Chapter 002 What is Alchemy

The old man, in a fit of stubbornness, exclaimed, "If I can't do it either, I will take you as my master!" Ge Zheng replied with a smile, "Please don't, at your age, I couldn't possibly bear that!" Paracelsus, half dead from anger, felt as if this guy was already certain of his victory. He barely suppressed his rage and said, "Alright then, what do you suggest we do?"

"Ge, I see that you are very interested in alchemy. How about I teach you alchemy? Rest assured, we are merely discussing this. In exchange, you must also teach me your alchemy," proposed Paracelsus. Ge Zheng considered for a moment; the Golden Elixir path of the Ge sect should not be easily divulged. However, the Ge sect's collection of books is vast, containing many classics from other sects, which could be used for exchange with Paracelsus.

There is also cryptography. The reason for including this subject is that the vast majority of alchemical equations are not expressed directly; each individual has their own unique code. Therefore, if you obtain an alchemical equation, the first thing to do is to decrypt it

What is alchemy? Ge Zheng had no concept of it and shook his head in confusion. Paracelsus spoke eloquently: "Some believe that alchemy is merely the technique of transforming lead into gold, which is the most superficial and foolish understanding. Others think that alchemy is the process of seeking the Philosopher's Stone, but this view is also too narrow. In my opinion, alchemy is the art of elevating certain substances to a higher level, and at the same time, it is the art of elevating those who strive to unravel the secrets of matter to a higher state of existence through the control of substances"

It has been half a year since I arrived here, and Ge Zheng still harbors some hope of returning to his previous world. Not to mention anything else, the child in his junior sister's womb is, after all, his own flesh and blood. She is alone at the mountain gate; even though her master is taking care of her, it is ultimately not as close as if he were there himself.

The practitioners of the Way pursue the "Great Dao," typically specializing in internal alchemy, while external alchemy serves merely as an auxiliary. Unlike ordinary cultivators, they largely refrain from participating in the conflicts of the cultivation world. Therefore, apart from a few defensive talismans, they seldom refine magical artifacts in their daily practice

Paracelsus pointed to the symbols within the inner circle of the equation: "This is it—universal symbols of alchemy. This is our common language"

Paracelsus was left speechless; the wonders of Eastern treasures had surpassed his understanding. As for Ge Zheng's "works," he truly found them impossible to imitate

This ... ... left Ge Zheng in a dilemma. Alchemy, after all, differs somewhat from the Eastern Dao of Elixirs, with greater disparities in development direction and focus. Ge Men's strengths do not lie in the creation of magical creatures. If asked to produce a living magical beast with flesh, blood, and a soul, Ge Zheng truly finds himself unable to accomplish it

However, Ge Zheng looked down on this: Are there no intelligent people among the bad ones?

This means that whoever is capable will become the teacher

Ge Zheng set aside his reservations and sincerely sought advice from Paracelsus. On one hand, he was very curious about Paracelsus's alchemy; on the other hand, although he did not speak of it, he understood that in order to return to Earth, he needed to start with the magic that summoned him here. He was completely ignorant in this area and naturally needed to consult Paracelsus extensively. However, Ge Zheng had already taken a master, and he could not betray his teacher. He merely sought guidance from Paracelsus, but did not acknowledge him as his own master.

However, how can these materials be refined into the healing potions needed on the battlefield?" Ge Zheng still did not quite understand. Paracelsus pointed to the inner circle: "Do you see this symbol?

Paracelsus took out an ancient parchment while speaking: "Come and take a look, this is a simple alchemical equation"

Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. Even if the two of them are exceptionally talented, the daily creation of a new work over these six months has nearly exhausted their creativity. Ge Zheng felt apprehensive: "Experience speaks volumes; this elder is rich in experience and seems to have an endless stream of ideas. I, on the other hand, am already at my wit's end. If one day he produces something I cannot replicate, and I am unable to create anything else, wouldn't that mean I have lost this competition?"

Paracelsus looked at Ge Zheng, who seemed to have an epiphany, and said with satisfaction: "This alchemical equation is merely to illustrate the necessity of cryptography to you. For now, you do not need to decipher complex equations; we will start with the most fundamental concepts."

"What does it mean?" Paracelsus asked with a frown

There are many such examples. Paracelsus, as a leading academic figure in alchemy, was deeply pained by this. Alchemists often worked for many years in laboratories, coming into contact with various toxic substances, which is why most of them had short lifespans

In just these past six months, he has continuously inquired about Paracelsus, and the answer he received was that the summoning on that occasion was merely a coincidence, with a probability so low that it can be disregarded. Even if the situation at that time were to be completely restored, success would still not be guaranteed. Therefore, Ge Zheng is essentially unable to return.

