Chapter 7, Alchemy
The source of fire can be a fire-attributed spirit stone, the flame spiritual power within an alchemist's body, underground flames, or even divine fire that descends from the heavens
After pondering for a moment, he suddenly realized that by igniting the "Flame Crystal," at the moment of finalizing the elixir, the fiery energy released by the "Flame Crystal" resonated with the crude array inscribed on the alchemy furnace, instantly generating intense heat that surged back into the furnace, likely alarming a certain practitioner in Dark Moon City
Whether it is a useless elixir or a successful spiritual pill may depend solely on a moment's delay
In this regard, due to his inability to cultivate, he is not as accomplished as his senior brother Zhong Chichen
Like three spiritual snakes, a strange python, and an evil dragon, gathered together in a mass of gooey mud balls, endowing those mud balls with unique medicinal properties
In the subtle realm, the upper dantian opens, and spiritual awareness is formed
Later, he was able to use the underground fire source of the Medicine God Sect to refine elixirs, only under the guidance and permission of his master
The flames rising from the "Flame Crystal" seem to suddenly transform into the ink wielded by a divine being, continuously dancing across the surface of the alchemical furnace, illuminating and enhancing the many intricate and profound lines that are already engraved upon it
At this moment, a surge of heat from within the alchemical furnace forced open the lid.
... ...
An extremely subtle burnt smell, emanating from the alchemical furnace, was detected by him at the first moment.
Yu Yuan held a handful of medicinal herbs, his expression focused, unwaveringly staring at the alchemical furnace
Moreover, the Shadow God can act silently, leaving no trace whatsoever
Unlike this subtle observer from Darkmoon City, who used his spiritual sense to probe the secret chamber where Yu Yuan was located, he was unexpectedly detected by Yu Yuan, who discerned the movement and thus realized that his secret alchemy had inadvertently alarmed outsiders
Yu Yuan suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining with an unusual light
At this level of cultivation, practitioners observe themselves through spiritual awareness, allowing them to gain profound insights. They can perceive their own flesh, bones, and internal organs, as well as the minutiae, and can tangibly comprehend the existence of the earth soul, heaven soul, and human soul.
Once one transitions from the realm of subtlety to the realm of the Yin Spirit, clarity emerges, allowing one to exit the body with the Yin Spirit and discern the external world, akin to opening one's eyes wide to perceive all truths
After all, although the "Tuo Mai Dan" is merely the lowest grade of common elixir, the severe shortage of alchemists has made it highly sought after, resulting in ordinary families in the Qian Xuan Continent being unable to recruit any.
The other three pills, with insufficient efficacy, cannot be considered a successful "Tuo Mai Dan"; they can only be referred to as semi-finished products
The five levels of Fan Dan, Ling Dan, Di Dan, Tian Dan, and Shen Dan are each further divided into nine grades
The most critical aspect of alchemical pill refinement is the mastery of details
After being reincarnated, he embarked on the path of cultivation with the "Nine Radiant Celestial Wheel," confident that he would no longer have any regrets in alchemy
Earth-level, Heaven-level, and Divine-level elixirs often require the combination of flame crystals, underground fire sources, or various types of heavenly fire.
Over time, this has led to the increasing rarity of alchemists in the Qianxuan Continent
The "Tuo Mai Dan" is a third-grade common elixir. Its greatest and sole function is to assist practitioners at the Channel Opening stage in expanding their meridians at a faster pace, enabling them to surpass the Channel Opening barrier more swiftly.
He stepped back gradually, creating distance from the furnace, watching as the three pieces of "Flame Crystal" transformed from their sparkling state to a pitch-blackness akin to charcoal, until the last glimmer of light was extinguished.
Using consciousness to explore the external world is akin to a blind person touching an elephant; one can only perceive the warmth and coldness, the general shape, and discern whether it is a living being of flesh and blood or a hard stone.
Staring at the palm of his left hand, with three more "Tuo Mai Dan" in his possession, a cold smile, sharp as a blade, gradually appeared at the corner of his mouth. "It seems I can plan something to give that dog servant Yin Jue a lesson he will never forget in his lifetime!"
