Upon hearing Elder Huo's purpose, Xiao Yao immediately agreed.
The two hit it off immediately.
He had previously considered whether the Yang Attribute would also be suitable for becoming an alchemist.
Now that he finally had the chance to try, he certainly wouldn't let it pass him by.
Elder Huo was slightly taken aback when he saw Xiao Yao agree so readily.
He thought Xiao Yao would hesitate, waver, or even doubt his ability to become an alchemist, but he didn't expect him to be so decisive.
Then, Elder Huo convinced himself that alchemists held a very unique, even superior, status on the continent.
Whether it's an empire or a sect, all powerful forces treat alchemists with great respect.
Because in the Dou Qi Continent, the strong are respected, and alchemists are able to refine various pills that enhance strength, they are naturally highly valued by powerful forces.
Even within the Jia Nan Academy, alchemists hold a unique and prestigious status, with the Alchemy Department even operating independently from both the inner and outer academies.
It's not surprising that Xiao Yao was willing to become an alchemist.
At this moment, Xiao Yao, led by Elder Huo, arrived at a relatively secluded courtyard in the Inner Academy.
The courtyard wasn't grand, but it was exquisite and elegant enough. The moment the gate opened, Xiao Yao smelled a faint medicinal fragrance.
Xiao Yao was somewhat surprised. He looked around the courtyard and was surprised to find that it even had the effect of isolating one's aura.
"Come in. The Alchemy Department is independent of the Inner Academy and Outer Academy, and has branches in both academies."
Elder Huo smiled and said to Xiao Yao, "However, the Inner Academy's Alchemy Department generally doesn't teach students."
"Because the students who enter the Inner Academy of the Alchemy Department have basically completed their alchemy studies in the Outer Academy, the next step is for them to rely on their own research and refinement."
Xiao Yao nodded thoughtfully.
It's not that the Alchemy Department students who enter the Inner Academy are beyond teaching, it's just that there's no need to.
Students who enter the Inner Academy are generally already at the level of a third-grade or even Fourth-Tier Alchemist.
An alchemist of this caliber would be considered a "master alchemist" in the Jia Ma Empire.
Alchemists at this level already possess the ability to research medicinal formulas, improve their alchemy skills, and it's not impossible for them to even create their own formulas.
There is naturally no need to set up a special classroom to teach alchemy.
"The Alchemy Department branch of the Inner Academy is mainly used by the elders of the Alchemy Department, providing a place for alchemy or for testing prescriptions."
Xiao Yao nodded knowingly, not particularly nervous about Elder Huo's explanation.
Although they don't usually come to teach students, with the elders of the Alchemy Department here, are they worried about not being able to teach the students?
Elder Huo said to Xiao Yao, "The Alchemy Department students in the academy have a different master-apprentice relationship than ordinary alchemists; there isn't such a strong master-apprentice dependency."
"The two are not mutually exclusive. Academy teaching and private tutoring do not conflict. After you graduate from the academy, if there is a suitable alchemist master, you can also become his apprentice."
Elder Huo carefully explained the situation of the Alchemy Department to Xiao Yao, who listened attentively, nodding occasionally and asking questions from time to time.
Finally, Elder Huo stopped in front of a bookshelf, picked and chose, and took out about ten books, placing them in front of Xiao Yao.
"After you've memorized these basics, come back to me. I'll test you, and if you pass, you can officially begin trying to refine medicine."
Xiao Yao glanced at the dozen or so books in front of him, said nothing, put them into his Storage Ring, and bowed to Elder Huo farewell.
Elder Huo stroked his beard in deep thought, muttering to himself, "I wonder if he can succeed..."
Xiao Yao took the basic books on alchemy and returned to his residence. He climbed to the top of the attic and absorbed Solar Energy while reading the books.
Years of extensive reading have greatly improved Xiao Yao's reading and memory abilities.
Not to mention Xiao Yao's powerful Soul Power, which also has a strong effect on memory.
While cultivating, Xiao Yao also read books. By the end of the day, he had already read several books and gained a lot.
Xiao Yao frantically absorbed Solar Energy during the day, and at night he would go to the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower to solidify his Dou Qi with the help of invisible flames.
Moreover, the intense heat of the invisible flames is also beneficial for improving physical strength, meridians, and bones.
It can be said that after entering Jia Nan Academy and arriving at the Inner Academy, Xiao Yao truly entered a period of rapid improvement.
In his spare time, Xiao Yao also studied basic books on alchemy. Within a few days, Xiao Yao had memorized these books thoroughly.
Xiao Yao arrived at the Inner Academy branch of the Alchemy Department as agreed.
Elder Hu was somewhat surprised that Xiao Yao had come to see him so quickly, but he still proceeded with the examination as agreed.
What is the key to becoming an alchemist?
"Flame, materials, Soul Power."
What is the essence of alchemy?
"Harmony of various material properties."
How to process Soul Bone Grass?
"It must be soaked in the refined juice of the Purple Blood Snake Bone Flower to remove the surface poison of the Soul Bone. Only after the grayish-white outer skin of the Soul Bone Grass has completely disappeared can it be used in medicine."
Elder Huo asked a question, and Xiao Yao answered it in one smooth motion, without any hesitation.
After testing him, Elder Huo nodded in satisfaction.
It's clear that Xiao Yao didn't take those basic alchemy techniques lightly or perfunctorily, but rather treated them seriously.
"Very good, come with me."
Xiao Yao followed Elder Huo to a medicine refining room containing several medicine cauldrons.
Elder Huo said, "Alchemy requires very precise control of the fire, and different materials have different temperature requirements."
He pointed to a medicine cauldron in the center and said, "This is the medicine cauldron I'm using here. You can try to generate a flame through it."
Following Elder Huo's instructions, Xiao Yao placed his hand on the fire vent of the medicine cauldron and channeled his Dou Qi into it.
The pale golden Dou Qi entered the cauldron and was quickly transformed into golden flames, burning fiercely within the cauldron.
"Not bad, you successfully converted into flame on the first try."
Elder Huo nodded, then carefully sensed the flames in the medicine cauldron and exclaimed in surprise.
"Your flames actually possess life."
"Unlike ordinary alchemists, they don't need to find a trace of wood element within their bodies and add it to the flame."
"This transforms the flame from an ordinary flame into a fire for alchemy, giving it stability and controllability."
Elder Huo flipped his wrist and took out a stone the size of an infant's fist from his Storage Ring, handing it to Xiao Yao.
"As mentioned before, alchemy requires a high degree of fire control. This Fire Stone was crafted by the Alchemy Department and is extremely sensitive to flame temperature; it will display different colors depending on the flame temperature."
"You need to accurately control the temperature of the flame and change it to the corresponding color within one breath, so that your fire control ability can be considered qualified."
"With such Fire Energy, refining medicine will be twice as effective."