Ge Zheng was greatly surprised: the spiritual energy in this world is far more abundant than that on Earth. The "vitality" obtained from such a large tree is twice as much as that on Earth

In the first star corner, there is a python, and behind the python's tail, there is a black dot. Ge Zheng examined it closely; the python was already quite small, and that black dot behind its tail was indeed difficult to discern. This black dot represents the python's excrement. On the Southern Starry Continent, there grows a type of dream snake grass, which requires the python's feces as fertilizer in order to produce seeds. Therefore, the substance represented by this first pattern should be the seeds of the dream snake grass.

Nevertheless, Ge Zheng remained undeterred and took note of Dou Dou's summoning magic ritual. There were no magical materials left with Paracelsus, but once he gathered these materials, he was determined to give it a try regardless of the circumstances

Paracelsus smiled kindly: "Ge, you have misunderstood my intention. When I mentioned electives, I meant merely for the purpose of learning and understanding; it does not imply that you must practice them. As an alchemist, it is inevitable to forge certain weapons. If you do not understand the martial skills and fighting spirit of the users, how can you create works that meet the requirements of the warriors? Therefore, this knowledge is essential. Furthermore, I also suggest that you practice your martial skills more. Even if you cannot cultivate fighting spirit, at least you can strengthen your body. Alchemists often neglect their physical health, resulting in many passing away prematurely, leaving behind an unfinished equation, which is truly a regret!"

After a day of rest, Paracelsus officially imparts alchemy to Ge Zheng

What does this mean https : / / mhetushu .com com ? '' Ge Zheng completely does not understand this drawing, and this is still simple; I wonder how bizarre the complex ones must be.

Although the materials are good, he does not have any jade in hand, which significantly reduces the power when setting up the formation. However, after three days, he has managed to refine a piece that is somewhat satisfactory.

Regarding Paracelsus, Ge Zheng holds a deep admiration: the elder's many creative ideas have opened his eyes. Not to mention anything else, just the bottle of enlightenment potion he drank upon arriving in this world, which allows one to understand any language, was something Ge Zheng had never even considered before. The magical creature Dou Dou has further broadened his horizons. Paracelsus also has high hopes for Ge Zheng; at such a young age, this young man is already on par with him. Given time, his future is limitless. The title of the world's foremost alchemist in the Star Refinement realm will surely be passed down to him.

"To learn alchemy, the first question is: what is alchemy?" On the grassy ground outside, the white-haired Paracelsus, dressed in a loose, snow-white craftsman's robe, sat facing the eager student Ge Zheng, creating a scene where the elder and the younger truly resembled a respected mentor guiding his disciple

Ge Zheng and Paracelsus, from their initial confrontation to later developing a mutual appreciation during their competition, truly evoke a sense of a friendship that transcends age.

An old man and a young man were at odds. Paracelsus, unwilling to sacrifice his reputation, could not give in, while Ge Zheng, full of youthful vigor, refused to concede defeat. After three months, Paracelsus's raw material warehouse had significantly diminished, and both inside and outside the house were piled high with the alchemical results of the two. Paracelsus crafted a space ring to store all these results within it. Ge Zheng, not to be outdone, created a small money pouch and, in front of Paracelsus, stuffed dozens of his own works into the pouch's square opening. Paracelsus crafted a space ring to store all these results within it. Ge Zheng, not to be outdone, created a small money pouch and, in front of Paracelsus, stuffed dozens of his own works into the pouch's square opening. The old and the young exchanged glares for a while, and then each went off to contemplate what kind of artifacts to create next.

No problem

Today we will discuss some fundamental concepts. As a qualified alchemist, there are three essential subjects that must be mastered: alchemy, magic, and appraisal. Paracelsus and Geber sat together on two stones in the morning sun, not so much as if they were giving a lecture, but rather as if they were engaged in conversation

A circle encircles an equilateral triangle

"Take me as your disciple?" Ge Zheng looked at the old man in front of him with great interest: This old fellow is quite arrogant. I am the distinguished disciple of the most renowned Ge Sect in the realm of Taoist practitioners, yet this old man, a mere alchemist, dares to think of taking me as his student?

Although Ge Zheng has lived in the mountain gate for twenty years, he is by no means ignorant of the outside world; he certainly understands what alchemy is. The texts within the Ge sect have also recorded that Western alchemy is greatly influenced by Eastern practitioners. If it were not for the Arabs introducing the Chinese concept of elixirs to Europe, European alchemists might still be simply pursuing the purification of "base metals" into gold

Cough cough... Ge Zheng coughed once, deciding to follow the teachings of the senior expert, to respect the elderly and care for the young, and not to overly undermine the old man's dignity. "Elder, I believe that the distinction between teacher and student should not be viewed solely from the perspective of age. As the saying goes, those who have attained mastery are the true teachers..."

