Advanced Alchemy Art

The next day, the academy-opening ceremony was held as scheduled, grand and magnificent.

Emperor Qian attended in person. Every high-ranking court official was present, while Jingdao Palace and Pudu Mountain had both sent their second-ranking figures, surpassed only by the Dao Lord and Buddha Lord, to offer congratulations.

At the ceremony, there were a total of fifteen hundred students in the first cohort. They came respectively from the imperial clan, the children of regional lords, the children of great aristocratic families, and talented youths of ordinary birth selected layer by layer from all regions.

Taiwu Academy's teaching staff was astonishing: two Great Powers of the Law Manifestation Realm, thirty peak experts of the Dragon Transformation Realm, and even the weakest Instructor was a third-level Divine Treasury Realm expert.

At the ceremony, Emperor Qian, who appeared middle-aged, publicly declared that every Taiwu Academy student was his disciple. They need not bow to any official they met, and if they suffered any grievance, they could enter the imperial palace and complain directly to him.

Beyond verbal promises, Emperor Qian also offered tangible benefits, awarding every student two hundred Merit Points.

Merit Points could be exchanged within Taiwu Academy for cultivation arts, martial skills, spells, pills, Spirit Talismans, Essence Stones... and more.

After the academy-opening ceremony ended, Jiang Ping'an successfully collected the two hundred Merit Points bestowed by Emperor Qian from the Hall Master's residence, then turned and entered the Alchemy Pavilion.

The Alchemy Pavilion contained countless Art of Alchemy manuals and Pill Recipes.

"Instructor, I wish to exchange for an Advanced Alchemy Art." Jiang Ping'an said to the Alchemy Pavilion's administrator.

To him, the Origin Qi contained within the Origin Qi Realm was simply not worth mentioning. He needed to take Top-Grade Spirit Pills such as the Ten Thousand Year Ginseng Pill.

Unexpectedly, the other man smiled. "Advanced Alchemy Arts aren't cheap. They cost at least three thousand Merit Points. His Majesty only awarded you two hundred Merit Points, so you cannot afford one for the time being."

"Can I buy it with gold, silver, or Essence Stones?" Jiang Ping'an asked unwillingly.

The administrator decisively shook his head. "No. Within Taiwu Academy, cultivation arts, martial skills, spells, Art of Alchemy, Pill Recipes... and the like can only be exchanged for with Merit Points. If you wish to exchange for a Top-Grade Alchemy Art, you will probably need to accumulate Merit Points for one or two years."

Jiang Ping'an could not help asking in surprise, "Are Merit Points difficult to accumulate?"

"They are not easy to obtain, in any case," the administrator said firmly. "Merit Points can be exchanged for everything within Taiwu Academy. Some things cannot be bought outside even with money. Take Top-Grade Alchemy Arts, for example—even great aristocratic families may not possess them. How could they be something money can easily buy?"

Jiang Ping'an clasped his hands. "Thank you for the guidance."

Then he asked, "If I wanted to exchange for an Intermediate Alchemy Art, how many Merit Points would it cost?"

"Two hundred Merit Points." The administrator held up two fingers, then kindly advised, "Merit Points are not easy to earn. Spending all the Merit Points His Majesty awarded you in one go is not a wise move."

Jiang Ping'an thanked him, but still insisted on exchanging for a Medium-Grade Alchemy Art.

Since he lacked Merit Points, he could only use hundredfold proficiency to comprehend a Top-Grade Alchemy Art.

In the end, Jiang Ping'an successfully exchanged for a Medium-Grade Alchemy Art—"Shennong Alchemy Art - Vol. 1."

The price was that he had spent every last Merit Point.

"I still need a Top-Grade Pill Recipe that can raise cultivation," Jiang Ping'an thought to himself as he left the Alchemy Pavilion and headed toward his Residence. "But the Genius Ranking Tournament begins the day after tomorrow. Once I take first place, I'll have one thousand Merit Points."

When he returned to the Residence, Jiang Yiyi was humming a little tune as she planted flowers and grass in the front courtyard, clearly in high spirits.

"Younger Male Cousin, you're back? Did you see Emperor Qian?" Jiang Yiyi noticed Jiang Ping'an's return and immediately came over to ask curiously.

Jiang Ping'an smiled. "I did."

Jiang Yiyi was obviously lively by nature, her thoughts leaping from one thing to another. She smiled. "The Heavenly Essence here is so rich, ten or twenty times richer than in White Emperor City. Living somewhere with such rich Heavenly Essence, even after waking from a nap, you feel especially refreshed and full of energy."

"The Heavenly Essence at Taiwu Academy is indeed quite good." Jiang Ping'an smiled. "With such excellent conditions, you must keep cultivating every day. You cannot slack off."

The Heavenly Essence at Taiwu Academy was almost comparable to that of the Yellow Bamboo Courtyard in the Zhennan Marquis Estate, and he too was pleasantly surprised and satisfied.

