Chapter 14 - 12: First Alchemy Attempt
Another two years passed.
The peach tree in the courtyard had grown lush and full.
Tang Xichen’s meridians had gradually developed, allowing her to begin cultivation.
Chen Sheng and Huang Wangyou specially sought out a set of Superior Fire-Attribute Qi Cultivation Techniques for her.
—— "Three Yangs Gold Transformation Technique."
At this moment, in the training room, Tang Xichen was dressed in a cloud pattern training robe, her small figure sitting cross-legged on a mat, hands folded in front of her lower abdomen, diligently practicing the spell.
She began her first Qi cultivation practice.
Chen Sheng and Huang Wangyou sat beside her, with a faint aura of mana around them, protecting their daughter.
After several incense sticks of time had passed, Tang Xichen suddenly opened her eyes, her bright eyes twinkling with joy:
"Father, Mother, I have refined a thread of mana!"
With a smile, Chen Sheng stretched out his hand, gently placing his fingertips on her wrist to check.
After a moment, he nodded:
"That’s right, just like that, keep a steady heart and continue to work hard."
Huang Wangyou also clenched her fists, cheering her daughter on.
So, under the couple’s protection.
Two hours passed.
Tang Xichen, showing great perseverance, continued her cultivation until her meridians bloated, completing her first cultivation session, refining a total of nine threads of mana.
Chen Sheng patted her small head, encouraging her:
"Our daughter has such determination."
Huang Wangyou also came over with a gentle smile, pinching her daughter’s cheek:
"Middle Grade Spiritual Root indeed, Mother could only refine four threads of mana back then."
Chen Sheng, hearing this, did not use his wife as a comparison.
Because with Huang Wangyou’s temperament, she couldn’t possibly sit still during her first cultivation and would likely find any excuse not to stay for even half an hour.
Chen Sheng slowly recalled the scene of his own initial cultivation, discounting the influence of Spirit Rice and elixir pills.
He silently estimated, finally coming to a conclusion.
Thirty percent!
The cultivation speed of a Middle Grade Spiritual Root was entirely thirty percent faster than that of a Lower Grade Spiritual Root!
This meant that even without any assistance from Spirit Rice or elixirs, her cultivation speed was not inferior to his current self.
Not to mention, the purity of mana and the challenges of breaking through bottlenecks faced by each were entirely different.
Chen Sheng silently clicked his tongue:
"On the path of cultivation, talent outweighs everything!"
...
Afternoon, Alchemy Room.
The smell of herbs and smoke intermingled, as Chen Sheng and Li Huayao had just learned the basic Condensing Pill Technique.
The process had only three steps.
First step: Liquid Gathering Vortex Condensation.
Second step: Solid Pill Locking Spirit.
Third step: Opening the Furnace and Collecting the Pill.
It seemed simple, but in fact, it was full of intricacies, and the techniques were quite complex. A slight lapse could result in a pile of ashes, and progress could only be made through repeated practice.
At this moment, before the pill furnace, under Huang Yueyang’s guidance, the two began their first attempt at alchemy.
The elixir they were refining was the most basic Grain Avoidance Pill, very low in cost, perfect for practice.
Li Huayao, trying alchemy for the first time, wore a face full of anticipation:
"Master, rest assured, I will succeed!"
With those words, she approached the pill furnace, adhering strictly to the steps, igniting the fire, melting the liquid; these two steps went smoothly.
As she said, the Triple Fire Control Skill was more than adequate!
The next step, Liquid Gathering, required her to form a spell with trembling fingers, sweat appearing on her forehead as she arduously stabilized the various medicinal liquid collisions.
The next moment, flames within the furnace rose, turning all medicinal liquids to ash.
Li Huayao pouted:
"It failed before even condensing the pill!"
Huang Yueyang watched, shaking his head:
"First, the timing for Liquid Gathering was wrong; your understanding of medicinal properties is shallow, leading to overt conflicts in medicinal power."
"Biluo Juice should be added early to neutralize the medicinal power, and second, the recurring issue of unsteady fire control, which can easily destroy the medicinal liquid."
Finished with his critique, he looked at Chen Sheng.
Chen Sheng nodded in acknowledgment, then moved to the pill furnace, skillfully placing Spirit Stones and activating the Fire Dao Array Pattern etched inside the furnace, forming a flame.