Ge Zheng's eyes turned: hetushu.com. "If I win, you will tell me how this little creature was refined. Oh..." It turned out that Miss Dou Dou was dissatisfied with his way of addressing her and scratched him fiercely.

Although I cannot create such a life, I believe that some things I can produce may be beyond your capabilities as well

Ge Zheng looked at the annotations, and gradually, meanings began to emerge in his mind. He suddenly realized, "It is an ancient Islamic incantation." "Indeed," Paracelsus nodded with a smile.

Ge Zheng was even more puzzled: "Isn't it possible that relying on one's own guesses to create a successful work can prove that the guess is correct?" "Hahaha..." Paracelsus laughed and said: "Of course not. Even if you guess wrong, sometimes you can still create a successful work. That is the charm of alchemy."

After this explanation from Paracelsus, Ge Zheng finally understood. His last trace of disdain for alchemy completely vanished. It seems that any profession that exists in this world has its unique aspects.

Now let us examine this second pattern. It depicts a temple, modest in its construction, yet atop it stands a deity with white horns, a unique symbol of the Unicorn Cult. The Unicorn Cult is not widely known across the three continents; however, they do have a renowned ritual known as the "Grief of the Unicorn." I will not elaborate on the details of this ritual, but you only need to know that the most famous offering associated with this consciousness is the Light Beast, a type of grass that emits a glow at night.

In addition to these three mandatory subjects, alchemists have a wide range of interests. The elective courses mainly include: astrology, mysticism, martial arts, combat energy, philology, cryptography, medicine, divination, witchcraft, theology, and so on

Ge Zheng took the time to craft a wooden box, its surface intricately engraved with exquisite vine patterns. Inside lay a small, delicate, and glistening dagger, which instantly appeared extraordinary. He gently lifted it with his palm, and the small dagger soared into the air like a beam of rainbow light. As his hand moved, the dagger emitted a series of clear whistles, dancing around Ge Zheng in an up-and-down motion. He pointed with his hand, and the rainbow light shot through the window, circling around a large tree behind the house. The lush tree, with its abundant branches and leaves, suddenly collapsed, its green leaves quickly withering, and its trunk decaying, now devoid of life.

Alchemy, of course, goes without saying; it is the most fundamental aspect. Alchemy is closely related to magic, so one must also have some knowledge of magic. Even if you are not proficient, you cannot afford to be ignorant. As for appraisal, the quality of the items you create must be assessed through appraisal techniques; otherwise, you will be unable to distinguish between a successful creation and a failure, which could lead to significant embarrassment. Furthermore, once you have mastered appraisal to a high level, it will enable you to perceive the subtle intricacies of the world, which is immensely beneficial for alchemy.

After exhausting their minds for half a month, both individuals relaxed their spirits simultaneously and came to a mutual understanding: losing is just losing. Over the past six months, in order to persevere, they had diligently sought new ideas every day, rapidly improving their own skills and gaining invaluable experience. Even if they lost, they still gained something. Especially for Paracelsus, since he became a master alchemist, his alchemical skills had stagnated. Unexpectedly, this time, due to a bet with a young man, he achieved significant improvement.

An old man and a young child, each speaking for themselves, could not explain the mysteries in their hearts to one another. However, after a while, Ge Zheng realized that this was clearly not the world he had previously inhabited

In fact, the method of using this "instrument" is rather extreme. Practitioners of Taoist alchemy not only need to cultivate their inner elixir through self-regulation but also must absorb the essence of heaven, earth, sun, and moon, as well as the vital energy of all living beings. To these practitioners, the vital energy of living beings is considered a remedy for prolonging life and achieving immortality. However, when they absorb the vital energy from plants and animals, they only take a small amount each time. This not only benefits themselves but also aids in the metabolism of the living beings, creating a win-win situation. It is akin to blood donors, where the regular donation of a small amount of blood is actually beneficial for health and can also help save patients.

The remaining three patterns each have their own meanings, which Paracelsus explained to him. He then said: "On the red outer circle, there is a note corresponding to each pattern. You have already consumed the enlightenment potion, which contains the wisdom of language; reflect carefully on it."

Ge Zheng leaned in for a closer look and was immediately taken aback. On the sheepskin scroll, there was a peculiar illustration: within a dark red circle was a pentagram, and at each point of the pentagram was a different design. At the center of the pentagram was a small circle, inside of which was a strange black symbol.

Ge Zheng truly arrived bare, without a single piece of clothing on his body. In Paracelsus's warehouse, the materials were abundant. Although Ge Zheng did not recognize the majority of the items, some metals were quite similar to those on Earth. He selected a few ores, contemplated for a moment, and began to forge a magical artifact.

