Returning to the Single Dormitory the academy had prepared for him, Xiao Ming took out the Na Ring Elder Huo had given him. He first put it on his hand, then Soul Power surged from between his brows and entered the ring.
This Na Ring was the same as the one he had obtained before—a low-grade Storage Ring with roughly five cubic meters of space.
Inside were several neatly arranged books, a pile of gold coins, and a cauldron-shaped object.
Ignoring the other things for now, he moved his thoughts and took out all the books to inspect them one by one.
Earth Tier Low-Grade Cultivation Technique "Blazing Flame Art," Profound Tier High-Grade Dou Technique "Crimson Flame Sword," Profound Tier High-Grade Dou Technique "Crimson Flame Palm," Profound Tier High-Grade Movement Dou Technique "Shadow Chasing Wind."
Xiao Ming could not help but sigh inwardly as he looked at these high-tier cultivation methods.
"Teacher truly deserves to be a Grade Five Alchemist backed by Jia Nan Academy. His fortune is really substantial—even the lowest-grade ones are Profound Tier High Grade."
"There are also several thicker books. Let's see what good things they contain."
"Encyclopedia of Medicinal Properties," "Introduction to Alchemy," "Medicinal Pill Appreciation Handbook," "Medicine Cauldron Identification Handbook," "Five Years Alchemy Three Years Flame Control," "Self-Cultivation of an Alchemist"...
Elder Huo really was a good teacher. Looking at these books, Xiao Ming vaguely recalled his high school senior year in his previous life. It had been a passionate yet hair-pulling time.
After briefly looking through them, Xiao Ming put everything away, leaving behind only one book to study carefully.
The next day, after finishing his first class, Xiao Ming followed Elder Huo's instructions from when they had parted yesterday and went alone to the Alchemy Department to find him.
Xiao Ming found Elder Huo in a study within the Alchemy Department.
Upon seeing Elder Huo, Xiao Ming first bowed, then respectfully said, "Greetings, Teacher."
"My good disciple is here. Come, sit down first. I told you yesterday to go back and familiarize yourself with things. Today, we'll begin learning the Alchemy Technique." Seeing Xiao Ming arrive, Elder Huo stroked his grizzled beard and smiled, very satisfied with Xiao Ming's attitude.
"You have never come into contact with alchemy before, so I'll first explain some basic knowledge. To refine medicine, you must first have a medicine cauldron. To an alchemist, a medicine cauldron is as indispensable as a weapon is to a warrior."
"Medicine cauldrons are divided into grades. The more fire vents a cauldron has, the higher-grade and rarer it is. These vents are not made by simply punching a few holes into it. The mysteries within are difficult for outsiders to discover. The fire vents are the essence of a medicine cauldron and require extremely precise polishing. Even the slightest mistake during forging will turn the entire cauldron into a failed product. Therefore, the more fire vents a medicine cauldron has, the stronger its assistance in alchemy. Of course, controlling multiple fire vents requires powerful Soul Perception."
"Besides the medicine cauldron, the flames we use for alchemy are generally flames catalyzed by our Dou Qi. Thus, refining high-quality medicinal pills requires deep Dou Qi Cultivation. Even the lowest-grade medicinal pill requires the cultivation of a Dou Zhe. Fortunately, you reached that level long ago."
At this point, the smile on Elder Huo's face grew even wider.
"Teacher, aside from flames produced by one's own cultivation, can alchemists also absorb external flames?"
"Mm, not bad. It seems you did read the books I gave you after returning."
"For us alchemists, the best flames are naturally the divine object exotic flames nurtured by heaven and earth. They are born in the most perilous and inaccessible places in the world, so they can only be encountered by chance and never sought." Desire for Heavenly Flames also appeared in Elder Huo's eyes. "And Jia Nan Academy has one Heavenly Flame."
More than one—there are two! Xiao Ming muttered inwardly. He knew Jia Nan Academy's secrets. One mature form and one juvenile form, both Fallen Heart Flame. Who wouldn't be tempted? Unfortunately, the academy's higher-ups had no idea about it.
