Chapter 9, The Patriarch Contest

Shen Tianhu said, "Although this alchemy furnace is somewhat lacking, it is currently the only one I can afford. Once I become the clan leader, I will buy you a better one."

The grass is blue and exudes a spiritual aura; this is the Qingling Grass. The flower that is as red as blood and resembles a fist is the Xueyuan Flower. The flower that is as white as snow and emits a bright light at night is the Xuanming Flower. The grass filled with small leaves is the Lingye Grass

Shen Xiang was overjoyed upon seeing this; it was his first time performing this technique, and he did not expect to succeed. He hurriedly placed the azure dew into a bucket of clear water, and immediately the clear water transformed into a blue hue, with strands of azure light spilling out.

Shen Xiang scratched his head and said lightly: "Although I want to, you are my grandfather's rival, so I cannot take you as my master"

In the early morning, Shen Xiang stuck out his tongue, and there was a green dew drop on it. This is "dragon's saliva"

Shen Zhenhua felt an even greater sense of jealousy in his heart. Although Shen Xiang had just humiliated him severely, everyone had focused their attention on Shen Xiang, completely ignoring him. However, now many people were casting disdainful glances at him; in the eyes of these individuals, an alchemist was far more impressive than any genius.

The old man merely stared at Shen Xiang, his face filled with disbelief, his gaze brimming with shock and ecstasy

"Lord... this fellow." A middle-aged man approached and said to a short old man in white robes standing behind Shen Xiang

In the process of alchemy, the alchemical furnace is also indispensable. Shen Xiang felt quite satisfied with this black alchemical furnace. He nodded and smiled, saying: "Thank you, Father. I will bring the elixir to you for tasting as soon as it is refined"

Shen Xiang carefully watered the seedlings with the bucket of water he was carrying

Shen Xiang's lips twitched slightly; if he were to eliminate the genius of the Yao family, the Shen family would undoubtedly go to war with the Yao family. By then, his father might very well be the clan leader, which would be quite troublesome

This old man is the master of the Lingdan Pavilion, a renowned alchemist, but he has some grievances with Shen Xiang's grandfather

However, after being ripened with "dragon's saliva" by Shen Xiang, it matured in just one month

Of course, Shen Xiang not only possesses divine veins, but he also aspires to become an alchemist! At this moment, he has already met the two conditions of cultivating medicinal herbs and unleashing high-quality true qi fire; he only needs a certain level of alchemical experience and exceptional comprehension to successfully refine spiritual pills.

The basic steps of alchemy involve first infusing the alchemical furnace with the fire of true energy, roasting the spiritual herbs inside the furnace to allow them to emit their unique spiritual aura. Then, one uses mental power to control the various spiritual auras with distinct characteristics and the dried spiritual herbs, bringing them together to coalesce into a pill.

Shen Tianhu let out a hearty laugh and then hurriedly departed

Alchemy is not a simple matter. Although you possess the qualifications to become an alchemist, mastering it without a teacher is extremely difficult. You should first explore the process on your own, and if that does not work, I will find a way to help you locate an alchemist." As Shen Tianhu spoke, he took out an alchemical furnace the size of a water bucket from his storage bag

Shen Xiang returned to his small courtyard and planted those spiritual herb seedlings. By evening, he sat cross-legged on his bed, feeling the rich spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and quickly absorbed it while practicing the Tai Chi Divine Skill and the Dragon Saliva Technique

Shen Tianhu looked at the spiritual herbs in the small courtyard, exclaiming in astonishment, his eyes nearly popping out; he remembered that a month ago, these were merely small seedlings

Although Shen Xiang knows how to refine pills, there are many aspects that trouble him, such as controlling the heat, the amount of true energy to infuse, and the moment of pill condensation, which requires extremely precise mental strength

"Stop it quickly, don't burn down my Lingdan Pavilion!" an old man suddenly shouted, emerging from somewhere.

The master of the Lingdan Pavilion actually personally invited others to become his disciples. It is important to note that the noble youths who aspire to be disciples of the Lingdan Pavilion can line up at the city gate and the library entrance.