Those who are perceptive may find it difficult to discern, even when their spiritual awareness detects living beings, whether they are humans or livestock and beasts.
Hiss!
Water flows downward, and people strive to ascend; those alchemists, in pursuit of the path of alchemy, will also gladly accept this.
Inside the alchemical furnace, there seems to be a cold radiance and icy threads that swiftly neutralize and restrain the "Blood-Activating Herb," and then thoroughly stimulate its medicinal properties
Elixirs, like the levels of alchemists and artifact refiners, are also categorized into Mortal Level, Spirit Level, Earth Level, Heaven Level, and Divine Level
In the Tianyuan Continent and the Jimi Continent, the "Tuo Mai Dan" is not uncommon. When powerful sects cultivate their core disciples, the mentors will bestow this pill upon them to facilitate their rapid breakthrough.
He picked up each one, examining only the shape and color, and after sniffing the medicinal aroma, he determined that among the eight "Tuo Mai Dan," five were of acceptable quality and could be taken directly.
Oh!
Yu Yuan's expression was solemn
Pung!
Puff
He breathed gently, his shoulders relaxed, and his eyes slowly narrowed.
As for the Qianxuan Continent, it is likely that only the deeply rooted prominent families or the royal families of various empires can provide the "Tuo Mai Dan" for exceptionally talented younger generations
In his previous life, Yu Yuan, due to his lack of aptitude for cultivation, initially relied on various types of fire attribute spirit stones and fire crystals for alchemy
He sat quietly, casually wiping the sweat from his body with his sleeve, silently waiting for the moment of Dan Cheng to arrive
His senior brother, Zhong Chichen, has practiced the Flame Spirit Technique since childhood, allowing him to refine spiritual pills using his own fire without the need for Flame Spirit Stones or crystals
The varieties of Yu family spiritual herbs are relatively few, and their grades are also low. The only elixir refined by Yu Yuan is merely the lowest grade "Tuo Mai Dan"
A Qi Refinement practitioner with a keen perception has surveyed with spiritual awareness, and their cultivation should be the Flame Spirit Technique
Unbeknownst to him, Yu Yuan was already covered in beads of sweat, glistening droplets of sweat that trickled down his cheeks and neck, sliding directly towards his chest
The place where he is located is a secret chamber, specially arranged by the old master Yu Can, hidden three meters underground
In the realm of subtlety, placed within the Tianyuan Continent and the Jimi Continent, it may only represent a core strength. However, in the Qianxuan Continent, in the small Dark Moon City, it is likely already at the pinnacle
Having just returned with the earth soul and the sky soul, even with the numerous explanations provided by the maid An Ziqing, it is impossible for him to be fully aware of everything within the city
Yu Yuan no longer thought of anything else, instantly stood up, and swiftly rushed towards the alchemy furnace, lowering his head to look inside the furnace
Swish!
After this, it will all depend on fate. For the first batch of elixir after reincarnation, I hope for a good yield
In the Tianyuan Continent and the Jimi Continent, alchemists are symbols of esteemed status and are treated as honored guests by various major sects
In the underground chamber three meters below, Yu Yuan had just distinctly sensed a warm current quietly passing by from the dome of the chamber
The wisps of light smoke rise from the open furnace, emanating the unique pungent aroma of "Huoxuecao".
This secret chamber was also a place of cultivation for Yu Can in earlier years, capable of isolating sound and preventing disturbances from the outside world
He remained utterly unmoved, merely staring intently at the alchemical furnace, his face filled with fervent desire
Hey! For my first alchemy attempt, I produced eight pieces in one batch: five finished products and three semi-finished ones, with none completely wasted. Yu Yuan smiled broadly, saying, "It seems that my talent in alchemy is still very much alive."
The hissing "Flame Crystal" releases deep red flames, resembling slender fire serpents gracefully dancing at the bottom of the alchemical furnace, both lively and enchanting
Call!