Otherwise, that Fallen Heart Flame that had been causing so much trouble would have been refined long ago.
Seeing Xiao Ming's gaze grow fervent as he spoke, Elder Huo assumed that he was setting his sights on the academy's Fallen Heart Flame and shook his head unconcernedly.
"Don't even think about that Heavenly Flame. It is the foundation upon which the academy was established. Whoever dares set their sights on it becomes an enemy of Jia Nan Academy. You'll understand the specifics once you reach the Inner Academy. Also, do not tell others that the academy possesses a Heavenly Flame. The academy is not afraid of trouble, but there is no need to invite it."
Hearing Elder Huo's warning, Xiao Ming nodded solemnly. "Understood, Teacher. I won't tell anyone."
"Don't be disappointed just because you do not have a Heavenly Flame. Aside from Heavenly Flames, you can find other flames to replace them, such as beast flames. Their effects are also quite good."
As he spoke, Elder Huo extended his right palm, and a faint black flame emerged from it. The space around the flame warped slightly, and Xiao Ming, standing not far from Elder Huo, could feel a terrifying heat.
"Practice diligently. Once you become a Grade One Alchemist, I'll find you a beast flame from a high-tier Magical Beast." Elder Huo withdrew the flame from his hand and stroked his beard as he spoke.
This was actually one of Elder Huo's methods of encouragement.
With a beast flame as bait, his disciple would surely devote more attention to alchemy.
It had to be said that Elder Huo truly treated Xiao Ming well.
"Thank you, Teacher."
"Alright, that is enough for now. Go to the Alchemy Room. I'll demonstrate it once for you, then you can practice on your own. Ask me if there is anything you do not understand."
Leaving the study and arriving at the Alchemy Room, Xiao Ming saw a red medicine cauldron nearly half a meter tall.
The medicine cauldron was entirely dark black, with faint glimmers of light scattered across its surface. Two ferocious snake heads were carved near its base, their gaping mouths forming three interconnected fire vents. The openings twisted and extended inward, narrowing in diameter the deeper they went, as though they concealed some mystery.
At the top of the medicine cauldron, a giant snake coiled into a dark-red lid. There was also a special opening on the lid, specifically for inserting medicinal ingredients.
The surface of the medicine cauldron was covered in exquisite Magical Beast carvings, so lifelike that they seemed alive.
"The Alchemy Room is a place specially designated for alchemy by the Alchemy Department. The medicine cauldrons provided here are the same as the one I gave you—they are all Three-Mouth Cauldrons." Elder Huo walked to the medicine cauldron and waved his hand, causing a pile of medicinal ingredients to appear beside it.
"Watch carefully. I'll only demonstrate this once."
For the first time, Xiao Ming truly witnessed the process of an alchemist refining medicine.
The faint black flame entered the medicine cauldron. One medicinal herb after another was devoured by the flames within it, leaving behind medicinal essence in either powder or paste form.
In the end, the essences of the various medicinal ingredients fused into a pitted Medicinal Pill Prototype. As the flames tempered it, the pill in the cauldron gradually became smooth and round. The finished pill was green, and a faint Medicinal Fragrance spread from the cauldron.
Normally, an alchemist needed a quiet environment when refining medicine and could not be disturbed in any way.
However, because it was merely a Grade One Pill, it was very easy for Elder Huo, so he explained every step in detail.
The medicinal pill was soon finished. Elder Huo circulated his Dou Qi and drew the pill into his hand, then placed it into a Jade Bottle and tossed it to Xiao Ming.
Watching Xiao Ming catch it in a fluster, Elder Huo spoke before he could ask anything. "This is a Grade One Pill, the Qi Recovery Pill. It can restore a certain amount of Dou Qi. Did you see the process clearly just now?"
"Mm, I saw it clearly." Xiao Ming put the medicinal pill away and replied.
"Good. Then it's your turn."
Before you continue