalent to other Second-order True Persons.

With this came 'dividends.'

Additionally, as a Second-order Alchemist, offering occasional guidance to the sect's low-level alchemists led to partaking in their generated profits.

This arrangement was mutually beneficial—

For Chen Jichuan, he earned spirit stones.

For the lower-ranking alchemists, they gained expertise.

...

"Just wait."

"In a year or two, I'll look for an opportunity to excuse the shortage of alchemists in the sect, then propose recruiting from outside."

"That'll be the moment to bring Shaohe in."

While Chen Jichuan had joined Seven Mysterious Sect, Chen Shaohu remained at Cloud Immortal Mountain. Though the two weren't far apart physically, it wasn't as convenient as the times they lived next door to each other.

But Chen Jichuan already had a plan, and in due time, the brothers would reunite once again.

Furthermore, joining Seven Mysterious Sect—interacting with disciples, sharing techniques with fellow alchemists—would offer Chen Shaohu an excellent environment for cultivation and mastering alchemy techniques.

Plans were set.

Real-world affairs were falling into place.

The seventh Dao Fruit World had finally been analyzed, and after a four-month hiatus, Chen Jichuan once again embarked on his journey.

...