Chapter 001: The Ge Men Sorcerer
Thinking of the serious consequences of being late, Ge Zheng sprang up like a carp leaping from the water. As he suddenly opened his eyes, he found that they could not adapt to the light. At the same time, it felt as if thousands or tens of thousands of hands were coming at him, all wielding steel needles. "Ah!" he let out a miserable cry and fell back down again.
Ge Zheng forced his eyes open a crack, and in a daze, he saw a two-headed monster swaying in front of him. Even though Ge Zheng was audacious enough to steal from his master's daughter, he couldn't help but let out a strange cry and shrank back in fear. With that movement, the sensation of a thousand needles piercing his body returned once more. Ge Zheng was in utter despair; with a monster glaring at him, unable to move or escape, was he not destined to meet his end? ... Ge Zheng never imagined that despite mastering the art of alchemy, in the prime of his youth, brimming with ambition, he would pass away prematurely without ever having the chance to fulfill his aspirations ...! What was most infuriating was that he was eaten by a monster!
In the world of Xinglian, all professions are divided into twelve levels. Levels below six constitute one tier, while levels above seven constitute another tier. Below level six, the titles remain unchanged; above level seven, warriors are promoted to war generals, mages to archmages, and alchemists to alchemists. As for those who surpass level twelve and reach the demigod realm of level thirteen and above, they are referred to as war gods, divine mages, and master craftsmen respectively
Master, the child in Junior Sister's womb is my flesh and blood. I implore you to take good care of her. Once I have accumulated some wealth down the mountain, I will surely return in glory to marry Junior Sister
Then Ge Zhengfei rushed over, tears in his eyes, and with a thud, he knelt before Ge Yuan, knocking his head three times with a loud sound. Ge Yuan couldn't help but feel his eyes moisten, his old heart comforted: After all, they had been master and disciple for twenty years, and this parting was indeed a bit hard to bear.
The Ge sect has always been permissive of great desires, even encouraging disciples to engage in dual cultivation to advance along the Dragon and Tiger Path. In Ge Hong's work "Baopuzi," there is a dedicated section discussing the techniques of the bedroom, not to mention that the disciples are required to master the "Ten Forces and Thirty Methods." Ge Yuan is infuriated that these two little ancestors have concealed this from him so thoroughly. If it were not for his descent from the mountain today, it would be impossible to keep this hidden any longer, and they might never have clarified it to him.
My eyes hurt so much, and my body aches! What on earth is happening?
Half a bag of black Zejiu seed grass, whole eyes of the fissured-toothed fish dragon, two kilograms of snake bile from the rhinoceros-headed mad snake... these are all top-tier alchemical materials of the spatial system, and you have squandered them all. You are truly excessive, too arrogant, and have shown utter disregard for my words as your master. You, you, you listen carefully: from now on, you are forbidden to come within ten meters of my laboratory. Otherwise, you will never be allowed to eat Hami fruit again
Upon reaching the thirteenth rank of the demigod realm and above, one will earn the respect of the entire continent and receive a personal title. Any individual with a title possesses the ability to influence the power dynamics of the entire continent
"Oh, what is that?" Not far in front of Ge Zheng, a ball of pale golden light was dancing among the shrubs and trees. With his remarkable abilities, Ge Zheng felt no fear at all; instead, he eagerly chased after it. The pale golden ball rolled and grew larger as it moved, and by the time Ge Zheng reached it, it had already reached about half his height.
Ge Yuan was furious, thinking that this fellow was bowing three times in gratitude for the twenty years of nurturing he had provided, but unexpectedly, it was for this matter instead
Ge Zheng looked at the steaming liquid with some suspicion and sniffed it, gently shaking his head. Paracelsus was furious: "Dare to doubt the potion made by the world's number one alchemist in the Star Refining world!" The old man spent a long time trying to explain, but due to the language barrier, after much effort, Ge Zheng still resolutely shook his head, refusing to drink the liquid. The liquid, which had been emitting white smoke, had now cooled down, presenting a snake-like grass green color. Seeing this, Ge Zheng was even more reluctant to drink it.
Miss Dou Dou's eyes suddenly widened, and in a flash, she moved the young man into the house, laying him flat on the wooden bed
The golden light engulfed Ge Zheng, rapidly shrinking, then rolled for a moment on the tips of the grass, and suddenly disappeared. It was as if it had never existed in this world at all
Ge Yuan is the current head of the Ge clan. The one who entered the Nine Crowns Mystical Gate a day ago is his third disciple, the most unruly yet the most talented among them. If he cannot pass through the Nine Crowns Mystical Gate within a day, it is likely that no one from this generation of the Ge clan will be able to appear in the mortal world.
