Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Xu Shangao said, “Go ahead, Junior Brother Disciple Fang.”
Fang Lin sniggered and pointed to the pitch-black athanor.
Xu Shangao did not understand his intention at once, but he reacted soon enough. He looked at him with wide eyes and gasped in astonishment. “Are you trying to say that you wish to refine an elixir?”
“That’s right. I hope that you’re willing to lend me your athanor so that I can refine an elixir,” Fang Lin said.
Xu Shangao looked at Fang Lin strangely and asked, “Are you really capable of refining elixirs?”
Fang Lin was almost driven mad by the question. He practically yelled in his heart, ‘I’m the great Extreme Alchemist! How dare you ask me such a question?’ Then, he shifted his thought process a little and realized that he was genuinely in an inferior position at the moment. He was but a junior alchemy disciple that actually wished to refine elixir. It was genuinely astonishing.
“Don’t worry, Senior Brother Disciple. I’m an expert in refining elixirs,” he said confidently while patting his chest.
“You’re just a junior alchemy disciple. How did you learn how to refine elixirs?”
Fang Lin smiled proudly. “I told you I’m a genius, didn’t I? Refining elixirs is such a simple matter, so it’s not difficult for me.”
Xu Shangao wished that he could toss Fang Lin outside badly because his blunt words were infuriating. While he had been driven to the point of a mental breakdown just to refine the Clear Heart Pills, Fang Lin could still describe the act of refining elixirs as a simple matter! If refining elixirs was a simple task, then what else could be difficult in this naive kid’s eyes?
Xu Shangao spoke in an unpleasant tone, “Junior Brother Disciple Fang, it’s not that I’m unwilling to lend it to you, but the act of refining elixirs is no trifling matter. Moreover, there are rules in the alchemy sect that we have to follow. A junior alchemy disciple isn’t allowed to refine elixirs. If you are only doing this out of curiosity, I can’t consent to it.”
Fang Lin was speechless. Hello, didn’t I just give you a huge favor earlier? Why are you being so righteous all of a sudden?
“The rules are dead, but men are alive. I’m not planning to refine elixirs out of curiosity. Frankly, my alchemy experience is much richer than yours. Shall I give you a demonstration now?” said Fang Lin in disdain.
Xu Shangao was hesitant. He was used to being an honest man, but he did not have the courage to consent to Fang Lin out of nowhere.
Noticing that was the case, Fang Lin pursed his lips and said, “Here, if you’re willing to lend me the athanor, I’ll give you one pill from the pills I manage to refine.”
Upon listening to his words, Xu Shangao asked, “So, what kind of pills are you trying to refine? If that’s the case, why don’t I help you to refine them?”
Fang Lin took a glance at him, the disdain in his eyes fully revealed. “I’m afraid that you won’t be able to refine them.”
Xu Shangao grunted aloud. “I don’t believe that. Tell me first, what kind of pill are you trying to refine?” he asked
“I want to refine Meridian-opening Pills. Can you do that?” Fang Lin answered with a sneer.
Xu Shangao was stunned for a moment before he asked, “What are Meridian-opening Pills?”
“You don’t even know what a Meridian-opening Pill is, and you still want to help me to refine the pills? I think it’s best that I do it myself. It’ll be easier.” Fang Lin pursed his lips.
Xu Shangao was perspiring in embarrassment. He was under the assumption that he was an official disciple anyhow, so it should not be a problem for him to refine pills on Fang Lin’s behalf. However, he did not expect not to have even heard of the pill that Fang Lin wanted.
Upon noticing Xu Shangao’s expression, Fang Lin said with a smile, “The Meridian-opening Pill is a high-grade elixir. You’re unaware of its existence mostly because you have yet to see the alchemy prescription of this Meridian-opening Pill.”
He paused for a moment before he continued, “I want to refine the Meridian-opening Pill so that I can open the 36 meridians blocked inside my body. I’ll give two pills to you as a token of appreciation when the pills are produced. They will be beneficial for you too.”
“Really?” Xu Shangao was moved. So, it turned out that the Meridian-opening Pills could be used in such a manner. If Fang Lin was truly capable of refining it, Xu Shangao felt like it was fine for him to lend the athanor to him.
“Of course. Do you think that other ordinary people can guide you the way I did earlier?” Fang Lin replied after grunting twice.
Xu Shangao pondered. Yes, that was right. If not for Fang Lin’s guidance about which order to put the medicinal herbs in, perhaps he still would not be able to refine the Clear Heart Pills. However, he still felt rather worried, so he asked, “You said that the Meridian-opening Pill is a high-grade elixir. Are you sure that you can refine it?”
Any pill below Grade-1 was known as an unorthodox elixir. On the other hand, the unorthodox elixirs could be divided into three ranks: high-grade, medium-grade and low-grade. The Meridian-opening Pill was definitely a high-grade pill. Even though it was categorized as an unorthodox elixir, it was already very close to being a Grade-1 pill in reality.
Xu Shangao examined himself and came to the conclusion that he was still alright at refining low-grade elixirs, but it was very difficult for him to refine medium-grade elixirs whereas he had never been able to refine even half a high-grade elixir in his life.
On the other hand, Fang Lin was just a junior alchemy disciple, yet he was pledging solemnly to refine a high-grade elixir despite being here for a short time. Who would believe that he could do it?
Nevertheless, Xu Shangao actually believed that Fang Lin could do it deep in his heart.
“I’m absolutely sure. In addition, I believe that there are more than half of your 36 meridians that aren’t opened up yet, aren’t there? With the Meridian-opening Pill, you’ll be able to open more meridians and your cultivation speed will be elevated too. This is very beneficial. Don’t overthink. Just lend me the athanor in peace,” said Fang Lin.