Old Master, as the head of the Yu family, you should know who it is that has been secretly using spiritual perception to investigate the subtle realms of the Yu family
Three and a half semi-finished products, if further refined, can be made into poison pills
The furnace and the source of fire, the medicinal materials, and the alchemist's skill all pertain to the final quality and grade of the elixir
At this point, Yu Yuan was already drenched in sweat, and his entire being seemed to be on the verge of collapse
Suddenly, dark red, deep blue, and silver-white wisps of smoke intertwined and merged within the Dan furnace in a marvelous manner
On the Qianxuan Continent, if there exists an alchemist capable of refining second-level spiritual pills, they will naturally be vigorously invited by the sects of the Tianyuan Continent and the Jimi Continent to cultivate and reside in those two continents
At the bottom of the furnace, there are eight round dan pills, each about the size of a thumb, with a deep red color, exuding a medicinal fragrance that he is extremely familiar with
Suddenly, Yu Yuan's nostrils twitched
Refining elixirs requires an alchemical furnace and a source of fire
Of course, this is limited to those core disciples who possess potential and background; ordinary sect disciples do not have the qualification to freely enjoy the "Meridian Expansion Pill".
Generally speaking, alchemists use their own flames to refine elixirs, and most can only produce two types of low-level pills: mortal and spiritual.
The "Tuo Mai Dan" has not yet been fired, and the "Yan Jing" has long since extinguished. Logically speaking, it should be impossible for a warm current to form in this underground chamber.
Due to the close proximity, the deep red flames emitted by the "Flame Crystal" illuminated his focused face, making his expression at that moment appear exceptionally stern and grave
The furnace fire has finally extinguished, and the lid of the furnace has long been closed
The remaining alchemists who have not yet departed are all associated with financial conglomerates like the Su family, which serve as pillars of the nation, or are directly supported by the imperial royal family
After a few seconds, he let out a long breath of hot air, while the other hand tightly gripped the "Silver Moon Flower" and "Spirit Liquid," which he swiftly threw into the alchemy furnace
Yu Yuan's eyes suddenly shone brightly
Between the elongated middle finger and ring finger of his left hand, he held another plant known as "Ice Blue Grass," which resembled a streak of deep blue electric light, swiftly falling into the alchemical furnace
In this state, he is extremely focused, and his body can gradually relax.
That individual, a practitioner of the Flame Spirit Technique, is most likely in seclusion, diligently cultivating. Then, with keen perception, an unusual surge of fiery energy suddenly erupts within the city, which is sensed through spiritual awareness
At the bottom of the furnace, three pieces of "Flame Crystal" suddenly burned even more fiercely
It was only for a moment that the warm current vanished without a trace
Unable to cultivate, unable to use one's own flames to refine elixirs, which left him with considerable regret in his previous life
Who in the city would be able to cultivate the Flame Spirit Technique to such a subtle level
This person is not an elder of the Cold Yin Sect; the cultivation technique he practices is in direct opposition to that of the Cold Yin Sect, and he is certainly not an ally
However, Yu Yuan, through the experiences of his previous life, has gained keen insight and his guesses are nearly always accurate.
The gourd-shaped alchemical furnace is supported by four red copper legs, with three blocks of crimson "flame crystals" at the bottom, which are continuously burning
The timing of heat control, the properties of spiritual herbs, and the moment of casting into the alchemical furnace are all extremely meticulous; a slight deviation can lead to a significant error in the elixir produced.
Moreover, practitioners who delve into such subtle realms may not necessarily be fully understood by An Ziqing
"If this furnace of Meridian Expansion Pill is successful, it may change the current situation of the Yu family," Yu Yuan murmured to himself. "In the Qianxuan Continent, alchemists are even rarer than cultivators! The Yu family, being a family of medicinal materials, if an alchemist were to emerge, even if they were of the lowest rank, it could potentially alarm the upper branch of the Yu family—the Su family"
However, if one disperses their consciousness outward to perceive the myriad changes in the external world, the subtlety of their awareness is greatly diminished