Returning to the Shen family, Shen Xiang hurried to find Shen Tianhu and recounted the matters regarding the Lingdan Pavilion

After he processed those ethereal flowers and grasses, he cast them into the furnace, and each subsequent step was of utmost importance

Having finished speaking, Shen Xiang turned around and left gracefully, his face showing no trace of regret. The onlookers were in disbelief, unable to comprehend that Shen Xiang had so decisively refused! They doubted whether they had misheard, but after hearing the sigh of the pavilion master, they had no choice but to believe that someone had indeed refused to become the master's disciple

After practicing the Dragon Spittle Technique, a special liquid will condense on the tongue. As long as this liquid is poured over the spiritual herbs, it can accelerate their ripening.

What? I have just over a month before I have to compete with that genius from the Yao family

"This... son, do not let others know about your ability! It is enough for you and me to know; wealth should not be exposed!" Shen Tianhu's expression was very serious, and he did not ask Shen Xiang how he came to possess such an ability.

Everyone was stunned, shocked by Shen Xiang's potential. Although he lacked spiritual veins, he was still able to unleash the fire of true energy, which was indeed a promising prospect in the eyes of alchemists

"Shen Zhenhua, are you afraid of the flames of a useless person like me? Then what are you? Even worse than a useless person?" Shen Xiang sneered.

The four types of spiritual herbs, namely Qingling Grass, Xueyuan Flower, Xuanming Flower, and Lingye Grass, although classified as low-grade mortal herbs, require at least three years to grow from seedlings to maturity

Su Meiyao said in a delicate voice: "At least a year and a half!"

Sister Mei Yao, I am preparing to refine the elixir. When do you think I will be able to produce the pills?" Shen Xiang communicated with Su Mei Yao in the ring using his mental power while harvesting the mature herbs and processing them into medicinal materials for alchemy

Bai Youyou let out a cold snort: "What an idiot, do you really have to compete with him in alchemy? Just use your strength to take that guy down directly."

Shen Xiang had long known that the sect master was the archrival of his grandfather, and his grandfather had always treated him well, occasionally giving him some elixirs, which allowed him to cultivate to the third level of the Mortal Martial Realm despite lacking a spiritual vein

Shen Xiang nodded. The place he was in was the territory of Shen Tianhu, where no one dared to enter or exit freely, so Shen Xiang was not worried about being discovered.

Everyone unanimously believes that Shen Xiang is a fool for giving up a great opportunity due to his grandfather's personal grievances

The process requires a certain amount of effort, but for Shen Xiang, it is not a big deal, as Su Meiyao had already instilled all of this in him.

One can refine elixirs, and even without spiritual veins, one can become a formidable martial artist

In the past month, apart from tending to those spiritual herbs, Shen Xiang has also received instruction in alchemy from Su Meiyao. This enchanting woman has meticulously explained some of the difficulties to him, which has been extremely beneficial for Shen Xiang

Shen Zhenhua's expression was extremely grim; anyone with a sound mind would never attempt to wield such flames. The city lord's daughter, with her mouth slightly agape, looked at Shen Xiang in astonishment. She could also perceive the power of those flames. At this moment, she slightly lowered her head, for she had just looked down on Shen Xiang, not knowing that he was actually concealing his true abilities.

Shen Xiang placed his hands on two designated spots where flames were injected, while simultaneously using his mental power to observe the conditions inside the alchemy furnace

The flames in Shen Xiang's hand vanished, and the people in the Lingdan Pavilion recovered from their shock. Just moments ago, they could all sense Shen Xiang's anger emanating from that ball of fire.

The master unexpectedly opened the door to accept disciples

"Young man, would you be willing to become my disciple?" the old man inquired, causing everyone on the first floor of the Spirit Elixir Pavilion to shudder.

Well done, that old fool from Lingdan Pavilion is just a simpleton. The elixirs sold to our Shen family are quite expensive. Since you possess the True Qi Fire, becoming an alchemist will not be difficult! I will fully support you. Shen Tianhu was extremely excited in his heart. The fact that his son could unleash the True Qi Fire meant boundless prospects, far better than those martial artists with high-grade spiritual veins.