At his current terrifying rate of absorbing Heavenly Essence, the amount he absorbed each day was equivalent to eating an Essence Pill, without having to worry about side effects from consuming too many Spirit Pills.

Taiwu Academy truly suited his rapid growth.

"Where is Chen Donglai?" he asked.

Although he did not yet have a Top-Grade Pill Recipe, he could first refine several batches of Essence Pills. He intended to have Chen Donglai purchase the ingredients for Essence Pills.

Jiang Yiyi replied, "He went out shopping and hasn't returned yet. He said we still lacked many things. Younger Male Cousin, if you need anything, just tell me. I'm your servant now too."

"It would already be good enough if you didn't act like my ancestor." Jiang Ping'an laughed and scolded. "All right, there's nothing urgent. We'll talk when Chen Donglai returns."

With that, he entered the main house, went up to the second floor, and entered his bedroom.

Taking out the copied volume of "Shennong Alchemy Art - Vol. 1" that he had exchanged for, Jiang Ping'an quickly flipped through it, then closed his eyes and opened the panel in his mind.

First, he would max out its proficiency and fully comprehend "Shennong Alchemy Art - Vol. 1" [Medium Grade], then add another hundredfold proficiency to comprehend "Shennong Alchemy Art: Middle Scroll" [Top Grade].

Looking at the automatically named new Alchemy Art, Jiang Ping'an thought to himself, So Shennong Alchemy Art has three volumes: upper, middle, and lower. At its highest level, it can refine Supreme-Grade Spirit Pills.

His gaze swept across the panel and settled on the only Divine Ability that had not been sealed. He thought to himself, Yujing is the capital of the Great Qian Kingdom, a place where crouching tigers and hidden dragons abound, where experts gather like clouds and Great Powers come and go. My Unblemished Adamantine Body Divine Ability has only reached one-tenth proficiency. That is far from safe enough—I must max out its Proficiency Points. Besides, I have now accumulated more than fifty-eight million Proficiency Points.

With that thought, Jiang Ping'an maxed out the Proficiency Points for "Unblemished Adamantine Body" in one breath, fully comprehending "Unblemished Adamantine Body."

However, it had also consumed nine million Proficiency Points.

After resting briefly, Jiang Ping'an turned his gaze to "Primal Chaos Body Protection" [Earth Rank] (/) and pondered, Primal Chaos Body Protection can withstand spells or martial skill attacks of Earth Rank and below. It was enough in White Emperor City, but in Yujing, where experts gather like clouds and Great Powers come and go, it is simply not enough.

Is it worth spending ten million Proficiency Points to raise Primal Chaos Body Protection to Heaven Rank? Ten million Proficiency Points would take nearly three years to accumulate.

The next moment, he made up his mind. It is absolutely worth it!

Thus, he began adding Proficiency Points to "Primal Chaos Body Protection," continuing until he had added one hundred times the amount.

A vast flood of insights regarding "Primal Chaos Body Protection" poured into his mind. His understanding of "Primal Chaos Body Protection" deepened further and further until, at last, accumulation brought transformation, and he comprehended a Body Protection Art on an even higher level.

"Unnamed Body Protection Art" [Heaven Rank]: Once successfully cultivated, it becomes a bodily instinct. Even if the cultivator falls unconscious, it will still automatically protect the body when it is attacked. At maximum, it can withstand attacks from Heaven-Rank spells or martial skills. When resisting attacks of equal strength, it consumes half as much True Essence as "Primal Chaos Body Protection."

Jiang Ping'an could not help but rejoice. The ten million Proficiency Points had not been wasted. The improvement was obvious; it was not merely an increase in defensive strength.

"I'll call you 'Primal Chaos True Protection'!"

With a thought from him, the new Body Protection Art was renamed.

With his ability to protect himself greatly enhanced, Jiang Ping'an's heart surged with excitement as he carefully and comprehensively examined his panel.

Name: Zhao Ping'an

Age: Sixteen

Cultivation: Mid Primordial Sea Realm

Bloodline: Ancient Sacred Body 100%

Cultivation Arts: "Dao Scripture" Volume Two (/), "Dao Scripture" Volume Three (0/one million), "Dao Scripture" Volume Four (0/ten million), "Dao Scripture" Volume Five (0/one hundred million), "Dao Scripture" Volume Six (0/one billion), "Dao Scripture" Volume Seven (0/ten billion)

Divine Abilities: Unblemished Adamantine Body (ten million/ten million), Sacred Body: Law, Heaven, and Earth (0/ten million) (Sealed), Blood Rebirth (0/five million) (Sealed), Heavenly Punishment Sacred Eye (0/one million) (Sealed), Kuafu Sun Chasing (0/one million) (Sealed), Infinite Divine Strength (0/one million) (Sealed)