As the potion entered my stomach, a wondrous sensation spread throughout my abdomen, reaching all the way to my brain. I seemed to hear a "pop" in my ears, and suddenly, I could understand the incessant chatter of that old man.
Ge Yuan gritted his teeth, wondering when this little beast had secretly plotted against him. He had clearly seen that his daughter was still pure, with the vermilion mark of a silkworm on her arm as red as blood
As soon as Ge Zheng opened his mouth, Paracelsus was taken aback. However, true to his reputation as the foremost alchemist under the stars, he swiftly flew into his laboratory and, with remarkable speed, concocted a potion. After heating it briefly, the liquid in the flask was still emitting steam, which he then brought to Ge Zheng.
A greenish glow enveloped the pale golden orb of light
At last, he could justifiably send this little ancestor down the mountain. Ge Yuan let out a sigh of relief, having fulfilled the wishes of his predecessors while also being able to drive this troublemaker away, which brought him great satisfaction.
This is impossible ... ... " The old man with the white beard adjusted his crystal glasses, discarded the cane in his hand, and quickly walked over to the young man. To outsiders, the crystal glasses appeared unchanged, but with that adjustment by Paracelsus, a function had already been activated, and a number flashed rapidly within the lens: 60
This time, he was truly startled awake: I have already set out on my journey, and there is no need to worry about being punished by my master. On the way, I encountered a spirit creature that I was preparing to capture, how could I have inexplicably fainted?
The old man had a kind and gentle demeanor, possessing the charm to entice young girls. Unfortunately, as soon as he spoke, it was a flurry of incomprehensible words; Ge Zheng could not understand a single word. However, judging by his expression, he did not seem to harbor any ill intentions. Ge Zheng clasped his fists respectfully and inquired, "May I ask, old sir, where is this place, and how did I end up here?"
Outsiders are unaware that the disciples of Ge Men who can descend the mountain and enjoy the scenery are all selected through a rigorous process. To pass through the "Nine Mian Xuan Guan" within a single day is not something an ordinary genius can achieve; it requires an exceptional talent.
This value indicates that the young man lying on the ground possesses at least the strength of a Level 6 Warrior or a Level 6 Mage
An item of equipment, as long as it bears the badge of the master "Flame Saint", can be sold for a sky-high price, even if it is merely a piece of scrap metal
This disciple is quite a headache for him; since childhood, he has been unruly and resistant to discipline, playing tricks on his senior brothers, bullying his junior brothers, and driving the birds and beasts in the mountains into a frenzy. He is a dominant figure in the mountains, respected by both humans and beasts.
Paracelsus looked up at the sky, where a water-blue dome hovered three hundred meters above him. Sunlight, wind, and creatures could freely enter and exit this blue barrier, but humans could not. This was also the master's work, "The Goddess of Wisdom and the Library Canopy"
Young one, although it was my magical pet that summoned you here, you have nonetheless passed the test of the Goddess of Wisdom's cloak. I will make an exception and accept you as my disciple. Which continent do you hail from? Your language is quite peculiar. However, it matters not; regardless of which continent you are from, you must have heard of me. I am Paracelsus.
Ge Zheng felt a secret joy in his heart. The mountain had been sealed with a spiritual barrier by the elder of the Ge clan, making the area within three hundred miles around the mountain a forbidden zone, inaccessible from both inside and outside. Not only could modern radar searches find no trace, but the spiritual energy within the mountain would also not leak out. For thousands of years, the spiritual energy accumulated in the mountain was abundant, and it was common for some spiritual essences of plants and animals to take form through cultivation. These were treasures that could be encountered but not sought after, and once subdued, they would greatly aid in cultivation.
Ge Yuan sighed; he actually had high expectations for this unruly disciple, but he did not anticipate that he would ultimately be disappointed. Ge Yuan slightly shook his head, just about to announce that his disciple had failed the challenge, when suddenly a voice came from the cave: "Master!"
Beneath the aquamarine dome, a circular patch of charred blackness lay on the verdant earth, with a simple wooden cabin nestled against the cedar forest. A creature the size of a rabbit, with elongated ears, rolled up the young man on the ground, laboriously inching toward the cabin step by step. After just two steps, it exaggeratedly stuck out its tongue, panting with its eyes drooping as it lay on the ground. Paracelsus said irritably, "Alright, I'll give you two more Hami fruits for dinner, hurry and bring him inside."