Xu Shangao stopped hesitating at last. He clenched his teeth for a moment before he gave in. “Alright then. You must promise to give me two pills if you successfully refine the Meridian-opening Pill.”
Fang Lin grinned. “Sure, I won’t forget.”
“Then, when are you going to start?”
Fang Lin walked to the front of the athanor and patted the athanor. “I shall begin now since I’m free.”
“I shall stay and observe from the side.”
Fang Lin darted a look at him. “It’s best that you go ahead with your chores. I’m not used to having someone watching me when I refine the pills.”
“But what if something were to happen during the process? Won’t I be able to help you if need me?” asked Xu Shangao.
Fang Lin rolled his eyes at Xu Shangao. “Don’t worry. Just wait and receive your token of appreciation.”
“Alright then. I’m going to hand in the Clear Heart Pills to the elder. Be careful there and don’t ruin my athanor,” Xu Shangao reminded over and over again. Soon afterward, Fang Lin pushed him out of the courtyard.
After Xu Shangao left, Fang Lin began to refine the Meridian-opening Pill which required a large number of medicinal herbs. Fortunately, these herbs could be found in Xu Shangao’s little herb garden, so it saved Fang Lin the trouble of searching for the herbs.
Fang Lin prepared the necessary herbs, then he entered the alchemy room and closed the door behind him. As he looked at the pitch-black athanor, his usual playful smile faded as his expression turned complicated and emotional.
Once upon a time, he was supplied with the highest grade athanor as he wished. To his chagrin, he could not remember when was the last time he used an athanor that was beyond ordinary akin to the one he had now.
“Sigh, it’s alright if it’s a bad athanor. It’s still better than having none,” muttered Fang Lin to himself. He gave the athanor a pat and ignited a fire inside.
An athanor needed to be lit up with fire. The higher the rank of the alchemist, the better the quality of the fire used. Fortunately, the Meridian-opening Pill was an unorthodox elixir, thus it could be refined with ordinary fire.
The fire heated up the athanor soon. Fang Lin had a calm and composed expression while his gaze appeared especially serene. He had already refined elixirs countless times in his past life. However, it was his first time doing so in this life.
Even though he had yet to begin the process, he had already practiced the act in his mind countless times. Due to his experience, he could already remember each and every step even before he began.
When Fang Lin was still refining the Meridian-opening Pill, the concerned Xu Shangao had already arrived at the alchemy academy and was prepared to hand in the refined Clear Heart Pills to the elder for appraisal.
The alchemy academy was where official disciples learned to refine elixirs. As a holy ground for the alchemy sect, a total of three elders was assigned to guard the alchemy academy each day. At the moment, some official disciples had already arrived at the alchemy academy and were prepared to hand in the Clear Heart Pills that they had refined to the elder for their appraisal.
“Huh? Isn’t that Junior Brother Disciple Xu? What is he doing at the alchemy academy now?” announced an official disciple with huge and tall stature loudly on purpose upon noticing Xu Shangao.
The group of people turned their heads to look toward Xu Shangao upon hearing the announcement. Some were surprised to see him while some were contemptuous. Some did not even care at all.
The elder was looking at Xu Shangao as well. He frowned ever so slightly and scolded, “Why are you running around instead of refining the pill? It’s just a few more days until the end of the month. Are you still going to refine your Clear Heart Pills or not?”
Many official disciples were giggling in secret. One could see that Xu Shangao’s status amongst the official disciples was genuinely not that great.
Xu Shangao did not speak but held his breath and made his way to the front of the elder.
The huge and tall youth named Lin Xu felt embarrassed when he realized that Xu Shangao disregarded his remarks. However, he stopped himself from throwing a fit because the elder was there. He could only use his cold, gloomy gaze to stare straight at Xu Shangao.
“I have refined five Clear Heart Pills. Please examine the product, Elder,” Xu Shangao said to the elder with the jade bottle raised high in his hands.
Upon listening to his words, the official disciples there were astonished. The people that despised Xu Shangao in the past even found it unbelievable.
“What? Did I hear it right? Has Xu Shangao has actually refined the Cold Heart Pills?”
“That’s impossible. I’m well aware of his standards. He’s incapable of refining the Cold Heart Pills.”
“Let’s see. If he’s just making this up, the elder will be the first to punish him.”
…
As the group of disciples discussed with one another, Xu Shangao’s expression appeared slightly unpleasant, but he did not speak.
The elder frowned ever so slightly. He took a glance at Xu Shangao and accepted the jade bottle though he still felt it was rather incredulous. After all, he was well aware of Xu Shangao’s standards. One would need to pay close attention to the order of adding medicinal herbs during the process of refining Clear Heart Pills. It would be quite difficult for a person to learn that on his own without any guidance. Therefore, it was impossible for a low-grade disciple like Xu Shangao to learn that on his own.
“Please go ahead and examine the product, Elder,” Xu Shangao reminded once again upon noticing that the elder had not taken any action for the appraisal.
“Hmph. I shall examine it myself naturally. However, don’t blame the old man for punishing you if you have the audacity to use tricks on me,” said the elder coldly.
Xu Shangao clenched his fists tightly. He detested being looked down upon by others.
The elder opened the bottle and poured five pale green round pills out.
The astonishment in the elder’s eyes vanished as soon as they appeared. He lifted the pills to his nose and took a sniff. The astonishment in his eyes was as obvious as day.
The rest of the disciples felt very surprised to see that those were real Clear Heart Pills.
“Could Xu Shangao finally be enlightened? Has he really succeeded in refining the Clear Heart Pills?” The idea arose in many people’s minds.
“These have actually achieved medium-grade rank!” the old man exclaimed in astonishment abruptly.