The verdict stunned Chen Tu.

To Chen Tu, nothing hits him harder than being told there are no Two-Star Pills found in the seventy Grain Pellets. And with this result in hand, doesn't that equivalent to telling him that the modified recipe doesn't work as intended?

But at the same time, there's no doubt that his newer recipe had a greater yield and higher success rate. The only regrettable part concerning this recipe is the questionable medicinal potency of the concoction.

It might be safe to assume that the mixture was too diluted to achieve a greater yield. Thus, the end product ended up slightly meeting the minimal requirement of a standard pill. Although this concern could be handled with enough patience, there's no shortcut for Chen Tu to use here.

In Alchemy, a shortcut is akin to a double-edged sword. You could uncover the essence or go astray from your primary intention. Hence, it was also why such a thought was considered taboo in this profession.

It also wasn't a secret to the people about a faction opposing the doctrine of the Heavenly Alchemist Association. This powerhouse is known as Sacred Alchemist Cave.

The former attention was placed on medicine, while the latter's attention was on poison. The two were like the alter ego of one another, supporting while contradicting.

As a matter of fact, Chen Tu had been warned during his pill refinement process. And thanks to the urge to satisfy his curiosity, he tried to be innovative on his last three sets of ingredients. The result is naturally the ten below-standard pills in the lot.

This outcome had given Chen Tu enough reason not to partake in alchemy malpractice. Of course, including the ten problematic pills during the inspection also gave Chen Tu leeway to avoid suspicion.

After all, how many people would believe that Chen Tu can modify the Pill Formula in this short time and increase its yield and success rate?

"junior Chen Tu, I am still waiting for your answer." the worker said. He couldn't wait for Chen Tu to slowly make up his mind. And thanks to the limited number of staff, this worker cannot stay too long away from his counter.

If he did, those people in the queue would increase by hundreds.

"Please process the payment for me, senior. As for the remaining pills, I'll be bothering the Supply Office to keep them." Chen Tu quickly answered.

"Alright. The two pills will be temporarily kept in our Supply Office's drawer. This here would be the payment of thirty-two Spiritual Coins. Would you like to count them before I left?" the worker asked with the wooden tray in hand. He was ready to leave if there was nothing else from Chen Tu's side.

"I will be fine, senior." Chen Tu politely accepted the payment without counting them and gestured to the worker reasonably that he would be fine alone. And without other overly cordial exchanges, they went on their own way.

Chen Tu's attention temporarily stopped at the Assignment Board. But a few seconds later, he left quietly.

He didn't take anything from here because Chen Tu felt he was still lacking. After all, his cultivation was merely on the third level in the Body Tempering Layer. This strength was simply a starting point outside the Blood Refining Grotto.

Unless he intended to endanger himself, it would be better to think about it after advancing to the fourth level and mastering one of the Martial Arts. Furthermore, The rewards for the assignment he could take were similar to the pay for helping out in the Spiritual Garden.

This means that it wouldn't mean much to Chen Tu for now.

Chen Tu reviewed everything he went through today once he stepped out of the Supply Office. His total expenses for today were twenty-five Spiritual Coins. Fifteen of them naturally came in the form of ingredients. As for the other ten Spiritual Coins, it was a direct conversion for a Contribution Token.

After deducting the cost with the total from his pill sales today, he had an extra seven Spiritual Coins. Still, it was far to assume it was profitable. He can't forget that there are still small losses to offset from yesterday.

As he stays in his deep thoughts, Chen Tu unconsciously wanders to the Spiritual Garden.

"What brought you over here, junior brother?" Qin Lei greeted Chen Tu after noticing him from afar. He appeared to be busy with the basket of grasses on his back.

"I was simply walking around. Are you lack helpers today?" Chen Tu asked. His question didn't come out of kindness either. It wasn't a secret that Chen Tu was rearing some Crimson-Tailed Pheasants in his land. And to ensure they're fed, collecting these grasses here was necessary.

The food supply had to be replenished once every three days to ensure the Crimson-Tailed Pheasants didn't run away once there was nothing else to eat.

"Yes. If you don't have anything to do, why not help us out? I'll register you into the working book later." said Qin Lei. Since there are still a few places unattended, having Chen Tu here would assure him.

"Alright. Where should I go?" Chen Tu folded his sleeves up and helped. Although there are just a few hours before dawn, having Chen Tu's help is akin to having three people working together. Furthermore, Chen Tu always takes his work seriously.

His meticulous and excellent results leave no gap for others to make things difficult for him.

Chen Tu was paid four Contribution Tokens for helping out. Although it was a last-minute participation, his speed alone cleared four plots of Spiritual Herbs before they finished their work for today. And with the status of an elder's Unofficial Disciple, the others naturally had no qualms about him participating.

After all, who dared to question what right Chen Tu had? He can already be considered one of the small bosses here, alongside the senior workers and his six other brothers and sisters.

Qin Lei suggested while the two were on their way to the food canteen.

"Let's visit the Worldly Treasures Pavilion after dinner!" he said. Since Chen Tu also had the same thought, he naturally agreed without thinking twice. Their dinner lasted for a while, and since the pavilion won't close before late at night, they were not in a rush.