Without passing through this threshold, even a master descending the mountain to accept disciples cannot casually proclaim the name of his Ge sect
In this generation of Ge Zheng, there is only one female disciple, who is the biological daughter of the sect leader Ge Yuan, named Ge Ying. In fact, most disciples in the sect do not bear the surname Ge; they simply adopt the surname upon entering the mountain gate.
Ge Zheng was unwilling to accept his fate. The vibrant world below the mountain contrasted sharply with the silent years above. In comparison, Ge Zheng's already exhausted body suddenly felt a surge of strength. He glided forward, skimming the ground, and before him, light burst forth. Behind him, he heard a dull thud as the massive stone of the broken dragon came crashing down.
Unexpectedly, the luminous sphere suddenly grew immensely large, effortlessly devouring the Spirit Capturing Talisman. Moreover, it exerted a powerful suction, instantly pulling Ge Zheng towards the luminous sphere from the connection between his and the talisman's primordial spirits
The sound of the three-tone clapper echoed, and the corona shadow in the northeast corner of the martial arts arena finally shrank into a small dot. The long beard under Ge Yuan's chin moved without wind, drifting towards the gaze of the cave at the front of the martial arts arena, revealing a hint of anxiety.
"Is he the one you summoned?" Paracelsus asked Doudou, somewhat incredulously. When creating Doudou, although he had whimsically infused some magical talents into this life imprint, he never expected that one day Doudou would actually be able to cast magic
At noon, a day has already passed. Has it really been two hundred years, and yet no disciple from the Ge Gate has been able to pass this final assessment and descend the mountain to walk among the world?
Paracelsus is recognized as the foremost alchemist under the stars, the chief advisor of the Alchemy Guild of the Three Continents, and the only living master of the title. In the world of Stellar Alchemy, divine artifacts are the exclusive domain of the gods, and throughout human history, no one has ever succeeded in crafting a divine artifact. Therefore, quasi-artifacts have become the pinnacle of achievement for human alchemists, with one-third of the quasi-artifacts in the world of Stellar Alchemy being produced by this master.
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The Ge Sect has a long and illustrious history, originating from the renowned alchemist Ge Hong of the Jin Dynasty, and is recognized as the foremost school of alchemical cultivation in Central China. Although the number of disciples is limited, every Ge Sect disciple who has descended the mountain throughout the ages has been a prominent figure in the realm of alchemy.
The young man is somewhat different from the average person in the Star Refinement world; he has rare black hair. Although his physique appears slightly more slender than that of an average person, his muscle definition is perfect, concealing a terrifying explosive power
Master! Ge Zhengfei rushed onto the martial arts arena, and Ge Yuan was equally excited, his beard trembling along with his lips. He clenched his hands together and murmured: "Good, good, all these years of hard work have finally paid off, this little brat is still somewhat promising..."
As soon as he stepped outside, the old man was taken aback. On the grass outside were circles of charred marks, which Paracelsus was very familiar with; they were the result of Dou Dou wasting his top-tier spatial alchemy materials. However, now, amidst those circles of charred marks, lay a young man who had lost consciousness
Enlightenment Potion? Ge Zheng was at a loss for words. Could it be that his own performance resembled that of a fool
The two-headed monster let out a series of strange sounds, and Ge Zheng felt a deep sorrow within. He thought to himself, as a proud disciple of the Ge clan, I cannot die in such a humiliating manner. Ignoring the pain in his swollen eyes, he suddenly opened them wide, and a sharp gaze shot out as he shouted loudly: "Hey! Huh..." At that moment, although his eyes hurt greatly, he was able to see clearly. Standing before him was an old man with a white beard, dressed in an oddly styled outfit, with a furry little creature perched on his shoulder.
Ge Zheng is undoubtedly the most outstanding disciple of this generation of the Ge family. In order to secretly engage in a romantic affair with his junior sister without being discovered by his master, he specially concocted a batch of "Solid Sand Pills." By taking one pill every ten days, the vermilion mark would not fade. As a result, his master, in a moment of carelessness, was deceived by him until today, and he even has a grandson now.