Spells: Primal Chaos Body Protection True Qi [Heaven Rank], Myriad Spirit Refinement Art [Earth Rank] (/), "Mortal Transformation" (/), Extreme Speed Xun Wind Technique [Top Grade]

Martial Skills: "Gale Wind Slayer Wings" [Top Grade], "Wind and Rain Life-Stealing Palm" [Top Grade], "Xun Star Swordplay" [Top Grade], "Willow Branching Movement" [Top Grade], "Arhat Subduing Fist" [Medium Grade], "Gale Swordplay" [Low Grade]

Art of Alchemy: "Shennong Alchemy Art: Middle Scroll" [Top Grade], "Forty-Eight Alchemy Truths" [Medium Grade], "Essence Pill" [Medium Grade], "Hundred Herbs Pill" [Low Grade], "Qi and Blood Pill" [Low Grade] (0/100)

Talisman Crafting: Golden Bell Shield Talisman [Low Grade], Swift Travel Talisman [Low Grade], Fireball Talisman [Low Grade]

Art of Crafting: "Basic Artificer Art", Dragon's Roar Sword [Top-Grade Mortal Artifact]

Text Comprehension: "Brief History of the Great Wilderness" (30/30), "History of Human Tribulation" (30/30)...

Proficiency Points: 49.24 million (points acquired automatically every day.)

Closing the panel, Jiang Ping'an kept his eyes slightly shut and rested, recovering from his mental fatigue.

About half an incense stick later, someone knocked on the door.

"Young Master, I have an important matter to report." Chen Donglai's voice came from outside.

Jiang Ping'an opened his eyes, got out of bed, and opened the door. "Uncle Chen, what is it?"

"Young Master, while I was returning from shopping just now, I encountered Zhao Zhenming in the Upper Ridge Courtyard." Chen Donglai reported respectfully and ashamedly. "Zhao Zhenming had his men follow me."

Jiang Ping'an smiled reassuringly. "I thought it was something serious. It's fine. Since Zhao Zhenming also lives in the Upper Ridge Courtyard, it was only a matter of time before he learned where my Residence was."

But Chen Donglai said anxiously and worriedly, "Zhao Zhenming will surely bully you."

"Who bullies whom is not yet certain." Jiang Ping'an smiled with calm confidence. "This is Yujing, this is Taiwu Academy—not his Zhennan Marquis Estate."

As Chen Donglai reported to Jiang Ping'an, Zhao Zhenming was also receiving a report from his servant.

After hearing Jiang Ping'an's Residence number, Zhao Zhenming fell into thought, a trace of jealousy rising in his eyes.

Seeing this, his servant Zhao Qingshi cautiously advised, "Young Master, the Residence to the left of Jia Chen Dorm belongs to Princess Bailing, Emperor Qian's most favored princess, while the one to the right belongs to Yan Ruyu, the Holy Confucian Sect Master's only biological granddaughter."

"It is said that Princess Bailing and Yan Ruyu are not only of noble birth and peerless talent, but also beauties capable of toppling kingdoms, as lovely as heavenly immortals."

"That Residence is simply not a place a concubine-born Mortal Body like Zhao Ping'an deserves to live in. Only you, Young Master, deserve to live there and become neighbors with Princess Bailing and Yan Ruyu."

Zhao Qingshi was two years older than Zhao Zhenming and was a Family Born Servant of the Zhennan Marquis Estate. His great-grandfather had originally been surnamed Zhang, but later received the surname Zhao from the Zhennan Marquis Estate. He had always been one of Zhao Zhenming's four attendant servants. Being the most loyal and quick-witted, he had been brought by Zhao Zhenming into Taiwu Academy.

Zhao Zhenming was somewhat tempted as he listened.

Seeing that his master had been moved, Zhao Qingshi continued, "Many people will surely set their sights on the Jia Chen Dorm Residence. Once they learn Zhao Ping'an's background, they will definitely use whatever means they can—either tempting him with profit or threatening him with force—to make Zhao Ping'an exchange Residences. Zhao Ping'an will certainly be unable to withstand the pressure and will have no choice but to move out of Jia Chen Dorm and give it to someone else."

"As the saying goes, rich water should not flow into outsiders' fields. Since he cannot keep the Jia Chen Dorm Residence anyway, why not give it to you? Besides, if you move into Jia Chen Dorm, you would be taking the storm and rain in his stead, sparing him from being bullied and struck down by others. It would be for his own good."

Zhao Zhenming could not help nodding slightly. "What you say makes some sense."

Zhao Qingshi was overjoyed. He immediately volunteered, "Young Master, this servant is willing to use my unrotting three-inch tongue to make Zhao Ping'an obediently give up the Jia Chen Dorm Residence for you to move into."

"Then go," Zhao Zhenming said with a nod.

"Yes!" Zhao Qingshi eagerly accepted the order and immediately turned to head for Jia Chen Dorm.