First Alchemy

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 emerged from his brow center and entered the Na Ring.

This Na Ring was the same as the ring 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 item.

Ignoring the rest for now, he willed all the books inside to be taken out and examined 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 looked at these high-level cultivation methods and sighed inwardly.

Teacher truly deserves to be a Grade Five Alchemist backed by Jia Nan Academy. His wealth is indeed impressive—the lowest-grade ones are all Profound Tier High Grade.

"There are also several thicker ones. Let me 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 days in his previous life—a passionate yet hair-pulling period of time.

After giving them a simple look, 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 find him in the Alchemy Department.

Xiao Ming found Elder Huo in a study room 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 alchemy." Seeing Xiao Ming arrive, Elder Huo stroked his grizzled beard and smiled, very satisfied with Xiao Ming's attitude.

"You have never encountered alchemy before, so I'll first explain some common knowledge. To refine medicine, you must first have a medicine cauldron. An alchemist's medicine cauldron is like a warrior's weapon—indispensable."

"Medicine cauldrons are divided into grades. The more flame ports a cauldron has, the higher-grade and rarer it is. These flame ports are not made merely by punching a few holes into it. Their mysteries are impossible for outsiders to perceive. The flame ports are the essence of a medicine cauldron and require extremely precise polishing. During its creation, even the slightest mistake will turn the entire medicine cauldron into a defective product. Therefore, medicine cauldrons with more flame ports provide greater assistance in alchemy. Of course, controlling multiple flame ports requires powerful Soul Perception."

"Besides the medicine cauldron, the flames we use for alchemy are generally flames catalyzed by our Dou Qi. Therefore, refining high-quality pills requires profound Dou Qi cultivation. Even the lowest-grade pills require the cultivation of a Dou Zhe. Fortunately, you reached that level early on."

At this point, the smile on Elder Huo's face grew even wider.

"Teacher, besides using 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 naturally are the Divine Object Exotic Flames naturally nurtured by heaven and earth. They are all born in the most perilous and inaccessible places in the world, so they can only be encountered by chance, not sought after." A desire for Heavenly Flames appeared in Elder Huo's eyes as well. "And our Jia Nan Academy possesses one Heavenly Flame."

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 dazzled by that? Unfortunately, Jia Nan Academy's high-level figures did not know about it.

Otherwise, that Fallen Heart Flame that had been constantly causing trouble would have long since been refined by others.

Seeing Xiao Ming's gaze grow fervent as he spoke, Elder Huo assumed that Xiao Ming was setting his sights on the academy's Fallen Heart Flame and casually shook his head.

"Don't think about that Heavenly Flame. This Heavenly Flame is the foundation of the academy's establishment. Whoever dares set their sights on it becomes an enemy of Jia Nan Academy. You'll understand the specific situation once you reach the Inner Academy. Also, do not tell others that the academy possesses a Heavenly Flame. The academy is not afraid of others causing 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."

"You needn't feel disappointed over not having a Heavenly Flame. Besides Heavenly Flames, you can also seek other flames as substitutes, such as Beast Flames. Their effects are likewise quite good."

As he spoke, Elder Huo extended his right palm. A jet-black flame emerged from his palm, and the space around it faintly distorted. Xiao Ming, who was not far from Elder Huo, could feel a terrifying heat.

"Practice diligently. Once you become a Grade One Alchemist, I'll find you the Beast Flame of a high-level Magical Beast." Elder Huo withdrew the flame in his hand and patted his beard as he spoke.

This was actually one of Elder Huo's methods of encouragement.

With the temptation of a Beast Flame, his disciple would presumably devote even more attention to alchemy.

It had to be said that Elder Huo was truly good to Xiao Ming, his disciple.

"Thank you, Teacher."

"All right, that is enough explanation for now. Go to the Alchemy Room. I'll demonstrate once for you, then you can practice by yourself. Ask me about anything you do not understand."

Leaving the study room and arriving at the Alchemy Room, Xiao Ming saw a crimson medicine cauldron nearly half a meter tall.

The medicine cauldron was entirely dark black, with faint specks of light on its surface. Two savage snake heads were carved beneath it, their gaping mouths forming three interconnected flame ports. The openings twisted and extended inward, growing narrower the deeper they went. Looking closely, they seemed to contain hidden mysteries.

At the top of the medicine cauldron, a giant snake coiled into a dark-red cauldron lid. There was also a special opening on the lid, specifically for putting in medicinal herbs.

The surface of the medicine cauldron was covered in exquisite Magical Beast carvings, so lifelike that they seemed like living creatures.

"The Alchemy Room is a place specifically for the Alchemy Department to refine medicine. The medicine cauldrons equipped 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 herbs to appear beside it.

"Watch carefully. I will demonstrate only once."

Next, Xiao Ming truly witnessed an alchemist's process of refining medicine for the first time.

Jet-black flames entered the medicine cauldron. One medicinal herb after another was swallowed by the flames inside, leaving behind either powdered or paste-like medicinal essence.

In the end, the essences of the various medicinal herbs fused into a Medicinal Pill Prototype with a pitted surface. As the flames tempered it, the pill inside the cauldron became round and smooth, turning cyan in color. A faint medicinal fragrance spread from the cauldron.

Normally, an alchemist required a quiet environment when refining medicine and could not be disturbed in any way.

However, because it was a Grade One Pill, it was extremely easy for Elder Huo, so he explained every step in detail.

The pill was soon refined. Elder Huo circulated his Dou Qi and grabbed the pill in his hand, then placed it in a jade bottle and tossed it to Xiao Ming.

Seeing Xiao Ming hurriedly take it over, Elder Huo opened his mouth before Xiao Ming could ask, "This is a Grade One Pill, a 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 away the pill and replied.

"Good. Then it's your turn."

Thanks to 20200409161423662 for the Monthly Pass.