Ge Zheng emerged from the mountain gate, a blade of grass root held in his mouth, swaying with every third step along the mountain path. His complexion was slightly darkened, a result of spending all day in the mountains catching foxes and chasing rabbits under the sun. His eyes were bright and expressive, with a clear distinction between black and white; his nose was straight, and his lips were square, exuding a robust masculinity that was far from the delicate flowers nurtured in the city. However, upon closer inspection, one could see the upward tilt at the corners of his eyes, revealing a cleverness tinged with a hint of cunning, and a handsomeness mixed with a touch of mischief. Reflecting on the years of hardship spent in the mountains, Ge Zheng felt a twinge of fear; fortunately, he had managed to escape from there, yet he regretted not being able to explore the world alongside his junior sister.
Ge Zheng is not an atheist, and Ge Men cannot possibly cultivate an atheist heir
Ge Zheng had roamed the mountains for over ten years without encountering such an opportunity. Today, having met it, he could not let it slip away. At that moment, he placed one hand behind his back and with the other, pointed his fingers together to draw a "Spirit Capturing Talisman" in mid-air, then shouted: "Capture!"
A narrow path, akin to a sheep's intestine, runs alongside the martial arts arena, leading all the way to the mountainside. There, a sheer cliff splits thunderously in two, forming a pair of stone precipices, and between them lies the mountain gate. In a flash, Ge Zheng deftly slipped through, not waiting for the mountain gate to fully open, already emerging from the crevice of the stone cliffs. As soon as someone exited, the stone cliffs began to close immediately.
The day had dawned again... Ge Zheng woke up, and his first reaction was one of dismay; he had delayed his studies and would face punishment from his master. The rules of the Ge Sect were strict, and being late for the morning class meant a penalty of copying the "Inner Chapters of Baopuzi" thirty times—not with a brush on paper, but with a brush on stone, requiring the ink to penetrate the tip and produce clear strokes on the hard surface. After thirty repetitions, even though Ge Zheng was the most outstanding disciple of the Ge Sect in contemporary times, he would be too exhausted to straighten his back for half a day.
The old man adjusted his warlock robe with a certain swagger, raised his chin, and awaited the moment when the youth who recognized his identity would bow down in reverence. Unfortunately, what he saw in Ge Zheng's eyes was not fervent admiration, but an indescribable confusion. "Magic pet? Summoning? Cloak of the Goddess of Wisdom? What are these things, old man? My name is Ge Zheng, and I am the twenty-sixth generation heir of the Danxiu Ge sect..."
... ...
Ge Zheng was taken aback, and just as he was about to struggle, it was already too late. In a moment of carelessness, he never expected that this thing would be so peculiar. The force was overwhelmingly immense; even with Ge Zheng on high alert, he was no match for it, and without any suspense, he was pulled into the golden light
The term "Dan" is not merely understood by the common people at the foot of the mountain as a simple pill. The Dao of Dan encompasses a wide range of concepts, divided into internal and external paths: internal Dan refers to the practitioner's own cultivation, with advanced practitioners achieving Golden Elixir and Primordial Infant. External Dan includes almost all non-self-cultivation projects, encompassing elixirs, magical tools, formations, spiritual incantations, and mantras, which is why the realm of cultivation is also known as the realm of the Dan Cauldron
Bang! Ge Yuan slammed the door shut, casually casting a spell to firmly lock his daughter Ge Ying inside the room. Ge Ying pounded on the wooden door, crying out, "Father, let me out, let me out..." Ge Yuan said bitterly, "That little beast better not come back! If he dares to return, I will definitely break his dog legs!" Little did he know, his most outstanding disciple might truly never return.
Perhaps this is a joke played by the god of wisdom on me, or perhaps it is a clear path pointed out by the god of fate. Whatever the case, this young man is the only one who can pass through the cloak of the goddess of wisdom; he is my disciple. The master finally received a disciple, feeling joyful in his heart, and casually pointed to the pitiful little magical beast: "Dou Dou, carry him in." After saying this, he walked back into the house with his hands behind his back
Bang bang bang
However, today, the amiable old man with a white beard was seething with rage, bearing the brunt of the volcanic fury of the world's foremost alchemist. The poor creature lay prostrate on the ground, using its fluffy paws to cover its head, while its two ears, as plump as a squirrel's tail, drooped down, obscuring nearly half of its body
Dou Dou nodded affirmatively, and whether it was a deliberate act on her part or merely a case of a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse, she and Paracelsus were different beings. Due to the language barrier, there was no need for them to confront each other directly.