Ge Zheng: "What does this represent?" "This is a symbol commonly used by alchemists, representing the furnace. In other words, after processing all the raw materials separately, they are refined in the furnace. This symbol is white, representing the moon— the moon has a significance in alchemy: the second day. This means that the raw materials need to be refined in the furnace for two days"

Ge Zheng, in order to demonstrate the power of his magical artifact to Paracelsus, drained the life force of that large tree in one go, leaving it completely lifeless and causing it to wither naturally. This is also a method of attack used by sorcerers; when subduing certain spirits, once the magical artifact is unleashed, it absorbs a significant portion of the spirit's life force, leaving the spirit with no strength to resist.

Is the Ge family a noble lineage? But I have never heard of it. Is there a family with the surname Ge on the three continents...

What is the most fundamental thing? Ge Zheng inquired

Paracelsus smiled: "It seems you still do not understand. An alchemical equation, I fear, can hardly be answered with one hundred percent certainty by anyone other than the author themselves. After all, we are all making conjectures, and there will inevitably be some discrepancies with the author's original intent"

Paracelsus raised an eyebrow, nearly laughing out loud: "This ignorant little brat actually dares to challenge my authority, Paracelsus!" He suddenly pointed at Dou Dou: "I created it, can you do the same?"

On the outer circle, corresponding to each point of the pentagram, there is a strange script inscribed with a note.

Ge Zheng looked over and noted that the annotation corresponding to the snake dream grass seeds meant "dry steaming," while the annotation for the light beast gray fur indicated "boiling." The other three represented "distillation," "waxing," and "reflux distillation." Ge Zheng grasped some clues: "This is the method for processing each type of material." "Indeed," Paracelsus nodded in satisfaction, "You are very clever, understanding it at a glance."

In the pentagram within the outer circle, there are five patterns, each representing a different substance. Look here, I say this equation is simple because it easily evokes your associations

In order to ensure fairness in the competition, Paracelsus and Ge Zheng specially built two identical small wooden houses, one for each of them. On this day, almost simultaneously, a loud shout came from both wooden houses: "I concede, I truly cannot come up with any new ideas!" Both of them heard each other's voices, paused for a moment, and suddenly burst into laughter.

However, the old man would never concede defeat so easily; the title of the world's foremost alchemist is not merely a hollow reputation. Paracelsus smacked his lips and said, "I cannot replicate your work either, so let's call this round a draw. Continue!" Ge Zheng chuckled lightly, unconcerned, and replied, "No problem"

However, sir, even you used the phrase 'should be' when explaining this equation to me. Are you not certain either

Hmph! Paracelsus snorted coldly, having made up his mind. This young man had surrendered and sought to become his disciple, and he was determined to make things difficult for him. Paracelsus had a gentle disposition, but his authority was beyond question. The audacity of Ge Zheng to challenge his status in the world of alchemy truly infuriated him

Alchemy is a mysterious discipline, and therefore it should not be easily shared with others, nor should your formulas fall into the hands of those with ulterior motives, as this could potentially lead to a disaster. Thus, encrypting formulas is a task that every alchemist must undertake.

Paracelsus explained to him: "This is the formula for a healing potion for wounds. The dark red outer circle signifies that this potion is used on the battlefield— in alchemy, red represents iron, which extends to weaponry, that is, war"

Neither of the two is aware that the other has become fierce in appearance but weak in reality, and each day is spent in a state of anxiety and uncertainty, caught in the fear of gain and loss

However, he understood the significance of equation encryption: it was akin to those masters of the past who compiled their lifelong learnings into a manual of martial arts, yet were concerned that this manual might fall into the hands of unscrupulous individuals and harm the martial world. Thus, they employed certain minor techniques, such as water-activated revealing or hidden layers in the cover.

Ge Zheng said with a smile, "Therefore, the pattern should represent this type of thatch." Paracelsus nodded slightly, "It should be."

Paracelsus lamented: Heroes emerge from youth, this young man is full of creativity, I am already running out of ideas. If one day he produces something that I cannot replicate, and I am unable to create anything else, would I not lose this contest

Ge Zheng interrupted him: "Sir, I can understand astrology and mysticism, but do I also have to study cryptography? What about martial arts and fighting energy? Didn't you tell me that it is impossible for an ordinary person to cultivate both magic and martial arts? Since magic is a required course for mages, how can one still practice martial arts and fighting energy?"

These enigmatic matters are not difficult for Ge Zheng to comprehend. The practitioners of Taoism pursue immortality while simultaneously cultivating both internal and external elixirs, harboring a deep yearning for the ethereal and ever-changing otherworld. With this foundation, Ge Zheng finds it much easier to accept the nature of this world.