He manipulated the "Profound Sun Fire Control Technique," gradually gaining control of the furnace’s flame.
Immediately after, he dropped in prepared herbs, executing the Fourth Level of Fire Control Technique — Fire Wheel. The flame inside the furnace swirled like a vortex, drawing all herbs into its center.
The beauty of this technique lay in its even temperature, preventing herbs from burning due to localized overheating, thereby retaining their medicinal power. The rotational force also helped remove impurities, greatly enhancing the quality of the refined pill.
Soon.
Clusters of medicinal liquid floated within the furnace.
"Liquid Gathering!"
Chen Sheng’s hands wove through spell gestures, and with their guidance, the medicinal liquids inside the furnace gradually gathered into a mass.
"Vortex Condensation!"
With his fingers forming a seal, he performed several spells. The medicinal liquids within the pill furnace began to rotate steadily, the speed increasing, until all medicinal liquids coalesced into a sphere.
At this moment, Chen Sheng executed several "Solid Pill Locking Spirit" spells.
After several incense sticks of time.
"Open the Furnace!"
With a surge of mana, Chen Sheng cast several "Pill Collection" spells into the furnace.
The pill furnace thundered as a light-yellow elixir pill flew out into his hand.
Before Chen Sheng could feel glad, the Grain Avoidance Pill’s color rapidly darkened and blackened... eventually crumbling into ashes.
Huang Yueyang stood by, evaluating:
"The steps of fire control, liquid integration, liquid gathering, vortex condensation, and pill solidification were commendable, showing a firm grasp of the basics."
"However, the techniques of Spirit Lock and Pill Collection were incorrect; you collected the pill too early, failing to lock in the spiritual power, leading to its dispersion. Even if it managed to form, it would still be a wasted pill."
Saying this, Huang Yueyang again demonstrated the corresponding techniques, pointing out Chen Sheng’s mistakes.
In a while, Chen Sheng nodded:
"Thank you for your guidance, Father-in-law."
With this experience.
The second time, Li Huayao improved somewhat but still failed at the Condensing Pill stage.
However, in his second attempt, Chen Sheng successfully produced a light-yellow Grain Avoidance Pill.
Huang Yueyang picked up the light-yellow elixir, sniffed it, and commented:
"The color is even, with a faint fragrance, offering about seventy percent efficacy, which is acceptable."
"But you must not become complacent; the Grain Avoidance Pill is just a basic elixir, and there remains much room for improvement."
Chen Sheng nodded, having witnessed his father-in-law refining Grain Avoidance Pills — the pill body would glow, containing a prominent Pill Pattern.
That was a top-grade elixir, with ninety percent efficacy.
His father-in-law mentioned that above that was the top-grade elixir category, possessing three Pill Patterns and ninety-nine percent efficacy, virtually free of toxic impurities!
...
At the same time.
The doors of the Qin Mansion were slowly pushed open.
A middle-aged man in blood-stained clothes stood at the threshold, his face weather-beaten, cradling a swaddled infant; he was Qin Shuang, returning after several years.
"Shuang’er!"
Seeing this, Qin Dajiang hurried forward to support him, his expression changing upon noticing the bloodstains:
"What happened?"
Qin Shuang handed the infant to his father, his voice hoarse as he spoke:
"This is my son Qin Yuan. During this opportunity, I obtained a Foundation Establishment Evil Qi, but the news leaked, and I was plotted against."
"Yuan’er’s mother fought to the death against two thieves to protect me, allowing me to escape with him."
Saying this.
Qin Shuang paused, a resolute look crossing his eyes:
"I will immediately venture out to establish my foundation; if successful, I shall return in a few months. Should I fail, I entrust this child to you, Father. Please forgive my unfilial conduct."
Hearing that Qin Shuang possessed a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object.
Qin Dajiang, a seasoned veteran, understood that such an object would surely bring trouble. Delays were dangerous, and he acted decisively, merely patting Qin Shuang on the shoulder to alleviate his psychological burden.
Qin Dajiang spoke in a solemn tone:
"You go ahead; with me here, all will be well at home."
Upon hearing this, Qin Shuang took a deep look at the infant in the swaddle and turned to leave determinedly.