Moreover, Paracelsus completely transformed the eerie and bizarre image of alchemists in the minds of people in the Star Refining world. He was cultured and elegant, resembling the most beloved mentor among the students in the academy. He was courteous, and even the most fastidious gentleman could find no fault with him. He was charitable, and his name always appeared on the donation list for disasters across the three continents
Ge Yuan looked around and saw that most of the disciples around the martial arts arena were struggling to hold back their laughter. He immediately understood that these fellows had long been aware of the situation, keeping it a secret from their master. He felt quite embarrassed, thinking to himself that today he had truly lost face. He waved his hand and said, "All of you, get back!"
In the gate of Ge
Miss Dou Dou shook her ears and looked at the old man with a white beard with a sense of grievance. Paracelsus, filled with anger, said, "Are you still not convinced?" Dou Dou defiantly showed her claws to the old man, then pointed outside, and immediately jumped out of the window. Paracelsus was furious; he misunderstood Miss Dou Dou's intention, thinking she was inviting him out for a "one-on-one".
You little rascal, I am the foremost alchemist under the starry sky. The potions I personally concoct are sought after by countless people along the three main roads, and I still refuse to part with them even for a hefty sum. You, however, do not recognize a good thing when you see it and keep making excuses.
However, this is a method devised by the ancestors of the Ge Sect to test the disciples' understanding of the essence of alchemy: only those who can find shortcuts are considered to have their own unique insights into alchemy and are qualified to represent the Ge Sect when descending the mountain.
Paracelsus has been reclusive here for thirteen years, and almost everyone in the Star Refining World knows the master's intention: as long as one can pass through the Cloak of the Goddess of Wisdom and meet the master in person, they will become the master's direct disciple. However, after a full thirteen years, countless talented youths from the three continents have come and gone, yet no one has been able to pass through this barrier. Paracelsus has waited for thirteen years but has not found a satisfactory apprentice.
In a state of haziness, Ge Zheng mistook the small animal on his shoulder for a head, believing he had encountered some sort of two-headed monster
Paracelsus is currently the only alchemist in the world of Star Refinement who holds a title: the Inhuman Artisan. The title 'Inhuman' is not derogatory; rather, it is a commendation for his achievements that surpass the heights attainable by humanity.
Indeed, His Excellency Paracelsus is currently reprimanding his beloved magical pet, affectionately named Dou Dou, which he personally crafted.
Good! Paracelsus gritted his teeth; although he was old and frail, he was not a soft persimmon that anyone could squeeze. The old man grabbed his cane and rushed out.
This pair of glasses is also a creation of the master, a near-miraculous eye of discernment that can see through a person's true abilities. The number sixty may not seem high, but considering the master's status, achieving a passing score within the esteemed evaluation system of the foremost alchemist under the vast starry sky is not something just anyone can accomplish
That cave is also the work of a senior master of alchemy. From the moment Ge Zheng entered the cave, the automatic timer began. At this point, a full day had just concluded, and the stone door at the entrance was slowly descending. As this ten-thousand-jin断龙石 fell, it signified Ge Zheng's failure to pass the trial, condemning him to a lifetime of austere cultivation on the mountain.
He subconsciously regarded the old gentleman as a kindred spirit, for the pet on the old man's shoulder was truly no ordinary beast
Miss Dou Dou lay on Paracelsus's shoulder, her two fluffy ears drooping, already feeling a bit impatient from waiting. With a flick of her long ears, she wrapped them around the bottle and forcefully poured it down Ge Zheng's throat. As soon as Ge Zheng moved, pain shot through his body. Although Dou Dou was petite, she could easily lift Ge Zheng with her ears. In such a situation, how could he possibly resist?
By the time Ge Yuan reacted, Ge Zheng had already run far away. He was exceptionally talented, with his mastery of the Dao of Alchemy on par with that of his master. Ge Yuan had merely lost a moment's opportunity and was already unable to catch up.
"Elder, may I ask where this place is? How did I end up here?" Ge Zheng said. The old man immediately replied with joy, "Haha, the enlightenment potion is working!"
The exit of the Nine Crowned Entrance is this cave, while the entrance is located on another peak. There are a total of nine golden crowns, each inscribed with a difficult alchemical problem. Solving these problems is not the most challenging aspect; the difficulty lies in the requirement to solve all nine problems within a single day. It is important to note that alchemy is not like other disciplines; even the shortest process for refining a single elixir takes several dozen days in the furnace, while the longer processes can take several decades. To solve these problems in one day, one must not only be proficient in alchemy but, more importantly, be flexible in approach and use the simplest methods to find solutions. However, taking such shortcuts can lead to results that, while meeting the requirements of the golden crowns, may also exhibit various defects, such as quality issues.