## Chapter 22: Shu Island’s Economic Crisis and Pill Refining Class
2013-02-09 Author: Gu Zhenren
The inscription read: “Young Tiger Chu Yun: Only 13 years old, saved his adoptive father, the Fierce Tiger of Many Stars Shu Tianhao, slew the Savage Wolf, and obtained the Drunken Snow Saber to make the list.”
To be on the Elite Rankings, one must possess the combat power of at least a Great Demon. Chu Yun gained the qualifications to be listed only after obtaining the Great Demon Soldier, the Drunken Snow Saber.
The title of “Young Tiger” originated from this.
The competition for the Elite Rankings was fierce, with new faces constantly emerging and old ones disappearing in disgrace. For instance, the Savage Wolf, once ranked high, was slain by Chu Yun, causing his name to vanish from the list. As for Shu Tianhao, he no longer had the combat power of a Great Demon after passing on the Drunken Snow Saber. His title, Fierce Tiger of Many Stars, also ceased to exist on the Elite Rankings.
Beasts were highly honored for making the list. Chu Yun’s ranking, though second to last on the lowest tier, still ignited intense jealousy among the scholars. After all, getting listed was no easy feat.
Though Chu Yun didn’t care for such empty fame, he examined the lists intently at that moment. The individuals on these rankings were undoubtedly powerful. The order of ranking generally reflected reality and held significant reference value.
After a moment, his gaze shifted to the information about Shu Island within the tendril leaves. This information was not on the main tendril but on the tendril’s tendril’s tendril’s tendril leaves.
“Shu Island’s forces suffered damage in the battle with the Savage Wolf. The new navy is being rebuilt, and nearby pirates have gone into hiding, greatly bolstering our military might.”
“Island Master of Shu Island, Shu Tianhao, has assigned his two biological sons to Pig’s Tusk Island and Sun Island, also appointing them as island masters.”
“Ning Island’s merchant ships have been making significantly fewer voyages to Shu Island. The number of Ning Family shops on Shu Island is also decreasing.”
…
Chu Yun’s heart grew heavy as he read: “Pig’s Tusk Island and Sun Island are both village-level islands. Father sending Shu Da and Shu Er there is clearly a form of exile. It seems he’s clearing the way for me, specifically cleaning up Shu Island for me to govern in the future. However, building a navy requires substantial funds. The Ning Family deliberately reducing trade will certainly lead to decreased tax revenue. This is them showing their displeasure.”
Recalling Ning Yiyi’s words to him yesterday, Chu Yun had an epiphany: “It seems this is the Ning Family’s strategy. Although they are the ones suffering the most from stopping trade, their deep coffers allow them to endure it. In contrast, our Shu Island cannot afford such a prolonged struggle, and the navy is the fundamental force for defending the island. If the navy cannot be established promptly, the pirates might become active again.”
As he thought, indignation arose within him. It was not just towards Ning Island but also a feeling of his own powerlessness.
Although he saw through their scheme, he had no way to resolve it. Their method was an open conspiracy, a strategy that left one feeling helpless and frustrated.
To counter this open conspiracy, cunning schemes would be useless. Surrender or meek submission was out of the question. The most satisfying and thorough solution was to strike back with his own strength.
However, Shu Island’s economy had always been a significant drawback, a problem inherited from the past. To resolve it, only a tremendous opportunity could help.
Chu Yun thought of the emerald kelp plague. It was almost time for the plague to break out. Seizing this opportunity, Shu Island could establish large-scale salt fields and then seize the entire salt trade market of the Archipelago. At that point, would they still fear Ning Island’s economic isolation?
However, achieving this involved many difficulties. Without the support of a reliable ally, forcibly establishing salt fields would attract a pack of greedy jackals drawn by the immense profits.
“Tiange Academy would be the ideal ally, but getting the always neutral Tiange Academy involved in the conflict of the islands is a far more difficult task than recruiting Yan Que!”
Chu Yun forced a bitter smile, unable to think of a feasible solution for the moment. With class time fast approaching, he hadn’t even had time to carry out his original plan of investigating the Sky-Revolving Pill Yuan Seed and was rushing to the lecture hall.
The first class was Pill Refining, taught by the White-Browed Pill Master.
“Pills are an extremely important field in the cultivation of Beasts. Once refined, pills can be given to Demonic Beasts to heal injuries or enhance their condition. They can also be consumed by humans to heal the body or improve physical fitness, and so on. However, medicine has its side effects; most pills are refined for Demonic Beasts. Frequent use by Beasts themselves is more harmful than beneficial,” the White-Browed Pill Master explained the importance of pills, elaborating patiently.
“There are various methods of pill refining. There’s the fire refining method, water refining method, earth refining method, starlight refining method, Heaven and Earth Great Furnace refining method, and so on. Among Demon Soldiers are refining wells that can be used for water refining. Among Demonic Beasts are fire foxes capable of fire refining. Among Demonic Plants is the Pill-Bearing Lotus that can be used for wood refining. Demon Soldiers, Demonic Beasts, and Demonic Plants can all be used for refining pills…”
“Today, we will discuss the fire refining method to concoct the Blood Qi Pill. Everyone, watch my technique closely.” Following this, the White-Browed Pill Master used a Demon Soldier pill furnace and demonstrated the fire refining process.
His fingers moved swiftly, forming various hand seals, like flower shadows, like flowing light. The flames beneath the pill furnace continuously changed color with the hand seals: green flames were restrained, red flames normal, and purple flames wild.
Chu Yun’s eyes widened, sensing the profound mystery within, and he felt immense pressure.
Upon completion, nearly a hundred Blood Qi Pills flew out of the pill furnace. Each was plump and round, far superior to those Chu Yun had found on the pirate spies.
At this point, the White-Browed Pill Master asked the scholars for their thoughts and questions.
Many scholars raised their queries, and he answered them one by one.
When it was Chu Yun’s turn, he directly stated, “Pill Master, I must admit, I barely understand your pill refining techniques!”
The classroom fell silent, and all eyes turned to Chu Yun, their expressions peculiar.
The White-Browed Pill Master’s eyes widened slightly, then he recalled the reason and chuckled, “Never has there been a freshman like you with the capital to choose the Pill Refining course from the very first lesson. It’s perfectly normal not to understand. How about this: stay after class, and I’ll personally tutor you on these hand seals. Now, we will proceed with an in-class assessment: refining the Blood Qi Pill. Whichever pill has the best appearance will be awarded academic credit.”
A buzz filled the classroom as scholars exchanged whispers.
“White-Browed Pill Master is giving Chu Yun special attention; I’m so jealous. Why didn’t I get such treatment back then?” someone marveled.
“Chu Yun, who doesn’t even know the basic pill refining hand seals, comes to study pill refining. Truly the style of the Young Tiger,” someone commented thoughtfully.
“He probably chose Pill Refining because of the high academic credit reward for the production tasks in the miscellaneous hall. I heard he even chose the Sac Preparation class. Heh heh, he’ll have a tough time. There are hundreds of basic pill refining hand seals; let’s see how much he can learn.” Someone gloated.
“Chu Yun, you’re too rash, choosing Pill Refining as your first course. You haven’t even learned to walk, yet you want to run. As a senior student, your predecessor, I, Ma Youcai, must offer you some advice. Eat your meals one bite at a time, and take your …, one stool at a time.”
A senior student sitting next to Chu Yun, with a sallow, horse-like face, suddenly turned towards Chu Yun and lectured him in a mocking tone.
